bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analytic function theory for operator-valued free probability
Authors: Williams John D. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
It is a classical result in complex analysis that the class of functions that arise as the Cauchy transform of probability measures may be characterized entirely in terms of their analytic and asymptotic properties. Such transforms are a main object of study in non-commutative probability theory as the function theory encodes information on the probability measures and the various convolution operations. In extending this theory to operator-valued free probability theory, the analogue of the Cauchy transform is a non-commutative function with domain equal to the non-commutative upper-half plane. In this paper, we prove an analogous characterization of the Cauchy transforms, again, entirely in terms of their analytic and asymptotic behavior. We further characterize those functions which arise as the Voiculescu transform of

⊞

{\boxplus}

-infinitely divisible operator-valued distributions. As consequences of these results, we provide a characterization of infinite divisibility in terms of the domain of the relevant Voiculescu transform, provide a purely analytic definition of the semigroups of completely positive maps associated to infinitely divisible distributions and provide a Nevanlinna representation for non-commutative functions with the appropriate asymptotic behavior.
Fabrication of High-Efficiency Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters of Epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 Thin Films by Laser Lift-off
Authors: Suwa Eisaku , Tsujiura Yuichi , Kurokawa Fumiya , Hida Hirotaka , Kanno Isaku 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
We fabricated piezoelectric vibration energy harvesters of c-axis-oriented epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin films on stainless steel (SS304) cantilevers in an effort to improve their power-generation efficiency and toughness. Using radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, we deposited the epitaxial PZT thin films on the MgO substrates, and then transferred the PZT films onto microfabricated SS304 cantilevers using laser lift-off (LLO). LLO did not degrade the transferred epitaxial PZT thin films, which exhibited a high piezoelectric coefficient (e
31,f
=–4.8 C/m2) and a low relative dielectric constant (ε
r=340), comparable to those of the original PZT thin film on MgO. At a resonance frequency of 143 Hz, the energy harvesters generated large output power of 1.8 μW at an acceleration of 1.0 m/s2, and the output power reached a maximum of 49 μW at an acceleration of 7.5 m/s2.
Cork structural discontinuities studied with X-ray microtomography
Authors: Oliveira Vanda , Van den Bulcke Jan , Van Acker Joris , de Schryver Thomas , Pereira Helena 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Cork is a natural cellular material with a rather unique set of properties, and its best known application is as stopper for wine bottles. The cork tissue contains structural discontinuities, for example, lenticular channels (LCh), that influence the in-use performance of cork products. X-ray microtomography, in combination with image analysis, has been used for cork characterisation and provided new insights into the three-dimensional location of discontinuities, which are hidden for a visual inspection. It was demonstrated that the presence of LCh is positively correlated with cork density, and the void fraction of LCh in the lower part of a cork stopper is strongly related to the oxygen ingress in the bottle during the first month after bottling. The results contribute to better understanding the natural variation of cork properties.
Chondrocalcinosis related to familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis
Authors: Cimbek Emine Ayça , Şen Yaşar , Yuca Sevil Arı , Peru Harun 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCalcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease (also known as chondrocalcinosis, CC) is a rare metabolic arthropathy mostly seen in elderly patients. Chondrocalcinosis may be associated with metabolic diseases such as hypomagnesemia when it occurs in young people. We report here a case with hypomagnesemia due to familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) who developed CC during clinical follow-up. To our best knowledge this is the first case of a young patient with CPPD associated with FHHNC.
Childhood obesity, thyroid function, and insulin resistance – is there a link? A longitudinal study
Authors: Santos Maria Inês , Limbert Catarina , Marques Filipa Carlota , Rosário Frederico , Lopes Lurdes 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSerum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are frequently elevated in obese children and are most likely to be associated with insulin resistance. However, clinical relevance of this association remains unclear.To assess the prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia; to analyze the relationship between TSH and homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); and to verify whether TSH levels and HOMA-IR vary with weight loss in obese children.Retrospective longitudinal study with data from baseline and 1 year after lifestyle intervention in a pediatric obese group (344 children were recruited and 100 among them completed follow-up). For postintervention analysis, three groups were considered according to body mass index-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) variations: ≤–0.5 (significant weight loss); 0.5–0 (weight loss); and >0 (weight gain). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0The prevalence of increased TSH levels was 9.3%. At baseline TSH (p=0.007), fT4 (p=0.006), and HOMA-IR (p<0.001) were positively correlated to BMI-SDS (n=344). Weight reduction was verified in 67 out of 100 cases but significant loss was present in only 21 cases. Decreases in both TSH and BMI-SDS were independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR (p=0.005 and p=0.016, respectively). There was no correlation between TSH and BMI-SDS variation. Significant decreases in the HOMA-IR (p=0.006) were only achieved in the significant weight loss group.The prevalence of hyperthyrotropinemia was lower than previously reported. However, cutoff values were adjusted to pubertal stage, suggesting an over report in other studies. Insulin resistance and TSH were positively correlated, independent of body status. Although weight loss was not associated with TSH variation, a decrease in TSH levels was independently associated with decreases in HOMA-IR.
Instructional impact on high school physics students’ nanoscience conceptions
Authors: Tretter Thomas R. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe impact of a 5-day sequence of nanoscience instruction for 207 high school physics students in eight classrooms and three schools was investigated. The instructional sequence was organized around key big ideas in nanoscience that were identified by a panel of 39 US national experts in nanoscience and nanoscience education. Pretest and posttest measures included measures of conceptions of scale boundary distinctions (particularly nanoscale), accuracy of conceptions of spatial scale of nanoscale objects, and a new instrument (conceptions of nanoscale instrument – CNI, with Cronbach’s α=0.79) designed to specifically measure the targeted big ideas in nanoscience. Results for scale conceptions showed that students developed a clear distinction of a scale difference between microscale and nanoscale worlds, including accurate knowledge of which objects are representative of each scale world. Nanoscale accuracy also improved. Conceptions across the breadth of big ideas in nanoscience were significantly enhanced by the instruction, with effect sizes in the large range. Analysis of subscores within the CNI showed differential impacts on particular nanoscience concepts. Implications for potential challenges and successes for influencing high school physics students’ conceptions of nanoscience are addressed.
On the solubility of non-ionic organic solutes in seawater
Authors: Marcus Yizhak 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Given the solubilities of non-ionic organic solutes in water, their solubilities in seawater are obtained by correlation expressions involving two descriptors for the constituent ions (or salts) of seawater and two descriptors of the solutes. The former are the standard partial molar volumes and the intrinsic molar volumes and the latter are the molar volume (the Le Bas variant of it) and either the Hildebrand solubility parameter δ
H or the Kamlet–Taft solvatochromic π*.
Removal of organic sulfur compounds from diesel by adsorption on carbon materials
Authors: Yu Moxin , Zhang Nan , Fan Liangwei , Zhang Chen , He Xiaojun , Zheng Mingdong , Li Zhong 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Removal of organic sulfur compounds from diesel by adsorption on different carbon materials, including activated carbons (ACs), carbon aerogels, carbon nanotubes, and AC cloths, was reviewed. The effect of the textural and surface chemistry property of carbon on desulfurization performance, carbon surface modification, adsorption mechanism, and adsorbent regeneration and the effect of other components, including aromatics, additives, nitrogen compounds, and moisture, on adsorptive desulfurization of diesel fuel were also discussed in detail. Carbon materials showed very high selectivity for removing the dibenzothiophenes, especially for 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene, which is very difficult with hydrodesulfurization and other adsorbents. Both the textural and chemical properties of AC have an important impact on the adsorption of DBTs. Adsorption selectivity and capacity can be enhanced further by carbon surface modification. Considering the effect of diffusion hindrance and regeneration, mesoporous carbon is more suitable than microporous carbon with pore size <2 nm. It is necessary to eliminate the inhibiting effect of fuel additive and nitrogen compounds on the DBTs before carbon materials are used for desulfurization of real diesel fuel. In the end, some useful suggestions are also made.
Investigation of the WEDM of Al/B4C/Gr reinforced hybrid composites using the Taguchi method and response surface methodology
Authors: Motorcu Ali Riza , Ekici Ergün , Kuş Abdil 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this study, the effects of machining parameters on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) were investigated during the cutting of Al/B4C/Gr hybrid composites by wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM). Wire speed (WS), pulse-on time (Ton) and pulse-off time (Toff) were chosen as the control factors. The L27 (33) orthogonal array in the Taguchi method was used in the experimental design and for the determination of optimum control factors. Response surface methodology was also used to determine interactions among the control factors. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied in the determination of the effects of control factors on the MRR and Ra. According to the ANOVA results, the most effective parameters on MRR and Ra were wire speed with a 85.94% contribution ratio, and pulse-on-time with a 47.7% contribution ratio. The optimum levels of the control factors for MRR and Ra were determined as A3B3C3 and A1B1C2. In addition, second-order predictive models were developed for MRR and Ra; correlation coefficients (R2) were calculated as 0.992 and 0.63.
Free vibration analysis of axially layered functionally graded short beams using experimental and finite element methods
Authors: Yilmaz Yasin , Evran Savas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractFree vibration behavior of short beams made of axially layered functionally graded material (FGM) was investigated experimentally and numerically. Beams, which have gradation of the material properties in the axial direction, are fabricated by powder metallurgy technique using different weight fractions of aluminum and silicon carbide powders. In order to determine elasticity modulus of axially layered functionally graded (FG) beams, homogeneous beams containing different weight fractions of Al (aluminum) and SiC (silicon carbide) are produced, and these homogeneous beams are subjected to tensile tests. Density of each homogeneous layer is also calculated experimentally. After determination of the mechanical properties of each layer of the FG beams, they are modeled in a finite element program (ANSYS) according to Timoshenko beam theory, and free vibration analyses are performed. Fundamental frequencies of the axially layered FG beams produced are also calculated experimentally. FG beams with clamped-free boundary conditions are considered. Layers of the axially FG beams are considered to have symmetric configurations. Effect of the change in weight fractions of SiC particles and sorting order of layers to fundamental frequency of the beam is investigated. Experimental results obtained are compared with numerical results.
Uncertainty Analysis in Fatigue Life Prediction of Gas Turbine Blades Using Bayesian Inference
Authors: Li Yan-Feng , Zhu Shun-Peng , Li Jing , Peng Weiwen , Huang Hong-Zhong 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis paper investigates Bayesian model selection for fatigue life estimation of gas turbine blades considering model uncertainty and parameter uncertainty. Fatigue life estimation of gas turbine blades is a critical issue for the operation and health management of modern aircraft engines. Since lots of life prediction models have been presented to predict the fatigue life of gas turbine blades, model uncertainty and model selection among these models have consequently become an important issue in the lifecycle management of turbine blades. In this paper, fatigue life estimation is carried out by considering model uncertainty and parameter uncertainty simultaneously. It is formulated as the joint posterior distribution of a fatigue life prediction model and its model parameters using Bayesian inference method. Bayes factor is incorporated to implement the model selection with the quantified model uncertainty. Markov Chain Monte Carlo method is used to facilitate the calculation. A pictorial framework and a step-by-step procedure of the Bayesian inference method for fatigue life estimation considering model uncertainty are presented. Fatigue life estimation of a gas turbine blade is implemented to demonstrate the proposed method.
A New Turbo-shaft Engine Control Law during Variable Rotor Speed Transient Process
Authors: Hua Wei , Miao Lizhen , Zhang Haibo , Huang Jinquan 
Published: January 2015

AbstractA closed-loop control law employing compressor guided vanes is firstly investigated to solve unacceptable fuel flow dynamic change in single fuel control for turbo-shaft engine here, especially for rotorcraft in variable rotor speed process. Based on an Augmented Linear Quadratic Regulator (ALQR) algorithm, a dual-input, single-output robust control scheme is proposed for a turbo-shaft engine, involving not only the closed loop adjustment of fuel flow but also that of compressor guided vanes. Furthermore, compared to single fuel control, some digital simulation cases using this new scheme about variable rotor speed have been implemented on the basis of an integrated system of helicopter and engine model. The results depict that the command tracking performance to the free turbine rotor speed can be asymptotically realized. Moreover, the fuel flow transient process has been significantly improved, and the fuel consumption has been dramatically cut down by more than 2% while keeping the helicopter level fight unchanged.
Mehr als Historikergeplänkel
Authors: Brechtken Magnus 
Published: January 2015

Vorspann
Der Umgang mit der nationalsozialistischen Vergangenheit treibt die Gesellschaft der Bundesrepublik seit Jahrzehnten um. Kontroversen über den historischen Ort des Nationalsozialismus, über den Einfluss seiner personellen Hinterlassenschaft, über das Verhältnis von Kontinuität und Bruch und über die Voraussetzungen für das Gelingen des demokratischen Experiments in einer vom Nationalsozialismus durchtränkten Gesellschaft sind untrennbar mit der Geschichte der Bundesrepublik verbunden. Der vorliegende Aufsatz ordnet die teils mit harten Bandagen geführte Debatte um „Das Amt“ in den historischen Kontext ein, benennt die Defizite des Abschlussberichts der von Außenminister Joschka Fischer einberufenen Unabhängigen Historikerkommission - und zieht mit Blick auf die positiven Impulse des vergangenheitspolitischen Diskurses eine durchaus optimistische Gesamtbilanz.
Failure to achieve disease control in acromegaly: cause analysis by a registry-based survey
Authors: Schöfl Christof , Grussendorf Martin , Honegger Jürgen , Tönjes Anke , Thyroke-Gronostay Daniel , Mayr Bernhard , Schopohl Jochen , _ _ 
Published: January 2015

ContextDisease control is a prime target in acromegaly treatment. This should be achievable in the vast majority of patients by available treatment options. For unknown reasons, however, a significant number of patients do not achieve disease control.ObjectiveTo investigate reasons for failure to achieve disease control in long-standing acromegaly.Design and methodsSurvey based on the German Acromegaly Registry database (1755 patients in 57 centres). Questionnaires were sent to 47 centres treating 178 patients with elevated disease markers (IGF1 and GH) at the last documented database visit out of 1528 patients with a diagnosis dated back ≥2 years. Thirty-three centres returned anonymised information for 120 patients (recall rate 67.4%).ResultsMedian age of the 120 patients (58 females) was 57 years (range 17–84). Ninety-four patients had at least one operation, 29 had received radiotherapy and 71 had been previously treated medically. Comorbidities were reported in 67 patients. In 61 patients, disease activity had been controlled since the last documented database visit, while 59 patients still had biochemically active disease. Reasons were patients' denial to escalate therapy (23.3%), non-compliance (20.6%), fluctuating insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH) levels with normal values at previous visits (23.3%) and modifications in pharmacotherapy (15.1%). Therapy resistance (9.6%), drug side effects (4.1%) and economic considerations (4.1%) were rare reasons.ConclusionsMain reasons for long-standing active acromegaly were patients' lack of motivation to agree to therapeutic recommendations and non-compliance with medical therapy. Development of patient education programmes could improve long-term control and thus prognosis of acromegalic patients.
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis: could it be influenced by a petrochemical complex? Data from a cytological study in South-Eastern Sicily
Authors: Arena Salvatore , Latina Adele , Baratta Roberto , Burgio Giuseppe , Gullo Damiano , Benvenga Salvatore 
Published: January 2015

IntroductionIn genetically predisposed individuals, exogenous factors (including pollution) influence the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis/chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT). CLT may also be a risk factor for associated thyroid cancer. Few data are available on the role of pollution from petrochemical complexes, one of which is located in the Siracusa province (South-Eastern Sicily), in the pathogenesis of CLT.Aimsi) To study the frequency of CLT in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)-interrogated thyroid nodules from patients who were stably resident in their zones, comparing it in patients living in the petrochemical complex area (zone A) with that of patients from a control area (zone B). ii) To study the frequency of CLT in the FNAC categories of malignancy risk, comparing the two zones.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated cytologically adequate slides of 1323 nodules in 1013 outpatients who underwent ultrasound-guided FNAC from 2006 to 2012. We stratified by area of residence, gender, and FNAC categories of malignancy risk.ResultsCLT was detected with significantly greater frequency in either patients or nodules from zone A compared with zone B (32.0% vs 23.1%,P=0.002 or 28.2% vs 18.8%,P=0.0001), with a female preponderance (F=35.2% vs M=21.1% or 30.4% vs 20.4%, zone A and F=26.5% vs 12.3% or 21.6% vs 9.5%, zone B). Regardless of zone, CLT was approximately twofold more frequent in the suspiciously malignant+malignant classes (TH4+THY5=47.6%, zone A and 32.4%, zone B) compared with the benign+intermediate classes (THY2+THY3=27.3%, zone A and 18.2%, zone B), but with a clear stepwise THY2 through THY5 increase only in zone A (THY2=25.3%, THY5=66.7%; THY2=18.6%, THY5=28.6% in zone B).ConclusionsThe petrochemical complex-related pollution is an environmental factor involved in the development of CLT and, likely, in the CLT association with thyroid neoplasms.
Circulating acylghrelin levels are suppressed by insulin and increase in response to hypoglycemia in healthy adult volunteers
Authors: Lauritzen Esben S , Voss Thomas , Kampmann Ulla , Mengel Annette , Vendelbo Mikkel H , Jørgensen Jens O L , Møller Niels , Vestergaard Esben T 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveGhrelin has glucoregulatory and orexigenic actions, but its role in acute hypoglycemia remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate circulating levels of acylghrelin (AG) and unacylated ghrelin (UAG) in response to hyperinsulinemia and to hypoglycemia.DesignA randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study including 3 study days was performed at a university hospital clinical research center.MethodsNine healthy men completed 3 study days: i) saline control (CTR), ii) hyperinsulinemic euglycemia (HE) (bolus insulin 0.1 IE/kg i.v. and glucose 20% i.v. for 105 min, plasma glucose ≈5 mmol/l), and iii) hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) (bolus insulin 0.1 IE/kg i.v.).ResultsHH and HE suppressed AG concentrations at t=45–60 min as compared with CTR (P<0.05). At t=90 min, a rebound increase in AG was observed in response to HH as compared with both HE and CTR (P<0.05). UAG also decreased during HH and HE at t=45 min (P<0.05), whereas the AG-to-UAG ratio remained unaffected.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that AG and UAG are directly suppressed by hyperinsulinemia and that AG concentrations increase after a latency of ≈1 h in response to hypoglycemia, suggesting a potential counterregulatory role of AG.
Computed tomography criteria for discrimination of adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas: analysis of the German ACC registry
Authors: Petersenn Stephan , Richter Paul-Ajoy , Broemel Thomas , Ritter Christian O , Deutschbein Timo , Beil Frank-Ulrich , Allolio Bruno , Fassnacht Martin , _ _ 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveThresholds of 2–20 hounsfield units (HU) in unenhanced computed tomography (CT) are suggested to discriminate benign adrenal tumors (BATs) from malignant adrenal tumors. However, these studies included only low numbers of adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs). This study defines a HU threshold by inclusion of a large cohort of ACCs.DesignRetrospective, blinded, comparative analysis of CT scans from 51 patients with ACCs (30 females, median age 49 years) and 25 patients with BATs (12 females, median age 64 years) diagnosed during the period of 2005–2010 was performed.MethodsTumor density was evaluated in unenhanced CT by two blinded investigators.ResultsMedian tumor size was 9 cm (range 2.0–20) for ACCs vs 4 cm (2.0–7.5) for BATs (P<0.0001). In ACCs, the median unenhanced HU value was 34 (range 14–74) in comparison with 5 (−13 to 40) in BATs (P<0.0001). ROC analysis revealed a HU of 21 as threshold with the best diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity 96%, specificity 80%, and AUC 0.89). However, two ACCs that were 5 and 6 cm in size would have been missed. Setting the threshold to 13.9 allowed for 100% sensitivity, but a lower specificity of 68%.ConclusionsThis first large study on ACCs confirmed that the vast majority of ACCs have unenhanced HU >21. However, to avoid misdiagnosing an ACC as benign, a threshold of 13 should be used.