bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Forming Parameters on Conical Ring Rolling Process
Authors: Meng Wen , Zhao Guoqun , Guan Yanjin
Published: August 2014

The plastic penetration condition and biting-in condition of a radial conical ring rolling process with a closed die structure on the top and bottom of driven roll, simplified as RCRRCDS, were established. The reasonable value range of mandrel feed rate in rolling process was deduced. A coupled thermomechanical 3D FE model of RCRRCDS process was established. The changing laws of equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) and temperature distributions with rolling time were investigated. The effects of ring’s outer radius growth rate and rolls sizes on the uniformities of PEEQ and temperature distributions, average rolling force, and average rolling moment were studied. The results indicate that the PEEQ at the inner layer and outer layer of rolled ring are larger than that at the middle layer of ring; the temperatures at the “obtuse angle zone” of ring’s cross-section are higher than those at “acute angle zone”; the temperature at the central part of ring is higher than that at the middle part of ring’s outer surfaces. As the ring’s outer radius growth rate increases at its reasonable value ranges, the uniformities of PEEQ and temperature distributions increase. Finally, the optimal values of the ring’s outer radius growth rate and rolls sizes were obtained.
Reduction of Multidimensional Image Characteristics Based on Improved KICA
Authors: Dongyao Jia , Yanke Ai , Shengxiong Zou
Published: August 2014

The domestic and overseas studies of redundant multifeatures and noise in dimension reduction are insufficient, and the efficiency and accuracy are low. Dimensionality reduction and optimization of characteristic parameter model based on improved kernel independent component analysis are proposed in this paper; the independent primitives are obtained by KICA (kernel independent component analysis) algorithm to construct an independent group subspace, while using 2DPCA (2D principal component analysis) algorithm to complete the second order related to data and further reduce the dimension in the above method. Meanwhile, the optimization effect evaluation method based on Amari error and average correlation degree is presented in this paper. Comparative simulation experiments show that the Amari error is less than 6%, the average correlation degree is stable at 97% or more, and the parameter optimization method can effectively reduce the dimension of multidimensional characteristic parameters.
Strongly Semicontinuous Domains and Semi-FS Domains
Authors: He Qingyu , Xu Luoshan
Published: August 2014

We are mainly concerned with some special kinds of semicontinuous domains and relationships between them. New concepts of strongly semicontinuous domains, meet semicontinuous domains and semi-FS domains are introduced. It is shown that a dcpoLis strongly semicontinuous if and only ifLis semicontinuous and meet semicontinuous. It is proved that semi-FS domains are strongly semicontinuous. Some interpolation properties of semiway-below relations in (strongly) semicontinuous bc-domains are given. In terms of these properties, it is proved that strongly semicontinuous bc-domains, in particular strongly semicontinuous lattices, are all semi-FS domains.
Determination of Optimal Drop Height in Free-Fall Shock Test Using Regression Analysis and Back-Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Chen Chao-Rong , Wu Chia-Hung , Lee Hsin-Tsrong
Published: August 2014

The primary purpose of this study is to provide methods that can be used to determine the most suitable drop height for shock testing military equipment, in an efficient and cost ineffective manner. Shock testing is widely employed to assess the performance of electronic systems, including military devices and civilian systems. Determining the height of the drop for a test item is an important step prior to performing the test. Dropping a test item from excessive height leads high G-peak values to damage the test equipment. On the other hand, dropping an item from a low height may not generate the required G-peak value and duration. Therefore, prior to performing shock tests, an optimal drop height must be established to ensure that the resulting G-peak value and duration time match the required test values. The traditional trial-and-error methods are time-consuming and cost-ineffective, often requiring many attempts. To improve the conventional approaches, this study proposes the application of regression analysis and back-propagation neural network for determining the most suitable drop height for free-fall shock tests. A new method is suggested for determining the drop test height. The results of the model are verified, using the results of a series of experiments that are conducted to verify the accuracy of the suggested approaches. The results of the study indicate that both approaches are equally effective in providing an effective guideline for performing drop tests from heights that would result in the peak Gs and duration needed for testing electronic devices.
Existence of Positive Periodic Solutions forn-Dimensional Nonautonomous System
Authors: Liu Youjun , Zhao Huanhuan , Yan Jurang
Published: August 2014

In this paper we consider the existence, multiplicity, and nonexistence of positive periodic solutions forn-dimensional nonautonomous functional differential systemx'(t)=H(t,x(t))-λB(t)F(x(t-τ(t))), wherehiareω-periodic intand there existω-periodic functionsαi,βi∈C(R,R+)such thatαi(t)≤(hi(t,x)/xi)≤βi(t),∫0ω‍αi(t)dt>0,forx∈R+nall withxi>0,andt∈R,limxi→0+(hi(t,x)/xi)exist fort∈R;bi∈C(R,R+)areω-periodic functions and∫0ω‍bi(t)dt>0;fi∈C(R+n,R+),fi(x)>0forx >0;τ∈(R,R)is anω-periodic function. We show that the system has multiple or no positiveω-periodic solutions for sufficiently large or smallλ>0, respectively.
Preparation and Characteristics of Polyaluminium Chloride by Utilizing Fluorine-Containing Waste Acidic Mother Liquid from Clay-Brine Synthetic Cryolite Process
Authors: Zhou Feng-shan , Hu Bo , Cui Bao-lin , Liu Feng-bao , Liu Fang , Wang Wei-heng , Liu Yang , Lu Rong-rong , Hu Ying-Mo , Zhang Yi-he , Wu Jin-Guang
Published: August 2014

Clay-brine process employing activated clay, NaCl, HCl, and HF as raw materials is the primarily advanced technology to synthesize cryolite in the present industrial grade. However, plenty of byproducts of fluorine-containing waste HCl at the concentration of about 10%~12% could not be utilized comprehensively and are even hazardous to the environment. This work proposed a new two-step technology to prepare inorganic polymer flocculants polyaluminium chloride (PAC) from synthetic cryolite mother liquor. Many specific factors such as the variety of aluminide source, reaction temperature and time, reagent ratio, and manner of alkaline addition were taken into consideration and their influences on the performances of produced PAC were discussed. It was found that synthetic cryolite mother liquor could react with bauxite and calcium aluminate directly to prepare cheap PAC, with plenty amount of water insoluble CaF2and CaSiF6produced as well. However, once HCl was introduced into synthetic cryolite mother liquor as well as by utilizing bauxite as aluminide source and sodium aluminate as adjusting basicity agent, the resultant PAC would dissolve out higher amount of aluminum while producing little amount of water insoluble materials. The coagulation behavior of the specially produced PAC could even match the industrial grade PAC conforming to national standard.
Optical Properties of Al- and Zr-Doped Rutile Single Crystals Grown by Tilting-Mirror-Type Floating Zone Method and Study of Structure-Property Relationships by First Principle Calculations
Authors: Sarker Md. Abdur Razzaque
Published: August 2014

High quality and transparent single crystals of undoped rutile TiO2, Al-doped rutile (Al : TiO2), and Zr-doped rutile (Zr : TiO2) have been grown successfully by tilting-mirror-type floating zone (TMFZ) using travelling solvent floating (TSFZ) technique. The effect of doping on the electronic and optical properties of rutile has been studied experimentally as well as by simulation calculations. The effect of doping on the quality of crystals was also investigated by observing optical micrograph and measuring etch pits density that reveals the presence of defects. Undoped rutile crystals were dark blue and comprised many low-angle grain boundaries. Al+3 and Zr+4 ions pin down the migration of dislocations during the cooling and create oxygen vacancies. Doping of the impurities would improve the electronic and optical properties of rutile. The elastic properties might be changed for doping of the impurities in the rutile crystals.
AUTO-MUTE 2.0: A Portable Framework with Enhanced Capabilities for Predicting Protein Functional Consequences upon Mutation
Authors: Masso Majid , Vaisman Iosif I.
Published: August 2014

The AUTO-MUTE 2.0 stand-alone software package includes a collection of programs for predicting functional changes to proteins upon single residue substitutions, developed by combining structure-based features with trained statistical learning models. Three of the predictors evaluate changes to protein stability upon mutation, each complementing a distinct experimental approach. Two additional classifiers are available, one for predicting activity changes due to residue replacements and the other for determining the disease potential of mutations associated with nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in human proteins. These five command-line driven tools, as well as all the supporting programs, complement those that run our AUTO-MUTE web-based server. Nevertheless, all the codes have been rewritten and substantially altered for the new portable software, and they incorporate several new features based on user feedback. Included among these upgrades is the ability to perform three highly requested tasks: to run “big data” batch jobs; to generate predictions using modified protein data bank (PDB) structures, and unpublished personal models prepared using standard PDB file formatting; and to utilize NMR structure files that contain multiple models.
Modelling Climate Change Impacts on the Seasonality of Water Resources in the Upper Ca River Watershed in Southeast Asia
Authors: Giang Pham Quy , Toshiki Kosuke , Sakata Masahiro , Kunikane Shoichi , Vinh Tran Quoc
Published: August 2014

The impact of climate change on the seasonality of water resources in the Upper Ca River Watershed in mainland Southeast Asia was assessed using downscaled global climate models coupled with the SWAT model. The results indicated that temperature and evapotranspiration will increase in all months of future years. The area could warm as much as 3.4°C in the 2090s, with an increase of annual evapotranspiration of up to 23% in the same period. We found an increase in the seasonality of precipitation (both an increase in the wet season and a decrease in the dry season). The greatest monthly increase of up to 29% and the greatest monthly decrease of up to 30% are expected in the 2090s. As a result, decreases in dry season discharge and increases in wet season discharge are expected, with a span of ±25% for the highest monthly changes in the 2090s. This is expected to exacerbate the problem of seasonally uneven distribution of water resources: a large volume of water in the wet season and a scarcity of water in the dry season, a pattern that indicates the possibility of more frequent floods in the wet season and droughts in the dry season.
Alepidea amatymbica Eckl. & Zeyh.: A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology
Authors: Wintola O. A. , Afolayan A. J.
Published: August 2014

Alepidea amatymbica is an important medicinal plant in Southern Africa with a long history of traditional use for the management of conditions like colds, coughs, sore throat, influenza, asthma, and abdominal cramps. Despite the much acclaimed traditional uses of the plant, there is a dearth of scientific information on the review of this plant. Hence, this review is aimed at providing information on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of A. amatymbica. This review uses all the synonyms of the plant obtained from the plant list. Google scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus were made use of in addition to the University of Fort Hare’s online databases. All the phytochemical studies on Alepidea amatymbica obtained from the literature reported the presence of kaurene‐type diterpenoids and their derivatives. Pharmacological areas identified on A. amatymbica fresh and dried extract include antibacterial, antifungal, sedative, astringent, antimalarial, anti‐inflammatory, antihelminthes, antihypertensive, anti‐HIV, and diuretic activities. Literature search on A. amatymbica revealed the use of cell line, brine shrimps, and rats for the determination of the toxicity in the plant. Clinical trials and product development to fully exploit the medicinal value are also required to validate its folklore use in traditional medicine.
Error Rate Comparison during Polymerase Chain Reaction by DNA Polymerase
Authors: McInerney Peter , Adams Paul , Hadi Masood Z.
Published: August 2014

As larger-scale cloning projects become more prevalent, there is an increasing need for comparisons among high fidelity DNA polymerases used for PCR amplification. All polymerases marketed for PCR applications are tested for fidelity properties (i.e., error rate determination) by vendors, and numerous literature reports have addressed PCR enzyme fidelity. Nonetheless, it is often difficult to make direct comparisons among different enzymes due to numerous methodological and analytical differences from study to study. We have measured the error rates for 6 DNA polymerases commonly used in PCR applications, including 3 polymerases typically used for cloning applications requiring high fidelity. Error rate measurement values reported here were obtained by direct sequencing of cloned PCR products. The strategy employed here allows interrogation of error rate across a very large DNA sequence space, since 94 unique DNA targets were used as templates for PCR cloning. The six enzymes included in the study, Taq polymerase, AccuPrime-Taq High Fidelity, KOD Hot Start, cloned Pfu polymerase, Phusion Hot Start, and Pwo polymerase, we find the lowest error rates with Pfu, Phusion, and Pwo polymerases. Error rates are comparable for these 3 enzymes and are >10x lower than the error rate observed with Taq polymerase. Mutation spectra are reported, with the 3 high fidelity enzymes displaying broadly similar types of mutations. For these enzymes, transition mutations predominate, with little bias observed for type of transition.
Chest Radiographs for Pediatric TB Diagnosis: Interrater Agreement and Utility
Authors: Kaguthi G. , Nduba V. , Nyokabi J. , Onchiri F. , Gie R. , Borgdorff M.
Published: August 2014

The chest radiograph (CXR) is considered a key diagnostic tool for pediatric tuberculosis (TB) in clinical management and endpoint determination in TB vaccine trials. We set out to compare interrater agreement for TB diagnosis in western Kenya. A pediatric pulmonologist and radiologist (experts), a medical officer (M.O), and four clinical officers (C.Os) with basic training in pediatric CXR reading blindly assessed CXRs of infants who were TB suspects in a cohort study. C.Os had access to clinical findings for patient management. Weighted kappa scores summarized interrater agreement on lymphadenopathy and abnormalities consistent with TB. Sensitivity and specificity of raters were determined using microbiologically confirmed TB as the gold standard(n=8). A total of 691 radiographs were reviewed. Agreement on abnormalities consistent with TB was poor;k=0.14(95% CI: 0.10–0.18) and on lymphadenopathy moderatek=0.26(95% CI: 0.18–0.36). M.O [75% (95% CI: 34.9%–96.8%)] and C.Os [63% (95% CI: 24.5%–91.5%)] had high sensitivity for culture confirmed TB. TB vaccine trials utilizing expert agreement on CXR as a nonmicrobiologically confirmed endpoint will have reduced specificity and will underestimate vaccine efficacy. C.Os detected many of the bacteriologically confirmed cases; however, this must be interpreted cautiously as they were unblinded to clinical features.
Adaptive Opportunistic Cooperative Control Mechanism Based on Combination Forecasting and Multilevel Sensing Technology of Sensors for Mobile Internet of Things
Authors: Jin Yong , Xia Kaijian , Ren Xiaogang , Cai Jian , Fan Hongchun
Published: August 2014

In mobile Internet of Things, there are many challenges, including sensing technology of sensors, how and when to join cooperative transmission, and how to select the cooperative sensors. To address these problems, we studied the combination forecasting based on the multilevel sensing technology of sensors, building upon which we proposed the adaptive opportunistic cooperative control mechanism based on the threshold values such as activity probability, distance, transmitting power, and number of relay sensors, in consideration of signal to noise ratio and outage probability. More importantly, the relay sensors would do self-test real time in order to judge whether to join the cooperative transmission, for maintaining the optimal cooperative transmission state with high performance. The mathematical analyses results show that the proposed adaptive opportunistic cooperative control approach could perform better in terms of throughput ratio, packet error rate and delay, and energy efficiency, compared with the direct transmission and opportunistic cooperative approaches.
Synchronous Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Colon Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Vasilakaki Thivi , Koulia Kalliroi , Tsavari Aikaterini , Arkoumani Elissavet , Kouroumpas Efstratios , Pavlis Anargiros , Christopoulos Georgios , Stamatiou Konstantinos , Manoloudaki Kassiani , Zisis Dimitrios
Published: August 2014

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent the majority of primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. They are generally considered to be solitary tumors and therefore the synchronous occurrence with other primary malignancies of gastrointestinal track is considered a rare event. Here we present the case of a 75-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a 10-day history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Colonoscopy revealed an ulcerative mass of 4 cm in diameter in the ascending colon. Gastroscopy revealed a bulge in the gastric body measuring 1 cm in diameter with normal overlying mucosa. Surgical intervention was suggested and ileohemicolectomy with regional lymph node resection along with gastric wedge resection was performed. Pathologic examination of the ascending colon mass showed an invasive moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma stage III B (T3N1M0). Grossly resected wedge of stomach showed a well circumscribed intramural tumor which microscopically was consistent with essentially benign gastrointestinal stromal tumor (according to Miettinen criteria). The patient did not receive additional treatment. Two years later the patient showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis.
Processing and Properties of Carbon Nanotube PVC Composites
Authors: Trommer Kristin , Petzold Carina , Morgenstern Bernd
Published: August 2014

Commercially available multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were incorporated in coating masses based on PVC by means of three roll mill. The best results could be obtained using the 5 µm gap. Thin PVC sheets were formed via knife coating having an electrical conductivity up to 1,500 S/m that are applicable as electric heating elements. For the use in the antistatic range, CNT contents ≤0.5% are sufficient. Rheological measurements indicate the quality of particle processing. AFM investigations are suitable to investigate the alignment of the nanoparticles in the bulk polymer. Using this method, the decrease of agglomerates as well as the splitting of CNT bundles within further mass processing could be visualized.
Integrating Photovoltaic Systems in Power System: Power Quality Impacts and Optimal Planning Challenges
Authors: Abdul Kadir Aida Fazliana , Khatib Tamer , Elmenreich Wilfried
Published: August 2014

This paper is an overview of some of the main issues in photovoltaic based distributed generation (PVDG). A discussion of the harmonic distortion produced by PVDG units is presented. The maximum permissible penetration level of PVDG in distribution system is also considered. The general procedures of optimal planning for PVDG placement and sizing are also explained in this paper. The result of this review shows that there are different challenges for integrating PVDG in the power systems. One of these challenges is integrated system reliability whereas the amount of power produced by renewable energy source is consistent. Thus, the high penetration of PVDG into grid can decrease the reliability of the power system network. On the other hand, power quality is considered one of the challenges of PVDG whereas the high penetration of PVDGs can lead to more harmonic propagation into the power system network. In addition to that, voltage fluctuation of the integrated PVDG and reverse power flow are two important challenges to this technology. Finally, protection of power system with integrated PVDG is one of the most critical challenges to this technology as the current protection schemes are designed for unidirectional not bidirectional power flow pattern.
Evaluating the Therapeutic Dose Distribution of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Image: A Methodological Study
Authors: Zhang Guang-shun , Huang Shao-min , Chen Cui , Xu Sen-kui , Zhang Dan-dan , Deng Xiao-wu
Published: August 2014

An approximate correction method for the CT value-electron density curve of CBCT was established, through comparison and fitting with FBCT images, and applied to evaluate the therapeutic dose of IMRT. The precision of using CBCT for plan calculation was validated by comparing the dose distribution between CBCT- and FBCT-based IMRT plans. Also setup deviations were simulated to evaluate the ability of the CBCT-based calculation for detecting the dose errors caused by positioning deviation. The gamma comparison between CBCT- and FBCT-based dose computations showed that the pass rates of (2%, 2 mm) criteria were better than 97.60 ± 0.83% and 97.74 ± 2.08% in the phantom and 10 NPC cases. When setup deviation was introduced into CBCT-based dose calculation, the gamma pass rate significantly decreased while the volumetric doses of the targets and some normal organs exhibited different changes compared to the original plan. Our results validated the above CT value-electron density correction which reduced the difference between CBCT- and FBCT-based IMRT plan calculation for NPC to less than 2%. Online CBCT-based dose calculation can be used to reflect and evaluate the dose distribution discrepancy caused by setup deviation and structure changes during the treatment, ensuring more effective quality control of IMRT treatment.
Stability and Hopf Bifurcation for a Delayed SLBRS Computer Virus Model
Authors: Zhang Zizhen , Yang Huizhong
Published: August 2014

By incorporating the time delay due to the period that computers use antivirus software to clean the virus into the SLBRS model a delayed SLBRS computer virus model is proposed in this paper. The dynamical behaviors which include local stability and Hopf bifurcation are investigated by regarding the delay as bifurcating parameter. Specially, direction and stability of the Hopf bifurcation are derived by applying the normal form method and center manifold theory. Finally, an illustrative example is also presented to testify our analytical results.
Methylation-Associated Gene Silencing ofRARBin Areca Carcinogens Induced Mouse Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lai Zi-Lun , Tsou Yung-An , Fan Shin-Ru , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Chang Nai-Wen , Cheng Ju-Chien , Chen Chuan-Mu
Published: August 2014

Regarding oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development, chewing areca is known to be a strong risk factor in many Asian cultures. Therefore, we established an OSCC induced mouse model by 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO), or arecoline, or both treatments, respectively. These are the main two components of the areca nut that could increase the occurrence of OSCC. We examined the effects with the noncommercial MCGI (mouse CpG islands) microarray for genome-wide screening the DNA methylation aberrant in induced OSCC mice. The microarray results showed 34 hypermethylated genes in 4-NQO plus arecoline induced OSCC mice tongue tissues. The examinations also used methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) and bisulfite sequencing to realize the methylation pattern in collected mouse tongue tissues and human OSCC cell lines of different grades, respectively. These results showed that retinoic acid receptorβ(RARB) was indicated in hypermethylation at the promoter region and the loss of expression during cancer development. According to the results of real-time PCR, it was shown thatde novoDNA methyltransferases were involved in gene epigenetic alternations of OSCC. Collectively, our results showed thatRARBhypermethylation was involved in the areca-associated oral carcinogenesis.
Chronic Hepatitis C Therapy in Liver Cirrhosis Complicated by Telaprevir-Induced DRESS
Authors: Mousa Omar Y. S. , Khalaf Rossa , Shannon Rhonda L. , Egwim Chukwuma I. , Zela Scott A. , Ankoma-Sey Victor
Published: August 2014

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a rare yet severe adverse drug-induced reaction with up to 10% mortality rate. Recent clinical trials reported an association between DRESS and telaprevir (TVR), an NS3/4A protease inhibitor of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus genotype 1. Its diagnosis is challenging given the variable pattern of cutaneous eruption and the myriad internal organ involvement. We present two patients who are middle-aged, obese, and white with CHC cirrhosis. They both developed a progressive diffuse, painful pruritic maculopapular rash at weeks 8 and 10 of CHC therapy with TVR, Peg-Interferon alfa-2a, and Ribavirin. They had no exposures to other medications that can cause this syndrome. Physical exam and labs and skin biopsy supported a “Definite” clinical diagnosis of DRESS, per RegiSCAR criteria. Thus Telaprevir-based triple therapy was discontinued and both patients experienced rapid resolution of the systemic symptoms with gradual improvement of eosinophilia and the skin eruption. These two cases illustrate the paramount importance of having a high index of suspicion for TVR-induced DRESS, critical for early diagnosis. Immediate discontinuation of TVR is essential in prevention of a potentially life-threatening complication. Risk factors for development of DRESS in patients receiving TVR remain to be elucidated.
Positive Switched System Approach to Traffic Signal Control for Oversaturated Intersection
Authors: Du Lin , Zhang Yun
Published: August 2014

The online traffic signalization for intersection is addressed. A new model for intersection called positive switched system is presented. Then, based on the dissipativity analysis results for positive switched system, an online state-feedback control strategy for traffic signal in two-phase intersection section is proposed. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical findings. Finally, in order to extend to more general cases, multiphase intersection is considered, and general dissipativity-based control is presented.
An Inversely Designed Model for Calculating Pull‐In Limit and Position of Electrostatic Fixed‐Fixed Beam Actuators
Authors: Ak Cevher , Yildiz Ali
Published: August 2014

This study presents an inverse approach to obtain a relation between applied voltage and displacement of the midpoint of fixed‐fixed beam actuator. The approach has two main sections. The first one is the inverse design of a model to replace real action of upper beam under electrostatic force. The formula obtained from the first section does not comprise the residual stress and gives very small errors when there is no residual stress on the upper electrode. So, the second part was carried out to add this important system variable into the formula. Likewise, inverse solution was again applied in the later section. The final formula demonstrates that pull‐in limit of clamped‐clamped actuator is to be at around 40% of original spacing that is in agreement with simulation and previous experimental results. Its percentage errors are within 2% when compared with simulations that are based on finite element method (FEM). The results are comparable to numerical solutions received from diverse distributed models which require more calculation power in electrostatic and structural domains. On top of that, our formula is valid for all displacements from original position up to pull‐in limit.
Implementation of a Computerized Decision Support System to Improve the Appropriateness of Antibiotic Therapy Using Local Microbiologic Data
Authors: Rodriguez-Maresca Manuel , Sorlozano Antonio , Grau Magnolia , Rodriguez-Castaño Rocio , Ruiz-Valverde Andres , Gutierrez-Fernandez Jose
Published: August 2014

A prospective quasi-experimental study was undertaken in 218 patients with suspicion of nosocomial infection hospitalized in a polyvalent ICU where a new electronic device (GERB) has been designed for antibiotic prescriptions. Two GERB-based applications were developed to provide local resistance maps (LRMs) and preliminary microbiological reports with therapeutic recommendation (PMRTRs). Both applications used the data in the Laboratory Information System of the Microbiology Department to report on the optimal empiric therapeutic option, based on the most likely susceptibility profile of the microorganisms potentially responsible for infection in patients and taking into account the local epidemiology of the hospital department/unit. LRMs were used for antibiotic prescription in 20.2% of the patients and PMRTRs in 78.2%, and active antibiotics against the finally identified bacteria were prescribed in 80.0% of the former group and 82.4% of the latter. When neither LMRs nor PMRTRs were considered for empiric treatment prescription, only around 40% of the antibiotics prescribed were active. Hence, the percentage appropriateness of the empiric antibiotic treatments was significantly higher when LRM or PMRTR guidelines were followed rather than other criteria. LRMs and PMRTRs applications are dynamic, highly accessible, and readily interpreted instruments that contribute to the appropriateness of empiric antibiotic treatments.
Design of Hybrid Dynamic Balancer and Vibration Absorber
Authors: Wang Y. R. , Lo C. Y.
Published: August 2014

This study proposed a novel hybrid dynamic balancer and vibration absorber that is cheaper than active dampers and more effective than passive dampers. The proposed damping system does not need to be altered structurally to deal with different damping targets. Rather, the proposed vibration absorber is capable of self-adjustment to the optimal damping location in order to achieve balance and, thereby, optimize damping effects. The proposed device includes a groove under the damping target with inertial mass hung from a coil spring beneath. This allows the device to bounce vertically or rotate in order to reduce vibrations in the main body. The coil spring vibration absorber can also slide along the groove in order to adjust its location continuously until the vibrations in the system are minimized and the main body is balanced. Experiments verify the efficacy of the proposed device in improving damping performance beyond what has been achieved using conventional devices. We also provide an explanation of the theoretical underpinnings of the design as well as the implications of these findings with regard to future developments.
An Aeromagnetic Compensation Algorithm for Aircraft Based on Fuzzy Adaptive Kalman Filter
Authors: Zhang Yao , Zhao Yu-Xin , Chang Shuai
Published: August 2014

In order to ensure the effectiveness of geomagnetic navigation, as the foundation, the precise measurement of geomagnetic field must be guaranteed; namely, aircraft aeromagnetic compensation is worthy of being further studied. In this paper, the classical aircraft aeromagnetic compensation algorithm based on Leliak Model is analyzed and an aircraft aeromagnetic compensation algorithm based on fuzzy adaptive Kalman filter is proposed, which is a new approach for aircraft to achieve aeromagnetic compensation. Simulation results show that it has better compensation performance without relying on the aircraft attitude.
Gravitational Lagrangians, Mach’s Principle, and the Equivalence Principle in an Expanding Universe
Authors: Essén Hanno
Published: August 2014

Gravitational Lagrangians as derived by Fock for the Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann approach, and by Kennedy assuming only a fourth rank tensor interaction, contain long range interactions. Here we investigate how these affect the local dynamics when integrated over an expanding universe out to the Hubble radius. Taking the cosmic expansion velocity into account in a heuristic manner it is found that these long range interactions imply Mach’s principle, provided the universe has the critical density, and that mass is renormalized. Suitable higher order additions to the Lagrangians make the formalism consistent with the equivalence principle.
Postpartum Spontaneous Subcapsular Hepatic Hematoma Related to Preeclampsia
Authors: Anyfantakis Dimitrios , Kastanakis Miltiades , Fragiadakis Georgios , Karona Paraskevi , Katsougris Nikolaos , Bobolakis Emmanouil
Published: August 2014

Subcapsular hematoma of the liver represents an unusual clinical phenomenon in the pregnancy and postpartum period with serious complications in terms of fetal and maternal mortality. Here we report a case of a 32-year-old primiparous female at 36 weeks of gestation, admitted to a maternity ward of a private clinic for preeclampsia. The woman underwent an emergency caesarean section with the extraction of an alive foetus. A few hours after delivery, she was transferred to the emergency department of our institution complaining of severe epigastric pain. Diagnostic work-up was suggestive of a subcapsular right lob hepatic hematoma which was successfully managed conservatively. Timely diagnosis is necessary for the prevention of life-threatening events in mother and fetus. For this reason acute care physicians have to be vigilant of the condition and consider this in the differential diagnosis of epigastric pain during pregnancy and postpartum.
Exposure of Prostate to Lipopolysaccharide and Hypoxia Potentiates Neoplastic Behavior and Risk for Prostate Carcinogenesis In Vivo
Authors: Omabe Maxwell , Omabe Kenneth , Okwuegbu Martin , Grace Ogo , Okoro Desmond Uchenna
Published: August 2014

A number of studies showed that men from tropical countries have higher burden of prostate cancer similar to data from USA. We developed a translational model to examine whether exposure to microbial inflammation-inducing molecule lipopolysacchride LPS was associated with prostatic cell transformation to more proliferative phenotype as indicated by PSA secretion. Immunocompetent adult mice were divided into two groups; the first group received a local prostate inoculation with E. coli, while the second group received inoculation with sterile solution of saline as vehicle. At the end of 6 days, the PSA values were measured and compared. In the second experiment, two groups of animals were involved. The test group received two drops of the hydrogen peroxide orally for six to seven days to induce hypoxia, while the control group received normal saline. Blood samples were evaluated for serum level of PSA. Result showed a 2-fold increase in level of PSA compared to the control mice in the E. coli inoculated-LPS exposed animals. In addition, exposure of the animals to hypoxic stress resulted in 3.5 fold increase in the serum PSA compared to the control group, which was found to be statistically significant (P<0.0001). In conclusion, our data shows that chronic prostatic infection and exposure to inflammatory stimulus, especially LPS, may alter the phenotype of prostate epithelial cells for increased PSA secretion, a known cancer-like behavior; this is mediated by compromised redox state and oxidative stress injury. We propose that exposure of the prostate epithelial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) promotes chronic inflammation and risk of neoplastic behavior of the prostate in vivo; this may explain the high rate of prostate cancer in tropics.
Measurement-Based LoS/NLoS Channel Modeling for Hot-Spot Urban Scenarios in UMTS Networks
Authors: Chen Jiajing , Yin Xuefeng , Tian Li , Zhang Nan , He Yongyu , Cheng Xiang , Duan Weiming , Ruiz Boqué Silvia
Published: August 2014

A measurement campaign is introduced for modeling radio channels with either line-of-sight (LoS) or non-line-of-sight (NLoS) connection between user equipment (UE) and NodeB (NB) in an operating universal mobile telecommunications system. A space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm is applied to estimate the delays and the complex attenuations of multipath components from the obtained channel impulse responses. Based on a novel LoS detection method of multipath parameter estimates, channels are classified into LoS and NLoS categories. Deterministic models which are named “channel maps” and fading statistical models have been constructed for LoS and NLoS, respectively. In addition, statistics of new parameters, such as the distance between the NB and the UE in LoS/NLoS scenarios, the life-distance of LoS channel, the LoS existence probability per location and per NB, the power variation at LoS to NLoS transition and vice versa, and the transition duration, are extracted. These models are applicable for designing and performance evaluation of transmission techniques or systems used by distinguishing the LoS and NLoS channels.
Acquired Abdominal Intercostal Hernia: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Abunnaja Salim , Chysna Kevin , Shaikh Inam , Tripodi Giuseppe
Published: August 2014

Acquired abdominal intercostal hernia (AAIH) is a rare disease phenomenon where intra-abdominal contents reach the intercostal space directly from the peritoneal cavity through an acquired defect in the abdominal wall musculature and fascia. We discuss a case of a 51-year-old obese female who arrived to the emergency room with a painful swelling between her left 10th rib and 11th rib. She gave a history of a stab wound to the area 15 years earlier. A CT scan revealed a fat containing intercostal hernia with no diaphragmatic defect. An open operative approach with a hernia patch was used to repair this hernia. These hernias are difficult to diagnose, so a high clinical suspicion and thorough history and physical exam are important. This review discusses pathogenesis, clinical presentation, complications, and appropriate treatment strategies of AAIH.
Electroacupuncture Decreases the Leukocyte Infiltration to White Adipose Tissue and Attenuates Inflammatory Response in High Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity Rats
Authors: Wen Chorng-Kai , Lee Tzung-Yan
Published: August 2014

Suppression of white adipose tissue inflammatory signaling may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity‐induced inflammatory response. However, the precise mechanism of efficacy of acupuncture related to adipose tissue remains poorly understood. In the present study we evaluated the anti‐inflammatory activities of 10 Hz electroacupuncture (EA) which was applied at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) for 20 min per day in high‐fat diet‐ (HFD‐) induced obesity model. Treatment lasted for one week. Obese rats treated with EA showed significantly reduced body weight compared with the rats in HFD group. EA decreased the number of F4/80 and CD11b‐positive macrophages in epididymal adipose tissue. We found that 10 Hz EA given 7 days/week at ST36 acupoints significantly alleviated macrophage recruitment and then improved the obesity‐associated factors of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1 (SREBP‐1) and target genes expression in rats with HFD. Adipose tissue inflammatory responses indicated by tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐6, monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and CD68 mRNA expression were significantly reduced by EA in obese rats. Additionally, EA was found to significantly reduced serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐1 in this model. These results indicated that EA improved adipose tissue inflammatory response in obese rats, at least partly, via attenuation of lipogenesis signaling.
Multiple Object Tracking Using the Shortest Path Faster Association Algorithm
Authors: Xi Zhenghao , Liu Heping , Liu Huaping , Yang Bin
Published: August 2014

To solve the persistently multiple object tracking in cluttered environments, this paper presents a novel tracking association approach based on the shortest path faster algorithm. First, the multiple object tracking is formulated as an integer programming problem of the flow network. Then we relax the integer programming to a standard linear programming problem. Therefore, the global optimum can be quickly obtained using the shortest path faster algorithm. The proposed method avoids the difficulties of integer programming, and it has a lower worst-case complexity than competing methods but better robustness and tracking accuracy in complex environments. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm takes less time than other state-of-the-art methods and can operate in real time.
Effects of Gate Stack Structural and Process Defectivity on High-kDielectric Dependence of NBTI Reliability in 32 nm Technology Node PMOSFETs
Authors: Hussin H. , Soin N. , Bukhori M. F. , Wan Muhamad Hatta S. , Abdul Wahab Y.
Published: August 2014

We present a simulation study on negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) induced hole trapping inE′center defects, which leads to depassivation of interface trap precursor in different geometrical structures of high-kPMOSFET gate stacks using the two-stage NBTI model. The resulting degradation is characterized based on the time evolution of the interface and hole trap densities, as well as the resulting threshold voltage shift. By varying the physical thicknesses of the interface silicon dioxide (SiO2) and hafnium oxide (HfO2) layers, we investigate how the variation in thickness affects hole trapping/detrapping at different stress temperatures. The results suggest that the degradations are highly dependent on the physical gate stack parameters for a given stress voltage and temperature. The degradation is more pronounced by 5% when the thicknesses of HfO2are increased but is reduced by 11% when the SiO2interface layer thickness is increased during lower stress voltage. However, at higher stress voltage, greater degradation is observed for a thicker SiO2interface layer. In addition, the existence of different stress temperatures at which the degradation behavior differs implies that the hole trapping/detrapping event is thermally activated.
Anisotropic Two-Microlocal Spaces and Regularity
Authors: Ben Slimane Mourad
Published: August 2014

We defineD-u-anisotropic two-microlocal spaces by decay conditions on anisotropic wavelet coefficients on anyD-u-anisotropic wavelet basis ofL2(Rd). We prove that these spaces allow the characterizing of pointwise anisotropic Hölder regularity. We also prove an anisotropic wavelet criterion for anisotropic uniform regularity. We finally prove that both this criterion and anisotropicD-u-two-microlocal spaces are independent of the chosen anisotropicD-u-orthonormal wavelet basis.
Impact of Thorium Capture Cross Section Uncertainty on the Thorium Utilized ADS Reactivity Calculation
Authors: Vu Thanh Mai , Kitada Takanori
Published: August 2014

Recently, the researches on fast neutron spectrum system utilized thorium fuel are widely conducted. However, the recent thorium cross section libraries are limited compared to uranium cross section libraries. The impact of thorium cross section uncertainty on thorium fuel utilized accelerator driven system (ADS) reactivity calculation is estimated in this study. The uncertainty of thekeffcaused by232Th capture cross section of JENDL-4.0 is about 1.3%. The uncertainty of JENDL-4.0 is needed to be enhanced to provide more reliable results on reactivity calculation for the fast system. The impact of uncertainty of  232Th capture cross section of ENDF/B-VII is small (0.1%). Therefore, it will cause no significant impact of the thorium cross section library on the thorium utilized ADS design calculation.
Kinetics for Reduction of Iron Ore Based on the Phase Space Reconstruction
Authors: Fan Guo-Feng , Peng Li-Ling , Hong Wei-Chiang , Sun Fan
Published: August 2014

A series of smelting reduction experiments has been carried out with high-phosphorus iron ore of the different bases and heating rates by thermogravimetric analyzer. The derivative thermo gravimetric (DTG) data have been obtained from the experiments. After analyzing its phase space reconstruction, it is found that DTG phase portrait contains with a clear double “∞” attractor characteristic by one-order delay. The statistical properties of the attractor inside and outside the double “∞” structures are characterized with interface chemical reaction control and diffusion control stage in dynamic smelting process, respectively; the results are deserved to be a reference value on understanding of the mechanism and optimization and control of the process in smelting reduction of high-phosphorus iron ore.
Complexity of Gene Expression Evolution after Duplication: Protein Dosage Rebalancing
Authors: Rogozin Igor B.
Published: August 2014

Ongoing debates about functional importance of gene duplications have been recently intensified by a heated discussion of the “ortholog conjecture” (OC). Under the OC, which is central to functional annotation of genomes, orthologous genes are functionally more similar than paralogous genes at the same level of sequence divergence. However, a recent study challenged the OC by reporting a greater functional similarity, in terms of gene ontology (GO) annotations and expression profiles, among within-species paralogs compared to orthologs. These findings were taken to indicate that functional similarity of homologous genes is primarily determined by the cellular context of the genes, rather than evolutionary history. Subsequent studies suggested that the OC appears to be generally valid when applied to mammalian evolution but the complete picture of evolution of gene expression also has to incorporate lineage-specific aspects of paralogy. The observed complexity of gene expression evolution after duplication can be explained through selection for gene dosage effect combined with the duplication-degeneration-complementation model. This paper discusses expression divergence of recent duplications occurring before functional divergence of proteins encoded by duplicate genes.