bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Escalation
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J.
Published: June 2013

Organisms have been important agents of selection throughout the history of life. The processes and outcomes of this selection are the subject of this review. Among these, escalation is the most widespread. The primary selective agents are powerful competitors and consumers, which together push many populations toward higher performance in acquiring and defending resources while relegating less competitive species to physiologically marginal settings, where escalation also ensues. The extent to which performance standards rise depends on enabling factors, which control availability of and access to resources. By establishing positive feedbacks between species and enabling factors, effective competitors regulate and enhance resource supply. The pace of escalation toward greater power and reach is dictated by geological factors as well as by growing interdependencies between species and their resources. Evolutionary events on land related to the production of oxygen may have been instrumental in triggering the major episodes of escalation.
An Unusual Case of Hand Xanthomatosis
Authors: Huri Gazi , Joachim Noah
Published: June 2013

Tendon xanthomatosis often accompanies familial hypercholesterolaemia, but it can also occur in other pathologic states. Of the musculoskeletal system, the Achilles tendon is the most commonly effected tendon due to xanthomatosis. Although there are previous reports for flexor tendon involvement, to our knowledge there is no report in the English literature about bilateral hand extensor tendon xanthomatosis that causes restriction in the range of motion. The case that will be presented in this report is therefore unique.
Influence of the Toothpaste with Brazilian Ethanol Extract Propolis on the Oral Cavity Health
Authors: Skaba Dariusz , Morawiec Tadeusz , Tanasiewicz Marta , Mertas Anna , Bobela Elżbieta , Szliszka Ewelina , Skucha-Nowak Małgorzata , Dawiec Monika , Yamamoto Rindai , Ishiai Shinobu , Makita Yuki , Redzynia Małgorzata , Janoszka Beata , Niedzielska Iwona , Król Wojciech
Published: June 2013

Propolis-based therapeutic agents represent this potential for the development of new drugs in dental care. The aim of a clinical-cohort study was to determine the influence of application of toothpaste enriched with Brazilian extract of propolis (EEP) on health status of oral cavity. Laboratory analysis was conducted in order to assess the chemical composition of EEP including total phenolic compounds, the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity, and FRAP assay. Clinical research involved two groups of subjects comprising 32 adult patients, with assessment based on the preliminary evaluation of the state of their marginal periodontium. The investigation of oral health indices API, OHI, and SBI and microbiological examination of oral microflora were also carried out. Results obtained indicated time-dependent microbial action of EEP at 50 mg/L concentration, with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The total decrease of API, OHI, and SBI mean values was observed. Hygienic preparations with 3% content of Brazilian ethanol extract of green propolis (EEP) efficiently support removal of dental plaque and improve the state of marginal periodontium.
Experimental Research on the Dam‐Break Mechanisms of the Jiadanwan Landslide Dam Triggered by the Wenchuan Earthquake in China
Authors: Xu Fu-gang , Yang Xing-guo , Zhou Jia-wen , Hao Ming-hui
Published: June 2013

Dam breaks of landslide dams are always accompanied by large numbers of casualties, a large loss of property, and negative influences on the downstream ecology and environment. This study uses the Jiadanwan landslide dam, created by the Wenchuan earthquake, as a case study example. Several laboratory experiments are carried out to analyse the dam‐break mechanism of the landslide dam. The different factors that impact the dam‐break process include upstream flow, the boulder effect, dam size, and channel discharge. The development of the discharge channel and the failure of the landslide dam are monitored by digital video and still cameras. Experimental results show that the upstream inflow and the dam size are the main factors that impact the dam‐break process. An excavated discharge channel, especially a trapezoidal discharge channel, has a positive effect on reducing peak flow. The depth of the discharge channel also has a significant impact on the dam‐break process. The experimental results are significant for landslide dam management and flood disaster prevention and mitigation.
Physical Quantities of Reissner-Nordström Spacetime with Arbitrary Function and Regularized Procedure
Authors: Nashed Gamal G. L.
Published: June 2013

We use the covariant teleparallel approach to compute the total energy ofa spherically symmetric frame with an arbitrary function, that is,ℑ(r). We show how the total energy is always effected by the inertia. When use is made of the pure gauge connection, teleparallel gravity always yields the physically relevant result. We also calculate the total conserved charge and show how inertia spoils the physics in the time coordinate direction. Therefore, a regularized expression is employed to get a plausible value of energy. Finally, we use the Euclidean continuation method, in the context of TEGR, to calculate the energy, Hawking temperature, entropy, and first law of thermodynamics.
Dyes Degradation with Fe-Doped Titanium Nanotube Photocatalysts Prepared from Spend Steel Slag
Authors: Ma Chih Ming , Lin Yu Jung , Shiue Ren Wei , Chang Chang Tang
Published: June 2013

TiO2has been studied most commonly because it has high stability, nontoxicity, high catalytic activity, and high conductivity. Many studies have shown that TiO2would generate electron-hole pairs illuminated with UV and surround more energy than that before being illuminated. In this study, the titanium nanotube (TNT) photocatalysts were prepared to increase the surface area and adsorption capacity. The Fe TNT was also prepared from a slag iron since many slag irons cause waste treatment problems. In this study, a different Fe loading was also assessed since TNT doped with metals can be used to improve the degradation efficiency. Furthermore, five kinds of dye concentration, including 10, 20, 100, 200, and 400 ppm, and five kinds of Fe-doped content, including 0, 0.77, 1.13, 2.24, and 4.50%, were tested. Different kinds of reaction time and dye species were also assessed. In this result, Direct Black 22 was the most difficult to be degraded, although the concentration was decreased or the dose amount was increased. The degradation efficiency of 10 ppm Direct Black 22 was below 40% with 0.04 gL−1TNT under 365 nm UV irradiation.
Biogeography-Based Optimization with Orthogonal Crossover
Authors: Feng Quanxi , Liu Sanyang , Tang Guoqiang , Yong Longquan , Zhang Jianke
Published: June 2013

Biogeography-based optimization (BBO) is a new biogeography inspired, population-based algorithm, which mainly uses migration operator to share information among solutions. Similar to crossover operator in genetic algorithm, migration operator is a probabilistic operator and only generates the vertex of a hyperrectangle defined by the emigration and immigration vectors. Therefore, the exploration ability of BBO may be limited. Orthogonal crossover operator with quantization technique (QOX) is based on orthogonal design and can generate representative solution in solution space. In this paper, a BBO variant is presented through embedding the QOX operator in BBO algorithm. Additionally, a modified migration equation is used to improve the population diversity. Several experiments are conducted on 23 benchmark functions. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is capable of locating the optimal or closed-to-optimal solution. Comparisons with other variants of BBO algorithms and state-of-the-art orthogonal-based evolutionary algorithms demonstrate that our proposed algorithm possesses faster global convergence rate, high-precision solution, and stronger robustness. Finally, the analysis result of the performance of QOX indicates that QOX plays a key role in the proposed algorithm.
Myocardial Dysfunction in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Relieved by Surgical Decompression
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Vijay , Sharma Deepak , Prathep Sumidtra , Vavilala Monica S.
Published: June 2013

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue and is a leading cause of death in North America. After a primary TBI, secondary brain insults can predispose patients to a worse outcome. One of the earliest secondary insults encountered during the perioperative period is hypotension, which has been directly linked to both mortality and poor disposition after TBI. Despite this, it has been shown that hypotension commonly occurs during surgery for TBI. We present a case of intraoperative hypotension during surgery for TBI, where the use of transthoracic echocardiography had significant diagnostic and therapeutic implications for the management of our patient. We then discuss the issue of cardiac dysfunction after brain injury and the implications that echocardiography may have in the management of this vulnerable patient population.
The Neuroprotective Effect of Gugijihwang-Tang on Trimethyltin-Induced Memory Dysfunction in the Rat
Authors: Jung Eun-Yee , Lee Mi-Sook , Ahn Chang Joon , Cho Seung-Hun , Bae Hyunsu , Shim Insop
Published: June 2013

Gugijihwang-Tang (the herbal formula PM012), a decoction consisting of several herbs includingRehmanniae Radix Preparata, has been widely used as herbal treatment for dementia. In order to investigate the neuroprotective action of this prescription, we examined the effect of Gugijihwang-Tang on learning and memory using the Morris water maze and [F-18]FDG micro PET neuroimaging technique. After injection of trimethyltin (TMT, 8.0 mg/kg, i.p.), which is a potent toxicant that selectively kills cells in the central nervous system, rats were administered Gugijihwang-Tang (100 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for two weeks, followed by the Morris water maze tasks and [F-18]FDG micro PET neuroimaging. In Gugijihwang-Tang administered TMT-treated rats, they showed improved learning and memory abilities in water maze tasks and glucose metabolism, suggesting that Gugijihwang-Tang plays effectively positive role in the improvement of brain function including learning and memory after TMT-induced neurodegeneration. Taken together, our results suggested that the Gugijihwang-Tang should be useful for developing strategies protecting nervous system and improving brain function.
Pediatric Cryptococcal Lymphadenitis in the Absence of AIDS: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Bao Fengchang , Tan Hongna , Liu Wei , Li Yange , Li Huixia
Published: June 2013

We present a rare case of cryptococcal lymphadenitis without immunocompromization in a two-and-a-half-year-old child. He was referred to our center with a fifteen-day history of continued fever. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) revealed the enlargement of multiple lymph nodes and lung reticulonodular shadows. Hematological, immunological, and microbiological tests for hepatitis, lymphoma, AIDS, and immunoglobulin deficiencies were negative. Laboratory tests demonstrated elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated plasma and urinary ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) levels, and elevated C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. Both blood routine and bone marrow aspiration showed elevated eosinophil granulocytes. The diagnosis of cryptococcal lymphadenitis was obtained by excisional biopsy of the cervical lymph nodes. The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B and oral flucytosine for five weeks, then with subsequent oral fluconazole for three months. The patient is now doing well. Our case suggests that the diagnosis of cryptococcal lymphadenitis is very difficult without etiology and pathology, especially for a patient with a normal immune system; lymph node biopsy is necessary to diagnose it, and immediate antifungal treatment is necessary to treat it.
A Scale Adaptive Mean-Shift Tracking Algorithm for Robot Vision
Authors: Kang Yimei , Xie Wandong , Hu Bin
Published: June 2013

The Mean-Shift (MS) tracking algorithm is an efficient tracking algorithm. However, it does not work very well when the scale of a tracking target changes, or targets are occluded in the movements. In this paper, we propose a scale-adaptive Mean-Shift tracking algorithm (SAMSHIFT) to solve these problems. In SAMSHIFT, the corner matching is employed to calculate the affine structure between adjacent frames. The scaling factors are obtained based on the affine structure. Three target candidates, generated by the affine transformation, the Mean Shift and the Mean Shift with resizing by the scaling factors, respectively, are applied in each iteration to improve the tracking performance. By selecting the best candidate among the three, we can effectively improve the scale adaption and the robustness to occlusion. We have evaluated our algorithm in a PC and a mobile robot. The experimental results show that SAMSHIFT is well adaptive to scale changing and robust to partial occlusion, and the tracking speed is fast enough for real-time tracking applications in robot vision.
The Characteristics of Action Potentials in Primo Vessels and the Effects of Acetylcholine Injection to the Action Potentials
Authors: Cho Seong Jin , Lim Jaekwan , Yeon Sun Hee , Kwon O. Sang , Choi Kwang-Ho , Choi Sun-Mi , Ryu Yeon-Hee
Published: June 2013

In a previous study, we found that Primo vessels generate different action potentials in smooth muscles, but this study compared the pulse shape to distinguish the two tissues. Thus, a more sophisticated extracellular experiment was performed in this study using an acetylcholine injection; we then observed changes in the amplitude, FWHM (full width at half maximum), and period to explore Primo vessel function. A third type of pulse was recorded for Primo vessels. We observed fast depolarizing and repolarizing phases for this pulse. Further, its FWHM was 30 ms between smooth muscles and neurons. Acetylcholine affected only the period. The amplitude and FWHM were consistent after injection. Primo-vessels generated action potentials at twice the frequency after injection. From the results, we speculate that Primo-vessels perform a role in transferring signals in a different manner, which may be relevant for acupuncture treatment.
Hyperbolic Tessellation and Colorings of Trees
Authors: Kim Dong Han , Lim Seonhee
Published: June 2013

We study colorings of a tree induced from isometries of the hyperbolic plane given an ideal tessellation. We show that, for a given tessellation of the hyperbolic plane by ideal polygons, a coloring can be associated with any element of Isom(ℍ2), and the element is a commensurator ofΓif and only if its associated coloring is periodic, generalizing a result of Hedlund and Morse.
Genetic Structure of a Loblolly Pine Breeding Population at Brazil
Authors: Mercer Juliane Rezende , Lima Milena de Luna Alves , Higa Antonio Rioyei , Glienke Chirlei , de Almeida Marina Isabel Mateus
Published: June 2013

The genetic structure of a Brazilian loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) breeding population, represented by 120 open-pollinated families, was determined using Bayesian inference and genotypes of 15 microsatellite (simple sequence repeat (SSR))lociin 1,130 seedling progeny. The 120 maternal parents had been phenotypically selected about 15 years ago for wood volume in five different forestry plantations (FPs) in the south of Brazil. Additional selection for wood volume, based on a previous progeny test, was applied to the first best (i) and second best (ii) tree per block within each family. We adopted a procedure of “learning samples” to find the most likely number of inferred genetic clusters (K) or ancestral populations. The first hypothesis that was rejected was that the most probable value ofK=5was coincident with the five FPs, since the FPs were,a priori, assumed to be from 5 different backgrounds or origins. It was used the familiar structure of the population to infer the genotypes of maternal ancestors. It was concluded that the maternal generation is the most likely to have been planted by the mixture of three different seed sources or origins, that there are five genetic groups (K=5) in the population of progeny, and that they have been formed from the occurrence of assortative mating and also from a strong pressure in the selection within families. The trees with the best genetic value (i) maintained a higher genetic variability when compared to the trees of second best performance (ii), with higher values of heterozygosity and of numbers of maternal alleles that were kept the same. The migration model that best explains the results is the contact zone model. The population differentiation (FST) was 2-3 times higher in offspring than in relation to the maternal generation. The relevancy of the results and the way they were explored may be of value both for studies of population genetics, as for plant breeding programs, since they help monitoring the population's genetic variability during generations of selection.
A Comparative Study of Some Regression Models to Estimate the Global Solar Radiation on a Horizontal Surface from Sunshine Duration and Meteorological Parameters for Ghardaïa Site, Algeria
Authors: Gairaa Kacem , Bakelli Yahia
Published: June 2013

A comparison between some regression correlations for predicting the global solar radiation received on a horizontal plane has been processed. Seven models for estimating the global solar radiation from sunshine duration and two meteorological parameters (air temperature and relative humidity) are presented. The root mean square error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), correlation coefficient (CC), and percentage error () have been also computed to test the accuracy of the proposed models. Comparisons between the measured and the calculated values have been made. The results obtained show that the linear and quadratic models are the most suitable for estimating the global solar radiation from sunshine duration, and for the models based on meteorological parameters, Abdalla and Ojosu's models give the best performance with a CC of 0.898 and 0.892, respectively.
Anesthetic Management in Mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Spinello Concetta Maria , Novello Lorena Maria , Pitino Sofia , Raiti Claudia , Murabito Paolo , Stimoli Fortunato , Astuto Marinella
Published: June 2013

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of uncommon genetic diseases of connective tissue metabolism.
It is well established that the elective treatment of subjects affected by MPS is multidisciplinary and must be carried out by experienced personnel in highly specialist centers. However, there is the possibility to perform an anesthesia in a peripheral center, where anesthesiologists might not have a large experience of MPS. Various attempts to produce guidelines have been made for MPS. There has been an increasing interest in the topic as it is demonstrated by the number of scientific studies published in the last few years (peak in 2011). We want to provide a summary of anesthetic management, reviewing the current literature on the topic in a procedural algorithm for these high-risk patients, who require surgical procedures and diagnostic examinations under sedation with a higher frequency than the general population.
Unilateral Intraparotid Swelling: A Case Report of Kimura’s Disease and Review of Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Savage N. W. , Boras V. Vucicevic
Published: June 2013

An interesting case of Kimura's disease was described in the 42-year-old patient manifesting itself as a unilateral parotid swelling, albeit the disease usually affects both parotid glands. Furthermore, first pathohistological finding was not suggestive of the disease, revealing only fatty tissue, but on the repeated biopsy together with CT the correct diagnosis was established. It should be emphasized that Kimura's disease has to be taken into account while making differential diagnosis in parotid gland swellings, especially in people of Oriental origin.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Agricultural Biological Activities of 5‐Fluoro‐2‐hydroxy Butyrophenone
Authors: Xin Fengli , Du Chunhua , Lan Gongjia , Wu Zhuanping
Published: June 2013

A novel synthetic approach towards 5‐fluoro‐2‐hydroxy butyrophenone is reported. Using 4‐fluorophenol as a raw material, the processes of etherification protection, Friedel‐Crafts acylation and demethylation provide the target compound under mild conditions. The structure was characterized by the melting point and IR, MS, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. The bioassay results indicate that the target compound exhibits potent antifungal activities against Valsa mali, Coniella dipodiella, and other agricultural plant fungi. The target compound also shows potent herbicidal activities for Lactuca sativa, a dicotyledon, and Echinochloa crus-galli, a monocotyledon. The toxicity regression C50 values of the compound against Valsa mali, Coniothyrium diplodiella, Lactuca sativa seedling, and Echinochloa crusgalli seedling were calculated by SPSS. The Hormesis effect for roots of Echinochloa crusgalli was confirmed.
Corrected Hawking Radiation of Dirac Particles from a General Static Riemann Black Hole
Authors: Chen Ge-Rui , Huang Yong-Chang
Published: June 2013

Considering energy conservation and the back reaction of radiating particles to the spacetime, we investigate the massive Dirac particles' Hawking radiation from a general static Riemann black hole using improved Damour-Ruffini method. A direct consequence is that the radiation spectrum is not strictly thermal. The correction to the thermal spectrum is consistent with an underlying unitary quantum theory and this may have profound implications for the black hole information loss paradox.
Targeted Deletion of Murine CEACAM 1 Activates PI3K-Akt Signaling and Contributes to the Expression of (Pro)Renin Receptor via CREB Family and NF-κB Transcription Factors
Authors: Huang Jiqian , Ledford Kelly J. , Pitkin William B. , Russo Lucia , Najjar Sonia M. , Siragy Helmy M.
Published: June 2013

The carcinoembryonic antigen–related cell adhesion molecule 1 regulates insulin sensitivity by promoting hepatic insulin clearance. Mice bearing a null mutation of
Ceacam1
gene (
Cc1
–/–
) develop impaired insulin clearance followed by hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, in addition to visceral obesity and increased plasma fatty acids. Because insulin resistance is associated with increased blood pressure, we investigated whether they develop higher blood pressure with activated renal renin-angiotensin system and whether this is mediated, in part, by the upregulation of renal (pro)renin receptor (PRR) expression. Compared with age-matched wild-type littermates,
Cc1
–/–
mice exhibited increased blood pressure with increased activation of renal renin-angiotensin systems and renal PRR expression. Cytoplasmic and nuclear immunostaining of phospho-PI3K p85α and phospho-Akt was enhanced in the kidney of
Cc1
–/–
mice. In murine renal inner medullary collecting duct epithelial cells with lentiviral-mediated small hairpin RNA knockdown of carcinoembryonic antigen–related cell adhesion molecule 1, PRR expression was upregulated and phosphorylation of PI3K (Tyr508), Akt (Ser473), NF-κB p65 (Ser276), cAMP response element–binding protein/activated transcription factor (ATF)-1 (Ser133), and ATF-2 (Thr71) was enhanced. Inhibiting PI3K with LY294002 or Akt with Akt inhibitor VIII attenuated PRR expression. In conclusion, global null deletion of
Ceacam1
caused an increase in blood pressure with increased renin-angiotensin system activation together with upregulation of PRR via PI3K-Akt activation of cAMP response element–binding protein 1, ATF-1, ATF-2, and NF-κB p65 transcription factors.
Occurrence of Xyleborus bispinatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Eichhoff in southern Florida
Authors: ATKINSON THOMAS H. , CARRILLO DANIEL , DUNCAN RITA E. , PEÑA JORGE E.
Published: June 2013

Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff is reported from Florida for the first time. It was previously unrecognized and not distin-guished from Xyleborus ferrugineus (F.). There is no reason to believe at this point that it represents an introduction. Rather it is one of a group of widely distributed Neotropical species that are also found in southern Florida. Characters are discussed to allow it to be distinguished from X. ferrugineus and X. impressus Eichhoff.
Taxonomy of the genus Kochogaster Kamiński et Raś, 2011 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pedinini), with description of a second known species
Authors: KAMIŃSKI MARCIN JAN , IWAN DARIUSZ
Published: June 2013

A second species of the genus Kochogaster Kamiński et Raś (K. gerardi sp. n.) is described from the surroundings of Ga-rissa (Kenya). The taxonomic concept and phylogenetic relationships of Kochogaster are discussed. A distributional map is presented with complete faunistic data on the genus. Additionally, the original spelling of the name Anchophthalmus muelleri Schimrosczyk, 2010 is emended to A. muellerae due the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomen-clature.
The first troglobitic Pseudonannolene from Brazilian iron ore caves (Spirostreptida: Pseudonannolenidae)
Authors: INIESTA LUIZ FELIPE MORETTI , FERREIRA RODRIGO LOPES
Published: June 2013

Pseudonannolene spelaea n. sp. is the first strictly cave-dwelling species described for the family Pseudonannolenidae. It is found in iron ore caves in the Brazilian Amazon. The family Pseudonannolenidae is exclusively Neotropical and fre-quently found in caves of Brazil, from which 20 species are known. The new species is compared with its congeners and with related cave-dwelling species. The family Pseudonannolenidae is discussed, and comments are presented on the con-servation status of the caves where the species is found, which potentially may be the target of anthropogenic impacts re-sulting from iron ore extraction.
Indigenous deaths associated with police contact in Australia: Event stages and lessons for prevention
Authors: Porter Louise E
Published: June 2013

This paper analyses factors involved in Indigenous deaths associated with police contact in Australia since the Royal Commission of Inquiry, with a view to identifying possible points of prevention. Coronial reports were collected of 98 cases of Indigenous deaths, occurring in police custody or during custody-related operations between 1992 and 2008. Cases were content analysed for individual and situational variables, as well as Coroner recommendations. These variables are reported around a framework of the stages of the incident from the initial information or contact through to an officer decision to detain and subsequent aftercare. Subsets are detailed by cause of death. Key issues that affect these stages include the role of alcohol, criminal behaviour and mental health. Suggestions for prevention focus upon alternatives to the decision to detain in police custody, particularly for minor offences, and improvements in aftercare, particularly regarding police custody procedures.
Examining workplace mindfulness and its relations to job performance and turnover intention
Authors: Dane Erik , Brummel Bradley J
Published: June 2013

In recent years, research on mindfulness has burgeoned across several lines of scholarship. Nevertheless, very little empirical research has investigated mindfulness from a workplace perspective. In the study reported here, we address this oversight by examining workplace mindfulness – the degree to which individuals are mindful in their work setting. We hypothesize that, in a dynamic work environment, workplace mindfulness is positively related to job performance and negatively related to turnover intention, and that these relationships account for variance beyond the effects of constructs occupying a similar conceptual space – namely, the constituent dimensions of work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption). Testing these claims in a dynamic service industry context, we find support for a positive relationship between workplace mindfulness and job performance that holds even when accounting for all three work engagement dimensions. We also find support for a negative relationship between workplace mindfulness and turnover intention, though this relationship becomes insignificant when accounting for the dimensions of work engagement. We consider the theoretical and practical implications of these findings and highlight a number of avenues for conducting research on mindfulness in the workplace.
Anisotropic visco-elastic properties identification of a natural biodegradable ALFA fiber composite
Authors: Helaili S , Chafra M
Published: June 2013

In order to design parts or mechanical structures made up of heterogeneous materials, composed from a polymer matrix and a natural biodegradable fiber like the ALFA, material properties of such a composite have to be known. The purpose of the present study is to propose a method for identifying the visco-elastic properties of an ALFA/PMMA composite. Unidirectional and woven composites made of the ecological ALFA fiber are studied. The properties of the ALFA fiber were determined via multiple physical tests the results of which were processed with the Weibull distribution law. Given the relaxation law of the matrix and the properties of the natural ALFA fiber, the method determines the relaxation law of the homogenized composite. To achieve that, a representative cell is chosen and then subjected to unitary displacement numerical relaxation tests. The numerical tests results are used in a non-regression identification algorithm in order to find, as a mathematical reusable form, the composite visco-elastic Prony series of the stiffness matrix components. From the stiffness matrix, using a direct and an inverse Fourier transformation, the compliance matrix is computed and the orthotropic engineering property expressions are identified. The obtained results are compared to an ultrasonic measurement test of an ALFA/PMMA 45% specimen.
Bernoulli catenary and elasto-capillary effect in partially wet fibrous materials
Authors: Monaenkova Daria , Andrukh Taras , Kornev Konstantin G
Published: June 2013

When a wetting liquid wicks into a fibrous material, it causes the material to deform. In this paper we discuss the elasto-capillary effect that leads to spontaneous internal stresses in the materials. The elasto-capillary effect produced by menisci in pores can be identified through a specific stress distribution in the fibrous matrix. We show that the classical Bernoulli problem of a freely hanging fabric can be used for the analysis of gravity-induced stresses in textile materials. These stresses change due to elasto-capillary effect. Wicking of a wetting liquid into a freely suspended fibrous material is shown to be an instructive nontrivial experiment illustrating interesting distinguishable stress distributions in the fibrous matrix.
Influence of coating parameters on textile and electrical properties of a poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)/polyurethane-coated textile
Authors: Åkerfeldt Maria , Strååt Martin , Walkenström Pernilla
Published: June 2013

Textile coatings with electrical conductivity were obtained by the addition of poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and ethylene glycol (EG) to a polyurethane (PU)-based coating formulation. Variations of the coating formulation, the coating amount and the drying conditions, as well as the absence of an annealing step, were investigated. The coated fabrics were evaluated for tear strength and bending rigidity as well as surface resistivity and appearance before and after Martindale abrasion. A high proportion of PEDOT:PSS dispersion in the formulation and the presence of EG provided low surface resistivity. This composition resulted in softer samples with higher tear strength than those containing more PU-binder. All coatings proved to withstand abrasion to a similar extent. The surface resistivity increased gradually with the abrasion, about one half order of magnitude, except for those coatings that had been subjected to a faster drying process, where the surface resistivity increased somewhat faster.
Real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantitative assessment of common pathogens associated with healthcare-acquired infections on hospital textiles
Authors: Rozman Urška , Fijan Sabina , Turk Sonja Šostar , Mlakar Vid
Published: June 2013

A hospital environment may act as a significant reservoir for potential pathogens that can be transmitted with hospital textiles, which could represent a source of healthcare-acquired infections. Quantitative assessment of nosocomial pathogens with real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on textiles can serve to verify the achievement of standards for textile hygiene of hospital laundry that assess the risk for acquiring hospital infection from inappropriately disinfected textiles. The aim of the study was to establish qPCR for quantitative assessment of selected common nosocomial pathogens ( Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on hospital textiles and to compare the efficiency of the molecular method to the standard procedures for evaluating the bio burden of textiles in hospitals. This study demonstrated that presence of nosocomial pathogens on hospital textiles can be confirmed with qPCR even where conventional techniques do not give any results. qPCR offers a possibility to confirm the presence of microorganisms in dead or viable but non-culturable states that cannot be detected by conventional sampling techniques but may still pose a hazard to public health.
Accurate fiber orientation measurements in nonwovens using a multi-focus image fusion technique
Authors: Wang Rongwu , Xu Bugao , Li Cailan
Published: June 2013

The multifocal phenomenon is a common problem when viewing a thick nonwoven sample under a light microscope. Multi-focus image fusion is a technique used to combine a series of partially focused images of the same scene into one fully focused image, and permits the accurate measurement of object features within the scene. This paper presents a region-based image fusion algorithm based on the fact that multi-focus images contain compensatory focused regions that can be selected to create a merged image. The process starts with the selection of a few reliable points with the highest local sharpness values and where there is coherent edge information (object features). Regions are then formed through diffusion or expansion of these selected source points. The final coupled boundaries among the diffusing sources are determined using the distance transform. Once the new image is divided into a number of regions, each region is filled with the corresponding region selected from one of the multi-focus images that possesses the highest average sharpness value among the entire set. The sharp image facilitates accurate detection of fiber edges in a nonwoven structure. Two orientation distribution parameters are used to describe fiber and web orientations and are evaluated with the two tensile tests on three different nonwoven webs.
Elastomeric blends of poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) and conductive heteroaromatic poly(thiourea-azo-ether)
Authors: Kausar Ayesha , Hussain Syed Tajammul
Published: June 2013

The present work involves the preparation of a new heteroaromatic azo polymer, poly(thiourea-azo-ether; PTAE) using 4,4′-oxydiphenyl bis(thiourea) and diazonium salt solution of 2,6-diaminopyridine. The polymer was easily processable using polar solvents and had high molar mass of 33 × 103 g mol−1. Various concentrations of azo filler and poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene; SBS) blends were then blended in solution phase. The effect of PTAE on processing, conductivity, morphology and thermophysical properties of elastomeric blends was investigated. Field-emission scanning electron microscopic micrographs of SBS/PTAE blends revealed fine dispersal of filler, good adhesion with the matrix and the development of conducting pathways. Accordingly, filler content from 10 to 60 wt% increased the conductivity from 0.77 × 10−1 to 1.43 S cm−1. Ultimate tensile strength of SBS/PTAE (26.94–28.12 MPa) was improved relative to pure SBS. A relationship between PTAE loading and thermal stability of the materials was also observed. The temperature at 10% gravimetric loss was increased from 461 to 499°C, while the glass transition temperature was enhanced from 135 to 147°C. Thermal and conducting data showed better results relative to pure elastomer but lower than the conducting filler. Fine balance of properties renders new materials better than the existing elastomeric blends used in a number of applications.
Leadership in libraries in times of change
Authors: Düren Petra
Published: June 2013

Academic as well as public libraries nowadays have to face constant change. This paper gives an overview about leadership competences needed to succeed with deliberate large-scale changes in libraries. Most of the needed competences can already be imparted during undergraduate studies toward a bachelor’s degree in library and information science, as can be seen in the example of the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg. The critical success factors of every change project are information, communication and participation. Two qualitative studies concerning leadership in academic libraries and leadership in academic and public libraries in times of change, as well as a quantitative study in an academic library concerning the influence of a transformational and a transactional leadership style of the top management on the middle management as well as on team members including the influence of the organizational culture, emphasize the importance of these success factors, especially the communication competence of leaders in times of change.
Performance Outcomes After Repair of Complete Achilles Tendon Ruptures in National Basketball Association Players
Authors: Amin Nirav H. , Old Andrew B. , Tabb Loni P. , Garg Rohit , Toossi Nader , Cerynik Douglas L.
Published: June 2013

Background:

A complete rupture of the Achilles tendon is a devastating injury. Variables affecting return to competition and performance changes for National Basketball Association (NBA) players are not readily evident.

Hypothesis:

Players in the NBA who ruptured their Achilles tendons and who underwent surgical repair would have more experience in the league, and the performance of those who were able to return to competition would be decreased when compared with their performance before injury and with their control-matched peers.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Data for 18 basketball players with Achilles tendon repair over a 23-year period (1988-2011) were obtained from injury reports, press releases, and player profiles. Variables included age, body mass index (BMI), player position, and number of years playing in the league. Individual season statistics were obtained, and the NBA Player Efficiency Rating (PER) was calculated for 2 seasons before and after injury. Controls were matched by playing position, number of seasons played, and performance statistics. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of each factor.

Results:

At the time of injury, the average age was 29.7 years, average BMI was 25.6, and average playing experience was 7.6 years. Seven players never returned to play an NBA game, whereas 11 players returned to play 1 season, with 8 of those players returning for ≥2 seasons. Players who returned missed an average of 55.9 games. The PER was reduced by 4.57 ( P = .003) in the first season and by 4.38 ( P = .010) in the second season. When compared with controls, players demonstrated a significant decline in the PER the first season ( P = .038) and second season ( P = .081) after their return.

Conclusion:

The NBA players who returned to play after repair of complete Achilles tendon ruptures showed a significant decrease in playing time and performance. Thirty-nine percent of players never returned to play.
Thermoplastic pultrusion process: Modeling and optimal conditions for fibers impregnation
Authors: Koubaa Sana , Le Corre Steven , Burtin Christian
Published: June 2013

Pultrusion is a crucial method for continuous production of fiber-reinforced composites. It was developed several years ago for thermosetting polymer matrices, but the challenge is now to extend it to thermoplastic matrices, with a much higher viscosity. In this paper, we propose an analysis of the parameters influencing fiber impregnation in the conditions of this process. A semi-analytical one-dimensional axisymmetric model based on Darcy’s law and Stokes equations is developed to predict the impregnation profile inside the fibrous phase in the case of a natural impregnation governed by capillary forces. Thanks to a dimensional analysis, it enables to quantify the influence of all the material and testing parameters under the assumption of a slow variation of the geometry of the impregnation die. The cases of a straight and conical dies are discussed. For the first case, an exhaustive numerical study enables to define the optimal processing conditions for a perfect impregnation. Those results are shown to be useful tools for finding an optimal pulling velocity and die length for a given fluid/fibers pair. For the second case, we show that section reductions do not improve impregnation.
Fibroblast PER2 Circadian Rhythmicity Depends on Cell Density
Authors: Noguchi Takako , Wang Lexie L. , Welsh David K.
Published: June 2013

Like neurons in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master circadian pacemaker in the brain, single fibroblasts can function as independent oscillators. In the SCN, synaptic and paracrine signaling among cells creates a robust, synchronized circadian oscillation, whereas there is no evidence for such integration in fibroblast cultures. However, interactions among single-cell fibroblast oscillators cannot be completely excluded, because fibroblasts were not isolated in previous work. In this study, we tested the autonomy of fibroblasts as single-cell circadian oscillators in high- and low-density culture, by single-cell imaging of cells from PER2::LUC circadian reporter mice. We found greatly reduced PER2::LUC rhythmicity in low-density cultures, which could result from lack of either constitutive or rhythmic paracrine signals from neighboring fibroblasts. To discriminate between these 2 possibilities, we mixed PER2::LUC wild-type (WT) cells with nonluminescent, nonrhythmic Bmal1–/– cells, so that density of rhythmic cells was low but overall cell density remained high. In this condition, WT cells showed clear rhythmicity similar to high-density cultures. We also mixed PER2::LUC WT cells with nonluminescent, long period Cry2–/– cells. In this condition, WT cells showed a period no different from cells cultured with rhythmic WT cells or nonrhythmic Bmal1–/– cells. In previous work, we found that low K+ suppresses fibroblast rhythmicity, and we and others have found that either low K+ or low Ca2+ suppresses SCN rhythmicity. Therefore, we attempted to rescue rhythmicity of low-density fibroblasts with high K+ (21 mM), high Ca2+ (3.6 mM), or conditioned medium. Conditioned medium from high-density fibroblast cultures rescued rhythmicity of low-density cultures, whereas high K+ or Ca2+ medium did not consistently rescue rhythmicity. These data suggest that fibroblasts require paracrine signals from adjacent cells for normal expression of rhythmicity, but that these signals do not have to be rhythmic, and that rhythmic signals from other cells do not affect the intrinsic periods of fibroblasts.
Effects of Sex Pheromones and Sexual Maturation on Locomotor Activity in Female Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Authors: Walaszczyk Erin J. , Johnson Nicholas S. , Steibel Juan Pedro , Li Weiming
Published: June 2013

Synchronization of male and female locomotor rhythmicity can play a vital role in ensuring reproductive success. Several physiological and environmental factors alter these locomotor rhythms. As sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, progress through their life cycle, their locomotor activity rhythm changes multiple times. The goal of this study was to elucidate the activity patterns of adult female sea lamprey during the sexual maturation process and discern the interactions of these patterns with exposure to male pheromones. During these stages, preovulated and ovulated adult females are exposed to sex pheromone compounds, which are released by spermiated males and attract ovulated females to the nest for spawning. The locomotor behavior of adult females was monitored in a natural stream with a passive integrated tag responder system as they matured, and they were exposed to a sex pheromone treatment (spermiated male washings) or a control (prespermiated male washings). Results showed that, dependent on the hour of day, male sex pheromone compounds reduce total activity ( p < 0.05) and cause increases in activity during several daytime hours in preovulated and ovulated females. These results are one of the first examples of how sex pheromones modulate a locomotor rhythm in a vertebrate, and they suggest that the interaction between maturity stage and sex pheromone exposure contributes to the differential locomotor rhythms found in adult female sea lamprey. This phenomenon may contribute to the reproductive synchrony of mature adults, thus increasing reproductive success in this species.
Effects of sample width and inclined angle on flame spread across expanded polystyrene surface in plateau and plain environments
Authors: An Weiguang , Huang Xinjie , Wang Qingsong , Zhang Ying , Sun Jinhua , Liew KM , Wang Hui , Xiao Huahua
Published: June 2013

To study the effect of sample width and inclined angle on flame spread across expanded polystyrene (EPS) surface, a series of laboratory-scale experiments were conducted in the Lhasa plateau and the Hefei plain. Surface flame height, flame spread rate and preheating zone length were obtained. The dimensionless surface flame height varied as the − n power of the sample width and 0.7 <  n < 0.9. As angle of incline increased, the surface flame height first rose and then dropped. The surface flame height difference between maximum and minimum width became smaller with the increase in angle of incline. With an increase in sample width, the flame spread rate first dropped and then rose where the angle of incline was small, while the trend was reverse for samples with larger angle of incline. For EPS at 15°and 30°, the trend of flame spread rate versus sample width in Lhasa was inverse, compared with the results obtained in Hefei. The variation trend of preheating zone length with sample width and inclined angle was different from the flame spread rate trend. However, a linear relationship of vf / w and δph/ w was found in Lhasa plateau. The surface flame height, flame spread rate and preheating zone length in Hefei plain were larger than the results obtained in Lhasa plateau. The experimental results agreed well with theoretical analysis.
Transitional Leadership of Advisors as a Facilitator of Successors’ Leadership Construction
Authors: Salvato Carlo , Corbetta Guido
Published: June 2013

Succession literature addressed factors affecting the development of successors’ leadership skills. Yet the role professional advisors play in this process is not well understood. This study contrasts the detailed descriptions of four advisor-directed leadership development processes, to suggest a grounded theory of how advisors can facilitate the construction of successors’ leadership. Adopting an insider–outsider approach to the collection and analysis of ethnographic data, the study revealed that the assumption of a transitional leadership role by advisors—an interim leadership held by the advisor while supporting the successor’s leadership development—was critical to moving the succession process forward.