Hao Zuo^1,2, Zhibo Yang^1,2,3, Xuefeng Chen^1,2, Yong Xie⁴, Xingwu Zhang^1,2

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.44, No.3, pp. 167-204, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.044.167

Abstract Following previous work, a wavelet finite element method is developed for bending, free vibration and buckling analysis of functionally graded (FG) plates based on Mindlin plate theory. The functionally graded material (FGM) properties are assumed to vary smoothly and continuously throughout the thickness of plate according to power law distribution of volume fraction of constituents. This article adopts scaling functions of two-dimensional tensor product BSWI to form shape functions. Then two-dimensional FGM BSWI element is constructed based on Mindlin plate theory by means of two-dimensional tensor product BSWI. The proposed two-dimensional FGM BSWI element possesses More >

Argüello JA, L Seisdedos, MC Díaz Goldfarb, EA Fabio, SB Núñez, A Ledesma

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.82, pp. 289-295, 2013, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2013.82.289

Abstract The objective of this work was to analyze the impact of a vermicompost treatment on anatomical and physiological modifications related to assimilate partitioning and growth in lettuce seedlings. The results showed that vermicompost increased growth, which was most likely due to an increased activity of the ground meristem of the leaf blade. A greater height and number of chlorenchyma layers were observed in the leaf blade. This was related to an increase in the photosynthetic activity, expressed by an increase in the net assimilation rate. Vermicompost also showed an effect at the procambium level, producing More >

Rivera MC¹, ER Wright¹, MC Fabrizio², G Freixá¹, R Cabalini¹, SE Lopez³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.82, pp. 227-234, 2013, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2013.82.227

Abstract Damping off is a frequent disease that kills seedlings. Cultural and biological controls are the only tools in organic crops to manage this disease, and only empirical information is available on the efficiency of plant preparations. This work evaluates the effects of fermented onion decoctions on the growth of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii and disease incidence. Broth (B) and sterilized broth (SB) were respectively obtained by boiling chopped yellow onions in water, and incubating for 14 days at room temperature, with or without subsequent sterilization. The pathogens were grown on potato dextrose agar supplemented with B… More >

Wilckens P¹, MP Fernández², M Gómez¹, I Peña³, G Montenegro¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.82, pp. 81-90, 2013, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2013.82.081

Abstract Buddleja globosa Hope is a well-known native, medicinal plant because of its digestive and cicatrizing properties. Due to the increasing domestic and international demand, B. globosa abundance and distribution in Chile has resulted in the intensive exploitation of the plant’s natural habitat, without consideration of the plant’s regenerative capacity. The main objective of this research was to establish the B. globosa growth cycle and model its regeneration cycle. This would allow for more productive, efficient and sustainable use and management of this species, thus ensuring its long-term conservation. We selected two study sites, one wild and another one… More >

De-Shin Liu¹, Chin-Yi Tu¹, Cho-Liang Chung²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.92, No.6, pp. 573-594, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.092.573

Abstract The Infinite Element Method (IEM) is widely used for the analysis of elastostatic structures containing singularities. In the IEM method, the problem domain is partitioned into multiple element layers, where the stiffness matrix of each layer is similar to that of the other layers in the discretized domain. However, in Mindlin-Reissner plate theory, the stiffness matrix varies through the layers of the plate, and thus the conventional IEM algorithm cannot be applied. Accordingly, the present study proposes a Plate Infinite Element Method (PIEM) in which the element stiffness matrix is separated into two sub-matrices; each… More >

H. Jiang^1,2, B. Yang¹, S. Liu³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.38, No.2, pp. 61-77, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.038.061

Abstract Actin, fibrin and collagen fiber networks are typical hierarchical biological materials formed by bundling fibrils into fibers and branching/adjoining fibers into networks. The bundled fibrils interact with each other through weak van der Waals forces and, in some cases, additional spotted covalent crosslinks. In the present work, we apply Timoshenko's beam theory that takes into account the effect of transverse shear between fibrils in each bundle to study the overall mechanical behaviors of such fiber networks. Previous experimental studies suggested that these fibers are initially loose bundles. Based on the evidence, it is hypothesized that More >

Gunes Guner¹, Bulent Akdogan², Dilek Ertoy Baydar¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.19, No.1, pp. 6124-6127, 2012

Abstract We report a case of a 72-year-old male that underwent two sets of transrectal prostatic needle biopsy (TPNB) within 9 month period. Pathology showed unremarkable benign prostatic tissues in the first group of biopsies while extensive diffuse inflammation with the characteristic features of malakoplakia in the second set. Three cores in the repeat biopsy contained foci of prostatic adenocarcinoma as well. Occurrence of malakoplakia several months after TPNB in our case suggests that microorganisms may have been inoculated to the prostate during the biopsy procedure. We believe that malakoplakia must be added to the list More >

Abhijith Dev Mally, Bishoy Gayed, Timothy Averch, Benjamin Davies

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.19, No.3, pp. 6243-6249, 2012

Abstract Introduction: There has been an increased incidence of small renal masses with a majority incidentally discovered in elderly patients or patients with several comorbidities. The historic role of renal biopsy has been limited due to initial concerns about accuracy and safety. This review analyses the current role of percutaneous renal biopsy.
Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review of PubMed and MEDLINE for reports of percutaneous needle core biopsy and fine needle aspiration of renal tumors that were published from 1977 to 2012.
Results: With the adoption of new biopsy techniques, there is a very low risk of… More >

Ricardo Palmerola¹, Paul Smith², Vanessa Elliot², Carl T. Reese², Frank B. Mahon², Lewis E. Harpster², Nikolina Icitovic¹, Jay D. Raman^2,3

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.19, No.6, pp. 6542-6547, 2012

Abstract Introduction: Indications for prostate needle biopsy (PNB) include elevated serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE). We evaluated a contemporary cohort of men undergoing PNB to determine cancer detection rates when stratified by DRE status.
Materials and methods: The charts of 806 men who underwent a PNB were reviewed. Serum PSA was categorized as normal or abnormal according to age-specific criteria. A normal DRE was defined as a smooth, age-appropriate, asymmetric, or uniformly enlarged prostate. An abnormal DRE was defined by either a nodule or induration. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were determined for… More >

Iglesias LG¹, LY Solís-Ramos², H Viveros-Viveros³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.81, pp. 239-246, 2012, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2012.81.239

Abstract The morphometric variation of cones, seeds and needles was evaluated in two natural populations of Pinus hartwegii at Veracruz state to estimate the percentage of phenotypic variation due to differences among populations and trees within populations. In addition, multivariate principal components, cluster and discriminate analysis was conducted to characterize the populations. Most of the traits measured on cones, seeds and needles showed significant variation both among populations and among trees within populations. Measurements of cone and seed traits used as indicators of the genetic and reproductive status of two natural populations of P. hartwegii revealed that much… More >