bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The fighting hypothesis in combat: how well does the fighting hypothesis explain human left‐handed minorities?
Authors: Groothuis Ton G.G. , McManus I.C. , Schaafsma Sara M. , Geuze Reint H.
Published: June 2013

The strong population bias in hand preference in favor of right‐handedness seems to be a typical human trait. An elegant evolutionary hypothesis explaining this trait is the so‐called fighting hypothesis that postulates that left‐handedness is under frequency‐dependent selection. The fighting hypothesis assumes that left‐handers, being in the minority because of health issues, are still maintained in the population since they would have a greater chance of winning in fights than right‐handers due to a surprise effect. This review critically evaluates the assumptions and evidence for this hypothesis and concludes that some evidence, although consistent with the fighting hypothesis, does not directly support it and may also be interpreted differently. Other supportive data are ambiguous or open for both statistical and theoretical criticism. We conclude that, presently, evidence for the fighting hypothesis is not particularly strong, but that there is little evidence to reject it either. The hypothesis thus remains an intuitively plausible explanation for the persistent left‐hand preference in the population. We suggest alternative explanations and several ways forward for obtaining more crucial data for testing this frequently cited hypothesis.
Long‐Term Outcome Following Ablation of Atrial Tachycardias Occurring after Mitral Valve Replacement in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease
Authors: CHEN HONGWU , YANG BING , JU WEIZHU , ZHANG FENGXIANG , GU KAI , LI MINGFANG , WANG JING , CAO KEJIANG , CHEN MINGLONG
Published: June 2013

Background

Atrial tachycardia (AT) is a frequent late sequel of surgical valve replacement procedures in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and long‐term outcome of catheter ablation in such patients.

Methods and Results

A total of 21 consecutive RHD patients with AT after a valve replacement were enrolled in this study. The mean interval between the occurrence of symptomatic AT and the surgical intervention was 38.2 ± 48.7 months. The initial procedure was performed 8.4 ± 8.9 months after first onset of AT. During the first procedure, an electroanatomic mapping was completed for 25 ATs, 18 of which were cavotricuspid isthmus‐dependent atrial flutter, five that were right atrial free wall AT, and two that were left AT. Acute success was obtained in 95% (20/21) patients. Nine patients with recurrent AT had repeat radiofrequency catheter ablation, and newly developed left AT was identified in five patients after the first right AT ablation. After a mean follow‐up of 42.7 ± 17.3 months, only 33% of the patients remained free of ATs, while 14% and 53% of the patients had AT recurrence and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF), respectively.

Conclusion

Right but not left macroreentry is the most common AT postmitral valve replacement in patients with RHD. The incidence of AF is very high after AT ablation in such patients during the long‐term follow‐up.
A macroevolutionary expansion of the modern synthesis and the importance of extrinsic abiotic factors
Authors: Myers Corinne E. , Saupe Erin E.
Published: June 2013

This contribution examines theModernSynthesis in the light of its historical underpinnings, attempts at expansion and treatment of macroevolutionary theory. Particular emphasis is given to the need to better understand the patterns and processes operating on species and higher‐level biological entities within a hierarchical framework, as they are often not congruent with lower‐level processes. We then focus on the oft‐overlooked importance of extrinsic abiotic drivers (e.g. tectonic change, sea‐level and climatic fluctuations, as well as factors resulting in mass extinctions) in directing evolution. We propose that the fundamental niche is a species‐level property useful in testing for the effects of extrinsic abiotic drivers on macroevolutionary patterns and potential instances of species‐level selection. Integration of a diverse array of fields requires both the addition of new information and a standardized theoretical framework for understanding how the effects of change at one level reverberate to other levels. These are some of the remaining ingredients necessary for building a truly synthetic theory of evolution.
“Foucault and Critical Animal Studies: Genealogies of Agricultural Power”
Authors: Taylor Chloë
Published: June 2013

Michel Foucault is well known as a theorist of power who provided forceful critiques of institutions of confinement such as the psychiatric asylum and the prison. Although the invention of factory farms and industrial slaughterhouses, like prisons and psychiatric hospitals, can be considered emblematic moments in a history of modernity, and although the modern farm is an institution of confinement comparable to the prison, Foucault never addressed these institutions, the politics of animal agriculture, or power relationships between humans and other animals more generally. The few times that Foucault discussed animality or human–animal relations, animals and animality remained metaphors for humans and human experiences. Despite Foucault's failure to analyze human–nonhuman animal relations, a significant body of Critical Animal Studies literature has mobilized Foucault's work over the last decade. In particular, a number of scholars have taken up Foucault's writings to consider how relations between humans and nonhuman animals in agriculture might be conceptualized as instances of sovereign power, biopower, disciplinary power, and pastoral power, as well as why we may not think that these are power relations at all. This essay provides an overview of Foucault's accounts of power and of the Foucauldian scholarship that applies these accounts to human–nonhuman animal relations in animal agriculture.
Response Latencies and Attitude‐Behavior Consistency in a Direct Democratic Setting: Evidence from a Subnational Referendum in Germany
Authors: Meyer Marco , Schoen Harald
Published: June 2013

This article addresses the role of response latencies in affecting the attitude‐behavior consistency in a German subnational referendum. As voters faced a comparatively easy choice in this referendum, it puts the hypothesis concerning the role of attitude accessibility in increasing attitude‐behavior consistency to a particularly hard test. Utilizing data from a two‐wave panel survey, the analysis examines the effect of response latencies on the attitude‐behavior consistency concerning participation and vote choice. The evidence confirms hypotheses derived from attitude‐consistency theory only in a limited number of cases. The institutional setting and the nature of choice thus appear to make a difference. Moreover, substantive findings depend partially upon the procedure to measure response latencies. Accordingly, sensitivity tests should be employed by default. Irrespective of operationalization, response latencies play a crucial role when it comes to respondents who answered that they would “perhaps” participate. Whereas a quickly uttered “perhaps” was indicative of a rather low likelihood of participation, a slowly given “perhaps” indicated a considerably high probability.
Social Dominance and the Cultural Politics of Immigration
Authors: Newman Benjamin J. , Hartman Todd K. , Taber Charles S.
Published: June 2013

We argue that conflict over immigration largely concerns who bears the burden of cultural transaction costs, which we define as the costs associated with overcoming cultural barriers (e.g., language) to social exchange. Our framework suggests that the ability of native‐born citizens to push cultural transaction costs onto immigrant out‐groups serves as an important expression of social dominance. In two novel studies, we demonstrate that social dominance motives condition emotional responses to encountering cultural transaction costs, shape engagement in cultural accommodation behavior toward immigrants, and affect immigration attitudes and policy preferences.
Making Sense of Climate Change: How Story Frames Shape Cognition
Authors: Jones Michael D. , Song Geoboo
Published: June 2013

In 2006, Adam J. Berinsky and Donald R. Kinder published findings in the Journal of Politics that demonstrated that framing news as a story influences how individuals cognitively organize concepts and information. The study presented here moves forward in this tradition. This research combines samples obtained in the springs of 2009 and 2010 while conducting online experiments. In these experiments, slightly over 2,000 respondents are asked to organize concepts presented in one of three culturally nuanced stories about climate change or where information is presented as a list. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicates that when respondents are exposed to culturally congruent stories, respondent organizational patterns are more likely to mirror the story. We discuss the implications of these findings.
Real‐time and qualitativePCRfor detectingPseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiaeisolates causing recent outbreaks of kiwifruit bacterial canker
Authors: Gallelli A. , Talocci S. , Pilotti M. , Loreti S.
Published: June 2013

Since 2008,Pseudomonas syringaepv.actinidiaevirulent strains (Psa‐V) have quickly spread across the main areas of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosaandA. chinensis) cultivation causing sudden and re‐emerging outbreaks of bacterial canker to both species. The disease caused byPsa‐Vstrains is considered worldwide as pandemic. Recently,P. syringaestrains (exPsa‐LV, now calledPsD) phylogenetically related toPsa‐Vhave been isolated from kiwifruit, but cause only minor damage (i.e. leaf spot) to the host. The different biological significance of these bacterial populations affecting kiwifruit highlights the importance of having a diagnostic method able to detectPsa‐V, which is currently solely responsible for the severe damage to the kiwifruit industry. In order to improve the specific molecular detection ofPsa‐V, a real‐timePCRassay has been developed based onEvaGreen chemistry, together with a novel qualitativePCR(PCR‐C). Both methods are based on specific primer sets for thehrpWgene ofPsa. The real‐timePCRandPCR‐Cwere highly specific, detecting down to 50 and 200 fg, respectively, and were applied to a range of organs/tissues of kiwifruit with and without symptoms. These methods are important tools for both sanitary and certification programmes, and will help to avoid the spread ofPsa‐Vand to check possible inoculum sources. In addition to being used as routine tests, they will also enable the study of the biology ofPsa‐Vand the disease that it causes, whilst avoiding the detection of other populations of relatedP. syringaepresent in kiwifruit.
Health Reform: What Next?
Authors: Rivlin Alice M.
Published: June 2013

The political rhetoric of the 2012 election suggested that Americans are deeply split over how to deliver and pay for health care. In fact, however, the election may have cleared the way for substantial reforms in health care delivery that will gradually enable the United States to finance effective health care for almost everyone at a sustainable cost. The election affirmed for the first time that almost everyone in the United States will have health insurance coverage and put to rest the idea that voters will tolerate radical change in the complex patchwork of health care financing that has evolved in the United States. The tasks remaining are improving the quality of health care delivered by increasing care coordination and reducing the growth of costs by moving away from fee‐for‐service delivery toward rewarding quality and value. These challenges are daunting but less ideologically fraught than health coverage expansion.
Explorations of Zhou Dunyi's Confucian Cosmology for an Ecological Promise
Authors: Choi Kwang Sun
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this article is to explore Zhou Dunyi's cosmology for an ecological promise. Zhou (1017–1073, China) is considered to be the pioneer who laid the pattern of cosmology for later Neo‐Confucianism. His cosmology is presented in his texts: An Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate (Taijitu shuo) and Penetrating the Book of Changes (Tongshu). While Zhou's organic and ethical cosmology became the foundation of an officially recognized East Asian worldview and moral philosophy that flourished during the Song dynasty and until the early twentieth century, the explorations of Zhou's cosmology for the development of an ecological worldview has not been studied sufficiently. By exploring his cosmology, this article will show the inseparability of the universe from the ultimate reality, the ongoing process of the universe from its beginning to the emergence of myriad things, and finally the relationship between part and whole as the basis for a holistic and ecological worldview. These ecological implications of Zhou's cosmology will be examined in light of Confucian influence on Thomas Berry's functional cosmology. Thus, a closer reading of Zhou's cosmology and Confucian influence on Berry's thought will unpack an ecological promise of Confucian heritages.
The Global Significance of Arabic Language and Literature
Authors: Ernst Carl W.
Published: June 2013

Though often identified with the Arabs and the Islamic religious tradition, Arabic language and literature has enjoyed widespread popularity for over a millennium among numerous different peoples, including not only Muslims but also Christians and Jews. This article explores a number of key examples that demonstrate the global impact of Arabic language and literature. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Transferable wavelet method for grain‐size distribution from images of sediment surfaces and thin sections, and other natural granular patterns
Authors: Buscombe Daniel
Published: June 2013

In images of sedimentary or granular material, or simulations of binary (two‐phase) granular media, in which the individual grains are resolved, the complete size distribution of apparent grain axes is well‐approximated by the global power spectral density function derived using a Morlet wavelet. This approach overcomes many limitations of previous automated methods for estimating the grain‐size distribution from images, all of which rely on either: identification and segmentation of individual grains; calibration and/or relatively large sample sizes. The new method presented here is tested using: (i) various types of simulations of two‐phase media with a size distribution, with and without preferred orientation; (ii) 300 sample images drawn from 46 populations of sands and gravels from around the world, displaying a wide variability in origin (biogenic and mineralogical), size, surface texture and shape; (iii) petrographic thin section samples from nine populations of sedimentary rock; (iv) high‐resolution scans of marine sediment cores; and (v) non‐sedimentary natural granular patterns including sea ice and patterned ground. The grain‐size distribution obtained is equivalent to the distribution of apparent intermediate grain diameters, grid by number style. For images containing sufficient well‐resolved grains, root mean square errors are within tens of percent for percentiles across the entire grain‐size distribution. As such, this method is the first of its type which is completely transferable, unmodified, without calibration, for both consolidated and unconsolidated sediment, isotropic and anisotropic two‐phase media, and even non‐sedimentary granular patterns. The success of the wavelet approach is due, in part, to it quantifying both spectral and spatial information from the sediment image simultaneously, something which no previously developed technique is able to do.
Effects of spatial heterogeneity and subsample pooling on the measurement of abiotic and biotic soil properties in rainforest, pasture and reforested sites
Authors: Paul M. , Catterall C. P. , Pollard P. C.
Published: June 2013

Spatial variability presents a challenge for effective measurement of ecological processes in soil ecosystems. This study characterized the heterogeneity of seven different biotic and abiotic soil properties at three ecological scales: land‐use type (vegetation type), site (scale of km to tens of km, and subplot (10–30 m). We addressed three questions about soil properties: (i) Do they differ more at any ecological scale when compared with other scales? (ii) Does physically combining samples from replicate subplots affect their measurement? (iii) What are the implications of this variation for the detection of differences caused by changing land‐use? There were five land‐use types: remnant rainforest, pasture, ecological restoration plantings 10–15 yrs old, 40–50 yrs regrowth dominated by the non‐native tree camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora) and rainforest regrowth 3–6 yrs after poisoning of camphor trees within older regrowth. Sites were interspersed within a 750 km2 region of subtropical Eastern Australia. In general, variability was greatest at the site and subplot levels. Soil water content, soil organic matter and pH were less variable than total organic carbon, microbial biomass, nitrate and nitrification. Power analyses using total organic carbon and nitrate showed that adequate replication at both site and subplot levels was important for detecting effects of land‐use type, although increased replication was slightly more effective for subplots than for sites. Subplot spacing was relatively unimportant. Physically combining subplot samples to yield one aggregate measurement per site was successful in reducing analytical effort without sacrificing accuracy for all soil properties except total organic carbon and nitrification.
Hexokinase mediates stomatal closure
Authors: Kelly Gilor , Moshelion Menachem , David‐Schwartz Rakefet , Halperin Ofer , Wallach Rony , Attia Ziv , Belausov Eduard , Granot David
Published: June 2013

Stomata, composed of two guard cells, are the gates whose controlled movement allows the plant to balance the demand for CO2 for photosynthesis with the loss of water through transpiration. Increased guard‐cell osmolarity leads to the opening of the stomata and decreased osmolarity causes the stomata to close. The role of sugars in the regulation of stomata is not yet clear. In this study, we examined the role of hexokinase (HXK), a sugar‐phosphorylating enzyme involved in sugar‐sensing, in guard cells and its effect on stomatal aperture. We show here that increased expression of HXK in guard cells accelerates stomatal closure. We further show that this closure is induced by sugar and is mediated by abscisic acid. These findings support the existence of a feedback‐inhibition mechanism that is mediated by a product of photosynthesis, namely sucrose. When the rate of sucrose production exceeds the rate at which sucrose is loaded into the phloem, the surplus sucrose is carried toward the stomata by the transpiration stream and stimulates stomatal closure via HXK, thereby preventing the loss of precious water.
ABA and the ubiquitin E3 ligase KEEP ON GOING affect proteolysis of the Arabidopsis thaliana transcription factors ABF1 and ABF3
Authors: Chen Yi‐Tze , Liu Hongxia , Stone Sophia , Callis Judy
Published: June 2013

The ABA Binding Factor/ABA‐Responsive Element Binding Proteins (ABF/AREB) subfamily of bZIP‐type transcription factors are positive effectors of ABA responses. Here, we examine the proteolytic regulation of two members: Arabidopsis thaliana ABF1 and ABF3. Both transcription factors are unstable in seedlings, and their degradation is sensitive to proteasome inhibition. ABA treatment of seedlings leads to their rapid accumulation, the result of slowed proteolysis. Deletion of the conserved C–terminal region required for 14–3–3 interaction destabilizes the proteins. The degradation of ABF1 and ABF3 are slower in vivo in seedlings lacking the ubiquitin E3 ligase KEEP ON GOING (KEG), and in vitro in extracts from keg seedlings, implicating KEG in their degradation. ABF1 and ABF3 are ubiquitylation substrates of KEG in vitro, and in vitro pull‐down assays document their direct interaction. In contrast to ABI5, another KEG substrate, the degradation of ABFs and proteolytic regulation of ABFs by ABA still occurs in keg seedlings, suggesting that additional E3s participate in ABF1 and ABF3 proteolysis. Loss of ABF1 or ABF3 in the keg background has a phenotypic effect similar to the loss of ABI5, and there is no additional rescue of the keg phenotype in abf1 abf3 abi5 keg seedlings. This result suggests that the abundance of other substrates is altered in keg seedlings, affecting growth. In conclusion, ABF1 and ABF3 abundance is affected by ABA and KEG, and the conserved C4 region serves as a stabilizing element.
Retrobulbar rhabdomyosarcoma in a neotropical peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus cassini)
Authors: Freundt Coello Michelle J. , Schaeffer Lee S.
Published: June 2013

A mild swelling of the left periorbital was detected on a routine physical exam of a healthy captive adult peregrine falcon. Despite treatment, the swelling did not subside and within twenty‐five days was causing significant exophthalmia and medial deviation of the left globe. A retrobulbar fusiform cell sarcoma was diagnosed with histopathology, then light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the diagnosis of a rhabdomyosarcoma.
IMAGING FINDINGS IN 14 DOMESTIC FERRETS (MUSTELA PUTORIUS FURO) WITH LYMPHOMA
Authors: Suran Jantra Ngosuwan , Wyre Nicole Rene
Published: June 2013

Lymphoma is the most common malignant neoplasia in domestic ferrets,Mustela putorius furo. However, imaging findings in ferrets with lymphoma have primarily been described in single case reports. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe imaging findings in a group of ferrets with confirmed lymphoma. Medical records were searched between 2002 and 2012. A total of 14 ferrets were included. Radiographs (n= 12), ultrasound (n= 14), computed tomography (CT;n= 1), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI;n= 1) images were available for review. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 5.2 years (range 3.25–7.6 years). Clinical signs were predominantly nonspecific (8/14). The time between the first imaging study and lymphoma diagnosis was 1 day or less in most ferrets (12). Imaging lesions were predominantly detected in the abdomen, and most frequently included intra‐abdominal lymphadenopathy (12/14), splenomegaly (8/14), and peritoneal effusion (11/14). Lymphadenopathy and mass lesions were typically hypoechoic on ultrasound. Mild peritoneal effusion was the only detected abnormality in two ferrets. Mild pleural effusion was the most common thoracic abnormality (3/12). Expansile lytic lesions were present in the vertebrae of two ferrets with T3‐L3 myelopathy and the femur in a ferret with lameness. Hyperattenuating, enhancing masses with secondary spinal cord compression were associated with vertebral lysis in CT images of one ferret. The MRI study in one ferret with myelopathy was inconclusive. Findings indicated that imaging characteristics of lymphoma in ferrets are similar to those previously reported in dogs, cats, and humans.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS: CRANIAL CERVICAL INTRASPINAL SCHWANNOMA IN A DOG
Authors: Oliveira Maria , De La Fuente Cristian , Pumarola Martí , Añor Sònia
Published: June 2013

A 3‐year‐old, intact female Golden Retriever was presented with acute tetraplegia. Neurologic examination was consistent with a C1–C5 myelopathy. On magnetic resonance (MR) imaging a well‐defined, extradural mass was detected within the spinal canal at the level of C1–C2. The mass was isointense to normal spinal cord gray matter on T1‐weighted (T1W) images, hyperintense on T2‐weighted (T2W), and gradient‐echo (GE) images, and enhanced homogeneously after intravenous contrast administration. MR imaging features were mainly consistent with a meningioma. Surgical treatment was refused by the owners, and the dog was euthanized. Postmortem examination demonstrated that the intraspinal mass was a schwannoma.
Phononic Band Gap Systems in Structural Mechanics: Finite Slender Elastic Structures and Infinite Periodic Waveguides
Authors: Brun Michele , Movchan Alexander B. , Jones Ian S.
Published: June 2013

The paper presents a novel spectral approach, accompanied by an asymptotic model and numerical simulations for slender elastic systems such as long bridges or tall buildings. The focus is on asymptotic approximations of solutions by Bloch waves, which may propagate in a infinite periodic waveguide. Although the notion of passive mass dampers is conventional in the engineering literature, it is not obvious that an infinite waveguide problem is adequate for analysis of long but finite slender elastic systems. The formal mathematical treatment of a Bloch wave would reduce to a spectral analysis of equations of motion on an elementary cell of a periodic structure, with Bloch–Floquet quasi-periodicity conditions imposed on the boundary of the cell. Frequencies of some classes of standing waves can be estimated analytically. One of the applications discussed in the paper is the “dancing bridge” across the river Volga in Volgograd.
Band Gaps of a Two-Dimensional Periodic Graphenelike Structure
Authors: Huang Zi-Gui , Su Chun-Fu
Published: June 2013

This study constructs a new phononic crystal acoustic wave device that adopts a graphenelike structure and is composed of piezoelectric zinc oxide (ZnO) material. We employed the finite-element method to determine periodic boundary conditions. Following Bloch's theorem, we analyzed the acoustic wave propagation of the proposed graphenelike structure in the frequency domain to understand the band gap effect and oscillation behavior. We also investigated the band gap variation and modal distortion tendencies of the piezoelectric ZnO material in the two-dimensional graphenelike structure under the condition of changing chain structure diameters and bonding rod widths between the atoms columns to develop an optimal acoustic wave device.
Phonon Scattering in One-Dimensional Anharmonic Crystals and Superlattices: Analytical and Numerical Study
Authors: Swinteck Nichlas Z. , Muralidharan Krishna , Deymier Pierre A.
Published: June 2013

Second-order perturbation theory based on multiple time scale analysis is used to illuminate three-phonon scattering processes in the one-dimensional anharmonic monoatomic crystal. Molecular dynamics simulation techniques in conjunction with spectral energy density analyses are used to quantify phonon mode lifetime in (1) the monoatomic crystal and (2) a series of superlattice configurations. It is found that the lifetime of vibrational modes in the monoatomic crystal is inherently long, because the conditions for conservation of wave vector and frequency are pathologically difficult to satisfy. Superlattice configurations, however, offer band-folding effects, whereby the availability of phonon decay channels decreases the lifetime of the vibrational modes supported by the medium.
Band Gaps in Three-Dimensional Layer-by-Layer Phononic Crystal
Authors: Aravantinos-Zafiris N. , Sigalas M. M.
Published: June 2013

In this work, we numerically investigate the existence of phononic band gaps in the layer-by-layer rods structure. For the numerical calculations the finite difference time domain method was used and the transmission, as well as the band structure (using periodic boundary conditions and the Bloch theorem), was calculated. Several different materials (considered as the rods materials) were examined and the effects of all the geometric parameters of the structure were also numerically investigated. The results show that this structure seems to have very promising features as a phononic crystal giving, under certain conditions, a full 3D band gap. Taking into account that it is already known for its use as a photonic crystal, a certain belief for its use simultaneously as a photonic and phononic crystal rises.
Evidence of Ultrasonic Band Gap in Aluminum Phononic Crystal Beam
Authors: Khales Hammouche , Hassein-Bey Abdelkader , Khelif Abdelkrim
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we prove theoretically and experimentally the existence of complete ultrasonic band gap in phononic crystal beam. The phononic beam structure studied is composed of a linear lattice array of square pillars on a beam, made with aluminum-fortal easily machinable at centimetric scale. Ultrasonic characterization of phononic beam guides shows the existence of a frequency range where the transmitted signals are strongly attenuated, due to the presence of ultrasonic band gap, in agreement with theoretical results predicted by finite element simulation. These structures present a potential for the use as energy loss reduction in micromechanical resonators at high frequency regime.
Design of a Passive Controllable Negative Modulus Metamaterial With a Split Hollow Sphere of Multiple Holes
Authors: Hao Li-mei , Ding Chang-lin , Zhao Xiao-peng
Published: June 2013

We present a passive controllable negative modulus metamaterial based on a split hollow sphere (SHS) with multiple holes. The metamaterial is obtained by changing the number of split holes. The experimental results show that the position of one split hole does not affect the transmission dip, whereas the resonance frequency depends on the relative position of two holes. Furthermore, when the number of split holes is increased, the resonance frequency undergoes a blueshift. Simulation results via the finite element method (FEM) are in accord with experimental data. The design of a negative modulus metamaterial at an expected frequency is simple, and the proposed method is expected to provide a basis for the simultaneous control of acoustic metamaterials (AMs) through a variety of methods.
On Force Control of an Engine Order–Type Excitation Applied to a Bladed Disk With Underplatform Dampers
Authors: Firrone Christian M. , Berruti Teresa M. , Gola Muzio M.
Published: June 2013

The paper presents an original multiple excitation system based on electromagnets with force control. The system is specifically designed in order to investigate the dynamics of bladed disks, since it mimics the excitation existing in a real engine. Moreover, the system is suitable for forced response tests of bladed disks with nonlinear dynamic response, like in the case of presence of friction contacts, since the amplitude of the exciting force is known with good precision. For this purpose, a device called force-measuring electromagnet (FMEM) was designed and employed during the system calibration. The excitation system is applied to the test rig Octopus, which includes underplatform dampers (UPDs). Tests were carried out under different excitation force amplitude values. The tests put in evidence the presence of mistuning and the UPDs' capability of attenuating the mistuning phenomena.
Wave Propagation in Periodically Supported Nanoribbons: A Nonlocal Elasticity Approach
Authors: Allegri Giuliano , Scarpa Fabrizio , Chowdhury Rajib , Adhikari Sondipon
Published: June 2013

We develop an analytical formulation describing propagating flexural waves in periodically simply supported nanoribbons by means of Eringen's nonlocal elasticity. The nonlocal length scale is identified via atomistic finite element (FE) models of graphene nanoribbons with Floquet's boundary conditions. The analytical model is calibrated through the atomistic finite element approach. This is done by matching the nondimensional frequencies predicted by the analytical nonlocal model and those obtained by the atomistic FE simulations. We show that a nanoribbon with periodically supported boundary conditions does exhibit artificial pass-stop band characteristics. Moreover, the nonlocal elasticity solution proposed in this paper captures the dispersive behavior of nanoribbons when an increasing number of flexural modes are considered.
A Guidance Law With Terminal Impact Angle Constraint Accounting for Missile Autopilot
Authors: Zhou Di , Qu Pingping , Sun Sheng
Published: June 2013

A sliding-mode guidance (SMG) law is designed to intercept maneuvering targets with impact angle constrained flight trajectories under the assumption of ideal missile autopilot. Furthermore, accounting for the autopilot as second-order dynamics, a new guidance law with terminal impact angle constraint is designed using the dynamic surface control method. Some first-order low-pass filters are introduced into the designing process to avoid the occurrence of high-order derivatives of the line of sight (LOS) angle in the expression of the guidance law such that the guidance law can be implemented in practical applications. The proposed guidance law is effective in compensating for the second-order autopilot lag. Simulation results show that it is able to guide a missile to impact a maneuvering target with a desired angle and a small miss distance.
Full Scale Measurements and Theoretical Predictions of 2nd Order Pitch and Roll Slow Motions of a Semisubmersible Platform
Authors: Matos Vinicius L. F. , Ribeiro Eric O. , Simos Alexandre N. , Sphaier Sergio H.
Published: June 2013

In Oct. 2007, the semisubmersible platform PETROBRAS 52 (P-52) was installed in Campos Basin (Roncador Field) offshore Brazil, in a depth around 1800 m through 16 lines in taut-leg con. The maximum production capacity is 180.000 bpd with a displacement of 80,986t at the operational draft of 27.5 m. Slow drift motions in the vertical plane (heave, roll, and pitch) were observed in a model test performed in a wave basin during the design phase. As resonant responses vary considerably with the damping loads, slow motion could be affected by scale effects. To observe the phenomena, by that time, it was a doubt if this phenomenon would happen during the platform operation. Since June 2008, PETROBRAS has been monitoring P-52 motions with the use of accelerometers and rate-gyros. Through spectral analysis of the measured signals, it was possible to verify the presence of slow motions with frequencies around the natural frequencies of roll and pitch during almost the whole monitoring period. Sometimes, the 2nd order amplitudes were even greater than the 1st order ones. Furthermore, the environmental conditions have also been monitored through wave radars, ADCPS (current) and meteorological stations (wind) in the vicinity of P-52 location, making the excitation loads identification possible. A comparative study confronting full-scale measurements and theoretical predictions was performed. First and second-order forces and responses were calculated using Wamit® second order module. This study permitted the estimation of the full scale damping values of this offshore system (hull plus mooring and riser lines) for one of the environmental conditions measured. The results indicate the importance of considering the resonant roll and pitch motions in the seakeeping analysis of large-volume semisubmersible platforms, contributing with an important feedback to future designs.
Evaluation of Slug Flow-Induced Flexural Loading in Pipelines Using a Surrogate Model
Authors: Sultan Ibrahim A. , Reda Ahmed M. , Forbes Gareth L.
Published: June 2013

Slug flow induces vibration in pipelines, which may, in some cases, result in fatigue failure. This can result from dynamic stresses, induced by the deflection and bending moment in the pipe span, growing to levels above the endurance limits of the pipeline material. As such, it is of paramount importance to understand and quantify the size of the pipeline response to slug flow under given speed and damping conditions. This paper utilizes the results of an optimization procedure to devise a surrogate closed-form model, which can be employed to calculate the maximum values of the pipeline loadings at given values of speed and damping parameters. The surrogate model is intended to replace the computationally costly numerical procedure needed for the analysis. The maximum values of the lateral deflection and bending moment, along with their locations, have been calculated using the optimization method of stochastic perturbation and successive approximations (SPSA). The accuracy of the proposed surrogate model will be validated numerically, and the model will be subsequently used in a numerical example to demonstrate its applicability in industrial situations. An accompanying spreadsheet with this worked example is also given.
Response Based Identification of Critical Wave Scenarios
Authors: Clauss Günther F. , Klein Marco , Soares Carlos Guedes , Fonseca Nuno
Published: June 2013

In the past few years the identification and investigation of critical wave sequences in terms of offshore structure responses became one of the main topics in the ocean engineering community. Thereby the area of interest covers the entire field of application spectra at sea—from efficient and economic offshore operations in moderate sea states to reliability as well as survival in extreme wave conditions. For most cases, the focus lies on limiting criteria for the design, such as maximum global loads, maximum relative motions between two or more vessels, or maximum accelerations, at which the floating structure has to operate or to survive. These criteria are typically combined with a limiting characteristic sea state (Hs, Tp) or a rogue wave. For the investigation of offshore structures as well as the identification of critical wave sequences, different approaches are available—most of them are based on linear transfer functions as it is an efficient procedure for the fast holistic evaluation. But, for some cases the linear method approach implies uncertainties due to nonlinear response behavior, in particular in extreme wave conditions. This paper presents an approach to these challenges, a response based optimization tool for critical wave sequence detection. This tool, which has been successfully introduced for the evaluation of the applicability of a multibody system based on the linear method approach, is adjusted to a nonlinear task—the vertical bending moment of a chemical tanker in extreme wave conditions. Therefore a nonlinear strip theory solver is introduced into the optimization routine to capture the nonlinear effects on the vertical bending moment due to steep waves. The goal of the procedure is to find a worst case wave sequence for a certain critical sea state. This includes intensive numerical investigation as well as model test validation.
A Parametric Study on Fatigue Life for Mixed Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Point Contacts
Authors: Yan Xiao-Liang , Wang Xiao-Li , Zhang Yu-Yan
Published: June 2013

The lubrication characteristics and fatigue life are numerically analyzed under full film and mixed lubrication regimes, in which the three-dimensional sinusoidal surfaces with changeable wavelengths in x and y directions are used, the geometry changes of the contact areas are described by the various ellipticity, and the non-Newtonian flow of lubricant is described by the sinh-law rheology model. The results show that the influences of characteristic shear stress, wavelength ratio, and ellipticity on lubrication characteristics and fatigue life are remarkable. The effect of surface topography on lubrication characteristics has a close relationship with speed. Increasing the ellipticity and decreasing wavelength ratio and characteristic shear stress can prolong the fatigue life.
Analysis of Damped Bloch Waves by the Rayleigh Perturbation Method
Authors: Phani A. Srikantha , Hussein Mahmoud I.
Published: June 2013

Bloch waves in viscously damped periodic material and structural systems are analyzed using a perturbation method originally developed by Rayleigh for vibration analysis of finite structures. The extended method, called the Bloch–Rayleigh perturbation method here, utilizes the Bloch waves of an undamped unit cell as basis functions to provide approximate closed-form expressions for the complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the damped unit cell. In doing so, we circumvent the solution of a quadratic Bloch eigenvalue problem and subsequent computationally intensive transformation to first order/state-space form. Dispersion curves of a one-dimensional damped spring-mass chain and a two-dimensional phononic crystal with square inclusions are calculated using the state-space method and the proposed method. They are compared and found to be in excellent quantitative agreement for both proportional and nonproportional viscous damping models. The perturbation method is able to capture anomalous dispersion phenomena—branch overtaking, branch cut-on/cut-off, and frequency contour transformation—in parametric ranges where state-space formulations encounter numerical issues. Generalization to other linear nonviscous damping models is permissible.
Kirigami Auxetic Pyramidal Core: Mechanical Properties and Wave Propagation Analysis in Damped Lattice
Authors: Scarpa Fabrizio , Ouisse Morvan , Collet Manuel , Saito Kazuya
Published: June 2013

The work describes the manufacturing, mechanical properties, and wave propagation characteristics of a pyramidal lattice made exhibiting an auxetic (negative Poisson's ratio) behavior. Contrary to similar lattice tessellations produced using metal cores, the pyramidal lattice described in this work is manufactured using a kirigami (origami plus cutting pattern) technique, which can be applied to a large variety of thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Due to the particular geometry created through this manufacturing technique, the kirigami pyramidal lattice shows an inversion between in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical properties compared to classical honeycomb configurations. Long wavelength approximations are used to calculate the slowness curves, showing unusual zero-curvature phononic properties in the transverse plane. A novel 2D wave propagation technique based on Bloch waves for damped structures is also applied to evaluate the dispersion behavior of composite (Kevlar/epoxy) lattices with intrinsic hysteretic loss. The 2D wave propagation analysis shows evanescence directivity at different frequency bandwidths and complex modal behavior due to unusual deformation mechanism of the lattice.
Gaseous mixtures in vacuum systems and microfluidics
Authors: Sharipov Felix
Published: June 2013

In vacuum technology, one deals with gaseous mixtures more frequently than with a single gas, but the information about transport phenomena in mixtures published in the open literature is very poor. Moreover, methods to modelmixture flows are more complicated than those for single gas. The aim of this work is to review general approaches to modeling mass, heat, and momentum transfer through gaseous mixtures over the whole range of gas rarefaction. This review is written in an easy, accessible manner avoiding hard mathematical derivations, though an extensive list of references is provided for readers wishing to find more details about the field. Results for some classical problems such as velocity slip and temperature jump coefficients, Poiseuille flow,Couette flow, and heat transfer for gaseous mixtures are presented in graphical form. A comparison of these results with those corresponding to a single gas is presented, which shows the peculiarities of the transport phenomena in mixtures and gives us an idea how to model mixture flows in vacuum systems and microfluidics.
High precision dynamic alignment and gap control for optical near-field nanolithography
Authors: Wen Xiaolei , Traverso Luis M. , Srisungsitthisunti Pornsak , Xu Xianfan , Moon Euclid E.
Published: June 2013

The authors demonstrate the use of interferometric-spatial-phase-imaging (ISPI) to control a gap distance of the order of nanometers for parallel optical near-field nanolithography. In optical near-field nanolithography, the distance between the optical mask and the substrate needs to be controlled within tens of nanometers or less. The ISPI technique creates interference fringes from checkerboard gratings fabricated on the optical mask, which are used to determine the gap distance between the mask and the substrate surfaces. The sensitive of this gapping technique can reach 0.15 nm. With the use of ISPI and a dynamic feedback control system, the authors can precisely align the mask and the substrate and keep variation of the gap distance below 6 nm to realize parallel nanolithography.
Treatment of human pancreatic cancer using combined ultrasound, microbubbles, and gemcitabine: A clinical case study
Authors: Kotopoulis Spiros , Dimcevski Georg , Helge Gilja Odd , Hoem Dag , Postema Michiel
Published: June 2013

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability and efficacy of inducing sonoporation in a clinical setting, using commercially available technology, to increase the patients’ quality of life and extend the low Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance grade; as a result increasing the overall survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods:

Patients were treated using a customized configuration of a commercial clinical ultrasound scanner over a time period of 31.5 min following standard chemotherapy treatment with gemcitabine. SonoVue® ultrasound contrast agent was injected intravascularly during the treatment with the aim to induce sonoporation.

Results:

Using the authors’ custom acoustic settings, the authors’ patients were able to undergo an increased number of treatment cycles; from an average of 9 cycles, to an average of 16 cycles when comparing to a historical control group of 80 patients. In two out of five patients treated, the maximum tumor diameter was temporally decreased to 80 ± 5% and permanently to 70 ± 5% of their original size, while the other patients showed reduced growth. The authors also explain and characterize the settings and acoustic output obtained from a commercial clinical scanner used for combined ultrasound microbubble and chemotherapy treatment.

Conclusions:

It is possible to combine ultrasound, microbubbles, and chemotherapy in a clinical setting using commercially available clinical ultrasound scanners to increase the number of treatment cycles, prolonging the quality of life in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma compared to chemotherapy alone.
Entanglement Polytopes: Multiparticle Entanglement from Single-Particle Information
Authors: Walter Michael , Doran Brent , Gross David , Christandl Matthias
Published: June 2013

Unraveling Entanglement

Entanglement is a curious property of some quantum mechanical systems, exploited in applications such as quantum information processing.

Walter
et al.

(p.
1205
) used an algebraic geometry approach to represent the entanglement of a multiparticle system in a pure state in the geometric space whose axes are associated with the properties of the individual particles. In that space, entanglement classes—collections of entangled states that can be transformed into each other—correspond to different convex polytopes, making it possible to distinguish between the classes.
A Switch Between Topological Domains Underlies
HoxD
Genes Collinearity in Mouse Limbs
Authors: Andrey Guillaume , Montavon Thomas , Mascrez Bénédicte , Gonzalez Federico , Noordermeer Daan , Leleu Marion , Trono Didier , Spitz François , Duboule Denis
Published: June 2013

Collinearity Cracked in Tetrapod Limbs

During limb development, the time a nd place of
Hox
transcription are fixed by respective gene position within the gene cluster.

Andrey
et al.

(p.
1234167
; see the Perspective by

Rodrigues and Tabin

) found that this enigmatic property results from the opposite and successive actions of two large regulatory landscapes located on either side of the mouse
Hox
locus. In the early phase, one of these topological domains regulates transcription in the proximal limb until a switch occurs toward the other topological domain, which takes over the regulation in the distally developing digits. As a side effect of this antagonistic regulatory strategy, cells in-between have lessened
Hox
transcription, which generates the wrist.