bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategic Plan for Geriatrics and Extended Care in the Veterans Health Administration: Background, Plan, and Progress to Date
Authors: Shay Kenneth , Hyduke Barbara , Burris James F.
Published: March 2013

The leaders of Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) undertook a strategic planning process that led to approval in 2009 of a multidisciplinary, evidence‐guided strategic plan. This article reviews the four goals contained in that plan and describes VHA's progress in addressing them. The goals included transforming the healthcare system to a veteran‐centric approach, achieving universal access to a panel of services, ensuring that the Veterans Affair's (VA) healthcare workforce was adequately prepared to manage the needs of the growing elderly veteran population, and integrating continuous improvement into all care enhancements. There has been substantial progress in addressing all four goals. All VHA health care has undergone an extensive transformation to patient‐centered care, has enriched the services it can offer caregivers of dependent veterans, and has instituted models to better integrate VA and non‐VA cares and services. A range of successful models of geriatric care described in the professional literature has been adapted to VA environments to gauge suitability for broader implementation. An executive‐level task force developed a three‐pronged approach for enhancing the VA's geriatric workforce. The VHA's performance measurement approaches increasingly include incentives to enhance the quality of management of vulnerable elderly adults in primary care. The GEC strategic plan was intended to serve as a road map for keeping VHA aligned with an ambitious but important long‐term vision for GEC services. Although no discrete set of resources was appropriated for fulfillment of the plan's recommendations, this initial report reflects substantial progress in addressing most of its goals.
Processes and effects of Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy in people with intellectual disabilities: a controlled study
Authors: Roeden J. M. , Maaskant M. A. , Curfs L. M. G.
Published: March 2013

Background

Solution‐Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a form of behaviour therapy that focuses on evoking desired behaviour rather than on diminishing existing problem behaviour. SFBT has a number of advantages that makes it attractive for use with people who have intellectual disabilities (ID). These advantages include: focus on empowerment for the person, unique intervention strategies for each person based on their particular skills, and recognition of the expert status of the individual identified as the patient resulting in a sense of self‐efficacy.

Methods

To investigate the effects of SFBT, we conducted a controlled pre‐ and post‐test and follow‐up study with 20 people with mild ID (MID) receiving SFBT and 18 people with MID receiving care as usual (CAU). We expected that SFBT could help people with MID with (1) reaching treatment goals; (2) improving quality of life (i.e. psychological and social functioning); (3) reducing maladaptive behaviour; and (4) increasing resilience (autonomy and social optimism).

Results

Two of the 20 clients terminated SFBT prematurely. Most clients receiving SFBT (13 of 18 clients) showed clinically relevant progressions (more than two points on a 1 to 10 scale) towards their treatment goals after SFBT and at follow‐up, an additional client showed clinically relevant progress (total of 14 of 18 clients). Directly after therapy, the SFBT group performed statistically significantly better than the CAU group on psychological functioning, social functioning, maladaptive behaviour, autonomy and social optimism. The effect sizes of these improvements were medium to large. At 6‐week follow‐up, the improvements in psychological functioning, social functioning and maladaptive behaviour in the treatment group were still statistically significant compared with CAU, with medium to large effect sizes.

Conclusions

Although the study had limitations because of the short follow‐up period and the non‐random selection of participants, the statistically significant differences between the SFBT and CAU groups and the medium to large effect sizes, indicate the potential effectiveness of SFBT for people with MID.
Agrarian Winners of Neoliberal Reform: The ‘Maize Boom’ of Sinaloa, Mexico
Authors: Eakin Hallie , Bausch Julia C. , Sweeney Stuart
Published: March 2013

While the detrimental impact of neoliberal policy on Mexico's maize smallholders is well researched, little attention has been paid to the rise of maize in the northern state of Sinaloa. Sinaloa's entry into maize has restructured the geography of national supply, and generated a new national confidence in white maize self‐sufficiency. Using semi‐structured interviews and secondary data, we document the primary social and political drivers of Sinaloa's maize boom. Local actors trumpet Sinaloa's response as a success story of entrepreneurship and technological innovation, while simultaneously appropriating the language of food sovereignty to justify preferential entitlements in public investment. Our analysis confirms interpretations of neoliberalism as a political project, illustrating how existing natural, social and political capital held by specific interest groups can be leveraged and reinforced through private–public partnerships to mould national policy and investment, and the potential vulnerabilities that may emerge from this process.
Finding Your Niche: Identity and Emotional Support in Emerging Adults' Adjustment to the Transition to College
Authors: Azmitia Margarita , Syed Moin , Radmacher Kimberley
Published: March 2013

This mixed‐method longitudinal study investigated the role of identity synthesis and emotional support from family, friends, and professors in emerging adults' mental health during the transition to college. A total of 167 ethnically and socioeconomically diverse emerging adults were surveyed and interviewed during the fall and the spring quarters of their first year in college. Cluster analysis revealed four mental health clusters: greatly improving mental health; maintaining positive mental health; poor mental health declining; and good mental health declining. Clusters that maintained or improved mental health over the first year of college had higher identity synthesis and emotional support from friends and family than clusters where mental health declined. Emotional support from friends was especially important for adjustment.
Complementary and dose‐dependent action of AtCCS52A isoforms in endoreduplication and plant size control
Authors: Baloban Mikhail , Vanstraelen Marleen , Tarayre Sylvie , Reuzeau Christophe , Cultrone Antonietta , Mergaert Peter , Kondorosi Eva
Published: March 2013

The dimension of organs depends on the number and the size of their component cells. Formation of polyploid cells by endoreduplication cycles is predominantly associated with increases in the cell size and implicated in organ growth. In plants, the CCS52A proteins play a major role in the switch from mitotic to endoreduplication cycles controlling thus the number of mitotic cells and the endoreduplication events in the differentiating cells.

Arabidopsis has two CCS52A isoforms; AtCCS52A1 and AtCCS52A2. Here we focused on their roles in endoreduplication and cell size control during plant development.

We demonstrate their complementary and dose‐dependent actions that are dependent on their expression patterns. Moreover, the impact of CCS52A overexpression on organ size in transgenic plants was dependent on the expression level; while enhanced expression of the CCS52A genes positively correlated with the ploidy levels, organ sizes were negatively affected by strong overexpression whereas milder overexpression resulted in a significant increase in the organ sizes.

Taken together, these finding support both complementary and dose‐dependent actions for the Arabidopsis CCS52A isoforms in plant development and demonstrate that elevated ectopic CCS52A expression positively correlates with organ size, opening a route to higher biomass production.
Evidence for recent evolution of cold tolerance in grasses suggests current distribution is not limited by (low) temperature
Authors: Humphreys Aelys M. , Linder H. Peter
Published: March 2013

Temperature is considered an important determinant of biodiversity distribution patterns. Grasses (Poaceae) occupy among the warmest and coldest environments on earth but the role of cold tolerance evolution in generating this distribution is understudied.

We studied cold tolerance of Danthonioideae (c. 280 species), a major constituent of the austral temperate grass flora. We determined differences in cold tolerance among species from different continents grown in a common winter garden and assessed the relationship between measured cold tolerance and that predicted by species ranges. We then used temperatures in current ranges and a phylogeny of 81% of the species to study the timing and mode of cold tolerance evolution across the subfamily.

Species ranges generally underestimate cold tolerance but are still a meaningful representation of differences in cold tolerance among species. We infer cold tolerance evolution to have commenced at the onset of danthonioid diversification, subsequently increasing in both pace and extent in certain lineages. Interspecific variation in cold tolerance is better accounted for by spatial than phylogenetic distance.

Contrary to expectations, temperature – low temperature in particular – appears not to limit the distribution of this temperate clade. Competition, time or dispersal limitation could explain its relative absence from northern temperate regions.
The effects of 11 yr ofCO2enrichment on roots in aFlorida scrub‐oak ecosystem
Authors: Day Frank P. , Schroeder Rachel E. , Stover Daniel B. , Brown Alisha L. P. , Butnor John R. , Dilustro John , Hungate Bruce A. , Dijkstra Paul , Duval Benjamin D. , Seiler Troy J. , Drake Bert G. , Hinkle C. Ross
Published: March 2013

Uncertainty surrounds belowground plant responses to rising atmosphericCO2because roots are difficult to measure, requiring frequent monitoring as a result of fine root dynamics and long‐term monitoring as a result of sensitivity to resource availability.

We report belowground plant responses of a scrub‐oak ecosystem inFlorida exposed to 11 yr of elevated atmosphericCO2using open‐top chambers. We measured fine root production, turnover and biomass using minirhizotrons, coarse root biomass using ground‐penetrating radar and total root biomass using soil cores.

Total root biomass was greater in elevated than in ambient plots, and the absolute difference was larger than the difference aboveground. Fine root biomass fluctuated by more than a factor of two, with no unidirectional temporal trend, whereas leaf biomass accumulated monotonically. Strong increases in fine root biomass with elevatedCO2occurred after fire and hurricane disturbance. Leaf biomass also exhibited stronger responses following hurricanes.

Responses after fire and hurricanes suggest that disturbance promotes the growth responses of plants to elevatedCO2. Increased resource availability associated with disturbance (nutrients, water, space) may facilitate greater responses of roots to elevatedCO2. The disappearance of responses in fine roots suggests limits on the capacity of root systems to respond toCO2enrichment.
Effect of Bovine Ovarian Tissue Vitrification on the Structural Preservation of Antral Follicles
Authors: Faheem MS , Carvalhais I , Baron E , Moreira da Silva F
Published: March 2013

Contents

This study was performed to evaluate the structural preservation of antral follicles after bovine ovarian tissue vitrification using histological analysis. Ovaries (n = 30) of slaughtered cows were cut into small fragments using a scalpel blade, and the ovarian tissues were randomly assigned to vitrification using 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 15% ethylene glycol (EG) and fresh tissues (control) groups. For histological evaluations, fresh and post‐thawing ovarian tissues were immediately fixed, serially sectioned into 5‐μm sections and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Nine serial sections per fragment were subjected for morphological assessment. The diameter of the antral follicles was determined and classified into four groups: 1 (≤1 mm), 2 (>1–2 mm), 3 (>2–3 mm) and 4 (>3–4 mm). Then, follicular morphology was evaluated in relation to atresia and categorized into seven grades: Grade A (healthy follicle); Grades B, C and D (early atresia); Grades E and F (moderate atresia); and Grade G (advanced atresia). The results revealed that small diameters of antral follicles (1 and 2 mm) were more susceptible for cryoinjury. The normal follicular morphology (Grade A) was not affected by vitrification throughout follicle diameters. Nevertheless, some damage features were monitored after vitrification. In conclusion, the morphological structure of bovine antral follicles could be successfully preserved by ovarian tissue vitrification.
Safety and effectiveness of microdebrider bronchoscopy for the management of central airway obstruction
Authors: Casal Roberto F. , Iribarren Juan , Eapen George , Ost David , Morice Rodolfo , Lan Charlie , Cornwell Lorraine , Almeida Francisco A. , Grosu Horiana , Jimenez Carlos A.
Published: March 2013

Background and objective

Microdebrider bronchoscopy is a relatively new modality for the management of central airway obstruction (CAO) of both benign and malignant origin. Our objective was to describe our experience with this technique, with special attention to its safety and effectiveness.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of therapeutic bronchoscopies using microdebrider for CAO from two institutions (M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center, Houston) from August 2008 through February 2012.

Results

We identified 51 cases. Malignant CAO was detected in 36 cases (71%): non‐small‐cell lung cancer (n = 22), melanoma (n = 3), small‐cell‐lung cancer (n = 2), thyroid cancer (n = 2), esophageal carcinoma (n = 2), breast cancer (n = 2), and others (n = 3). Benign diseases included: papillomas (n = 8), granulation tissue (n = 3), and others (n = 4). Obstruction was purely endoluminal in 32 cases (63%). Pre‐treatment obstruction was severe in 25 cases (49%), moderate in 20 cases (39%) and mild in 6 (12%). Lesions were located in the trachea (n = 23), main stem bronchi (n = 25), and bronchus intermedius (n = 8), with some patients having more than one lesion. After tumor debulking with microdebrider, the residual airway obstruction was insignificant (n = 27 cases; 53%), mild (n = 23 cases; 45%), and moderate (n = 1; 2%). No major complications were encountered, only 2 patients had mild adverse events: one case of pneumomediastinum, and one self‐expandable stent damage requiring its removal. Two patients (4%) died within 30 days of causes unrelated to the procedure or the CAO.

Conclusions

Microdebrider bronchoscopy is a potentially safe and effective way to manage central airway obstruction of both malignant and benign origin.
Radial Artery Harvest: A Potential Cause of Arteriovenous Access‐Associated Hand Ischemia
Authors: Asif Arif , Siskin Gary , Kumar Vishesh , Haqqie Syed S , Mathew Roy O , Wang Shouwen , Nayer Ali , Merrill Donna , Salman Loay
Published: March 2013

Hand ischemia has multiple causes. In this article, we report an additional factor that can induce hand ischemia in hemodialysis patients. A 64‐year‐old white man with coronary artery disease underwent a coronary artery bypass graft procedure using the left radial artery as the bypass graft. Several months later, a left extremity Gracz fistula was created for arteriovenous access. Ever since dialysis was performed via the fistula the patient has experienced a cold hand and pain during dialysis that was somewhat relieved by wearing a woolen glove while on dialysis. Absence of the radial artery in the context of an ipsilateral arteriovenous access was highlighted as a possible etiology. A complete arteriography to determine the presence of stenoses, distal arteriopathy, and true steal was recommended, but the patient refused to undergo any investigation or procedure and instead decided to continue wearing the glove during the treatment. A plan for close follow‐up and possible interventions in the event of worsening pain/ulceration was agreed upon. Radial artery harvest can result in hand ischemia if an ipsilateral arteriovenous access is created. We suggest that the contralateral extremity should be considered if an arteriovenous access is required to minimize this risk of this phenomenon.
Focusing and depth of field in photography: application in dermatology practice
Authors: Taheri Arash , Yentzer Brad A. , Feldman Steven R.
Published: March 2013

Background

Conventional photography obtains a sharp image of objects within a given ‘depth of field’; objects not within the depth of field are out of focus. In recent years, digital photography revolutionized the way pictures are taken, edited, and stored. However, digital photography does not result in a deeper depth of field or better focusing.

Methods

In this article, we briefly review the concept of depth of field and focus in photography as well as new technologies in this area.

Results

A deep depth of field is used to have more objects in focus; a shallow depth of field can emphasize a subject by blurring the foreground and background objects. The depth of field can be manipulated by adjusting the aperture size of the camera, with smaller apertures increasing the depth of field at the cost of lower levels of light capture. Light‐field cameras are a new generation of digital cameras that offer several new features, including the ability to change the focus on any object in the image after taking the photograph.

Conclusion

Understanding depth of field and camera technology helps dermatologists to capture their subjects in focus more efficiently.
Comparison between high‐frequency ultrasonography (Dermascan C, version 3) and histopathology in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Polańska Adriana , Dańczak‐Pazdrowska Aleksandra , Silny Wojciech , Woźniak Aldona , Maksin Konstantin , Jenerowicz Dorota , Janicka‐Jedyńska Małgorzata
Published: March 2013

Background

The main purpose of this study was the exact comparison of B‐scan images obtained from 16 patients suffering from AD with histological.

Methods

Sixteen patients diagnosed with AD aged between 14 and 57 years, were chosen for the study. In all patients before the introduction of proper treatment regimen, the high frequency skin ultrasonography (Derma Scan Cortex Technology, version 3, Hadsund, Germany) has been performed and then a 5 mm wide punch biopsies have been taken from the area of scanned lesions. Control group consisted of 15 healthy individuals without any signs of atopic and chronic diseases.

Results

There was 7.8 ± 0.4% mean skin echogenicity from lesional antecubital skin in AD patients (min value 7.2%, max value 8.5%). The skin hypoechoic band was detected in fifteen out of sixteen patients (93.7%). There were statistically significant correlations between the hypoechoic band thickness and the following parameters: degree of epidermal hyperplasia, the degree of epidermal hyperkeratosis, the degree of parakeratosis and the degree of spongiosis as well as the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates. Skin echogenicity strongly correlated negatively with the intensity of inflammatory infiltrates.

Conclusion

On the basis of analysis of 16 specimens we can conclude that all pathological changes of AD influence ultrasound image and in addition, the USG picture depends on the phase of disease process.
Characterization of facial skin of various Asian populations through visual and non‐invasive instrumental evaluations: influence of age and skincare habits
Authors: Galzote Carlos , Estanislao Roderico , Suero Michael Oliver , Khaiat Alain , Mangubat Maria Isabel , Moideen Rafeeq , Tagami Hachiro , Wang Xuemin
Published: March 2013

Background/purpose

We aimed to evaluate the impact of age and skincare habits on facial skin of different Asian ethnicities by comparing skin properties and skincare habits among various Asian populations of varying age groups.

Methods

We evaluated approximately 100 female subjects each from a total of eight Asian cities in China, India, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines grouped according to age ranging from 14 to 75 years during a summer season. Facial skin was characterized using dermatological examinations of the cheek and instrumental evaluations of the forehead and cheek. Information regarding personal skincare habits was collected using a questionnaire.

Results

In 834 female subjects, characteristics related to skin surface moisture, elasticity, and sebum level decreased with age. Differences in skincare habits corresponded with variations in skin parameters. Subjects with the least severe photodamage reported a generally early onset of their skincare habits.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate common trends as well as inherent differences in skin characteristics among Asian populations, reflecting the impact of age and the diversity of skincare habits of Asian women. These results may be beneficial when developing new skincare products that are well suited to these Asian populations.
Salicylic acid for the treatment of melasma: new acquisitions for monitoring the clinical improvement
Authors: Fabbrocini Gabriella , De Vita Valerio , Marasca Claudio , Palmisano Franco , Monfrecola Giuseppe
Published: March 2013

Objective

The Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) and the Melasma Severity Score (MSS) are calculated on the basis of only a subjective clinical assessment. This raises the need to have an objective score, uniform in the evaluation by different clinicians. The purpose of this study was to establish if the images by Canfield Reveal Imager can be correlated to MASI score to better evaluate the clinical efficacy of salicylic acid 33% peeling in the treatment of melasma respect to the clinical observation.

Methods

The study was a voluntary observational study. Twenty female patients affected with melasma, aged between 30 and 60 years, were included in the study. Treatment with salicylic acid 33% was performed once a month, for a total of four times. The dermatologist (Doc A) examined each patient's melasma areas using MASI score, at the face‐to‐face observation and at Reveal images evaluation during the first (T0) and the end point time (T4). Digital photographs were also evaluated by another experienced dermatologist (Doc B), who has never seen clinically the patients before and who evaluated MASI score by Reveal images at time T0 and T4.

Results

Student's t‐test and linear regression test were performed, showing statistically significant values comparing MASI score obtained by digital photo and MASI score obtained clinically.

Conclusion

The monitoring of the improvement by Reveal images can optimize the treatment approach and the efficacy of same dermocosmetics procedures can be revised following standard criteria.
Diagnosing tuberculous meningitis – have we made any progress?
Authors: Ho Jennifer , Marais Ben J. , Gilbert Gwendolyn L. , Ralph Anna P.
Published: March 2013

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) comprises a significant proportion of TB cases globally and causes substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in children and HIV‐infected patients. It is a challenging condition to diagnose due to its non‐specific clinical presentation and the limited sensitivity of existing laboratory techniques. Smear microscopy and culture are the most widely available diagnostic tools yet are negative in a significant proportion of TBM cases. Simplified and more affordable nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are increasing in use in resource‐limited settings but have not been optimised for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Novel diagnostic methods such as CSF interferon‐gamma release assays and various biomarkers have been developed but require further evaluation to establish their utility as diagnostic tools. There is an urgent need for further research into optimal diagnostic strategies to decrease the morbidity and mortality as a result of delayed or missed diagnosis of TBM. In this review, we discuss current and novel diagnostic tests in TBM and areas where future research should be prioritised.
Experimental Investigation of Microscopic/Macroscopic Efficiency of Polymer Flooding in Fractured Heavy Oil Five-Spot Systems
Authors: Hossein Sedaghat Mohammad , Hossein Ghazanfari Mohammad , Parvazdavani Mohammad , Morshedi Saeid
Published: March 2013

This paper concerns on experimental investigation of biopolymer/polymer flooding in fractured five-spot systems. In this study, a series of polymer injection processes were performed on five-spot glass type micromodels saturated with heavy crude oil. Seven fractured glass type micromodels were used to illustrate the effects of polymer type/concentration on oil recovery efficiency in presence of fractures with different geometrical properties (i.e., fractures orientation, length and number of fractures). Four synthetic polymers as well as a biopolymer at different levels of concentration were tested. Also a micromodel constituted from dead-end pores with various geometrical properties was designed to investigate microscopic displacement mechanisms during polymer/water flooding. The results showed that polymer flooding is more efficient by using hydrolyzed synthetic polymers with high molecular weight as well as locating injection well in a proper position respect to the fracture geometrical properties. In addition, by monitoring of microscopic efficiency, pulling, stripping, and oil thread flow mechanisms were detected and discussed. The results showed that flow rate, fluid type, polymer concentration, and geometrical properties of pores influence the efficiency of mentioned mechanisms. Furthermore, it was detected that polymer's velocity profile play a significant role on oil recovery efficiency by influencing both macroscopic and microscopic mechanisms. This study demonstrates different physical and chemical conditions that affect the efficiency of this enhanced oil recovery method.
Vibration Analysis of a Drillstring in Vibration-Assisted Rotary Drilling: Finite Element Modeling With Analytical Validation
Authors: Ghasemloonia Ahmad , Geoff Rideout D. , Butt Stephen D.
Published: March 2013

Introducing sources of axial vibration into an oilwell drillstring has the potential to improve the drilling efficiency. Vibration generator tools, such as drillstring agitators, are under development or in current use to excite the bottom-hole assembly (BHA) axially in order to increase power and weight at the bit, improve the rate of penetration (ROP), reduce drillstring-wellbore friction, and accelerate the cutting removal process. Enhanced drilling under the effect of intentional imposed vibration is called “vibration-assisted rotary drilling” or VARD. While potentially enhancing the drilling process, VARD tools can also excite many unwanted vibration modes of the drillstring. These unwanted vibrations can cause fatigue damage and failure of BHA components such as “measurement while drilling” (MWD) tools, bit and mud motors, and consequently, inefficient drilling. This motivates a study of the complex dynamic behavior of an axially excited drillstring. Transverse vibration is the most destructive type of drillstring vibration, and the coupling between transverse and axial vibration of a drillstring subjected to an applied VARD force is of great interest to the experts in the field. In this study, the coupled axial-transverse vibration behavior of the entire drillstring under the effect of a VARD tool is investigated. A dynamic finite element method (FEM) model of the vertical drillstring assuming a multispan BHA is generated and validated with a coupled nonlinear axial-transverse elastodynamic mathematical model. The effects of mud damping, driving torque, multispan contact and spatially varying axial load are included. Geometry, axial stiffening and Hertzian contact forces are sources of nonlinearity in the model. A mesh sensitivity analysis is conducted to reduce computational time. The accuracy of the retained modes in the analytical equations is verified by extracting the total effective mass derived by the FEM model. There is agreement between the FEM and analytical models for coupled-transverse and axial vibration velocities, displacements, resonance frequencies and contact locations and behavior. While the analytical model has fast running time and symbolic solution, the FEM model enables easy reconfiguration of the drillstring for different boundary conditions, inclusion of additional elements such as shock subs, and changing the number and locations of stabilizers.
A Test Setup for Evaluation of Harmonic Distortions in Precision Inertial Sensors
Authors: Spiewak Swavik A. , Ludwick Stephen J. , Hauer Glenn
Published: March 2013

Steadily improving performance of inertial sensors necessitates significant enhancement of the methods and equipment used for their evaluation. As the nonlinearity of sensors decreases and gets close to that of the exciters, new challenges arise. One of them, addressed in this research, is a superposition of errors caused by the nonlinearity of tested devices with nonlinear distortions of excitation employed for experimental evaluation. This can lead to a cancellation, at least partial, of the effects of both imperfections and underestimation of the actual distortions of the evaluated sensors. We implement and analyze several system architectures and evaluate components of applicable motion generation systems from the viewpoint of satisfying the relevant, often conflicting requirements posed by the evaluation of high performance inertial sensors. Robust mechanical integration of the guidance, actuation, and measurement functions emerges as a key factor for achieving the needed quality of generated test patterns. We find precision air bearing stages, such as ABL1500 series (Aerotech) most suitable for implementing the needed experimental setup. We propose an architecture with two reciprocating stages, implement and evaluate its core components, and illustrate its performance with experimental results.
Investigating the role of weight update functions in developing artificial neural network modeling of retention times of furan and phenol derivatives
Authors: Garkani-Nejad Zahra , Ahmadi-Roudi Behzad
Published: March 2013

A quantitative structure−retention relationship study has been carried out on the retention times of 63 furan and phenol derivatives using artificial neural networks (ANNs). First, a large number of descriptors were calculated using HyperChem, Mopac, and Dragon softwares. Then, a suitable number of these descriptors were selected using a multiple linear regression technique. This paper focuses on investigating the role of weight update functions in developing ANNs. Therefore, selected descriptors were used as inputs for ANNs with six different weight update functions including the Levenberg−Marquardt back-propagation network, scaled conjugate gradient back-propagation network, conjugate gradient back-propagation with Powell−Beale restarts network, one-step secant back-propagation network, resilient back-propagation network, and gradient descent with momentum back-propagation network. Comparison of the results indicates that the Levenberg−Marquardt back-propagation network has better predictive power than the other methods.
Compression failure of thin concrete walls during 2010 Chile earthquake: lessons for Canadian design practice
Authors: Adebar P.
Published: March 2013

Numerous thin concrete walls failed in compression during the 2010 Chile earthquake. Experiments on small wall elements indicate that thin concrete walls without tied vertical reinforcement may fail very suddenly at uniform compression strains as low as 0.001 due to the thin layer of concrete between two layers of reinforcement becoming unstable. A test on a wall subjected to axial compression and strong-axis bending demonstrated that unlike a tied column, a thin concrete wall can suddenly lose all axial load-carrying capacity. Nonlinear response history analysis of a typical Chilean high-rise shear wall building indicates small global drift demands and correspondingly small curvature and compression strain demands when subjected to the ground motions measured in Santiago, which explains why most buildings were not damaged. Nonlinear finite element analysis of a typical wall step-back irregularity indicates the increase in maximum compression strains due to a reduction in wall length is much larger than predicted by a sectional analysis. Based on all the results of the current study, a number of significant changes are proposed for the 2014 edition of CSA A23.3 to avoid compression failures of thin concrete walls, including limiting the axial compression force applied to thin bearing walls, accounting for unexpected strong-axis bending of thin bearing walls, and limiting the compression strain demands on thin concrete shear walls.
Higher seasonal variation of actinobacterial communities than spatial heterogeneity in the surface sediments of Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Zhang Yong , Li Zhengkui , Shen Ji
Published: March 2013

Much more attention has been paid to the actinobacterial community in soils or water columns of aquatic habitats. However, there are few studies on their composition and diversity in lake sediments. Here, we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and clone libraries of partial 16S rRNA gene to study the spatial variations of actinobacterial communities across 4 seasons in the surface sediments of the shallow, subtropical Taihu Lake. Cluster analysis based on fingerprints showed clear spatiotemporal variations of actinobacterial communities and higher seasonal variation than spatial heterogeneity. Based on clone libraries, this pattern was supported by the principal coordinates analysis in the phylogenetic context and by detrended correspondence analysis on the operational taxonomic unit table. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis showed that the putative freshwater-specific actinobacterial lineages (e.g., acI) were also detected in the lake sediments, which suggests that these subclusters may also adapt to the sediment environments. Summarily, our results suggested that actinobacterial communities of the surface sediments were more affected by seasonal variation than spatial heterogeneity in the intrahabitat of Taihu Lake.
Quenching of the excitation energy of coumarin dyes by aniline
Authors: Nagaraja D. , Melavanki R.M. , Patil N.R. , Kusanur R.A. , Thipperudrappa J. , Sanningannavar F.M.
Published: March 2013

Quenching mechanisms of coumarin dyes, namely 6-bromo-3-[1-(4,5-dicarbomethoxy-1,2,3-triazoloacetyl)]coumarin (6BDTC) and 8-methoxy-3-[1-(4,5-dicarbomethoxy-1,2,3-triazoloacetyl)]coumarin (8MDTC), were carried out in toluene by adopting two methods, namely steady-state and time-resolved methods, to understand the role of diffusion in the quenching mechanism. The solute molecules were excited by UV radiation of wavelength 360 and 330 nm. Various quenching parameters like frequency of encounter (kd), probability of quenching per encounter (p and p′), and quenching rate parameter (kq and [Formula: see text]) were experimentally determined in all the solvents. Activation energy of quenching (Ea and [Formula: see text]) was also determined by using the literature values of activation energy of diffusion (Ed). It was found that the values of Ea (and [Formula: see text]) were less than Ed indicating that the quenching reactions are more significantly influenced by diffusion.
DESIGN OF ASSISTIVE WHEELCHAIR SYSTEM DIRECTLY STEERED BY HUMAN THOUGHTS
Authors: LI JUNHUA , LIANG JIANYI , ZHAO QIBIN , LI JIE , HONG KAN , ZHANG LIQING
Published: March 2013

Integration of brain–computer interface (BCI) technique and assistive device is one of chief and promising applications of BCI system. With BCI technique, people with disabilities do not have to communicate with external environment through traditional and natural pathways like peripheral nerves and muscles, and could achieve it only by their brain activities. In this paper, we designed an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based wheelchair which can be steered by users' own thoughts without any other involvements. We evaluated the feasibility of BCI-based wheelchair in terms of accuracies and real-world testing. The results demonstrate that our BCI wheelchair is of good performance not only in accuracy, but also in practical running testing in a real environment. This fact implies that people can steer wheelchair only by their thoughts, and may have a potential perspective in daily application for disabled people.
STATIC PLANE SYMMETRIC INTERIOR SOLUTIONS IN f(R) GRAVITY
Authors: SHARIF M. , ZAHRA ZURIAT
Published: March 2013

This paper is devoted to explore static plane symmetric solutions in metric f(R) gravity with matter as a perfect fluid. We obtain seven types of solutions. The energy density, pressure and the Ricci scalar are evaluated for each solution. Finally, we find four such solutions which satisfy the required conditions of physically acceptable solutions out of which two are singular and two nonsingular.
A FAST NUMERICAL APPROXIMATION OF AN ACOUSTIC MULTIPLE SCATTERING PROBLEM BY CIRCULAR OBSTACLES
Authors: LAYOUNI MANEL
Published: March 2013

The article has been retracted. Please contact jca@wspc.com
LOCATING TEXT IN IMAGES BASED ON THE SMOOTH GRAY-LEVEL DETECTION
Authors: YANG SHIUENG-BIEN , WU CHI-FENG
Published: March 2013

The morphological technique is widely used for text extraction from images. It is highly effective in extracting geometrical structures and representing shapes in images. However, the morphological technique does not consider the variance of gray levels between neighboring pixels in images. Generally in images, changes in gray levels between neighboring nontext pixels are smoother than those between neighboring text pixels. This paper, therefore, proposes a new method for locating text based on the smooth gray-level detection. Experimental results reveal that the proposed method locates text in images better than other methods.
SIMULATION OF NORMAL PERFORATION OF ALUMINUM PLATES USING AXISYMMETRIC SMOOTHED PARTICLE HYDRODYNAMICS WITH CONTACT ALGORITHM
Authors: XIAO Y. H. , HU D. A. , HAN X. , YANG G. , LONG S. Y.
Published: March 2013

An axisymmetric smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ASPH) with contact algorithm is presented to simulate the normal perforation of aluminum plates. Traditional ASPH considering contact implicitly by conservation equations has the problem of virtual tensile stresses and shear stresses for perforation simulation. To overcome the problem, a particle-to-particle contact algorithm is employed to treat contact interfaces explicitly in the present method. An artificial stress method is extended for the method to remove tensile instability. The present method is firstly validated by three test cases. Then, it is used to simulate the normal perforation of aluminum plates with ogive-nose steel projectiles. Numerical simulation results show that the method predicted residual velocities of projectiles in good agreement with the experimental data.
ENTREPREUNERSHIP AND MICRO-FINANCE IN EXTREME POVERTY CIRCUMSTANCES — CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS: THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE
Authors: MURISA TENDAI , CHIKWECHE TENDAI
Published: March 2013

Using an on-going real case study of a micro-finance project modeled on financial inclusion in Zimbabwe, a country with high levels of poverty, we provide real time insights on entrepreneurship and micro-finance in this environment focusing on the nature of challenges faced by entrepreneurs and potential solutions to these challenges. While acknowledging this is a research stream that has dominated micro-finance, our study extends the scope of research beyond Asia and Latin America to include insights from an African market where micro-finance has recorded significant growth yet very few stories are told about these experiences. Our case study provides an opportunity to reflect on emerging and previously held insights in real time using a project that is still in the process of dealing with these challenges. We then go onto illustrate how our inclusive approach to serving the unbanked segment in Zimbabwe has potential for broader contribution to poverty reduction among citizens who are exposed to extreme conditions of poverty. Our paper also outlines an alternative approach of solutions to the challenges faced by micro-finance entrepreneurs, which could be applied by entrepreneurs in environments facing similar challenges.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTEREST RATES: FORMAL SECTOR BANKS, LOCAL MONEYLENDERS AND MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS
Authors: MUKHERJEE SASWATEE
Published: March 2013

This study examines the interest rate differences paid to a bank, a Micro Finance Institution (MFI) and a local moneylender. In a multi-period lending contract, a borrower discounting the future income stream at a constant rate is willing to pay the highest interest rate to the local moneylender, comparatively lower rate to a MFI and the lowest to a formal sector bank. In other words, if the interest rate charged by each of the three lenders is the same, the repayment rate will be highest for a moneylender followed by a MFI and the lowest for a formal sector bank.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: CONNECTING PRACTICE WITH THEORY
Authors: CHESSON JEAN
Published: March 2013

The desire to demonstrate performance with respect to sustainable development has led to a profusion of approaches. The widespread use of quantitative indicators often appears unconnected to any theory of sustainable development. One reason for this disconnect is that theoretical treatments have tended to focus on global and national scales whereas practical attempts to report on sustainable development tend to operate at smaller scales such as regions, industries and corporations. The relevance of existing theory to those reporting at smaller scales is not widely recognised. This paper develops an approach to reporting that is motivated by a theoretical interpretation of sustainable development in terms of assets. The approach is illustrated with a hypothetical example. The asset-based approach can be applied in a variety of contexts (national, regional, industry, corporation and product) and provides a common framework for linking what have been regarded as disparate approaches to reporting on sustainable development. The recognition that different players have responsibilities for different mixes of assets is the key to understanding how performance should be measured and how information can be combined to report at different scales.
SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF Li2FeSiO4/C AS CATHODE MATERIALS FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Authors: CHEN YUN , ZENG DUOQING , PENG JUANJUAN , HU SHIGUANG , LI ZHAOHUI , LEI GANGTIE
Published: March 2013

Li2FeSiO4/C composites have been successfully prepared by a combination of solution route and high-temperature solid-state reaction processes. The morphology and crystalline structure were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Effects of calcination temperature on the electrochemical properties of Li2FeSiO4/C composite cathodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge and electrochemical impedance measurements. The XRD patterns indicate that high-purity Li2FeSiO4 with well-developed crystallinity are obtained above 600°C. The primary particle size was increased by elevating the calcination temperature from 600°C to 750°C. The Li2FeSiO4/C composite synthesized at 650°C delivers the largest initial discharge capacity of 153.2 mAh g-1 with a capacity retention of 93.5% after 30 cycles when tested at a current density of C/16 (1C = 166 mAh g-1) between 1.5 and 4.8 V (vs. Li+/Li ).
SYNTHESIS OF ACECLOFENAC/HYDROXYPROPYL-β-CYCLODEXTRIN INTERCALATED LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES AND CONTROLLED RELEASE PROPERTIES
Authors: LI SHIFENG , SHEN YANMING , LIU DONGBIN , FAN LIHUI , WU KEKE , XIAO MIN
Published: March 2013

Aceclofenac (AC)/hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) complex intercalated layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have been synthesized by reconstruction method. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and thermal gravimetric analyses indicated a successful intercalation of AC/HP-β-CD complex into the LDHs gallery. The AC release properties were also studied in different pH values buffer solution. The results indicate that the AC/HP-β-CD intercalated LDH has a potential application in drug delivery agent.
PROBING αIIbβ3: LIGAND INTERACTIONS BY DYNAMIC FORCE SPECTROSCOPY AND SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE
Authors: DUTTA SAMRAT , HORITA DAVID A. , HANTGAN ROY R. , GUTHOLD MARTIN
Published: March 2013

The interaction between platelet integrin αIIbβ3 and fibrin (ogen) plays a key role in blood clot formation and stability. Integrin antagonists, a class of pharmaceuticals used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, are designed to competitively interfere with this process. However, the energetics of the integrin–drug binding are not fully understood, potentially hampering further development of this class of pharmaceuticals. We integrated dynamic force spectroscopy (DFS) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to probe the energetics of complex formation between αIIbβ3 and cHarGD, a cyclic peptide integrin antagonist. Analysis of αIIbβ3:cHarGD DFS rupture force data at pulling rates of 14 000 pN/s, 42 000 pN/s and 70 000 pN/s yielded koff= 0.02–0.09 s-1, a dissociation energy barrier [Formula: see text], and a potential well width x-1= 0.5–0.8 nm. SPR kinetic data yielded an association rate constant kon= 7 × 103L/mol-s and a dissociation rate constant koff= 10-2s-1, followed by a slower stabilization step (τ ∼ 400 s). Both DFS and SPR detected minimal interactions between αIIbβ3 and cHarGA demonstrating a key role for electrostatic interactions between the ligand aspartate and the integrin metal ion-dependent adhesion site (MIDAS). Our work provides new insights into the energy landscape of αIIbβ3's interactions with pharmacological and physiological ligands.
Linguistic structure prediction with the sparseptron
Authors: Smith Noah A. , Martins André F. T.
Published: March 2013

Recent advances in natural language processing bring together rich representations and scalable machine learning algorithms.
Artificial connections
Authors: Subbaraman Nidhi
Published: March 2013

Scientists at the Blue Brain Project are using supercomputers to simulate neural connections in a 3D model of a slice of mammalian brain.
Cyber-victimization and cybersecurity in China
Authors: Kshetri Nir
Published: March 2013

Seeking insights into cyberattacks associated with China.
FPGA programming for the masses
Authors: Bacon David F. , Rabbah Rodric , Shukla Sunil
Published: March 2013

The programmability of FPGAs must improve if they are to be part of mainstream computing.
Towards content-level coherence with aspect-guided summarization
Authors: Zhang Renxian , Li Wenjie , Gao Dehong
Published: March 2013

The TAC 2010 summarization track initiated a new task—aspect-guided summarization—that centers on textual aspects embodied as particular kinds of information of a text. We observe that aspect-guided summaries not only address highly specific user need, but also facilitate content-level coherence by using aspect information. In this article, we present a full-fledged approach to aspect-guided summarization with a focus on summary coherence. Our summarization approach depends on two prerequisite subtasks: recognizing aspect-bearing sentences in order to do sentence extraction, and modeling aspect-based coherence with an HMM model in order to predict a coherent sentence ordering. Using the manually annotated TAC 2010 and 2010 datasets, we validated the effectiveness of our proposed methods for those subtasks. Drawing on the empirical results, we proceed to develop an aspect-guided summarizer based on a simple but robust base summarizer. With sentence selection guided by aspect information, our system is one of the best on TAC 2011. With sentence ordering predicted by the aspect-based HMM model, the summaries achieve good coherence.