bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluations of emamectin benzoate and propiconazole for protecting individual Pinus contorta from mortality attributed to colonization by Dendroctonus ponderosae and associated fungi
Authors: Fettig Christopher J , Munson A Steven , Grosman Donald M , Bush Parshall B 
Published: July 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDProtection of conifers from bark beetle colonization typically involves applications of liquid formulations of contact insecticides to the tree bole. An evaluation was made of the efficacy of bole injections of emamectin benzoate alone and combined with the fungicide propiconazole for protecting individual lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud., from mortality attributed to colonization by mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, and progression of associated blue stain fungi.RESULTSInjections of emamectin benzoate applied in mid‐June did not provide adequate levels of tree protection; however, injections of emamectin benzoate + propiconazole applied at the same time were effective for two field seasons. Injections of emamectin benzoate and emamectin benzoate + propiconazole in mid‐September provided tree protection the following field season, but unfortunately efficacy could not be determined during a second field season owing to insufficient levels of tree mortality observed in the untreated control, indicative of low D. ponderosae populations.CONCLUSIONPrevious evaluations of emamectin benzoate for protecting P. contorta from mortality attributed to D. ponderosae have failed to demonstrate efficacy, which was later attributed to inadequate distribution of emamectin benzoate following injections applied several weeks before D. ponderosae colonization. The present data indicate that injections of emamectin benzoate applied in late summer or early fall will provide adequate levels of tree protection the following summer, and that, when emamectin benzoate is combined with propiconazole, tree protection is afforded the year that injections are implemented. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Data‐based output feedback control using least squares estimation method for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Liu Derong 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYThis paper develops a data‐based output feedback control method for a class of nonlinear systems, which have unknown mathematical models. The dynamic model of the system is assumed to be smooth, while the corresponding Jacobian matrices are constant matrices in each sampling period. We employ a zero‐order hold and a fast sampling technique to sample and measure the output signal. When these measured data contain white noises, we use the least squares method to estimate the corresponding Jacobian matrices. The feedback gain matrix is calculated and adjusted adaptively in real time according to them. Theoretical analysis on the convergence condition is provided, and simulation results are used to demonstrate the feasibility of this method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synchronization in a network of identical discrete‐time agents with uniform constant communication delay
Authors: Wang Xu , Saberi Ali , Stoorvogel Anton A. , Grip Håvard Fjær , Yang Tao 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYThis paper studies the synchronization problem for a network of identical discrete‐time agents with unknown uniform constant communication delay. When the agents are non‐introspective, the problem is solvable via a decentralized low‐gain‐based synchronization controller if the delay satisfies the proposed upper bound. When the agents are introspective, the synchronization problem can be solved with arbitrary bounded communication delay. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Output transient trajectory shaping control for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Yan Fengjun , Wang Junmin 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYThis paper presents a transient trajectory shaping (TTS) control method for the SISO strict feedback nonlinear systems. The TTS control refers to explicitly constraining the system output tracking error transient trajectories within predesigned time‐varying boundaries while they are converging to equilibrium. By this method, the boundaries of system output transient trajectories can be designed a priori according to the system transient control performance requirements in both symmetric and asymmetric ways. With a class of time‐varying boundary functions, control laws can be devised by utilizing the enhanced differential unbounded function techniques. Such control laws can ascertain that the system output tracking errors travel within their respectively predesigned time‐varying boundaries while converging to origin. To handle the control input exaggeration issue in TTS, input constraint control techniques are proposed to effectively reduce the required control input magnitude for second‐order systems. A numerical example is utilized to show the effectiveness of the proposed TTS control methods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive stabilization for ODE systems via boundary measurement of uncertain diffusion‐dominated actuator dynamics
Authors: Li Jian , Liu Yungang 
Published: July 2013

SUMMARYThis paper is concerned with the adaptive stabilization for the ODE systems via boundary measurement of uncertain diffusion‐dominated actuator dynamics. It is worth pointing out that, in the related works, all the states of the diffusion‐dominated actuator are required to be measurable, and this means that an infinite number of sensors are needed to implement the controllers, which is impossible in practice. Quite differently in this paper, only one boundary state of the diffusion‐dominated actuator is measurable and available for feedback design. Moreover, the actuator dynamics contains parameter unknown. Motivated by the existing results, a state observer is first designed to estimate the unmeasurable actuator states, which consists of an input filter and an output filter. Then, by introducing an infinite‐dimensional backstepping transformation, a pivotal target system is obtained from which it is more convenient to design controller and analyze the performance of the original system. Finally, an adaptive controller is constructed by adaptive technique and Lyapunov method, which guarantees that the states of the original system converge to zero, whereas the other states of the closed‐loop system keeping bounded. A simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concise review: Clinical programs of stem cell therapies for liver and pancreas
Authors: Lanzoni Giacomo , Oikawa Tsunekazu , Wang Yunfang , Cui Cai-Bin , Carpino Guido , Cardinale Vincenzo , Gerber David , Gabriel Mara , Dominguez-Bendala Juan , Furth Mark E. , Gaudio Eugenio , Alvaro Domenico , Inverardi Luca , Reid Lola M. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Regenerative medicine is transitioning into clinical programs using stem/progenitor cell therapies for repair of damaged organs. We summarize those for liver and pancreas, organs that share endodermal stem cell populations, biliary tree stem cells (hBTSCs), located in peribiliary glands. They are precursors to hepatic stem/progenitors in canals of Hering and to committed progenitors in pancreatic duct glands. They give rise to maturational lineages along a radial axis within bile duct walls and a proximal-to-distal axis starting at the duodenum and ending with mature cells in the liver or pancreas. Clinical trials have been ongoing for years assessing effects of determined stem cells (fetal-liver-derived hepatic stem/progenitors) transplanted into the hepatic artery of patients with various liver diseases. Immunosuppression was not required. Control subjects, those given standard of care for a given condition, all died within a year or deteriorated in their liver functions. Subjects transplanted with 100-150 million hepatic stem/progenitor cells had improved liver functions and survival extending for several years. Full evaluations of safety and efficacy of transplants are still in progress. Determined stem cell therapies for diabetes using hBTSCs remain to be explored but are likely to occur following ongoing preclinical studies. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are being used for patients with chronic liver conditions or with diabetes. MSCs have demonstrated significant effects through paracrine signaling of trophic and immunomodulatory factors, and there is limited evidence for inefficient lineage restriction into mature parenchymal or islet cells. HSCs' effects are primarily via modulation of immune mechanisms.
The Liaonan/Wanfu metamorphic core complexes in the Liaodong Peninsula: Two stages of exhumation and constraints on the destruction of the North China Craton
Authors: Liu Junlai , Shen Liang , Ji Mo , Guan Huimei , Zhang Zhaochong , Zhao Zhidan 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe Liaodong Peninsula Early Cretaceous extension province (LEP), located in the eastern part of the North China Craton (NCC), was highly extended in early Cretaceous. The Liaonan and the Wanfu metamorphic core complexes (MCCs) are two most important elements in the province. Both are typical Cordilleran‐type core complexes that are composed of a general three‐layered structure but show various differences. Shearing along the Jinzhou detachment fault zone in the Liaonan MCC generated ductile to brittle tectonites, various deformation microstructures, and several types of quartz c‐axis fabrics, implying that the MCC has a complicated progressive exhumation history. However, medium‐temperature microstructures and fabrics are superimposed by low‐temperature features along the Wanfu detachment fault zone suggesting a relatively short and simple exhumation history of the Wanfu MCC. Magmatic zircon U‐Pb geochronological dating reveals that the early Cretaceous extension of the LEP began with the initiation of shearing along the Jinzhou detachment fault zone and exhumation of the Liaonan MCC before ca. 134 Ma. Subsequently, relatively slow cooling and exhumation of the lower plate accompanied a giant magmatic event from 130 Ma to 120 Ma. Exhumation of a new MCC, i.e., the Wanfu MCC, was triggered by progressive extension after ca. 120 Ma. Rapid cooling and exhumation of the metamorphic lower plate of the two MCCs are attributed to coeval detachment faulting along both the Jinzhou and Wanfu faults from 120 Ma to 113 Ma. The extension ended at ca. 107 Ma. These data provide reliable evidence that the two MCCs were exhumed progressively and sequentially during two stages of crustal extension of the LEP. Our results indicates that heterogeneous lithosphere extension and upper‐middle crust/upper mantle detachment, possibly due to the interaction between the Paleo‐Pacific and Eurasian plates, are among the most important processes during the early Cretaceous thinning of the lithosphere. Tectonic extension may have led to the detachment in East Asia, which contributed to the thinning of the lithosphere and the destruction of the NCC. A phase of uniform and consistent WNW‐ESE extension was responsible for the generation of the extensional structures in the eastern Asia continent and the destruction of the NCC.
Detrital zircon geochronology of Cordilleran retroarc foreland basin strata, western North America
Authors: Laskowski Andrew K. , DeCelles Peter G. , Gehrels George E. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractWe present a compilation of 8717 U‐Pb analyses from 95 detrital zircon samples of Jurassic‐Eocene North American Cordillera foreland basin strata. Of these samples, 30 are new and previously unpublished. Variation in detrital zircon age spectra between samples records erosion or recycling of basement and cover rocks within the Cordilleran orogenic wedge. Each sample can be classified into one of six major provenance groups, whose age spectra suggest derivation from (1) Mesozoic eolianites of the western United States, (2) Paleozoic passive margin strata of the western United States, (3) Paleozoic passive margin strata of western Canada, (4) the Mogollon Highlands, (5) the Cordilleran magmatic arc, or (6) Yavapai‐Mazatzal Province crystalline basement rocks. Referencing these provenance interpretations to their location and stratigraphic deposition age produces a detailed spatial and temporal record of sediment dispersal within the foreland basin system. Late Jurassic provenance is dominated by recycling of Mesozoic eolianites from sources in the Sevier thrust belt. Cretaceous‐Eocene provenance is dominated by recycling of the passive margin, with increasing complexity upsection. We interpret that this provenance transition records a basin‐wide unroofing sequence. A composite age‐probability plot of 1539 young (<250 Ma) detrital zircons reveals at least four age‐abundance peaks that we interpret to represent periodic high‐flux magmatism in the Cordilleran arc.
Understanding discharges initiated by water droplet on epoxy nanocomposites under DC voltages adopting UHF technique
Authors: Sarathi Ramanujam , Karpagam Ramasamy , Pratap Singh Ajay , Tanaka Toshikatsu 
Published: July 2013

AbstractCorona inception voltage due to a water droplet on epoxy resin in an electrode gap is high under DC voltage compared to AC voltage. It is observed that, as the contact angle of the epoxy nanocomposite material becomes higher, the corona discharge inception voltage increases. The droplet movement is observed, using a high‐speed camera, on application of the voltage. It is seen that a droplet moves toward the ground electrode under an AC or a negative DC voltage, whereas it moves toward the high‐voltage electrode under a positive DC voltage. It is also observed that carbonization occurs near the ground electrode under AC and negative DC voltages, and near the high‐voltage electrode under a positive DC voltage. During the evaporation of the water droplet (during arcing) on the surface of the insulating material under AC and DC voltages, carbonization of material occurs and is high both in pure epoxy resin and in nanocomposites with 5 wt% epoxy clay. The magnitude of the arcing current is nearly the same irrespective of the percentage of clay in the epoxy nanocomposites. The magnitude of discharge current flow is high under negative DC voltage compared to positive DC/AC voltages. The rise time of injected current pulses, at the time of corona inception and during arcing, under AC/DC voltages, is a few nanoseconds. Ultrahigh‐frequency signals were emitted as a result of the corona discharge from the water droplet on epoxy nanocomposites and at the time of arcing between the droplets and the electrodes, both under AC and DC voltages, with its dominant frequency in the range 1–2 GHz. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fair optimization of mesh‐connected WLAN hotspots
Authors: Dely Peter , D'Andreagiovanni Fabio , Kassler Andreas 
Published: July 2013

AbstractIn Wireless mesh networks mesh access points (MAPs) forward traffic wirelessly towards users or Internet gateways. A user device usually connects to the MAP with the strongest signal, as such MAP should guarantee the best quality of service. However, this connection policy may lead to: (i) unfairness towards users that are distant from gateways; (ii) uneven distribution of users to MAPs; and (iii) inefficient use of network paths. We present a new model and solution approach to the problem of assigning users to MAPs and routing the data within the mesh network with the objective of providing max–min fair throughput. The problem is formulated as a mixed‐integer linear programming problem (MILP). Because of the inherent complexity of the problem, real size instances cannot be solved to optimality within the time limits for online optimization. Therefore, we propose an original heuristic solution algorithm for the resulting MILP. Both numerical comparisons and network simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed heuristic. For random networks, the heuristic achieves 98% of the optimal solution. Network simulations show that in medium‐sized networks, the number of users with at least 1Mbit/s minimum end‐to‐end rate increases by 550% when compared with the classical signal‐strength based association. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observation of spermatozoa by a high‐magnification microscope
Authors: Komiya Akira , Watanabe Akihiko , Kato Tomonori , Kawauchi Yoko , Fuse Hideki 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSemen analyses are the primary tool for evaluating male infertility, as semen parameters are useful for predicting potential fertility. In the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), the single best motile spermatozoon should be selected, especially when performing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In this context, the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed as a method of assessing the detailed morphology of motile spermatozoa in real time at a magnification of up to 6,300× on a video system. The use of ICSI with MSOME‐selected sperm is called intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI). IMSI improves the outcomes of ICSI. MSOME can be also applied to evaluate male infertility. Among MSOME parameters, the presence of sperm nuclear vacuoles is the most important finding. Large sperm nuclear vacuoles (LNV) are related not only to poor ART outcomes, but also to poor semen quality and sperm DNA damage, such as DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation failure. It has been suggested that sperm head vacuoles are produced at earlier stages of sperm maturation. It is possible that the number of LNV can be decreased by surgical or medical treatment for male infertility. Therefore, the level of LNV has the potential to be used as an alternative parameter of semen quality and a new tool for evaluating the therapeutic effects of treatment in male patients with infertility.
Reliability, Validity, and Sensitivity to Change of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale in Individuals Affected by Stroke
Authors: Verheijde Joseph L. , White Fred , Tompkins James , Dahl Peder , Hentz Joseph G. , Lebec Michael T. , Cornwall Mark 
Published: July 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) in individuals affected by stroke. The secondary objective was to test the validity and sensitivity of a single‐item linear analog scale (LAS) of function.DesignProspective cohort reliability and validation study.SettingA single rehabilitation department in an academic medical center.PatientsForty‐three individuals receiving neurorehabilitation for lower extremity dysfunction after stroke were studied. Their ages ranged from 32 to 95 years, with a mean of 70 years; 77% were men.MethodsTest‐retest reliability was assessed by calculating the classical intraclass correlation coefficient, and the Bland‐Altman limits of agreement. Validity was assessed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between the instruments. Sensitivity to change was assessed by comparing baseline scores with end of treatment scores. Measurements were taken at baseline, after 1‐3 days, and at 4 and 8 weeks.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe LEFS, Short‐Form‐36 Physical Function Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Six‐Minute Walk Test, Five‐Meter Walk Test, Timed Up‐and‐Go test, and the LAS of function were used.ResultsThe test‐retest reliability of the LEFS was found to be excellent (ICC = 0.96). Correlated with the 6 other measures of function studied, the validity of the LEFS was found to be moderate to high (r = 0.40‐0.71). Regarding the sensitivity to change, the mean LEFS scores from baseline to study end increased 1.2 SD and for LAS 1.1 SD.ConclusionLEFS exhibits good reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change in patients with lower extremity impairments secondary to stroke. Therefore, the LEFS can be a clinically efficient outcome measure in the rehabilitation of patients with subacute stroke. The LAS is shown to be a time‐saving and reasonable option to track changes in a patient's functional status.
Acute Injury Risk and Severity in Indoor Climbing—A Prospective Analysis of 515,337 Indoor Climbing Wall Visits in 5 Years
Authors: Schöffl Volker R. , Hoffmann Georg , Küpper Thomas 
Published: July 2013

Objective Rock climbing’s popularity continues to rise, with people of all ages regularly participating in the sport. Climbing literature suggests climbers get injured mostly in their upper extremities. Most studies on climbing injury analysis are conducted retrospectively, with all the inherent problems of a retrospective setup (no exact time collection, biased injury perception, etc). Prospective data are still missing. Methods We prospectively evaluated all attendees of a major German indoor climbing gym in Stuttgart, Germany, with bouldering and lead climbing facilities. Attendee’s age, sex, and time spent climbing were electronically recorded on each visit. All acute injuries were graded using the Medical Commission of the Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme Score. Injury cause, belayers’ and climbers’ experience, and outcome were additionally analyzed. Results During a 5-year period (2007–2011), 515,337 visits to the climbing wall were registered, of which 63.6% were by male visitors, 36.4% female, within an age of 8–80 years (median, 34 years). The average time of climbing was 2 hours 47 minutes. Thirty climbing injuries were recorded, 22 were in male and 8 in female climbers with a total mean age of 27.5 ± 10.6 years. Acute injuries happened in 6 cases while bouldering, in 16 cases while lead climbing, in 7 cases while top roping, and in 1 case as a third person (not climbing or belaying) while watching another climber. Bouldering injuries were mostly the result of falls onto the mat, whereas in lead and top rope climbing various scenarios happened. Fifteen (50%) injuries were Medical Commission of the Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme grade 2, 13 (43%) were grade 3, and 2 (7%) were grade 4, with no fatalities. The overall injury rate was 0.02 injuries per 1000 hours of climbing activities. Conclusions This was the first study to accurately record time spent indoor climbing digitally and evaluate the acute injuries prospectively in a large cohort. There were few injuries sustained, suggesting indoor climbing has a low risk of acute injury per 1000 hours of participation. The injuries were of minor to moderate injury severity, and no fatalities occurred. Several injuries could have been avoided, and further injury-prevention concepts should be developed.
Éthique et risques dans la réglementation des biotechnologies : La prise en compte des questions normatives dans les processus d’homologation contemporains
Authors: Lord Francis , Létourneau Lyne 
Published: July 2013

Résumé
Les régimes qui réglementent l’introduction des biotechnologies sur un territoire donné reposent sur le processus d’homologation—un processus décisionnel qui vise à identifier, évaluer, et minimiser les risques associés à l’introduction d’un produit ou d’une substance. Les processus d’homologation comprennent un examen des risques qui est présenté comme étant neutre, empirique et strictement scientifique. Malgré cela, plusieurs jugements de valeur surviendront au moment de cet examen en raison des « questions normatives » qui y surgissent immanquablement. En revanche, une analyse des dispositions provenant de divers régimes canadiens, américains, et européens démontre que ceux-ci abordent et même résolvent certaines questions normatives. Ce faisant, ils mettent en valeur le rôle actuel et potentiel des règles législatives, réglementaires, et administratives pour arbitrer le contenu scientifique et éthique des processus d’homologation.