bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GOVERNANCE AND ECONOMIC CHANGE IN SINGAPORE
Authors: LEE SOO ANN
Published: July 2015

The Singapore economy went through several changes due to changes in its mode of governance from being a trading outpost of the East India Company (EIC) to being part of the colony of the Straits Settlements, and more recently to being a British colony by itself, then to being part of Malaysia and now an independent republic. These modes of governance enabled the economy to grow until Singapore became more important and also more closely linked to the outside world. British rule, British capital and the response of the people who came, enabled Singapore to integrate technological change so that it is now part of a global network. However a declining rate of births and a large foreign population now compel Singapore to make further changes.
Neutrino interaction with background matter in a non-inertial frame
Authors: Dvornikov Maxim
Published: July 2015

We study Dirac neutrinos propagating in rotating background matter. First we derive the Dirac equation for a single massive neutrino in the non-inertial frame, where matter is at rest. This equation is written in the effective curved spacetime corresponding to the co-rotating frame. We find the exact solution of the Dirac equation. The neutrino energy levels for ultrarelativistic particles are obtained. Then we discuss several neutrino mass eigenstates, with a nonzero mixing between them, interacting with rotating background matter. We derive the effective Schrödinger equation governing neutrino flavor oscillations in rotating matter. The new resonance condition for neutrino oscillations is obtained. We also examine the correction to the resonance condition caused by the matter rotation.
Idempotent lifting and ring extensions
Authors: Diesl Alexander J. , Dittmer Samuel J. , Nielsen Pace P.
Published: July 2015

We answer multiple open questions concerning lifting of idempotents that appear in the literature. Most of the results are obtained by constructing explicit counter-examples. For instance, we provide a ring [Formula: see text] for which idempotents lift modulo the Jacobson radical [Formula: see text], but idempotents do not lift modulo [Formula: see text]. Thus, the property “idempotents lift modulo the Jacobson radical” is not a Morita invariant. We also prove that if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are ideals of [Formula: see text] for which idempotents lift (even strongly), then it can be the case that idempotents do not lift over [Formula: see text]. On the positive side, if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are enabling ideals in [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is also an enabling ideal. We show that if [Formula: see text] is (weakly) enabling in [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is not necessarily (weakly) enabling in [Formula: see text] while [Formula: see text] is (weakly) enabling in [Formula: see text]. The latter result is a special case of a more general theorem about completions. Finally, we give examples showing that conjugate idempotents are not necessarily related by a string of perspectivities.
INTERNATIONALIZATION AS A "WORK-AROUND" STRATEGY: HOW GOING ABROAD CAN HELP SMES OVERCOME LOCAL CONSTRAINTS
Authors: OMER NASRALDIN , VAN BURG ELCO , PETERS RICARDO M. , VISSER KOBUS
Published: July 2015

The economic environment and associated constraints have significant and unequal effects on Small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Constraints have been used, among other growth factors, to understand why some SMEs fail to grow while others foster. However, beyond knowing the effects or constraints, it is important entrepreneurs know how they can avoid constraints. The study provides an important contribution by showing that South-African SMEs that face constraints because of competition, government rules and regulations, financing gaps and corruption, can navigate away from these constraints by going international. The evidence shows a positive moderating effect of internationalization on the relationship between local constraints and SME growth. However, the results also reveal that lack of government support is a significant constraint to growth when SMEs export internationally.
Prenatal Screening of 21 Microdeletion/Microduplication Syndromes and Subtelomeric Imbalances by MLPA in Fetuses with Increased Nuchal Translucency and Normal Karyotype
Authors: Gouas Laetitia , Kémény Stéphan , Beaufrère Anne-Marie , Eymard-Pierre Eléonore , Pebrel-Richard Céline , Tchirkov Andrei , Lemery Didier , Laurichesse-Delmas Hélène , Vago Philippe , Goumy Carole
Published: July 2015

Fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT) are at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities. In case of a normal karyotype, a minority of them may present with structural abnormalities or genetic syndromes, which may be related to submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether MLPA screening of 21 syndromic and subtelomeric regions could improve the detection rate of small chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with increased NT and a normal karyotype. A total of 106 prenatal samples from fetuses with NT ≥99th centile and normal R- and G-banding were analyzed by MLPA for subtelomeric imbalances (SALSA P036 and P070) and 21 syndromic regions (SALSA P245). One sample showed a benign CNV (dup(8)pter, FBXO25 gene), and 1 patient was found to have a loss of 18qter and a gain of 5pter as a result of an unbalanced translocation. The incidence of cryptic pathogenic variants was <1% or 2.7% when only fetuses with other ultrasound abnormalities were taken into account. Submicroscopic imbalances in fetuses with increased NT may be individually rare, and genome-wide screening seems more likely to improve the diagnostic yield in these fetuses.
Add sparkle to your den
Authors: Feuchtwang Anna , Leitch Neil
Published: July 2015

Dens can be as individual as the children who enjoy being in them. Kathy Brodie suggests asking children what they would like to have in their den, and comes up with her own creative ideas for making them very special places.
Autonomous Household Energy Management Based on a Double Cooperative Game Approach in the Smart Grid
Authors: Gao Bingtuan , Liu Xiaofeng , Zhang Wenhu , Tang Yi
Published: July 2015

Taking advantage of two-way communication infrastructure and bidirectional energy trading between utility companies and customers in the future smart grid (SG), autonomous energy management programs become crucial to the demand-side management (DSM). Most of the existing autonomous energy management schemes are for the scenario with a single utility company or the scenario with one-way energy trading. In this paper, an autonomous household energy management system with multiple utility companies and multiple residential customers is studied by considering the bidirectional energy trading. To minimize the overall costs of both the utility companies and the residential customers, the energy management system is formulated as a double cooperative game. That is, the interaction among the residential users is formulated as a cooperative game, where the players are the customers and the strategies are the daily schedules of their household appliances; and the interaction among the utility companies is also formulated as a cooperative game, where the players are the suppliers and the strategies are the proportions of the daily total energy they provide for the customers. Without loss of generality, the bidirectional energy trading in the double cooperative game is formulated by allowing plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) to discharge and sell energy back. Two distributed algorithms will be provided to realize the global optimal performance in terms of minimizing the energy costs, which can be guaranteed at the Nash equilibriums of the formulated cooperative games. Finally, simulation results illustrated that the proposed double cooperative game can benefit both the utility companies and residential users significantly.
The Emerging Role of miRNAs in HTLV-1 Infection and ATLL Pathogenesis
Authors: Moles Ramona , Nicot Christophe
Published: July 2015

Human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-1 is a human retrovirus and the etiological agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), a fatal malignancy of CD4/CD25+ T lymphocytes. In recent years, cellular as well as virus-encoded microRNA (miRNA) have been shown to deregulate signaling pathways to favor virus life cycle. HTLV-1 does not encode miRNA, but several studies have demonstrated that cellular miRNA expression is affected in infected cells. Distinct mechanisms such as transcriptional, epigenetic or interference with miRNA processing machinery have been involved. This article reviews the current knowledge of the role of cellular microRNAs in virus infection, replication, immune escape and pathogenesis of HTLV-1.
Patio 2.12: Vivienda prefabricada, sostenible, autosuficiente y energéticamente eficiente. Participación en la competición Solar Decathlon Europe 2012
Authors: Terrados-Cepeda F. J. , Baco-Castro L. , Moreno-Rangel D.
Published: July 2015

El prototipo Patio 2.12 fue la propuesta del equipo Andalucía Team para la competición Solar Decathlon Europe 2012 (SDE 2012), celebrada en Madrid en septiembre de 2012, en la que recibió hasta 9 premios, entre los que figura el de Eficiencia Energética.

El equipo, integrado por profesores y alumnos de cuatro universidades andaluzas, trabajó durante dos años en el diseño y construcción de un prototipo de vivienda basada en la eficiencia energética, en la integración arquitectónica de los sistemas solares, en la prefabricación de escala intermedia y en una reinterpretación de la forma de vivir y construir de la tradición mediterránea. Patio 2.12 pretende ser un compendio de energía, sostenibilidad y mecanismos de acondicionamiento pasivo.
Laboratory Experiment Study on Real-Time Monitoring and Safety Early Warning System of Structure Settlement and Deformation
Authors: Pan Xiao Dong , Zhao Lei
Published: July 2015

Currently the settlement and deformation of factory building structure is monitored using total stations and other more conventional measuring instruments, it is difficult to reflect the health of the structure timely and accurately. In order to change the situation, we establish a set of system for real-time monitoring of deformation and safety warning. The system is formed of sensing layer, transport layer and application layer. Sensing layer is composed of static force level and biaxial inclinometer. The system can be used in dynamic real-time factory structure safety monitoring, also applied to other similar structural monitoring. This paper will study the system components and principle, early warning systems grading, calculation of real-time deformation of roof frame, laboratory test scheme and verification. Experiments showed that the system is suitable for the actual factory structure monitoring, while the choice of static force level and biaxial inclinometer of precision to meet the requirements.
The Steady-State Response Analysis of Bistable Piezoelectric Converter
Authors: Yao Ming Hui , Li Yin Bo , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study is to examine the complicated dynamics behavior of nonlinear vibrations of bistable cantilevered piezoelectric beam. The base excitation on the beam is assumed to be harmonic load. The Galerkin’s approach is adopted to disperse the energies and the virtual work. Dynamic equation of the bistable piezoelectric system is established by using Hamilton’s principle. The averaged equations in the polar form is obtained by using the method of multiple scales. Based on the actual work situation of the cantilevered piezoelectric beam, it is known that base excitation and the size parameter of the beam play the important roles in the nonlinear vibration of the cantilevered piezoelectric beam. The quality of the permanent magnet, the thickness of the base layer and the length of the beam all affect the amplitude of the beam. The thickness of the piezoelectric layer can make the frequency response curve shift in frequency domain.
Ontology-Based Assembly Design Representation for Model Reuse
Authors: Liang Yi Fang , Zhong Yan Ru , Huang Mei Fa , Zeng Cong Wen
Published: July 2015

Assembly is an important part in production and development of complex products. Flexible assembly retrieval is one of the key issues to find the reusable model. The main objective of this paper is to extend the model of ontology-based assembly design for model reuse. Firstly, we propose a representation of assembly structural data including topological structure, assembly semantics, and geometrical information. Secondly, we enrich assembly design (AsD) ontology for knowledge captured and shared in Web Ontology Language 2 Description Logic (OWL 2 DL) and Semantic Web Rule Language (SWRL). And then, we define the matching strategies and similarity assessment for two matched models. Finally, we illustrate the validity of assembly design representation for model reuse through experiments.
Influence of Rare Earth Metals on Carburizing Kinetics of 21NiCrMo2 Steel
Authors: Dragomir Daniela , Cojocaru Mihai , Druga Leontin , Kolozsváry Zoltán , Berbecaru Andrei
Published: July 2015

The influence of rare-earth metals adsorbed in the surface of the metallic material subject to thermochemical processing as well as of those pre-added in the material matrix on the kinetics of layers growth is presented in the technical literature. It is generally concluded that the presence of rare earths is accelerating the kinetics of layer growth.
Reinforcing Bar Corrosion for Buildings Construction
Authors: Dobrescu Mircea , Vasilescu Marius
Published: July 2015

Reinforcing bar corrosion is a major cause of the degradation of reinforced concrete structures, because the high quantities of chloride de-icing salts used. In addition the increase in construction near coastal marine environments may increase the potential for corrosion deterioration in these areas. As a result, some structures of ordinary Portland cement concrete with carbon steel reinforcement are requiring repair and remediation long before their current specified service lives (typically 40-50 years) are reached [1]. Therefore, easier, faster and more reliable condition analysis techniques are required than those currently available to allow corrosion detection at an earlier stage and, thus, permit remedial action to be take before major repairs are required.
Recent Advances of the Basic Concepts in Geothermal Turbines of Low and High Enthalpy
Authors: Buzăianu Aurelian , Csáki Ioana , Moţoiu Petra , Popescu Gabriela , Thorbjornsson Ingolfur , Ragnarsodottir Kolbrun R. , Guðlaugsson Sæmundur , Goubmunson Daniel
Published: July 2015

A few numbers of countries in the world are involved in geothermal exploration and geothermal development projects. In order to provide a stable power supply without increasing carbon dioxide on global environment problem, a basic condition need to be fulfilled. This condition is high reliability and high maintainability for the geothermal energetic pumps and turbines. Effective efficiency improvement and geothermal turbines system upgrading are very important and also fundamental economical factor. This means that CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are minimal and a higher reliance on geothermal power generation would work on preventing global warming.The solution to climate changes threat is based now, mainly, on renewable and ecological sources of energy. Geothermal energy has the potential to play a significant role in moving the Europe and other regions of the world toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system. In order to increase the reliability of geothermal steam turbines, assessing the materials life under geothermal environment condition will be an important step. The corrosion process in the geothermal turbine and pumps depends on temperature, pressure, chemistry, mechanical and vaporous carryover of impurities and water treatment (distribution between the vapors, the surface film and rotor blades material, heat transfer properties etc).The aim of this paper is to present a new coating method for geothermal turbines and pumps components using multi composite technology in order to obtain a protective layer to reduce corrosion damages. The results were very promising and the technique used, plasma jet spraying is a very good method to be used on the geothermal turbines and pumps components.
Surface Roughness Prediction in High Speed End Milling Using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Al Hazza Muataz Hazza F. , Seder Amin M.F. , Adesta Erry Y.T. , Taufik Muhammad , bin Idris Abdul Hadi
Published: July 2015

One of the significant characteristics in machining process is final quality of surface. The best measurement for this quality is the surface roughness. Therefore, estimating the surface roughness before the machining is a serious matter. The aim of this research is to estimate and simulate the average surface roughness (Ra) in high speed end milling. An experimental work was conducted to measure the surface roughness. A set of experimental runs based on box behnken design was conducted to machine carbon steel using coated carbide inserts. Moreover, the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) has been used as one of the unconventional methods to develop a model that can predict the surface roughness. The adaptive-network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was found to be capable of high accuracy predictions for surface roughness within the range of the research boundaries.
Performance Properties of Hybrid Aluminium–Composite Columnar Tube under Axial Crush Force
Authors: Paruka Perowansa , Mat Yasin Mohd Hafizil , Mamat Rizalman , Maleque Md Abdul , Md Shah Md Kamal
Published: July 2015

This paper presents an experimental work on the influence of number of layers in the overwrap hybrid composite columnars under repeated axial crush force. The columnar test specimens were fabricated by hand lay–up process using commercial available of 0/90° ply oriented epoxy-glass fiber mats. In determining the energy absorption capacity, three different columnar tubes were prepared using one-layer, two-layers and three-layers in order to determine the utilize of such fibers in structural automotive applications. Quasi-static crush test for these tubes was carried out using Instron machine with axial loading. Results showed that the axial crush force and the numbers of layers influenced the level of energy absorption before structures collapse. It is found that the initial peak crush force, mean crush force, crush force efficiency and energy absorption properties of the collapsed hybrid composite columnars were increased by adding of layers in the overwrap thickness.
Microstructures and Properties of B4C-Based Composites with Laminar Structure
Authors: Fan Si Yang , Ni Qing Sen , Li Zhen Nan , Wang Jian Jun , Yue Xin Yan , Ru Hong Qiang
Published: July 2015

Three kinds of ceramic composites with laminar structure, B4C-B4C/Ti3SiC2, B4C-B4C/Ti2AlC and B4C-B4C/8%Si were synthesized by hot pressing sintering, respectively. The microstructures and properties of the composites were investigated in detail. The experimental results showed the two layers of each composite were in good combination and no spallation phenomenon was observed during the process of fracture. The fracture mechanism of three kinds of composites was similar with each other. The fracture mode of ceramic layers was mainly transgranular fracture. The ductile layers which showed good ductile fracture characteristic exhibited a mixed mode of intergranular and transgranular fracture. The results of mechanical properties showed the comprehensive performance of B4C-B4C/8%Si was the best, the flexural strength and fracture toughness of which were 524 MPa and 3.5 MPa∙m1/2 respectively.
Predicting Malawian Women's Intention to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: McKinney Ogbochi , Modeste Naomi N. , Lee Jerry W. , Gleason Peter C.
Published: July 2015

Background

With the increase in scaling up of antiretroviral therapy (ART), knowledge of the need for adherence to ART is pivotal for successful treatment outcomes.

Design and Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out between October and December 2013. We administered theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and adherence questionnaires to 358 women aged 18-49 years, from a rural and urban ART-clinics in southern Malawi. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to predict intentions to adhere to ART.

Results

Regression models show that attitude (β=0.47), subjective norm (β=0.31) and perceived behavioural control (β=0.12) explain 55% of the variance in intentions to adhere to ART. The relationship between both food insecurity and perceived side effects with intentions to adhere to ART is mediated by attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control. Household ( r=0.20) and individual ( r=0.21) food insecurity were positively and significantly correlated with perceived behavioural control. Household food insecurity had a negative correlation with perceived side effects ( r=-0.11). Perceived side effects were positively correlated with attitude ( r=0.25). There was no statistically significant relationship between intentions to adhere to ART in the future and one month self-report of past month adherence. These interactions suggest that attitude predicted adherence only when food insecurity is high or perception of side effects is strong.

Conclusions

This study shows that modification might be needed when using TPB constructs in resource constraint environments.
Laboratory photochemical processing of aqueous aerosols: formation and degradation of dicarboxylic acids, oxocarboxylic acids and α-dicarbonyls
Authors: Pavuluri C. M. , Kawamura K. , Mihalopoulos N. , Swaminathan T.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. To better understand the photochemical processing of dicarboxylic acids and related polar compounds, we conducted batch UV irradiation experiments on two types of aerosol samples collected from India, which represent anthropogenic (AA) and biogenic (BA) aerosols, for time periods of 0.5 to 120 h. The irradiated samples were analyzed for molecular compositions of diacids, oxoacids and α-dicarbonyls. The results show that photochemical degradation of oxalic (C2), malonic (C3) and other C8–C12 diacids overwhelmed their production in aqueous aerosols, whereas succinic acid (C4) and C5–C7 diacids showed a significant increase (ca. 10 times) during the course of irradiation experiments. The photochemical formation of oxoacids and α-dicarbonyls overwhelmed their degradation during the early stages of experiment except for ω-oxooctanoic acid (ωC8), which showed a similar pattern to that of C4. We also found a gradual decrease in the relative abundance of C2 to total diacids and an increase in the relative abundance of C4 during prolonged experiment. Based on the changes in concentrations and mass ratios of selected species with the irradiation time, we hypothesize that iron-catalyzed photolysis of C2 and C3 diacids controls their concentrations in Fe-rich atmospheric waters, whereas photochemical formation of C4 diacid (via ωC8) is enhanced with photochemical processing of aqueous aerosols in the atmosphere. This study demonstrates that the ambient aerosols contain abundant precursors that produce diacids, oxoacids and α-dicarbonyls, although some species such as oxalic acid decompose extensively during an early stage of photochemical processing.
Hygroscopicity of nanoparticles produced from homogeneous nucleation in the CLOUD experiments
Authors: Kim J. , Ahlm L. , Yli-Juuti T. , Lawler M. , Keskinen H. , Tröstl J. , Schobesberger S. , Duplissy J. , Amorim A. , Bianchi F. , Donahue N. M. , Flagan R. C. , Hakala J. , Heinritzi M. , Jokinen T. , Kürten A. , Laaksonen A. , Lehtipalo K. , Miettinen P. , Petäjä T. , Rissanen M. P. , Rondo L. , Sengupta K. , Simon M. , Tomé A. , Williamson C. , Wimmer D. , Winkler P. M. , Ehrhart S. , Ye P. , Kirkby J. , Curtius J. , Kulmala M. , Lehtinen K. E. J. , Smith J. N. , Riipinen I. , Virtanen A.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Sulfuric acid, amines and oxidized organics have been found to be important compounds in the nucleation and initial growth of atmospheric particles. Because of the challenges involved in determining the chemical composition of objects with very small mass, however, the properties of the freshly nucleated particles and the detailed pathways of their formation processes are still not clear. In this study, we focus on a challenging size range, i.e. particles that have grown to diameters of 10 and 15 nm following nucleation, and measure their water uptake. Water uptake constrains their chemical composition. We use a nanometer-hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer (nano-HTDMA) at subsaturated conditions (ca. 90 % relative humidity at 293 K) to measure the hygroscopicity of particles during the seventh Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets (CLOUD7) experiments performed at CERN in 2012. In CLOUD7, the hygroscopicity of nucleated nanoparticles was measured in the presence of sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid-dimethylamine, and sulfuric acid-organics derived from α-pinene oxidation. The hygroscopicity parameter κ decreased with increasing particle size indicating decreasing acidity of particles. No clear effect of the sulfuric acid monomer concentrations on the hygroscopicities of 10 nm particles produced from sulfuric acid and dimethylamine was observed, whereas the hygroscopicity of 15 nm particles sharply decreased with decreasing sulfuric acid monomer concentrations. In particular, when the concentrations of sulfuric acid was 5.1 × 106 molecules cm−3 in the gas phase, and the dimethylamine mixing ratio was 11.8 ppt, the measured κ of 15 nm particles was 0.31 ± 0.01 close to the value reported for dimethylamine sulfate (DMAS) (κDMAS ~ 0.28). Furthermore, the difference in κ between sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid-dimethylamine experiments increased with increasing particle size. The κ values of particles in the presence of sulfuric acid and organics were much smaller than those of particles in the presence of sulfuric acid and dimethylamine. This suggests that the organics produced from α-pinene ozonolysis play a significant role in particle growth already at 10 nm sizes.
Propagation of biases in humidity in the estimation of global irrigation water
Authors: Masaki Y. , Hanasaki N. , Takahashi K. , Hijioka Y.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. Future projections on irrigation water under a changing climate are highly dependent on meteorological data derived from general circulation models (GCMs). Since climate projections include biases, bias correction is widely used to adjust meteorological elements, such as the atmospheric temperature and precipitation, but less attention has been paid to biases in humidity. Hence, in many cases, uncorrected humidity data have been directly used to analyze the impact of future climate change. In this study, we examined how the biases remaining in the humidity data of five GCMs propagate into the estimation of irrigation water demand and consumption from rivers using the global hydrological model (GHM) H08. First, to determine the effects of humidity bias across GCMs, we ran H08 with GCM-based meteorological forcing data sets distributed by the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP). A state-of-the-art bias correction method was applied to the data sets without correcting biases in humidity. Differences in the monthly relative humidity amounted to 11.7 to 20.4 % RH (percentage relative humidity) across the GCMs and propagated into differences in the estimated irrigation water demand, resulting in a range between 1152.6 and 1435.5 km3 yr−1 for 1971–2000. Differences in humidity also propagated into future projections. Second, sensitivity analysis with hypothetical humidity biases of ±5 % RH added homogeneously worldwide revealed the large negative sensitivity of irrigation water abstraction in India and East China, which are heavily irrigated. Third, we performed another set of simulations with bias-corrected humidity data to examine whether bias correction of the humidity can reduce uncertainties in irrigation water across the GCMs. The results showed that bias correction, even with a primitive methodology that only adjusts the monthly climatological relative humidity, helped reduce uncertainties across the GCMs: by using bias-corrected humidity data, the uncertainty ranges of irrigation water demand across the five GCMs were successfully reduced from 282.9 to 167.0 km3 yr−1 for the present period, and from 381.1 to 214.8 km3 yr−1 for the future period (RCP8.5, 2070–2099). Although different GHMs have different sensitivities to atmospheric humidity because different types of potential evapotranspiration formulae are implemented in them, bias correction of the humidity should be applied to forcing data, particularly for the evaluation of evapotranspiration and irrigation water.
Tuning and assessment of the HYCOM-NORWECOM V2.1 biogeochemical modeling system for the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans
Authors: Samuelsen A. , Hansen C. , Wehde H.
Published: July 2015

Abstract. The HYCOM-NORWECOM (HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model–NORWegian ECOlogical Model) modeling system is used both for basic research and as a part of the forecasting system for the Arctic Marine Forecasting Centre through the MyOcean project. Here we present a revised version of this model. The present model, as well as the sensitivity simulations leading up to this version, have been compared to a data set of in situ measurements of nutrient and chlorophyll from the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic sector of the Arctic Ocean. The model revisions having the most impact included adding diatoms to the diet of microzooplankton, increasing microzooplankton grazing rate and decreasing the silicate-to-nitrate ratio in diatoms. Model runs are performed both with a coarse- (~ 50 km) and higher-resolution (~ 15 km) model configuration, both covering the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans. While the new model formulation improves the results in both the coarse- and high-resolution model, the nutrient bias is smaller in the high-resolution model, probably as a result of the better resolution of the main processes and improved circulation. The final revised version delivers satisfactory results for all three nutrients as well as improved results for chlorophyll in terms of the annual cycle amplitude. However, for chlorophyll the correlation with in situ data remains relatively low. Besides the large uncertainties associated with observational data this is possibly caused by the fact that constant C:N- and Chl:N ratios are implemented in the model.
A Robust Predictive Control Design for Nonlinear Active Suspension Systems
Authors: Bououden Sofiane , Chadli Mohammed , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: July 2015

This paper proposes a novel method for designing robust nonlinear multivariable predictive control for nonlinear active suspension systems via the Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy approach. The controller design is converted to a convex optimization problem with linear matrix inequality constraints. The stability of the control system is achieved by the use of terminal constraints, in particular the Constrained Receding‐Horizon Predictive Control algorithm to maintain a robust performance of vehicle systems. A quarter‐car model with active suspension system is considered in this paper and a numerical example is employed to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The obtained results are compared with those achieved with model predictive control in terms of robustness and stability.
Effectiveness of low‐dose pasireotide in a patient with Cushing's disease: antiproliferative effect and predictivity of a short pasireotide suppression test
Authors: Grossrubatscher Erika , Zampetti Benedetta , Dalino Ciaramella Paolo , Doneda Paola , Loli Paola
Published: July 2015

Key Clinical Message

This case shows efficacy of low‐dose pasireotide in biochemical and clinical control of severe hypercortisolism and in tumor volume reduction in a patient with an ACTH‐secreting macroadenoma. The drug may be an option for long‐term treatment in some patients where control of tumor mass is an important clinical endpoint.
Experiments on High‐Temperature Inert Gas Plasma MHD Electrical Power Generation with Hall and Diagonal Connections
Authors: Komatsu Fumihiko , Tanaka Manabu , Murakami Tomoyuki , Okuno Yoshihiro
Published: July 2015

High‐temperature inert gas (argon) plasma magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electrical power generation using a linear shaped channel with Hall and diagonal connections has been conducted. It is revealed by observation by using a high‐speed camera that the MHD power‐generating plasma is almost entirely stable regardless of the connection type. Enthalpy extraction ratios of 5.6% for the Hall connection, 6.7% for the diagonal connection (diagonal angle 53° to 66°), and 10.1% for the diagonal connection (diagonal angle 36° to 48°) have been achieved under the operating conditions of an inlet total temperature of 9000 K, an inlet total pressure of 0.105 MPa, and a magnetic flux density of 4.0 T. The output power can suffer from a low electric field in the upstream region in a Hall connection, and is improved under the no Hall current condition in a diagonal connection.
Sensitivity Analysis for Estimating Salt‐Induced Damage to Voltage–Current Transformers due to Typhoons
Authors: Shumuta Yoshiharu , Kihara Naoto , Hattori Yasuo , Suto Hitoshi , Hirakuchi Hiromaru , Ishida Masahiro , Takemura Junzou , Nakazumi Keigo
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the correlation relationship between the salt contamination environment and the actual damage to electric power distribution equipment caused by two typhoons, 2012 typhoon No. 4 (T1204) and 2011 typhoon No. 15 (T1115). T1204 caused salt contamination damage to voltage–current transformers (VCTs), while the T1115 caused no damage to VCTs installed in a same target area. In this paper, the salt contamination environment during the two typhoons, which includes the maximum wind speed, the accumulated rainfall, and the Na flux, is evaluated by a weather reproduction simulation to discuss the causal relationship between the salt contamination environment and the VCT damage. A damage evaluation model is proposed to evaluate the salt‐induced damage risk potential of the VCT for reasonable restoration activity.
Mononuclear, Tetranuclear and 1D Polymeric Copper(I) Complexes of Large Bite Bisphosphines Containing Nitrogen and Oxygen Donor Atoms
Authors: Bhat Sajad A. , Mague Joel T. , Balakrishna Maravanji S.
Published: July 2015

The syntheses of new bisphosphines containing nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms, N,N‐bis(diphenylphosphinobenzyl)‐N‐phenylamine (PNP) (1), bis(2‐diphenylphosphinobenzyl) ether (POP) (2) and their coordination chemistry with copper(I) halides have been explored. The ligand structure plays a major role in controlling the coordination sphere and the structural features of copper(I) complexes. The reaction of 1 with CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in 1:2 molar ratio yielded tetranuclear cuboid complexes [Cu4(μ‐X)4{C6H5N(CH2‐2‐C6H4PPh2)2}2‐P,P] (3–5), whereas the similar reactions of 2 afforded tetranuclear stair‐step type complexes [Cu4(μ2‐X)2(μ3‐X)2{O(CH2‐2‐C6H4PPh2)2}2‐P,P] (9–11). The reactions of 1 with CuX in 1:1 molar ratio afforded 1D coordination polymers [CuX{C6H5N(CH2‐2‐C6H4PPh2)2}‐P,P]n, (6–8). The reaction of CuI with 2 in a 1:1 molar ratio also yielded a tetranuclear stair‐step complex [Cu4(μ2‐I)2(μ3‐I)2{O(CH2‐2‐C6H4PPh2)2}2‐P,O,P] (12) but with tridentate P,O,P coordination along with 11, whereas the similar reaction with CuCl gave a simple mononuclear complex [CuCl{O(CH2‐2‐C6H4PPh2)2}‐P,O,P] (13). In both the complexes, the ligand 2 exhibits a tridentate mode of coordination. Many of these complexes have been structurally characterized.
Lewis Acid Catalyzed Cyclizations of Epoxidized Baylis–Hillman Products: A Straightforward Synthesis of Octahydro­benzo[e]azulenes
Authors: Konopacki Donald B. , Shortsleeves Kelley C. , Turnbull Mark M. , Wikaira Jan L. , Hobson Adrian D.
Published: July 2015

Tricyclic keto‐diols have been synthesized from 2‐cyclopenten‐1‐one in a three‐step annulation procedure. The importance of aryl ring electronics and steric contributions and the choice of Lewis acid were investigated for the final cyclization step. An unexpected cyclization product was identified, suggesting multiple mechanisms for the cyclization process.
Capillary electrochromatography‐mass spectrometry for the determination of 5‐nitroimidazole antibiotics in urine samples
Authors: Hernández‐Mesa Maykel , Orazio Giovanni D' , Rocco Anna , García‐Campaña Ana M. , Blanco Carmen Cruces , Fanali Salvatore
Published: July 2015

The separation of eight antibiotics belonging to 5‐nitroimidazole family was carried out by means of CEC coupled with MS. Preliminary experiments were carried out with ultraviolet detection in order to select the proper stationary and mobile phase. Among the different stationary phases studied (namely Lichrospher C18, 5 μm particle size; CogentTM Bidentate C18, 4.2 μm; Pinnacle II™ Phenyl, 3 μm; Pinnacle II™ Cyano, 3 μm), Cogent™ Bidentate C18 (4.2 μm) gave the best performance. For CEC‐MS coupling, a laboratory assembled liquid‐junction‐nano‐spray interface was used. In order to achieve a good sensitivity, special attention was paid to both optimization of the sheath liquid composition as well as selection of the injection mode. Under optimized CEC‐ESI‐MS conditions, the separation was accomplished within 22 min by using a column packed with a mixture of Bidentate C18:Lichrospher Silica‐60 (5 μm) 3:1 w/w, an inlet pressure of 11 bar, a voltage of 15 kV, and a mobile phase composed by 45:10:45 v/v/v ACN/MeOH/water containing ammonium acetate (5 mM pH 5). A combined hydrodynamic and electrokinetic injection of 8 bar, 15 kV, and 96 s was adopted. The method was validated in terms of repeatability and intermediate precision of retention times and peak areas, linearity, and LODs and LOQs. RSDs values were <2.9% for retention times and <16.1% for peak areas in both intraday and interday experiments. LOQ values were between 0.09 and 0.42 μg/mL for all compounds. Finally, the method was applied to the determination of three most employed 5‐nitroimidazole antibiotics (metronidazole, secnidazole, and ternidazole) in spiked urine samples, subjected to a SPE procedure. Recovery values in the 67–103% range were obtained. Furthermore, for the selected antibiotics, CEC‐MS2 spectra were obtained providing the unambiguous confirmation of these drugs in urine samples.
Effects of Temperature and Catalyst Type on Chemical Degradation of Radiation Grafted Membranes in PEFCs
Authors: Zhang Z. , Buchmüller Y. , Bonorand L. , Wokaun A. , Schmidt T. J. , Gubler L.
Published: July 2015

Proton exchange membranes prepared by radiation grafting are a promising alternative material to perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) for fuel cell application. The temperature effect on the chemical degradation of radiation grafted membranes is evaluated by testing styrene grafted and sulfonated membranes at elevated temperatures (90 to 110 °C) and open circuit voltage (OCV) conditions. The results show that the increased temperature can markedly enhance membrane degradation, as expected, which is similar to the case of PFSA membranes. Moreover, elevated operating temperature leads to brown discoloration of the tested membrane, which may be attributed to the formation of a large conjugated π‐electron system in the membrane chemical structure. The OCV tests in which the styrene grafted membranes were tested at 80 °C with different kinds of catalyst (Pt/C and Pt black, respectively) in the gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) show that the membrane combined with Pt black GDEs exhibited a significantly lower degradation rate than that combined with Pt/C GDEs. The influence of differences in the amount of contaminants and the possibility of H2O2 formation between these two types of catalyst are put forward to explain this phenomenon.
Nitric Oxide Up‐Regulates RUNX2 in LNCaP Prostate Tumours: Implications for Tumour Growth In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Nesbitt Heather , Browne Gillian , O'Donovan Katie M. , Byrne Niall M. , Worthington Jenny , McKeown Stephanie R. , McKenna Declan J.
Published: July 2015

Aberrant expression of the transcription factor RUNX2 in prostate cancer has a number of important consequences including increased resistance to apoptosis, invasion and metastasis to bone. We previously demonstrated that hypoxia up‐regulated RUNX2 in tumour cells, which in turn up‐regulated the anti‐apoptotic factor Bcl‐2. Here, we investigate the impact of nitric oxide (NO) on RUNX2 and Bcl‐2 expression in prostate cancer and further, how RUNX2 over‐expression can impact tumour growth, angiogenesis and oxygenation in vivo. The effect of NO levels on RUNX2 and thus Bcl‐2 expression was examined in prostate cancer cells in vitro using methods including gene and protein expression analyses, nitrite quantitation, protein‐DNA interaction assays (ChIP) and viability assays (XTT). The effect of RUNX2 over‐expression on tumour physiology (growth, oxygenation and angiogenesis) was also assessed in vivo using LNCaP xenografts. A low (but not high) concentration of NO (10 μM) induced expression of RUNX2 and Bcl‐2, conferring resistance to docetaxel. These effects were induced via the ERK and PI3K pathways and were dependent on intact AP‐1 binding sites in the RUNX2 promoter. RUNX2 over‐expression in LNCaP tumours in vivo decreased the time to tumour presentation and increased tumour growth. Moreover, these tumours exhibited improved tumour angiogenesis and oxygenation. Low levels of NO increase expression of RUNX2 and Bcl‐2 in LNCaP prostate tumour cells, and in vivo up‐regulation of RUNX2 created tumours with a more malignant phenotype. Collectively, our data reveals the importance of NO‐regulation of key factors in prostate cancer disease progression. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 473–482, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydroxytyrosol Inhibits Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Gene Expression in 3T3‐L1 Preadipocyte Cell Line
Authors: Tutino Valeria , Orlando Antonella , Russo Francesco , Notarnicola Maria
Published: July 2015

The 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte cell line is a well characterized cell model for studying the adipocyte status and the molecular mechanisms involved in differentiation of these cells. 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes have the ability to synthesize and degrade endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) and their differentiation into adipocytes increases the expression of cannabinoid (CB1) and PPAR‐γ receptors. Clinically, the blocking stimulation of the endocannabinoid pathway has been one of the first approaches proposed to counteract the obesity and obesity‐associated diseases (such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cancer). In this connection, here we studied in cultured 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes the effects of n‐3‐PUFA, α‐Linolenic acid (OM‐3), n‐6‐PUFA, Linoleic acid (OM‐6), and hydroxytyrosol (HT) on the expression of CB1 receptor gene and the adipogenesis‐related genes PPAR‐γ, Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) and Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL). HT was able to inhibit 3T3‐L1 cell differentiation by down‐regulating cell proliferation and CB1 receptor gene expression. HT exhibited anti‐adipogenic effects, whereas OM‐3 and OM‐6 exerted an inhibitory action on cell proliferation associated with an induction of the preadipocytes differentiation and CB1 receptor gene expression. Moreover, the expression of FAS and LPL genes resulted increased after treatment with both HT and OM‐3 and OM‐6. The present study points out that the intake of molecules such as HT, contained in extra virgin olive oil, may be considered also in view of antiobesity and antineoplastic properties by acting directly on the adipose tissue and modulating CB1 receptor gene transcription. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 483–489, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Analogues of Indole Alkaloids from Sea Sponges – Aplysinopsins by the Reaction of Amines with (4Z)‐4‐[(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐methylene]‐1,3‐oxazol‐5(4H)‐ones
Authors: Suzdalev Konstantin F. , Babakova Maria N.
Published: July 2015

A new two‐step approach toward the synthesis of aplysinopsin analogues 5‐(1‐R‐1H‐indol‐3‐ylmethylene)‐2‐aryl‐3,5‐dihydroimidazol‐4‐ones consisting in obtaining and reaction of 4‐(1‐R‐1H‐indol‐3‐ylmethilene)‐2‐Ar‐4H‐oxazol‐5‐ones with amines was developed. The configuration of starting compounds and final products was determined by 13С and 1H‐nmr spectroscopy.
Risk factors for 30‐day readmission among patients with culture‐positive severe sepsis and septic shock: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zilberberg Marya D. , Shorr Andrew F. , Micek Scott T. , Kollef Marin H.
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND

With decreasing mortality in sepsis, attention has shifted to longer‐term consequences associated with survivorship. Thirty‐day readmission as a component of healthcare utilization is an important outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the frequency of and risk factors for 30‐day readmission among patients surviving sepsis.

DESIGN

Single‐center retrospective cohort.

METHODS/SETTING

We examined 30‐day readmission risk among survivors of hospitalization with culture‐positive severe sepsis or septic shock. Extended spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) organisms were identified via molecular laboratory testing. Healthcare‐associated (HCA) was defined by 1 of the following: (1) recent hospitalization, (2) immune suppression, (3) nursing home residence, (4) hemodialysis, (5) prior antibiotics, and (6) index bacteremia hospital‐acquired (onset >2 days following admission). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was defined according to the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End‐stage) criteria. Logistic regression modeled predictors of 30‐day readmission.

RESULTS

Among 1697 sepsis survivors, 543 (32.0%) required 30‐day readmission. Readmitted patients had a higher chronic (median Charlson score 5 vs 4, P < 0.001) but not acute (median APACHE [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation] II score 15 and 15, P = 0.275) illness burden, and higher prevalence of HCA sepsis (94.2% vs 90.2%, P = 0.014) than nonreadmitted survivors. In logistic regression, 3 factors increased (Organism: ESBL [odds ratio {OR}: 4.50, 95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.43–14.19], RIFLE: Injury or RIFLE: Failure [OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.300–2.93], and Organism: Bacteroides spp [OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.06–3.95]) and 2 reduced (Source: Urine [OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35–0.98], Organism: Escherichia coli [OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27–0.90]) the odds of 30‐day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

One‐third of survivors of severe sepsis/septic shock required 30‐day readmission. Mild‐to‐moderate AKI nearly doubled its risk. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:678–685. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine