bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Made of the Mist: Nineteenth‐Century British and American Views of Niagara I
Authors: Hallett Adam
Published: March 2014

Writing within the conventions of the European sublime was often problematic for 19th‐century travel writers who discovered that Niagara had no Old World precedent. I am concerned here with the development of the Falls' treatment in the 19th century when they first became widely written upon, painted, and commercially exploited after the 1825 completion of the Erie Canal. In what follows, I explore the importance of various ‘points of view,’ a term often used by Henry James as a device to describe a perspective both visual and thematic. These points of view will take in subjects that include silence, guidebook empiricism, guidebook Romanticism, nationalism, irreverence and an artistic acceptance of the Falls as a tourist destination.
Nitric oxide function in plant biology: a redox cue in deconvolution
Authors: Yu Manda , Lamattina Lorenzo , Spoel Steven H. , Loake Gary J.
Published: March 2014

Nitric oxide (NO), a gaseous, redox‐active small molecule, is gradually becoming established as a central regulator of growth, development, immunity and environmental interactions in plants. A major route for the transfer of NO bioactivity is S‐nitrosylation, the covalent attachment of an NO moiety to a protein cysteine thiol to form an S‐nitrosothiol (SNO). This chemical transformation is rapidly emerging as a prototypic, redox‐based post‐translational modification integral to the life of plants. Here we review the myriad roles of NO and SNOs in plant biology and, where known, the molecular mechanisms underpining their activity.

Contents

Summary
1142

I.
Introduction
1142

II.
Routes of NO production
1143

III.
Oxidative routes of NO synthesis
1143

IV.
Reductive routes of NO synthesis
1144

V.
Transfer of NO bioactivity
1144

VI.
NO function in plant immunity
1145

VII.
Role of NO in hypersensitive cell death
1147

VIII.
NO and abiotic stress
1148

IX.
NO function in plant development
1149

X.
NO contributes to the balancing of growth with development in roots
1149

XI.
NO action in root hair development and gravitropic responses
1151

XII.
Signalling cross‐talk in roots between NO and ROIs
1151

XIII.
NO regulation of root iron homeostasis
1152

XIV.
Future perspectives
1152

Acknowledgements
1153

References
1153
Dynamic infrared imaging analysis of apical hook development in Arabidopsis: the case of brassinosteroids
Authors: Smet Dajo , Žádníková Petra , Vandenbussche Filip , Benková Eva , Van Der Straeten Dominique
Published: March 2014

Germination of Arabidopsis seeds in darkness induces apical hook development, based on a tightly regulated differential growth coordinated by a multiple hormone cross‐talk. Here, we endeavoured to clarify the function of brassinosteroids (BRs) and cross‐talk with ethylene in hook development.

An automated infrared imaging system was developed to study the kinetics of hook development in etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. To ascertain the photomorphogenic control of hook opening, the system was equipped with an automatic light dimmer.

We demonstrate that ethylene and BRs are indispensable for hook formation and maintenance. Ethylene regulation of hook formation functions partly through BRs, with BR feedback inhibition of ethylene action. Conversely, BR‐mediated extension of hook maintenance functions partly through ethylene. Furthermore, we revealed that a short light pulse is sufficient to induce rapid hook opening.

Our dynamic infrared imaging system allows high‐resolution, kinetic imaging of up to 112 seedlings in a single experimental run. At this high throughput, it is ideally suited to rapidly gain insight in pathway networks. We demonstrate that BRs and ethylene cooperatively regulate apical hook development in a phase‐dependent manner. Furthermore, we show that light is a predominant regulator of hook opening, inhibiting ethylene‐ and BR‐mediated postponement of hook opening.
Hematopoietic stem cells, infection, and the niche
Authors: Prendergast Áine M. , Essers Marieke A.G.
Published: March 2014

The immune response to infection is a rapid and multifaceted process. Infection affects homeostasis within the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche, as lost immune cells must be replaced by HSCs. During the immune response, interferon is produced. Surprisingly, HSCs respond directly to interferon, entering the cell cycle from even the most dormant state. The complex response of both the HSCs and the niche to infection is a unique platform on which to consider HSC–niche interactions. Here, we comment on the contribution of the immune system to the niche and on the direct and indirect effect that infection has on HSCs in the niche.
IFN‐τ Acts in a Dose‐Dependent Manner on Prostaglandin Production by Buffalo Endometrial Stromal Cells Cultured in vitro
Authors: Chethan SG , Singh SK , Nongsiej J , Rakesh HB , Singh RP , Kumar N , Agarwal SK
Published: March 2014

Contents

Interferon‐τ (IFN‐τ) has been recognized as the primary embryonic signal responsible for maternal recognition of pregnancy. Uterine endometrium produces both prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGF2α is responsible for the luteolysis; however, PGE2 favours establishment of pregnancy by its luteoprotective action. In this study, the dose‐response effect of recombinant bovine IFN‐τ (rbIFN‐τ) on prostaglandin (PG) production by buffalo endometrial stromal cells cultured in vitro was studied. Buffalo endometrial stromal cells were isolated by double enzymatic digestion, initially with trypsin III followed by a cocktail of trypsin III, collagenase type II and DNase I and subsequently cultured till confluence. Further, cells were treated with different doses of rbIFN‐τ (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 μg/ml) and keeping a separate set of control. Culture supernatant was collected after 6, 12 and 24 h of treatment. PG levels in the culture supernatant were measured by enzyme immune assay (EIA) and total cellular protein estimated by Bradford method. Results indicated that buffalo endometrial stromal cells following rbIFN‐τ treatment enhanced the secretion of both PGE2 and PGF2α, and also its ratio in a strict dose‐dependent manner with a significant increase (p < 0.01) in PGE2 production at 1 μg/ml dose of rbIFN‐τ and maximal stimulation for both PG was observed at 10 μg/ml. Further, both PG production and its ratio were increased significantly (p < 0.01) in a time‐dependent fashion in all the groups at 6, 12 and 24 h post‐treatment with highest level achieved at 24 h as compared with control. Absolute levels of PGE2 remained higher than PGF2α indicating PGE2 as the major PG produced by endometrial stromal cells. The dose‐dependent response of rbIFN‐τ signifies the importance of optimum concentration of IFN‐τ for the embryonic development especially during the critical period to establish successful pregnancy.
Variable and Threshold Selection to Control Predictive Accuracy in Logistic Regression
Authors: Kuk Anthony Y. C. , Li Jialiang , John Rush A.
Published: March 2014

Using data collected from the ‘Sequenced treatment alternatives to relieve depression’ study, we use logistic regression to predict whether a patient will respond to treatment on the basis of early symptom change and patient characteristics. Model selection criteria such as the Akaike information criterion AIC and mean-squared-error of prediction MSEP may not be appropriate if the aim is to predict with a high degree of certainty who will respond or not respond to treatment. Towards this aim, we generalize the definition of the positive and negative predictive value curves to the case of multiple predictors. We point out that it is the ordering rather than the precise values of the response probabilities which is important, and we arrive at a unified approach to model selection via two-sample rank tests. To avoid overfitting, we define a cross-validated version of the positive and negative predictive value curves and compare these curves after smoothing for various models. When applied to the study data, we obtain a ranking of models that differs from those based on AIC and MSEP, as well as a tree-based method and regularized logistic regression using a lasso penalty. Our selected model performs consistently well for both 4-week-ahead and 7-week-ahead predictions.
Composing postcolonial geographies: Postconstructivism, ecology and overcoming ontologies of critique
Authors: Jackson Mark
Published: March 2014

This paper seeks to bridge postcolonialism's turn to the environment with postconstructivist ecology and political ontology. Recent critiques by Chakrabarty, Spivak, and associated postcolonial theorists seek to expand the remit of postcolonialism and progressive politics to planetary imperatives, nonhumans, and anthropogenic environmental change. While the more‐than‐human and collective human environmental impacts are problematic for postcolonialism, they suggest ways to reorient postcolonial epistemology, critique, and progressive politics for the Anthropocene. In so doing, however, they unwittingly assume and reproduce Eurocentric and colonialist ontologies of nature and culture. This paper explains how. By revealing the inner tensions and contradictions within such accounts, I argue for the need to overcome the conceptual reticence within postcolonial studies to making ontological claims. Instead, I advocate a turn to postconstructivist ecology and political ontology. My argument extends tentative turns to materiality in recent postcolonial theory to suggest that postcolonial epistemologies need, increasingly, to attend much more radically to collective ontologies of immanence and ontogenesis. Postconstructivist currents in wider cultural and political geographies may be especially suited to composing and advancing these new postcolonial ecologies. The paper contextualizes examples of ontological approaches to ecology and politics through recent anthropological theory, critical indigeneity scholarship and Amazonian ethnography.
Politics, Religion, Attribution Theory, and Attitudes Toward Same‐Sex Unions
Authors: Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: March 2014

Objective

The relationship between beliefs about the cause of homosexuality, political and religious ideology, and attitudes toward same‐sex unions in the United States is unclear. This study aims to examine the mediating influence and socially embedded nature of attribution beliefs at a time when attitudes toward same‐sex unions are undergoing substantial changes in the American public.

Method

This study employs simultaneous equation path models and a recent national, random sample of American adults (Baylor Religion Survey 2010) to test each hypothesis.

Results

Results reveal that constructed opinions about the origin and controllability of homosexuality significantly influence support for same‐sex unions. However, these opinions are socially embedded, especially within particular political and religious ideologies.

Conclusion

These findings highlight that while widespread changes in beliefs about the cause of homosexuality may presage shifts in support for same‐sex unions, many will be able to resist those shifts toward support, possibly leading to their further marginalization within society.
New Methods for the Analysis of Links between International Firm Activities and Firm Performance: A Practitioner's Guide
Authors: Wagner Joachim
Published: March 2014

This paper is a non‐technical introduction to the use of three micro‐econometric tools that have only recently been applied in empirical investigations of the links between international firm activities and firm performance. It shows why it is important to use these methods, how to use them in practice and which new insights are found in empirical applications. Topics include the role of extremely different firms (or outliers) in the computation of performance premia of internationally active firms; different performance premia over the distribution of the performance variable when unobserved heterogeneity matters; and the analysis of causal effects of different intensities of international firm activity on firm performance.
Sugar or High Fructose Corn Syrup—What Should Nurses Teach Patients and Families?
Authors: Sobel Linda L. , Dalby Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

Background

There is lack of consensus in the lay literature to support consumption of table sugar as a preferred sweetener when compared to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Aims

The purpose of this study was to search the literature for evidence to determine the health effects of consumption of table sugar (sucrose) and HFCS on blood glucose, lipid levels, obesity, and appetite as well as to make recommendations for patient and family teaching of those at risk for developing negative health outcomes, including coronary heart disease.

Methods

Nursing and health‐related databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and Health and Wellness were searched for research articles, which were compared and evaluated for purpose, sample size, procedure, findings, and level of evidence.

Findings

Five studies that met inclusion criteria were evaluated. No difference was found in changes in blood glucose levels, lipid levels, or appetite between table sugar consumption and HFCS consumption. When only fructose was consumed, lipid levels were significantly increased.

Linking Evidence to Action

The evidence suggests that fructose, found in both table sugar and HFCS, has a negative effect on health outcomes. Clinicians should teach patients and families that all sugar consumption should be closely monitored and kept below the 40 g/day recommended by the World Health Organization.
Molecular characterization of haemococcidia genus Schellackia (Apicomplexa) reveals the polyphyletic origin of the family Lankesterellidae
Authors: Megía‐Palma Rodrigo , Martínez Javier , Merino Santiago
Published: March 2014

The current taxonomy on the haemococcidia establishes that the two genera of protozoan parasites that integrate the family Lankesterellidae are Lankesterella and Schellackia. However, the phylogeny of these genera, as well as the other coccidia, remains unresolved. In this sense, the use of type and described species is essential for the resolution of systematic conflicts. In this study, we molecularly characterize the type species of the genus Schellackia, that is, S. bolivari from Europe and also a described species of the same genus from Asia. At the same time, we contribute with the molecular characterization of another species of the genus Lankesterella. All this put together supports the polyphyly of the family Lankesterellidae. Therefore, we propose the resurrection of the zoological family, Schellackiidae Grassé , to include species within the genus Schellackia.
Log pluricanonical representations and the abundance conjecture
Authors: Fujino Osamu , Gongyo Yoshinori
Published: March 2014

We prove the finiteness of log pluricanonical representations for projective log canonical pairs with semi-ample log canonical divisor. As a corollary, we obtain that the log canonical divisor of a projective semi log canonical pair is semi-ample if and only if the log canonical divisor of its normalization is semi-ample. We also treat many other applications.
A General Analytical Method for Vibroacoustic Analysis of an Arbitrarily Restrained Rectangular Plate Backed by a Cavity With General Wall Impedance
Authors: Chen Yuehua , Jin Guoyong , Shi Shuangxia , Liu Zhigang
Published: March 2014

A general modeling method is developed for the vibroacoustic analysis of an arbitrarily restrained rectangular plate backed by a cavity with general wall impedance. The present method provides a uniform way to obtain the solution of the coupled structure-cavity system, making changes of both boundary conditions of the plate and impedance of the cavity walls as simple as the modifications of geometrical or material parameters without requiring any altering of the whole solution procedure. With the displacement of the plate and acoustic pressure in the cavity expanded as double and triple Chebyshev polynomial series, respectively, a simple yet efficient solution to the problem of the modal and vibroacoustic behavior of the coupled system is obtained under the Rayleigh–Ritz frame. The current method can be applied to handle strong structural-acoustic coupling cases and this is illustrated explicitly by considering one case with a shallow cavity and very thin plate while the other with a water-filled cavity. The spatial matching of velocity at the interface is checked by numerical examples. The excellent orthogonal and complete properties of the Chebyshev series representations enable excellent accuracy and numerical stability. An experiment is conducted to validate the present method. In addition, the accuracy and reliability of the current method are also extensively validated by numerical examples and comparisons with theoretical solutions, finite element results, and results available in the literature. The effects of several key parameters are analyzed, including structural boundary conditions, plate thickness, cavity depth, and wall impedance.
An Experimental Investigation of Aspect Ratio and Incidence Angle Effects for the Flow Around Surface-Mounted Finite-Height Square Prisms
Authors: McClean J. F. , Sumner D.
Published: March 2014

The flow around a surface-mounted finite-height square prism was investigated using a low-speed wind tunnel. The experiments were conducted at a Reynolds number of Re = 7.3 × 104 for prism aspect ratios of AR = 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 and incidence angles from α = 0 deg to 45 deg. The thickness of the boundary layer on the ground plane relative to the side length was δ/D = 1.5. Measurements of the vortex shedding frequency were made with a single-component hot-wire probe, and measurements of the mean drag and lift forces were obtained with a force balance. For all aspect ratios and incidence angles, the mean drag coefficient and Strouhal number were lower than those of an infinite prism, while the mean lift coefficient was of nearly similar magnitude. As the aspect ratio was increased from AR = 3 to 11, the force coefficients and Strouhal number slowly approached the infinite-square-prism data. The mean drag coefficient and Strouhal number for the finite prism were less sensitive to changes in incidence angle compared to the infinite square prism. The critical incidence angle, corresponding to minimum mean drag coefficient, minimum (most negative) mean lift coefficient, and maximum Strouhal number, shifted to a higher incidence angle compared to the infinite square prism, with values ranging from αcritical = 15 deg to 18 deg; this shift was greatest for the prisms of higher aspect ratio. The behavior of the force coefficients and Strouhal number for the prism of AR = 3 was distinct from the other prisms (with lower values of mean drag coefficient and mean lift coefficient magnitude, and a different Strouhal number trend), suggesting the critical aspect ratio was between AR = 5 and AR = 3 in these experiments. In the wall-normal direction, the power spectra for AR = 11 and 9 tended to have weaker and/or more broad-banded vortex shedding peaks near the ground plane and near the free end at α = 0 deg and 15 deg. For AR = 7 to 3, well-defined vortex shedding peaks were detected along the entire height of the prisms. For AR = 11 and 9, at α = 30 deg and 45 deg, vortex shedding peaks were absent in the power spectra in the upper part of the wake.
Design Aspects of Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of Rectangular Orthotropic Membranes
Authors: Wetherhold Robert , Padliya Punit S.
Published: March 2014

The natural frequencies of a specially orthotropic rectangular membrane are examined with respect to its design parameters. A method is presented for inferring the initial tensions from measured vibration frequencies and the sensitivity of the tensions with respect to imprecision in the measured frequencies is demonstrated. A sensitivity analysis is used to define the key design parameters, where relatively small changes in those parameters lead to large changes in the natural frequency. This analysis is useful in two senses: It permits the design to be rapidly changed in an efficient manner, and it indicates the physical parameters that must be closely controlled in order to achieve the desired frequency. The results of the theoretical analysis were compared with a finite element simulation using Abaqus for validation. The comparison showed that results were in close agreement up to an initial displacement magnitude-to-membrane thickness ratio (T0/h) value of about 25 for the given values of design parameters. This shows the limit of applicability of the analytical solution since the finite element (FE) simulation is fully updated at each time step with precision not available from the analytical solution.
Hypoglycaemia in a patient who is non-diabetic
Authors: Wolfenden Thomas , Dashora Umesh , Carroll Paul
Published: March 2014

A 59-year-old Caucasian man was seen in clinic following general practitioner's referral presenting with a 1-year history of hypoglycaemia. It was deemed important given his history that an insulinoma should be ruled out. The patient had an induced episode of hypoglycaemia while under medical supervision; C-peptide, insulin and insulin-like growth factor levels were measured. These results strongly suggested an insulinoma. He was subsequently referred to our local tertiary centre for surgical workup and excision of the insulinoma. This case reminds us that insulinoma, although rare, is an important differential to rule out in non-diabetic hypoglycaemia. Often the diagnosis is overlooked as their symptoms mimic many other conditions. Although there is no specific Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency advice, we, as the healthcare provider, should be ensuring the patients inform them.
When an ulcer is not ‘just an ulcer’: pyoderma gangrenosum
Authors: Anderson Michelle Louise , Mackenzie Graeme
Published: March 2014

A 94-year-old man presented with painful leg ulcers that were affecting his mobility. No clear history of these ulcers was obtained on admission or during his initial 7 days of admission and there was no examination made of the ulcer by medical staff during this time. On day 8, a clear history was obtained. It was established that this was a rapidly deteriorating and painful ulcer developing within a 2-week period in previously normal skin. On examination, he had an ulcer clinically consistent with pyoderma gangrenosum which had further enlarged since admission with evidence of newly developing lesions on the legs. He was started on oral and topical therapies and the ulcer improved symptomatically and aesthetically. He was discharged a few weeks later and the patient was followed up by the Dermatology department to ensure continued improvement and eventual resolution.
Imaging features of primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Lachungpa Tsella , Sarawagi Radha , Chakkalakkoombil Sunitha Vellathussery , Jayamohan Annitha Elavarasi
Published: March 2014

Hyperparathyroidism can be primary, secondary or tertiary depending on its aetiology. Parathyroid adenoma accounts for 80% of cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. We report a case of a 41-year-old female patient presented with severe osteoporosis and pathological fracture of right acetabulum and left intertrochanteric region. The patient had diffuse osteoporosis and multiple well-defined lytic lesions. A diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism apart from multiple myeloma and metastasis was made based on the findings of diffuse osteoporotic changes with multiple lytic lesions. A skeletal survey was performed in view of the pathological fracture of the femur; findings of the skeletal survey favoured the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism. An ultrasound of the neck was performed to look for the cause and a parathyroid adenoma was picked up in the inferior aspect of the left lobe of the thyroid gland. CT of the neck was also performed for preoperative localisation of the lesion. Based on these findings diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma was made. The patient underwent parathyroidectomy and perioperative and histopathological findings confirmed the preoperative diagnosis.
Mephedrone inhalation causes pneumomediastinum
Authors: Graham Ruth , Bowen Nia , Singh Joy
Published: March 2014

A 17-year-old male patient presented to A&E with swelling on the right side of his neck, extending to below the clavicle, associated with neck pain and dysphonia. On examination, subcutaneous supraclavicular and chest wall emphysema was noted. Clinical observations and bloods were normal. A chest X-ray and subsequent CT of the thorax showed evidence of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient denied any history of trauma but admitted to inhalation of mephedrone 3 days previously. The patient was discussed with the regional cardiothoracic unit who advised conservative management. He was treated prophylactically with antibiotics and was initially kept nil by mouth, but diet was introduced 24 h later. He remained well, his dysphonia resolved and his subcutaneous emphysema improved. He was discharged after 3 days. He has not attended any formal follow-up but was well when contacted by phone.
LEPTONIC DECAY WIDTHS OF VECTOR MESONS IN A RELATIVISTIC POTENTIAL MODEL
Authors: Jena S.N. , Mishra R.N. , Nanda P.K. , Sahoo S.
Published: March 2014

Leptonic decay widths and the corresponding decay constants of neutral vector mesons are calculated in the framework of a square-root potential model of independent quarks. Starting with the assumption that a strong correlation exists between the momenta of the quark and anti-quark inside the meson so as to have their total momenta identically zero in the center-of-mass frame of the meson, we find the quark and anti-quark momentum distribution amplitude which is used to determine the transition probability amplitude for the leptonic decay of mesons. The calculated results for leptonic decay widths and the electromagnetic decay constants for the vector mesons \rho, \omega, \phi and \psi are in good agrement with the corresponding experimental values. The results for the heavy meson \Upsilon are somewhat lower than the experimental values.
Revisiting some physics issues related to the new mass limit for magnetized white dwarfs
Authors: Das Upasana , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata
Published: March 2014

We clarify important physics issues related to the recently established new mass limit for magnetized white dwarfs which is significantly super-Chandrasekhar. The issues include, justification of high magnetic field and the corresponding formation of stable white dwarfs, contribution of the magnetic field to the total density and pressure, flux freezing, variation of magnetic field and related currents therein. We also attempt to address the observational connection of such highly magnetized white dwarfs.
SINUSOIDAL CLOCKED SENSE-AMPLIFIER-BASED ENERGY RECOVERY FLIP-FLOPS
Authors: KANUNGO JITENDRA , DASGUPTA S.
Published: March 2014

Energy recovery clocking is an ultimate solution to the ultra low power sequential digital circuit design. In this paper, we present a new slave latch for a sense-amplifier based flip-flop (SAFF). Energy recovery sinusoidal clock is applied to the low power SAFF. Extensive simulation based comparisons among reported and proposed SAFF are carried-out at 90 nm CMOS technology node. The proposed flip-flop operating with energy recovery single phase sinusoidal clock shows better performance. The proposed flip-flop also reduces the leakage current and glitch.
DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW DATA FUSION SYSTEM FOR SEGMENTATION OF MR IMAGES
Authors: CHAABANE LAMICHE , ABDELOUAHAB MOUSSAOUI
Published: March 2014

In this research paper, we propose an automatic segmentation method of multispectral magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the human brain using an information fusion approach through the framework of the possibility theory. The fusion process is summarized into three essential steps. First, a data is extracted from the various images and modeled in a common mathematical framework, in this step the fuzzy C-means (FCM) algorithm is chosen. The combination rule is used to combine this information in the second step. A final segmented image is the result of the last phase. Our experimental results using simulated brain MRI datasets show that the proposed approach overcome the impact of the noise and substantially improve the accuracy of image segmentation.
A Survey on Energy Efficiency in Information Systems
Authors: Vitali Monica , Pernici Barbara
Published: March 2014

Concerns about energy and sustainability are growing everyday involving a wide range of fields. Even Information Systems (ISs) are being influenced by the issue of reducing pollution and energy consumption and new fields are rising dealing with this topic. One of these fields is Green Information Technology (IT), which deals with energy efficiency with a focus on IT. Researchers have faced this problem according to several points of view. The purpose of this paper is to understand the trends and the future development of Green IT by analyzing the state-of-the-art and classifying existing approaches to understand which are the components that have an impact on energy efficiency in ISs and how this impact can be reduced. At first, we explore some guidelines that can help to understand the efficiency level of an organization and of an IS. Then, we discuss measurement and estimation of energy efficiency and identify which are the components that mainly contribute to energy waste and how it is possible to improve energy efficiency, both at the hardware and at the software level.
Wind-Induced Response and Universal Equivalent Static Wind Loads of Single Layer Reticular Dome Shells
Authors: Chen Bo , Yan Xiao-Yu , Yang Qing-Shan
Published: March 2014

Wind pressure measurements were carried out for dome roofs with different rise–span ratios (f/L = 1/4,1/6,1/8) in a boundary wind tunnel. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the influences of wind loading and structural parameters on the wind-induced response and the universal equivalent static wind loads (ESWLs) of single-layer reticular dome shells, including the span, rise–span ratio, roof mass and the mean wind velocity. Results show that the rise–span ratio has a significant influence on the wind pressure distribution of the roof. High suction appears at the top of the roof with a larger rise–span ratio f/L = 1/4, and it appears at the top and leading edge when f/L is 1/6 or 1/8. Many vibration modes should be included to analyze the wind-induced response of dome roof structures, and this makes it very difficult to analyze the ESWL. The resonant response is larger than the background response. A method to calculate the universal ESWL for the building code is proposed for easy understanding by practicing engineers. Based on the distribution characteristics of the ESWL, simple fundamental vectors are constructed to recalculate the universal ESWL. This method is employed to divide the dome roof into four zones, and it also means that four fundamental vectors are used to evaluate the ESWL. Simplified expressions of universal ESWL in these four roof zones are proposed for the engineering design. All nodal displacements and structural member stresses under the universal ESWL agree well with actual peak responses.
WALL SHEAR STRESSES IN A FLUID–STRUCTURE INTERACTION MODEL OF PULSE WAVE PROPAGATION
Authors: HE FAN
Published: March 2014

In our prior paper, a fluid–structure interaction model of pulse wave propagation, called the elastic tube model, has been developed. The focus of this paper is wall shear stress (WSS) in this model and the effects of different parameters, including rigid walls, wall thickness, and internal radius. The unsteady flow was assumed to be laminar, Newtonian and incompressible, and the vessel wall to be linear-elastic isotropic, and incompressible. A fluid–structure interaction scheme is constructed using a finite element method. The results demonstrate the elastic tube plays an important role in WSS distributions of wave propagation. It is shown that there is a time delay between the WSS waveforms at different locations in the elastic tube model while the time delay cannot be observed clearly in the rigid tube model. Compared with the elastic tube model, the increase of the wall thickness makes disturbed WSS distributions, however WSS values are increased greatly due to the decrease of the internal radius. The results indicate that the effects of different parameters on WSS distributions are significant. The proposed model gives valid results.
Enhanced cooling of micromechanical oscillator in the atom-assisted optomechanical cavity
Authors: Han Yan , Zhang Wen-Zhao , Cheng Jiong , Zhou Ling
Published: March 2014

We investigate the two-mode optomechanical cavity coupled with the three-level cascade atom. We propose a scheme to enhance the cooling of optomechanical oscillator by introducing atomic medium. Our results show that the existence of the atom can lead to a lower effective temperature of mechanical oscillator comparing to the case without atom. The coherence of the injected atomic affects the population of the photon, which can lead to the change in the radiation pressure on the movable mirror. We also show that the cooling of the mechanical oscillator is affected by initial state of inserting atom.
Policy restrictions and services performance: Evidence from 32 countries
Authors: He Xiaobo , Findlay Christopher
Published: March 2014

The impact of services trade and investment policy which affects the performance of the service sector is the topic of this paper. The performance indicator is not the services share of total output but the services shares in the gross value of goods exports. We find that a more restrictive environment for services delivery is associated with a lower services share in exports, but with a diminishing effect. The results remain robust even after extra measures of the ease of doing business (such as number of documents to export, number of days to export and "rank of trading across borders") are included. There is a significant relationship between policy and the share of services from domestic origin, including those from foreign invested firms, in exports, but not with the share of services from offshore sources. This result indicates that at present the more important impact of services policy reforms is via the establishment of new providers, rather than via trade across borders. This causal channel has important consequences for the political economy of reforms in services.
Production of Biodiesel from Lipid of Porphyridium cruentum through Ultrasonic Method
Authors: Kwangdinata Raymond , Raya Indah , Zakir Muhammad
Published: March 2014

A research on production of biodiesel from lipid of phytoplankton Porphyridium cruentum through ultrasonic method has been done. In this research, we carried out a series of phytoplankton cultures to determine the optimum time of growth and biodiesel synthesis process from phytoplankton lipids. Process of biodiesel synthesis consists of two steps, that is, isolation of phytoplankton lipids and biodiesel synthesis from those lipids. Oil isolation process was carried out by ultrasonic extraction method using ethanol 96%, while biodiesel synthesis was carried out by transesterification reaction using methanol and KOH catalyst under sonication. Weight of biodiesel yield per biomass Porphyridium cruentum is 40,27%. Characterization of biodiesel was well carried out in terms of physical properties which are density and viscosity and chemical properties which are FFA content, saponification value, and iodine value. These values meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM D6751) standard levels, except for the density value which was 0.9461 g·cm−3 and the FFA content which was 4.6671%.
A Cloud-Based X73 Ubiquitous Mobile Healthcare System: Design and Implementation
Authors: Ji Zhanlin , Ganchev Ivan , O’Droma Máirtín , Zhang Xin , Zhang Xueji
Published: March 2014

Based on the user-centric paradigm for next generation networks, this paper describes a ubiquitous mobile healthcare (uHealth) system based on the ISO/IEEE 11073 personal health data (PHD) standards (X73) and cloud computing techniques. A number of design issues associated with the system implementation are outlined. The system includes a middleware on the user side, providing a plug-and-play environment for heterogeneous wireless sensors and mobile terminals utilizing different communication protocols and a distributed “big data” processing subsystem in the cloud. The design and implementation of this system are envisaged as an efficient solution for the next generation of uHealth systems.
Reflectance of Biological Turbid Tissues under Wide Area Illumination: Single Backward Scattering Approach
Authors: Saiko Guennadi , Douplik Alexandre
Published: March 2014

Various scenarios of light propagation paths in turbid media (single backward scattering, multiple backward scattering, banana shape) are discussed and their contributions to reflectance spectra are estimated. It has been found that a single backward or multiple forward scattering quasi-1D paths can be the major contributors to reflected spectra in wide area illumination scenario. Such a single backward scattering (SBS) approximation allows developing of an analytical approach which can take into account refractive index mismatched boundary conditions and multilayer geometry and can be used for real-time spectral processing. The SBS approach can be potentially applied for the distances between the transport and reduced scattering domains. Its validation versus the Kubelka-Munk model, path integrals, and diffusion approximation of the radiation transport theory is discussed.
Neural Network to Solve Concave Games
Authors: Liu Zixin , Wang Nengfa
Published: March 2014

The issue on neural network method to solve concave games is concerned. Combined with variational inequality, Ky Fan inequality, and projection equation, concave games are transformed into a neural network model. On the basis of the Lyapunov stable theory, some stability results are also given. Finally, two classic games’ simulation results are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Effect of Catalytic Layer Thickness on Diameter of Vertically Aligned Individual Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Jung Hyun Kyung , Lee Hyung Woo
Published: March 2014

The effect of catalytic thin film thickness on the diameter control of individual carbon nanotubes grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition was investigated. Individual carbon nanotubes were grown on catalytic nanodot arrays, which were fabricated by e‐beam lithography and e‐beam evaporation. During e‐beam evaporation of the nanodot pattern, more catalytic metal was deposited at the edge of the nanodots than the desired catalyst thickness. Because of this phenomenon, carbon atoms diffused faster near the center of the dots than at the edge of the dots. The carbon atoms, which were gathered at the interface between the catalytic nanodot and the diffusion barrier, accumulated near the center of the dot and lifted the catalyst off. From the experiments, an individual carbon nanotube with the same diameter as that of the catalytic nanodot was obtained from a 5 nm thick catalytic nanodot; however, an individual carbon nanotube with a smaller diameter (~40% reduction) was obtained from a 50 nm thick nanodot. We found that the thicker the catalytic layer, the greater the reduction in diameter of the carbon nanotubes. The diameter‐controlled carbon nanotubes could have applications in bio‐ and nanomaterial scanning and as a contrast medium for magnetic resonance imaging.
A Numerical Simulation of Extratropical Storm Surge and Hydrodynamic Response in the Bohai Sea
Authors: Ding Yumei , Ding Lei
Published: March 2014

A hindcast of typical extratropical storm surge occurring in the Bohai Sea in October 2003 is performed using a three-dimensional (3D) Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM). The storm surge model is forced by 10 m winds obtained from the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model simulation. It is shown that the simulated storm surge and tides agree well with the observations. The nonlinear interaction between the surge and astronomical tides, the spatial distribution of the maximum surge level, and the hydrodynamic response to the storm surge are studied. The storm surge is the interaction of the surge and the astronomical tides. The currents change rapidly during the storm surge and turn to be the unidirectional at some places where the tidal currents are usually rectilinear. The results show that the local surge current velocity in each depth, with a magnitude of the same order as the astronomic tidal currents, increases or decreases rapidly depending on the relationship between the winds and current directions. Furthermore, the current pattern gets more complicated under the influence of the direction of the winds, which might affect sand movement in the coastal water of the Bohai Sea.
The Interplay of Reovirus with Autophagy
Authors: Chiu Hung-Chuan , Richart Sarah , Lin Fong-Yuan , Hsu Wei-Li , Liu Hung-Jen
Published: March 2014

Autophagy participates in multiple fundamental physiological processes, including survival, differentiation, development, and cellular homeostasis. It eliminates cytoplasmic protein aggregates and damaged organelles by triggering a series of events: sequestering the protein substrates into double-membrane vesicles, fusing the vesicles with lysosomes, and then degrading the autophagic contents. This degradation pathway is also involved in various disorders, for instance, cancers and infectious diseases. This paper provides an overview of modulation of autophagy in the course of reovirus infection and also the interplay of autophagy and reovirus.
A Procedure to Construct Exact Solutions of Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Güner Özkan , Cevikel Adem C.
Published: March 2014

We use the fractional transformation to convert the nonlinear partial fractional differential equations with the nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The Exp-function method is extended to solve fractional partial differential equations in the sense of the modified Riemann-Liouville derivative. We apply the Exp-function method to the time fractional Sharma-Tasso-Olver equation, the space fractional Burgers equation, and the time fractional fmKdV equation. As a result, we obtain some new exact solutions.
Richardson Cascadic Multigrid Method for 2D Poisson Equation Based on a Fourth Order Compact Scheme
Authors: Ming Li , Chen-Liang Li
Published: March 2014

Based on a fourth order compact difference scheme, a Richardson cascadic multigrid (RCMG) method for 2D Poisson equation is proposed, in which the an initial value on the each grid level is given by the Richardson extrapolation technique (Wang and Zhang (2009)) and a cubic interpolation operator. The numerical experiments show that the new method is of higher accuracy and less computation time.
Lower Power Design for UHF RF CMOS Circuits Based on the Power Consumption Acuity
Authors: Xiang-jie Niu , Hua Li
Published: March 2014

Excessive energy consumption of UHF tag is the bottleneck of energy saving in its wide range of applications. To address this issue, a lower power design for UHF RF CMOS circuits based on power consumption acuity is proposed in this paper. Through in‐depth analysis of the static and dynamic power generation principle of UHF RF circuits in the work, the power consumption acuity can be calculated by using the correlation of circuit power and input vector. Subsequently, under the guide of this acuity, the UHF RF CMOS circuits with better energy saving can be designed. Furthermore, according to the performance indicators of EPC CIG2 UHF RFID in UHF identification, the corresponding circuit is designed and implemented. The test results show that the design of UHF RF circuit based on the acuity of power consumption can reduce 35%–40% power consumption.
On the Higher Power Sums of Reciprocal Higher-Order Sequences
Authors: Wu Zhengang , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2014

Let{un}be a higher-order linear recursive sequence. In this paper, we use the properties of error estimation and the analytic method to study the reciprocal sums of higher power of higher-order sequences. Then we establish several new and interesting identities relating to the infinite and finite sums.
Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Young Women: A Matched Comparison—Do Outcomes Justify Treatment Intensity?
Authors: Goepfert Ryan P. , Kezirian Eric J. , Wang Steven J.
Published: March 2014

Background. The incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) in young women is increasing with uncertain outcomes compared to traditional patients. Published outcomes data are at odds in this cohort of young women. Methods. Retrospective analysis comparing demographic, clinicopathologic, and outcomes data of women OTSCC patients younger than 45 years old matched 1 : 2 by stage with men both younger and older than 45 and women older than 45. Results. No disease-free or overall survival differences were found between cohorts. Young women were significantly more likely to receive radiation therapy, particularly in stage I disease, even when controlling for common pathologic indications. Conclusions. OTSCC in young women was not associated with worse outcomes compared to a matched cohort of other patients. Increased frequency of radiation treatment for this cohort may not be justified.
Execute Elementary Row and Column Operations on the Partitioned Matrix to Compute M-P InverseA†
Authors: Sheng Xingping
Published: March 2014

We first study the complexity of the algorithm presented in Guo and Huang (2010). After that, a new explicit formula for computational of the Moore-Penrose inverseA†of a singular or rectangular matrixA. This new approach is based on a modified Gauss-Jordan elimination process. The complexity of the new method is analyzed and presented and is found to be less computationally demanding than the one presented in Guo and Huang (2010). In the end, an illustrative example is demonstrated to explain the corresponding improvements of the algorithm.
Local FractionalZ-Transforms with Applications to Signals on Cantor Sets
Authors: Liu Kai , Hu Ren-Jie , Cattani Carlo , Xie Gong-Nan , Yang Xiao-Jun , Zhao Yang
Published: March 2014

TheZ-transform has played an important role in signal processing. In this paper theZ-transform has been generalized by the coupling of both theZ-transform and the local fractional complex calculus. In the literature the local fractionalZ-transform is applied to analyze signals, in the following it will be used to analyze signals on Cantor sets. Some examples are also given to show the efficiency and accuracy for handling the signals on Cantor sets.