bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Orthophotography And Its Applications In The Recording Of Buildings
Authors: Seeni Mohd Mohd Ibrahim
Published: January 2013

Rencana ini menyentuh berkenaan dengan teknik orthofoto di dalam kerja-kerja merekod bangunan.Pertamanya, tumpuan diberi kepada konsep orthofotografi di mana prinsip rektifikasi "differential" dihuraikan. Bahagian kedua membincangkan selisih-selisih yang terdapat di dalam proses orthofotografi yang memberi kesan kepada ketepatan dan juga kualiti gambar orthofoto tersebut. Di antara selisih-selisih tersebut, selisih sistem mempunyai kesan yang terbesar kepada ketepatan dan kualiti gambar orthofoto dan diikuti oleh selisih "scanning." Akhir sekali, penulis mengemukakan beberapa perkara yang diperhatikannya dalam kajian yang dibuat ke alas empat jenis permukaan bangunan.

This paper deals with the orthophoto technique of recording buildings. Firstly, it focuses on the concept of orthophotography where the principles of differential rectification are described. Secondly, the errors inherent in the orthophotographic process which would affect the accuracy and pictorial quality of the final product, that is, the orthophoto itself are discussed. Among the errors, system errors followed by scanning errors have the major effect on the accuracy and pictorial quality. Finally, the writer presents his observations from the studies carried out on four different types of building surfaces.
Data Acquisition And Micro Computer Application For Velocity Measurements In Open Channel Bends
Authors: Haji Salleh Dr. Mohammad Noor
Published: January 2013

The utilization and application of a desk-top micro-computer based system is described for data acquisition and control/or use in the velocity measurements in open channel flow. The technique of measuring point velocities along three axes simultaneously is approached in two phases: Firstly,recording of the velocity data, and secondly reproducing the velocity data. The system involves utilization of voltage data recorder which can translate the flow velocities obtained by sensor probes picking up the acoustic interference. A data acquisition control unit, a desk-top computer and peripheral equipments which consist of distribution channels, printer and plotter terminals provide the necessary interpretation of the flow behaviour.
Rekabentuk Model Simulasi Untuk Rangkaian Gelang
Authors: Ibrahim Jamaludin , Mohd Saman Md Yazid
Published: January 2013

Kertas penyelidikan ini membincangkan satu rekabentuk model simulasi bagi Rangkaian Gelang. Rangkaian Gelang ini menggunakan kaedah Laluan-Token sebagai protokol penyelarasan penggunaan salurannya. Model simulasi ini adalah untuk menguji prestasi rangkaian tersebut di mana ia diukur di dalam bentuk masa sambutan, penggunaan saluran dan kelambatan dalam giliran nodnya.

This research paper discusses a design of modeling simulation on the Ring network. This Ring network uses the Token-Passing method as the channel synchronization protocol. This simulation model is used to investigate the performance of the network which is evaluated in terms of response time, channel utilization and the delay in the node queues.

Kata Kunci: Simulasi,Model, Rangkaian Kawasan Setempat, Rangkaian Gelang, Token, Simulasi diskrit, Prestasi
Out-Migration From Kampung Awah A Settlement Scheme In Jengka
Authors: Ngah Ibrahim
Published: January 2013

Masalah generasi kedua di rancangan FELDA sejak akhir-akhir ini telah menarik perhatian umum. Ini memandangkan rancangan pembangunan tanah FELDA telah menjangkau usia lebih dua dekad dan anak-anak peneroka FELDA di penempatan yang awal kebanyakannya telah menjadi dewasa. Kajian ini menumpukan terhadap pola dan ciri-ciri migrasi keluar penduduk di rancangan FELDA terutamanya di kalangan generasi kedua. Ia berasaskan kajian kes penempatan FELDA kampung Awah di Jengka, Pahang. Kajian menampakkan trend migrasi keluar yang meningkat di penempatan tersebut terutamanya setelah 15 tahun kemasukan peneroka. Ciri-ciri penghijrah juga dianalisa mengikut destinasi bandar dan luar bandar. Migrasi keluar ini di jangka memberi kesan negatif kepada pembangunan wilayah Jengka sekiranya tidak ada usaha untuk menyekat pengaliran keluar penduduk
Effect of Inlet Restriction on Flow Boiling Heat Transfer in a Horizontal Microtube
Authors: Fan YanFeng , Hassan Ibrahim
Published: January 2013

Flow boiling heat transfer in a horizontal microtube with inlet restriction (orifice) under uniform heating condition is experimentally investigated using FC-72 as working fluid. A stainless steel microtube with an inner diameter of 889 μm is selected as main microtube. Two microtubes with smaller diameters are assembled at the inlet of main microtube to achieve the restriction ratios of 50% and 20%. The experimental measurement is carried out at mass fluxes ranging from 160 to 870 kg/m2·s, heat fluxes varying from 6 to 170 kW/m2, inlet temperatures of 23 and 35 °C, and saturation pressures of 10 and 45 kPa. The effects of the orifices on two-phase pressure drop, critical heat flux (CHF), and flow boiling heat transfer coefficient are studied. The results show that the pressure drop caused by the orifice takes a considerable portion in the total pressure drop at low mass fluxes. This ratio decreases as the vapor quality or mass flux increases. The difference of normal critical heat flux in the microtubes with different orifice sizes is negligible. In the aspect of flow boiling heat transfer, the orifice is able to enhance the heat transfer at low mass flux and high saturation pressure, which indicates the contribution of orifice in the nucleate boiling dominated regime. However, the effect of orifice on flow boiling heat transfer is negligible in the forced convective boiling dominated regime.
Speech interference and transmission on residential balconies with road traffic noise
Authors: Naish Daniel A. , Tan Andy C. C. , Nur Demirbilek F.
Published: January 2013

Balcony acoustic treatments can mitigate the effects of community road traffic noise. To further investigate, a theoretical study into the effects of balcony acoustic treatment combinations on speech interference and transmission is conducted for various street geometries. Nine different balcony types are investigated using a combined specular and diffuse reflection computer model. Diffusion in the model is calculated using the radiosity technique. The balcony types include a standard balcony with or without a ceiling and with various combinations of parapet, ceiling absorption and ceiling shield. A total of 70 balcony and street geometrical configurations are analyzed with each balcony type, resulting in 630 scenarios. In each scenario the reverberation time, speech interference level (SIL) and speech transmission index (STI) are calculated. These indicators are compared to determine trends based on the effects of propagation path, inclusion of opposite buildings and difference with a reference position outside the balcony. The results demonstrate trends in SIL and STI with different balcony types. It is found that an acoustically treated balcony reduces speech interference. A parapet provides the largest improvement, followed by absorption on the ceiling. The largest reductions in speech interference arise when a combination of balcony acoustic treatments are applied.
Sound radiation from a fluid-loaded infinite plate with a patch
Authors: Zhang Yanni , Pan Jie
Published: January 2013

This paper focuses on the solution to the vibro-acoustic response of a line-driven fluid-loaded plate with an elastic patch acting as a distributed inhomogeneity. The patch affects the plate's sound radiation by adding extra loading to the driving force and by scattering structural waves. When the driving force is located beneath the patch, the extra loading reduces the plate's supersonic velocity response and sound radiation. At some frequencies, however, the constructive superposition of scattered structural waves and near-field waves by the driving force outweighs the effect of patch loading and results in an increased sound radiation power. When the patch is located away from the driving force, wave scattering phenomena dominates the plate vibration and subsequent sound radiation. By examining the effect of the length and location of the patch on the sound power, it is possible to relate the changes in the sound power to the changes in supersonic velocity spectrum and velocity distribution contributed by the trapped modes in the patched area and interference between the scattered waves by the patch and the near- and far-field structural waves directly generated by the driving force.
Comparison of nonlinear mammalian cochlear-partition models
Authors: Szalai Robert , Champneys Alan , Homer Martin , Ó Maoiléidigh Dáibhid , Kennedy Helen , Cooper Nigel
Published: January 2013

Various simple mathematical models of the dynamics of the organ of Corti in the mammalian cochlea are analyzed and their dynamics compared. The specific models considered are phenomenological Hopf and cusp normal forms, a recently proposed description combining active hair-bundle motility and somatic motility, a reduction thereof, and finally a model highlighting the importance of the coupling between the nonlinear transduction current and somatic motility. It is found that for certain models precise tuning to any bifurcation is not necessary and that a compressively nonlinear response over a range similar to experimental observations and that the normal form of the Hopf bifurcation is not the only description that reproduces compression and tuning similar to experiment.
Comparing the effect of pause duration on threshold interaural time differences between exponential and squared-sine envelopes (L)
Authors: Dietz Mathias , Wendt Torben , Ewert Stephan D. , Laback Bernhard , Hohmann Volker
Published: January 2013

Recently two studies [Klein-Hennig et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 129, 3856–3872 (2011); Laback et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 130, 1515–1529 (2011)] independently investigated the isolated effect of pause duration on sensitivity to interaural time differences (ITD) in the ongoing stimulus envelope. The steepness of the threshold ITD as a function of pause duration functions differed considerably across studies. The present study, using matched carrier and modulation frequencies, directly compared threshold ITDs for the two envelope flank shapes from those studies. The results agree well when defining the metric of pause duration based on modulation depth sensitivity.
Relationship between channel interaction and spectral-ripple discrimination in cochlear implant users
Authors: Jones Gary L. , Ho Won Jong , Drennan Ward R. , Rubinstein Jay T.
Published: January 2013

Cochlear implant (CI) users can achieve remarkable speech understanding, but there is great variability in outcomes that is only partially accounted for by age, residual hearing, and duration of deafness. Results might be improved with the use of psychophysical tests to predict which sound processing strategies offer the best potential outcomes. In particular, the spectral-ripple discrimination test offers a time-efficient, nonlinguistic measure that is correlated with perception of both speech and music by CI users. Features that make this “one-point” test time-efficient, and thus potentially clinically useful, are also connected to controversy within the CI field about what the test measures. The current work examined the relationship between thresholds in the one-point spectral-ripple test, in which stimuli are presented acoustically, and interaction indices measured under the controlled conditions afforded by direct stimulation with a research processor. Results of these studies include the following: (1) within individual subjects there were large variations in the interaction index along the electrode array, (2) interaction indices generally decreased with increasing electrode separation, and (3) spectral-ripple discrimination improved with decreasing mean interaction index at electrode separations of one, three, and five electrodes. These results indicate that spectral-ripple discrimination thresholds can provide a useful metric of the spectral resolution of CI users.
Perceptual evidence for protracted development in monosyllabic Mandarin lexical tone production in preschool children in Taiwan
Authors: Wong Puisan
Published: January 2013

This study used the same methodology in Wong [J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. 55, 1423–1437 (2012b)] to examine the perceived accuracy of monosyllabic Mandarin tones produced by 4- and 5-year-old Mandarin-speaking children growing up in Taiwan and combined the findings with those of 3-year-olds reported in Wong [J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. 55, 1423–1437 (2012b)] to track the development of monosyllabic tone production in preschool children. Tone productions of adults and children were collected in a picture naming task and low-pass filtered to remove lexical information and reserve tone information. Five native-speakers categorized the target tones in the filtered productions. Children's tone accuracy was compared to adults' to determine mastery and developmental changes. The results showed that preschool children in Taiwan have not fully mastered the production of monosyllabic Mandarin tones. None of the tones produced by the children in the three age groups reached adult-like accuracy. Little developmental change was found in children's tone accuracy during the preschool years. A similar order of accuracy of the tones was observed across the three age groups and the order appeared to follow the order of articulatory complexity in producing the tones. The findings suggest a protracted course of development in children's acquisition of Mandarin tones and that tone development may be constrained by physiological factors.
Acoustic structure of the five perceptual dimensions of timbre in orchestral instrument tones
Authors: Elliott Taffeta M. , Hamilton Liberty S. , Theunissen Frédéric E.
Published: January 2013

Attempts to relate the perceptual dimensions of timbre to quantitative acoustical dimensions have been tenuous, leading to claims that timbre is an emergent property, if measurable at all. Here, a three-pronged analysis shows that the timbre space of sustained instrument tones occupies 5 dimensions and that a specific combination of acoustic properties uniquely determines gestalt perception of timbre. Firstly, multidimensional scaling (MDS) of dissimilarity judgments generated a perceptual timbre space in which 5 dimensions were cross-validated and selected by traditional model comparisons. Secondly, subjects rated tones on semantic scales. A discriminant function analysis (DFA) accounting for variance of these semantic ratings across instruments and between subjects also yielded 5 significant dimensions with similar stimulus ordination. The dimensions of timbre space were then interpreted semantically by rotational and reflectional projection of the MDS solution into two DFA dimensions. Thirdly, to relate this final space to acoustical structure, the perceptual MDS coordinates of each sound were regressed with its joint spectrotemporal modulation power spectrum. Sound structures correlated significantly with distances in perceptual timbre space. Contrary to previous studies, most perceptual timbre dimensions are not the result of purely temporal or spectral features but instead depend on signature spectrotemporal patterns.
Joint entropy of continuously differentiable ultrasonic waveforms
Authors: Hughes M. S. , McCarthy J. E. , Marsh J. N. , Wickline S. A.
Published: January 2013

This study is based on an extension of the concept of joint entropy of two random variables to continuous functions, such as backscattered ultrasound. For two continuous random variables, X and Y, the joint probability density p(x,y) is ordinarily a continuous function of x and y that takes on values in a two dimensional region of the real plane. However, in the case where X=f(t) and Y=g(t) are both continuously differentiable functions, X and Y are concentrated exclusively on a curve, γ(t)=(f(t),g(t)), in the x,y plane. This concentration can only be represented using a mathematically “singular” object such as a (Schwartz) distribution. Its use for imaging requires a coarse-graining operation, which is described in this study. Subsequently, removal of the coarse-graining parameter is accomplished using the ergodic theorem. The resulting expression for joint entropy is applied to several data sets, showing the utility of the concept for both materials characterization and detection of targeted liquid nanoparticle ultrasonic contrast agents. In all cases, the sensitivity of these techniques matches or exceeds, sometimes by a factor of two, that demonstrated in previous studies that employed signal energy or alternate entropic quantities.
Comparisons of laboratory scale measurements of three-dimensional acoustic propagation with solutions by a parabolic equation model
Authors: Sturm Frédéric , Korakas Alexios
Published: January 2013

In this paper, laboratory scale measurements of long range across-slope acoustic propagation in a three-dimensional (3-D) wedge-like environment are compared to numerical solutions. In a previous work, it was shown that the experimental data contain strong 3-D effects like mode shadow zones and multiple mode arrivals, in qualitative agreement with theoretical and numerical predictions. In the present work, the experimental data are compared with numerical solutions obtained using a fully 3-D parabolic equation based model. A subspace inversion approach is used for the refinement of some of the parameters describing the model experiment. The inversion procedure is implemented in a Bayesian framework based on the exhaustive search over the parameter space. The comparisons are performed both in the time and in the frequency domain using the maximum a posteriori estimates of the refined parameters as input in the 3-D model. A very good quantitative agreement is achieved between the numerical predictions provided by the 3-D parabolic equation model and the experimental data.
The binaural click-evoked auditory brainstem response of the California sea lion (
Zalophus californianus
)
Authors: Mulsow Jason , Reichmuth Colleen
Published: January 2013

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) elicited by high-amplitude [100 dB re 20 μPa, peak-to-peak equivalent sound pressure level (peSPL)] aerial broadband clicks were collected from seven California sea lions in order to provide a basic description of short-latency auditory evoked potentials in this species. The waveform of the ABR was similar to that of other mammals, comprising seven positive and six negative characteristic waves. Variability in the amplitudes and latencies of waves was higher among subjects than the variability in within-subject repeated measurements. ABRs to progressively attenuated clicks were collected for three additional sea lions. Wave amplitudes decreased and latencies increased with decreasing stimulus level, with only the sixth positive wave visible near threshold (35–40 dB peSPL). Based on observations of wave latency as a function of stimulus amplitude, the sixth positive wave of the ABR is equivalent to the clinically important “wave V” identified in studies with humans. The current results provide information on the basic electrophysiology of the pinniped auditory system, including the processes that underlie brainstem auditory steady-state responses used to measure frequency-specific hearing sensitivity.
Three-dimensional acoustic radiation force on an arbitrarily located elastic sphere
Authors: Baresch Diego , Thomas Jean-Louis , Marchiano Régis
Published: January 2013

This work aims to model the acoustic radiation forces acting on an elastic sphere placed in an inviscid fluid. An expression of the axial and transverse forces exerted on the sphere is derived. The analysis is based on the scattering of an arbitrary acoustic field expanded in the spherical coordinate system centered on the spherical scatterer. The sphere is allowed to be arbitrarily located. The special case of high order Bessel beams, acoustical vortices, are considered. These types of beams have a helicoidal wave front, i.e., a screw-type phase singularity and hence, the beam has a central dark core of zero amplitude surrounded by an intense ring. Depending on the sphere's radius, different radial equilibrium positions may exist and the sphere can be set in rotation around the beam axis by an azimuthal force. This confirms the pseudo-angular moment transfer from the beam to the sphere. Cases where the axial force is directed opposite to the direction of the beam propagation are investigated and the potential use of Bessel beams as tractor beams is demonstrated. Numerical results provide an impetus for further designing acoustical tweezers for potential applications in particle entrapment and remote controlled manipulation.
Multiplex Genome Engineering Using CRISPR/Cas Systems
Authors: Cong Le , Ran F. Ann , Cox David , Lin Shuailiang , Barretto Robert , Habib Naomi , Hsu Patrick D. , Wu Xuebing , Jiang Wenyan , Marraffini Luciano A. , Zhang Feng
Published: January 2013

Genome Editing

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) function as part of an adaptive immune system in a range of prokaryotes: Invading phage and plasmid DNA is targeted for cleavage by complementary CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs) bound to a CRISPR-associated endonuclease (see the Perspective by

van der Oost

).

Cong
et al.

(p.
819
, published online 3 January) and

Mali
et al.

(p.
823
, published online 3 January) adapted this defense system to function as a genome editing tool in eukaryotic cells.
Clinically malignant atypical glomus tumour
Authors: Binesh Fariba , Akhavan Ali , Zahir Shokouh Taghipour , Bovanlu Taghi Roshan
Published: January 2013

Glomus tumours (GTs) resemble the normal glomus body and have a predilection for skin and subcutaneous tissue. Although the majority of glomus tumours are small, benign neoplasms that occur in the dermis or subcutis of the extremities and cases of atypical or malignant variants have been reported. We report a case of a man who presented with a 1-year history of subcutaneous nodule in the right scapular area which was mildly tender. The nodule measured 2 cm. Microscopic examination showed features of glomus tumour with increased mitotic activity. These features, by current definition, would suggest glomus tumour of uncertain malignant potential. Three months later, he presented with recurrence. During his metastasis work-up, we noticed bilateral pulmonary metastasis. Metastasising GTs are rare. The patient underwent wide local excision and received chemotherapy.
The relevance of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations in the pathophysiology and treatment of GORD
Authors: Sharma Neel , Anderson Simon H C
Published: January 2013

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is associated with the passage of gastric contents into the oesophagus resulting in potential oesophageal damage and impaired quality of life. GORD is a frequently encountered problem in today's population, with 25% of people in western populations reporting such symptoms at least once a month. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the drug of choice, with surgery being employed in refractory cases. Although acid suppression is often effective, some patients remain symptomatic despite maximal PPI therapy. By delving into the mechanisms of the disease, it is clear that transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxations are a key component of its pathophysiology. Research has demonstrated various therapeutic targets for reducing the frequency of such relaxations through GABA and glutamate modulation, for instance. This review highlights such modulations and hopes to explore these mechanisms and therapeutic targets in an area that will no doubt see a change in its pharmacological management in the near future.
Choosing the best antimicrobial for the job
Authors: Nuttall Tim
Published: January 2013

Tim Nuttall discusses some factors to consider when interpreting the results of antimicrobial susceptibility tests
Investigation of three Fe–Ti oxide deposits associated with Grenvillian anorthosite massifs as potential source for lunar analogue ilmenite
Authors: Morisset Caroline-Emmanuelle , Williamson Marie-Claude , Hipkin Victoria
Published: January 2013

Terrestrial ilmenite has been assessed for its suitability in the preparation of a simulant of lunar high-Ti mare regolith, which is needed to test oxygen production on the lunar surface during future missions. Petrographic observations using optical and electron microscopes revealed that ilmenite grains in the Mirepoix, Sanford Lake, and Degrosbois Fe–Ti oxide deposits from Grenvillian anorthosite massifs contain hercynite in their rims but that hematite exsolution is absent in three of eight studied samples. Electron microprobe analyses showed that the ilmenite grains vary in TiO2 from 38.82 to 52.34 wt.%; in FeO from 33.15 to 45.88 wt.%; in Fe2O3 (calculated from stoichiometry) from 2.18 to 27.03 wt.%; in MgO from 0.05 to 2.49 wt.%; and in MnO from 0.26 to 1.51 wt.% and are thus comparable in composition to lunar ilmenite. Ilmenite, free of hematite, in two samples was homogeneous in composition (e.g., sample SL1: 50.4–51.4 wt.% TiO2). Two sub-solidus reactions occurred amongst the oxide minerals in the studied deposits: (i) exsolution of hercynite in magnetite; and (ii) reaction between the hematite component in the ilmenite and the ulvöspinel component of the magnetite, forming new ilmenite, which includes the hercynite. The reaction between the hematite component in the ilmenite and the ulvöspinel component of the magnetite, when conditions are favorable for diffusion, produces ilmenite grains that are homogenous in composition and free of hematite exsolution. Ilmenite with little or no Fe3+ may occur in massive, fine-grained, and metamorphosed Fe–Ti oxide deposits and provide a terrestrial analogue source of ilmenite useful for the production of lunar mare simulant.
ARE PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENTS STUMBLING BLOCKS?
Authors: CHEEWATRAKOOLPONG KORNKARUN
Published: January 2013

This paper studies the effect of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on multilateral trading system using a sequential bargaining game. The study considers two formats of PTAs, i.e., when the PTA tariffs are specified before the formation of PTAs and when PTA members have to negotiate PTA tariffs after the formation of PTAs. The study finds that PTAs with specified tariffs can be building blocks to multilateral liberalization while PTAs without specified tariffs are stumbling blocks. The paper also concludes that PTAs can eliminate bargaining inefficiency called forward manipulation when PTA tariffs are specified before PTA negotiation.
OPTIMAL ORDERING POLICIES WITH STOCHASTIC DEMAND AND PRICE PROCESSES
Authors: SATO KIMITOSHI , SAWAKI KATSUSHIGE
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we consider an inventory model in which a firm uses the spot market for procurement in order to accomplish the minimization of total discounted costs. The model can be formulated as impulse control problem where the demand and spot price follow diffusion stochastic processes. We explore sufficient conditions under which an optimal policy exists. Furthermore, we derive an optimal policy as an (s, S) policy where s and S are uniquely determined as a solution of simultaneous equation. Finally, we show some analytical properties of the optimal policy. Some numerical examples are also presented.
INTEGRATED DECISION ON PRICING, PROMOTION AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Authors: ZHANG JU-LIANG
Published: January 2013

Firms often utilize promotion (such as coupons, advertisements, recruitment of excellent salespeople, and leafleting etc.) and dynamic adjustment of price to manage customers as well as proper production/inventory plan to satisfy the customers to get maximal profit in a firm. The decision on promotion and pricing and the decision on production/inventory must support each other. This paper addresses coordinated decision on pricing, promotion(non-price promotion) and inventory management. Specifically, we study a single item, periodic review model. The demand function is a linear demand function in which the market scale can be affected by the promotion conducted in that period. Unsatisfied demands are fully backlogged. We characterize the structure of the optimal policy that simultaneously determines the price, the promotion and the ordering quantity to maximize the total discounted profit with finite and infinite period problems. We show that the optimal replenishment policy is the quasi base stock list price target promotion policy, i.e., there exist a critical inventory level, a list price and a target promotion such that it is optimal to order up to the critical level, charge the list price and conduct the target promotion when the initial inventory is below the critical level and order nothing, conduct a higher promotion and charge a proper price to increase the demand otherwise. We also prove that the expected demand and the optimal promotion are increasing in the inventory, and price and promotion are complementary. Then we extend the problem to the case with capacity constraint. We show that the modified quasi base stock list price target promotion policy is optimal. For the joint decision problem on pricing, promotion and inventory control with positive fixed setup cost, we show that the optimal policy is (s, S, p, e) policy. That is, there exist two critical inventory levels stand St(st≤ St), a list price ptand a target promotion etin period t such that order up to St, charge price ptand conduct promotion etwhen the initial inventory is less than stand order nothing, charge a proper price and conduct a proper promotion otherwise.
$B^0 \rightarrow {\bar D}^0 f_2(1270)$ DECAY IN QCD FACTORIZATION
Authors: SAYAHI MAHBOOBEH , MEHRABAN HOSSEIN
Published: January 2013

In this paper, the hadronic decay [Formula: see text] has been analyzed in naive and QCD factorization methods. The simplest approach to obtain the amplitude of the hadronic B decays is naive factorization, where the matrix elements have been parametrized into products of decay constant and form factors. We have calculated the factorizable amplitudes and nonfactorizable contributions corresponding to the vertex corrections and the hard spectator interactions in QCD factorization. We treat the charm quark as light, compared to the large scale provided by the mass of the decaying b quark (mc ≪mb and mc fixed as mb→∞). Our obtained branching ratio of [Formula: see text] is (1.36±0.02)×10-5 using naive factorization, which is smaller than the experimental data: (1.2±0.4)×10-4. On the other hand, by considering QCD corrections in QCDF and by treating D-meson as a light, we have obtained the value (2.57±0.01)×10-5, which has been used to decrease the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental data.
FAR INFRARED PHOTO DETECTOR BASED ON ELECTROMAGNETICALLY INDUCED TRANSPARENCY
Authors: ASADPOUR SEYYED HOSSEIN , SOLTANI AMIR , MAJD ABDULLAH ESLAMI , SOLEIMANI HAMID RAHIMPOUR
Published: January 2013

In this paper, we design a room temperature long wavelength quantum dot infrared photo detector (QDIP) by considering the principle of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a nanocrystal composed of a spherical GaAs quantum dot (QD) embedded in InAs . It is shown that the presence of long wavelength infrared (IR) signal in the medium affects on the absorption of visible optical probe (λp) in proposed photo detector. The far IR wavelength (λ FIR ) can be tuned to be 20 μm by means of external voltage and the size of QD. It is found that increasing the magnitude of far IR signal in the medium results in increase of optical probe signal absorption.
GLOBAL SYNCHRONIZATION OF MULTI-SCROLL SATURATED CHAOTIC SYSTEMS VIA SINGLE-STATE LINEAR FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: GUI ZHIFANG , WU XIAOFENG , CHEN YUN
Published: January 2013

This paper investigates the global synchronization problem of master–slave coupled multi-scroll saturated chaotic systems via single-state linear feedback control. An algebraic criterion for global synchronization is rigorously proven by means of the absolute stability theory. The obtained algebraic criterion is then optimized thereby deriving a less-conservative result, which is finally verified by numerical examples.
THE AVERAGE AVALANCHE SIZE IN THE MANNA MODEL AND OTHER MODELS OF SELF-ORGANIZED CRITICALITY
Authors: PRUESSNER GUNNAR
Published: January 2013

The average avalanche size can be calculated exactly in a number of models of self-organized criticality (SOC). While the calculation is straight-forward in one dimension, it is more involved in higher dimensions and further complicated by the presence of different boundary conditions and different forms of external driving. Amplitudes of the leading order are determined analytically and evaluated to obtain analytical references for numerical work. A subtle link exists between the procedure to calculate the average avalanche size and the field theory of SOC.
AB INITIO MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS ON LOCAL STRUCTURE AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES IN LIQUID MgxBi1-x ALLOYS
Authors: HAO QING-HAI , YOU YU-WEI , KONG XIANG-SHAN , LIU C. S.
Published: January 2013

The microscopic structure and dynamics of liquid Mg x Bi 1-x(x = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7) alloys together with pure liquid Mg and Bi metals were investigated by means of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. We present results of structure properties including pair correlation function, structural factor, bond-angle distribution function and bond order parameter, and their composition dependence. The dynamical and electronic properties have also been studied. The structure factor and pair correlation function are in agreement with the available experimental data. The calculated bond-angle distribution function and bond order parameter suggest that the stoichiometric composition Mg 3 Bi 2 exhibits a different local structure order compared with other concentrations, which help us understand the appearance of the minimum electronic conductivity at this composition observed in previous experiments.
ON THE ORIGIN OF MASS IN THE STANDARD MODEL
Authors: SUNDMAN STIG
Published: January 2013

A model is proposed in which the presently existing elementary particles are the result of an evolution proceeding from the simplest possible particle state to successively more complex states via a series of symmetry-breaking transitions. The properties of two fossil particles — the tauon and muon — together with the observed photon–baryon number ratio provide information that makes it possible to track the early development of particles. A computer simulation of the evolution reveals details about the purpose and history of all presently known elementary particles. In particular, it is concluded that the heavy Higgs particle that generates the bulk of the mass of the Z and W bosons also comes in a light version, which generates small mass contributions to the charged leptons. The predicted mass of this "flyweight" Higgs boson is 0.505 MeV /c2, 106.086 eV /c2 or 12.0007 μ eV /c2 (corresponding to a photon of frequency 2.9018 GHz) depending on whether it is associated with the tauon, muon or electron. Support for the conclusion comes from the Brookhaven muon g-2 experiment, which indicates the existence of a Higgs particle lighter than the muon.
YIELD PREDICTION TECHNIQUE USING HYBRID ADAPTIVE NEURAL GENETIC NETWORK
Authors: QADDOUM KEFAYA , HINES EVOR , ILIESCU DACIANA
Published: January 2013

The application of neural networks (NNs) to problems of prediction has become increasingly popular. This paper presents a modified hybrid adaptive neural network with revised adaptive smoothing errors, based on a genetic algorithm, and using modified adaptive relaxation to build a learning system for complex problem solving in yield prediction. This system predicts weekly yield values of a tomato crop using environmental variables measured inside the greenhouse as inputs. The proposed learning system is an intelligent computing technique and the numerical values of the neural network connection weights are modified through a training algorithm, using a modified optimization approach. The paper further presents an analysis of the convergence rate of the error in a neural network. The method is evaluated using datasets from a tomato producer, so as to test the predictive ability of the method and compare it with standard models. The results show a comparatively good level of accuracy.
U–Pb and Hf isotope data of detrital zircons from the Barberton Greenstone Belt: constraints on provenance and Archaean crustal evolution
Authors: Zeh Armin , Gerdes Axel , Heubeck Christoph
Published: January 2013

Combined U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses of detrital zircons from the Fig Tree and Moodies Groups of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa, yield similar Hf isotope compositions and age populations, thus pointing to a similar provenance. Zircon populations of Fig Tree Group greywacke and Moodies Group quartzarenite are both dominated by age clusters at 3.53, 3.47, and 3.28 Ga, and a minor cluster at 3.36 Ga. The Moodies quartzarenite sample additionally contains a younger age population at 3.23–3.19 Ga. Hafnium isotope data indicate that the source area of both sediments was affected by new crust formation from depleted mantle sources at 3.53, 3.47, and perhaps at 3.36 Ga (ϵHf
t
between −1.7 and +4.5), accompanied by partial reworking of an Eoarchaean crustal component as old as 3.75–3.95 Ga. In contrast, crustal reworking was the predominant process between 3.28 and 3.22 Ga (ϵHf
t
between −6.0 and +0.9), probably related to subduction and collision of terranes along the Inyoka Fault system. The zircon U–Pb and Hf isotope datasets favour a southern provenance for the Fig Tree and Moodies sediments, comprising granitoids in the vicinity of the southern Barberton Greenstone Belt and in Swaziland. This finding is in contrast to the sedimentary record of the Moodies Group, which mostly suggests a northern and along-strike provenance. This discrepancy may be due to reworking of sediments during extensive syn- and postorogenic strike-slip faulting and high uplift or subsidence between 3.26 and 3.19 Ga.

Supplementary material

Results of
in situ
U–Pb and Lu–Hf isotope zircon analyses are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18561
.
The full range of turbidite bed thickness patterns in submarine lobes: controls and implications
Authors: Prélat Amandine , Hodgson David M.
Published: January 2013

A widely misused criterion to interpret lobe deposits in submarine fan systems at outcrop, and in core and well logs, is a thickening and/or coarsening upward profile. Lobe deposits from the Laingsburg depocentre, SW Karoo Basin, demonstrate that a full range of bed thickness patterns exists within lobes. When lobes are defined by their laterally extensive bounding surfaces that are marked by abrupt facies changes, five types of bed stacking patterns are identified: thickening upward, thinning upward, thickening then thinning upward, thinning then thickening upward, and constant. The abrupt bounding surfaces are interpreted to record avulsion of feeder distributive channels. The stratigraphic bed thickness pattern preserved in a lobe reflects the internal organization of smaller-scale lobe elements, rather than lobe-wide initiation and progradation as implied by a thickening-upward only pattern. The full range of bed thickness patterns in lobes can be used to understand the stacking of lobe elements, the evolution of sediment deposition through time and space, and the relative movement of depocentres.
Sarcopenia and a physiologically low respiratory quotient in patients with cirrhosis: a prospective controlled study
Authors: Glass Cathy , Hipskind Peggy , Tsien Cynthia , Malin Steven K. , Kasumov Takhar , Shah Shetal N. , Kirwan John P. , Dasarathy Srinivasan
Published: January 2013

Patients with cirrhosis have increased gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation that may contribute to a low respiratory quotient (RQ), and this may be linked to sarcopenia and metabolic decompensation when these patients are hospitalized. Therefore, we conducted a prospective study to measure RQ and its impact on skeletal muscle mass, survival, and related complications in hospitalized cirrhotic patients. Fasting RQ and resting energy expenditure (REE) were determined by indirect calorimetry in cirrhotic patients ( n = 25), and age, sex, and weight-matched healthy controls ( n = 25). Abdominal muscle area was quantified by computed tomography scanning. In cirrhotic patients we also examined the impact of RQ on mortality, repeat hospitalizations, and liver transplantation. Mean RQ in patients with cirrhosis (0.63 ± 0.05) was significantly lower ( P < 0.0001) than healthy matched controls (0.84 ± 0.06). Psoas muscle area in cirrhosis (24.0 ± 6.6 cm2) was significantly ( P < 0.001) lower than in controls (35.9 ± 9.5 cm2). RQ correlated with the reduction in psoas muscle area ( r2 = 0.41; P = 0.01). However, in patients with cirrhosis a reduced RQ did not predict short-term survival or risk of developing complications. When REE was normalized to psoas area, energy expenditure was significantly higher ( P < 0.001) in patients with cirrhosis (66.7 ± 17.8 kcal/cm2) compared with controls (47.7 ± 7.9 kcal/cm2). We conclude that hospitalized patients with cirrhosis have RQs well below the traditional lowest physiological value of 0.69, and this metabolic state is accompanied by reduced skeletal muscle area. Although low RQ does not predict short-term mortality in these patients, it may reflect a decompensated metabolic state that requires careful nutritional management with appropriate consideration for preservation of skeletal muscle mass.
Critical role for free radicals on sprint exercise-induced CaMKII and AMPKα phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Morales-Alamo David , Ponce-González Jesús Gustavo , Guadalupe-Grau Amelia , Rodríguez-García Lorena , Santana Alfredo , Cusso Roser , Guerrero Mario , Dorado Cecilia , Guerra Borja , Calbet José A. L.
Published: January 2013

The extremely high energy demand elicited by sprint exercise is satisfied by an increase in O2 consumption combined with a high glycolytic rate, leading to a marked lactate accumulation, increased AMP-to-ATP ratio, and reduced NAD+/NADH.H+ and muscle pH, which are accompanied by marked Thr172 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-α phosphorylation during the recovery period by a mechanism not fully understood. To determine the role played by reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RNOS) on Thr172-AMPKα phosphorylation in response to cycling sprint exercise, nine voluntary participants performed a single 30-s sprint (Wingate test) on two occasions: one 2 h after the ingestion of placebo and another after the intake of antioxidants (α-lipoic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E) in a double-blind design. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained before, immediately postsprint, and 30 and 120 min postsprint. Performance and muscle metabolism were similar during both sprints. The NAD+-to-NADH.H+ ratio was similarly reduced (84%) and the AMP-to-ATP ratio was similarly increased (×21-fold) immediately after the sprints. Thr286 Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and Thr172-AMPKα phosphorylations were increased after the control sprint (with placebo) but not when the sprints were preceded by the ingestion of antioxidants. Ser485-AMPKα1/Ser491-AMPKα2 phosphorylation, a known inhibitory mechanism of Thr172-AMPKα phosphorylation, was increased only with antioxidant ingestion. In conclusion, RNOS play a crucial role in AMPK-mediated signaling after sprint exercise in human skeletal muscle. Antioxidant ingestion 2 h before sprint exercise abrogates the Thr172-AMPKα phosphorylation response observed after the ingestion of placebo by reducing CaMKII and increasing Ser485-AMPKα1/Ser491-AMPKα2 phosphorylation. Sprint performance, muscle metabolism, and AMP-to-ATP and NAD+-to-NADH.H+ ratios are not affected by the acute ingestion of antioxidants.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges of a Large Pleural Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor
Authors: Loeffler-Ragg Judith , Bodner Johannes , Freund Martin , Steurer Michael , Uprimny Christian , Zelger Bettina , Kähler Christian M.
Published: December 2012

We report a 48-year-old woman with a pleural pseudoneoplasm requiring different diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. After initial presentation with increasing dyspnoea, temperature, dry cough, and interscapular pain diagnostic processing showed a large mediastinal mass with marked pleural effusion and high metabolic activity in the 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Extensive CT-guided biopsy of the tumor reaching from the visceral pleura into the right upper lobe revealed no malignancy, but a marked inflammatory tissue reaction containing foam cells. Initial empiric antibiotic therapy was temporarily successful. However, in the further course the mass relapsed and was resistant to antibiotics and a corticosteroid trial. With the working hypothesis of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor the patient underwent surgical tumor resection, finally confirming the suspected diagnosis. Due to residual disease intravenous immunoglobulins were administered leading to sustained response. This case with a pleural localisation of a large inflammatory pseudotumor with responsiveness to immunomodulation after incomplete resection extends the reported spectrum of thoracopulmonary manifestations of this rare entity.
Best Proximity Point Results for MK‐Proximal Contractions
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Karapınar Erdal , Samet Bessem
Published: December 2012

Let A and B be nonempty subsets of a metric space with the distance function d, and
T : A → B is a given non‐self‐mapping. The purpose of this paper is to solve the nonlinear
programming problem that consists in minimizing the real‐valued function x ↦ d(x, Tx),
where T belongs to a new class of contractive mappings. We provide also an iterative algorithm
to find a solution of such optimization problems.
Use of Medicines with Unknown Fetal Risk among Parturient Women from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort (Brazil)
Authors: Bertoldi Andréa Dâmaso , Dal Pizzol Tatiane da Silva , Camargo Aline Lins , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Matijasevich Alicia , Santos Iná S.
Published: December 2012

Background. To estimate the exposure to medicines with unknown fetal risk during pregnancy and to analyze the maternal characteristics associated with it.Methods. A questionnaire was administered to 4,189 mothers of children belonging to the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study about use of any medicine during gestation. We evaluated the associations between use of medicines with unknown fetal risk and the independent variables through logistic regression models. Unknown fetal risk was defined as medicines in which studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the fetus, and no controlled studies in women, or studies in women and animals, are available.Results. Out of the 4,189 women, 52.5% used at least one medicine from unknown fetal risk. Use of these medicines was associated with white skin color, high schooling, high income, six or more antenatal care consultations, hospital admission during pregnancy, and morbidity during gestation.Conclusion. The use of unknown fetal risk medicines is high, suggesting that their use must be addressed with caution with the aim of restricting their use to cases in which the benefits are greater than the potential risks.