bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation for Supporting Scale-Up of a Fluidized Bed Reactor for Advanced Water Oxidation
Authors: Tisa Farhana , Abdul Raman Abdul Aziz , Daud Wan Mohd Ashri Wan
Published: September 2014

Simulation of fluidized bed reactor (FBR) was accomplished for treating wastewater using Fenton reaction, which is an advanced oxidation process (AOP). The simulation was performed to determine characteristics of FBR performance, concentration profile of the contaminants, and various prominent hydrodynamic properties (e.g., Reynolds number, velocity, and pressure) in the reactor. Simulation was implemented for 2.8 L working volume using hydrodynamic correlations, continuous equation, and simplified kinetic information for phenols degradation as a model. The simulation shows that, by using Fe3+and Fe2+mixtures as catalyst, TOC degradation up to 45% was achieved for contaminant range of 40–90 mg/L within 60 min. The concentration profiles and hydrodynamic characteristics were also generated. A subsequent scale-up study was also conducted using similitude method. The analysis shows that up to 10 L working volume, the models developed are applicable. The study proves that, using appropriate modeling and simulation, data can be predicted for designing and operating FBR for wastewater treatment.
Markers of Inflammation and Fibrosis in the Orbital Fat/Connective Tissue of Patients with Graves’ Orbitopathy: Clinical Implications
Authors: Pawlowski Przemyslaw , Reszec Joanna , Eckstein Anja , Johnson Kristian , Grzybowski Andrzej , Chyczewski Lech , Mysliwiec Janusz
Published: September 2014

Purpose.To assess FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 expression and immunocompetent cells in the orbital tissue of patients with severe and mild Graves’ orbitopathy.Patients and Methods.Orbital tissue was taken from 27 patients with GO: (1) severe GO (n=18), the mean clinical activity score (CAS) being 8.5 (SD 2.5); and (2) mild GO (n=9), the mean CAS being 2.2 (SD 0.8), and from 10 individuals undergoing blepharoplasty. The expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD68 and FGF-β, TGF-β, and COX2 in the orbital tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemical methods.Results.We demonstrated predominant CD4+ T cells in severe GO. CD68 expression was observed in the fibrous connective area of mild GO and was robust in severe GO, while the prominent TGF-βexpression was seen in all GO. Increased FGF-βexpression was observed in the fibroblasts and adipocytes of severe GO. No expression of COX2 was found in patients with GO.Conclusions.Macrophages and CD4 T lymphocytes are both engaged in the active/severe and long stage of inflammation in the orbital tissue. FGF-βand TGF-βexpression may contribute to tissue remodeling, fibrosis, and perpetuation of inflammation in the orbital tissue of GO especially in severe GO.
Biological and Molecular Effects of Small Molecule Kinase Inhibitors on Low-Passage Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Lange Falko , Franz Benjamin , Maletzki Claudia , Linnebacher Michael , Hühns Maja , Jaster Robert
Published: September 2014

Low-passage cancer cell lines are versatile tools to study tumor cell biology. Here, we have employed four such cell lines, established from primary tumors of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, to evaluate effects of the small molecule kinase inhibitors (SMI) vemurafenib, trametinib, perifosine, and regorafenib in anin vitrosetting. The mutantBRAF(V600E/V600K) inhibitor vemurafenib, but also the MEK1/2 inhibitor trametinib efficiently inhibited DNA synthesis, signaling through ERK1/2 and expression of genes downstream of ERK1/2 inBRAFmutant cells only. In case of the AKT inhibitor perifosine, three cell lines showed a high or intermediate responsiveness to the drug while one cell line was resistant. The multikinase inhibitor regorafenib inhibited proliferation of all CRC lines with similar efficiency and independent of the presence or absence ofKRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, andTP53mutations. Regorafenib action was associated with broad-range inhibitory effects at the level of gene expression but not with a general inhibition of AKT or MEK/ERK signaling. In vemurafenib-sensitive cells, the antiproliferative effect of vemurafenib was enhanced by the other SMI. Together, our results provide insights into the determinants of SMI efficiencies in CRC cells and encourage the further use of low-passage CRC cell lines as preclinical models.
Visualizing Exact and Approximated 3D Empirical Attainment Functions
Authors: Tušar Tea , Filipič Bogdan
Published: September 2014

Most real‐world engineering optimization problems are inherently multiobjective, for example, searching for trade‐off solutions of high quality and low cost. As no single optimal solution exists for such problems, multiobjective optimizers provide sets of optimal (or near‐optimal) trade‐off solutions to choose from. The empirical attainment function (EAF) is a powerful tool that can be used to analyze and compare the performance of these optimizers. While the visualization of EAFs is rather straightforward in two objectives, the three‐objective case presents a great challenge as we need to visualize a large number of 3D cuboids. This paper addresses the visualization of exact as well as approximated 3D EAF values and differences in these values provided by two competing multiobjective optimizers. We show that the exact EAFs can be visualized using slicing and maximum intensity projection (MIP), while the approximated EAFs can be visualized using slicing, MIP, and direct volume rendering. In addition, the paper demonstrates the use of the proposed visualization techniques on a steel casting optimization problem.
An EOQ Model for Phase Inventory with Induced Demand and Periodic Cycle Time
Authors: Kumar De Sujit , Sana Shib Sankar , Goswami Adrijit
Published: September 2014

This paper deals with a stock flow of an inventory problem over induced demand. The inventory is consumed through “core customer” or chain marketing system in an induced environment (inductance) to exhaust all the items of the stock inventory in an indefinite time. The demand rate is depicted due to induced factor which is generated from the same inventory presented nearby. The inventory cycle time is split into several periodic times due to oscillatory feature of the inventory which is called phase inventory. Considering uniform demand, this cycle time splits into two basic parts, namely, “first shift” (phase) and “second shift” (phase). Since the process dampens over time, so the whole inventory will exhaust after few periods. A cost function consisted of inventory cost, setup cost, and loss for induced items is minimized to obtain optimal order quantity and replenishment time. The multivariate lagrange interpolation (MLI) over the average values of the postsensitivity analysis is developed here. Finally, graphical illustrations are made to justify the model.
Overcome of Carbon Catabolite Repression of Bioinsecticides Production by Sporeless Bacillus thuringiensis through Adequate Fermentation Technology
Authors: Ben Khedher Saoussen , Jaoua Samir , Zouari Nabil
Published: September 2014

The overcoming of catabolite repression, in bioinsecticides production by sporeless Bacillus thuringiensis strain S22 was investigated into fully controlled 3 L fermenter, using glucose based medium. When applying adequate oxygen profile throughout the fermentation period (75% oxygen saturation), it was possible to partially overcome the catabolite repression, normally occurring at high initial glucose concentrations (30 and 40 g/L glucose). Moreover, toxin production yield by sporeless strain S22 was markedly improved by the adoption of the fed-batch intermittent cultures technology. With 22.5 g/L glucose used into culture medium, toxin production was improved by about 36% when applying fed-batch culture compared to one batch. Consequently, the proposed fed-batch strategy was efficient for the overcome of the carbon catabolite repression. So, it was possible to overproduce insecticidal crystal proteins into highly concentrated medium.
Landauer-Datta-Lundstrom Generalized Transport Model for Nanoelectronics
Authors: Kruglyak Yuriy
Published: September 2014

The Landauer-Datta-Lundstrom electron transport model is briefly summarized. If a band structure is given, the number of conduction modes can be evaluated and if a model for a mean-free-path for backscattering can be established, then the near-equilibrium thermoelectric transport coefficients can be calculated using the final expressions listed below for 1D, 2D, and 3D resistors in ballistic, quasiballistic, and diffusive linear response regimes when there are differences in both voltage and temperature across the device. The final expressions of thermoelectric transport coefficients through the Fermi-Dirac integrals are collected for 1D, 2D, and 3D semiconductors with parabolic band structure and for 2D graphene linear dispersion in ballistic and diffusive regimes with the power law scattering.
Analysis of the Influence of Microcellular Injection Molding on the Environmental Impact of an Industrial Component
Authors: Elduque Daniel , Clavería Isabel , Fernández Ángel , Javierre Carlos , Pina Carmelo , Santolaria Jorge
Published: September 2014

Microcellular injection molding is a process that offers numerous benefits due to the internal structure generated; thus, many applications are currently being developed in different fields, especially home appliances. In spite of the advantages, when changing the manufacturing process from conventional to microcellular injection molding, it is necessary to analyze its new mechanical properties and the environmental impact of the component. This paper presents a deep study of the environmental behavior of a manufactured component by both conventional and microcellular injection molding. Environmental impact will be evaluated performing a life cycle assessment. Functionality of the component will be also evaluated with samples obtained from manufactured components, to make sure that the mechanical requirements are fulfilled when using microcellular injection molding. For this purpose a special device has been developed to measure the flexural modulus. With a 16% weight reduction, the variation of flexural properties in the microcellular injected components is only 6.8%. Although the energy consumption of the microcellular injection process slightly increases, there is an overall reduction of the environmental burden of 14.9% in ReCiPe and 15% in carbon footprint. Therefore, MuCell technology can be considered as a green manufacturing technology for components working mainly under flexural load.
Seismic Performance of RC Beam-Column Connections with Continuous Rectangular Spiral Transverse Reinforcements for Low Ductility Classes
Authors: Azimi Mohammadamin , Adnan Azlan Bin , Bin Mohd Sam Abdul Rahman , Tahir Mahmood Md , Faridmehr Iman , Hodjati Reza
Published: September 2014

The seismic performance of RC columns could be significantly improved by continuous spiral reinforcement as a result of its adequate ductility and energy dissipation capacity. Due to post-earthquake brittle failure observations in beam-column connections, the seismic behaviour of such connections could greatly be improved by simultaneous application of this method in both beams and columns. In this study, a new proposed detail for beam to column connection introduced as “twisted opposing rectangular spiral” was experimentally and numerically investigated and its seismic performance was compared against normal rectangular spiral and conventional shear reinforcement systems. In this study, three full scale beam to column connections were first designed in conformance with Eurocode (EC2-04) for low ductility class connections and then tested by quasistatic cyclic loading recommended by ACI Building Code (ACI 318-02). Next, the experimental results were validated by numerical methods. Finally, the results revealed that the new proposed connection could improve the ultimate lateral resistance, ductility, and energy dissipation capacity.
P-LEACH: An Efficient Cluster-Based Technique to Track Mobile Sinks in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Cho Sungchol , Han Li , Joo Bokgyu , Han Sunyoung
Published: September 2014

For a wireless sensor network (WSN) with a large number of inexpensive sensor nodes, energy efficiency is the major concern in designing network structure and related algorithms. If network collects sensor data using mobile sinks, object tracking mechanism must consider the energy efficiency of sensor nodes in the networks as a whole. Recently research works on WSNs with mobile sinks apply prediction techniques for sink tracking in order to improve tracking precision while keeping the number of active nodes to the minimum. In this paper, we analyze existing works for sink tracking in WSN and propose P-LEACH that is cluster-based prediction technique for WSN with mobile sinks. Simulation results show that P-LEACH performs better than previous techniques in terms of energy saving of sensor nodes and data transmission performance.
A Filter-Mediated Communication Model for Design Collaboration in Building Construction
Authors: Lee Jaewook , Jeong Yongwook , Oh Minho , Hong Seung Wan
Published: September 2014

Multidisciplinary collaboration is an important aspect of modern engineering activities, arising from the growing complexity of artifacts whose design and construction require knowledge and skills that exceed the capacities of any one professional. However, current collaboration in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries often fails due to lack of shared understanding between different participants and limitations of their supporting tools. To achieve a high level of shared understanding, this study proposes a filter-mediated communication model. In the proposed model, participants retain their own data in the form most appropriate for their needs with domain-specific filters that transform the neutral representations into semantically rich ones, as needed by the participants. Conversely, the filters can translate semantically rich, domain-specific data into a neutral representation that can be accessed by other domain-specific filters. To validate the feasibility of the proposed model, we computationally implement the filter mechanism and apply it to a hypothetical test case. The result acknowledges that the filter mechanism can let the participants know ahead of time what will be the implications of their proposed actions, as seen from other participants’ points of view.
Intestinal Parasites Coinfection Does Not Alter Plasma Cytokines Profile Elicited in Acute Malaria in Subjects from Endemic Area of Brazil
Authors: Sánchez-Arcila Juan Camilo , Perce-da-Silva Daiana de Souza , Vasconcelos Mariana Pinheiro Alves , Rodrigues-da-Silva Rodrigo Nunes , Pereira Virginia Araujo , Aprígio Cesarino Junior Lima , Lima Cleoni Alves Mendes , Fonseca Bruna de Paula Fonseca e , Banic Dalma Maria , Lima-Junior Josué da Costa , Oliveira-Ferreira Joseli
Published: September 2014

In Brazil, malaria is prevalent in the Amazon region and these regions coincide with high prevalence of intestinal parasites but few studies explore the interaction between malaria and other parasites. Therefore, the present study evaluates changes in cytokine, chemokine, C-reactive protein, and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in 264 individuals, comparing plasma from infected individuals with concurrent malaria and intestinal parasites to individuals with either malaria infection alone and uninfected. In the studied population 24% of the individuals were infected withPlasmodiumand 18% coinfected with intestinal parasites. Protozoan parasites comprised the bulk of the intestinal parasites infections and subjects infected with intestinal parasites were more likely to have malaria. The use of principal component analysis and cluster analysis associated increased levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and CRP and low levels of IL-17A predominantly with individuals with malaria alone and coinfected individuals. In contrast, low levels of almost all inflammatory mediators were associated predominantly with individuals uninfected while increased levels of IL-17A were associated predominantly with individuals with intestinal parasites only. In conclusion, our data suggest that, in our population, the infection with intestinal parasites (mainly protozoan) does not modify the pattern of cytokine production in individuals infected withP. falciparumandP. vivax.
Statistical Pattern‐Based Assessment of Structural Health Monitoring Data
Authors: Islam Mohammad S. , Bagchi Ashutosh
Published: September 2014

In structural health monitoring (SHM), various sensors are installed at critical locations of a structure. The signals from sensors are either continuously or periodically analyzed to determine the state and performance of the structure. An objective comparison of the sensor data at different time ranges is essential for assessing the structural condition or excessive load experienced by the structure which leads to potential damage in the structure. The objectives of the current study are to establish a relationship between the data from various sensors to estimate the reliability of the data and potential damage using the statistical pattern matching techniques. In order to achieve these goals, new methodologies based on statistical pattern recognition techniques have been developed. The proposed methodologies have been developed and validated using sensor data obtained from an instrumented bridge and road test data from heavy vehicles. The application of statistical pattern matching techniques are relatively new in SHM data interpretation and current research demonstrates that it has high potential in assessing structural conditions, especially when the data are noisy and susceptible to environmental disturbances.
Alcohol-Inactivated Autograft Replantation with Joint Preservation in the Management of Osteosarcoma of the Distal Femur: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Yu Xiu-Chun , Xu Song-Feng , Xu Ming , Liu Xiao-Ping , Song Ruo-Xian , Fu Zhi-Hou
Published: September 2014

SummaryAim: To evaluate clinical outcomes in patients who underwent alcohol-inactivated autograft replantation with joint preservation for the treatment of osteosarcoma of the distal femur. Patients and Methods: 10 patients (7 men, 3 women; mean age: 20.1 years) were treated. 9 patients had Enneking stage IIb tumors and 1 patient had stage III. The mean follow-up time was 34 months. All patients obtained first-stage healing. Results: 1 patient died of local recurrence and multiple metastases 13 months after surgery; 3 patients died of multiple metastases 9, 12, and 24 months after surgery, respectively. 3 patients required second surgery because of fracture of the inactivated autograft, 1 patient died 6 months later, 1 patient experienced bony healing 4 months later with no further complications, and 1 patient required subsequent open reduction and bone implantation with internal fixation (bony healing was evident 6 months later; however, joint instability and limited knee flexion were apparent). At final follow-up, the mean International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) graft score was 31 (87%), whereas the mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) function score was 23 (77%). Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate that alcohol-inactivated autograft replantation with joint preservation may be effective in treating osteosarcoma of the distal femur in some patients. Larger-scale studies are needed to fully evaluate the efficacy/safety of this approach.
First Identification of a Triple Corneal Dystrophy Association: Keratoconus, Epithelial Basement Membrane Corneal Dystrophy and Fuchs' Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy
Authors: Mazzotta Cosimo , Traversi Claudio , Raiskup Frederik , Lo Rizzo Caterina , Renieri Alessandra
Published: September 2014

Purpose: To report the observation of a triple corneal dystrophy association consisting of keratoconus (KC), epithelial basement membrane corneal dystrophy (EBMCD) and Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). Methods: A 55-year-old male patient was referred to our cornea service for blurred vision and recurrent foreign body sensation. He reported bilateral recurrent corneal erosions with diurnal visual fluctuations. He underwent corneal biomicroscopy, Scheimpflug tomography, in vivo HRT confocal laser scanning microscopy and genetic testing for TGFBI and ZEB1 mutations using direct DNA sequencing. Results: Biomicroscopic examination revealed the presence of subepithelial central and paracentral corneal opacities. The endothelium showed a bilateral flecked appearance, and the posterior corneal curvature suggested a possible concomitant ectatic disorder. Corneal tomography confirmed the presence of a stage II KC in both eyes. In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a concomitant bilateral EBMCD with hyperreflective deposits in basal epithelial cells, subbasal Bowman's layer microfolds and ridges with truncated subbasal nerves as pseudodendritic elements. Stromal analysis revealed honeycomb edematous areas, and the endothelium showed a strawberry surface configuration typical of FECD. The genetic analysis resulted negative for TGFBI mutations and positive for a heterozygous mutation in exon 7 of the gene ZEB1. Conclusion: This is the first case reported in the literature in which KC, EBMCD and FECD are present in the same patient and associated with ZEB1 gene mutation. The triple association was previously established by means of morphological analysis of the cornea using corneal Scheimpflug tomography and in vivo HRT II confocal laser scanning microscopy.
Mechanical Stresses, Arterial Stiffness, and Brain Small Vessel Diseases
Authors: Okada Yoko , Kohara Katsuhiko , Ochi Masayuki , Nagai Tokihisa , Tabara Yasuharu , Igase Michiya , Miki Tetsuro
Published: September 2014

Background and Purpose—

Arterial stiffness, a risk factor of brain small vessel diseases (SVD), causes hemodynamic changes. Mechanical stresses, circumferential wall tension (WT), and shear stress (SS) may change with arterial stiffness and be related to SVD. We investigated the associations between mechanical stresses and arterial stiffness and SVD.

Methods—

A total of 1296 subjects without apparent cardiovascular diseases were recruited. Brachial-to-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an arterial stiffness index. Silent lacunar infarction and deep subcortical white matter hyperintensity were evaluated as SVD indices. Circumferential WT and SS at peak systole and end diastole were measured at the common carotid artery. Second peak of systolic blood pressure was obtained from the radial waveform and used as a central systolic blood pressure substitute.

Results—

baPWV was associated positively with WT (
P
<0.0001) and negatively with SS (
P
=0.0007) even after correction for confounding parameters including baPWV. SVD was associated with significantly higher WT (
P
<0.0001) and lower SS (
P
<0.0001). After adjustment for confounding parameters (including baPWV), second peak of systolic blood pressure WT (odds ratio, 1.30;
P
=0.0017) and end diastolic WT (odds ratio, 1.60;
P
=0.0038) were related to presence of silent lacunar infarction, whereas peak systolic (odds ratio, 0.95;
P
=0.014) and end diastolic SS (odds ratio, 0.94;
P
=0.014) were associated with presence of deep subcortical white matter hyperintensity grade >3. Regression lines between blood pressure and WT were significantly steeper in subjects with SVD than without SVD (β=0.02;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

These findings indicate that SVD is phenotype-specifically associated with alterations in WT and SS independently of arterial stiffness.
Demography of common toads after local extirpation of co-occurring midwife toads
Authors: Bosch Jaime , Fernández-Beaskoetxea Saioa , Scherer Rick D. , Amburgey Staci M. , Muths Erin
Published: September 2014

Estimating demographic parameters like survival or recruitment provides insight into the state and trajectory of populations, but understanding the contexts influencing those parameters, including both biotic and abiotic factors, is particularly important for management and conservation. At a high elevation national park in Central Spain, common toads (Bufo bufo) are apparently taking advantage of the near-extirpation of the midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans), as colonization into new breeding ponds is evident. Within this scenario, we expected demographic parameters of common toad populations to be affected favorably by the putative release from competition. However, we found the population growth rate was negative in 4 of 5 years at the long-standing population; survival probability at the long-standing population and newly-colonised breeding ponds was lower than reported for other toads living at high elevations and the probability of recruitment was inadequate to compensate for the survival rate in maintaining a positive trajectory for either of the breeding ponds. We assessed weather covariates and disease for their contribution to the context that may be limiting the common toad’s successful use of the niche vacated by the midwife toad.
Temporal and spatial segregation in an assemblage of Afrotropical subterranean snakes
Authors: Petrozzi Fabio , Eniang Edem A. , Amadi Nioking , Akani Godfrey C. , Luiselli Luca
Published: September 2014

Niche partititioning patterns have not been studied so far in burrowing tropical snakes of the families Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae. In this study, we analyze temporal (= monthly activity) and spatial (= habitat use) niche dimensions in three species of burrowing snakes from the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Null model analyses, using two randomization algorithms and 30 000 Monte Carlo permutations, showed that there was random resource partitioning patterns as for the spatial niche dimension. One species (Rhinotyphlops punctatus) clearly dominated in the sample, and appeared to be more habitat generalist than the others. All three species showed an uneven monthly activity, with peaks occurring by wet season, and statistically significant positive correlations between mean monthly rainfall and number of captured snakes. However, there were significantly negative correlations between mean monthly temperature and number of captured snakes in two of the three species (Rhinotyphlops congestus;Leptotyphlopscfr.sundewalli).
The metapleural glands of fungus-growing and non-fungus-growing ants: Ultrastructural study
Authors: Vieira Alexsandro Santana , Bueno Odair Correa , Camargo-Mathias Maria Izabel
Published: September 2014

The metapleural glands are considered an autapomorphic structure to ants and probable have an antibiotic or antifungal function. The present study was aimed at investigating the ultrastructural morphology of the metapleural glands in ants which have different feeding types: from fungus-growing ants, the higher and lower attine, and non-fungus-growing ants from the tribes Blepharidattini and Ectatommini analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Plasma membrane invaginations in secretory cells of both fungus-growing and non-fungus-growing ants facilitate absorption of extracellular material from hemolymph. Higher and lower attines differed slightly from non-fungus-growing ants, by the presence of oval secretory cells and well-developed RER in the metapleural glands, which indicates a higher production of secretion in attines. Also, well-developed Golgi regions in the leaf-cutting ants and Ectatommini probably modify the secretions, produced by the secretory cell or coming of the hemolymph, into pheromone or antimicrobial compounds, the latter mainly in leaf-cutting ants. Still, the secretory cells of the metapleural gland of leaf-cutting ants exhibited several mitochondria near microvilli of the intracytoplasmic portion of the canaliculus, indicating an important role of the metapleural gland in the production and transport of secretion in metapleural gland of leaf-cutting ants. Thus, our work corroborates other findings, however our results add that the slight ultrastructural difference in the metapleural glands of leaf-cutting ants can be due to the feeding type (fungus-growing ants), resulting in greater secretory capacity and antimicrobial properties to combat pathogens (for example, micro-fungi parasites Escovopsis).
Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Course of History Since Middle Antiquity
Authors: Zhi’an Li
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Two periods in Chinese history can be characterized as constituting a North/South polarization: the period commonly known as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420ad-589ad), and the Southern Song, Jin, and Yuan Dynasties (1115ad-1368ad). Both of these periods exhibited sharp contrasts between the North and South that can be seen in their respective political and economic institutions. The North/South parity in both of these periods had a great impact on the course of Chinese history. Both before and after the much studied Tang-Song transformation, Chinese history evolved as a conjoining of previously separate North/South institutions. Once the country achieved unification under the Sui Dynasty and early part of the Tang, the trend was to carry on the Northern institutions in the form of political and economic administration. Later in the Tang Dynasty the Northern institutions and practices gave way to the increasing implementation of the Southern institutions across the country. During the Song Dynasty, the Song court initially inherited this “Southernization” trend while the minority kingdoms of Liao, Xia, Jin, and Yuan primarily inherited the Northern practices. After coexisting for a time, the Yuan Dynasty and early Ming saw the eventual dominance of the Southern institutions, while in middle to late Ming the Northern practices reasserted themselves and became the norm. An analysis of these two periods of North/South disparity will demonstrate how these differences came about and how this constant divergence-convergence influenced Chinese history.
A New Species of Eriosema (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Cândido Elisa Silva , Fortuna-Perez Ana Paula , Bezerra Luísa M.P.A. , Aranha Filho João Luiz Mazza
Published: September 2014

Eriosema tozziae, a new species of Leguminosae (Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae, Cajaninae) from Minas Gerais is described and illustrated. Similar to E. defoliatum, it differs morphologically from the latter by the persistent leaves in the reproductive phase (vs. caducous in E. defoliatum) and the shorter inflorescences (10–13 cm long vs. 15–30 cm long in E. defoliatum). An identification key for the Eriosema species in Minas Gerais is also provided.
Carex longicolla (Cyperaceae), a new sedge from China
Authors: Deng Yunfei
Published: September 2014

Carex longicolla is described as a new species in section Lageniformes from South China. It is similar to C. truncatigluma, but differs from the latter in its culms more short, 5–10 cm long, spikelets 3–5, close each other, neck equal to or longer than nutlet, 1.5–2 mm long.
Corniculariella brasiliensis, a new species of coelomycetes in the rhizosphere of Caesalpinia echinata (Fabaceae, Caesalpinioideae) in Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Rafael Jose Vilela , LIMA THAÍS E.F. , CUNHA IVONE B. , COIMBRA VICTOR R.M. , SILVA GLADSTONE A. , BEZERRA José L. , CAVALCANTI MARIA A.Q.
Published: September 2014

Corniculariella brasiliensis sp. nov. is proposed here as a new species of coelomycetes, based on material isolated from the rhizosphere of Caesalpinia echinata. Corniculariella brasiliensis differs from other congeneric species mainly by the shape and size of the conidia. The phylogenetic relationship between Corniculariella and related genera is discussed.
Dendroblatta iani (Rocha e Silva-Albuquerque, 1964) n. comb. (Ectobiidae, Blattellinae)
Authors: LOPES SONIA MARIA , OLIVEIRA EDIVAR HEEREN DE , SILVA LUIZ RAFAEL SILVA DA
Published: September 2014

The species of the family Ectobiidae range from small to large in size, and are found in tropical forests, hidden in leaf litter. This is the largest family among the cockroaches, with about 1,740 described species (Bell et al., 2007). In the Ectobiidae, the subfamilies Pseudophyllodromiinae and Blattellinae are differentiated by the position of the hook-shaped phallomere on the right or the left side, respectively, in dorsal view. The genus Xestoblatta Hebard, 1916 was included in the subfamily Blattellinae by Rocha e Silva-Albuquerque (1964), based on a specimen from the State of Pará described as Xestoblatta iani. The structures of the genitalia, the morphological characters and the habitus of the specimen, as illustrated, support the transfer of this species from the genus Xestoblatta to Dendroblatta.
Hurricane Sandy before 1900 and after 2100
Authors: Lackmann Gary M.
Published: September 2014

To what extent did large-scale thermodynamic climate change contribute to the intensity and unusual track of Hurricane Sandy, which affected the U.S. mid-Atlantic region in late October 2012? How much of an impact would projected future climate change have on a storm such as Sandy? These questions are investigated using an ensemble of high-resolution numerical simulations in conjunction with analyzed and projected changes from a suite of general circulation models (GCMs). Simulations initialized with current analyses from the midpoint of Sandy’s life cycle, while the system was centered near the Bahamas, adequately replicate the observed intensity and track of Sandy. Initial and boundary condition data are then altered with thermodynamic change fields obtained from a five-member GCM ensemble, allowing hypothetical replication of the synoptic weather pattern that accompanied Hurricane Sandy, but for large-scale thermodynamic conditions corresponding to the 1880s and for projections to the twenty-second century. The past ensemble produces a slightly weaker storm that makes landfall south of the observed location. The future ensemble depicts a significantly more intense system that makes landfall farther north, near Long Island, New York. Within the limitations of the methods used, it is suggested that climate change to date exerted only a modest influence on the intensity and track of Sandy. The strengthening in the simulations run with projected future warming is consistent with increased condensational heating; changes in the synoptic steering flow also appear to result from diabatic processes. The questions of how climate change affected Sandy’s genesis and early life cycle, changes in the frequency of this type of synoptic pattern, and changes in impacts related to coastal development and sea level rise are not considered here.
Development and Evaluation of Statistical Downscaling Models for Monthly Precipitation
Authors: Goly Aneesh , Teegavarapu Ramesh S. V. , Mondal Arpita
Published: September 2014

Several statistical downscaling models have been developed in the past couple of decades to assess the hydrologic impacts of climate change by projecting the station-scale hydrological variables from large-scale atmospheric variables simulated by general circulation models (GCMs). This paper presents and compares different statistical downscaling models that use multiple linear regression (MLR), positive coefficient regression (PCR), stepwise regression (SR), and support vector machine (SVM) techniques for estimating monthly rainfall amounts in the state of Florida. Mean sea level pressure, air temperature, geopotential height, specific humidity, U wind, and V wind are used as the explanatory variables/predictors in the downscaling models. Data for these variables are obtained from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis dataset and the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) Coupled Global Climate Model, version 3 (CGCM3) GCM simulations. The principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy c-means clustering method (FCM) are used as part of downscaling model to reduce the dimensionality of the dataset and identify the clusters in the data, respectively. Evaluation of the performances of the models using different error and statistical measures indicates that the SVM-based model performed better than all the other models in reproducing most monthly rainfall statistics at 18 sites. Output from the third-generation CGCM3 GCM for the A1B scenario was used for future projections. For the projection period 2001–10, MLR was used to relate variables at the GCM and NCEP grid scales. Use of MLR in linking the predictor variables at the GCM and NCEP grid scales yielded better reproduction of monthly rainfall statistics at most of the stations (12 out of 18) compared to those by spatial interpolation technique used in earlier studies.
Effects of Tunable Data Compression on Geophysical Products Retrieved from Surface Radar Observations with Applications to Spaceborne Meteorological Radars
Authors: Gabriel Philip M. , Yeh Penshu , Tsay Si-Chee
Published: September 2014

This paper presents results and analyses of applying an international space data compression standard to weather radar measurements that can easily span eight orders of magnitude and typically require a large storage capacity as well as significant bandwidth for transmission. By varying the degree of the data compression, the nonlinear response of models that relates measured radar reflectivity and/or Doppler spectra to the moments and properties of the particle size distribution characterizing clouds and precipitation was analyzed. Preliminary results for the meteorologically important phenomena of clouds and light rain indicate that for a ±0.5-dB calibration uncertainty, typical for the ground-based pulsed-Doppler 94-GHz (or 3.2 mm, W band) weather radar used as a proxy for spaceborne radar in this study, a lossless compression ratio of only 1.2 is achievable. However, further analyses of the nonlinear response of various models of rainfall rate, liquid water content, and median volume diameter show that a lossy data compression ratio exceeding 15 is realizable. The exploratory analyses presented are relevant to future satellite missions, where the transmission bandwidth is premium and storage requirements of vast volumes of data are potentially problematic.
Dynamical Prediction of the Early Season Rainfall over Southern China by the NCEP Climate Forecast System
Authors: Zhao Siyu , Yang Song
Published: September 2014

The early season rainfall (ESR) over southern China, usually occurring from April to June, is a prominent meteorological phenomenon of the East Asian monsoon system. In this paper, output from the 45-day hindcast by the NCEP Climate Forecast System, version 2 (CFSv2), and various observational datasets are analyzed to assess the predictability of the ESR and associated atmospheric circulation. Results show that CFSv2 can successfully predict the ESR and associated circulation patterns over southern China. The lower-tropospheric convergence and upper-tropospheric divergence as well as the local upward motion over southern China lead to the formation of ESR. Analysis of bias shows small differences and close relationships between the predicted and observed ESR values when the forecast lead time is less than 2 weeks. The skill in the ESR predictions by CFSv2 decreases significantly when the lead time is longer than 2 weeks. Overall, CFSv2 has a higher level of skill when predicting the southern China ESR compared to the rainfall over other Asian regions during the same period of time.
An Urban Secondary School Case Study of Disciplinary Writing in Tracked Classrooms
Authors: Wilcox Kristen Campbell
Published: September 2014

This yearlong ethnographic case study investigated higher and lower track adolescents’ experiences with core content-area (social studies, science, and math) writing in one urban working-class district. Teacher, student, and administrator interviews; field notes; and students’ written work comprised the data set. The findings from this study, framed by sociocultural theory and Bourdieu’s theory of practice, suggest that higher and lower track students experienced disciplinary writing in distinct ways in terms of the expectations for the kinds and complexity of writing and the importance placed on writing in content learning. These contrasting experiences affected the quality of students’ preparation to engage in advanced disciplinary discourse as they progressed through secondary school. The findings from this study are discussed in light of the increasing emphasis on disciplinary writing at the secondary level.
Keeping an Eye on Learning
Authors: Wolff Charlotte E. , van den Bogert Niek , Jarodzka Halszka , Boshuizen Henny P. A.
Published: September 2014

Classroom management represents an important skill and knowledge set for achieving student learning gains, but poses a considerable challenge for beginning teachers. Understanding how teachers’ cognition and conceptualizations differ between experts and novices is useful for enhancing beginning teachers’ expertise development. We created a coding scheme using grounded theory to analyze expert and novice teachers’ verbalizations describing classroom events and their relevance for classroom management. Four categories of codes emerged. These referred to perceptions/interpretations, thematic focus, temporality, and cognitive processing expressed. Mixed-method analysis of teachers’ verbalizations yielded a number of significant effects related to participants’ expertise levels. Notably, teachers’ cognitive processing diverged significantly based on expertise level. Differences in focus included themes such as student learning, student discipline, and teacher interaction and influence. Experts focused on learning in the classroom and the teacher’s ability to influence learning, whereas novices were more concerned with maintaining discipline and behavioral norms.
Effects of hydrophobic yarns on liquid migration in woven fabrics
Authors: Zhu Chunhong , Takatera Masayuki
Published: September 2014

Liquid migration in woven fabrics was investigated by measuring the wicking coefficients of hydrophilic cotton and hydrophobic PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) monofilament fabrics and some other fabrics. The coefficients of fabrics with cotton warp yarns were essentially equal along the weft direction but differed along the warp because of variations in the warp yarn crimps. Then factors affecting the liquid migration along the weft direction were investigated, especially the effect of hydrophobic weft yarns, by using three different warp weave densities for fabrics with both cotton and PVDF weft yarns. The results showed that in the warp direction, liquid moved along longitudinal yarns and migrated to hydrophilic but not hydrophobic transverse yarns. In the weft direction, similar results were obtained for fabrics with cotton weft yarns. Fabrics with PVDF weft yarns, however, showed no migration through the longitudinal yarns, although liquid did move along the transverse direction of connected cotton warp yarns. The largest wicking coefficient was associated with the highest warp weave density. Liquid did not move through transverse yarns separated from one another. It is apparent that liquids can migrate along transverse, adjacent, in-contact hydrophilic yarns of fabrics incorporating longitudinal hydrophobic yarns.
Study on negative Poisson’s ratio of auxetic yarn under tension: Part 2 – Experimental verification
Authors: Du Zhaoqun , Zhou Ming , He Linge , Liu Hongling
Published: September 2014

Auxetic yarn was successfully produced by a wrap filament and a core filament based on a ring-spinning system, which showed an auxetic effect when stretched, that is, expanding transversely under tension. Yarns were spun by different structural parameters of the core filament and the wrap filament, including diameter ratio, helical angle and tensile modulus of the wrap filament. Corresponding tensile tests were utilized to analyze the effects of structural parameters and performance on outer contour deformation of auxetic yarn. Experimental results showed that the outer contour of auxetic yarn expanded transversely under tension and there existed significant negative Poisson's ratio values in the Poisson's ratio-strain curve, and it was found that the auxetic effect became more observable with a higher diameter ratio of the core filament to the wrap filament, and lower helical angle and larger tensile modulus of the wrap filament. Moreover, compared with theoretical results by theoretical modeling in Part I, good relations of Poisson's ratio-strain curves were obtained between experimental and theoretical results. This proves the effectiveness of spinning auxetic yarn by selecting reasonable components of yarn and it is feasible to design yarn with a negative Poisson's ratio effect.
Commuting and labour supply revisited
Authors: Gutiérrez-i-Puigarnau Eva , van Ommeren Jos N
Published: September 2014

According to theory, road pricing may reduce welfare when labour supply is negatively distorted by an income tax. This effect particularly occurs when commuting costs reduce labour supply. We examine the hypothesis that commuting costs reduce labour supply in the short-run. In particular, we estimate the effect of commuting time on labour supply in the UK. We account for endogeneity of commuting time by employing exogenous changes in commuting time resulting from firm relocations and changes in infrastructure. Our results cast doubt on the idea that increases in commuting cost reduce labour supply, at least in the short-run. More precisely, we find that females’ labour supply reacts positively to or is unaffected by increases in commuting time, whereas males’ labour supply is unaffected.
Hedge Effectiveness Testing as a Screening Mechanism for Hedge Accounting
Authors: Frestad Dennis , Beisland Leif Atle
Published: September 2014

Accounting for financial instruments has been subject to much controversy, particularly accounting practices related to derivatives held for hedging purposes. For cash flow hedges, poor matching may result when fair-value accounting is prescribed for the hedging instrument and historical cost is prescribed for the assets that generate the “highly probable forecast transaction” to be hedged. Fair-value accounting may therefore induce excess variations in earnings, which could make a firm appear to be more risky than it actually is. The alternative to fair-value accounting offered by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) to firms with hedging programs, hedge accounting, is allowed only if the designated hedge passes a test for prospective hedge effectiveness. We develop a model for the prospective hedge effectiveness of cash flow hedges and find that the “highly effective” criterion of the FASB and IASB fails to recognize the scope of variation of the hedge effectiveness of pure hedges for different types of risk exposures. Prospective hedge effectiveness is not a reliable signal of a speculative component in a derivative portfolio and, consequently, the current “highly effective” screening mechanism cannot effectively separate pure hedges from derivative portfolios that are partly or fully influenced by speculation. We link these and other findings to the current efforts of the FASB and IASB to reform accounting for financial instruments.