bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TORSIONAL WAVE PROPAGATION AND VIBRATION OF CIRCULAR NANOSTRUCTURES BASED ON NONLOCAL ELASTICITY THEORY
Authors: ISLAM Z. M. , JIA P. , LIM C. W.
Published: February 2014

The presence of size effects represented by a small nanoscale on torsional wave propagation properties of circular nanostructure, such as nanoshafts, nanorods and nanotubes, is investigated. Based on the nonlocal elasticity theory, the dynamic equation of motion for the structure is formulated. By using the derived equation, simple analytical solutions for the relation between wavenumber and frequency via the differential nonlocal constitutive relation and the numerical solutions for a discrete nonlocal model via the integral nonlocal constitutive relation have been obtained. This results not only show that the dispersion characteristics of circular nanostructures are greatly affected by the small nanoscale and the classical theory overestimates the stiffness of nanostructures, but also highlights the significance of the integral nonlocal model which is able to capture some boundary characteristics that do not appear in the differential nonlocal model.
FLEXURAL RIGIDITY OF THIN AUXETIC PLATES
Authors: LIM TEIK-CHENG
Published: February 2014

The influence of auxeticity on the mechanical behavior of isotropic plates is considered herein by evaluating the plate flexural rigidity as the Poisson's ratio changes from 0.5 to -1. Since the change in plate's Poisson's ratio is followed by a change in at least one of the three moduli, any resulting change to the plate flexural rigidity is only meaningful when at least one of the moduli is held constant. This was performed by normalizing the plate flexural rigidity by a single modulus, a square root of two moduli product, or a cube root of three moduli product to give a dimensionless plate flexural rigidity. It was found that the plate flexural rigidity decreases to a minimum as the plate Poisson's ratio decreases from 0.5 to 0 when only the Young's modulus is held constant. Thereafter the plate flexural rigidity increases with the plate auxeticity. Results also reveal that when only the shear modulus or when the bulk modulus is held constant, the plate flexural rigidity decreases or increases, respectively, with the plate auxeticity. Intermediate trend in the plate flexural rigidity is observed when the product of two moduli is held constant. When the product of all three moduli is held constant, the plate flexural rigidity increases with the plate auxeticity, and the change is especially drastic when the plate Poisson's ratio is near to the upper and lower limits of Poisson's ratio for isotropic solids. Results from this work are useful for structural designers to control the flexural rigidity of plate made from auxetic materials.
INVERSE RECONSTRUCTION OF THERMAL AND MECHANICAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS IN COUPLED NONLINEAR THERMO-ELASTIC PROBLEMS
Authors: KHAJEHPOUR S. , HEMATIYAN M. R.
Published: February 2014

A stable technique based on the finite element method for inverse analysis of coupled nonlinear thermo-elastic problems is presented. Not only the time-domain is divided into small intervals, but also the space-domain is divided into several sub-domains. The inverse problem is solved in each sub-domain subsequently. For the inverse analysis in each sub-domain, the unknown boundary conditions are found by using an optimization method and also by employing the information obtained in the previous sub-domain. The method is sufficiently stable to be used for inverse analysis of a thermo-elastic problem under a thermal shock. Three numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. The effects of the number of sub-domains are investigated in the examples.
DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF THE ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEM DAMPED BY AN IMPACT ELEMENT WITH SOFT STOPS
Authors: LAMPART MAREK , ZAPOMĚL JAROSLAV
Published: February 2014

The main aim of this paper is to focus on analysis of the dynamic properties of the electromechanical system with an impact element. This model is constructed with three degrees of freedom in the mechanical oscillating part, two translational and one rotational, and is completed with an electric circuit. The mathematical model of the system is represented by three mutually coupled second-order ordinary differential equations. Here, the most important nonlinearities are: stiffness of the support spring elements and internal impacts. Several important results were obtained by means of computational simulations. The impacts considerably increase the number of resonance peaks of the frequency response characteristic. Character of the system motion strongly depends on the width of clearances between the impact body and the rotor frame and changes from simple periodic to close to chaotic or to periodic with a large number of ultraharmonic components. For a suitably chosen system parameters, a significant damping effect of the impact element was observed.
QUASICOMPLEMENTED C-ALGEBRAS
Authors: Sambasiva Rao M.
Published: February 2014

The notion of quasicomplemented C-algebras is introduced. The concepts of strong α-ideals and O-ideals are introduced and then some properties of quasicomplemented C-algebras are studied with the help of strong α-ideals and O-ideals. The concept of regular C-algebras is introduced and also some equivalent conditions are derived for every regular C-algebra to become a quasicomplemented C-algebra. Some topological characterizations are considered for quasicomplemented C-algebras and regular C-algebras.
AUTOMORPHISM GROUPS OF ENDOMORPHISM MONOIDS OF FREE G-SETS
Authors: Konieczny Janusz
Published: February 2014

Let G be a group. A G-set is a nonempty set A together with a (right) action of G on A. The class of G-sets, viewed as unary algebras, is a variety. For a set X, let AG(X) be the free algebra on X in the variety of G-sets. We determine the group of automorphisms of End (AG(X)), the monoid of endomorphisms of AG(X).
Detrital zircon age constraints on basement history on the margins of the northern Rockall Basin
Authors: Morton Andrew , Frei Dirk , Stoker Martyn , Ellis David
Published: February 2014

Detrital zircon dating has proven to be an effective way to constrain ages of submerged basement terranes on the margins of the northern Rockall Basin, a region where direct evidence of crustal affinities is scarce or absent. Zircons have been dated from sandstones of Paleocene–Oligocene age known to have been derived from the east (Hebridean Platform) and west (Rockall and George Bligh highs). The results show that the Hebridean Platform is a westward extension of the Lewisian Complex, with Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic ages that can be directly correlated with events identified in the Outer Hebrides and NW Scotland. The detrital zircons derived from the Hebridean Platform also provide evidence for a Mesoproterozoic thermal event and two phases of intrusions in the Palaeozoic. The Rockall High consists of a Palaeoproterozoic terrane dated as
c.
1760–1800 Ma, similar to ages previously determined from both basement samples and detrital sediment. The data also provide evidence for the subsequent intrusion of alkaline igneous rocks in the Paleocene–Eocene. The George Bligh High represents an Archaean terrane heavily affected by Palaeoproterozoic tectonothermal events, and was also the site of intrusion of alkaline igneous rocks during Paleocene time.
Success in exploring for reliable, robust Paleocene traps west of Shetland
Authors: Loizou N.
Published: February 2014

This paper incorporates the results of recent exploration wells to provide a re-evaluation and re-validation of earlier publications by the author.

Following the discovery of the Foinaven and Schiehallion fields in the early 1990s, exploration success for Paleocene targets outside the Quadrant 204 area of the Faroe–Shetland Basin was initially rather limited. However, renewed interest in the last 10 years has seen 12 Paleocene exploration wells drilled, of which 9 have encountered notable hydrocarbons.

Since 1972, 151 exploration wells have been drilled west of Shetland with 79 wells (52%) specifically positioned on Paleocene prospects which resulted in 23 discoveries. Analysis of the 56 failed Paleocene wells shows that around 80% were drilled on either a poor or invalid trap, with the remaining 20% failing mainly due to either lack of or poor reservoir or poor top or lateral seal. Intriguingly, only 4 exploration wells have been exclusively positioned on Paleocene 4-way dip (or structural closures) structures, with all of these encountering hydrocarbons.

Fifty-six Paleocene prospects contained a stratigraphic component with 15 notable successes, all of which are within the Upper Paleocene Vaila sequence. Ten key discoveries are located in the Judd Sub-basin or adjacent Westray High (Foinaven, SE Foinaven, SW Foinaven, Schiehallion, Loyal, Alligin, Cuillin, Arkle, Amos and Tornado). A further four are located in the Flett Sub-basin (Laggan, Tormore, Torridon, Laxford) and one is in the Foula Sub-basin (Glenlivet).

Forty-six of the wells were positioned on an amplitude or amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) anomaly, of which 16 encountered notable hydrocarbons. Following post-mortem studies, the majority of the remaining 30 failed wells could be shown to have drilled poorly defined amplitude anomalies (various lithologies including igneous), AVO artefacts or spurious direct hydrocarbon indicator (DHIs) (which include multiples). Wells 204/17-1 and 204/18-1 are good examples of poorly interpreted AVO responses, in which high amplitudes are mainly present on the nears (low offset data) and there is significantly decreased amplitude on the highs (far offset data). Moreover, post-drill AVO analyses categorically show that both wells were indeed drilled on Class I AVO anomalies.

Not surprisingly, in recent years all of the wells positioned on sound AVO anomalies have been successful in encountering hydrocarbons. Moreover, these wells show both a clear increase in amplitude with offset and a conformance with structure. Undoubtedly, the recent triumphs firmly demonstrate there is potential for maintaining a high success rate in future Paleocene exploration west of Shetland. Equally, the evaluation and use of proven examples of successful traps such as Foinaven, Schiehallion, Laggan, Tormore, Glenlivet and other analogues can add value to future exploration programmes.
Making parallel programs reliable with stable multithreading
Authors: Yang Junfeng , Cui Heming , Wu Jingyue , Tang Yang , Hu Gang
Published: February 2014

Stable multithreading dramatically simplifies the interleaving behaviors of parallel programs, offering new hope for making parallel programming easier.
Using targeted conferences to recruit women into computer science
Authors: Alvarado Christine , Judson Eugene
Published: February 2014

To inspire women to major in CS, take them to the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing.
Reading brains
Authors: Klarreich Erica
Published: February 2014

The first steps have been taken toward enabling a computer to perceive one's thoughts.
Playing at health
Authors: Savage Neil
Published: February 2014

Developers try to tap the beneficial effects of video games.
Dynamic Power and Thermal Management of NoC-Based Heterogeneous MPSoCs
Authors: Kornaros George , Pnevmatikatos Dionisios
Published: February 2014

Advances in silicon process technology have made it possible to include multiple processor cores on a single die. Billion transistor architectures usually in the form of networks-on-chip present a wide range of challenges in design, microarchitecture, and algorithmic levels with significant impact to system performance and power consumption. In this article, we propose efficient methods and mechanisms that exploit a heterogeneous network-on-chip (NoC) to achieve a power- and thermal-aware coherent system. To this end, we utilize different management techniques which employ dynamic frequency scaling circuitry and power and temperature sensors per node to achieve real-time workload prediction and allocation at node and system level by low-cost threads. The developed heterogeneous multicoprocessing infrastructure is utilized to evaluate diverse policies for power-aware computing in terms of effectiveness and in relation to distributed sensor-conscious management. The proposed reconfigurable architecture supports coprocessor accelerators per node, monitors the program’s power profile on-the-fly, and balances power and thermal behavior at the NoC level. Overall, these techniques form a system exploration methodology using a multi-FPGA emulation platform showing a minimum complexity overhead.
High-Level Abstractions and Modular Debugging for FPGA Design Validation
Authors: Iskander Yousef , Patterson Cameron , Craven Stephen
Published: February 2014

Design validation is the most time-consuming task in the FPGA design cycle. Although manufacturers and third-party vendors offer a range of tools that provide visibility and control of the different stages of a design, many require that the design be fully re-implemented for even simple parameter modifications or do not allow the design to be run at full speed. Designs are typically first modeled using a high-level language then later rewritten in a hardware description language, first for simulation and then later modified for synthesis. IP and third-party cores may differ during these final two stages complicating development and validation. The developed approach provides two means of directly validating synthesized hardware designs. The first allows the original high-level model written in C or C++ to be directly coupled to the synthesized hardware, abstracting away the traditional gate-level view of designs. A high-level programmatic interface allows the synthesized design to be validated directly by the software reference model. The second approach provides an alternative view to FPGAs within the scope of a traditional software debugger. This debug framework leverages partially reconfigurable regions to accelerate the modification of dynamic, software-like breakpoints for low-level analysis and provides a automatable, scriptable, command-line interface directly to a running design on an FPGA.
The API performance contract
Authors: Sproull Robert F. , Waldo Jim
Published: February 2014

How can the expected interactions between caller and implementation be guaranteed?
Scaling existing lock-based applications with lock elision
Authors: Kleen Andi
Published: February 2014

Enabling existing lock-based programs to achieve performance benefits of nonblocking synchronization.
Structure Design and Stepping Characteristics Analysis of the Biaxial Piezoelectric Actuated Stage Using a Thin-Disc Piezoelectric Actuator
Authors: Mou Shann-Chyi
Published: February 2014

In this paper, a novel thin-disc piezoelectric actuator, 4-9-9-14 piezoelectric actuator, is used to construct and drive the micro/nanometer level biaxial piezoelectric actuated stage. The 4-9-9-14 piezoelectric actuator offers a better balanced capability of forward rotation and reverse rotation than the conventional edge-driving piezoelectric actuator. The biaxial piezoelectric actuated stage structure comprises a base, a V-shaped guide rail, an optical scale measurement system, a preload adjusting structure, and a load-carrying stage. The movement signals of the piezoelectric actuated stage are read and analyzed by means of NI PCI-6115 data acquisition card and LabVIEW software operating in conjunction with a linear optical scale. The new consideration of tuning Tontime is used in place of the traditional method of changing the magnitude of driving voltage to control the stepping distance of the stage. A combined driving signal is based on the sum of a continuous driving signal for Tontime and a DC signal for Tontime; the combined driving signal is continuously output in this manner to form a continuous driving pulse chain. Under a constant driving voltage, the displacement of the stage increases with Tontime and the displacement of the stage decreases with Tontime.
Preparation and Drug-Release Kinetics of Porous Poly(L-lactic acid)/Rifampicin Blend Particles
Authors: Sasaki Takashi , Matsuura Hiroaki , Tanaka Kazuki
Published: February 2014

Porous polymer spheres are promising materials as carriers for controlled drug release. As a new drug-carrier material, blend particles composed of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and rifampicin were developed using the freeze-drying technique. The blend particles exhibit high porosity with a specific surface area of 10–40 m2 g−1. Both the size and porosity of the particles depend on the concentration of the original solution and on the method of freezing. With respect to the latter, we used the drop method (pouring the original solution dropwise into liquid nitrogen) and the spray method (freezing a mist of the original solution). The release kinetics of rifampicin from the blend particles into water depends significantly on the morphology of the blend particles. The results show that the release rate can be controlled to a great extent by tuning the size and porosity of the blend particles, both of which are varied by parameters such as the solution concentration and the method of freezing.
Real-Time Filter Method Based on the Structural Frequency of FAST Cabin-Cable System
Authors: Xu Wenhua , Bao Hong , Mi Jianwei , Yang Guigeng
Published: February 2014

Due to great flexibility, low damping, and variable structure in the cabin-cable system of five hundred meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), a real-time digital low-pass filter based on the analysis of frequency is presented in this paper. Firstly, by the Lomb-Scargle theorem, it can obtain the fundamental frequency of cabin-cable system. Then, using the obtained frequency, a digital low-pass filter is designed to filter the measured data. After being filtered, the measured data are used for coarse control. Finally, the results of the experiments on the FAST 5 m model show that calculating the fundamental frequency is accurate and the filter is effective.
Adaptation of Australia’s Marine Ecosystems to Climate Change: Using Science to Inform Conservation Management
Authors: Johnson Johanna E. , Holbrook Neil J.
Published: February 2014

The challenges that climate change poses for marine ecosystems are already manifesting in impacts at the species, population, and community levels in Australia, particularly in Tasmania and tropical northern Australia. Many species and habitats are already under threat as a result of human activities, and the additional pressure from climate change significantly increases the challenge for marine conservation and management. Climate change impacts are expected to magnify as sea surface temperatures, ocean chemistry, ocean circulation, sea level, rainfall, and storm patterns continue to change this century. In particular, keystone species that form the foundation of marine habitats, such as coral reefs, kelp beds, and temperate rocky reefs, are projected to pass thresholds with subsequent implications for communities and ecosystems. This review synthesises recent science in this field: the observed impacts and responses of marine ecosystems to climate change, ecological thresholds of change, and strategies for marine conservation to promote adaptation. Increasing observations of climate-related impacts on Australia’s marine ecosystems—both temperate and tropical—are making adaptive management more important than ever before. Our increased understanding of the impacts and responses of marine ecosystems to climate change provides a focus for “no-regrets” adaptations that can be implemented now and refined as knowledge improves.
Cosmological Constraints on Mirror Matter Parameters
Authors: Ciarcelluti Paolo , Wallemacq Quentin
Published: February 2014

Up-to-date estimates of the cosmological parameters are presented as a result of numerical simulations of cosmic microwave background and large scale structure, considering a flat Universe in which the dark matter is made entirely or partly of mirror matter, and the primordial perturbations are scalar adiabatic and in linear regime. A statistical analysis using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method allows to obtain constraints of the cosmological parameters. As a result, we show that a Universe with pure mirror dark matter is statistically equivalent to the case of an admixture with cold dark matter. The upper limits for the ratio of the temperatures of ordinary and mirror sectors are around 0.3 for both the cosmological models, which show the presence of a dominant fraction of mirror matter,0.06≲Ωmirrorh2≲0.12.
A Layered Searchable Encryption Scheme with Functional Components Independent of Encryption Methods
Authors: Luo Guangchun , Peng Ningduo , Qin Ke , Chen Aiguo
Published: February 2014

Searchable encryption technique enables the users to securely store and search their documents over the remote semitrusted server, which is especially suitable for protecting sensitive data in the cloud. However, various settings (based on symmetric or asymmetric encryption) and functionalities (ranked keyword query, range query, phrase query, etc.) are often realized by different methods with different searchable structures that are generally not compatible with each other, which limits the scope of application and hinders the functional extensions. We prove that asymmetric searchable structure could be converted to symmetric structure, and functions could be modeled separately apart from the core searchable structure. Based on this observation, we propose a layered searchable encryption (LSE) scheme, which provides compatibility, flexibility, and security for various settings and functionalities. In this scheme, the outputs of the core searchable component based on either symmetric or asymmetric setting are converted to some uniform mappings, which are then transmitted to loosely coupled functional components to further filter the results. In such a way, all functional components could directly support both symmetric and asymmetric settings. Based on LSE, we propose two representative and novel constructions for ranked keyword query (previously only available in symmetric scheme) and range query (previously only available in asymmetric scheme).
Applied Biomimetics: A New Fresh Look of Textiles
Authors: Teodorescu Mirela
Published: February 2014

Biomimetics is a new research field that deals with extraction and imitation of functional principles of nature and applying them in engineering. Due to the perfection of structures and mechanisms found in the natural world, scientists came to the conclusion that these may constitute reliable sources of inspiration and viable solutions for technological problems they face today. Industrial applications have rapidly developed. Trying to synthesize all information about this extremely large field, with branches in biology, physics, chemistry, and engineering, soon I realised that an exhaustive study is merely a utopia. Despite all that, the beauty and perfection of “inspiration sources” which led to the fabrication of many biomimetic prototypes encouraged me to approach with thrill and enthusiasm this fascinating domain, not in general, but in a more specific field, the textile field. After a brief introduction to Biomimetics and a historical review of it, there are presented some of the most important biomimetic textiles innovations, among which I mention fibrous structures, multifunctional surfaces, thermal insulating materials, and structurally coloured materials.
Fuzzy Soft System and Arrhythmia Classification
Authors: Srivastava Pankaj , Sharma Neeraja , Aparna C. S.
Published: February 2014

An arrhythmia is an irregularity with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. The present paper deals with the classification scheme of arrhythmia commonly occurring in human beings of Southeast Asian countries. Medical knowledge used in practice has been closely studied for modelling user friendly referral system to sharpen arrhythmia diagnosis by experts and this system is tested with satisfactory factor which is measured with degree of match criterion under the domain of considered inputs and computed output.
Kinetic Characterization and Effect of Immobilized Thermostableβ-Glucosidase in Alginate Gel Beads on Sugarcane Juice
Authors: Keerti  , Gupta Anuradha , Kumar Vinod , Dubey Ashutosh , Verma A. K.
Published: February 2014

A thermostableβ-glucosidase was effectively immobilized on alginate by the method of gel entrapment. After optimization of immobilized conditions, recovered enzyme activity was 60%. Optimum pH, temperature, kinetic parameters, thermal and pH stability, reusability, and storage stability were investigated. TheKmandVmaxfor immobilizedβ-glucosidase were estimated to be 5.0 mM and 0.64 U/ml, respectively. When comparing, free and immobilized enzyme, change was observed in optimum pH and temperature from 5.0 to 6.0 and 60°C to 80°C, respectively. Immobilized enzyme showed an increase in pH stability over the studied pH range (3.0–10.0) and stability at temperature up to 80°C. The storage stability and reusability of the immobilizedβ-glucosidase were improved significantly, with 12.09% activity retention at 30°C after being stored for 25 d and 17.85% residual activity after being repeatedly used for 4 times. The effect of both free and immobilizedβ-glucosidase enzyme on physicochemical properties of sugarcane juice was also analyzed.
Maximum Neighborhood Margin Discriminant Projection for Classification
Authors: Gou Jianping , Zhan Yongzhao , Wan Min , Shen Xiangjun , Chen Jinfu , Du Lan
Published: February 2014

We develop a novel maximum neighborhood margin discriminant projection (MNMDP) technique for dimensionality reduction of high-dimensional data. It utilizes both the local information and class information to model the intraclass and interclass neighborhood scatters. By maximizing the margin between intraclass and interclass neighborhoods of all points, MNMDP cannot only detect the true intrinsic manifold structure of the data but also strengthen the pattern discrimination among different classes. To verify the classification performance of the proposed MNMDP, it is applied to the PolyU HRF and FKP databases, the AR face database, and the UCI Musk database, in comparison with the competing methods such as PCA and LDA. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our MNMDP in pattern classification.
Efficacy of Massage Therapy on Pain and Dysfunction in Patients with Neck Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Cheng Yong Hong , Huang Gui Cheng
Published: February 2014

Objective. To systematically evaluate the evidence of whether massage therapy (MT) is effective for neck pain.
Methods. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified through searches of 5 English and Chinese databases (to December 2012). The search terms included neck pain, neck disorders, cervical vertebrae, massage, manual therapy, Tuina, and random. In addition, we performed hand searches at the library of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Two reviewers independently abstracted data and assessed the methodological quality of RCTs by PEDro scale. And the meta‐analyses of improvements on pain and neck‐related function were conducted. Results. Fifteen RCTs met inclusion criteria. The meta‐analysis showed that MT experienced better immediate effects on pain relief compared with inactive therapies (n = 153; standardised mean difference (SMD), 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.09 to 2.50; P = 0.03) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 125; SMD, 0.73; 95% CI 0.13 to 1.33; P = 0.02). There was no valid evidence of MT on improving dysfunction. With regard to follow‐up effects, there was not enough evidence of MT for neck pain. Conclusions. This systematic review found moderate evidence of MT on improving pain in patients with neck pain compared with inactive therapies and limited evidence compared with traditional Chinese medicine. There were no valid lines of evidence of MT on improving dysfunction. High quality RCTs are urgently needed to confirm these results and continue to compare MT with other active therapies for neck pain.
Study of the Long-Term Results of Decompressive Craniectomy after Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Based on a Series of 60 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Gouello Gaétane , Hamel Olivier , Asehnoune Karim , Bord Eric , Robert Roger , Buffenoir Kevin
Published: February 2014

Background. Decompressive craniectomy can be proposed in the management of severe traumatic brain injury. Current studies report mixed results, preventing any clear conclusions on the place of decompressive craniectomy in traumatology.Methods. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of all decompressive craniectomies performed between 2005 and 2011 for refractory intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury. Sixty patients were included. Clinical parameters (Glasgow scale, pupillary examination) and radiological findings (Marshall CT scale) were analysed. Complications, clinical outcome, and early and long-term Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were evaluated after surgery. Finally, the predictive value of preoperative parameters to guide the clinician’s decision to perform craniectomy was studied.Results. Craniectomy was unilateral in 58 cases and the mean bone flap area was 100 cm2. Surgical complications were observed in 6.7% of cases. Mean followup was 30 months and a favourable outcome was obtained in 50% of cases. The initial Glasgow Scale was the only statistically significant predictive factor for long-term outcome.Conclusion. Despite the discordant results in the literature, this study demonstrates that decompressive craniectomy is useful for the management of refractory intracranial hypertension after severe traumatic brain injury.
Drugs Cheaper Than Threepenny: The Market of Extremely Low-Priced Drugs within the National Health Insurance in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Bih-Ru , Chou Chia-Lin , Hsu Chia-Chen , Chou Yueh-Ching , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chou Li-Fang
Published: February 2014

While most drug policy researches paid attention to the financial impact of expensive drugs, the market situation of low-priced drugs in a country was seldom analyzed. We used the nationally representative claims datasets to explore the status within the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Taiwan. In 2007, a total of 12,443 distinct drug items had been prescribed 853,250,147 times with total expenditure of 105,216,950,198 new Taiwan dollars (NTD). Among them, 7,366 oral drug items accounted for 701,353,383 prescribed items and 68,133,988,960 NTD. Besides, 2,887 items (39.2% of oral drug items) belonged to cheap drugs with the unit price ≤1 NTD (about 0.03 of US dollar). While the top one item among all oral drugs had already a market share of 5.0%, 30 items 30.3% and 107 items 50.0%, the cheap drugs with aggregate 332,893,462 prescribed items (47.5% of all prescribed oral drug items) only accounted for 2,750,725,433 NTD (4.0% of expenditure for oral drugs and 2.6% of total drug expenditure). The drug market of Taiwan’s NHI was abundant in cheap drugs. The unreasonably low prices of drugs might not guarantee the quality of pharmaceutical care and the sustainability of a healthy pharmaceutical industry in the long run.
Dimensional Information-Theoretic Measurement of Facial Emotion Expressions in Schizophrenia
Authors: Hamm Jihun , Pinkham Amy , Gur Ruben C. , Verma Ragini , Kohler Christian G.
Published: February 2014

Altered facial expressions of emotions are characteristic impairments in schizophrenia. Ratings of affect have traditionally been limited to clinical rating scales and facial muscle movement analysis, which require extensive training and have limitations based on methodology and ecological validity. To improve reliable assessment of dynamic facial expression changes, we have developed automated measurements of facial emotion expressions based on information-theoretic measures of expressivity ofambiguityanddistinctivenessof facial expressions. These measures were examined in matched groups of persons with schizophrenia (n=28) and healthy controls (n=26) who underwent video acquisition to assess expressivity of basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust) in evoked conditions. Persons with schizophrenia scored higher onambiguity, the measure of conditional entropy within the expression of a single emotion, and they scored lower ondistinctiveness, the measure of mutual information across expressions of different emotions. The automated measures compared favorably with observer-based ratings. This method can be applied for delineating dynamic emotional expressivity in healthy and clinical populations.
Leakage Performance of the GM + CCL Liner System for the MSW Landfill
Authors: Jingjing Fan
Published: February 2014

The contaminants in the landfill leachate press pose a grave threat to environment of the soil and the groundwater beneath the landfill. Despite there being strict requirements in relevant provisions of both domestic and foreign countries for the design of the bottom liner system. Pollution of the soil and the groundwater still took place in a number of landfills because of the leakage. To investigate the leakage rate of the liner systems, the minimum design requirements of the liner systems are summarized according to the provisions of four countries, including China, USA, Germany, and Japan. Comparative analyses using one-dimensional transport model are conducted to study the leakage performance of these liner systems composed of geomembrance (GM) and compacted clay layer (CCL) meeting the relevant minimum design requirements. Then parametric analyses are conducted to study the effects of the hydraulic head, the thickness of GM, the hydraulic conductivity of CCL, and so forth on the leakage performance of the liner system. It is concluded that the liner system designed according to the minimum design requirements of Germany provide the best antileakage performance, while that of Japan performs the lowest. The key parameters affecting the failure time of the liner system are summarized. Finally, some suggestions for the design of the liner systems are made according to the analyses.
Trusted Computing Strengthens Cloud Authentication
Authors: Ghazizadeh Eghbal , Zamani Mazdak , Ab Manan Jamalul-lail , Alizadeh Mojtaba
Published: February 2014

Cloud computing is a new generation of technology which is designed to provide the commercial necessities, solve the IT management issues, and run the appropriate applications. Another entry on the list of cloud functions which has been handled internally is Identity Access Management (IAM). Companies encounter IAM as security challenges while adopting more technologies became apparent. Trust Multi-tenancy and trusted computing based on a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) are great technologies for solving the trust and security concerns in the cloud identity environment. Single sign-on (SSO) and OpenID have been released to solve security and privacy problems for cloud identity. This paper proposes the use of trusted computing, Federated Identity Management, and OpenID Web SSO to solve identity theft in the cloud. Besides, this proposed model has been simulated in .Net environment. Security analyzing, simulation, and BLP confidential model are three ways to evaluate and analyze our proposed model.
Fetus Sound Stimulation: Cilia Memristor Effect of Signal Transduction
Authors: Jankovic-Raznatovic Svetlana , Dragojevic-Dikic Svetlana , Rakic Snezana , Nikolic Branka , Plesinac Snezana , Tasic Lidija , Perisic Zivko , Sovilj Mirjana , Adamovic Tatjana , Koruga Djuro
Published: February 2014

Background. This experimental study evaluates fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) circulation after the defined prenatal acoustical stimulation (PAS) and the role of cilia in hearing and memory and could explain signal transduction and memory according to cilia optical-acoustical properties.Methods. PAS was performed twice on 119 no-risk term pregnancies. We analyzed fetal MCA circulation before, after first and second PAS.Results. Analysis of the Pulsatility index basic (PIB) and before PAS and Pulsatility index reactive after the first PAS (PIR 1) shows high statistical difference, representing high influence on the brain circulation. Analysis of PIB and Pulsatility index reactive after the second PAS (PIR 2) shows no statistical difference. Cilia as nanoscale structure possess magnetic flux linkage that depends on the amount of charge that has passed between two-terminal variable resistors of cilia. Microtubule resistance, as a function of the current through and voltage across the structure, leads to appearance of cilia memory with the “memristor” property.Conclusion. Acoustical and optical cilia properties play crucial role in hearing and memory processes. We suggest that fetuses are getting used to sound, developing a kind of memory patterns, considering acoustical and electromagnetically waves and involving cilia and microtubules and try to explain signal transduction.
Weather Features Associated with Aircraft Icing Conditions: A Case Study
Authors: Fernández-González Sergio , Sánchez José Luis , Gascón Estíbaliz , López Laura , García-Ortega Eduardo , Merino Andrés
Published: February 2014

In the context of aviation weather hazards, the study of aircraft icing is very important because of several accidents attributed to it over recent decades. On February 1, 2012, an unusual meteorological situation caused severe icing of a C-212-200, an aircraft used during winter 2011-2012 to study winter cloud systems in the Guadarrama Mountains of the central Iberian Peninsula. Observations in this case were from a MP-3000A microwave radiometric profiler, which acquired atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles continuously every 2.5 minutes. A Cloud Aerosol and Precipitation Spectrometer (CAPS) was also used to study cloud hydrometeors. Finally, ice nuclei concentration was measured in an isothermal cloud chamber, with the goal of calculating concentrations in the study area. Synoptic and mesoscale meteorological conditions were analysed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. It was demonstrated that topography influenced generation of a mesolow and gravity waves on the lee side of the orographic barrier, in the region where the aircraft experienced icing. Other factors such as moisture, wind direction, temperature, atmospheric stability, and wind shear were decisive in the appearance of icing. This study indicates that icing conditions may arise locally, even when the synoptic situation does not indicate any risk.
L-Phenylalanine Transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Participation of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1
Authors: Sáenz Daniel A. , Chianelli Mónica S. , Stella Carlos A.
Published: February 2014

We focused on the participation of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1 in L-phenylalanine transport in yeast. In order to study the physiological functions of GAP1, BAP2, and AGP1 in L-phenylalanine transport, we examined the kinetics, substrate specificity, and regulation of these systems, employing isogenic haploid strains with the respective genes disrupted individually and in combination. During the characterization of phenylalanine transport, we noted important regulatory phenomena associated with these systems. Our results show that Agp1p is the major transporter of the phenylalanine in a gap1 strain growing in synthetic media with leucine present as an inducer. In a wild type strain grown in the presence of leucine, when ammonium ion was the nitrogen source, Bap2p is the principal phenylalanine carrier.
Antitumor Effect of Water Decoctions of Taxus Cuspidate on Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Qu Chao , Chen Zhen
Published: February 2014

The Taxus cuspidate has been used as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and considered to affect various physiological functions in the body for thousands of years. As we know that taxol isolated from the Taxus cuspidate has been approved for the treatment of ovarian cancer, it has also shown its antitumor abilities against other kinds of cancers. But the antitumor activity of other components which are free of paclitaxel and hydrophilic paclitaxel derivatives from Taxus cuspidate has not been fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of the water decoctions from the leaves of Taxus cuspidate on pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and the potential mechanism(s); though its antitumor activity and mechanism in vitro remain to be elucidated, the water soluble constituents from Taxus cuspidate could be used in clinical for cancer patients.
Water Fluoridation: A Critical Review of the Physiological Effects of Ingested Fluoride as a Public Health Intervention
Authors: Peckham Stephen , Awofeso Niyi
Published: February 2014

Fluorine is the world’s 13th most abundant element and constitutes 0.08% of the Earth crust. It has the highest electronegativity of all elements. Fluoride is widely distributed in the environment, occurring in the air, soils, rocks, and water. Although fluoride is used industrially in a fluorine compound, the manufacture of ceramics, pesticides, aerosol propellants, refrigerants, glassware, and Teflon cookware, it is a generally unwanted byproduct of aluminium, fertilizer, and iron ore manufacture. The medicinal use of fluorides for the prevention of dental caries began in January 1945 when community water supplies in Grand Rapids, United States, were fluoridated to a level of 1 ppm as a dental caries prevention measure. However, water fluoridation remains a controversial public health measure. This paper reviews the human health effects of fluoride. The authors conclude that available evidence suggests that fluoride has a potential to cause major adverse human health problems, while having only a modest dental caries prevention effect. As part of efforts to reduce hazardous fluoride ingestion, the practice of artificial water fluoridation should be reconsidered globally, while industrial safety measures need to be tightened in order to reduce unethical discharge of fluoride compounds into the environment. Public health approaches for global dental caries reduction that do not involve systemic ingestion of fluoride are urgently needed.
Morphological Effects of HA on the Cell Compatibility of Electrospun HA/PLGA Composite Nanofiber Scaffolds
Authors: Haider Adnan , Gupta Kailash Chandra , Kang Inn-Kyu
Published: February 2014

Tissue engineering is faced with an uphill challenge to design a platform with appropriate topography and suitable surface chemistry, which could encourage desired cellular activities and guide bone tissue regeneration. To develop such scaffolds, composite nanofiber scaffolds of nHA and sHA with PLGA were fabricated using electrospinning technique. nHA was synthesized using precipitation method, whereas sHA was purchased. The nHA and sHA were suspended in PLGA solution separately and electrospun at optimized electrospinning parameters. The composite nanofiber scaffolds were characterized by FE-SEM, EDX analysis, TEM, XRD analysis, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron. The potential of the HA/PLGA composite nanofiber as bone scaffolds in terms of their bioactivity and biocompatibility was assessed by culturing the osteoblastic cells onto the composite nanofiber scaffolds. The results fromin vitrostudies revealed that the nHA/PLGA composite nanofiber scaffolds showed higher cellular adhesion, proliferation, and enhanced osteogenesis performance, along with increased Ca+2ions release compared to the sHA/PLGA composite nanofiber scaffolds and pristine PLGA nanofiber scaffold. The results show that the structural dependent property of HA might affect its potential as bone scaffold and implantable materials in regenerative medicine and clinical tissue engineering.
Analysis of the Quintilii’s Villa Bronzes by Spectroscopy Techniques
Authors: Stranges Fabio , La Russa Mauro , Oliva Antonino , Galli Giuliana
Published: February 2014

The aim of this work is the characterization, with different diagnostic tests, of three fragments of bronze artefacts recovered from the Villa of the Quintilii (located in the south of Rome). In particular, the sample alloys were investigated by different chemical and morphological analysis. Firstly, an analysis of the alloy, implemented through the electronic spectroscopy, was taken to discriminate the bronze morphology and its elemental composition. Subsequently, a surface analysis was realized by molecular spectroscopy to identify the alteration patinas on surfaces (such as bronze disease). Two diagnostic techniques are used for the alloy analysis: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) connected to the EDX spectroscopy (to study the morphology and alloy composition) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) (to identify the oxidation state of each element). Moreover, for the study of surface patinas, IR and Raman spectroscopies were implemented. All studies were performed on the “as received” samples, covered by a thin layer of excavated soil and on samples processed in an aqueous solution of sulphuric acid (10%), to remove patinas and alterations.
A Fourth Order Finite Difference Method for the Good Boussinesq Equation
Authors: Ismail M. S. , Mosally Farida
Published: February 2014

The “good” Boussinesq equation is transformed into a first order differential system. A fourth order finite difference scheme is derived for this system. The resulting scheme is analyzed for accuracy and stability. Newton’s method and linearization techniques are used to solve the resulting nonlinear system. The exact solution and the conserved quantity are used to assess the accuracy and the efficiency of the derived method. Head-on and overtaking interactions of two solitons are also considered. The numerical results reveal the good performance of the derived method.
Antisecretory Action of the Extract of the Aerial Parts ofEremomastax speciosa (Acanthaceae)Occurs through Antihistaminic and Anticholinergic Pathways
Authors: André Perfusion Amang , Tan Paul V. , Ernestine Nkwengoua , Barthélemy Nyasse
Published: February 2014

Objective.The objective of this study was to find out the possible antiulcer mechanism of action ofEremomastax speciosa.Method.Carbachol- and histamine-induced hypersecretion, associated with the pylorus ligation technique, were used in rats. Gastric mucosal ulceration, mucus production, pH, gastric volume, and acidity were measured.Results.Histamine and carbachol raised gastric acidity to 86.50 and 84.80 mEq/L, respectively, in the control rats, and the extracts (200 mg/kg) reduced gastric acidity to 34.60 and 39.00 mEq/L, respectively. Intraduodenal aqueous extract (400 mg/kg) in histamine- and carbachol-treated rats produced significant (P<0.001) decreases in acid secretion to 28.50 and 28.80 mEq/L, respectively, and 100 percent inhibition of gastric ulceration. Augmented histamine-induced gastric acid secretion (90.20 mEq/L) was significantly reduced to 52.60 and 27.50 mEq/L by the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of the aqueous extract, respectively. The extract significantly reduced (P<0.001) the volume of gastric secretion and significantly increased mucus production. The ulcer inhibition potential of the extract significantly dropped to 25–44% (oral extract) and to 29–37% (duodenal extract) in carbachol/indomethacin-treated rats.Conclusion.The aqueous extract ofE. speciosahas both cytoprotective and antisecretory effects. The antisecretory effect may involve a mechanism common to both cholinergic and histaminergic pathways.