bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast recognition of musical sounds based on timbre
Authors: Agus Trevor R. , Suied Clara , Thorpe Simon J. , Pressnitzer Daniel
Published: May 2012

Human listeners seem to have an impressive ability to recognize a wide variety of natural sounds. However, there is surprisingly little quantitative evidence to characterize this fundamental ability. Here the speed and accuracy of musical-sound recognition were measured psychophysically with a rich but acoustically balanced stimulus set. The set comprised recordings of notes from musical instruments and sung vowels. In a first experiment, reaction times were collected for three target categories: voice, percussion, and strings. In a go/no-go task, listeners reacted as quickly as possible to members of a target category while withholding responses to distractors (a diverse set of musical instruments). Results showed near-perfect accuracy and fast reaction times, particularly for voices. In a second experiment, voices were recognized among strings and vice-versa. Again, reaction times to voices were faster. In a third experiment, auditory chimeras were created to retain only spectral or temporal features of the voice. Chimeras were recognized accurately, but not as quickly as natural voices. Altogether, the data suggest rapid and accurate neural mechanisms for musical-sound recognition based on selectivity to complex spectro-temporal signatures of sound sources.
Impedance of infinite Kirchhoff and Mindlin plates with a rigid circular massless plug
Authors: Zapfe Jeffrey A. , Moore James A.
Published: May 2012

Point force impedance expressions have been previously developed for infinite Kirchhoff and Mindlin plates. The present work develops impedance expressions for the more general case of an infinite plate with a circular, massless, rigid plug using both Kirchhoff and Mindlin plate theories. The models have been developed to analyze vibration propagation in buildings. The plate with the rigid plug provides a more reasonable model of the kinematic constraint at the column/floor interface. The models are used to investigate the potential benefits of using thick floors to block the transmission of structure-borne vibration in buildings.
The three-channel model of sound localization mechanisms: Interaural level differences
Authors: Dingle Rachel N. , Hall Susan E. , Phillips Dennis P.
Published: May 2012

The current understanding of mammalian sound localization is that azimuthal (horizontal) position assignments are dependent upon the relative activation of two populations of broadly-tuned hemifield neurons with overlapping medial borders. Recent psychophysical work has provided evidence for a third channel of low-frequency interaural time difference (ITD)-sensitive neurons tuned to the azimuthal midline. However, the neurophysiological data on free-field azimuth receptive fields, especially of cortical neurons, has primarily studied high-frequency cells whose receptive fields are more likely to have been shaped by interaural level differences (ILDs) than ITDs. In four experiments, a selective adaptation paradigm was used to probe for the existence of a midline channel in the domain of ILDs. If no midline channel exists, symmetrical adaptation of the lateral channels should not result in a shift in the perceived intracranial location of subsequent test tones away from the adaptors because the relative activation of the two channels will remain unchanged. Instead, results indicate a shift in perceived test tone location away from the adaptors, which supports the existence of a midline channel in the domain of ILDs. Interestingly, this shift occurs not only at high frequencies, traditionally associated with ILDs in natural settings, but at low frequencies as well.
Characteristics of whistles from rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) in Rio de Janeiro coast, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Seabra de Lima Isabela Maria , de Andrade Luciana Guimarães , Ramos de Carvalho Rafael , Lailson-Brito José , de Freitas Azevedo Alexandre
Published: May 2012

There is no information about the whistles of rough-toothed dolphins in the South Atlantic Ocean. This study characterizes the whistle structure of free-ranging rough-toothed dolphins recorded on the Rio de Janeiro coast, southeastern Brazil, and compares it to that of the same species in other regions. A total of 340 whistles were analyzed. Constant (N = 115; 33.8%) and ascending (N = 99; 29.1%) whistles were the most common contours. The whistles recorded had their fundamental frequencies between 2.24 and 13.94 kHz. Whistles without inflection points were frequently emitted (N = 255; 75%). Some signals presented breaks or steps in their contour (N = 97; 28.5%). Whistle duration was short (347 ± 236 ms and 89.7% of the whistles lasted <600 ms). Seventy-eight whistle contour types were found in the total of whistles analyzed, and 27 (7.9%) of these occurred only once. Most of the whistle types were unique to a particular recording session (N = 43). The signals emitted by the rough-toothed dolphins in southeastern Brazil were characterized by low frequency modulation, short duration, low number of inflection points, and breaks. Differences in the mean values of the whistle parameters were found between this and other studies that recorded Steno bredanensis, but as in other localities, whistles above 14 kHz are rare.
Binaural loudness summation for speech presented via earphones and loudspeaker with and without visual cues
Authors: Epstein Michael , Florentine Mary
Published: May 2012

Preliminary data [M. Epstein and M. Florentine, Ear. Hear. 30, 234–237 (2009)] obtained using speech stimuli from a visually present talker heard via loudspeakers in a sound-attenuating chamber indicate little difference in loudness when listening with one or two ears (i.e., significantly reduced binaural loudness summation, BLS), which is known as “binaural loudness constancy.” These data challenge current understanding drawn from laboratory measurements that indicate a tone presented binaurally is louder than the same tone presented monaurally. Twelve normal listeners were presented recorded spondees, monaurally and binaurally across a wide range of levels via earphones and a loudspeaker with and without visual cues. Statistical analyses of binaural-to-monaural ratios of magnitude estimates indicate that the amount of BLS is significantly less for speech presented via a loudspeaker with visual cues than for stimuli with any other combination of test parameters (i.e., speech presented via earphones or a loudspeaker without visual cues, and speech presented via earphones with visual cues). These results indicate that the loudness of a visually present talker in daily environments is little affected by switching between binaural and monaural listening. This supports the phenomenon of binaural loudness constancy and underscores the importance of ecological validity in loudness research.
Sound absorption and transmission through flexible micro-perforated panels backed by an air layer and a thin plate
Authors: Bravo Teresa , Maury Cédric , Pinhède Cédric
Published: May 2012

This paper describes theoretical and experimental investigations into the sound absorption and transmission properties of micro-perforated panels (MPP) backed by an air cavity and a thin plate. A fully coupled modal approach is proposed to calculate the absorption coefficient and the transmission loss of finite-sized micro-perforated panels-cavity-panel (MPPCP) partitions with conservative boundary conditions. It is validated against infinite partition models and experimental data. A practical methodology is proposed using collocated pressure-velocity sensors to evaluate in an anechoic environment the transmission and absorption properties of conventional MPPCPs. Results show under which conditions edge scattering effects should be accounted for at low frequencies. Coupled mode analysis is also performed and analytical approximations are derived from the resonance frequencies and mode shapes of a flexible MPPCP. It is found that the Helmholtz-type resonance frequency is deduced from the one associated to the rigidly backed MPPCP absorber shifted up by the mass-air mass resonance of the flexible non-perforated double-panel. Moreover, it is shown analytically and experimentally that the absorption mechanisms at the resonances are governed by a large air-frame relative velocity over the MPP surface, with either in-phase or out-of-phase relationships, depending on the MPPCP parameters.
Standards Meetings Calendar–National
Authors: Blaeser Susan B. , Schomer Paul D.
Published: May 2012

American National Standards (ANSI Standards) developed by Accredited Standards Committees S1, S2, S3, and S12 in the areas of acoustics, mechanical vibration and shock, bioacoustics, and noise, respectively, are published by the Acoustical Society of America (ASA). In addition to these standards, ASA publishes catalogs of Acoustical Standards, both National and International. To receive copies of the latest Standards catalogs, please contact Susan B. Blaeser.

Comments are welcomed on all material in Acoustical Standards News.

This Acoustical Standards News section in JASA, as well as the National and International Catalogs of Acoustical Standards, and other information on the Standards Program of the Acoustical Society of America, are available via the ASA home page: http://acousticalsociety.org.
Traditional Chinese medicine and sports drug testing: identification of natural steroid administration in doping control urine samples resulting from musk (pod) extracts
Authors: Thevis Mario , Schänzer Wilhelm , Geyer Hans , Thieme Detlef , Grosse Joachim , Rautenberg Claudia , Flenker Ulrich , Beuck Simon , Thomas Andreas , Holland Ruben , Dvorak Jiri
Published: May 2012

The administration of musk extract, that is, ingredients obtained by extraction of the liquid secreted from the preputial gland or resulting grains of the male musk deer (eg,Moschus moschiferus), has been recommended in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) applications and was listed in the Japanese pharmacopoeia for various indications requiring cardiovascular stimulation, anti-inflammatory medication or androgenic hormone therapy. Numerous steroidal components including cholesterol, 5α-androstane-3,17-dione, 5β-androstane-3,17-dione, androsterone, etiocholanolone, epiandrosterone, 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and the corresponding urea adduct 3α-ureido-androst-4-en-17-one were characterised as natural ingredients of musk over several decades, implicating an issue concerning doping controls if used for the treatment of elite athletes. In the present study, the impact of musk extract administration on sports drug testing results of five females competing in an international sporting event is reported. In the course of routine doping controls, adverse analytical findings concerning the athletes' steroid profile, corroborated by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) data, were obtained. The athletes' medical advisors admitted the prescription of TCM-based musk pod preparations and provided musk pod samples for comparison purposes to clarify the antidoping rule violation. Steroid profiles, IRMS results, literature data and a musk sample obtained from a living musk deer of a local zoo conclusively demonstrated the use of musk pod extracts in all cases which, however, represented a doping offence as prohibited anabolic–androgenic steroids were administered.
Lattice dynamics of Ferroelectric TlInS2 crystal
Authors: Allakhverdiev K.R. , Hashimzade F.M. , Huseinova D.A. , Nizametdinova M.A. , Orudzhev G.S. , Ulubey A.M. , Kir M.H.
Published: May 2012

In this paper we present the results of ab initio first-principle calculations of the lattice dynamics of ternary TlInS2 semiconductor with highly anisotropic crystal structure. Calculations have been performed using the open-source code ABINIT on the basis of density functional theory within the plane-wave pseudopotential approach. The basis of plane waves was truncated at electron kinetic energy of 40 Ha. Integration over the Brillouin zone was carried out using a 2 × 2 × 2 grid. The equilibrium structure was determined by minimizing the total energy with respect to the lattice constants and the internal structural parameters. The results are discussed in terms of previously existing experimental data. It is shown that along the layer, the low-frequency acoustic branch displays the bending wave behavior that is typical for crystals having a layered structure.
Particle–rotor model interpretation of rotational features in 125I
Authors: Zeghib Sadek
Published: May 2012

Most of the structure of 125I at low and medium energies has been successfully interpreted using a particle–rotor model. Rotational features similar to complete particle–core rotational multiplets have been identified for the first time especially for g7/2, d5/2 proton–particle orbitals. The model calculations show also that the rotational structure of the ΔJ = 1 band build on unusually low-lying g9/2 proton-hole state (9/2+ [404]) is naturally very well predicted and successfully described as well as other rotational features for negative parity states of h11/2 parentage along with the different observed ΔJ = 2 bands. Experimental energies and transition properties of previously observed positive and negative parity states of 125I, have been compared to those predicted by the model calculations considering a moderately deformed rotor.
Thermodynamics of viscous matter and radiation in the early universe
Authors: Tawfik A. , Magdy H.
Published: May 2012

Assuming that the background geometry is filled with a free gas consisting of matter and radiation and that no phase transitions are occurring in the early universe, we discuss the thermodynamics of this closed system using classical approaches. We find that essential cosmological quantities, such as the Hubble parameter H, scale factor a, and curvature parameter k, can be derived from this simple model. On one hand, it obeys the laws of thermodynamics entirely. On the other hand, the results are compatible with the Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker model and the Einstein field equations. The inclusion of a finite bulk viscosity coefficient derives important changes in all of these cosmological quantities. The thermodynamics of the viscous universe is studied and a conservation law is found. Accordingly, our picture of the evolution of the early universe and its astrophysical consequences seems to be the subject of radical revision. We find that the parameter k, for instance, strongly depends on the thermodynamics of the background matter. The time scale, at which a negative curvature might take place, depends on the relation between the matter content and the total energy. Using quantum and statistical approaches, we assume that the size of the universe is given by the volume occupied by one particle and one photon. Different types of interactions between matter and photon are taken into account. In this quantum treatment, expressions for H and a are also introduced. Therefore, the expansion of the universe turns out to be accessible.
Resonance fluorescence with bichromatic excitation and nonresonant squeezed reservoir: iterative approach
Authors: Hassan S.S. , Alharbey R.A.
Published: May 2012

An iterative approach, not restricted to field strength nor to resonance conditions, is used to solve the nonautonomous Bloch equations modeling the interaction of a bichromatically driven two-level atom in the presence of an off-resonant broadband squeezed vacuum (SV) radiation reservoir. The system parameters are chosen such that the absolute difference between the iterative and (exact) numerical solutions is [Formula: see text](10−2) or less. For some limiting cases, range of validity of the iterative procedure is estimated analytically. The derived analytical solutions are used to calculate the transient fluorescent spectrum. Some previously obtained results (both experimental and theoretical) in the normal vacuum case are recovered. In the SV case, with strong resonant (off-resonant) bichromatic field strength, the transient spectrum shows many symmetrical (asymmetrical) resonances of weights and locations dependent on the SV detuning parameter.
Noether gauge symmetry approach in Gauss–Bonnet dilatonic theory of gravity
Authors: Hussain Ibrar , Mahomed F.M.
Published: May 2012

The approach of Noether symmetries with gauge term in the Gauss–Bonnet dilatonic theory of gravity is used for different values of the state parameter, ω, of the background matter. It is found that for ω = –1 (dark energy Universe), ω = 0 (matter-dominated Universe), and ω = 1 (the case of stiff matter), for the existence of Noether gauge symmetries, the potential V([Formula: see text]) and the coupling of the Gauss–Bonnet term with gravity Λ([Formula: see text]) are obtained as exponential functions of the scalar field [Formula: see text]. For the case of arbitrary ω the coupling parameter Λ([Formula: see text]) is found as a linear function of the scalar field [Formula: see text] and the potential is a constant, for the existence of Noether gauge symmetries. Here it is observed that both the potential and coupling parameter depend on the evolutionary history of the Universe.
Power-law entropy-corrected new agegraphic dark energy in Hořava–Lifshitz cosmology
Authors: Karami K. , Sheykhi A. , Jamil M. , Myrzakulov R. , Ghaffari S. , Abdolmaleki A.
Published: May 2012

We investigate the new agegraphic dark energy (NADE) model with power-law corrected entropy in the framework of Hořava–Lifshitz cosmology. For a nonflat universe containing the interacting power-law entropy-corrected NADE with dark matter, we obtain the differential equation of the evolution of the density parameter as well as the deceleration parameter. To study parametric behavior, we use an interesting form of state parameter as a function of redshift ωΛ(z) = ω0 + ω1z. We find that phantom crossing occurs for the state parameter for a nonzero coupling parameter, thus supporting the interacting dark energy model.
Lines from highly charged tungsten ions observed in the visible region between 340 and 400 nm
Authors: Watanabe Hirofumi , Nakamura Nobuyuki , Kato Daiji , Sakaue Hiroyuki A. , Ohtani Shunsuke
Published: May 2012

A spectroscopic study of highly charged tungsten ions was performed in the visible region from 340 to 400 nm with an electron beam ion trap (EBIT). The tungsten ions were produced by electron impacts in the EBIT with electrons with energies between 1 and 1.7 keV. Several lines attributed to the tungsten ions W26+ to W33+ were measured.
Semantic interoperability in standardized electronic health record databases
Authors: Sachdeva Shelly , Bhalla Subhash
Published: May 2012

Different clinics and hospitals have their own information systems to maintain patient data. This hinders the exchange of data among systems (and organizations). Hence there is a need to provide standards for data exchange. In digitized form, the individual patient's medical record can be stored, retrieved, and shared over a network through enhancement in information technology. Thus, electronic health records (EHRs) should be standardized, incorporating semantic interoperability. A subsequent step requires that healthcare professionals and patients get involved in using the EHRs, with the help of technological developments. This study aims to provide different approaches in understanding some current and challenging concepts in health informatics. Successful handling of these challenges will lead to improved quality in healthcare by reducing medical errors, decreasing costs, and enhancing patient care. The study is focused on the following goals: (1) understanding the role of EHRs; (2) understanding the need for standardization to improve quality; (3) establishing interoperability in maintaining EHRs; (4) examining a framework for standardization and interoperability (the openEHR architecture; (5) identifying the role of archetypes for knowledge-based systems; and (6) understanding the difficulties in querying HER data.
Using Multicomplex Variables for Automatic Computation of High-Order Derivatives
Authors: Lantoine Gregory , Russell Ryan P. , Dargent Thierry
Published: May 2012

The computations of the high-order partial derivatives in a given problem are often cumbersome or not accurate. To combat such shortcomings, a new method for calculating exact high-order sensitivities using multicomplex numbers is presented. Inspired by the recent complex step method that is only valid for firstorder sensitivities, the new multicomplex approach is valid to arbitrary order. The mathematical theory behind this approach is revealed, and an efficient procedure for the automatic implementation of the method is described. Several applications are presented to validate and demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm. The results are compared to conventional approaches such as finite differencing, the complex step method, and two separate automatic differentiation tools. The multicomplex method performs favorably in the preliminary comparisons and is therefore expected to be useful for a variety of algorithms that exploit higher order derivatives.
Interactive Initialization and Continuation of Homoclinic and Heteroclinic Orbits in MATLAB
Authors: De Witte Virginie , Govaerts Willy , Kuznetsov Yuri A. , Friedman Mark
Published: May 2012

matcontis amatlabcontinuation package for the interactive numerical study of a range of parameterized nonlinear dynamical systems, in particular ODEs, that allows to compute curves of equilibria, limit points, Hopf points, limit cycles, flip, fold and torus bifurcation points of limit cycles. It is now possible to continue homoclinic-to-hyperbolic-saddle and homoclinic-to-saddle-node orbits inmatcont. The implementation is done using the continuation of invariant subspaces, with the Riccati equations included in the defining system. A key feature is the possibility to initiate both types of homoclinic orbits interactively, starting from an equilibrium point and using a homotopy method. All known codimension-two homoclinic bifurcations are tested for during continuation. The test functions for inclination-flip bifurcations are implemented in a new and more efficient way. Heteroclinic orbits can now also be continued and an analogous homotopy method can be used for the initialization.
Algorithm 917
Authors: Lawrence Piers W. , Corless Robert M. , Jeffrey David J.
Published: May 2012

This article describes an efficient and robust algorithm and implementation for the evaluation of the Wright
ω
function in IEEE double precision arithmetic over the complex plane.
Algorithm 919
Authors: Niesen Jitse , Wright Will M.
Published: May 2012

We develop an algorithm for computing the solution of a large system of linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with polynomial inhomogeneity. This is equivalent to computing the action of a certain matrix function on the vector representing the initial condition. The matrix function is a linear combination of the matrix exponential and other functions related to the exponential (the so-called
ϕ
-functions). Such computations are the major computational burden in the implementation of exponential integrators, which can solve general ODEs. Our approach is to compute the action of the matrix function by constructing a Krylov subspace using Arnoldi or Lanczos iteration and projecting the function on this subspace. This is combined with time-stepping to prevent the Krylov subspace from growing too large. The algorithm is fully adaptive: it varies both the size of the time steps and the dimension of the Krylov subspace to reach the required accuracy. We implement this algorithm in the
matlab
function phipm and we give instructions on how to obtain and use this function. Various numerical experiments show that the phipm function is often significantly more efficient than the state-of-the-art.
Social network analysis and mining to support the assessment of on-line student participation
Authors: Rabbany k. Reihaneh , Takaffoli Mansoureh , Zaïane Osmar R.
Published: May 2012

There is a growing number of courses delivered using elearning environments and their online discussions play an important role in collaborative learning of students. Even in courses with a few number of students, there could be thousands of messages generated in a few months within these forums. Manually evaluating the participation of students in such case is a significant challenge, considering the fact that current e-learning environments do not provide much information regarding the structure of interactions between students. There is a recent line of research on applying social network analysis (SNA) techniques to study these interactions.

Here we propose to exploit SNA techniques, including community mining, in order to discover relevant structures in social networks we generate from student communications but also information networks we produce from the content of the exchanged messages. With visualization of these discovered relevant structures and the automated identification of central and peripheral participants, an instructor is provided with better means to assess participation in the online discussions. We implemented these new ideas in a toolbox, named Meerkat-ED, which automatically discovers relevant network structures, visualizes overall snapshots of interactions between the participants in the discussion forums, and outlines the leader/peripheral students. Moreover, it creates a hierarchical summarization of the discussed topics, which gives the instructor a quick view of what is under discussion. We believe exploiting the mining abilities of this toolbox would facilitate fair evaluation of students' participation in online courses.
The sum is greater than the parts
Authors: Pardos Zachary A, , Gowda Sujith M. , Baker Ryan S.J.d. , Heffernan Neil T.
Published: May 2012

Many competing models have been proposed in the past decade for predicting student knowledge within educational software. Recent research attempted to combine these models in an effort to improve performance but have yielded inconsistent results. While work in the 2010 KDD Cup data set showed the benefits of ensemble methods, work in the Genetics Tutor failed to show similar benefits. We hypothesize that the key factor has been data set size. We explore the potential for improving student performance prediction with ensemble methods in a data set drawn from a different tutoring system, the ASSISTments Platform, which contains 15 times the number of responses of the Genetics Tutor data set. We evaluated the predictive performance of eight student models and eight methods of ensembling predictions. Within this data set, ensemble approaches were more effective than any single method with the best ensemble approach producing predictions of student performance 10% better than the best individual student knowledge model.
Process mining
Authors: van der Aalst Wil
Published: May 2012

Recently, the
Task Force on Process Mining
released the
Process Mining Manifesto
. The manifesto is supported by 53 organizations and 77 process mining experts contributed to it. The active contributions from end-users, tool vendors, consultants, analysts, and researchers illustrate the growing relevance of process mining as a
bridge between data mining and business process modeling
. This paper summarizes the manifesto and explains why process mining is a highly relevant, but also very challenging, research area. This way we hope to stimulate the broader ACM SIGKDD community to look at
process-centric knowledge discovery.
How to Build and Lead Successful Online Communities: Getting Started With An Online Community
Authors: Laycock Nic
Published: May 2012

In Part 3 of 4 in his series on learning communities, eLearn contributor Nic Laycock discusses how to get started in building an online community by having a clear purpose and having all your ducks in a row at launch.
The Classroom in the Palm of Your Hand
Authors: Iffland Aaron
Published: May 2012

In this article, the use of student mobile learning technologies is discussed. The author then goes on to examine how he, as a college instructor, needs to implement better mobile learning interactions in his math classes. By connecting to the current literature on mobile learning, the author has tried to show how the development and implementation of mobile learning should occur. It is the author's hope that this article will motivate other college instructors to implement mobile learning interactions in their courses.
A Guided Tour through Data-center Networking
Authors: Abts Dennis , Felderman Bob
Published: May 2012

The magic of the cloud is that it is always on and always available from anywhere. Users have come to expect that services are there when they need them. A data center (or warehouse-scale computer) is the nexus from which all the services flow. It is often housed in a nondescript warehouse-sized building bearing no indication of what lies inside. Amidst the whirring fans and refrigerator-sized computer racks is a tapestry of electrical cables and fiber optics weaving everything together -- the data-center network. This article provides a "guided tour" through the principles and central ideas surrounding the network at the heart of a data center -- the modern-day loom that weaves the digital fabric of the Internet.
Numerical Modeling of the Influence of Solar Activity on the Global Circulation in the Earth’s Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Mingalev Igor , Mingalev Victor
Published: May 2012

The nonhydrostatic model of the global neutral wind system of the earth’s atmosphere, developed earlier in the Polar Geophysical Institute, is utilized to investigate how solar activity affects the formation of the large-scale global circulation of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The peculiarity of the utilized model consists in that the internal energy equation for the neutral gas is not solved in the model calculations. Instead, the global temperature field is assumed to be a given distribution, that is, the input parameter of the model. Moreover, in the model calculations, not only the horizontal components but also the vertical component of the neutral wind velocity is obtained by means of a numerical solution of a generalized Navier-Stokes equation for compressible gas, so the hydrostatic equation is not applied. The simulation results indicate that solar activity ought to influence considerably on the formation of global neutral wind system in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. The influence is conditioned by the vertical transport of air from the lower thermosphere to the mesosphere and stratosphere. This transport may be rather different under distinct solar activity conditions.
Recommendations for Management of Patients with Carotid Stenosis
Authors: Lovrencic-Huzjan Arijana , Rundek Tatjana , Katsnelson Michael
Published: May 2012

Stroke is a one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Carotid atherosclerosis is recognized as an important factor in stroke pathophysiology and represents a key target in stroke prevention; multiple treatment modalities have been developed to battle this disease. Multiple randomized trials have shown the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in secondary stroke prevention. Carotid stenting, a newer treatment option, presents a less invasive alternative to the surgical intervention on carotid arteries. Advances in medical therapy have also enabled further risk reduction in the overall incidence of stroke. Despite numerous trials and decades of clinical research, the optimal management of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease remains controversial. We will attempt to highlight some of the pivotal trials already completed, discuss the current controversies and complexities in the treatment decision-making, and postulate on what likely lies ahead. This paper will highlight the complexities of decision-making optimal treatment recommendations for patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss following Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authors: Pillion Joseph P.
Published: May 2012

A case study is presented of a 17-year-old male who sustained an anoxic brain injury and sensorineural hearing loss secondary to carbon monoxide poisoning. Audiological data is presented showing a slightly asymmetrical hearing loss of sensorineural origin and mild-to-severe degree for both ears. Word recognition performance was fair to poor bilaterally for speech presented at normal conversational levels in quiet. Management considerations of the hearing loss are discussed.
Stakeholder Focus Groups to Inform a Technology-Based Strategy of Preceptor Support
Authors: Blum Cynthia A. , Kamciyan Jeanette , Dean Amy
Published: May 2012

While preceptors are a vital link in student nurse practice education, ongoing support beyond an initial orientation is often lacking. It has been reported in the literature that preceptors experience stress related to difficulties in handling preceptee situations. They are frustrated by negative experiences centered on preceptor-identified hallmarks of unsafe practice including the inability to demonstrate knowledge and skills; attitude problems; unprofessional behavior; and poor communication skills. Their unrealized expectations for novices threaten their commitment to their preceptor role. As part of a larger study testing the effectiveness of podcasts as an ongoing method of preceptor support, this paper addresses the developmental stage of the podcasts. A team of academic and acute care nurse educators developed scripts for eventual filming of four podcasts focusing on unsafe practice issues, designed to provide continual support through web-based availability. The use of podcast technology is consistent with the learning styles of digital natives and is a demonstrated and valuable educational resource to review, reinforce, and clarify difficult concepts. These podcasts were informed through preceptor focus groups to address situational and environmental realism for student behaviors and preceptor responses.
The eIF4F and eIFiso4F Complexes of Plants: An Evolutionary Perspective
Authors: Patrick Ryan M. , Browning Karen S.
Published: May 2012

Translation initiation in eukaryotes requires a number of initiation factors to recruit the assembled ribosome to mRNA. The eIF4F complex plays a key role in initiation and is a common target point for regulation of protein synthesis. Most work on the translation machinery of plants to date has focused on flowering plants, which have both the eIF4F complex (eIF4E and eIF4G) as well as the plant-specific eIFiso4F complex (eIFiso4E and eIFiso4G). The increasing availability of plant genome sequence data has made it possible to trace the evolutionary history of these two complexes in plants, leading to several interesting discoveries. eIFiso4G is conserved throughout plants, while eIFiso4E only appears with the evolution of flowering plants. The eIF4G N-terminus, which has been difficult to annotate, appears to be well conserved throughout the plant lineage and contains two motifs of unknown function. Comparison of eIFiso4G and eIF4G sequence data suggests conserved features unique to eIFiso4G and eIF4G proteins. These findings have answered some questions about the evolutionary history of the two eIF4F complexes of plants, while raising new ones.
Food Packaging Permeability Behaviour: A Report
Authors: Siracusa Valentina
Published: May 2012

The use of polymer materials in food packaging field is one of the largest growing market area. Actually the optimization behaviour of packaging permeability is of crucial importance, in order to extend the food shelf-life and to reach the best engineering solution. Studying the permeability characterization of the different polymer material (homogeneous and heterogeneous polymer system) to the different packaging gases, in different environmental condition, is crucial to understand if the selected material is adapted to the chosen food contact field. Temperature and humidity parameters are of crucial importance for food quality preservation, especially in real life situations, like food market, and house long-life use. The aim of this report was to collect information about the state of the art on the permeability characteristics of the polymer packages used on food field.
Long-Term Field Performance of Pervious Concrete Pavement
Authors: Radlińska Aleksandra , Welker Andrea , Greising Kathryn , Campbell Blake , Littlewood David
Published: May 2012

The work described in this paper provides an evaluation of an aged pervious concrete pavement in the Northeastern United States to provide a better understanding of the long-lasting effects of placement techniques as well as the long-term field performance of porous pavement, specifically in areas susceptible to freezing and thawing. Multiple samples were taken from the existing pavement and were examined in terms of porosity and unit weight, compressive and splitting tensile strength, and the depth and degree of clogging. It was concluded that improper placement and curing led to uneven pavement thickness, irregular pore distribution within the pervious concrete, and highly variable strength values across the site, as well as sealed surfaces that prevented infiltration.
Achieving Universal Access for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Tuberculosis: Potential Prevention Impact of an Integrated Multi-Disease Prevention Campaign in Kenya
Authors: Granich Reuben , Muraguri Nicolas , Doyen Alexandre , Garg Navneet , Williams Brian G.
Published: May 2012

In 2009, Government of Kenya with key stakeholders implemented an integrated multi-disease prevention campaign for water-borne diseases, malaria and HIV in Kisii District, Nyanza Province. The three day campaign, targeting 5000 people, included testing and counseling (HTC), condoms, long-lasting insecticide-treated bednets, and water filters. People with HIV were offered on-site CD4 cell counts, condoms, co-trimoxazole, and HIV clinic referral. We analysed the CD4 distributions from a district hospital cohort, campaign participants and from the 2007 Kenya Aids Indicator Survey (KAIS). Of the 5198 individuals participating in the campaign, all received HTC, 329 (6.3%) tested positive, and 255 (5%) were newly diagnosed (median CD4 cell count 536 cells/μL). The hospital cohort and KAIS results included 1,284 initial CD4 counts (median 348/L) and 306 initial CD4 counts (median 550/μL), respectively (campaign and KAIS CD4 distributionsP=0.346; hospital cohort distribution was lowerP<0.001andP<0.001). A Nyanza Province campaign strategy including ART <350 CD4 cell count could avert approximately 35,000 HIV infections and 1,240 TB cases annually. Community-based integrated public health campaigns could be a potential solution to reach universal access and Millennium Development Goals.
Flexural Behavior of Extruded DFRCC Panel and Reinforced Concrete Composite Slab
Authors: Cho Chang-Geun , Lee Bang Yeon , Kim Yun Yong , Han Byung-Chan , Lee Seung-Jung
Published: May 2012

This paper presents a new reinforced concrete (RC) composite slab system by applying an extruded Ductile Fiber Reinforced Cement Composite (DFRCC) panel. In the proposed composite slab system, the DFRCC panel, which has ribs to allow for complete composite action, is manufactured by extrusion process; then, the longitudinal and transverse reinforcements, both at the bottom and the top, are placed, and finally the topping concrete is placed. In order to investigate the flexural behavior of the proposed composite slab system, a series of bending tests was performed. From the test results, it was found that the extruded DFRCC panel has good deformation-hardening behavior under flexural loading conditions and that the developed composite slab system, applied with an extruded DFRCC panel, exhibits higher flexural performance compared to conventional RC slab system in terms of the stiffness, load-bearing capacity, ductility, and cracking control.
A Report of Nausea and Vomiting with Discontinuation of Chronic Use ofSalvia divinorum
Authors: Travis C. R. , Ray G. A. , Marlowe K. F.
Published: May 2012

Introduction. This is the first reported case of gastrointestinal symptoms associated with withdrawal after chronic use of this substance.Case Presentation. A 51-year-old Caucasian woman was referred to a hospital with a 3-day history of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. She reported no sick family members or contact with anyone who was ill. She did report smoking 3–5 cigarettes of the herb “Salvia” consistently for 3-4 months and quit approximately 48 hours before symptoms appeared. Her use of the herb had been consistent; she smoked several cigarettes each day. Laboratory results were essentially normal including the white blood cell count. She received symptomatic treatment and was released after one day.Discussion. Salvinorin A, a kappa-opioid receptor agonist, is the major active ingredient ofS. divinorum. The unique opioid properties of this herb may explain its ability to cause changes in intestinal transit time.Conclusion. A 51-year-old woman possibly developed gastrointestinal manifestations suggestive of withdrawal fromSalvia divinorumafter smoking the substance consistently for 3 to 4 months. The widespread use of this herb will make the potential for withdrawal syndromes more commonplace.
Measurement of the Characteristics of TIDs Using Small and Regional Networks of GPS Receivers during the Campaign of 17–30 July of 2008
Authors: Valladares Cesar E. , Hei Matthew A.
Published: May 2012

This scientific report presents the results of a dedicated experiment that was conducted within the framework of the Low-latitude ionospheric Sensor Network (LISN) observatory to measure the characteristics of medium-scale (hundreds of km) Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) as they transit through the low-latitude ionosphere. A small array of 3 GPS receivers separated by 4-5 km placed in a triangular configuration was installed near Huancayo in Peru possessing several characteristics of a radio-interferometer. During the campaign days, 17–30 July 2008, TIDs were observed daily. On July 20, 2008 between 22 and 24 UT several TIDs moved across the small array of GPS receivers with a velocity near 130 m/s, were directed northward and had wavelengths close to 450 km. Other GPS receivers that were operating hundreds of km away from Huancayo show also similar TEC traces and provide a phase velocity equal to 150 m/s. This value was measured using the GPS at Piura, Cuzco and Huancayo. Based on this positive result, we conclude that small and/or regional arrays of GPS receivers can be used at low latitudes to study the role that gravity waves may have on seeding plasma bubbles.
Saponification ofJatropha curcasSeed Oil: Optimization by D-Optimal Design
Authors: Salimon Jumat , Abdullah Bashar Mudhaffar , Salih Nadia
Published: May 2012

In this study, the effects of ethanolic KOH concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time to free fatty acid (FFA) percentage were investigated. D-optimal design was employed to study significance of these factors and optimum condition for the technique predicted and evaluated. The optimum conditions for maximum FFA% were achieved when 1.75 M ethanolic KOH concentration was used as the catalyst, reaction temperature of65°C,and reaction time of 2.0 h. This study showed that ethanolic KOH concentration was significant variable for saponification ofJ. curcasseed oil. In an 18-point experimental design, percentage of FFA for saponification ofJ. curcasseed oil can be raised from 1.89% to 102.2%.
Adaptive Transformation for Robust Privacy Protection in Video Surveillance
Authors: Saini Mukesh , Atrey Pradeep K. , Mehrotra Sharad , Kankanhalli Mohan
Published: May 2012

Privacy is a big concern in current video surveillance systems. Due to privacy issues, many strategic places remain unmonitored leading to security threats. The main problem with existing privacy protection methods is that they assume availability of accurate region of interest (RoI) detectors that can detect and hide the privacy sensitive regions such as faces. However, the current detectors are not fully reliable, leading to breaches in privacy protection. In this paper, we propose a privacy protection method that adopts adaptive data transformation involving the use of selective obfuscation and global operations to provide robust privacy even with unreliable detectors. Further, there are many implicit privacy leakage channels that have not been considered by researchers for privacy protection. We block both implicit and explicit channels of privacy leakage. Experimental results show that the proposed method incurs 38% less distortion of the information needed for surveillance in comparison to earlier methods of global transformation; while still providing near-zero privacy loss.
Placental Pathology and Blood Pressure’s Level in Women with Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy
Authors: Krielessi Vassiliki , Papantoniou Nikos , Papageorgiou Ioannis , Chatzipapas Ioannis , Manios Efstathios , Zakopoulos Nikos , Antsaklis Aris
Published: May 2012

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of placental lesions associated with blood pressure (BP) levels in pregnancies complicated by hypertension.Methods. 55 singleton pregnancies complicated by mild hypertension were recruited and compared to 55 pregnancies complicated by severe hypertension. The histological assessment was carried out with regard to the following aspects: vessels number/field of vision, infarction, villous fibrinoid necrosis, villous hypermaturity, avascular villi, calcifications, lymphohistiocytic villitis, and thickened vessels. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS.Results. All placental lesions were observed more often in the severe hypertension group. Vessels number was significantly decreased, and infarction and villous fibrinoid necrosis were significantly increased in the placentas of the severe hypertension group compared to the mild hypertension group (P<0.001).Conclusion. This study supports that the extent of placental lesions in hypertensive pregnancies is correlated with hypertension level and so highlights blood pressure level as a mirror of placental function.
The Overall Effects of AlN Nanoparticle Addition to Hybrid Magnesium Alloy AZ91/ZK60A
Authors: Paramsothy Muralidharan , Chan Jimmy , Kwok Richard , Gupta Manoj
Published: May 2012

A hybrid magnesium alloy nanocomposite containing AlN nanoparticle reinforcement was fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The nanocomposite exhibited similar grain size to the monolithic hybrid alloy, reasonable AlN and intermetallic nanoparticle distribution, nondominant(0 0 0 2)texture in the longitudinal direction, and 17% higher hardness than the monolithic hybrid alloy. Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy, the nanocomposite exhibited higher tensile yield strength (0.2% TYS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) without significant compromise in failure strain and energy absorbed until fracture (EA) (+5%, +5%, −14% and −10%, resp.). Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy, the nanocomposite exhibited unchanged compressive yield strength (0.2% CYS) and higher ultimate compressive strength (UCS), failure strain, and EA (+1%, +6%, +24%, and +6%, resp.). The overall effects of AlN nanoparticle addition on the tensile and compressive properties of the hybrid magnesium alloy is investigated in this paper.