bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Pressure on the Bending Characteristics of an Actuator System
Authors: Seide Paul
Published: October 2011

The effect of internal or external pressure on the bending of a cantilevered bellows, the movable end of which is permitted only to rotate about a fixed point on the longitudinal axis of the beam, is investigated. It is found that the bending characteristics of the system vary considerably with changes in pressure and pivot-point location and that instability of the system may occur. The experimental results given lend to confirm the behavior predicted by the theory.
Buckling of Circular Cones Under Axial Compression
Authors: Lackman Leslie , Penzien Joseph
Published: October 2011

Presented are the results of an experimental investigation to determine the buckling strength of right circular cones under axial compression. Correlation of these data is made with existing theory and with previously published experimental data on circular cylinders; thus a recommended procedure for predicting the buckling load of right circular cones under the foregoing loading condition is presented.
Thermoelastic Stresses in Beams
Authors: Barrekette E. S.
Published: October 2011

The behavior of elastic, free beams of arbitrary constant cross section under an arbitrary temperature distribution is investigated. An analytical method of successive approximations for the solution of linear partial differential equations is applied to the solution for thermoelastic stresses in such beams. The stresses are obtained in terms of series, the nth terms of which are of the form βnℒn(∂nT/∂nx) where β is the ratio of the maximum linear dimension of the cross section to the length of the beam, T is the temperature, x is the ratio of the axial co-ordinate to the length of the beam, and ℒn is a homogeneous linear integral differential operator in y and z only. When Poisson’s ratio is zero, the first term of the series for the normal axial stress is identical with the solution based on a strength-of-materials analysis, and the first term of the series for the axial displacement leaves plane sections plane. The leading terms of the series provide good approximations when the temperature can be expanded in a rapidly convergent power series and in long bars (β ≪ 1). The case of beams of constant circular cross section under temperatures varying only with the axial co-ordinate is examined and a numerical example is presented.
Expansion of Thick-Walled Cylinders Fabricated From Cold Bent Plates
Authors: Berman Irwin
Published: October 2011

The problem of the elastic-plastic expansion by internal pressure of thick-walled cylinders that were fabricated by cold bending initially flat plate is analyzed by the use of the principal shear theory of piecewise linear plasticity. The strain-hardening material may have been initially anisotropic and may have developed inhomogeneity and further anisotropy due to the cold bending. The numerical example which is then solved shows that, even for materials which have similar initial yield properties before bending, there are substantial differences in terms of the pressure at which initial yielding occurs in the cylinder and in terms of subsequent cylinder behavior. Those differences in cylinder behavior occur because the materials which are compared have yield surfaces which behave differently when the material is plastically strained.
Dispersion of Flexural Waves in an Elastic, Circular Cylinder
Authors: Pao Yih-Hsing , Mindlin R. D.
Published: October 2011

In this paper it is shown how the branches of Pochhammer’s frequency equation for flexural waves in a circular cylinder may be constructed approximately with the aid of a grid of simpler curves and asymptotic equations for long and short wave lengths. With very little computation, in comparison with that required in the direct determination of the roots of Pochhammer’s equation, a qualitative view is obtained of the relations between frequency, phase velocity, group velocity, and propagation constant, for any branch, as well as some information as to the shapes of the modes.
Forced Lateral Vibration of a Uniform Cantilever Beam With Internal and External Damping
Authors: Lee Ho Chong
Published: October 2011

The steady-state response problem of a uniform beam with a sinusoidal shaking force at the base is studied for the case where the beam material is the general linear substance represented by a model having an additional spring element in parallel with the Maxwell elements. In the analysis, the stress-strain relationship is applied only to the longitudinal strain of the beam, leaving the shear stress-strain relation to be that of a perfectly elastic material. The exact solution with a numerical example is given for one case where the shear and rotatory inertia effects are neglected. This result is compared with the solution obtained by a tabular method. The results of both methods are in excellent agreement.
Random Excitation of a Loaded Nonlinear String
Authors: Caughey T. K.
Published: October 2011

This paper is devoted to the study of a chain of particles connected by a massless elastic string subjected to random excitation. It is shown that, as a result of the additional stress induced by the stretching of the string, the mean squared deflection of every particle is reduced compared with that for the equivalent linear problem.
On the Use of Nonsinusoidal Approximating Functions for Nonlinear Oscillation Problems
Authors: Klotter K. , Cobb P. R.
Published: October 2011

When treating nonlinear oscillation problems by the Ritz-Galerkin method the approximating function is conventionally chosen as a sinusoid or a polynomial of sinusoids with their amplitudes as the open parameters. In this paper the advantages are pointed out that may be gained from choosing a nonsinusoidal approximating function that contains additional parameters related to the shape of the function.
A Note on the Hydrodynamic Pocket Bearing
Authors: Kettleborough C. F.
Published: October 2011

Using relaxation methods, accurate solutions are presented for the hydrodynamic pocket bearing. These are compared with an approximate solution. It is found that the latter gives quite accurate results with a considerable decrease in time and effort.
Heat Transfer and Sublimation at a Stagnation Point in Potential Flow
Authors: Short W. W.
Published: October 2011

A simple analytical expression is derived which predicts the effect of mass transfer on countercurrent heat transfer to a vaporizing body. In this theory, the fluid stream is assumed to be inviscid and of constant thermal conductivity. The inviscid theory correlates well with heat-transfer data without mass transfer and is believed to predict heat-transfer rates fairly accurately at high mass-transfer rates.
Free Vibration of Continuous Skin-Stringer Panels
Authors: Lin Y. K.
Published: October 2011

The determination of the natural frequencies and normal modes of vibration for continuous panels, representing more or less typical fuselage skin-panel construction for modern airplanes, is discussed in this paper. The time-dependent boundary conditions at the supporting stringers are considered. A numerical example is presented, and analytical results for a particular structural configuration agree favorably with available experimental measurements.
On a Class of Nonlinear Axisymmetric Plate Problems
Authors: Essenburg F.
Published: October 2011

The validity of the classical treatment of problems involving axisymmetric plates, partially constrained from deflection by the presence of a smooth, rigid, plane surface, is re-examined, and both the practical and conceptual advantages of carrying the analysis within the scope of the E. Reissner plate theory are illustrated by means of an example.
Stress Distributions Analyzed in Bispherical Co-Ordinates
Authors: Mitchell T. P. , Weese J. A.
Published: October 2011

Boussinesq-Papkovich potentials are used in conjunction with the bispherical co-ordinate system to analyze three problems in the classical theory of linear elasticity: (a) The extension of the Boussinesq point-load problem to that in which the half-space contains a spherical cavity; (b) the determination of the stress distribution in an eccentric spherical shell under uniform internal pressure; (c) the determination of the stress distribution in a half-space containing a uniformly pressurized spherical cavity. Numerical results are presented for representative configurations and load distributions in each case.
Effect of Functionally Graded Materials on Resonances of Bending Shafts Under Time-Dependent Axial Loading
Authors: Mazzei Arnaldo J. , Scott Richard A.
Published: October 2011

The effect of functionally graded materials (FGMs) on resonances of bending shafts under time-dependent axial loading is investigated. The axial load is taken to be a sinusoidal function of time and the shaft is modeled via an Euler–Bernoulli beam approach (pin-pin boundary conditions). The axial load enters the formulation via a “buckling load type” approach. For generality, two distinct particulate models for the FGM are considered, namely, one involving power law variations and another based on a volume fraction approach, for both Young’s modulus and material density. The spatial dependence in the partial differential equation of motion is suppressed by utilizing Galerkin’s method with homogeneous beam mode shapes. To check the accuracy of this approximation, numerical solutions for the boundary value problem represented by the original partial differential equation are obtained using MAPLE®’s PDE solver. Good agreement (within 5%) was found between the PDE results and the one-mode approximation. The approximation leads to ordinary differential equations that have time-dependent coefficients and are prone to parametric and forced motions instabilities. Hill’s infinite determinant approach is used to study stability. The main focus is on the primary parametric resonance. It was found that in most cases the FGM shafts increase the parametric resonance frequencies substantially, while decreasing the zone thicknesses, both desirable trends. For instance, for an axial load about one-third of the buckling value, an aluminum/silicon carbide shaft, when compared to a pure aluminum shaft, increases the primary parametric resonance by 21% and decreases instabilities by 23%. For one model of FGM, the sensitivity of the results to volume fraction variations is examined and it was found that increasing the volume fraction is not uniformly beneficial. Results for other parametric zones are also presented. Forced resonances are also briefly treated.
A Deterministic Mixed Lubrication Model for Mechanical Seals
Authors: Minet Christophe , Brunetière Noël , Tournerie Bernard
Published: October 2011

Mechanical seals are commonly used in industrial applications. The main purpose of these components is to ensure the sealing of rotating shafts. Their optimal point of operation is obtained at the boundary between the mixed and hydrodynamic lubrication regimes. However, papers focused on this particular aspect in face seals are rather scarce compared with those dealing with other popular sealing devices. The present study thus proposes a numerical flow model of mixed lubrication in mechanical face seals. It achieves this by evaluating the influence of roughness on the performance of the seal. The choice of a deterministic approach has been made, this being justified by a review of the literature. A numerical model for the generation of random rough surfaces has been used prior to the flow model in order to give an accurate description of the surface roughness. The model takes cavitation effects into account and considers Hertzian asperity contact. Results for the model, including Stribeck curves, are presented as a function of the duty parameter.
Going Viral
Authors: Skelly Christopher
Published: October 2011

Human cytomegalovirus may potentially cause, and thus be targeted to treat, some medulloblastomas.
Complete Genome Sequence of Haloarcula hispanica, a Model Haloarchaeon for Studying Genetics, Metabolism, and Virus-Host Interaction
Authors: Liu Hailong , Wu Zhenfang , Li Ming , Zhang Fan , Zheng Huajun , Han Jing , Liu Jingfang , Zhou Jian , Wang Shengyue , Xiang Hua
Published: October 2011

Haloarcula hispanica
is an extremely halophilic archaeon that has an unusually low restriction barrier and is therefore significant for studying archaeal genetics, metabolism, and virus-host interactions. Here we report the complete genome sequence (3,890,005 bp) of
H. hispanica
strain CGMCC 1.2049, consisting of two chromosomes and one megaplasmid.
Genome Sequence of the Tobacco Bacterial Wilt Pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Li Zefeng , Wu Sanling , Bai Xuefei , Liu Yun , Lu Jianfei , Liu Yong , Xiao Bingguang , Lu Xiuping , Fan Longjiang
Published: October 2011

Ralstonia solanacearum
is a causal agent of plant bacterial wilt with thousands of distinct strains in a heterogeneous species complex. Here we report the genome sequence of a phylotype IB strain, Y45, isolated from tobacco (
Nicotiana tabacum
) in China. Compared with the published genomes of eight strains which were isolated from other hosts and habitats, 794 specific genes and many rearrangements/inversion events were identified in the tobacco strain, demonstrating that this strain represents an important node within the
R. solanacearum
complex.
First Draft Genome Sequence of a Strain from the Genus Citricoccus
Authors: Hayano-Kanashiro Corina , López-Arredondo Damar Lizbeth , Cruz-Morales Pablo , Alcaraz Luis-David , Olmedo Gabriela , Barona-Gómez Francisco , Herrera-Estrella Luis
Published: October 2011

Bacteria of the genus
Citricoccus
have been isolated from ecological niches characterized by diverse abiotic stress conditions. Here we report the first genome draft of a strain of the genus
Citricoccus
isolated from the extremely oligotrophic Churince system in the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin (CCB) in Coahuila, Mexico.
Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma putrefaciens Type Strain KS1
Authors: Calcutt Michael J. , Foecking Mark F.
Published: October 2011

Mycoplasma putrefaciens
is a causative agent of contagious agalactia in goats. Reported herein is the complete genome sequence of the
M. putrefaciens
type strain KS1.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Pseudomonas stutzeri CGMCC 1.1803
Authors: Chen Ming , Yan Yongliang , Zhang Wei , Lu Wei , Wang Jin , Ping Shuzhen , Lin Min
Published: October 2011

Here we report the complete genome sequence of
Pseudomonas stutzeri
strain CGMCC 1.1803 (equivalent to ATCC 17588), the type strain of
P. stutzeri
, which encodes 4,138 open reading frames on a 4,547,930-bp circular chromosome. The CGMCC 1.1803 genome contains genes involved in denitrification, benzoate/catechol degradation, chemotaxis, and other functions.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae Isolate IS7493
Authors: Shahinas Dea , Tamber Gurdeep Singh , Arya Gitanjali , Wong Andrew , Lau Rachel , Jamieson Frances , Ma Jennifer H. , Alexander David C. , Low Donald E. , Pillai Dylan R.
Published: October 2011

Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae
is a member of the viridans group streptococci (VGS) whose pathogenic significance is unclear. We announce the complete genome sequence of
S. pseudopneumoniae
IS7493. The genome sequence will assist in the characterization of this new organism and facilitate the development of accurate diagnostic assays to distinguish it from
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
Streptococcus mitis.
A catalogue of late Cenozoic tephra beds in the Klondike goldfields and adjacent areas, Yukon Territory1Yukon Geological Survey Contribution 010.
Authors: Preece S.J. , Westgate J.A. , Froese D.G. , Pearce N.J.G. , Perkins W.T.
Published: October 2011

Many distal tephra beds exist in the late Cenozoic sediments of the Klondike goldfields and nearby areas. They come from volcanoes in the Wrangell volcanic field and the eastern Aleutian arc and represent large-magnitude eruptions. During the course of our tephrochronological studies in this region over the last 40 years, we have discovered 196 tephra occurrences and 50 distinctive tephra beds. The location of these sites and the distinguishing features of each of these tephra beds are presented in the form of a catalogue, which we hope will provide a stimulus for present and future tephrochronological studies in the Yukon Territory. These data are presented as a series of tables, as follows: location, stratigraphic context, petrography, geochemical characteristics, including major- and trace-element composition of glass shards, major-element composition of Fe–Ti oxides, classification, and age determinations. A new classification scheme is presented in which the rhyolitic and dacitic tephra beds are grouped into three classes: adakite, transitional, and typical arc.
CHARGE FLUCTUATIONS IN SOLITON–ANTISOLITON SYSTEMS WITHOUT CONJUGATION SYMMETRY
Authors: AMARAL R. L. P. G. , LEMES V. E. R. , VENTURA O. S.
Published: October 2011

We analyze the fluctuations of charge of the (1+1)-dimensional Dirac's fermion with charge conjugation breaking. This is done taking the separation between background soliton and antisoliton going to infinity.
NOTES ON SHARP MOVES FOR KNOTS
Authors: NAKAMURA TAKUJI , NAKANISHI YASUTAKA
Published: October 2011

A sharp move is a local move introduced by Murakami. In this note, we will introduce local moves generated by a single sharp move. We give an infinite family of composite knots with sharp unknotting number one. We study Conway polynomials of knots with sharp unknotting number one.
THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL UNCERTAINTY DIMENSIONS ON ORGANISATIONAL INNOVATIVENESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON SMEs
Authors: UZKURT CEVAHIR , KUMAR RACHNA , KIMZAN HALIL SEMIH , SERT HANIFE
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of factors of environmental uncertainty on the innovativeness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Innovativeness is widely accepted as an important characteristic for firm competitiveness and it has been studied by both researchers as well as business managers. Environmental uncertainty is a measure of the complexity of changing external forces faced by an organisation and it crucially impacts the responses of organisations in order to stay competitive. Based on approaches in existing literature, this study conceptualises environmental uncertainty comprised three separate dimensions — competitive intensity, market/demand turbulence, technological turbulence. Data for the study were collected from 156 SMEs in Turkey. SMEs are regarded as an important ingredient in the economic growth of nations and especially so in developing nations such as Turkey. The findings of the study reveal that market/demand turbulence and technological turbulence have a positive effect on the innovativeness of SMEs. Interestingly and contrary to popular belief, competitive intensity was not found to have significant effect on an SME's innovativeness. The implication of the results from this research is that the degree of organisational innovativeness for SMEs tends to increase and therefore should be supported in environments with greater technological and market/demand turbulence. This research makes an important contribution to the developing body of innovation literature and provides directions for managers and researchers in influencing innovativeness of firms.
BUILDING TRUST IN RESEARCH-BASED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATION
Authors: TUUNAINEN JUHA , MIETTINEN REIJO
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this paper is to enhance understanding of the development of trust during commercial product development collaboration. It elaborates on a performance-based conception of trust by analyzing the history of cooperation between two biotechnology firms. The means and mechanisms of trust formation in the different phases of this collaboration relationship are examined. The paper concludes that secrecy, collaborative and licensing contracts were necessary precautionary measures needed by the firms to move from one phase of collaboration to another. They contributed to the formation of intentional trust between the companies but had no role in creating competence trust between them. In contrast to this, actions directly related to product development work and marketing, such as training courses, feedback from clients, parallel testing, performing the agreed duties and keeping schedules, played a key role in the formation of competence trust.
IMPROVED TABU SEARCH RECURSIVE FUZZY METHOD FOR CRUDE OIL INDUSTRY
Authors: VASANT P. , GANESAN T. , ELAMVAZUTHI I.
Published: October 2011

The minimization of the profit function with respect to the decision variables is very important for the decision makers in the oil field industry. In this paper, a novel approach of the improved tabu search algorithm has been employed to solve a large scale problem in the crude oil refinery industry. This problem involves 44 variables, 36 constraints, and four decision variables which represent four types of crude oil types. The decision variables have been modeled in the form of fuzzy linear programming problem. The vagueness factor in the decision variables is captured by the nonlinear modified S-curve membership function. A recursive improved tabu search has been used to solve this fuzzy optimization problem. Tremendously improved results are obtained for the optimal profit function and optimal solution for four crude oil. The accuracy of constraints satisfaction and the quality of the solutions are achieved successfully.
Corrosion Behavior of Passivated 316LSS with Ag Coating as PEMFC Bipolar Plate
Authors: Huang Naibao , Liang Chenghao , Wang Hongtao , Xu Lishuang , Xu Hongfeng
Published: October 2011

A new chemical passivation technique, which contained 20 g/L hydrogen peroxide, 3.75 g/L sodium silicate, 1.25 g/L sodium carbonate, 3.75 g/L lactic acid and 0.75 g/L 8-hydroxyquinoline, was used to modify 316 stainless steel with Ag coating (Ag-coated 316SS) as PEMFC bipolar plates. The results indicated that the compact passive film had been obtained on the surface of Ag-coated 316SS. The passivation process could not only increase contact angle (from58∘to104∘) but also decreased pinhole defects of Ag-coated 316SS. Electrochemical test manifested that the passivation process could reduce Ag-coated 316SS's double layer capacitance (Cd), and increase its charge transfer resistance. So, it provided significant protection against corrosion for Ag-coated 316SS in PEMFC environment.
A Limit Theorem for Random Products of Trimmed Sums of i.i.d. Random Variables
Authors: Zheng Fa-mei
Published: October 2011

Let {X, Xi;  i ≥ 1} be a sequence of independent and identically distributed positive random variables with a continuous distribution function F, and F has a medium tail. Denote and , where Mn = max 1≤i≤nXi, , and a > 0 is a fixed constant. Under some suitable conditions, we show that , as n → ∞, where Tk(a) = Sk − Sk(a) is the trimmed sum and {W(t); t ≥ 0} is a standard Wiener process.
A Fully Nonlinear, Dynamically Consistent Numerical Model for Ship Maneuvering in a Seaway
Authors: Lin Ray-Qing , Kuang Weijia
Published: October 2011

This is the continuation of our research on development of a fully nonlinear, dynamically consistent, numerical ship motion model (DiSSEL). In this paper we report our results on modeling ship maneuvering in arbitrary seaway that is one of the most challenging and important problems in seakeeping. In our modeling, we developed an adaptive algorithm to maintain dynamical balances numerically as the encounter frequencies (the wave frequencies as measured on the ship) varying with the ship maneuvering state. The key of this new algorithm is to evaluate the encounter frequency variation differently in the physical domain and in the frequency domain, thus effectively eliminating possible numerical dynamical imbalances. We have tested this algorithm with several well‐documented maneuvering experiments, and our results agree very well with experimental data. In particular, the numerical time series of roll and pitch motions and the numerical ship tracks (i.e., surge, sway, and yaw) are nearly identical to those of experiments.
Surface Modification Effects on CNTs Adsorption of Methylene Blue and Phenol
Authors: Norzilah A. H. , Fakhru'l-Razi A. , Choong Thomas S. Y. , Chuah A. Luqman
Published: October 2011

This study compares the adsorption capacity of modified CNTs using acid and heat treatment. The CNTs were synthesized from acetone and ethanol as carbon sources, using floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) method. energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Boehm method revealed the existence of oxygen functional group on the surface of CNTs. Heat modification increases the adsorption capacity of as-synthesized CNTs for methylene blue (MB) and phenol by approximately 76% and 50%, respectively. However, acid modification decreases the adsorption capacity. The equilibrium adsorption data fitted the Redlich-Peterson isotherm. For the adsorption kinetic study, the experimental data obeyed the pseudo-second-order model. Both modifications methods reduced the surface area and pore volume. The studies show that the adsorption of MB and phenol onto modified CNTs is much more influenced by their surface functional group than their surface area and pore volume.
Novel Approach for the Synthesis of Nanocrystalline Anatase Titania and Their Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Srinivasu Pavuluri , Singh Surya Prakash , Islam Ashraful , Han Liyuan
Published: October 2011

High surface area titania with crystalline anatase walls has been synthesized using ordered large mesoporous carbon as a template. The pore structure of mesoporous carbon is infiltrated with titanium tetraisopropoxide solution at room temperature and the mixture is subjected to heat treatment at in presence of air to complete removal of the template. The prepared crystalline anatase frameworks are characterized by XRD, N2adsorption and HR-TEM. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis of the prepared anatase titania particles exhibits BET specific surface area of 28 m2/g. The dye-sensitized solar cells performance of this anatase titania material has been tested and energy conversion efficiency of 3.0% is achieved under AM 1.5 sunlight. This work reports a new approach for fabrication of nanocrystalline anatase titania by simple hard templating technique for the first time and their applications for dye-sensitized solar cell.
An Operator‐Difference Method for Telegraph Equations Arising in Transmission Lines
Authors: Koksal Mehmet Emir
Published: October 2011

A second‐order linear hyperbolic equation with time‐derivative term subject
to appropriate initial and Dirichlet boundary conditions is considered. Second‐order unconditionally
absolutely stable difference scheme in (Ashyralyev et al. 2011) generated by integer powers of space
operator is modified for the equation. This difference scheme is unconditionally absolutely
stable. Stability estimates for the solution of the difference scheme are presented. Various
numerical examples are tested for showing the usefulness of the difference scheme. Numerical
solutions of the examples are provided using modified unconditionally absolutely
stable second‐order operator‐difference scheme. Finally, the obtained results are discussed
by comparing with other existing numerical solutions. The modified difference scheme is
applied to analyze a real engineering problem related with a lossy power transmission line.
A Case of Resistance to Thyroid Hormone with Chronic Thyroiditis: Discovery of a Novel Mutation (I54V)
Authors: Kammoun I. , Bouzid C. , Kandara H. , Ben Salem L. , Turki Z. , Ben Slama C.
Published: October 2011

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a rare disorder characterized by variable tissue hyporesponsiveness to thyroid hormone, usually caused by mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ). It has been reported that the serum of patients with RTH is free of auto-antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO), except in rare cases where coincidental autoimmune thyroiditis is also present. We describe a 13-year-old girl with chronic thyroiditis and RTH. This patient had increased plasma free T3, free T4 at the upper limits with unsuppressed TSH. She had peripheral manifestations of thyroid hormone excess, hypertension and growth acceleration. Anti-TPO antibodies were positive. Sequence analysis of the TRβgene was performed and revealed a novel mutation I54V in exon 4. The same mutation was also found in the mother and two asymptomatic sisters. The clinical presentation of our patient is not habitual in RTH because growth retardation is frequently reported in this syndrome. The association between RTH and thyroiditis complicate the management of the hypothyroidism.
Soft Topographic Maps for Clustering and Classifying Bacteria Using Housekeeping Genes
Authors: La Rosa Massimo , Rizzo Riccardo , Urso Alfonso
Published: October 2011

The Self‐Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm is widely used for building topographic maps of data represented in a vectorial space, but it does not operate with dissimilarity data. Soft Topographic Map (STM) algorithm is an extension of SOM to arbitrary distance measures, and it creates a map using a set of units, organized in a rectangular lattice, defining data neighbourhood relationships. In the last years,
a new standard for identifying bacteria using genotypic information began to be developed. In this new approach, phylogenetic relationships of bacteria could be determined by comparing a stable part of the bacteria genetic code, the so‐called “housekeeping genes.” The goal of this work is to build a topographic representation of bacteria clusters, by means of self‐organizing maps, starting from genotypic features regarding housekeeping genes.
Dielectric Properties of 0.95 ( )-0.05 Composites
Authors: Rani Rekha , Kumar Parveen , Juneja J. K. , Raina K. K. , Prakash Chandra
Published: October 2011

We report studies on dielectric properties of magnetoelectric composites of La-substituted lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) and zinc-doped nickel ferrite (NZF) with compositional formula 0.95 Pb1-3x/2LaxZr0.65Ti0.35O3-0.05 Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4(, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03). The materials were synthesized by conventional solid state reaction route. The presence of individual phases (PLZT and NZF) was confirmed by using X-ray diffraction technique. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of temperature and frequency. Significant improvement was observed in dielectric properties with addition of La.
A Sharp Double Inequality between Harmonic and Identric Means
Authors: Chu Yu-Ming , Wang Miao-Kun , Wang Zi-Kui
Published: October 2011

We find the greatest value p and the least value q in (0,1/2) such that the double inequality H(pa + (1 − p)b, pb + (1 − p)a) < I(a, b) < H(qa + (1 − q)b, qb + (1 − q)a) holds for all a, b > 0 with a ≠ b. Here, H(a, b), and I(a, b) denote the harmonic and identric means of two positive numbers a and b, respectively.
Novel Jumbo Biopsy Forceps for Surveillance of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Comparative Retrospective Assessment
Authors: Song Kenneth , Toweill Daniel , Rulyak Stephen J. , Lee Scott D.
Published: October 2011

Background and Study Aims. Most available jumbo cup forceps require a 3.7 mm biopsy channel, necessitating the use of standard-sized colonoscope. A newer jumbo forceps (Radial Jaw 4 Jumbo Biopsy Forceps [RJ4]) fits within a 3.2 mm biopsy channel, allowing use with a pediatric colonoscope. To assure the RJ4 did not alter biopsy adequacy, we compared the size and quality of specimens to a historical jumbo cup forceps (Radial Jaw 3 Max Capacity Biopsy Forceps, [RJ3 MC]).Patients and Methods. A retrospective comparative study of biopsies taken with either forceps. Biopsies were compared for diameter, depth, crush artifact, and acceptability for diagnosis.Results. 333 specimens were taken with RJ4 and 335 specimens with the RJ3 MC. Mean sample diameter was 4.45 mm and 4.55 mm for the RJ4 and RJ3 MC (). Mean depth of biopsies with the RJ4 was greater ().Conclusions. Biopsies from the RJ4 are similar in size and quality to biopsies from the RJ3 MC. The RJ4 has the advantage of fitting in a smaller biopsy channel.
Autoradiographic Mapping of5-HT1B/1DBinding Sites in the Rhesus Monkey Brain Using [carbonyl-11C]zolmitriptan
Authors: Lindhe Örjan , Almqvist Per , Kågedal Matts , Gustafsson Sven-Åke , Bergström Mats , Nilsson Dag , Antoni Gunnar
Published: October 2011

Zolmitriptan is a serotonin5-HT1B/1Dreceptor agonist that is an effective and well-tolerated drug for migraine treatment. In a human positron emission tomography study, [11C]zolmitriptan crossed the blood-brain barrier but no clear pattern of regional uptake was discernable. The objective of this study was to map the binding of [11C]zolmitriptan in Rhesus monkey brain using whole hemispherein vitroautoradiography with [11C]zolmitriptan as a radioligand. In saturation studies, [11C]zolmitriptan showed specific (90%) binding to a population of high-affinity binding sites (Kd 0.95–5.06 nM). There was regional distribution of binding sites with the highest density in the ventral pallidum, followed by the external globus pallidus, substantia nigra, visual cortex, and nucleus accumbens. In competitive binding studies with 5-HT1receptor antagonists, [11C]zolmitriptan binding was blocked by selective 5-HT1Band 5-HT1Dligands in all target areas. There was no appreciable change in binding with the addition of a 5-HT1Areceptor antagonist.
A New Method to Calculate the Pure Component Parameters of Any Two‐Parameter Equation of State
Authors: Aljundi Isam H.
Published: October 2011

Reliable equations of state are very important in the design of refrigeration cycles, since thermodynamic properties can be calculated by simple differentiation. In this paper, a new method to calculate the parameters of any two‐parameter equation of state is presented. The method is based on the use of Clapeyron equation and the experimental PVT data. This method was tested on a newly developed cubic equation of state and proved to be simple and fast. Results showed orders of magnitude enhancement in prediction of the saturated vapor pressure even near the critical region. The Percent Absolute Average Deviation (%AAD) was always less than 0.1 in the studied cases. It also showed that the parameters calculated using the original equation deviate strongly from the “experimental” values as the temperature decreases below the critical point. This method can be used to redefine the temperature dependences of these parameters and develop new mixing rules for the mixtures.
Integral‐Type Operators from Bloch‐Type Spaces to QK Spaces
Authors: Stević Stevo , Sharma Ajay K.
Published: October 2011

The boundedness and compactness of the integral‐type operator where n ∈ ℕ0, φ is a holomorphic self‐map of the unit disk 𝔻, and g is a holomorphic function on 𝔻, from α‐Bloch spaces to QK spaces are characterized.
Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Kawashita Yumiko , Kitamura Masayasu , Saito Toshiyuki
Published: October 2011

Dental caries is one of the most common childhood diseases, and people continue to be susceptible to it throughout their lives. Although dental caries can be arrested and potentially even reversed in its early stages, it is often not self-limiting and progresses without proper care until the tooth is destroyed. Early childhood caries (ECC) is often complicated by inappropriate feeding practices and heavy infection with mutans streptococci. Such children should be targeted with a professional preventive program that includes oral hygiene instructions for mothers or caregivers, along with fluoride and diet counseling. However, these strategies alone are not sufficient to prevent dental caries in high-risk children; prevention of ECC also requires addressing the socioeconomic factors that face many families in which ECC is endemic. The aim of this paper is to systematically review information about ECC and to describe why many children are suffering from dental caries.
Experimental Pharmacology of Glucosamine Sulfate
Authors: Chiusaroli Riccardo , Piepoli Tiziana , Zanelli Tiziano , Ballanti Paola , Lanza Marco , Rovati Lucio C. , Caselli Gianfranco
Published: October 2011

Several clinical studies demonstrated that glucosamine sulfate (GS) is effective in controlling osteoarthritis (OA), showing a structure-modifying action. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism(s) by which GS exerts such action and about the effects of GS at a tissue level on osteoarthritic cartilage and other joint structures. Here we provide mechanistic evidence suggesting that in vitro GS attenuates NF-κB activation at concentrations in the range of those observed after GS administration to volunteers and patients, thus strengthening previous findings. Furthermore, we describe the effects of GS at a tissue level on the progression of the disease in a relevant model of spontaneous OA, the STR/ort mouse. In this model, the administration of GS at human corresponding doses was associated with a significant decrease of OA scores. Histomorphometry showed that the lesion surface was also significantly decreased, while the number of viable chondrocytes within the matrix was significantly increased. GS improved the course of OA in the STR/Ort mouse, by delaying cartilage breakdown as assessed histologically and histomorphometrically.
Exercise Protects Bone after Stroke, or Does It? A Narrative Review of the Evidence
Authors: Borschmann Karen
Published: October 2011

Physical inactivity contributes to accelerated bone loss after stroke, leading to heightened fracture risk, increased mortality, and reduced independence. This paper sought to summarise the evidence for the use of physical activity to protect bone in healthy adults and adults with stroke, and to identify international recommendations regarding any means of bone protection after stroke, in order to guide rehabilitation practice and future research. A search was undertaken, which identified 12 systematic reviews of controlled trials which investigated the effect of physical activity on bone outcomes in adults. Nine reviews included healthy adults and three included adults with stroke. Twenty-five current international stroke management guidelines were identified. High-impact loading exercise appears to have a site-specific effect on the microarchitecture of healthy postmenopausal women, and physical activity has a small effect on enhancing or maintaining bone mineral density in chronic stroke patients. It is not known whether this translates to reduce fracture risk. Most guidelines included recommendations for early mobilisation after stroke and falls prevention. Two recommendations were identified which advocated exercise for the prevention bone loss after stroke, but supporting evidence was limited. Research is required to determine whether targeted physical activity can protect bone from early after stroke, and whether this can reduce fracture risk.
A Pediatric Food Allergy Support Group Can Improve Parent and Physician Communication: Results of a Parent Survey
Authors: Sharma Ashika , Prematta Tracy , Fausnight Tracy
Published: October 2011

Rationale. We sought to evaluate the impact of having an allergist at a food allergy support group (FASG) on the relationship between parents and their child's allergist. Methods. Ninety-eight online surveys were sent to parents who attend a FASG affiliated with our institution. Responses were analyzed looking for reasons for attending the support group and comfort with having an allergist present at the meetings. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of having an allergist at the food allergy support group on the relationship between parents and their child's allergist. Results. The FASG decreased anxiety about food allergies for 77.7% of those who responded. Most (71.4%) felt the FASG improved their child's quality of life. Greater than 90% felt comfortable having an allergist at the support group meeting, and 64.3% felt that talking to an allergist at the FASG made it easier to speak with their child's allergist. Conclusions. FASG meetings appear to be a good way for families of children with food allergies to learn more about food allergies, improve quality of life, and increase comfort in communicating with a child's allergist.
Experiments on Linear and Nonlinear Localization of Optical Vortices in Optically Induced Photonic Lattices
Authors: Song Daohong , Lou Cibo , Tang Liqin , Ye Zhuoyi , Xu Jingjun , Chen Zhigang
Published: October 2011

We provide a brief overview on our recent experimental work on linear and nonlinear localization of singly charged vortices (SCVs) and doubly charged vortices (DCVs) in two-dimensional optically induced photonic lattices. In the nonlinear case, vortex propagation at the lattice surface as well as inside the uniform square-shaped photonic lattices is considered. It is shown that, apart from the fundamental (semi-infinite gap) discrete vortex solitons demonstrated earlier, the SCVs can self-trap into stable gap vortex solitons under the normal four-site excitation with a self-defocusing nonlinearity, while the DCVs can be stable only under an eight-site excitation inside the photonic lattices. Moreover, the SCVs can also turn into stable surface vortex solitons under the four-site excitation at the surface of a semi-infinite photonics lattice with a self-focusing nonlinearity. In the linear case, bandgap guidance of both SCVs and DCVs in photonic lattices with a tunable negative defect is investigated. It is found that the SCVs can be guided at the negative defect as linear vortex defect modes, while the DCVs tend to turn into quadrupole-like defect modes provided that the defect strength is not too strong.
Properties of Recurrent Equations for the Full‐Availability Group with BPP Traffic
Authors: Głąbowski Mariusz , Stasiak Maciej , Weissenberg Joanna
Published: October 2011

The paper proposes a formal derivation of recurrent equations describing the occupancy distribution in the full‐availability group with multirate Binomial‐Poisson‐Pascal (BPP) traffic. The paper presents an effective algorithm for determining the occupancy distribution on the basis of derived recurrent equations and for the determination of the blocking probability as well as the loss probability of calls of particular classes of traffic offered to the system. A proof of the convergence of the iterative process of estimating the average number of busy traffic sources of particular classes is also given in the paper.
Dual-Source Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Reconstructed on Integrated Spectrum
Authors: Chang Shoude , Mao Youxin , Flueraru Costel
Published: October 2011

Dual-source swept-source optical coherence tomography (DS-SSOCT) has two individual sources with different central wavelengths, linewidth, and bandwidths. Because of the difference between the two sources, the individually reconstructed tomograms from each source have different aspect ratio, which makes the comparison and integration difficult. We report a method to merge two sets of DS-SSOCT raw data in a common spectrum, on which both data have the same spectrum density and a correct separation. The reconstructed tomographic image can seamlessly integrate the two bands of OCT data together. The final image has higher axial resolution and richer spectroscopic information than any of the individually reconstructed tomography image.
The Alkaline Diet: Is There Evidence That an Alkaline pH Diet Benefits Health?
Authors: Schwalfenberg Gerry K.
Published: October 2011

This review looks at the role of an alkaline diet in health. Pubmed was searched looking for articles on pH, potential renal acid loads, bone health, muscle, growth hormone, back pain, vitamin D and chemotherapy. Many books written in the lay literature on the alkaline diet were also reviewed and evaluated in light of the published medical literature. There may be some value in considering an alkaline diet in reducing morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases and further studies are warranted in this area of medicine.
Inhibitory Action ofArtemisia annuaExtracts and Artemisinin on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in H2SO4Solution
Authors: Okafor P. C. , Ebiekpe V. E. , Azike C. F. , Egbung G. E. , Brisibe E. A. , Ebenso E. E.
Published: October 2011

The action of ethanol (EEAA), acid (AEAA), and toluene (TEAA) extracts fromArtemisia annuaand Artemisinin (ATS) on mild steel corrosion in H2SO4solutions was investigated using gravimetric and gasometric techniques. The extracts and ATS functioned as good inhibitors, and their inhibition efficiencies (%IE) followed the trend: EEAA > AEAA > TEAA > ATS. %IE increased with increase in inhibitors concentration and decreased with increase in temperature. The enhanced %IE values of the extracts were attributed to synergistic effect of the components of the plant extracts with ATS. The adsorption of the inhibitors was consistent with Langmuir isotherm. Physisorption is proposed as the mechanism of inhibition.
Size-Dependent Non-FRET Photoluminescence Quenching in Nanocomposites Based on Semiconductor Quantum Dots CdSe/ZnS and Functionalized Porphyrin Ligands
Authors: Zenkevich Eduard I. , Blaudeck Thomas , Milekhin Alexander , von Borczyskowski Christian
Published: October 2011

We review recent experimental work to utilize the size dependence of the luminescence quenching of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots induced by functionalized porphyrin molecules attached to the surface to describe a photoluminescence (PL) quenching process which is different from usual models of charge transfer (CT) or Foerster resonant energy transfer (FRET). Steady-state and picosecond time-resolved measurements were carried out for nanocomposites based on colloidal CdSe/ZnS and CdSe quantum dots (QDs) of various sizes and surfacely attached tetra-mesopyridyl-substituted porphyrin molecules (“Quantum Dot-Porphyrin” nanocomposites), in toluene at 295 K. It was found that the major part of the observed strong quenching of QD PL in “QD-Porphyrin” nanocomposites can neither be assigned to FRET nor to photoinduced charge transfer between the QD and the chromophore. This PL quenching depends on QD size and shell and is stronger for smaller quantum dots: QD PL quenching rate constants scale inversely with the QD diameter. Based on the comparison of experimental data and quantum mechanical calculations, it has been concluded that QD PL quenching in “QD-Porphyrin” nanocomposites can be understood in terms of a tunneling of the electron (of the excited electron-hole pair) followed by a (self-) localization of the electron or formation of trap states. The major contribution to PL quenching is found to be proportional to the calculated quantum-confined exciton wave function at the QD surface. Our findings highlight that single functionalized molecules can be considered as one of the probes for the complex interface physics and dynamics of colloidal semiconductor QD.