bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible Applications of Focussed Impedance Method (FIM) in Biomedical and Other Areas of Study
Authors: Rabbani K Siddique-e , Kadir M Abdul
Published: April 2013

Focused Impedance Method (FIM) based on 8, 6 and 4 electrode configurations have been innovated and developed for measuring the electrical impedance of a localised zone in a volume conductor, all based on tetrapolar impedance technique. The zone localization in FIM has been visualized through equipotential distributions, current density at the target point and perturbation produced at the potential measuring electrodes. The predicted behaviour has been verified though phantom measurements and analytical techniques by different groups. FIM is particularly sensitive and useful if the electrical impedance of a target object in the sensitive zone changes between two sets of measurements. This can be either due to a physical change in the target object, or, if its impedance has frequency dependence, through a change in the measurement frequency. In medical applications FIM is being developed for studying stomach and bladder emptying, localized lung function, detection of cervical and oral cancer, etc. FIM may have applications in industry to study physical mixtures of liquids and gases in pipelines and tanks, in geology to detect groundwater and other minerals, in oceanography, and in many other applications. Thus FIM appears to have a huge potential for application in different areas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14689 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 67-74
Design and Development of a Microcontroller Based Portable ECG Monitor
Authors: Rahman Nahian , Bodiuzzaman AKM , Abir A Raihan , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

A portable battery powered miniature ECG monitor with built in graphic display has been developed at low cost which can be used in rural areas, for on site patient service. It involves an analogue electronics circuit and a programmable digital circuit in the form of a Microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU sends necessary data to an LCD graphic display screen having 128 x 64 pixels and a built-in controller. The data acquisition, processing and plotting of graphs on the screen in real time are performed through a software developed using C language. The hardware was mounted in a compact box with integrated battery. Field trial and further improvement will be needed before it can be given out to users. A little modification will make it suitable for continuous ambulatory monitoring, with data stored in an SDRAM, which can later be read into a PC and analysed by a doctor. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14702 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 127-134
Development and Application of an Innovative Electrical Gastrometer
Authors: Biswas Siddartha Sankar
Published: April 2013

A simple electrical gastrometer has been innovated and developed based on short circuit current produced by a voltaic cell comprising of two dissimilar metallic electrodes in a probe on which a specific volume of saliva is placed. This has been used to take data from 388 normal subjects and 622 subjects with gastric acidity problems to various degrees, assessed by the author in his capacity as a village doctor. A grading scheme was also developed to categorise the condition of the disorder based on the intensity of discomfort. A good correlation has been observed between the assessed degree of gastric acidity and the currents produced in this gastrometer. Thus this low cost device may be useful in diagnosing gastric problems. Furthermore, treatment given to these patients based on this estimation also produced relief in majority of cases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14705 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 149-151
A Strategic Application of Fast Fourier Transform as a Novel Tool to Evaluate the Extent of Neuronal Insult in Rat Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Paul S , Bhattacharya P , Pandey AK , Sharma N , Tiwari JP , Patnaik R
Published: April 2013

The present work envisages mathematical modeling of induced focal cerebral ischemia in animal model using EEG data with the help of Fast Fourier Transformation method. Amongst several analysis methods, spectral analysis methods are important because it detects the frequencies and characteristics changes of brain waveforms depending on the brain function affected from disorders and physiological state. There are many applications of FFT, and the most important being that it is one of the basic conventional spectral analysis methods. However, it has some limitations, for instance, it adds contributions in the low frequency region which are not present in the original signal, and necessitates the use of windowing for decreasing the error rate. The present analysis was undertaken to ensure actual correlation of the different mathematical paradigms. EEG data were obtained from different regions of rat brain and were processed by FFT modeling in MATLAB platform. The assessment of long lasting functional outcome and to prevalent classical approach to study stroke was necessitated and therefore highly recommended to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic strategies in relation to EEG in animal model of brain stroke. This mathematical modeling specifically Power Spectrum Density analysis was done to correlate the different prevalent condition of rat brain function. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14666 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 29-36
Analysis of Evoked EMG using Wavelet Transformation
Authors: Mahbub Zaid Bin , Karami JH , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

Evoked EMG M-responses obtained from the thenar muscle in the palm by electrical stimulation of the median nerve demonstrate a well-established smooth bipolar shape for normal healthy subjects while kinks are observed in certain neurological disorders, particularly in cervical spondylotic neuropathy. A first differentiation failed to identify these kinks because of comparable values obtained for normally rising and falling segments of the smooth regions, and due to noise. In this study, the usefulness of the wavelet transform (WT), that provides localized measures of non-stationary signals is investigated. The Haar WT was used to analyze a total of 36 M-responses recorded from the median nerves of 6 normal subjects (having smooth shape) and 12 subjects with assumed neurological disorders (having kinks), for two points of stimulation on the same nerve. Features in the time-scale representation of the M-responses were studied using WT to distinguish smooth M-responses from ones with kinks. Variations in the coefficient line of the WT were also studied to allow visualization of WT at different scales (inverse of frequency). The high and low frequency regions in the WT came out distinctively which helped identifications of kinks even of very subtle ones in the M-responses which were difficult to obtain using the differentiated signal. In conclusion, the wavelet analysis may be a technique of choice in identifying kinks in M-responses in relation to time, thus enhancing the accuracy of neurological diagnosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14667 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 41-51
Fast Rescheduling of Multiple Workflows to Constrained Heterogeneous Resources Using Multi-Criteria Memetic Computing
Authors: Jakob Wilfried , Strack Sylvia , Quinte Alexander , Bengel Günther , Stucky Karl-Uwe , Süß Wolfgang
Published: April 2013

This paper is motivated by, but not limited to, the task of scheduling jobs organized in workflows to a computational grid. Due to the dynamic nature of grid computing, more or less permanent replanning is required so that only very limited time is available to come up with a revised plan. To meet the requirements of both users and resource owners, a multi-objective optimization comprising execution time and costs is needed. This paper summarizes our work over the last six years in this field, and reports new results obtained by the combination of heuristics and evolutionary search in an adaptive Memetic Algorithm. We will show how different heuristics contribute to solving varying replanning scenarios and investigate the question of the maximum manageable work load for a grid of growing size starting with a load of 200 jobs and 20 resources up to 7000 jobs and 700 resources. Furthermore, the effect of four different local searchers incorporated into the evolutionary search is studied. We will also report briefly on approaches that failed within the short time frame given for planning.
NADPH Oxidase as a Therapeutic Target for Neuroprotection against Ischaemic Stroke: Future Perspectives
Authors: McCann Sarah , Roulston Carli
Published: April 2013

Oxidative stress caused by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is known to contribute to stroke injury, particularly during reperfusion, and antioxidants targeting this process have resulted in improved outcomes experimentally. Unfortunately these improvements have not been successfully translated to the clinical setting. Targeting the source of oxidative stress may provide a superior therapeutic approach. The NADPH oxidases are a family of enzymes dedicated solely to ROS production and pre-clinical animal studies targeting NADPH oxidases have shown promising results. However there are multiple factors that need to be considered for future drug development: There are several homologues of the catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase. All have differing physiological roles and may contribute differentially to oxidative damage after stroke. Additionally, the role of ROS in brain repair is largely unexplored, which should be taken into consideration when developing drugs that inhibit specific NADPH oxidases after injury. This article focuses on the current knowledge regarding NADPH oxidase after stroke including in vivo genetic and inhibitor studies. The caution required when interpreting reports of positive outcomes after NADPH oxidase inhibition is also discussed, as effects on long term recovery are yet to be investigated and are likely to affect successful clinical translation.
Mill and Mental Phenomena: Critical Contributions to a Science of Cognition
Authors: Bistricky Steven
Published: April 2013

Attempts to define cognition preceded John Stuart Mill’s life and continue to this day. John Stuart Mill envisioned a science of mental phenomena informed by associationism, empirical introspection, and neurophysiology, and he advanced specific ideas that still influence modern conceptions of cognition. The present article briefly reviews Mill’s personal history and the times in which he lived, and it traces the evolution of ideas that have run through him to contemporary cognitive concepts. The article also highlights contemporary problems in defining cognition and supports specific criteria regarding what constitutes cognition.
Energy Management and Smart Grids
Authors: Miceli Rosario
Published: April 2013

The paper outlines energy management concepts and the smart grid evolution. The necessity of considering energy management as a crucial innovation in load supplying to permit a more powerful penetration of renewable energy usage at the building and city level and to perform energy savings and CO2 emissions reduction is pointed out. The driving factors to enhance the current power distribution are presented, and the benefits concerning smart grids are underlined. In the paper, a specific energy management analysis is reported by considering all the electric value chain, and the demand-side management and distributed on site control actions are described. To verify the benefit of energy management control actions, a house simulator and a grid simulator are here presented and the results discussed in three different scenarios. Moreover, in the paper, the evaluation of ecological benefits are reported, and a cost benefit analysis of the energy management system is performed. Results pointed out that with the standard control actions, the system is not economic for the end user, and only by using energy management systems with renewable energy, in site production remunerative energy savings can be reached. Finally the evolution of smart grids is presented, focusing on potential benefits and technical problems. The active grids, microgrids and virtual utility are described, and final consideration on hypothetical scenarios is presented in the conclusion.
Wood Quality: A Perspective from New Zealand
Authors: Walker John
Published: April 2013

Forest products are commodities and subject to cyclical trends; yet resource-hungry countries offer exporters a period of sustained growth for those with the right products. Products have their distinctive requirements, e.g., finishing timber (colour, stability), structural (strength stiffness, stability), paper (fibre length and tear strength). The failure to incorporate such key properties in radiata pine (Pinus radiata) breeding programmes has been a lost opportunity for New Zealand forestry that constrains exports. Radiata pine remains a utilitarian, undifferentiated commodity. A complementary opportunity in international markets lies in naturally-durable eucalypts grown on New Zealand’s east coast drylands. These are species whose properties mimic those of the finest tropical hardwoods that are in most demand in Asian markets.
A One-Step Homogeneous Sandwich Immunosensor for Salmonella Detection Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs) and Quantum Dots (QDs)
Authors: Kuang Hua , Cui Gang , Chen Xiujin , Yin Honghong , Yong Qianqian , Xu Liguang , Peng Chifang , Wang Libing , Xu Chuanlai
Published: April 2013

Simple immuno-magnetic separation tandem fluorescent probes based on quantum dots-antibody (QDs-Ab) were developed to detect Salmonella with sensitivity of 500 cfu mL−1. With two monoclonal antibodies, which recognize different antigenic determinant on the surface of Salmonella, we prepared antibody-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and conjugates of QDs-Ab. The immune-magnetic beads were verified with high enrichment efficiency for Salmonella (90%). A sandwich structure formed if the Salmonella solution was mixed together with immune-beads and QDs-Ab, and the fluorescent single from QDs was related to the amount of Salmonella. A linear response between fluorescence intensity and various concentrations of Salmonella (2.5 × 103 to 1.95 × 108 cfu mL−1) were observed with this proposed method. The total assay time for Salmonella was 30 min, and no cross-reaction to other microbial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli O157:H7), were found using this detection system. All our results showed that the simple homogeneous immunoassay could be applied in Salmonella screening without time-consuming extra-enrichment of bacteria.
Melatonin: Buffering the Immune System
Authors: Carrillo-Vico Antonio , Lardone Patricia , Álvarez-Sánchez Nuria , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Ana , Guerrero Juan
Published: April 2013

Melatonin modulates a wide range of physiological functions with pleiotropic effects on the immune system. Despite the large number of reports implicating melatonin as an immunomodulatory compound, it still remains unclear how melatonin regulates immunity. While some authors argue that melatonin is an immunostimulant, many studies have also described anti-inflammatory properties. The data reviewed in this paper support the idea of melatonin as an immune buffer, acting as a stimulant under basal or immunosuppressive conditions or as an anti-inflammatory compound in the presence of exacerbated immune responses, such as acute inflammation. The clinical relevance of the multiple functions of melatonin under different immune conditions, such as infection, autoimmunity, vaccination and immunosenescence, is also reviewed.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Marine Cembrane-Type Diterpenoids on Dendritic Cells
Authors: Lin Ching-Yen , Lu Mei-Chin , Su Jui-Hsin , Chu Ching-Liang , Shiuan David , Weng Ching-Feng , Sung Ping-Jyun , Huang Kao-Jean
Published: April 2013

Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen presenting cells, which can present antigens to T-cells and play an important role in linking innate and adaptive immunity. DC maturation can be induced by many stimuli, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial products, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Here, we examined the immunomodulatory effects of marine cembrane compounds, (9E,13E)-5-acetoxy-6-hydroxy-9,13-dimethyl-3- methylene-3,3a,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,14a-decahydro-2H-cyclotrideca[b]furan-2-one (1), (9E,13E)- 5-acetoxy-6-acetyl-9,13-dimethyl-3-methylene-3,3a,4,5,6,7,8,11,12,14a-decahydro-2H-cyclotrideca[b]furan-2-one (2), lobocrassin B (3), (−)14-deoxycrassin (4), cembranolide B (5) and 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide (6) isolated from a soft coral, Lobophytum crassum, on mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). The results revealed that cembrane-type diterpenoids, especially lobocrassin B, effectively inhibited LPS-induced BMDC activation by inhibiting the production of TNF-α. Pre-treatment of BMDCs with Lobocrassin B for 1 h is essential to prohibit the following activation induced by various toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, such as LPS, zymosan, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and Pam2CSK4. Inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation by lobocrassin B, which is a key transcription factor for cytokine production in TLR signaling, was evident as assayed by high-content image analysis. Lobocrassin B attenuated DC maturation and endocytosis as the expression levels of MHC class II and the co-stimulatory molecules were downregulated, which may affect the function of DCs to initiate the T-cell responses. Thus, lobocrassin B may have the potential in treatment of immune dysregulated diseases in the future.
Computational Modeling of the Size Effects on the Optical Vibrational Modes of H-Terminated Ge Nanostructures
Authors: Trejo Alejandro , Cruz-Irisson Miguel
Published: April 2013

The vibrational dispersion relations of porous germanium (pGe) and germanium nanowires (GeNWs) were calculated using the ab initio density functional perturbation theory with a generalized gradient approximation with norm-conserving pseudopotentials. Both pores and nanowires were modeled using the supercell technique. All of the surface dangling bonds were saturated with hydrogen atoms. To address the difference in the confinement between the pores and the nanowires, we calculated the vibrational density of states of the two materials. The results indicate that there is a slight shift in the highest optical mode of the Ge-Ge vibration interval in all of the nanostructures due to the phonon confinement effects. The GeNWs exhibit a reduced phonon confinement compared with the porous Ge due to the mixed Ge-dihydride vibrational modes around the maximum bulk Ge optical mode of approximately 300 cm−1; however, the general effects of such confinements could still be noticed, such as the shift to lower frequencies of the highest optical mode belonging to the Ge vibrations.
1H-MAS-NMR Chemical Shifts in Hydrogen-Bonded Complexes of Chlorophenols (Pentachlorophenol, 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol, 2,6-Dichlorophenol, 3,5-Dichlorophenol, and p-Chlorophenol) and Amine, and H/D Isotope Effects on 1H-MAS-NMR Spectra
Authors: Honda Hisashi
Published: April 2013

Chemical shifts (CS) of the 1H nucleus in N···H···O type hydrogen bonds (H-bond) were observed in some complexes between chlorophenols [pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2,4,6-tricholorophenol (TCP), 2,6-dichlorophenol (26DCP), 3,5-dichlorophenol (35DCP), and p-chlorophenol (pCP)] and nitrogen-base (N-Base) by solid-state high-resolution 1H-NMR with the magic-angle-spinning (MAS) method. Employing N-Bases with a wide range of pKa values (0.65–10.75), 1H-MAS-NMR CS values of bridging H atoms in H-bonds were obtained as a function of the N-Base’s pKa. The result showed that the CS values were increased with increasing pKa values in a range of DpKa < 0 [DpKa = pKa(N-Base) - pKa(chlorophenols)] and decreased when DpKa > 2: The maximum CS values was recorded in the PCP (pKa = 5.26)–4-methylpyridine (6.03), TCP (6.59)–imidazole (6.99), 26DCP (7.02)–2-amino-4-methylpyridine (7.38), 35DCP (8.04)–4-dimethylaminopyridine (9.61), and pCP (9.47)–4-dimethylaminopyridine (9.61) complexes. The largest CS value of 18.6 ppm was recorded in TCP–imidazole crystals. In addition, H/D isotope effects on 1H-MAS-NMR spectra were observed in PCP–2-amino-3-methylpyridine. Based on the results of CS simulation using a B3LYP/6-311+G** function, it can be explained that a little changes of the N–H length in H-bond contribute to the H/D isotope shift of the 1H-MAS-NMR peaks.
Intravenous and Subcutaneous Toxicity and Absorption Kinetics in Mice and Dogs of the Antileishmanial Triterpene Saponin PX-6518
Authors: Maes Louis
Published: April 2013

The intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) toxicity and absorption kinetics of the antileishmanial triterpene saponin PX-6518 and its active constituents maesabalide-III and -IV were studied in mice and dogs. A high-dose wash-out study of PX-6518 at 20 mg/kg SC for 5 days and a single low-dose wash-out study at 1, 2.5 or 5 mg/kg SC and IV with follow-up until day 35 after treatment were performed in mice. Beagle dogs received three escalating doses of maesabalide-III and -IV at weekly intervals (0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg IV and maesabalide-III was also dosed SC at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg). Endpoint measurements included clinical, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Pathology and toxicokinetic studies were performed on the dogs. Whereas the neutrophils and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were increased in the high-dose wash-out mouse study, these parameters did not change in the low-dose wash-out study. The dogs were far more susceptible than mice to liver toxicity (hepatocellular necrosis and elevated liver enzymes) and developed a painful inflammatory reaction at the SC injection site. Toxicokinetic analysis revealed a non dose-linear systemic availability with plasma concentrations above the antileishmanial IC50 after only a single dose at 0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mg/kg SC. Related to the long half-life (T1/2 71–91 h after SC dosing), repeated dosing at weekly intervals may result in drug accumulation and enhanced toxicity. It was decided not to pursue further drug development for PX-6518 because of the hepatotoxic risk.
Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits
Authors: Slavin Joanne
Published: April 2013

The health benefits of dietary fiber have long been appreciated. Higher intakes of dietary fiber are linked to less cardiovascular disease and fiber plays a role in gut health, with many effective laxatives actually isolated fiber sources. Higher intakes of fiber are linked to lower body weights. Only polysaccharides were included in dietary fiber originally, but more recent definitions have included oligosaccharides as dietary fiber, not based on their chemical measurement as dietary fiber by the accepted total dietary fiber (TDF) method, but on their physiological effects. Inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides, and other oligosaccharides are included as fiber in food labels in the US. Additionally, oligosaccharides are the best known “prebiotics”, “a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-bring and health.” To date, all known and suspected prebiotics are carbohydrate compounds, primarily oligosaccharides, known to resist digestion in the human small intestine and reach the colon where they are fermented by the gut microflora. Studies have provided evidence that inulin and oligofructose (OF), lactulose, and resistant starch (RS) meet all aspects of the definition, including the stimulation of Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacterial genus. Other isolated carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing foods, including galactooligosaccharides (GOS), transgalactooligosaccharides (TOS), polydextrose, wheat dextrin, acacia gum, psyllium, banana, whole grain wheat, and whole grain corn also have prebiotic effects.
Tropes of Fear: the Impact of Globalization on Batek Religious Landscapes
Authors: Tacey Ivan
Published: April 2013

The Batek are a forest and forest-fringe dwelling population numbering around 1,500 located in Peninsular Malaysia. Most Batek groups were mobile forest-dwelling foragers and collectors until the recent past. The Batek imbue the forest with religious significance that they inscribe onto the landscape through movement, everyday activities, storytelling, trancing and shamanic journeying. However, as processes of globalization transform Malaysian landscapes, many Batek groups have been deterritorialized and relocated to the forest fringes where they are often pressured into converting to world religions, particularly Islam. Batek religious beliefs and practices have been re-shaped by their increasing encounters with global flows of ideologies, technologies, objects, capital and people, as landscapes are opened up to development. This article analyzes the ways these encounters are incorporated into the fabric of the Batek’s religious world and how new objects and ideas have been figuratively and literally assimilated into their taboo systems and cosmology. Particular attention is paid to the impacts of globalization as expressed through tropes of fear.
Impact of the Spatial Domain Size on the Performance of the Ts-VI Triangle Method in Terrestrial Evapotranspiration Estimation
Authors: Tian Jing , Su Hongbo , Sun Xiaomin , Chen Shaohui , He Honglin , Zhao Linjun
Published: April 2013

This study aims to investigate the impact of the spatial size of the study domain on the performance of the triangle method using progressively smaller domains and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observations in the Heihe River basin located in the arid region of northwestern China. Data from 10 clear-sky days during the growing season from April to September 2009 were used. Results show that different dry/wet edges in the surface temperature-vegetation index space directly led to the deviation of evapotranspiration (ET) estimates due to the variation of the spatial domain size. The slope and the intercept of the limiting edges are dependent on the range and the maximum of surface temperature over the spatial domain. The difference of the limiting edges between different domain sizes has little impact on the spatial pattern of ET estimates, with the Pearson correlation coefficient ranging from 0.94 to 1.0 for the 10 pairs of ET estimates at different domain scales. However, it has a larger impact on the degree of discrepancies in ET estimates between different domain sizes, with the maximum of 66 W∙m−2. The largest deviation of ET estimates between different domain sizes was found at the beginning of the growing season.
Characterization of Canopy Layering in Forested Ecosystems Using Full Waveform Lidar
Authors: Whitehurst Amanda , Swatantran Anu , Blair J. , Hofton Michelle , Dubayah Ralph
Published: April 2013

Canopy structure, the vertical distribution of canopy material, is an important element of forest ecosystem dynamics and habitat preference. Although vertical stratification, or “canopy layering,” is a basic characterization of canopy structure for research and forest management, it is difficult to quantify at landscape scales. In this paper we describe canopy structure and develop methodologies to map forest vertical stratification in a mixed temperate forest using full-waveform lidar. Two definitions—one categorical and one continuous—are used to map canopy layering over Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire with lidar data collected in 2009 by NASA’s Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS). The two resulting canopy layering datasets describe variation of canopy layering throughout the forest and show that layering varies with terrain elevation and canopy height. This information should provide increased understanding of vertical structure variability and aid habitat characterization and other forest management activities.
Cramer-Rao Bounds and Coherence Performance Analysis for Next Generation Radar with Pulse Trains
Authors: Tang Xiaowei , Tang Jun , He Qian , Wan Shuang , Tang Bo , Sun Peilin , Zhang Ning
Published: April 2013

We study the Cramer-Rao bounds of parameter estimation and coherence performance for the next generation radar (NGR). In order to enhance the performance of NGR, the signal model of NGR with master-slave architecture based on a single pulse is extended to the case of pulse trains, in which multiple pulses are emitted from all sensors and then integrated spatially and temporally in a unique master sensor. For the MIMO mode of NGR where orthogonal waveforms are emitted, we derive the closed-form Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) for the estimates of generalized coherence parameters (GCPs), including the time delay differences, total phase differences and Doppler frequencies with respect to different sensors. For the coherent mode of NGR where the coherent waveforms are emitted after pre-compensation using the estimates of GCPs, we develop a performance bound of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gain for NGR based on the aforementioned CRBs, taking all the estimation errors into consideration. It is shown that greatly improved estimation accuracy and coherence performance can be obtained with pulse trains employed in NGR. Numerical examples demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results.
Indoor Thermal Comfort: The Behavioral Component
Authors: Barkenbus Jack
Published: April 2013

This is a study of how indoor temperature settings have changed over time in the United States based on data from the Energy Information Administration’s, Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS). It is shown that Americans have moderately raised indoor temperature settings during the heating season over the past thirty years. It is also shown that most Americans keep their homes relatively cool in the summertime and are generally averse to implementing temperature setbacks. It is revealed that occupants in lower-income homes tend to set their thermostats higher in winter than other income groups, but that the most intense cooling tends to take place in both low-income and high-income homes. As expected, renters tend to heat and cool more intensively than homeowners. Getting Americans to change their temperature settings in order to save energy is not easy even though it comes with the promise of financial savings. The use of programmable thermostats thus far has proved unsuccessful. Greater utilization of social marketing to achieve energy savings is suggested, as well as a renewed effort on the part of electricity suppliers to work more closely with homeowners as part of the rollout of the “smart grid”.
Generation and Characterization of a Novel Recombinant Antibody against LMP1-TES1 of Epstein-Barr Virus Isolated by Phage Display
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Mao Yuan , Cao Qing , Xiong Lin , Wen Juan , Chen Renjie , Zhu Jin
Published: April 2013

Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1) is a primary target for controlling tumorigenesis in Epstein-Barr virus related malignancies; in this study, we aimed to develop a specific antibody against the TES1 domain of the oncogenic LMP1. We screened a full human naïve Fab phage library against TES1 peptide, which consisted of C terminal-activating regions proximal 44 amino acids. After three rounds of panning, enrichment and testing by phage ELISA and further analyzed by DNA sequencing, we selected a phage clone with the highest affinity to LMP1-TES1 and designated it as htesFab. The positive clone was expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified htesFab was characterized for its binding specificity and affinity to LMP1. ELISA, immunofluorescence and FACS analysis confirmed that htesFab could recognize LMP1 TES1 both in vitro and in LMP1 expressing HNE2-LMP1 cells. Furthermore, MTT assay showed that htesFab inhibited the proliferation of HNE2-LMP1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, this study reported the isolation and characterization of human Fab, which specifically targets the C terminal region/TES1 of LMP1, and has potential to be developed as novel tool for the diagnosis and therapy of Epstein-Barr virus related carcinoma
À la recherche du saint Prépuce
Authors: Seth Catriona
Published: April 2013

Pour l’homme des Lumières, la circoncision est une « coutume bizarre », or l’Église se voit obligée de défendre celle de Jésus... et de s’interroger sur le devenir du saint Prépuce. Une mystique autrichienne dont on publie les visions en 1731 croit le sentir et l’avaler ; un chirurgien en examine une relique à la demande d’un évêque, y goûte et n’y voit que poussière ; l’objet est détruit – épisodes divertissants, chargés d’enjeux religieux et philosophiques.
Casanova : la curiosité en voyage
Authors: Goulemot Jean M.
Published: April 2013

Voyageur des Lumières, Casanova prise peu les cabinets de curiosité, mais beaucoup ce qui sort des normes, des livres rares aux castrats, des bizarreries anglaises à l’occulte (dont il use pour duper), ménageant toujours une place à l’amour, mais aussi aux mystères, et surtout à celui qu’il aime être aux yeux d’autrui.
The Impact of Pain on Physical and Mental Quality of Life in Adults 65 and Older
Authors: Hawkins Kevin , Musich Shirley , Bottone Frank G. , Ozminkowski Ronald J. , Cheng Yan , Rush Steven , Carcione Joseph , Migliori Richard J. , Yeh Charlotte S.
Published: April 2013

Pain is a frequent and debilitating problem among older adults, decreasing quality of life (QOL) both physically and mentally. The burden of arthritis, sciatica, and back pain on QOL was estimated using ordinary least squares regression techniques to estimate the impact of each of these types of pain on QOL, controlling for patient demographic, socioeconomic, and health status characteristics. For individuals with arthritis, sciatica, and back pain, the adjusted average physical component scores were 4.19, 1.39, and 6.75 points lower, respectively (all
p
< 0.0001), than those without pain. Adjusted average mental component scores were 1.33, 0.47, and 2.93 points lower (all
p
< 0.01) for individuals with arthritis, sciatica, and back pain, respectively. The impact of pain on QOL was greater than that for many other commonly treated medical conditions. Clinicians should discuss pain with their patients to maximize their QOL.
Analysis and Implementation for a Walking Support System for Visually Impaired People
Authors: Hossain Eklas , Khan Md Raisuddin , Muhida Riza , Ali Ahad
Published: April 2013

Visually impaired people are faced with challenges in detecting information about terrain. This paper presents a new walking support system for the blind to navigate without any assistance from others or using a guide cane. In this research, a belt, wearable around the waist, is equipped with four ultrasonic sensors and one sharp infrared sensor. Based on mathematical models, the specifications of the ultrasonic sensors are selected to identify optimum orientation of the sensors for detecting stairs and holes. These sensors are connected to a microcontroller and laptop for analyzing terrain. An algorithm capable of classifying various types of obstacles is developed. After successful tests using laptop, the microcontroller is used for the walking system, named ‘Belt for Blind’, to navigate their environment. The unit is also equipped with a servo motor and a buzzer to generate outputs that inform the user about the type of obstacle ahead. The device is light, cheap, and consumes less energy. However, this device is limited to standard pace of mobility and cannot differentiate between animate and inanimate obstacles. Further research is recommended to overcome these deficiencies to improve mobility of blind people.
Parallel Architecture Manipulators for Use in Masticatory Studies
Authors: Narayanan Madusudanan Sathia , Kannan Srikanth , Zhou Xiaobo , Mendel Frank , Krovi Venkat
Published: April 2013

There is considerable scientific and commercial interest in understanding the mechanics of mastication. In this paper, the authors develop quantitative engineering tools to enable this process by: (i) designing a general purpose mastication simulator test-bed based on parallel architecture manipulator, capable of producing the requisite motions and forces; and (ii) validating this simulator with a range of test-foods, undergoing various mastication cycles under controlled and monitored circumstances. Such an implementation provides a test bed to quantitatively characterize the mastication based on “chewability index”. Due to the inherent advantages of locating actuators at the base (ground) in terms of actuator efforts and structural rigidity as well as benefits of using prismatic sliders compared to revolute actuators, the 6-P-U-S system was chosen. A detailed symbolic kinematic analysis was then conducted. For the practical implementation of the test-bed, the analytical Jacobian was examined for singularities and the design was adapted to ensure singularity free operation. A comprehensive parametric study was undertaken to obtain optimal design parameters for desired workspace and end effector forces. Experiments captured jaw motion trajectories using the high speed motion capture system which served as an input to the hardware-in-the-loop simulator platform.
Beyond the ILS
Authors: Breeding Marshall
Published: April 2013

This chapter focuses on the changes in integrated library systems (ILS) over the past thirty years as the focus shifts from collecting physical items to electronic and digital materials. The relationship between the ILS and new specialized applications, including link resolvers, knowledge bases of e-content, electronic resource management systems, digital asset management systems, discovery services, and institutional repository platforms is discussed and placed in context. In addition to looking at workflows with these new systems, a general discussion of how academic libraries are likely to engage with these new systems, the time frames in which we can expect availability and widespread adoption, and any cautions or concerns to have in mind when selecting or implementing these systems.
A General Approach for Dynamic Positioning Weathervane Control
Authors: Miyazaki Michel R. , Tannuri Eduardo A.
Published: April 2013

AbstractEnergy efficient controllers for dynamic positioning (DP) systems are a possible approach to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission on large offshore systems. Due to the flexibility of some DP operations, it is possible to change the vessel heading
in order to align with the resultant force defined by the environmental conditions, reducing the thrust and power required to keep position, thus increasing station-keeping capability. However, online calculation of the optimum heading may not be possible because of uncertainties about wave
and current intensity and direction. Moreover, these factors change through time, and the system must be able to adapt to those changes and to keep the optimum positioning. This paper presents a new methodology to define the heading setpoint based on zero power control theory. This methodology
has important advantages over traditional weathervane control methods, such as an effective control of all horizontal degrees of freedom of the vessel and the possibility to define any reference control point, not only points located at the vessel bow.
Conceptual Design of Ocean Compressed Air Energy Storage System
Authors: Lim Saniel D. , Mazzoleni Andre P. , Park Joong-kyoo , Ro Paul I. , Quinlan Brendan
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn this paper, an ocean compressed air energy storage (OCAES) system is introduced as a utility-scale energy storage option for electricity generated by wind, ocean currents, tides, and waves off the coast of North Carolina. Geographically, a location from 40 to 70
km off the coast of Cape Hatteras is shown to be a good location for an OCAES system. Building upon existing compressed air energy storage (CAES) system designs, a conceptual design of an OCAES system with thermal energy storage (TES) is presented. A simple thermodynamic analysis is presented
for an adiabatic CAES system which shows that the overall efficiency is 66%. In addition, finite element simulations are presented, which show the flow induced loads that will be experienced by OCAES air containers on the ocean floor. We discuss the fact that the combination of the buoyancy
force and flow-induced lift forces (due to ocean currents) generates a periodic loading on the storage container and seabed, and how this presents engineering challenges related to the development of methods for reliably resisting these loads for decades in a corrosive environment. We also
present a system, based on hydrolysis, which can be used for storing energy (in the form of oxygen and hydrogen gas) in containers on the ocean floor.
Facets of negative affectivity and blood pressure in middle-aged men
Authors: Igna Cornel V. , Julkunen Juhani , Lipsanen Jari , Vanhanen Hannu
Published: April 2013

Research results suggesting that facets of negative affectivity, i.e. anxiety, anger-hostility, and depression, relate to incident cardiovascular diseases have been steadily increasing. Evidence for depression has been especially extensive. Elevated blood pressure, a major risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, is one probable mediator in this context. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship of specific key elements of depressive disposition, i.e. depressive symptoms, hopelessness and vital exhaustion, with health behavior and blood pressure. Study sample was comprised of 710 middle-aged men. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing health behavior, depressive symptoms, vital exhaustion and hopelessness. Statistical analyses involved descriptive analyses, correlations and path analysis. Depressive symptoms and vital exhaustion associated with several unfavorable lifestyles such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and inactivity (standardized solution coefficients: 0.10, 0.14, 0.17, accordingly). However, no significant direct associations with blood pressure could be found for depressive symptoms or vital exhaustion. Hopelessness associated only with unhealthy diet (standardized solution coefficient -0.10) Moreover, for hopelessness, results showed a direct but inverse association with systolic blood pressure (standardized solution coefficient -0.08). Results suggest that the previously reported relations of depression and vital exhaustion with blood pressure could be mediated by unfavorable lifestyles. The relation of hopelessness with adverse health behaviors seems to be less significant. Also, the role of hopelessness as a risk factor of elevated blood pressure is not supported by the results of this study.
Current Research, Part E, Cordillera and Pacific Margin
Authors:   Geological Survey of Canada
Published: April 2013

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Geological Survey of Canada are conducting a co-operative one-year project northeast of Mayo, Yukon that includes 1 :50 000 scale geological map­ping and a study of the Marg volcanogenic massive sulphide
occurrence.
Radiogenic age and isotopic studies: report 7
Authors:   Geological Survey of Canada
Published: April 2013

Granulite facies ortho- and paragneisses and felsic intrusive rocks form the crystalline core of the Boothia Uplift, which extends northward from Boothia Peninsula into the Arctic Archipelago. The rocks dated come from northern Boothia Peninsula, western Somerset
Island, and eastern Prince of Wales Island, between 71 °N and 74°N. Zircon ages of protoliths of orthogneissic rocks range from 2.48 to ca. 2.2 Ga. A major thermal event, involving syenitic magmatism and high-grade metamorphism, occurred in the interval 1.94-1.92 Ga; magmatism may have
preceded metamorphism by 1 0 or 20 Ma. A massive, porphyritic rapakivi granite in northern Somerset Island intruded 1 .71 Ga ago. Metamorphic and intrusive ages in the 1.9-2.0 Ga range in the Boothia Uplift are similar to those in the Thelon Tectonic Zone on the mainland to the southwest. Compared
with the Thelon zone, however, crystallization ages of gneissic protoliths are, in general, older and the nature of the intrusive suite is significantly different in the Boothia Uplift.
Precambrian geology of northern Wellington Inlier, Victoria Island, Northwest Territories
Authors: LeCheminant A N , Rainbird R H , Villeneuve M
E
Published: April 2013

In Wellington Inlier, two unconformity-bounded Paleoproterozoic sedimentary successions overlie foliated syenogranite to granodiorite basement. The north-northeast- to northeast-striking plutonic rocks are cut by two generations of pegmatites and contain minor
enclaves of supracrustal rocks. A U-Pb zircon age of 2601 ± 3 Ma suggests the basement is a northern extension of the Slave Province.

The sedimentary successions are correlated with the 1.9 Ga Burnside and 1.7 Ga Ellice formations in Bathurst Inlet. They were deposited by braided rivers flowing westward away from the exposed craton. East-southeast- to southeast-striking diabase dykes intruded the folded Burnside Formation and are
overlain by the Ellice Formation. An unusual mafic dyke, rich in granite xenoliths, was emplaced into the Ellice Formation. Younger gabbro sills, containing minor base and precious metals, intruded both sedimentary successions and the basement during 1.27 Ga Mackenzie and/or 0.72 Ga Franklin
magmatism.
Stratigraphy of the southern portion of an Archean stratovolcano in the Back River volcanic complex, Slave Province, Northwest Territories
Authors: Lambert M B
Published: April 2013

Innerring and Thlewycho sequences represent an Archean stratovolcano that forms the southern part of the Back River volcanic complex. The Innerring sequence, comprising andesite/dacite lavas overlain by ash-flow tuffs and a rhyolite dome, represents the upper
part of an ancestral volcano. The overlying Thlewycho sequence documents the main constructional phase of the stratovolcano. The southern portion of this sequence comprises basal andesitic/basaltic lavas overlain by an extensive volcaniclastic units containing abundant ash-flow tuffs.

Volcanism ended with effusion of large rhyolite/dacite dome complexes, one of which contains seven overlapping lava lobes separated by rhyolitic tuffs and detritus forming a pile about 550 m thick. A rhyolitic detrital apron formed along the southeastern side of this lava/dome where the volcanic
complex is overlain by turbidites of the Beechy Lake Group. Carbonate cemented flow breccias, detrital, massive, oolitic and stromatolitic carbonate prevail where rhyolite lavas entered the sea.
Regional gravity survey of western Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories: a GSC contribution to the SNORCLE transect
Authors: Lowe C , Seemann D A
Published: April 2013

In March 1995, 117 new gravity measurements were obtained at an average spacing of 8.5km on the frozen surface of western Great Slave Lake. The measurements were acquired using a LaCoste and Romberg gravimeter, which was operated in damped mode to overcome
oscillations of the lake ice. Station co-ordinates were computed using differential GPS. Water level gauge measurements, tied to local benchmark networks, were used to determine station elevations. Simple Bouguer anomalies, considered accurate to ± 0.4 mGal, have been computed for all stations.

Western Great Slave Lake is underlain by Paleozoic cover rocks of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. The structure of the Precambrian basement beneath this cover is conjectural, extrapolated largely on the basis of magnetic anomaly data from surrounding regions. A preliminary analysis of the new
gravity data reveals distinct anomalies and suggests the basement structure may be more complex than previously inferred.