bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zwei Fragen zur syrakusanischen Numismatik
Authors: Boehringer Christof
Published: February 2014

Deux questions de numismatique syracusaine. La première question regarde la transition entre les monnaies de petit module en argent et en bronze à Syracuse. On connaît l'hémitrion, le tétras (quart), le hexas (sixième) et l'once (douzième) en argent tandis qu'en bronze, chose remarquable, il n'existe que trois dénominations : le hexas fait défaut. Quelle est la raison de cette absence ? La deuxième question concerne les bronzes lourds de Syracuse du début du IVe siècle av. J.-C. Pour quelle raison les premiers d'entre eux, rares et avec un globule comme signe de valeur, sont-ils plus légers que les abondantes émissions suivantes et plus lourdes sans globules ?
Monetary circulation in Merovingian Gaul, 561-674. A propos des Cahiers Ernest Babelon, 8
Authors: Metcalf David Michael
Published: February 2014

We can characterize empirically the ways in which Merovingian gold tremisses circulated in France by analysing a random sample of single finds, published by J. Lafaurie and J. Pilet-Lemière. It is clear that, as well as being exchanged locally in and near the places where they were minted, the coins were carried over long distances. If we measure the distance that each single find had travelled from its mint of origin, and range those distances into a profile, they demonstrate predominantly a gradual diffusion outwards, rather than long-distance transfers. In order to discover whether regional characteristics affect the profile, we divide France somewhat arbitrarily into ten regions of monetary circulation. One can refine on this analysis by comparing the distances travelled by coins from large and from small mints, also by comparing groups of early and late coins, in order to discover whether the intensity and the patterns of monetary circulation changed over time. A second method of analysis demonstrates the directions in which coins moved. The inflows and outflows between the regions sum up, although only approximately, the tendencies of monetary transfers between regions. A third method of analysis examines anomalies. If the distribution of the issues of a particular mint or a particular variety is at variance with those of the surrounding region, it may be that there is a special explanation, perhaps political. These three methods of analysis may be labelled «distance-travelled» analysis, «inter-regional» analysis, and «special circumstances» analysis. Fourthly, the article explores the quantities in which the moneyers' coins' were struck, using die-estimation based (again) on a random sample, and taking account of the continuous process of reminting of the national stock of gold. An astonishing volume of coinage was continually crossing the frontiers of the ten monetary regions.
Les monnaies découvertes à Claros, sanctuaire d'Apollon en Ionie
Authors: Çizmeli Öğün Zeynep
Published: February 2014

Cet article présente le catalogue des monnaies découvertes à Claros par la mission archéologique française sous la direction de J. de La Genière entre 1988 et 1997. Parmi 337 monnaies étudiées, 151 monnaies grecques, 65 monnaies romaines, 2 monnaies byzantines sont cataloguées ; 120 monnaies restent indéterminées à cause de leur état de conservation.
Autour de Money on the Silk Road d'Helen Wang
Authors: Thierry François
Published: February 2014

Ce compte rendu élargi situe l'ouvrage d'Helen Wang dans le contexte actuel de l'intérêt grandissant pour l'étude de la « Route de la Soie ». Le livre est un ouvrage marquant qui offre une synthèse du développement de l'archéologie en Asie Centrale Orientale et la publication soignée (mais trop peu illustrée) des 4000 monnaies de la collection assemblée dans la région par Aurel Stein et conservée au British Museum. L'auteur examine ici en détail l'étude remarquable des émissions locales de monnaie et de la circulation présentée dans ce livre qui constitue une contribution essentielle à l'histoire monétaire de la région du IIe siècle av. J.-C. au VIIIe siècle ap. J.-C.
Deniers inédits de Jean de Chalon-Auxerre, seigneur de Rochefort (Jura)
Authors: Prot Richard , Crinon Pierre
Published: February 2014

Attributing these two unpublished deniers to the seigneurie of Rochefort is rather clearcut when the numerous already known deniers of Jean of Chalon from the 13th and 14th centuries are considered. The fief of Rochefort played an important part in the history of the County of Burgundy in Imperial territory and in the claims put over the County by duke Hugh IV of Burgundy between 1237 and 1269. In fact it is highly probable that these coins were not struck in Rochefort. They can be dated to the 14th century according to their epigraphy, the low fineness of their billon and the context of their finding (together with an engrogne of Philip of Rouvres of 1359). These observations lead to give these deniers, among the many Jean of Chalon, to Jean II of Chalon-Auxerre (died 1361), lord of Rochefort and other principalitiess. He was excommunicated by the archbishop of Besançon in 1341 for having minted in Orgelet and only relieved from this penalty in 1351. In 1343 he is cited as minting in Châtelbelin. Finally the emperor granted him the permission to mint on October 30 1353. The mint of Jean of Chalon mentioned in documents is Orgelet. It could be the source of these two deniers.
Un écu d'or de Charles VI attribuable à Mouzon (Ardennes)
Authors: Garnier Jean-Pierre , Diel Jean , Sombart Stéphan
Published: February 2014

La présentation d'un écu d'or inédit attribuable à Mouzon permet de faire progresser le classement de certaines monnaies marquées d'une M à la fin du règne de Charles VI. C'est aussi l'occasion de faire le point sur les pièces attribuables à Mouzon et de préciser les destinées de l'atelier et de la ville dans ces années troublées.
Quseir al-Qadim : a Hoard of Islamic Coins from the Ayyubid period
Authors: Bresc Cécile
Published: February 2014

Le trésor de Quseir, enfoui vers 635 AH, à la fin du règne du Sultan Ayyoubide al-Kamil, a été découvert dans le sebakh d'une maison cossue de cette cité maritime. Il comporte 593 pièces d'or et d'argent des XIIe et XIIIe s. et se caractérise par l'abondance de monnaies de billon égyptiennes, désignées d'après leur forme dirhams noirs ou globuleux, et pour lesquelles notre trésor apporte de nouvelles informations métrologiques.
Un ensemble de lingots chinois d'argent yuanbao
Authors: Thierry François
Published: February 2014

Un ensemble de onze lingots d'argent chinois du type yuanbao de 50 liang (ca 1850 g) est récemment apparu sur le marché numismatique. L'étude de ces lingots fabriqués par des officines privées de la région de Shanghaï et de la province de Shanxi et par des orfèvres dépendant du gouverneur du Xinjiang permet de mettre en évidence les caractéristiques de l'usage de ces signes monétaires dans la Chine de la fin du XIXe siècle et du début du XXe siècle : poids variant d'un fabricant à l'autre, alois différents à l'intérieur d'une même province, fabrication et système bancaire hétérogène. Ce groupe, provenant d'une même source, montre cependant, en particulier par les contremarques portées sur ces pièces, qu'il existait une forme de connexion bancaire qui liait les nouvelles banques indigènes shanghaïennes, les anciennes banques traditionnelles du Shanxi et les banques du Xinjiang.
Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases
Authors: Mulherin B. L. , Soukup J. W. , Hetzel S. , Snyder C. J.
Published: February 2014

Objectives: To determine relationships between seasonality and lunar cycle and the frequency of maxillomandibular (MM) and non-maxillomandibular (non-MM) injury in canine and feline trauma patients.

Methods: A medical records database was searched to identify all MM trauma patients (n = 67) and a random sample of non-MM trauma patients (n = 129) according to search criteria. Season of injury, moon phase, and moon luminosity were calculated for the date of injury.

Results: Maxillomandibular injury occurred predominately in the spring and decreased through winter while non-MM injury occurred more frequently in the summer and fall. The difference in the frequency of MM and non-MM injuries during different seasons was not significant (p = 0.071). When comparing the amount of moon illuminated when injuries occurred during the quarters before or after the full moon, a difference (p = 0.007) was noted with a greater number of injuries occurring immediately following the full moon.

Clinical significance: These results may guide clinicians to closely evaluate trauma patients that are presented on emergency during a particular season or lunar phase. Based on the season at the time of injury, close evaluation for MM versus non-MM trauma may be appropriate.
EFFICIENCY OF A HIERARCHICAL DOCKING PROTOCOL FOR COMPUTATIONAL LIGAND SCREENING AGAINST HOMOLOGY MODELS
Authors: Siddiqi Abdul Rauf , Nioche Pierre , Siddiqui Abdul Basit , Rauf Sadaf Abdul , Waseem Amir , Villoutreix Bruno O.
Published: February 2014

We assessed the efficiency of a hierarchical docking protocol against homology models in virtual ligand screening (VLS) studies. A low resolution model of factor X (FX) was built on a template of Trypsin molecule (PDB ID:1EB2). Afterward VLS was performed involving a hierarchical protocol, rigid body followed by flexible docking, both against model as well as an X-ray structure of FX (PDB ID:1FJS) using a smart library of 50,000 chemical compounds seeded with 9 known inhibitors of FX. The percentage enrichments of screened chemical compounds obtained both from the crystal structure and homology model of FX were compared to analyze the efficiency of the protocol. In the first 5% of the finally ranked database of the screened compounds, both against model and the X-ray structure, 67% of the inhibitors were retrieved.
Parallel Quantum Chemistry at the Crossroads
Authors: van Dam Hubertus J. J.
Published: February 2014

Quantum chemistry was a compute intensive field from the beginning. It was also an early adopter of parallel computing, and hence, has more than twenty years of experience with parallelism. However, recently parallel computing has seen dramatic changes, such as the rise of multi-core architectures, hybrid computing, and the prospect of exa-scale machines requiring 1 billion concurrent threads. It is doubtful that current approaches can address the challenges ahead. As a result, the field finds itself at a crossroads, facing the challenge to successfully identify the way forward. This chapter tells a story in two parts. First, the achievements to date are considered, offering insights learned so far. Second, we look at paradigms based on directed acyclic graphs (DAG). The computer science community is strongly advocating this paradigm, but the quantum chemistry community has no experience with this approach. Therefore recent developments in that area will be discussed and their suitability for future parallel quantum chemistry computing demands considered.
Nanotechnology for Photovoltaic Energy
Authors: Qazi Salahuddin , Qazi Farhan A.
Published: February 2014

Solar radiation is plentiful and a clean source of power. However, despite the first practical use of silicon based solar cell more than 50 years ago, it has not been exploited to its full potential due to the high cost of electrical conversion on a per Watt basis. Many new kinds of photovoltaic cells such as multi-junction solar cells dye –sensitized solar cells and organic solar cell incorporating element of nanotechnology have been proposed to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost. Nanotechnology, in the form of quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes, and grapheme, has been shown to enhance absorption of sunlight, makes low cost flexible solar panels and increases the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. The chapter reviews the state of current photovoltaic cells and challenges it presents. It also discusses the use of nanotechnology in the application of photovoltaic cells and future research directions to improve the efficiency of solar cells and reduce the cost.
Quantum Well Solar Cells
Authors: Ciurea Magdalena Lidia , Lepadatu Ana-Maria , Stavarache Ionel
Published: February 2014

Quantum well solar cells with p-i-n structure are presented. The physical processes in multiple quantum well solar cells, the materials commonly used for photovoltaic applications, and technological aspects are analyzed. The quantum confinement effect produces resonant energy levels located in the valence and conduction bands of well layers. In addition, it produces energy quantum confinement levels located in the energy band gap of both well and barrier layers. The absorption on both resonant and quantum confinement levels leads to an extension of the internal quantum efficiency in near infrared domain. Several structures with different absorbers from 3-5 and 4 groups are described and discussed. Various technological and design solutions, such as multiple quantum well solar cells with graded band gap, with tandem configurations, with strain-balanced structure, and strain-balanced structure improved with nanoparticles deposited atop are analyzed. The cell parameters are discussed and related to the materials and technology.
Micro Information Systems
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus Ulslev , Pedersen Mogens Kühn
Published: February 2014

We are increasingly surrounded by and using small systems, which are equipped with sensors. Mobile phones, temperature sensors, GPS tracking, emerging nano/micro-size sensors, and similar technologies are used by individuals, groups, and organizations. There are valuable applications for industries such as medical and manufacturing. These new sensor applications have implications for information systems (IS) and, the authors visualize this new class of information systems as fractals growing from an established class of systems; namely that of information systems (IS). The identified applications and implications are used as an empirical basis for creating a model for these small new information systems. Such sensor systems are called embedded systems in the technical sciences, and the authors want to couple it with general IS. They call the merger of these two important research areas (IS and embedded systems) for micro information systems (micro-IS). It is intended as a new research field within IS research. An initial framework model is established, which seeks to capture both the possibilities and constraints of this new paradigm, while looking simultaneously at the fundamental IS and ICT aspects. The chapter demonstrates the proposed micro-IS framework with a working (open source) application of open demand response systems that address the engineering aspects of this work.
Materials Design of Sensing Layers for Detection of Volatile Analytes
Authors: Kimura Mutsumi , Fukawa Tadashi , Ikehara Tsuyoshi , Mihara Takashi
Published: February 2014

The authors developed highly sensitive sensing layers for detection of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) by using polymeric nanomaterials. In this chapter, they describe their recent progress on the design of polymeric sensing layers for the chemical sensors. The nanostructures of polymeric sensing layer strongly influenced the sensitivity and selectivity for VOCs sensings.
Graphene-Based Sensors for Monitoring Strain
Authors: Mirnezhad M. , Ansari R. , Rouhi H. , Faghihnasiri M.
Published: February 2014

The application of graphene as a nanosensor in measuring strain through its band structure around the Fermi level is investigated in this paper. The mechanical properties of graphene as well as its electronic structure are determined by using the density functional theory calculations within the framework of generalized gradient approximation. In the case of electronic properties, the simulations are applied for symmetrical and asymmetrical strain distributions in elastic range; also the tight-binding approach is implemented to verify the results. It is indicated that the energy band gap does not change with the symmetrical strain distribution but depend on the asymmetric strain distribution, increasing strain leads to band gap opening around the Fermi level.
Neurosurgical Operations Using Navigation Microscope Integration System
Authors: Tamiya Takashi , Kawanishi Masahiko , Miyake Keisuke , Kawai Nobuyuki , Guo Shuxiang
Published: February 2014

The use of intraoperative navigation systems in neurosurgery has increased rapidly. The Neuronavigation Microscope Integration (NMI) system consists of a microscope (Zeiss, Germany) combined with the StealthStation (Medotronic, U.S.A.) including light emitting diodes, a dynamic reference frame with light emitting diodes, an optical digitizer with camera array and a computer workstation. The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of the NMI system for neurosurgical operations. Between April 2003 and March 2011, the authors used the NMI system in 367 patients undergoing neurosurgical operations at Kagawa University Hospital. Because the navigational informations could be superimposed onto the microscope view, accurate locations of tumor and normal anatomical structures could be obtained before skin incision. During the operations, the surgeons did not need to turn away from the surgical field or to use a bulky pointer. Catheter applications along the tumor borderline guided by the NMI system could be useful for glioma surgery. Deep seated lesions including intraventricular or intra-axial tumors could be removed through accurate and minimal corticotomy. For transsphenoidal surgery, pituitary tumors could be safely removed without X-ray imaging. For the skull base surgery, the navigational information was not affected by the brain shift during the operations. The registration assessment deviations were within 2 mm and the real anatomical deviations were within 3 mm. The authors’ findings suggest that the NMI system can provide valuable and reliable intraoperative navigational informations during neurosurgical operations.
Three Models for Ethical Governance of Nanotechnology and Position of EGAIS’ Ideas within the Field
Authors: Doridot Fernand
Published: February 2014

Based on an analysis of the current literature on nanoethics, this paper proposes to identify three different models for ethical governance of nanotechnology, respectively called “conservative model,” “inquiry model” and “interpretative model.” The propositions of the EGAIS1 Research Project in terms of ethical governance of nanotechnology are related to the latter model.
Quantum Confinement Modeling and Simulation for Quantum Well Solar Cells
Authors: Fara Laurentiu , Mitroi Mihai Razvan
Published: February 2014

In this chapter, the authors present the modelling and simulation of the multi-layered quantum well solar cells as well as the simulated results of this model. The quantum confinement of a semiconductor induces new energy levels, located in the band gap, as well as resonant levels located in the conduction and valence bands. These levels allow supplementary absorption in the visible and near infrared range. The quantum efficiency of the supplementary absorption is calculated within the infinite rectangular quantum well approximation. As the absorption excites carriers in the gap of each layer, even a small absorption significantly increases the photocurrent (by photoassisted tunneling) and, therefore, the cell efficiency. The results of the simulation are presented for the internal quantum efficiency of the transitions between the resonant levels of GaAs, as well as the internal quantum efficiency of the transitions between the confinement levels for GaAs and AlxGa1-xAs. New directions for the research of quantum well solar cells are indicated.
An All-Inversion-Region gm/ID Based Design Methodology for Radiofrequency Blocks in CMOS Nanometer Technologies
Authors: Fiorelli Rafaella , Peralías Eduardo , Silveira Fernando
Published: February 2014

This chapter presents a design optimization methodology for analog radiofrequency (RF) blocks based on the gm/ID technique and on the exploration of all-inversion regions (from weak inversion or sub-threshold to strong inversion or above threshold) of the MOS transistor in nanometer technologies. The use of semi-empirical models of MOS transistors and passive components, as inductors or capacitors, assures accurate designs, reducing time and efforts for transferring the initial block specifications to a compliant design. This methodology permits the generation of graphical maps to visualize the evolution of the circuit characteristics when sweeping both the inversion zone and the bias current, allowing reaching very good compromises between performance aspects of the circuit (e.g. noise and power consumption) for a set of initial specifications. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of this methodology, it is applied in the design of two basic blocks of RF transceivers: low noise amplifiers (LNAs) and voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs), implemented in two different nanometer technologies and specified to be part of a 2.4 GHz transceiver. A possible design flow of each block is provided; resulting designs are implemented and verified both with simulations and measurements.
Advances in Robot Surgery
Authors: Frumento Silvia , Razzoli Roberto P. , Cepolina Francesco E.
Published: February 2014

Mini-invasive surgery deserves increasing attention to lower the post-operative stay in hospital and lessen falls-off complications. This leads to the trends in robots, as innovative integrated computer-aided implements. Out of front-end haptic effectors, the background support is turning to inclusive on-duty functions, e.g., surgical planners, operation assistants, etc., making possible the rethinking of protocols to progressively embed the innovations offered by the micro- and nano-technologies. The chapter brings in surgical robotics, with focus on technology and design issues of the remote-mode operation assistants. The investigation leads to define the technical characteristics of a CRHA, Co-Robotic Handling Appliance, to be purposely developed, to support the duty-split approach surgical planner. The expected features are outlined, including analysis of operation potential of special-purpose contrivances (i.e., automatic changing device of the surgical tools) and of scope-driven enhancers (i.e., exploration of the intervention theatre, IT).
Generating Supply Chain Ordering Policies using Quantum Inspired Genetic Algorithms and Grammatical Evolution
Authors: McGarraghy Seán , Phelan Michael
Published: February 2014

Contributions to a supply chain’s overall cost function (such as the bullwhip effect) are sensitive to the different players’ ordering policies. This chapter addresses the problem of developing ordering policies which minimise the overall supply chain cost. Evolutionary Algorithms have been used to evolve such ordering policies. The authors of this chapter extend existing research in a number of ways. They apply two more recent evolutionary algorithms to the problem: Grammatical Evolution (GE), using a standard Genetic Algorithm (GA) search engine; and Quantum Inspired Genetic Algorithm (QIGA), used both as a standalone algorithm, and as an alternative search engine for GE. The authors benchmark these against previous work on the linear Beer Game supply chain, and extend our approaches to arborescent supply chains (without gaming), and capacitated inventory. The ordering-policy-generating grammars investigated range from simple — only using the demand presented at that point — to complex — which may incorporate lagged demands, forecasting approaches such as Moving Average or Simple Exponential Smoothing, conditional statements and other operators. The different grammars and search engines are compared for deterministic demand, and various stochastic demand distributions. Overall, GE outperforms other approaches by discovering more efficient ordering policies. However, its performance is sensitive to the choice of grammar: simple grammars do best on deterministic demand, while grammars using conditionals, information sharing and forecasting do better on stochastic demand. GE with a QIGA search engine has similar performance overall to GE with a standard GA search engine: typically QIGA is better if demand follows a Poisson distribution, with GA better for Normal demand.
Phononic Engineering for Hot Carrier Solar Cells
Authors: Laribi Sana , Le Bris Arthur , Huang Lun Mei , Olsson Par , Guillemoles Jean Francois
Published: February 2014

The concept underlying the hot carrier solar cell is to slow the rate of photo-excited carrier cooling to allow time for the carriers to be collected while they are still at elevated energies (“hot”), and thus allowing higher voltages to be achieved from the cell. Significant reduction in carrier cooling has been observed in Quantum Well (QW) nano-structures at very high illumination intensities due to a “phonon bottleneck” mechanism. With the phononic gaps in nano-structures, the optical phonon lifetime can be prolonged by blocking the main phonon decay from optical branches to acoustical branches (such as the Klemens or Ridley decay channels). Si-based hot carrier cell is a very active topic and Si-Ge nano-structures are especially interesting for the application, as their fabrication process is well developed. In this chapter, the authors first analyse the operation of a hot carrier solar cell and lay down the general principles. They then discuss the opportunity of phonon engineering to improve the phonon bottleneck. Finally, they present how these can be modeled in nanostuctures comprising several thousand atoms, where true 3D phonon dispersion relations for Si-Ge nano-structures are obtained using first principles methods. The effects of the nano-structure size and geometry on the phonon dispersion relations are investigated. The possible phonon decay processes in the nano-structures are discussed and compared with the bulk crystal materials. The performance of calculated nano-structures on the hot carrier solar cell is evaluated with the acquired knowledge of phonon modes.
Quantum Backpropagation Neural Network Approach for Modeling of Phenol Adsorption from Aqueous Solution by Orange Peel Ash
Authors: Bhattacharjee Siddhartha , Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Mondal Naba Kumar
Published: February 2014

The chapter describes a multilayer quantum backpropagation neural network (QBPNN) architecture to predict the removal of phenol from aqueous solution by orange peel ash, guided by the application of three types of activation functions and characterized by backpropagation of errors. These activation functions are Sigmoid function, tanh function and tan1.5h function. First by a classical multilayer neural network architecture with three types of activation functions is discussed in this chapter. It takes 6000000 iterations to train the network with a learning rate of 0.01. Among these three types of activation functions tan1.5 function shows the best prediction result. Next, QBPNN is discussed in this chapter. It takes 22000 iterations to train the network with the same learning rate. Here also tan1.5h function shows the best result in prediction of removal of phenol. Thus QBPNN is much faster than the classical multilayer neural network architecture. Different graphs are also given for comparison between the experimental output and network output using different activation functions. This particular chapter basically deals with a model application by which experimental results can be comparing with the model output. Because of their reliable, robust, and salient characteristics in capturing the non-linear relationships existing between variables (multi-input/output) in complex systems, it has become apparent that numerous applications of ANNs/QBNN have been successfully conducted in various parts of environmental engineering. Fuzzy Logic is also used as alternate method to predict the removal of phenol from aqueous solution by orange peel ash, but QBPNN shows the best result.
An Epistemological Analysis of QSPR/QSAR Models
Authors: Vallverdú Jordi
Published: February 2014

Computer sciences have deeply changed the way by which we make science or produce knowledge. With the era of computers and the development of computer science, quantum chemists were among the first scientists to explore the potentialities of the new tool, and even to collaborate in its development. In this way, they also became participants in what many dubbed as the Second Instrumental Revolution in chemistry. Deeply involved into this research field, QSAR methods are powerful tools to create knowledge on toxicology and drug design, among others. There are several epistemological questions to be analyzed in order to understand the truth and scientific value of their research results (from in silico to wet laboratories and vice versa).
Dipole Moment as a Possible Diagnostic Descriptor of the Conformational Isomerism of the Ammonia Molecule
Authors: Ghosh Dulal C. , Rajak Sandip Kumar
Published: February 2014

In this chapter, Ghosh and Rajak have made a detailed quantum mechanical study of the variation of the dipole moment of ammonia as a function of its conformations evolving during the process of its umbrella inversion by invoking their method of dipole correlation of electronic structure as basis. Ghosh et al discover a surprising result that the variation of dipole moment mimics the total energy curve as a function of reaction coordinates revealing the fact that the dipole moment is one possible diagnostic descriptor of the conformational isomerism of molecules containing lone pair electrons. The dipole is calculated and partitioned into bond and lone pair components for a large number of conformations between the equilibrium shape and the transition state of inversion and the results are interpreted and correlated in terms of the localized molecular orbitals, LMOs generated from the canonical molecular orbitals, CMO’s of each conformation. Anderson, from the concept of space time symmetry, postulated that ammonia has zero dipole moment. Present study reveals that Anderson’s correlation relied upon the bond moment only while the major component of dipole of ammonia originates from the lone pair of nitrogen.
Application of Electrophoretic Deposition for Interfacial Control of High-Performance SiC Fiber-Reinforced SiC Matrix (SiCf/SiC) Composites
Authors: Yoshida Katsumi
Published: February 2014

This chapter reviews the novel fabrication process of continuous SiCf­/SiC composites based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD). EPD process is very effective for achieving relatively homogeneous carbon coating with the thickness of several tens to hundreds nanometers on SiC fibers. Carbon interface with the thickness of at least 100 nm formed by EPD acts effectively for inducing interfacial debonding and fiber pullout during fracture, and the SiCf­/SiC composites show excellent mechanical properties. From these results, it is demonstrated that the fabrication process based on EPD method is expected to be an effective way to control the interfaces of SiCf­/SiC composites and to obtain high-performance SiCf­/SiC composites.
Nanorevolution and Professionalizing University Education
Authors: Rai Mahendra , Deshmukh Shivaji
Published: February 2014

Nanotechnology (NT) is considered to constitute the basis of next technological revolution. It is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary subject covering physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. The present chapter discusses various applications of nanotechnology with respect to the relation with industries and to develop the human resources in nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is progressing fast in the fields of electronics, textiles, packaging, auto and aerospace industries, sports, optoelectronics, environmental monitoring, food science, forensics, security, cosmetics, agriculture, medicines, etc. NT is impacting our daily life with fast pace, and thus can be considered as a driving force for industrial development. The science has long been working at this scale and below. Bionanotechnology or nanobiotechnology is an area in nanoscience, which is fast picking up for its application in human health and agriculture.
Solar Energy Storage
Authors: Elgafy Ahmed
Published: February 2014

With the urgent need to harvest and store solar energy, especially with the dramatic unexpected changes in oil prices, the design of new generation of solar energy storage systems has grown in importance. Besides diminishing the role of the oil, these systems provide green energy which would help reducing air pollution. Solar energy would be stored in different forms of energy; thermal, electric, hybrid thermal/electric, thermochemical, photochemical, and photocapacitors. The nature of solar energy, radiant thermal energy, magnifies the role and usage of thermal energy storage (TES) techniques. In this chapter, different techniques/technologies for solar thermal energy storage are introduced for both terrestrial and space applications. Enhancing the performance of these techniques using nanotechnology is introduced as well as using of advanced materials and structures. The chapter also introduces the main features of the other techniques for solar energy storage along with recent conducted research work. Economic and environment feasibility studies are also introduced.
Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen Paradox and Certain Aspects of Quantum Cryptology with Some Applications
Authors: Karuppath Narayanankutty , Achuthan P.
Published: February 2014

The developments in quantum computing or any breakthrough in factorization algorithm would have far-reaching consequences in cryptology. For instance, Shor algorithm of factorizing in quantum computing might render the RSA type classical cryptography almost obsolete since it mainly depends on the computational complexity of factorization. Therefore, quantum cryptography is of immense importance and value in the modern context of recent scientific revolution. In this chapter, the authors discuss in brief certain fascinating aspects of Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox in the context of quantum cryptology. The EPR protocol and its connections to the famous Bell's inequality are also considered in here.
Endovascular neurointervention success and complication rates in the first year of independent practice in a suburban hospital setup
Authors: Kumar Subhash
Published: February 2014

Context: Endovascular neurointervention (interventional neuroradiology) is a highly demanding science requiring deep understanding of disease, anatomy, clinical skills and manual dexterity, consequently with a long learning curve and thus posing significant challenges to a physician entering new into the competitive arena. Aim: To evaluate the procedural success, complications and outcome in the first year of independent endovascular neurointervention practice in a suburban hospital. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data of all diagnostic and therapeutic neurointerventional cases performed by the author between the period of January 02, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Results: A total of 61 procedures were performed. The performance success rate of the diagnostic procedures was 100% (38/38) and that of therapeutic procedures was 82.6% (19/23). The periprocedural complication rates were nil and 13%, respectively, for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The 3-month patient outcome for therapeutic procedures was good outcome (Modified Rankin Scale <2) in 87% cases (20/23), and poor outcome in 13% (2 dead and 1 debilitated with Modified Rankin Scale of 3). Conclusion: For a well-trained endovascular neurointerventionalist, the first year of practice had high procedural success rate and acceptable complication with patient outcome rates comparable to the existing literature.
Role of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in ischemic stroke as an inflammatory marker of carotid atherosclerosis
Authors: Singh Amit Shankar , Atam Virendra , Yathish Besthenahalli Erappa , Das Liza , Koonwar Seiddhartha
Published: February 2014

Background: Inflammation mediates a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis which is an important cause of ischemic stroke. An elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may, therefore, be a marker of the extent andor intensity of a general atherosclerotic process and thus a marker for advanced atherosclerosis heralding increased risk of arterial thrombosis leading to ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: ESR was calculated in ischemic stroke patients by Westergren′s method along with carotid sonography using high resolution 7.5 MHz techniques to find the prevalence of increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and presence of plaque according to Mannheim Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Consensus. Results: Average value of ESR in all patients was 27.89 ± 9.73 mm/h. A significant association was found between ESR and markers of carotid atherosclerosis, that is, high CIMT of more than 0.8 mm (P < 0.0001) and presence of plaque (P-0.026) in univariate analysis. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between ESR and serum fibrinogen, another inflammatory marker. (r = 0.88, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The extent of inflammation may reflect in part the propensity of atherosclerotic lesions to lead to clinical disease. Study shows the association of ESR with markers of atherosclerosis confirming the strength of the inflammatory response associated with carotid atherosclerosis and might conceivably carry important prognostic information regarding occurrence of such catastrophic events in future.
Perihematomal edema as predictor of outcome in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Gupta Mani , Verma Rajesh , Parihar Anit , Garg Ravindra K. , Singh Maneesh K. , Malhotra Hardeep S.
Published: February 2014

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is a form of cerebrovascular accident with a very high rate of morbidity and mortality. The determinants of prognosis include the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiologic factors. It is long known that the hematoma size has a negative impact on the outcome in SICH. The influence of perihematomal edema (PHE) is not established to the extent same as that of hematoma volume. Hence, we planned this study to determine as to what role does PHE plays in the outcome in SICH. Aim of the Study: To evaluate the prognostic influence of absolute and relative edema (ratio of absolute edema to hematoma volume) in the patients of SICH. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective case-controlled study. A total of 44 patients were enrolled after excluding the confounding factors. The patients were evaluated and their disability was assessed using modified Rankin scale (MRS). The imaging was done in the interval between 24 and 72 h and the hematoma volume, absolute edema volume, and the relative edema were calculated. The outcome was reassessed at 12 weeks and defined as favorable if MRS < 3. Results: A total of 69 patients were found to be having SICH on imaging; however, 25 patients were excluded as they had one of the criterion for exclusion. Hence, only 44 patients were included in the study. On univariate analysis, none of the demographic characteristics of the patients, vascular risk factors, presenting complaints, blood pressure, Glasgow coma scale, and MRS at admission, laboratory parameters were not significantly different in the two outcome groups. The hematoma volume was significantly higher in the poor outcome group (P < 0.0001) and the relative edema was associated with a favorable outcome at 12 weeks (P < 0.0001). On multivariate logistic regression, the hematoma volume and relative edema were found to have effect on the outcome similar to that seen on univariate analysis. Conclusion: In SICH, a larger hematoma volume is a predictor of poor outcome and a relative edema is associated with a better functional status.
Combined central and peripheral demyelination
Authors: Menon Bindu , Bedi Saranjeet Singh , Rao G. Uma Maheshwar
Published: February 2014

Acquired central and peripheral demyelination in the same patient is a very rare feature. We report a 52-year-male patient with the chronic autoimmune hepatitis (CAH) presenting with pure motor areflexic quadriparesis from 4 months and recent onset of drowsiness of 4 days duration. Studies of imaging and electrophysiology suggested central pontine myelinolysis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Patient was effectively treated with high dose steroids. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of central and peripheral demyelination in a patient with CAH.
Intravenous glucagon like peptide-1 infusion does not affect dry matter intake or hypothalamic mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide and proopiomelatnocortin in wethers
Authors: Relling Alejandro E. , Loerch Steven C. , Reynolds Christopher K.
Published: February 2014

Relling, A. E., Loerch, S. C. and Reynolds, C. K. 2014. Intravenous glucagon like peptide-1 infusion does not affect dry matter intake or hypothalamic mRNA expression of neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide and proopiomelanocortin in wethers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 357–362. The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of jugular vein infusions of glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and dietary fat inclusion on dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and hypothalamic mRNA concentration of neuropeptide Y, agouti related peptide, and proopiomelanocortin in growing sheep. Thirty-six wethers were used (40.7±3.3 kg BW). Treatments were a control diet (n=11), dietary addition (6% of dry matter) of Ca salts of palm oil fatty acids (n=12), or 6-d jugular vein infusions of 0.155 µg kg−1 body weight/day of GLP-1 (n=11). Hormone concentrations were measured in jugular vein plasma from samples taken on days 1, 4 and 6. On day 7, the wethers were slaughtered for hypothalamus collection to measure mRNA concentration. The dietary addition of 6% of Ca salts of palm oil increased plasma GLP-1 concentration (P<0.01) and decreased dry matter intake on day 1, but not on day 6 (time×treatment interaction, P<0.05). The infusion of GLP-1 did not change dry matter intake (P>0.20), but increased neutral detergent fibre digestibility (P<0.01). In conclusion, glucagon like peptide-1 infusion or feeding fat did not decrease dry matter intake or affect hypothalamic neuropeptide mRNA concentrations of sheep.
Roles y medios de comunicación españoles, un estudio comparativo de tres décadas
Authors: Gutiérrez San Miguel Begoña , Ibañez Martínez Maria Luisa , Carcedo González Rodrigo J. , Bujosa Vadell Lorenzo Mateo , Del Pozo Pérez Marta , Martín Diz Fernando
Published: February 2014

Introducción. Este artículo presenta los resultados parciales de una investigación interdisciplinar consecuencia de un proyecto de innovación subvencionado por la universidad de Salamanca. Objetivos. Los objetivos son la identificación de los roles representados en diversos documentos televisivos españoles de los años 60, 80 y 2000, y el detectar el cambio social de cada época. Metodología. Se utiliza una metodología mixta con la elaboración de una encuesta aplicada a estudiantes y profesores de diversos Máster para detectar la representación de los paradigmas sociales en la televisión en los períodos analizados, los valores y los estereotipos que los sustentan. Para analizar el cambio en las preguntas de la encuesta en las diferentes etapas, se realizaron anovas de medidas repetidas y la prueba post-hoc bonferroni para las variables cuantitativa, y las pruebas no paramétricas de Q Cochran y McNemar para las variables categóricas de respuesta dicotómica. Conclusión. Se establece un cambio de paradigma en la representación de los roles en el país, con una evolución desigual de los mismos. Los malos tratos se visibilizan en los documentos audiovisuales y estos parecen fundamentarse en la pérdida de la identidad tradicional.
Perturbation Bound for the Eigenvalues of a Singular Diagonalizable Matrix
Authors: Wei Yimin , Qu Yifei
Published: February 2014

In this short note, we present a sharp upper bound for the perturbation of eigenvalues of a singular diagonalizable matrix given by Stanley C. Eisenstat [3].
An Algorithm for the Proximity Operator in Hybrid TV-Wavelet Regularization, with Application to MR Image Reconstruction
Authors: Fang Yu-Wen , Huo Xiao-Mei , Wen You-Wei
Published: February 2014

Total variation (TV) and waveletL1norms have often been used as regularization terms in image restoration and reconstruction problems. However, TV regularization can introduce staircase effects and wavelet regularization some ringing artifacts, but hybrid TV and wavelet regularization can reduce or remove these drawbacks in the reconstructed images. We need to compute the proximal operator of hybrid regularizations, which is generally a sub-problem in the optimization procedure. Both TV and waveletL1regularisers are nonlinear and non-smooth, causing numerical difficulty. We propose a dual iterative approach to solve the minimization problem for hybrid regularizations and also prove the convergence of our proposed method, which we then apply to the problem of MR image reconstruction from highly random under-sampled k-space data. Numerical results show the efficiency and effectiveness of this proposed method.
Factors that influence surface PM2.5 values inferred from satellite observations: perspective gained for the US Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area during DISCOVER-AQ
Authors: Crumeyrolle S. , Chen G. , Ziemba L. , Beyersdorf A. , Thornhill L. , Winstead E. , Moore R. H. , Shook M. A. , Hudgins C. , Anderson B. E.
Published: February 2014

Abstract. During the NASA DISCOVER-AQ campaign over the US Baltimore, MD–Washington, D.C., metropolitan area in July 2011, the NASA P-3B aircraft performed extensive profiling of aerosol optical, chemical, and microphysical properties. These in situ profiles were coincident with ground-based remote sensing (AERONET) and in situ (PM2.5) measurements. Here, we use this data set to study the correlation between the PM2.5 observations at the surface and the column integrated measurements. Aerosol optical depth (AOD550 nm) calculated with the extinction (550 nm) measured during the in situ profiles was found to be strongly correlated with the volume of aerosols present in the boundary layer (BL). Despite the strong correlation, some variability remains, and we find that the presence of aerosol layers above the BL (in the buffer layer – BuL) introduces significant uncertainties in PM2.5 estimates based on column-integrated measurements (overestimation of PM2.5 by a factor of 5). This suggests that the use of active remote sensing techniques would dramatically improve air quality retrievals. Indeed, the relationship between the AOD550 nm and the PM2.5 is strongly improved by accounting for the aerosol present in and above the BL (i.e., integrating the aerosol loading from the surface to the top of the BuL). Since more than 15% of the AOD values observed during DISCOVER-AQ are dominated by aerosol water uptake, the f(RH)amb (ratio of scattering coefficient at ambient relative humidity (RH) to scattering coefficient at low RH; see Sect. 3.2) is used to study the impact of the aerosol hygroscopicity on the PM2.5 retrievals. The results indicate that PM2.5 can be predicted within a factor up to 2 even when the vertical variability of the f(RH)amb is assumed to be negligible. Moreover, f(RH = 80%) and RH measurements performed at the ground may be used to estimate the f(RH)amb during dry conditions (RHBL < 55%).