bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new sparse matrix vector multiplication graphics processing unit algorithm designed for finite element problems
Authors: Wong J. , Kuhl E. , Darve E. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryRecently, graphics processing units (GPUs) have been increasingly leveraged in a variety of scientific computing applications. However, architectural differences between CPUs and GPUs necessitate the development of algorithms that take advantage of GPU hardware. As sparse matrix vector (SPMV) multiplication operations are commonly used in finite element analysis, a new SPMV algorithm and several variations are developed for unstructured finite element meshes on GPUs. The effective bandwidth of current GPU algorithms and the newly proposed algorithms are measured and analyzed for 15 sparse matrices of varying sizes and varying sparsity structures. The effects of optimization and differences between the new GPU algorithm and its variants are then subsequently studied. Lastly, both new and current SPMV GPU algorithms are utilized in the GPU CG solver in GPU finite element simulations of the heart. These results are then compared against parallel PETSc finite element implementation results. The effective bandwidth tests indicate that the new algorithms compare very favorably with current algorithms for a wide variety of sparse matrices and can yield very notable benefits. GPU finite element simulation results demonstrate the benefit of using GPUs for finite element analysis and also show that the proposed algorithms can yield speedup factors up to 12‐fold for real finite element applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Atrazine induces endoplasmic reticulum stress‐mediated apoptosis of T lymphocytes via the caspase‐8‐dependent pathway
Authors: Lee Eun‐Jin , Jang Youngsaeng , Kang Kwonyoon , Song Da‐Hyun , Kim Rihyun , Chang Hee‐Won , Lee Dong Eil , Song Claire Ka‐Eun , Choi Bongkun , Kang Min‐Ji , Chang Eun‐Ju 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTAtrazine (ATR) is one of the most commonly applied broad‐spectrum herbicides. Although ATR is well known to be a biologically hazardous molecule with potential toxicity in the immune system, the molecular mechanisms responsible for ATR‐induced immunotoxicity remain unclear. In this study, we found that the immunotoxic properties of ATR were mediated through the induction of apoptotic changes in T lymphocytes. Mice exposed to ATR for 4 weeks exhibited a significant decrease in the number of spleen CD3+ T lymphocytes, while CD19+ B lymphocytes and nonlymphoid cells were unaffected. ATR exposure also led to inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in human Jurkat T‐cells. Importantly, ATR triggered the activation of caspase‐3 and the cleavage of caspase‐8 and PARP, whereas it did not affect the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria in Jurkat T‐cells. In addition, ATR activated the unfolded protein response signaling pathway, as indicated by eIF2α phosphorylation and CHOP induction. Our results demonstrate that ATR elicited an immunotoxic effect by inducing ER stress‐induced apoptosis in T‐cells, therefore providing evidence for the molecular mechanism by which ATR induces dysregulation of the immune system. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 998–1008, 2016.
Steam power plant configuration, design, and control
Authors: Wu Xiao , Shen Jiong , Li Yiguo , Lee Kwang Y. 
Published: January 2015

This article provides an overview of fossil‐fuel power plant (FFPP) configuration, design and especially, the control technology, both the conventional and the advanced technologies. First, a brief introduction of FFPP fundamentals and configurations are presented, followed by the description of conventional PID‐based control system in the FFPPs and its short‐comings. As the major part of this writing, different advanced control strategies and applications are reported, with their significant features outlined and discussed. These new technologies are collected from both the academic studies and industrial practices, which can improve the performance of the FFPP control system for more economic and safe plant operation. The final section presents a view of the next generation FFPP control technologies, emphasizing potential business and research opportunities. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:537–563. doi: 10.1002/wene.161This article is categorized under:

Fossil Fuels > Systems and Infrastructure
Energy Efficiency > Systems and Infrastructure
Energy Infrastructure > Science and Materials
Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure
Growth rates and variances of unexploited wolf populations in dynamic equilibria
Authors: Mech L. David , Fieberg John 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTSeveral states have begun harvesting gray wolves (Canis lupus), and these states and various European countries are closely monitoring their wolf populations. To provide appropriate perspective for determining unusual or extreme fluctuations in their managed wolf populations, we analyzed natural, long‐term, wolf‐population‐density trajectories totaling 130 years of data from 3 areas: Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, Michigan, USA; the east‐central Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, USA; and Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. Ratios between minimum and maximum annual sizes for 2 mainland populations (n = 28 and 46 yr) varied from 2.5–2.8, whereas for Isle Royale (n = 56 yr), the ratio was 6.3. The interquartile range (25th percentile, 75th percentile) for annual growth rates, N

t

+1/N

t
, was (0.88, 1.14), (0.92, 1.11), and (0.86, 1.12) for Denali, Superior National Forest, and Isle Royale respectively. We fit a density‐independent model and a Ricker model to each time series, and in both cases we considered the potential for observation error. Mean growth rates from the density‐independent model were close to 0 for all 3 populations, with 95% credible intervals including 0. We view the estimated model parameters, including those describing annual variability or process variance, as providing useful summaries of the trajectories of these populations. The estimates of these natural wolf population parameters can serve as benchmarks for comparison with those of recovering wolf populations. Because our study populations were all from circumscribed areas, fluctuations in them represent fluctuations in densities (i.e., changes in numbers are not confounded by changes in occupied area as would be the case with populations expanding their range, as are wolf populations in many states). © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Multilevel Learning in the Adaptive Management of Waterfowl Harvests: 20 Years and Counting
Authors: Johnson Fred A. , Boomer G. Scott , Williams Byron K. , Nichols James D. , Case David J. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTIn 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented an adaptive harvest management program (AHM) for the sport harvest of midcontinent mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). The program has been successful in reducing long‐standing contentiousness in the regulatory process, while integrating science and policy in a coherent, rigorous, and transparent fashion. After 20 years, much has been learned about the relationship among waterfowl populations, their environment, and hunting regulations, with each increment of learning contributing to better management decisions. At the same time, however, much has been changing in the social, institutional, and environmental arenas that provide context for the AHM process. Declines in hunter numbers, competition from more pressing conservation issues, and global‐change processes are increasingly challenging waterfowl managers to faithfully reflect the needs and desires of stakeholders, to account for an increasing number of institutional constraints, and to (probabilistically) predict the consequences of regulatory policy in a changing environment. We review the lessons learned from the AHM process so far, and describe emerging challenges and ways in which they may be addressed. We conclude that the practice of AHM has greatly increased an awareness of the roles of social values, trade‐offs, and attitudes toward risk in regulatory decision‐making. Nevertheless, going forward the waterfowl management community will need to focus not only on the relationships among habitat, harvest, and waterfowl populations, but on the ways in which society values waterfowl and how those values can change over time. © 2015 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by The Wildlife Society.
The Short Series of Lanthanoid(III) Nitride Tellurides with the Composition Ln3NTe3 (Ln = Gd–Ho)
Authors: Foltin Markus L. , Schleid Thomas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractA new short series of isostructural lanthanoid(III) nitride tellurides with the composition Ln3NTe3 (Ln = Gd–Ho) was synthesized through reactions of the metal (Gd–Ho) with sodium azide (NaN3), tellurium (Te), iodine (I2) and sodium iodide (NaI) as flux in evacuated fused silica tubes for seven days at 950 °C. Black, brick‐shaped single crystals of the Ln3NTe3 represenatives crystallize isotypically with Y3NTe3 in the monoclinic space group P21/c with lattice parameters ranging from a = 815.28(6), b = 1200.92(8), c = 866.07(6) pm and β = 109.092(3)° for Gd3NTe3 to a = 802.37(6), b = 1181.69(8), c = 857.30(6) pm and β = 108.816(3)° for Ho3NTe3 and Z = 4. Three crystallographically independent Ln3+ cations form the basic framework of their crystal structure and are coordinated by six anions each. One trigonal prism and two octahedra with different grades of distortion appear as coordination spheres. Isolated dimers [N2Ln6]12+ (d(N–Ln) = 219–232 pm) as pairs of two edge‐sharing [NLn4]9+ tetrahedra, however, serve as main structural feature. Their three‐dimensional interconnection and charge compensation is achieved by three crystallographically distinct Te2– anions (d(Te–Ln) = 299–337 pm) with contacts to four or five Ln3+ cations each. Finally, this short Ln3NTe3 series closes an information gap between the lanthanoid(III) nitride tellurides and the well‐investigated, but not isotypic nitride sulfides and selenides with the same composition (Ln3NCh3: Ln = La–Nd, Sm, Gd–Dy; Ch = S and Se).
Deep-cryogenic-treatment-induced phase transformation in the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy
Authors: Li Chun-mei , Cheng Nan-pu , Chen Zhi-qian , Guo Ning , Zeng Su-min 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
An aluminum alloy (Al-Zn-Mg-Cu) subjected to deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) was systematically investigated. The results show that a DCT-induced phase transformation varies the microstructures and affects the mechanical properties of the Al alloy. Both Guinier-Preston (GP) zones and a metastable η′ phase were observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The phenomenon of the second precipitation of the GP zones in samples subjected to DCT after being aged was observed. The viability of this phase transformation was also demonstrated by first-principles calculations.
Enriched environment restricted to gestation accelerates the development of sensory and motor circuits in the rat pup
Authors: Cárdenas Lorena , García‐García Fabio , Santiago‐Roque Isela , Martínez Armando J. , Coria‐Ávila Genaro A. , Corona‐Morales Aleph A. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe effects of stimulating environments on the neural plasticity of the adult brain have been well explored; however, how an enriched environment (EE) affects the mother‐fetus interaction is poorly understood. We hypothesized that an enriched environment restricted to pregnancy will succeed in accelerating the development of sensory and motor circuits in the offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were maintained either under a standard condition – two animals per standard cage‐ or an enriched environment – eight subjects in larger cages with different physical configurations‐. After birth, litters from both groups (n = 16 per group) were cross‐fostered with mothers that were simultaneously maintained under standard environment during pregnancy. Sensory and motor development were studied in the pups of both groups with a battery of reflex and physical tests. Auditory and gait reflexes appeared two days earlier in the offspring of EE rats as compared to control subjects (p < 0.05). In addition, EE pups displayed a better performance in righting reflex, inclined board and geotaxis tests (p < 0.05). Differences were found even three weeks after birth. We conclude that EE limited to the phase of pregnancy stimulates the development of pups in utero so that they are born with a higher grade of development.
Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Policies in U.S. Hospitals: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Pogorzelska-Maziarz Monika , Herzig Carolyn T. A. , Larson Elaine L. , Furuya E. Yoko , Perencevich Eli N. , Stone Patricia W. 
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVETo describe the use of antimicrobial stewardship policies and to investigate factors associated with implementation in a national sample of acute care hospitals.DESIGNCross-sectional survey.PARTICIPANTSInfection Control Directors from acute care hospitals participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).METHODSAn online survey was conducted in the Fall of 2011. A subset of hospitals also provided access to their 2011 NHSN annual survey data.RESULTSResponses were received from 1,015 hospitals (30% response rate). The majority of hospitals (64%) reported the presence of a policy; use of antibiograms and antimicrobial restriction policies were most frequently utilized (83% and 65%, respectively). Respondents from larger, urban, teaching hospitals and those that are part of a system that shares resources were more likely to report a policy in place (P<.01). Hospitals located in California were more likely to have policy in place than in hospitals located in other states (P=.014).CONCLUSIONThis study provides a snapshot of the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship policies in place in U.S. hospitals and suggests that statewide efforts in California are achieving their intended effect. Further research is needed to identify factors that foster the adoption of these policies.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;00(0): 1–4
Turbulent channel flow of dense suspensions of neutrally buoyant spheres
Authors: Picano Francesco , Breugem Wim-Paul , Brandt Luca 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDense particle suspensions are widely encountered in many applications and in environmental flows. While many previous studies investigate their rheological properties in laminar flows, little is known on the behaviour of these suspensions in the turbulent/inertial regime. The present study aims to fill this gap by investigating the turbulent flow of a Newtonian fluid laden with solid neutrally-buoyant spheres at relatively high volume fractions in a plane channel. Direct numerical simulation (DNS) are performed in the range of volume fractions ${\it\Phi}=0{-}0.2$ with an immersed boundary method (IBM) used to account for the dispersed phase. The results show that the mean velocity profiles are significantly altered by the presence of a solid phase with a decrease of the von Kármán constant in the log-law. The overall drag is found to increase with the volume fraction, more than one would expect if just considering the increase of the system viscosity due to the presence of the particles. At the highest volume fraction investigated here, ${\it\Phi}=0.2$, the velocity fluctuation intensities and the Reynolds shear stress are found to decrease. The analysis of the mean momentum balance shows that the particle-induced stresses govern the dynamics at high ${\it\Phi}$ and are the main responsible of the overall drag increase. In the dense limit, we therefore find a decrease of the turbulence activity and a growth of the particle induced stress, where the latter dominates for the Reynolds numbers considered here.
Electrohydrodynamic instability of miscible core–annular flows with electrical conductivity stratification
Authors: Ding Zijing , Wong Teck Neng 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates the electrohydrodynamical instability of two miscible flows in a micro-pipe subject to an axial electric field. There is an electrical conductivity stratification between the two layers. A weak shear flow arises from a constant axial pressure gradient. The three-dimensional linear stability analysis is studied under the assumption of a quasi-steady state. The influences of the conductivity ratio ${\it\eta}$, the interface location $a$, the interface thickness ${\it\delta}$, the Reynolds number $\mathit{Re}$ and the Schmidt number $\mathit{Sc}$ on the linear stability of the flows are investigated. The flow becomes more unstable for a larger conductivity contrast. When the conductivity in the inner layer is larger, the critical unstable mode can be dominated by either the corkscrew mode (the azimuthal wavenumber $m=1$) or the axisymmetric mode ($m=0$), which is dependent on the interface location $a$. It is observed that, when the interface is proximal to pipe’s wall, the critical unstable mode shifts from the corkscrew mode to the axisymmetric mode. When the conductivity is larger in the outer layer, the instability is dominated by the axisymmetric mode. A detailed parametric study shows that the flow is least stable when the interface between the two liquids is located at approximately $a=0.3$ and $a=0.2$ for conductivity ratios of ${\it\eta}=0.5$ and ${\it\eta}=2$ respectively. The flow becomes more stable as the interface becomes thicker, and the shear flow and ionic diffusion are found to have a stabilizing effect due to the enhancement of dissipation mechanisms.
Two-frequency excitation of single-mode Faraday waves
Authors: Batson W. , Zoueshtiagh F. , Narayanan R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this work is to investigate, for the first time, excitation of Faraday waves in small containers using two commensurate frequencies. This spatial restriction, which is encountered at low frequencies, leads to a wave composed primarily of one spatial eigenmode of the container. When two frequencies are used, the mode resonates primarily with one frequency, while the role of the second is to alter the instability threshold and the resulting nonlinear dynamics. As the parameter space expands greatly as a result of the introduction of three new degrees of freedom, viz. the frequency, amplitude and phase of the new component, the linear theory is first used as a guide to highlight basic two-frequency phenomena. These predictions and nonlinear phenomena are then studied experimentally with the system of Batson, Zoueshtiagh & Narayanan (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 729, 2013, pp. 496–523), who studied single-frequency excitation of different modes in a cylindrical cell. The two-frequency experiments of this work focus on excitation of the fundamental axisymmetric mode, and are quantitatively compared to the model via a posteriori Fourier decomposition of the parametric input. In doing so, experimental dependence of the instability on the new degrees of freedom is demonstrated, in accordance with the model predictions. This is done for a variety of frequency ratios, and overall agreement between the observed and predicted onset conditions is identical to that already reported for the single-frequency experiment. For each frequency ratio, the nonlinear behaviour is experimentally characterized by bifurcation and time series data, which is shown to differ significantly from comparable single-frequency excitations. Finally, we present and discuss a wave in which both temporal frequencies are used to simultaneously excite different spatial modes.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH HIV VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE TO ONE'S STEADY SEXUAL PARTNER IN MALI: RESULTS FROM A COMMUNITY-BASED STUDY
Authors: CISSÉ MAMADOU , DIOP SAMBA , ABADIE ALISE , HENRY EMILIE , BERNIER ADELINE , FUGON LIONEL , DEMBELE BINTOU , OTIS JOANNE , PREAU MARIE 
Published: January 2015

SummaryDespite the widespread dissemination of HIV information through public awareness campaigns in Mali, disclosing seropositivity to one's steady sexual partner (SSP) remains difficult for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Disclosure is a public health concern with serious implications and is also strongly linked to the quality of life of PLHIV. This study aimed to analyse factors associated with voluntary HIV disclosure to one's SSP, using a community-based cross-sectional study on 300 adult PLHIV in contact with a Malian community-based organization working in the field of AIDS response. A 125-item questionnaire was administered by trained personnel to study participants between May and October 2011. Analysis was restricted to the 219 participants who both reported having a SSP and answered to the question on disclosure to their SSP. A weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to determine variables independently associated with disclosure. In total, 161 participants (73%) reported HIV disclosure to their SSP. Having children (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 4.52 [1.84–11.12]), being accompanied to the survey site (3.66 [1.00–13.33]), knowing others who had publicly declared their seropositivity (3.12 [1.59–6.12]), having higher self-esteem (1.55 [1.09–2.19]) and using means other than anti-retroviral treatment to treat HIV (0.33 [0.11–1.00]) were independently associated with disclosure. This study identified several factors that should be considered for the design of interventions aimed at facilitating disclosure if/when desired in this cultural context.
CONSANGUINITY AND INBREEDING COEFFICIENT IN TRIBAL PASHTUNS INHABITING THE TURBULENT AND WAR-AFFECTED TERRITORY OF BAJAUR AGENCY, NORTH-WEST PAKISTAN
Authors: AHMAD BASHIR , REHMAN ATTA UR , MALIK SAJID 
Published: January 2015

SummaryThe north-western populations of Pakistan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) adjoining the Pakistan–Afghanistan border are an amalgamation of native and migrated Pashtun tribes. These tribal populations are in transition due to war conditions and geo-political turmoil on both sides of the border since the Soviet invasion in 1979. Bio-demographic and epidemiological data for these tribes are scarce. A prospective cross-sectional sample of 967 males was selected from a representative Pashtun population of Bajaur Agency, and information obtained on bio-demographic variables and marital union types. Analysis of these data revealed that consanguinity was 22.34% and the inbreeding coefficientFwas calculated to be 0.0134. The inbreeding coefficient was observed to be higher in subjects who were illiterate, had unskilled jobs and who belonged to younger age categories, extended families and the Tarkalani tribe. Further analyses with respect to temporal variables like subject's age, year of marriage and age at marriage revealed that after a transition in marital union types in the early 80s, there has been a declining trend in the rate of consanguineous unions. Further, consanguineous unions in the parental generation were only 5%, but parental marriage types were predictors of subjects' marital union types. The data further establish that, contrary to a general notion about a high consanguinity rate in Pakistan, consanguineous unions are not common in Bajaur Agency and first cousin marriage is not the preferred type. Furthermore, this research shows that there is a great regional variation in the pattern of consanguinity in Pakistan that needs to be documented in order to draw a more comprehensive picture of the inbreeding coefficient in the country.