bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BIVARIATE DIMENSION POLYNOMIALS AND NEW INVARIANTS OF FINITELY GENERATED D-MODULES
Authors: DÖNCH CHRISTIAN , LEVIN ALEXANDER
Published: November 2013

In this paper, we generalize the classical Gröbner basis technique to prove the existence and present a method of computation of a dimension polynomial in two variables associated with a finitely generated D-module, that is, a finitely generated module over a Weyl algebra. We also present corresponding algorithms and examples of computation of such polynomials and show that bivariate dimension polynomials contain invariants of a D-module, which are not carried by its Bernstein dimension polynomial. Then we apply the obtained results to the isomorphism problem for D-modules.
SMOOTH PARSEVAL FRAMES FOR L2(ℝ) AND GENERALIZATIONS TO L2(ℝd)
Authors: KING EMILY J.
Published: November 2013

Wavelet set wavelets were the first examples of wavelets that may not have associated multiresolution analyses. Furthermore, they provided examples of complete orthonormal wavelet systems in L2(ℝd) which only require a single generating wavelet. Although work had been done to smooth these wavelets, which are by definition discontinuous on the frequency domain, nothing had been explicitly done over ℝd, d > 1. This paper, along with another one cowritten by the author, finally addresses this issue. Smoothing does not work as expected in higher dimensions. For example, Bin Han's proof of existence of Schwartz class functions which are Parseval frame wavelets and approximate Parseval frame wavelet set wavelets does not easily generalize to higher dimensions. However, a construction of wavelet sets in [Formula: see text] which may be smoothed is presented. Finally, it is shown that a commonly used class of functions cannot be the result of convolutional smoothing of a wavelet set wavelet.
Energy and lipid metabolism gene expression of D18 embryos in dairy cows is related to dam physiological status
Authors: Valour D. , Degrelle S. A. , Ponter A. A. , Giraud-Delville C. , Campion E. , Guyader-Joly C. , Richard C. , Constant F. , Humblot P. , Ponsart C. , Hue I. , Grimard B.
Published: November 2013

We analyzed the change in gene expression related to dam physiological status in day (D)18 embryos from growing heifers (GH), early lactating cows (ELC), and late lactating cows (LLC). Dam energy metabolism was characterized by measurement of circulating concentrations of insulin, glucose, IGF-1, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, and urea before embryo flush. The metabolic parameters were related to differential gene expression in the extraembryonic tissues by correlation analysis. Embryo development estimated by measuring the length of the conceptuses and the proportion of expected D18 gastrulating stages was not different between the three groups of females. However, embryo metabolism was greatly affected by dam physiological status when we compared GH with ELC and GH with LLC but to a lesser extent when ELC was compared with LLC. Genes involved in glucose, pyruvate, and acetate utilization were upregulated in GH vs. ELC conceptuses (e.g., SLC2A1, PC, ACSS2, ACSS3). This was also true for the pentose pathway ( PGD, TKT), which is involved in synthesis of ribose precursors of RNA and DNA. The pathways involved in lipid synthesis were also upregulated in GH vs. ELC. Despite similar morphological development, the molecular characteristics of the heifers' embryos were consistently different from those of the cows. Most of these differences were strongly related to metabolic/hormone patterns before insemination and during conceptus free-life. Many biosynthetic pathways appeared to be more active in heifer embryos than in cow embryos, and consequently they seemed to be healthier, and this may be more conducive to continue development.
Development of a Novel Reference Plasmid for Accurate Quantification of Genetically Modified Kefeng6 Rice DNA in Food and Feed Samples
Authors: Li Liang , Zhang Xiujie , Wan Yusong , Jin Wujun
Published: November 2013

Reference plasmids are an essential tool for the quantification of genetically modified (GM) events. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) is the most commonly used method to characterize and quantify reference plasmids. However, the precision of this method is often limited by calibration curves, and qPCR data can be affected by matrix differences between the standards and samples. Here, we describe a digital PCR (dPCR) approach that can be used to accurately measure the novel reference plasmid pKefeng6 and quantify the unauthorized variety of GM rice Kefeng6, eliminating the issues associated with matrix effects in calibration curves. The pKefeng6 plasmid was used as a calibrant for the quantification of Kefeng6 rice by determining the copy numbers of event- (77 bp) and taxon-specific (68 bp) fragments, their ratios, and their concentrations. The plasmid was diluted to five different concentrations. The third sample (S3) was optimized for the quantification range of dPCR according to previous reports. The ratio between the two fragments was 1.005, which closely approximated the value certified by sequencing, and the concentration was found to be 792 copies/μL. This method was precise, with an RSD of ~3%. These findings demonstrate the advantages of using the dPCR method to characterize reference materials.
An Efficient Adaptive Denoising Algorithm for Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Qu Xiujie , Zhang Fu , Jia Huan
Published: November 2013

Typically, after the capturing, imaging, and transferring processes have been accomplished, the digital images will contain a variety of noise, caused by both the equipment itself and by the complex working environment. Consequently, it is necessary to perform a de-noising process to facilitate the extraction of useful information. This paper presents a fast and efficient denoising algorithm, which combines the advantages of traditional median filters and weighted filter algorithms. In this algorithm, the noise in the figure is determined, and those results are applied to adaptively change the size of the window, while assigning different weights to the pixels in the filter window. The experimental results show that we can significantly remove almost all salt and pepper noise, while retaining full image textures, edges, and other minutiae.
Differential Evolution: An Inverse Approach for Crack Detection
Authors: Jena Prabir Kumar , Thatoi Dhirendra Nath , Parhi Dayal R.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents a damage detection technique combining analytical and experimental investigations on a cantilever aluminium alloy beam with a transverse surface crack. Firstly, the first three natural frequencies were determined using analytical methods based on strain energy release rate. Secondly, an experimental method was adopted to validate the theoretical findings. The damage location and severity assessment is the third stage and is formulated as a constrained optimisation problem and solved using the proposed differential evolution (DE) algorithm based on the measured and calculated first three natural frequencies as inputs. Numerical simulation studies indicate that the proposed method is robust and can be used effectively in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications.
Studies on the Potential of Waste Soda Lime Silica Glass in Glass Ionomer Cement Production
Authors: Francis Thoo V. W. , Zainuddin N. , Matori K. A. , Abdullah S. A.
Published: November 2013

Glass ionomer cements (GIC) are produced through acid base reaction between calcium-fluoroaluminosilicate glass powder and polyacrylic acid (PAA). Soda lime silica glasses (SLS), mainly composed of silica (SiO2), have been utilized in this study as the source of SiO2for synthesis of Ca-fluoroaluminosilicate glass. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of SLS waste glass in producing GIC. Two glasses, GWX 1 (analytical grade SiO2) and GWX 2 (replacing SiO2with waste SLS), were synthesized and then characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Synthesized glasses were then used to produce GIC, in which the properties were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and compressive test (from 1 to 28 days). XRD results showed that amorphous glass was produced by using SLS waste glass (GWX 2), which is similar to glass produced using analytical grade SiO2(GWX 1). Results from FT-IR showed that the setting reaction of GWX 2 cements is slower compared to cement GWX 1. Compressive strengths for GWX 1 cements reached up to 76 MPa at 28 days, whereas GWX 2 cements showed a slightly higher value, which is 80 MPa.
RTV Silicone Membranes as Agents to Confine the Liquid Components in Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Bartolotta Antonino , Calogero Giuseppe , Crupi Cristina , Di Marco Gaetano
Published: November 2013

Selected silicone membranes are investigated in order to find attractive multifunctional materials as liquid confining flexible agents with good heat resistance as well as low affinity towards the chemical specimens commonly used in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). In fact, the leakage and/or volatilization of liquid components inside DSSC remains one of the most critical obstacles in the progress of this technology from laboratory scale to large area applications. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopic, differential scanning calorimetric, and thermogravimetric analyses on dry membranes were performed in order to investigate their mechanical properties and their thermal stability. By a further comparative study between the equilibrium uptake and the adsorption-desorption process of a nitrile based solution, useful indications about the ability of these networks to encapsulate the liquid mixture were inferred. Moreover, a rough evaluation of porosity was also carried out, giving results which are in agreement with surface morphology observed by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In the light of the results obtained by the different experimental techniques the confinement capability of these membranes towards the liquid components inside a DSSC is discussed.
Effects of Notch Signaling on Regulation of Myeloid Cell Differentiation in Cancer
Authors: Cheng Pingyan , Kumar Vinit , Liu Hao , Youn Je-In , Fishman Mayer , Sherman Simon , Gabrilovich Dmitry
Published: November 2013

Functionally altered myeloid cells play an important role in immune suppression in cancer, in angiogenesis, and in tumor cells' invasion and metastases. Here, we report that inhibition of Notch signaling in hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), and dendritic cells is directly involved in abnormal myeloid cell differentiation in cancer. Inhibition of Notch signaling was caused by the disruption of the interaction between Notch receptor and transcriptional repressor CSL, which is normally required for efficient transcription of target genes. This disruption was the result of serine phosphorylation of Notch. We demonstrated that increased activity of casein kinase 2 (CK2) observed in HPC and in MDSC could be responsible for the phosphorylation of Notch and downregulation of Notch signaling. Inhibition of CK2 by siRNA or by pharmacological inhibitor restored Notch signaling in myeloid cells and substantially improved their differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo. This study demonstrates a novel mechanism regulation of Notch signaling in cancer. This may suggest a new perspective for pharmacological regulation of differentiation of myeloid cells in cancer. Cancer Res; 74(1); 141–52. ©2013 AACR.
Surface-Modified Nanoparticles Enhance Transurothelial Penetration and Delivery of Survivin siRNA in Treating Bladder Cancer
Authors: Martin Darryl T. , Steinbach Jill M. , Liu Jingchun , Shimizu Shogo , Kaimakliotis Hristos Z. , Wheeler Marcia A. , Hittelman Adam B. , Mark Saltzman W. , Weiss Robert M.
Published: November 2013

Penetration of the bladder permeability barrier (BPB) is a major challenge when treating bladder diseases via intravesical delivery. To increase transurothelial migration and tissue and tumor cell uptake, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid; PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) were modified by addition of a low molecular weight (2.5 or 20 kDa) positively charged mucoadhesive polysaccharide, chitosan, to the NP surface. In designing these NPs, we balanced the adhesive properties of chitosan with the release and bioactivity of the siRNA. Chitosan-functionalized NPs demonstrated increased binding to and uptake in intravesically instilled mouse bladders and human ureter at 10 times the level of unmodified NPs. Furthermore, we extended the bioactivity of survivin siRNA in vitro for up to 9 days and demonstrated a decrease in proliferation when using chitosan-modified NPs relative to unmodified NPs. In addition, treatment of xenograft tumors with chitosan-modified NPs that encapsulate survivin siRNA (NP-siSUR-CH2.5) resulted in a 65% reduction in tumor volume and a 75% decrease in survivin expression relative to tumors treated with blank chitosan NPs (NP-Bk-CH2.5). Our low molecular weight chitosan delivery system has the capacity to transport large amounts of siRNA across the urothelium and/or to the tumor site, thus increasing therapeutic response. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(1); 71–81. ©2013 AACR.
Integrating a Primary Oral Health Care Approach in the Dental Curriculum: A Tanzanian Experience
Authors: Mumghamba Elifuraha G.
Published: November 2013

This paper is based on a conference presentation made during the inauguration of the Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Primary Oral Health Care (POHC) on November 27-28, 2012. The aim of this paper is to review how the POHC approach has been integrated into the dental curriculum, sharing the Tanzanian experience as a case presentation from a developing country. The burden of oral diseases worldwide is high, and the current oral health workforce is inadequate to meet the challenges. Curative oral health care is very costly and not accessible to the poor and minorities. To tackle the problem, the POHC approach rooted in primary health care that emphasizes equity, community involvement, prevention, appropriate technology and a multi-sectorial approach was developed and has been operating for more than 3 decades now. Execution of a comprehensive POHC requires a trained oral health workforce mix with essential competencies. For this case study, a literature search was done using the search engines subscribed to by the library of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, including PubMed, Cochrane, ScienceDirect and Scopus, Wiley-Blackwell Interscience, Sage and the Health InterNetwork Access to Research Initiative (HINARI) that gives access to Scirus and Google Scholar. Challenges are discussed with an emphasis more on addressing the common risk factors and determinants of oral health. Integration of the POHC approach in the dental curriculum for training a competent workforce is crucial in attaining better oral health. Resources are still a major challenge, and the impact of the POHC approach in the curriculum is yet to be evaluated.
Outcomes of Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in High-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Left Ventricular Dysfunction
Authors: Elmariah Sammy , Palacios Igor F. , McAndrew Thomas , Hueter Irene , Inglessis Ignacio , Baker Joshua N. , Kodali Susheel , Leon Martin B. , Svensson Lars , Pibarot Philippe , Douglas Pamela S. , Fearon William F. , Kirtane Ajay J. , Maniar Hersh S. , Passeri Jonathan J.
Published: November 2013

Background—

The Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial demonstrated similar survival after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (TAVR and SAVR, respectively) in high-risk patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction on clinical outcomes after TAVR and SAVR and the impact of aortic valve replacement technique on LV function.

Methods and Results—

The PARTNER trial randomized high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis to TAVR or SAVR. Patients were stratified by the presence of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. All-cause mortality was similar for TAVR and SAVR at 30-days and 1 year regardless of baseline LV function and valve replacement technique. In patients with LV dysfunction, mean LVEF increased from 35.7±8.5% to 48.6±11.3% (
P
<0.0001) 1 year after TAVR and from 38.0±8.0% to 50.1±10.8% after SAVR (
P
<0.0001). Higher baseline LVEF (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% confidence interval, 0.86, 0.95];
P
<0.0001) and previous permanent pacemaker (odds ratio, 0.34 [95% confidence interval, 0.15, 0.81]) were independently associated with reduced likelihood of ≥10% absolute LVEF improvement by 30 days; higher mean aortic valve gradient was associated with increased odds of LVEF improvement (odds ratio, 1.04 per 1 mm Hg [95% confidence interval, 1.01, 1.08]). Failure to improve LVEF by 30 days was associated with adverse 1-year outcomes after TAVR but not SAVR.

Conclusions—

In high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction, mortality rates and LV functional recovery were comparable between valve replacement techniques. TAVR is a feasible alternative for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis and LV dysfunction who are at high risk for SAVR.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00530894.
Effects of interferential care: A community-based care program for persons with severe problems on several life areas
Authors: Roeg Diana PK , van de Goor Ien AM , Voogt Margot CM , van Assen Marcel ALM , Garretsen Henk FL
Published: November 2013

Background and aims:

Interferential care differs from the current community-based care programs in that it targets a larger, heterogeneous group and combines brokerage and full service elements in a multi-organizational care team. The team provides all the services itself, but with the aim to prepare clients within a few months for referral to regular (ambulant) healthcare services. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of interferential care.

Methods:

In a multisite, pretest–posttest design, 523 patients of three interferential care teams were followed. Quality of life, problem severity, problems with referral and engagement were assessed at baseline, at referral and again after 6 months. Analyses were performed using linear mixed modeling.

Results:

Interferential care showed moderate to strong effects on quality of life and problem severity. These effects persisted (quality of life) or further improved (problem severity) until follow-up 6 months after referral to regular services. There were also small effects on both engagement and problems with referral.

Conclusion:

Interferential care offers significant improvements in quality of life and problem severity in persons who have severe problems on several life areas and who are currently not reached by healthcare services. It is a promising community-based care program for healthcare systems in which regular care already contains many elements of home-based practice.
Kinematic accuracy reliability research of a novel exoskeleton with series-parallel topology
Authors: Pan Dalei , Gao Feng , Huang Xun , Miao Yunjie
Published: November 2013

A novel type of lower extremity exoskeleton with series-parallel topology was described. Position analysis of a simplified leg was conducted to provide a basis of the kinematic accuracy reliability. Considering both assembly-machining errors and driving errors, the fuzzy reliability of kinematic accuracy was obtained based on the fuzzy probability theory. With a set of optimized length parameters and joint ranges of motion given, the fuzzy reliability of space distribution and the average fuzzy reliability were respectively calculated and shown in figures. These analyses of kinematic accuracy reliability provide a unique method to judge, analyze, and design exoskeleton mechanisms.
Medication management for people with dementia in primary care: description of implementation in the DelpHi study
Authors: Fiß Thomas , Thyrian Jochen René , Wucherer Diana , Aßmann Grit , Kilimann Ingo , Teipel Stefan J , Hoffmann Wolfgang
Published: November 2013

Background

As the population ages, the relative and absolute number of age-associated diseases such as dementia will increase. Evaluation of the suitability and intake of medication and pharmacological treatment is an important aspect of care for people with dementia, especially if they live at home. Regular medication reviews and systematic cooperation between physicians and pharmacists are not common in routine care. Medication management (MM), based on such a comprehensive home medication review could help to reduce drug-related problems and costs. The present article presents a medication management specifically for the application in the ambulatory setting and describes its implementation as part of a larger trial.

Methods/design

A home medication review (HMR) and MM is implemented as part of the DelpHi study, a population based prospective, cluster-randomized controlled intervention study to test the efficacy and efficiency of the implementation of a collaborative care model in primary care.

Participants: people with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers are recruited by the patient’s general practitioner. Inclusion criteria are a positive screening result for dementia, living at home and regular intake of drugs. PWD are asked to specify their regular pharmacy which is asked to participate in the study, too.

Intervention: a comprehensive HMR is conducted as computer-assisted personal interview by specifically qualified Dementia Care Manager (DCM) at the people’s home. It includes detailed information about drugs taken, their storage, administration, adherence and adverse events. The MM is conducted in cooperation between DCM, pharmacist and general practitioner and consists of a pharmaceutical evaluation, pharmaceutical recommendations and their application. Pharmacists are trained and provided with regularly updated information. The MM is designed to give information and recommendations concerning antidementia drugs, occurrence of drug related problems, intake of anticholinergic drugs, potentially clinically relevant drug-drug-interactions, adverse drug events and medication adherence.

Discussion

The DelpHi-approach for medication management employs comprehensive instruments and procedures in the primary care setting under routine care conditions, and this approach should be useful in improving pharmacotherapy as part of the comprehensive treatment and care for people with dementia.

Trial registration

The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01401582.
A Review of the Scientific Evidence Underlying the Imposition of a Carbon Tax or Ets in Australia
Authors: Chambers John , Miller Andrew , Morgan Richard , Officer Bob , Rayner Mark , Sellars-Jones Graham , Quirk Tom
Published: November 2013

On 1 July 2012 the Australian Government's comprehensive carbon tax was levied on those businesses that produce more than 25 Mt annually of greenhouse gas emissions. The evidence justifying the need for such a tax is examined using the geological record, contemporary measurements and their interpretation.
Evidence of a Warming Trend in the Continental U.S.
Authors: Mage David T.
Published: November 2013

The North America Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) reports Daily Maximum Atmospheric Surface Air Temperatures (2 meters above ground level) for the entire contiguous United States for years 1979 to 2010. This contiguous area is completely divided into 52,314 cells of 14 km × 14 km and the daily maximum temperature at the centroid of each cell is computed by algorithm from the surface measurements of maximal air temperatures. The annual average of these more than 19 million daily maxima represents the average maximum temperature value for the entire contiguous U.S. in that year. A plot of these 32 annual average maximum temperatures shows that this measure of temperature is increasing with time according to the relation that average Tmaximum °F = (0.0555°F/year) Year °48.26°F. Thus in the 32 years of record, 1979–2010, the U.S. average maximum daily temperature has increased by approximately 1.8°F or 1°C.
The Prices Co-Movement between West Texas Crude Oil and China's Biofuel Crops
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yu
Published: November 2013

The present paper examines the prices co-movement between West Texas crude oil and China's biofuel crops including soya, corn, wheat, cotton and sugar. Specifically, piecewise cointegration model is developed via hybrid neural network approach which can test the structural change of the linkages without prior knowledge of the input data distribution. And then a comparative framework is applied to identify changes in linkages through time and cointegration methodologies and causality tests are employed. Our results indicate that there is no long term co-movement between the oil and the biofuel crops futures pairs. However, our analysis identified that there is uni-directional short run causality between the oil and the biofuel crops futures pairs most of the time, that being said, China's biofuel crops futures prices are often unilaterally led by West Texas crude oil in short run. Furthermore, our findings also indicate that the short run causality changed in different periods.
Gas Flaring in Nigeria: Costs and Policy
Authors: Ejiogu Amanze R.
Published: November 2013

Nigeria is the second largest gas flaring nation in the world. Flaring of associated gas during oil production has a significant impact on the environment, health and finances of the nation. This paper aims to give readers an overview of the issues around gas flaring in Nigeria. It highlights the associated environmental and health as well as the legal and socio-economic issues and reviews the legal and regulatory framework under which gas is flared and presents data on the quantity costs of flaring, as well as making policy recommendations for the elimination of gas flaring in Nigeria.
A History of the Use of Time Intervals after the Direct Sound in Concert Hall Design before the Reverberation Formula of Sabine Became Generally Accepted
Authors: Postma Bart N.J.
Published: November 2013

With the proposal of the D50 and the C80 two room acoustic parameters were introduced in which the time interval after the direct sound was taken into account. It is not widely known that comparable applications have a history which date back into the 17th century. Already B.C. Vitruvius had noticed that echoes occurred in theatres and that these were unwanted to create good hearing conditions. During the 17th and 18th century a theory on echoes arose in books about general physics and sound. This theory influenced the books about architectural acoustics written during the end of the 18th and the 19th century and consequently concert hall design at the end of the 19th century. Examples where the theory on echoes was used in the design are the Palais du Trocadero in Paris, the Neue Gewandhaus in Leipzig and the Salle Pleyel in Paris.
Dynamic properties of polyethylene-copper oxide composite melts
Authors: Tee Tiam-Ting , Lee Tin-Sin , Bee Soo-Tueen , Chin Yew-Sing
Published: November 2013

The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of copper oxide on the rheological properties of low density polyethylene (LDPE) such as viscosity, storage and loss modulus, phase angles, complex viscosity on the concentration of copper oxide and temperature. It was found that the addition of copper oxide to LDPE at a fix temperature did not affect the dynamic properties significantly. However, the copper oxide and temperature has particularly reduced the viscosity of the molten compound.
Behaviour study of monitored embankment founded on compressible soil
Authors: Aissi A. , Bensihamedi S. , Bouafia A. , Saihia A. , Belagra L.
Published: November 2013

This paper presents continuous monitoring results of an instrumented embankment behaviour built on compressible soil. In order to better understand of the embankment behaviour and its foundation, geotechnical investigations, measurements of the monitoring data, interstitial overpressure evolution as well as numerical modelling with soft soil model are analysed. The findings highlight various factors resulting in the failure of the infrastructure. The loading program has proven to be incompatible, which subsequently resulted in an excess of pore pressures. The numerical modelling results have illustrated clearly the behaviour of the embankment particularly, the horizontal displacements and the interstitial overpressure.
A new analytical approach for the solution of optimization problem with cubic objective function
Authors: Kavitha S. , Ratchagar Nirmala
Published: November 2013

A new analytical approach based on dynamic programming method for the solution of cubic objective function with equality and inequality constraints is presented in this paper. A generalized recursive equation is derived to solve the problem. The proposed approach is non-iterative and directly gives the solution without any initial assumption. This method is implemented for economic power dispatch problem to minimize fuel cost and economic dispatch problem of chiller plant for saving energy. The superiority of this method is demonstrated by comparing the experimental results of the proposed method with lambda logic based algorithm and with gradient search method reported in the literature.
Numerical Analysis of Cavitation Processes in a Nozzle with Variable Cross-Section
Authors: Zagordan N.L. , Reviznikov D.L. , Cherkasov S.G.
Published: November 2013

Numerical simulation approach addressing problems of cavitation processes and vapor-liquid two-phase flow dynamics research is discussed. The Navier-Stokes equations, supplemented by transport equation containing source terms, responsible for the interphase exchange, are solved to obtain hydrodynamic characteristics of the system. Mathematical model of unsteady conjugate heat-mass transfer between the bubble and the surrounding liquid is proposed to describe the evolution of a two-component (gas-vapor) bubble. The model takes into account a spatial nonuniformity of the gas and liquid temperature fields as well as nonuniformity of the component concentration inside the bubble. A comparative analysis of the experimental data and computational results is carried out for different regimes of cavitating flows inside a two-dimensional nozzle with variable cross-section. The oscillation characteristics of hydrodynamic parameters and the gas-vapor bubbles behavior are investigated.
Tissue-specific regulation of the Na, K-ATPase by the cytosolic NaAF: some thoughts on brain function
Authors: Ray Tushar
Published: November 2013

The dual topology P-2 ATPase, which consists of a α²β² tetramer, explains numerous functions of the cation transporting ATPase system. The ubiquitous cytosolic protein regulator (NaAF) of 170 k Da mass regulates P-2 ATPase function in a low Ca (µM) neighborhood where Ca acts as the terminal regulator in the intracellular signaling cascade. The Na, K- ATPase also seems to function as an H, K-ATPase or a Ca-ATPase in altered states based on the local environment (low pH or high Ca) in a tissue specific manner. These altered effects are analogous to that of the 80 k Da cytosolic HAF in regulating the gastric H, K-ATPase system of the parietal cells.  However there are some important differences. The HAF stimulates the Na, K-ATPase but the NaAF cannot stimulate H, K-ATPase. Also, HAF is as effective as NaAF in stimulating the kidney Na, K-ATPase but about 60% as effective in stimulating brain Na, K-ATPase. These observations reveal that the Na, K- ATPase systems from kidney and brain, consisting of different kinds of αβ–isoforms, interact differently with the HAF molecule; thus substantiating that P-2 ATPase system plays different roles in different tissues in response to an universal NaAF. Another rare feature of the HAF is that it has histone kinase activity, suggesting that the HAF and NaAF may be capable of sending a direct signal to the nucleus for gene expression.

In this paper, the central role of the NaAF-regulated Na, K-ATPase system in the activity and function of brain tissue is discussed.  It is noted that the altered function of the nerve terminus located Na, K-ATPase system works as a Ca-pump (after depolarization) and as a Na-pump (in repolarization) in alternate sequence. The possible role of Ca-sensing receptor (CaR) in the voltage gated channeling of Ca has been raised and the possibility of a dual channel Na/H antiporter (NhaA) in pH homeostasis is discussed.
From zebrafish heart jogging genes to mouse and human orthologs: using Gene Ontology to investigate mammalian heart development.
Authors: Khodiyar Varsha K , Howe Doug , Talmud Philippa J , Breckenridge Ross , Lovering Ruth C
Published: November 2013

For the majority of organs in developing vertebrate embryos, left-right asymmetry is controlled by a ciliated region; the left-right organizer node in the mouse and human, and the Kuppfer’s vesicle in the zebrafish. In the zebrafish, laterality cues from the Kuppfer’s vesicle determine asymmetry in the developing heart, the direction of ‘heart jogging’ and the direction of ‘heart looping’.  ‘Heart jogging’ is the term given to the process by which the symmetrical zebrafish heart tube is displaced relative to the dorsal midline, with a leftward ‘jog’. Heart jogging is not considered to occur in mammals, although a leftward shift of the developing mouse caudal heart does occur prior to looping, which may be analogous to zebrafish heart jogging. Previous studies have characterized 30 genes involved in zebrafish heart jogging, the majority of which have well defined orthologs in mouse and human and many of these orthologs have been associated with early mammalian heart development. 

We undertook manual curation of a specific set of genes associated with heart development and we describe the use of Gene Ontology term enrichment analyses to examine the cellular processes associated with heart jogging.  We found that the human, mouse and zebrafish ‘heart jogging orthologs’ are involved in similar organ developmental processes across the three species, such as heart, kidney and nervous system development, as well as more specific cellular processes such as cilium development and function. The results of these analyses are consistent with a role for cilia in the determination of left-right asymmetry of many internal organs, in addition to their known role in zebrafish heart jogging. 

This study highlights the importance of model organisms in the study of human heart development, and emphasises both the conservation and divergence of developmental processes across vertebrates, as well as the limitations of this approach.
RAZONAMIENTO CONFIGURAL Y PROCEDIMIENTOS DE VERIFICACIÓN EN CONTEXTO GEOMÉTRICO
Authors: Prior Martínez Juan , Torregrosa Gironés Germán
Published: November 2013

El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar los procesos involucrados en la demostración matemática, en el contexto geométrico y desde una perspectiva cognitiva. En particular, el estudio se centra en la caracterización de la interacción entre los procesos de razonamiento y los procedimientos de verificación que utilizan alumnos de secundaria en la resolución de problemas de geometría en contexto de lápiz y papel. Los resultados muestran que la utilización de los distintos procedimientos de verificación para establecer la verdad de una proposición se relaciona con los distintos desenlaces del razonamiento en los problemas que demandan una demostración.
Is Feedback a Waste of Time? The Students’ Perspective
Authors: Doan Loc
Published: November 2013

While it is commonly recognised that tutor feedback is central to student learning, a number of scholars and practitioners in higher education hold that tutor feedback is a waste of time because students are only interested in grades. Based on the results of a survey on 206 students at Aston University, this study finds that students are receptive to tutor feedback and act on it. It also discovers that the quality of tutor feedback and the guidance on how to use tutor feedback students have received significantly encourages them to act on it and enhances their learning in general. These findings have two significant implications. First, instead of assuming that students are indifferent to their feedback and, consequently, failing to give them sufficient feedback, tutors should take time and make the effort to offer them useful feedback. Second, to increase student reactions to their feedback, they should give students advice on how to use it.
First molecular evidence for the presence of Gerbillus latastei (Rodentia, Muridae) in Algeria
Authors: Nicolas Violaine , Souttou Karim , Gouissem Kheira , Doumandji Salaheddine , Denys Christiane
Published: November 2013

Recent small mammal surveys in central Algeria (Hadjeb El Djmel, 50 km of Djelfa) allowed us to mention for the first time the presence of
Microglial CD33-Related Siglec-E Inhibits Neurotoxicity by Preventing the Phagocytosis-Associated Oxidative Burst
Authors: Claude Janine , Linnartz-Gerlach Bettina , Kudin Alexei P. , Kunz Wolfram S. , Neumann Harald
Published: November 2013

Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectins (Siglecs) are members of the Ig superfamily that recognize sialic acid residues of glycoproteins. Siglec-E is a mouse CD33-related Siglec that preferentially binds to sialic acid residues of the cellular glycocalyx. Here, we demonstrate gene transcription and protein expression of Siglec-E by cultured mouse microglia. Siglec-E on microglia inhibited phagocytosis of neural debris and prevented the production of superoxide radicals induced by challenge with neural debris. Soluble extracellular Siglec-E receptor protein bound to the neural glycocalyx. Coculture of mouse microglia and neurons demonstrated a neuroprotective effect of microglial Siglec-E that was dependent on neuronal sialic acid residues. Increased neurotoxicity of microglia after knockdown ofSiglecemRNA was neutralized by the reactive oxygen species scavenger Trolox. Data suggest that Siglec-E recognizes the intact neuronal glycocalyx and has neuroprotective function by preventing phagocytosis and the associated oxidative burst.
Compression and Suppression of Shifting Receptive Field Activity in Frontal Eye Field Neurons
Authors: Joiner Wilsaan M. , Cavanaugh James , Wurtz Robert H.
Published: November 2013

Before each saccade, neurons in frontal eye field anticipate the impending eye movement by showing sensitivity to stimuli appearing where the neuron's receptive field will be at the end of the saccade, referred to as the future field (FF) of the neuron. We explored the time course of this anticipatory activity in monkeys by briefly flashing stimuli in the FF at different times before saccades. Different neurons showed substantial variation in FF time course, but two salient observations emerged. First, when we compared the time span of stimulus probes before the saccade to the time span of FF activity, we found a striking temporal compression of FF activity, similar to compression seen for perisaccadic stimuli in human psychophysics. Second, neurons with distinct FF activity also showed suppression at the time of the saccade. The increase in FF activity and the decrease with suppression were temporally independent, making the patterns of activity difficult to separate. We resolved this by constructing a simple model with values for the start, peak, and duration of FF activity and suppression for each neuron. The model revealed the different time courses of FF sensitivity and suppression, suggesting that information about the impending saccade triggering suppression reaches the frontal eye field through a different pathway, or a different mechanism, than that triggering FF activity. Recognition of the variations in the time course of anticipatory FF activity provides critical information on its function and its relation to human visual perception at the time of the saccade.
Steering Manufacturing Firms towards Service Business Model Innovation
Authors: Kastalli Ivanka Visnjic , Van Looy Bart , Neely Andy
Published: November 2013

Increasingly, manufacturing firms are turning to services as a new way of creating and capturing value. Despite its potential benefits, many new product-service providers struggle to deploy service activities effectively, not least because they fail to reflect the presence of service activities in their performance management systems. This article reports the results of an in-depth case study, which examines how manufacturers can steer the transition towards services. It shows that manufacturing firms need to emphasize two separate but related dimensions of the market performance of service activities: “service adoption,” reflecting the proportion of customers who purchase the manufacturer's services; and “service coverage,” signaling the range of service elements or the comprehensiveness of the service contract that customers opt for. These two indicators, reflecting service market performance, should be supplemented with a “complementarity index” designed to disclose whether the relationship between products and services is reinforcing or substitutive. When combined, these indicators allow manufacturing firms to deploy a service-based business model in an integrated and sustainable manner.
The New Perspective on Organizational Wrongdoing
Authors: Palmer Donald A.
Published: November 2013

Wrongdoing in and by organizations offends public sensibilities, is costly to organizations, and is injurious to the individuals who perpetrate it and are victimized by it. The dominant perspective on organizational wrongdoing considers it to be an abnormal phenomenon; behavior that is rare, clearly aberrant, perpetrated by people who are abhorrent (who possess outsized preference structures or perverse values), and produced by a narrow range of out of whack organizational arrangements (most frequently, misaligned incentives or perverse cultures). However, new emerging theory and research on organizational wrongdoing present a fundamentally different perspective. It views wrongdoing as a normal phenomenon; behavior that is prevalent, not much different than rightdoing, perpetrated by people who are for the most part upstanding (otherwise ethical, socially responsible, and law abiding), and is a function of a plethora of structures, processes, and mechanisms that are integral to the efficient and effective functioning of organizations. This new way of approaching wrongdoing has important implications for managers.
The Quality of Periconception Medical Care in Women With Diabetes Needs Improvement
Authors: Riskin-Mashiah Shlomit , Auslander Ron , Almog Ronit
Published: November 2013

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the quality of periconception medical care in pregnant women with diabetes and assessed the influence of sociodemographic characteristics.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The study was based on retrospective data collection from electronic database on cohort of Israeli women at Clalit Health Services (CHS) with pre-existing diabetes who gave birth in 2008–2011. It included data on A1C and other laboratory test results, prescription fillings, diet and ophthalmology consultations, and sociodemographics extracted from CHS computerized systems. The performance of each of nine recommended measures in the periconception period and a composite quality score was evaluated; the score ranged from 0–8. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of low-quality overall scores.

RESULTS

A total of 166 women gave birth to 180 infants; the performance of the different quality parameters ranged from 81% for A1C and kidney function tests to only 30% for dietary consultation and 41.1% for ophthalmology exam. Forty-nine percent of women had A1C <7.0% (53 mmol/mol). Only 45% took folic acid, whereas 13.9% continued the use of potentially teratogenic drugs in the first trimester. One-third of women were in the low-quality (0–3) overall score. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the only significant variables to predict lower composite quality scores were multiparity odds ratio of 3.43 (95% CI 1.66–7.10; P = 0.001), Arabian ethnicity 3.76 (1.78–7.92; P = 0.001), and immigrant 3.73 (1.25–11.16; P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

The periconception medical care of diabetic women is suboptimal. More intensive and targeted care is needed in order to optimize periconception care of diabetic patients, especially in the high-risk subpopulations.
High resolution aerosol data from MODIS satellite for urban air quality studies
Authors: Chudnovsky A. , Lyapustin A. , Wang Y. , Tang C. , Schwartz J. , Koutrakis P.
Published: November 2013

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) provides daily global coverage, but the 10 km resolution of its aerosol optical depth (AOD) product is not suitable for studying spatial variability of aerosols in urban areas. Recently, a new Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm was developed for MODIS which provides AOD at 1 km resolution. Using MAIAC data, the relationship between MAIAC AOD and PM2.5 as measured by the 27 EPA ground monitoring stations was investigated. These results were also compared to conventional MODIS 10 km AOD retrievals (MOD04) for the same days and locations. The coefficients of determination for MOD04 and for MAIAC are R2 =0.45 and 0.50 respectively, suggested that AOD is a reasonably good proxy for PM2.5 ground concentrations. Finally, we studied the relationship between PM2.5 and AOD at the intra-urban scale (≤10 km) in Boston. The fine resolution results indicated spatial variability in particle concentration at a sub-10 kilometer scale. A local analysis for the Boston area showed that the AOD-PM2.5 relationship does not depend on relative humidity and air temperatures below ~7 °C. The correlation improves for temperatures above 7–16 °C. We found no dependence on the boundary layer height except when the former was in the range 250–500 m. Finally, we apply a mixed effects model approach to MAIAC aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals from MODIS to predict PM2.5 concentrations within the greater Boston area. With this approach we can control for the inherent day-to-day variability in the AOD-PM2.5 relationship, which depends on time-varying parameters such as particle optical properties, vertical and diurnal concentration profiles and ground surface reflectance. Our results show that the model-predicted PM2.5 mass concentrations are highly correlated with the actual observations (out-of-sample R2 of 0.86). Therefore, adjustment for the daily variability in the AOD-PM2.5 relationship provides a means for obtaining spatially-resolved PM2.5 concentrations.
Carl Gustav Jung, Quantum Physics and the Spiritual Mind: A Mystical Vision of the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Ponte Diogo , Schäfer Lothar
Published: November 2013

We describe similarities in the ontology of quantum physics and of Carl Gustav Jung’s psychology. In spite of the fact that physics and psychology are usually considered as unrelated, in the last century, both of these disciplines have led at the same time to revolutionary changes in the Western understanding of the cosmic order, discovering a non-empirical realm of the universe that doesn’t consist of material things but of forms. These forms are real, even though they are invisible, because they have the potential to appear in the empirical world and act in it. We present arguments that force us to believe, that the empirical world is an emanation out of a cosmic realm of potentiality, whose forms can appear as physical structures in the external world and as archetypal concepts in our mind. Accordingly, the evolution of life now appears no longer as a process of the adaptation of species to their environment, but as the adaptation of minds to increasingly complex forms that exist in the cosmic potentiality. The cosmic connection means that the human mind is a mystical mind.