bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel Vehicle Mass-Based Automated Passenger Counter for Transit Applications
Authors: Kotz Andrew J. , Kittelson David B. , Northrop William F.
Published: September 2015

Federally subsidized transit funding is based on ridership; therefore, an accurate count of passengers is imperative. Most existing automated passenger counters (APCs) use infrared beam methods of detection. Such systems are expensive and inaccurate for scenarios such as multiple-passenger boarding and alighting. The preliminary results are reported here from a novel APC method that has the potential to improve accuracy over existing technology while decreasing overall system cost. This result is accomplished through integration of existing vehicle systems that include the vehicle air ride suspension, which has near-universal adoption in transit buses. The system counts passengers by measuring pressure inside the vehicle air bag suspension system, which directly correlates to vehicle mass. Two algorithms were developed to detect discrete boarding events on the basis of time-resolved vehicle mass data. The first algorithm uses incremental change of vehicle mass, assuming a well-calibrated average passenger mass of 168 lb (76 kg), resulting in a −2.4% error. The second algorithm uses the vehicle mass time derivative to improve the resolution of boarding and alighting events but with overall error increased to −28.4%. Experimental testing of the mass-based APC system on an in-service transit bus showed that the mass correlation method outperformed the existing infrared beam APC, which had a 17.5% error; however, bus kneeling events proved problematic for both the mass correlation and the event-based mass methods. Initial results are encouraging and prompt the necessity for further study and refinement. However, more work must be done to address the kneeling issue.
Comparison of Constrained and Ad Hoc Demand-Responsive Transportation Systems
Authors: Ronald Nicole , Thompson Russell G. , Winter Stephan
Published: September 2015

Planning public transport services for areas of low population density is important to enable travel by those without convenient travel options. In such areas, transit vehicles frequently travel with few passengers or even no passengers on board and thereby incur more cost to the transport providers. Demand-responsive transportation (DRT) services are potentially an efficient mobility solution to this problem. The choice of a DRT scheme is important because different types of schemes may produce different performances in the same area with the same demand. Although many DRT schemes have some constraints (for example, a fixed route or fixed time), these impose additional constraints on users who are already constrained, for example, by a lack of access to a car or limited times to undertake activities. Removing the fixed constraint on time leads to evaluating the performance of an ad hoc system. This paper investigates the change in performance of two DRT schemes—a fixed-time but flexible route scheme and a completely ad hoc scheme—by using the multiagent simulation tool, MATSIM, a large-scale agent-based transport simulation, and real data from an existing fixed-time DRT service in rural Victoria, Australia. Experimentation showed that the schemes produced different outcomes for the operator and passengers; however, the optimization algorithm was less important in areas of low demand. Higher levels of demand led to extensive vehicle travel for an ad hoc service, but altering the headways between fixed-time services could achieve a middle ground for operators and passengers. This work is a first step toward developing a decision support tool to evaluate DRT schemes, in particular for those integrated with other modes of transport.
Optimizing a Flexible Mobility on Demand System
Authors: Atasoy Bilge , Ikeda Takuro , Ben-Akiva Moshe E.
Published: September 2015

This paper analyzes an innovative transportation concept called Flexible Mobility on Demand (FMOD), which provides personalized services to passengers. FMOD is a demand-responsive system: a list of travel options is provided in real-time for each passenger request. The system provides passengers with flexibility to choose from a menu that is optimized in an assortment optimization framework. For operators, there is flexibility in terms of vehicle allocation to service types: taxi, shared taxi, and minibus. The allocation of the available feet to these three services is carried out dynamically and is based on demand and supply so that vehicles can change roles during the day. The FMOD system is built on a choice model that enables it to analyze the consumer surplus. This paper describes the FMOD system and presents simulation results for a network in Tokyo. For FMOD, three models that maximize profit, consumer surplus, or both are considered. FMOD is compared with its counterpart, which does not have flexibility in vehicle allocation under different scenarios. The results show that FMOD improves profit and consumer surplus with a reasonable real-time performance for the considered network.
Operations of Shared Autonomous Vehicle Fleet for Austin, Texas, Market
Authors: Fagnant Daniel J. , Kockelman Kara M. , Bansal Prateek
Published: September 2015

The emergence of automated vehicles holds great promise for the future of transportation. Although commercial sales of fully self-driving vehicles will not commence for several more years, once these sales are possible a new transportation mode for personal travel promises to arrive. This new mode is the shared autonomous (or fully automated) vehicle (SAV), combining features of short-term, on-demand rentals with self-driving capabilities: in essence, a driverless taxi. This investigation examined the potential implications of the SAV at a low level of market penetration (1.3% of regional trips) by simulating a feet of SAVs serving travelers in the 12-mi by 24-mi regional core of Austin, Texas. The simulation used a sample of trips from the region's planning model to generate demand across traffic analysis zones and a 32,272-link network. Trips called on the vehicles in 5-min departure time windows, with link-level travel times varying by hour of day based on MATSIM's dynamic traffic assignment simulation software. Results showed that each SAV could replace about nine conventional vehicles within the 24-mi by 12-mi area while still maintaining a reasonable level of service (as proxied by user wait times, which averaged just 1 min). Additionally, approximately 8% more vehicle miles traveled (VMT) may be generated because of SAV's ability to journey unoccupied to the next traveler or relocate to a more favorable position in anticipation of its next period demand.
Anthropometric Assessment of Nutritional Status in Pregnant Women in Different Trimesters Attending at the Antenatal Clinic of DMCH
Authors: Akther Lutfa , Hossain Muhammad Belal , Awwal AAM Anisul , Nesa Ayatun
Published: September 2015

Background: Adequate nutritional status of expectant mothers is essential for their health maintenance and good pregnancy outcome. To assess the anthropometric measurements of pregnant women.Methodology: Cross sectional study, 245 pregnant women was included whom attended at antenatal clinic of Dhaka Medical College hospital. Main outcome measures: 38% pregnant women were found with overweight or obese and 20% were found underweight that was related with chronic energy deficiency, vitamin deficiency and Iron deficiency anemia.Result: A total of 245 women were in this study, the highest number (48.16%) was found visited in the second trimester, 32.24% were in third and 19.5% in 1st trimester respectively. The mean age of women attending in this study was 23%. It was surprising that our upcoming mother's did not have good height, around 60% were found less than five feet and 24% women were less than four feet eight inches, which indicated that a significant proportion of women might need to have surgical intervention during delivery. Not only the height, but also the weight of our respondents was found much poor and 16% of total attending women had weight below 40 kilogram.Conclusion: Our study revealed that the majority of the women suffered from chronic energy deficiency which could be the potential factor for delivering malnourished babies. All pregnant women should be motivated to have an antenatal check up throughout the pregnancy, increase birth spacing to hold their proper nutritional status and encourage them to delivery their babies in hospital.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 20-24
A Retrospective Study of Efficacy and Toxicities of Rituximab in Combination with Chemotherapy for NHL patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque Md Ehteshamul , Karim Shahnaz , Hasan M Naimul , Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman
Published: September 2015

Bacground: In Bangladesh conventionally CHOP therapy is widely practiced for the treatment of NHL patient. But refractory/ relapse case is highly observed in CHOP therapy. Reports of different clinical trials showed that addition of Rituximab with CHOP therapy dramatically increase the progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients.Methodology: To analyze the response and toxicities of NHL patients treated with Rituximab in combination with other chemotherapy regimen admitted in Anwer Khan Modern Hospital, City Hospital and United Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Response and toxicities of patients admitted to three institutions between May 2003 to December 2006 were analyzed. A total of 30 patients were observed in this study. Patients received up to 6-8 cycles of Rituximab in combination with CHOP for every 3 weeks as an induction therapy. Maintenance therapy was given to 6 patients at 3 months interval for up to 2 years.Result: After a median follow up period of 6 years patients were evaluated on the basis of response criteria. Out of the 30 patients 3 patients did not completed 6 cycle R-CHOP treatment regimen. 13% of the patients were refractory and died before completing therapy. With R-CHOP combination 47% of the patients experienced complete response. Partial response was observed in 20% of the patients. In this study 6% of the patients did not get response from the therapy. Haematological toxicity included grade 3-4 neutropenia 13%, anaemic 4%, febrile neutropenia 17% and thrombocytopenia 11%. Non-haematological toxicity included grade 2-3 nausea or vomiting 18%, grade 3 fatigue 12%.Conclusion: Addition of Rituximab as an immunotherapy option with chemotherapy regimen provides excellent response to Bangladeshi patients diagnosed for Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Further study needs to be done to evaluate efficacy and toxicity profiles of patients treated with other chemotherapy regimen who were not eligible for CHOP regimen.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 28-34
A Rare Combination of Mixed Germ Cell Tumour of Testis- A Case Report
Authors: Islam Rezaul , Boksh Zahangir , Rahman Shafiqur , Pasha Kamal
Published: September 2015

A 20 years old man presented with 4 year history of painless swelling of the left testis. He ignored this swelling until he started having pain in the abdomen. Ultrasonography revealed testicular malignancy with multiple para-aortic lymph nodes enlargements in the abdomen. His X-ray chest showed pulmonary metastasis. One tumor marker was raised. Histology revealed mixed germ cell tumour with a rare combination of seminoma and embryonal carcinoma. Because of this rare combination of 2 varieties of testicular germ cell tumor and extensive systemic metastasis we presented this case. We discussed the epidemiology, incidence, classification, staging, treatment and prognosis of testicular cancer.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 6, No. 1: January 2015, Pages 50-54
PORTFOLIO ROBUSTNESS EVALUATION: A CASE STUDY IN THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR
Authors: LOURENÇO João Carlos , SOARES João Oliveira , BANA E COSTA Carlos A.
Published: September 2015

Managers continually face the task of allocating resources to projects when there is not enough money to fund them all. Portfolio Robustness Evaluation (PROBE) is a multicriteria decision support system developed to help managers to perform that difficult task. This paper presents a PROBE model, developed for an electricity distribution company, to select the best portfolio of projects, subject to budget constraints for different types of projects and various organisational units in multiple time periods. Projects requiring large-scale investments are analysed separately from the small-scale projects. The robustness of the selected portfolio of large-scale projects is analysed in an iterative process where broader uncertainty ranges are considered for the values of the projects, and also when an environmental impact criterion is added to the evaluation model.
Gamified Cognitive Training to Prevent Cognitive Decline
Authors: Daniele Musian , Ascolese Antonio
Published: September 2015

Due to the ageing population, cognitive decline is becoming a widespread problem that requires immediate attention. Preventive strategies can play an important role in reducing progressive decline and delaying or completely preventing the transition of cognitive decline into dementia. One such strategy is computer-based cognitive training, which has been widely used and tested to maintain and improve the cognitive performance of older people. Typically, cognitive training packages utilise gamification techniques to increase engagement. Although gamification can be a powerful motivator for people completing cognitive training, it could also be overwhelming for people with cognitive impairments if designed poorly. This chapter introduces the literature on computer based cognitive training, use of gamification in training, and the DOREMI project that aims to design cognitive training games for older people with cognitive impairment, using a user-centred design process to ensure that the gamification tools used to motivate participation are effective, meaningful, and user-friendly.
Integration of Communication in a Game to Reflect and Discuss Dietary Habits among School Aged Children
Authors: Kamada Mikio , Moriyama Masaki
Published: September 2015

A new game that allows the players to reflect and discuss dietary habits, specifically targeting school-aged children, was developed. The game places greater emphasis on reflection and communication than competition and goal pursuit. An assessment experiment in an elementary school was performed and its findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the game. The most remarkable advantage of the game is that the goal of the game itself is a rich message, created by reflecting the players' dietary habits. It is a new type of game in which play and communication is integrated to attain further balanced understanding of one's and others' dietary lives. The game has high potential for improvement and expansion, as its rules, theme, and card set can be adapted to suit various educational purposes. Moreover, its computerization will not only assist in its widespread distribution, but will also enable adding new useful features.
Wired and Wireless Distributed e-Home Healthcare System
Authors: Sekar Booma Devi , Ma JiaLi , Dong MingChui
Published: September 2015

The proactive development in electronic health (e-health) has introduced seemingly endless number of applications such as telemedicine, electronic records, healthcare score cards, healthcare monitoring etc. Yet, these applications confront the key challenges of network dependence and medical personnel necessity, which hinders the development of universality of e-health services. To mitigate such key challenges, this chapter presents a versatile wired and wireless distributed e-home healthcare system. By exploiting the benefit of body sensor network and information communication technology, the dedicated system model methodically integrates some of the comprehensive functions such as pervasive health monitoring, remote healthcare data access, point-of-care signal interpretation and diagnosis, disease-driven uplink update and synchronization (UUS) scheme and emergency management to design a complete and independent e-home healthcare system.
Ballistic Performance of Al2O3 and SSiC Ceramic with Areal Density of 26 kg/m2 against 7.62 mm Calibre Projectiles
Authors: Bayer Petr , Krátký Josef , Drdlík Daniel , Popovič Miloslav
Published: September 2015

The present study deals with ballistic performance of corundum and silicon carbide ceramics against 7.62 mm calibre projectile. In particular, ceramic samples of dimension 100 x 100 mm with various thickness in the range of 6.94 – 6.96 mm and 7.77 - 7.79 mm were glued to Al plate with thickness of 8 mm and tested against 7.62 mm calibre projectiles, namely 30.06 M2 AP, 7.62 mm x 51 AP (WC) and 7.62 mm x 54 R B32. The conducted tests have provided the V50 value for tested materials composed of 8 mm Al plate and ceramic.Furthermore, applying linear approximation the value V50 for normalized ceramic areal density of 26 kg/m2 was calculated. From the given V50 values, the energy of projectile absorbed in ceramic and in Al plate was also calculated. Finally, the results showed that corundum ceramic exhibited significantly lower ballistic efficiency probably due to lower thickness (26 kg/m2 corresponds to thickness of 6.61 mm) in comparison with SSiC ceramic (26 kg/m2 corresponds to thickness of 8.33 mm). The highest efficiency showed 7.62 mm x 51 AP (WC) with a hard core against both ceramics. An unexplained point remains similar V50 value for 30.06 M2 AP and 7.62 mm x 54 R B32 projectile for corundum ceramic and significantly different for SSiC ceramic.Graphical abstract
Changes of Electrical Parameters of Cement Chipboards Cetris-Basic after Freezing Cycle
Authors: Kusák Ivo , Lunak Miroslav
Published: September 2015

NDT impedance spectroscopy method was used to characterize a Cetris wood-cement chipboard. Dry specimen pre-stress and post-stress cycle tan δ (f) spectrum variances were observed. Effects of potential dielectric losses and the predominance of the polarization and conductivity components in various regions of the impedance spectrum of samples after frozen stress cycle are described. The method reproducibility has been verified by multiple measurements.
Nondestructive Testing of Moist Cetris-Basic Wood-Cement Chipboards by Using Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Luňák Miroslav , Kusák Ivo
Published: September 2015

Impedance spectroscopy (IS) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method ranking in the electrical engineering measuring method group. It outputs data providing information on material electric and dielectric properties. Microscopically inhomogeneous materials are frequently used in the building industry. Unfortunately, the impedance spectroscopy results and their characterization on the basis of this method are not unambiguous. The frequency spectrum behavior of Cetris-basic specimens was studied by means of the NDT impedance spectroscopy method for various water content values. A stress cycle with defined absolute water content values is described. Influences of potential dielectric losses and the predominance of the polarization and conductivity components in various regions of the impedance spectrum are described for various water content values.
Influence of Superplasticizer Quantity on Formation of Micro-Cracks during Setting and Hardening of Concretes by Acoustic Emission Method
Authors: Topolář Libor , Timcakova Kristýna , Misák Petr
Published: September 2015

The acoustic emission phenomenon is directly associated with nucleation of cracks in building materials, therefore the changes result from the volumetric expansion causing formation micro and macro cracking in structure, which we can recognize. The main aim of the article is to compare four ways of curing alkali activated slag mortars by method of acoustic emission. A comprehension of microstructure−performance relationships is the key to true understanding of material behaviour. The results obtained in the laboratory are useful to understand the various stages of micro-cracking activity during the hardening process in quasi-brittle materials such as alkali activated slag mortars and extend them for general practice
Correlation between Parameters of Acoustic Emission and Fracture Characteristics Obtained from Three-Point Bending Test
Authors: Topolář Libor , Pazdera Lubos
Published: September 2015

This paper reports the analysis of acoustic emission signals captured during three-point bending fracture tests of concrete specimens with different mixture composition. Acoustic emission method is an experimental tool well suited for monitoring fracture processes in material. The typical acoustic emission patterns were identified in the acoustic emission records for three different mixtures to further describe the under-the-stress behaviour and failure development. An understanding of microstructure–performance relationships is the key to true understanding of material behaviour. The acoustic emission results are accompanied by fracture parameters determined via evaluation of load versus deflection diagrams recorded during three-point bending fracture tests.
Application Possibilities of Hydrophobised Ceramic Walling in Areas with Higher Risk of Floods
Authors: Zach Jiří , Novák Vítězslav , Sedlmajer Martin , Hroudová Jitka
Published: September 2015

The paper deals with possibilities of application of hydrophobised waterproof walling system for construction of building bottom parts (socle walling) in area with higher risk of floods. The paper describes the results from the research in the field of hydrophobisation possibilities of ceramic shaped pieces and subsequent development of socle waterproof walling construction.
One-Year Sulfate Attack on Various Types of Fine Grained Concrete
Authors: Vyšvařil Martin , Rovnaníková Markéta
Published: September 2015

Concrete shows extensive degradation when exposed to the external sulfate attack, characterized by ingress of sulfate ions from surrounding medium. This process leads to gradual pH decrease, to expansion, cracking, spalling of concrete, and finally to the complete disintegration of the material. Sulfate attack becomes a major destructor in sewage collection systems where the concrete sewer pipes are exposed to sulfates from wastewater as well as from biogenic activity of bacteria. This paper is focused on the sulfate attack on fine grained concrete where the effect of 0.5% sulfuric acid, simulating biogenic sulfuric acid corrosion, 5% sodium sulfate solution and solution simulating sewage water on various types of concrete has been investigated. The concrete specimens were characterized after exposition to corroding media by their mechanical parameters, microstructure and in the case of H2SO4 as the most aggressive corroding solution, the mineralogical composition was also determined by XRD analysis. It was found that the exposition to Na2SO4 solution twofold improved flexural strengths of concrete mixes based on Portland and sulfate-resisting cements. Contrary, the exposition to H2SO4 solution significantly decreased compressive strengths of all types of concrete.
Three-Dimensional Lattice Boltzmann Flux Solver and Its Applications to Incompressible Isothermal and Thermal Flows
Authors: Wang Yan , Shu Chang , Teo Chiang Juay , Wu Jie , Yang Liming
Published: September 2015

A three-dimensional (3D) lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) is presented in this paper for the simulation of both isothermal and thermal flows. The present solver combines the advantages of conventional Navier-Stokes (N-S) solvers and lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) solvers. It applies the finite volume method (FVM) to solve the N-S equations. Different from the conventional N-S solvers, its viscous and inviscid fluxes at the cell interface are evaluated simultaneously by local reconstruction of LBE solution. As compared to the conventional LBE solvers, which apply the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) globally in the whole computational domain, it only applies LBM locally at each cell interface, and flow variables at cell centers are given from the solution of N-S equations. Since LBM is only applied locally in the 3D LBFS, the drawbacks of the conventional LBM, such as limitation to uniform mesh, tie-up of mesh spacing and time step, tedious implementation of boundary conditions, are completely removed. The accuracy, efficiency and stability of the proposed solver are examined in detail by simulating plane Poiseuille flow, lid-driven cavity flow and natural convection. Numerical results show that the LBFS has a second order of accuracy in space. The efficiency of the LBFS is lower than LBM on the same grids. However, the LBFS needs very less non-uniform grids to get grid-independence results and its efficiency can be greatly improved and even much higher than LBM. In addition, the LBFS is more stable and robust.
Freddy Durkee and Ferdydurke:
Authors: Pratt Daniel Webster
Published: September 2015

The title of Witold Gombrowicz's first novel, Ferdydurke, has inspired a great deal of speculation as to its possible meanings since the work was first published in 1937. Even in 1986, when Bodgan Baran discovered that the title came from Sinclair Lewis's Babbitt, the matter was still not put to rest. In this essay, the author attempts to discover the meaning behind Gombrowicz's choice of title through a Gombrowiczian reading of Lewis's popular but generally understudied novel. Lewis scholarship has been rather sparse, owing mostly to the attitude that his works were merely examples of popular literature not worth further examination. After using Ferdydurke to explain Gombrowicz's artistic theories, the author applies these to Babbitt, demonstrating that the sociological descriptions underline deeper philosophical understandings of the world that Gombrowicz would later develop in his own writings. These are then reflected in the approach that Gombrowicz and Lewis take to their position as author and artist within their respective national cultures.
New GPS-Aided SINU System Modeling using an Autoregressive Model
Authors: Lim Chot Hun , Lim Tien Sze , Koo Voon Chet
Published: September 2015

Stochastic error in the Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) Strapdown Inertial Navigation Unit (SINU) is the primary issue causing sensors to be unable to operate as a standalone device. Conventional implementation of MEMS SINU fuses measurement with a global positioning system (GPS) through a Kalman filter in order to achieve long-term accuracy. Such integration is known as a GPS-aided SINU system, and its estimation accuracy relies on how precise the stochastic error prediction is in Kalman filtering operation. In this paper, a comprehensive study on stochastic error modeling and analysis through a Gauss-Markov (GM) model and autoregressive (AR) model are presented. A wavelet denoising technique is introduced prior to error modeling to remove the MEMS SINU's high frequency noise. Without a wavelet denoising technique, neither the GM model nor AR model can be utilized to represent the stochastic error of SINU. Next, details of the Kalman filter implementation to accommodate the AR model are presented. The modeling outcomes are implemented on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for on-board motion sensing. The experimental results show that AR model implementation, compared to a conventional GM model, significantly reduced the estimated errors while preserving the position, velocity and orientation measurements.
Zosteriform impetigo: Wolf’s isotopic response in a cutaneous immunocompromised district
Authors: Cohen Philip R.
Published: September 2015

Background: Impetigo can result from Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Wolf’s isotopic response is the occurrence of a new cutaneous disorder at the site of a previously healed disease. A cutaneous immunocompromised district is an area of skin that is more vulnerable than the rest of the individual’s body.

Purpose: To describe a man with impetigo localized to a unilateral dermatome and review the clinical features of other patients with zosteriform Staphylococcus aureus cutaneous infection.

Methods: PubMed was used to search the following terms, separately and in combination: cutaneous, dermatome, dermatomal, district, herpes, immunocompromised, impetigo, infection, isotopic, response, skin, staphylococcal, Staphylococcus aureus, Wolf, zoster, zosteriform. All papers were reviewed and relevant manuscripts, along with their reference citations, were evaluated.

Results: Crusted, eroded and intact, erythematous papules and nodules acutely presented localized to the mandibular branch of the left trigeminal nerve on the face of a 66-year-old man; he did not recall a prior episode of varicella-zoster virus infection in that area. A bacterial culture isolated methicillin-susceptible S. aureus. Viral cultures and direct fluorescent absorption studies were negative for herpes simplex and herpes zoster virus. All of the lesions resolved after oral treatment with cefdinir. Impetigo and/or furunculosis in a zosteriform distribution have also been described in 3 additional patients. The bacterial culture showed either methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant S. aureus; the skin infection resolved after treatment with oral antibiotics; however one man experienced 2 recurrences in the same area.

Conclusions: Zosteriform cutaneous staphylococcal impetigo may be an example of Wolf’s isotopic response in a cutaneous immunocompromised district.
The ball SITE sign: Ball sports-induced targetoid erythema in a racquetball player
Authors: Cohen Philip R.
Published: September 2015

Background: Cutaneous injury following impact of a high velocity ball to the skin may result in either erythema or purpura or both. The lesion typically appears as an annular ring of erythema with or without accompanying ecchymosis when the skin is contacted by a paintball, a ping pong ball, a racquetball or a squash ball.

Purpose: To describe a girl with targetoid erythema following impact of a racquetball on her flank and back and to review other sports associated with this response to skin injury.

Methods: PubMed was used to search the following terms, separately and in combination: ball, erythema, paint, ping pong, purpura, racquetball, sign, site, sports, squash, targetoid. All papers were reviewed and relevant manuscripts, along with their reference citations, were evaluated.

Results: A 13-year-old girl developed an annular red ring surrounding a central area of normal appearing skin on her right flank and upper back where a racquetball traveling at a high velocity contacted her skin. Similar appearing lesions of targetoid erythema have been described at the cutaneous impact sites of either paintballs, ping pong balls, squash balls; in addition to erythema, purpura may also concurrently appear or subsequently develop at the contact location of the ball with the skin.

Conclusions: Targetoid erythema is a pathognomonic cutaneous presentation resulting from the impact of either a paintball, ping pong ball, racquetball or squash ball—that is traveling at a high velocity—with a sport participant’s skin. 

The ball SITE (sports-induced targetoid erythema) sign is suggested as a unifying nomenclature to designate this unique, ball sport-associated, cutaneous dermatosis in athletes participating in sports in which high velocity impact of the ball with the skin may occur.
A novel GSK3-regulated APC:Axin interaction regulates Wnt signaling by driving a catalytic cycle of efficient βcatenin destruction
Authors: Pronobis Mira I , Rusan Nasser M , Peifer Mark
Published: September 2015

APC, a key negative regulator of Wnt signaling in development and oncogenesis, acts in the destruction complex with the scaffold Axin and the kinases GSK3 and CK1 to target βcatenin for destruction. Despite 20 years of research, APC's mechanistic function remains mysterious. We used FRAP, super-resolution microscopy, functional tests in mammalian cells and flies, and other approaches to define APC's mechanistic role in the active destruction complex when Wnt signaling is off. Our data suggest APC plays two roles: (1) APC promotes efficient Axin multimerization through one known and one novel APC:Axin interaction site, and (2) GSK3 acts through APC motifs R2 and B to regulate APC:Axin interactions, promoting high-throughput of βcatenin to destruction. We propose a new dynamic model of how the destruction complex regulates Wnt signaling and how this goes wrong in cancer, providing insights into how this multiprotein signaling complex is assembled and functions via multivalent interactions.
Chapter 1. Remarks on the opening of the historic place names of Franz Josef Land workshop, Oslo, Norway, 12-13 May 2015
Authors: Barr Susan
Published: September 2015

Remarks at the opening of a workshop, sponsored by the U.S. National Science Foundation, and held in Oslo, Norway, from 12-13 May 2015, to discuss the historic place names of the High Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land. The visiting students from Penn State University, none of whom had ever before been to Europe, were anxious to hear how Dr. Barr, a native of the United Kingdom, had come to Norway and made a life for herself in a different country with a different language, as a female in a then-largely male universe of polar research, and, in a nation of hunters, as a vegetarian.
Chapter 2. The historical geography of an archipelago of polar explorers
Authors: Capelotti P.J.
Published: September 2015

An outline of the rationale for a workshop, held in Oslo, Norway, from 12-13 May 2015, to discuss the historic place names of the High Arctic archipelago of Franz Josef Land. The islands contain hundreds of place names that amount to a virtual catalog of polar exploration and explorers of the mid- to late-19th Century. As an example, three American expeditions spent seven years there between 1898-1905, in failed attempts to try to reach the geographic North Pole. However, in the process, they left behind a record of the American Gilded Age that survived even 70 years of Soviet Communism.
Chapter 6. Evelyn Briggs Baldwin and the Quereau Glacier
Authors: Lanning Jacqueline
Published: September 2015

On September 20, 1898, during the second Wellman polar expedition, Wellman’s second-in-command, Evelyn Briggs Baldwin, gave the name ‘Quereau’ to a glacier on the west coast of Wilczek Land. There is no direct evidence, as of this writing, that can be found on why he described this feature as a ‘Querean’ glacier. However, there is indirect evidence supporting the notion that he named the glacier after a geology professor, Edmund Chase Quereau.
Penn State University student presentations
Authors: Capelotti P.J.
Published: September 2015

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Glacioeustasy, meteoric diagenesis, and the carbon cycle during the Middle Carboniferous
Authors: Dyer Blake , Maloof Adam C. , Higgins John A.
Published: September 2015

Middle Carboniferous carbonates in the western U.S. have undergone Pleistocene Bahamas‐style meteoric diagenesis that may be associated with expanding late Paleozoic ice sheets. Fourteen stratigraphic sections from carbonate platforms illustrate the regional distribution and variable intensity of physical and chemical diagenesis just below the Middle Carboniferous unconformity. These sections contain top‐negative carbon isotope excursions that terminate in regional exposure surfaces that are associated with some combination of karst towers, desiccation cracks, fabric destructive recrystallization, or extensive root systems. The timing of the diagenesis is synchronous with similarly scaled top‐negative carbon isotope excursions observed by others in England, Kazakhstan, and China. The mass flux of negative carbon required to generate similar isotopic profiles across the areal extent of Middle Carboniferous platform carbonates is a significant component of the global carbon cycle. We present a simple carbon box model to illustrate that the δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean could be elevated by ∼1.4
as isotopically light carbon from the weathering of terrestrial organic matter reacts with exposed platforms before reaching the ocean and atmosphere. These results represent an improvement on global biogeochemical models that have struggled to provide a congruent solution to the high δ13C of the late Paleozoic icehouse.
In situ measured seasonal characteristics of near‐surface aerosols over Bay of Bengal and MODIS‐retrieved columnar properties: A multicampaign analysis
Authors: Aryasree S. , Nair Prabha R , Girach I. A. , Jacob Salu
Published: September 2015

Seasonal changes in near‐surface aerosol mass loading and their chemical characteristics over the marine environment of Bay of Bengal (BoB) have been investigated, based on the ship‐based experiments carried out as part of three major field campaigns in premonsoon, winter, and monsoon seasons. These spatiotemporal properties of in situ measured near‐surface aerosols were compared with the columnar aerosol optical depth (AOD), Angstrom exponent, effective radius, mass concentration, fine‐mode AOD, and large‐mode AOD retrieved by Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The spatial heterogeneity in the chemical nature of aerosols for the three contrasting seasons has been addressed. In all the seasons, BoB is found to be polluted by anthropogenic aerosols as revealed by their chemical composition. North BoB exhibits highest near‐surface aerosol loading, columnar AOD, and aerosol mass concentration irrespective of the season. While the high AOD in winter is due to fine‐mode anthropogenic aerosols, that in monsoon is due to large‐sized sea‐salt aerosols. The fine‐mode AOD over BoB contributes 45% in monsoon, 69% in premonsoon, and 73% in winter. The column AOD in winter and premonsoon is ~50% of its monsoonal value. The e‐fold scale distances of total aerosol mass loading and those of various chemical species over BoB are also investigated. The column mass concentration has been estimated from the in situ measured near‐surface aerosol mass loading and compared with that retrieved from MODIS. Regions where low near‐surface aerosol mass loading was observed; the satellite‐retrieved columnar loading was found to be overestimated suggesting seasonal and regional differences in scale height.
Atmospheric responses to idealized urban land surface forcing in eastern China during the boreal spring
Authors: Deng Jiechun , Xu Haiming
Published: September 2015

In contrast to the impacts of anthropogenic aerosols and greenhouse gases, little is known about the impact of urban land surface forcing (ULSF) on large‐scale atmospheric circulation. This study explores atmospheric responses to idealized ULSF in eastern China during the boreal spring using the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.1 coupled with the Community Land Model version 4. Results show that the ULSF leads to an increased air temperature in northern China both near the surface and in the lower troposphere. Related to a strong thermal feedback loop, a middle‐upper tropospheric cooling is found in eastern China while a relatively strong warming occurs in the middle‐high latitudes, which acts to enhance the meridional temperature gradient to the north of the source region and then shifts the East Asian subtropical jet stream (EASJ) southward. A weakened southwesterly in the lower troposphere in southern China slows down moisture transportation to northern China, and the southward shifted EASJ induces strong anomalous sinking motion to the north of the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). The associated changes in moisture and vertical airflow result in moisture divergence along the YRV and convergence in southern China. Thus, the spring rain belt is shifted southward, as characterized by below‐normal rainfall extending from the Huai River Valley to South Korea and above‐normal rainfall from southern China to the south coast of Japan. In addition, analysis of the upper tropospheric wave activity signifies that large‐scale atmospheric responses due to the ULSF also exert an important influence on local climate.
Familial recurrences of FOXG1‐related disorder: Evidence for mosaicism
Authors: McMahon Kelly Q. , Papandreou Apostolos , Ma Mandy , Barry Brenda J. , Mirzaa Ghayda M. , Dobyns William B. , Scott Richard H. , Trump Natalie , Kurian Manju A. , Paciorkowski Alex R.
Published: September 2015

FOXG1‐related disorders are caused by heterozygous mutations in FOXG1 and result in a spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes including postnatal microcephaly, intellectual disability with absent speech, epilepsy, chorea, and corpus callosum abnormalities. The recurrence risk for de novo mutations in FOXG1‐related disorders is assumed to be low. Here, we describe three unrelated sets of full siblings with mutations in FOXG1 (c.515_577del63, c.460dupG, and c.572T > G), representing familial recurrence of the disorder. In one family, we have documented maternal somatic mosaicism for the FOXG1 mutation, and all of the families presumably represent parental gonadal (or germline) mosaicism. To our knowledge, mosaicism has not been previously reported in FOXG1‐related disorders. Therefore, this report provides evidence that germline mosaicism for FOXG1 mutations is a likely explanation for familial recurrence and should be considered during recurrence risk counseling for families of children with FOXG1‐related disorders. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plackett–Burman experimental design to facilitate syntactic foam development
Authors: Smith Zachary D. , Keller Jennie R. , Bello Mollie , Cordes Nikolaus L. , Welch Cynthia F. , Torres Joseph A. , Goodwin Lynne A. , Pacheco Robin M. , Sandoval Cynthia W.
Published: September 2015

The use of an eight‐experiment Plackett–Burman method can assess six experimental variables and eight responses in a polysiloxane‐glass microsphere syntactic foam. The approach aims to decrease the time required to develop a tunable polymer composite by identifying a reduced set of variables and responses suitable for future predictive modeling. The statistical design assesses the main effects of mixing process parameters, polymer matrix composition, microsphere density and volume loading, and the blending of two grades of microspheres, using a dummy factor in statistical calculations. Responses cover rheological, physical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The cure accelerator content of the polymer matrix and the volume loading of the microspheres have the largest effects on foam properties. These factors are the most suitable for controlling the gel point of the curing foam, and the density of the cured foam. The mixing parameters introduce widespread variability and therefore should be fixed at effective levels during follow‐up testing. Some responses may require greater contrast in microsphere‐related factors. Compared to other possible statistical approaches, the run economy of the Plackett–Burman method makes it a valuable tool for rapidly characterizing new foams. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 132, 42892.
Dynamic disconnection of the supplementary motor area after processing of dismissive biographic narratives
Authors: Borchardt Viola , Krause Anna L. , Li Meng , van Tol Marie‐José , Demenescu Liliana Ramona , Buchheim Anna , Metzger Coraline D. , Sweeney‐Reed Catherine M. , Nolte Tobias , Lord Anton R. , Walter Martin
Published: September 2015

Introduction

To understand the interplay between affective social information processing and its influence on mental states we investigated changes in functional connectivity (FC) patterns after audio exposure to emotional biographic narratives.

Methods

While lying in the 7TMRscanner, 23 male participants listened to narratives of early childhood experiences of three persons, each having either a secure, dismissing, or preoccupied attachment representation. Directly after having listened to each of the prototypical narratives, participants underwent a 10‐minute resting‐statefMRIscan.

To study changes inFCpatterns between experimental conditions, three post‐task conditions were compared to a baseline condition. Specific local alterations, as well as differences in connectivity patterns between distributed brain regions, were quantified using Network‐based statistics (NBS) and graph metrics.

Results

UsingNBS, a nine‐region subnetwork showing reducedFCafter having listened to the dismissing narrative was identified. Of this subnetwork, only the left Supplementary Motor Area (SMA) exhibited a decrease in the nodal graph metrics degree and strength exclusively after listening to the dismissing narrative. No other region showed post‐task changes in nodal metrics. A post hoc analysis of dynamic characteristics ofFCof the leftSMAshowed a significant decrease in the dismissing condition when compared with the other conditions in the first three minutes of the scan, but faded away in the two subsequent intervals the differences.

Conclusions

Nodal metrics andNBSconverge on reduced connectivity measures exclusively in leftSMAin the dismissing condition, which may specifically reflect ongoing network changes underlying prolonged emotional reactivity to attachment‐related processing.
Belongings Beyond Borders: Reflections of Young Refugees on Their Relationships with Location
Authors: Muir Jessica , Gannon Kenneth
Published: September 2015

Young separated refugees are exiled from familiar places and on seeking asylum encounter new, potentially alienating, places. Yet, there is limited research regarding the effects of location on the psychological experiences of young separated refugees. This study explores the relationships that young adults who arrived in the UK as separated refugees have with the spaces that they inhabit and the consequences of these. It draws on qualitative interviews with young men from Iraq and Afghanistan who are living in London. Four key themes emerged from the analysis. Participants felt frustrated in bureaucratic settings where processes of labelling and physical manipulation prevented their sense of subjectivity from being expressed. Certain community spaces offered a rich range of support. Micro‐spaces of belonging and embodied processes of exploration in the wider community were also reported to be psychologically beneficial. The themes suggest that considerations of young separated refugees' relations to place may provide alternative psychological understandings of their experiences, particularly in relation to concepts such as trauma. Policy implications related to immigration control and the benefits of community projects are highlighted. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single‐Step Exfoliation and Covalent Functionalization of MoS2 Nanosheets by an Organosulfur Reaction
Authors: Gonçalves Ricardo H. , Fiel Rodrigo , Soares Mario R. S. , Schreiner Wido H. , Silva Caio M. P. , Leite Edson R.
Published: September 2015

A simple approach to exfoliate and functionalize MoS2 in a single‐step is described, which combines the dispersion of MoS2 in polybutadiene solution and ultrasonication processes. The great advantage of this process is that a colloidal stability of MoS2 in nonpolar solvent is achieved by chemically bonding polybutadiene on the perimeter edge sites of MoS2 sheets. In addition, elastomeric nanocomposite has been prepared with singular mechanical properties using functionalized MoS2 as nanofiller in a polybutadiene matrix with a subsequent vulcanization reaction.