bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radon, Health and Natural Hazards
: a signpost for assessment and protection in the 21st century
Authors: Gillmore G. K. , Perrier F. E. , Crockett R. G. M.
Published: February 2018

This volume draws together the final outputs of the five-year UNESCO / IUGS / IGCP Project 571 and presents new data on radon in the built and natural environments, radon as a diagnostic tool of geophysical phenomena, reflections and recommendations on the future of radon research and a critique of radon's asserted use as a therapy. In recent years there has been an increasing interest in radon from a range of different aspects and we would suggest that radon science has the potential to be a useful tool in understanding our environment as well as its impacts on human health.
Models of temperature, entropy production and convective airflow in caves
Authors: Badino Giovanni
Published: February 2018

Three major problems in cave micrometeorology are analysed: the concept of the temperature of a cave and its phenomenology; the internal energy flows and consequent local entropy production; and a non-hydrostatic physical model of the underground convective air circulation. A cave's temperature is rich in information, but it is often difficult to obtain because it requires experimental accuracies to be pushed beyond the reach of common external meteorological instruments to detect a variety of factors, such as thermal sedimentation, seasonal variations and the effects of external morphology. Energy flow has an essential role in estimating the sensitivity of a cave to external inputs. A model for evaluating the local entropy production is developed. Entropy seems to be the most basic parameter, explaining both the sensitivity of the environment and its tendency to form complex structures. Analysis of the second-order terms of convective air circulation is more complex than expected; nevertheless, only such an analysis is able to explain the behaviours (e.g. continuity in the airflow) that cannot be predicted by the first-order models.
A Viewable Indexing Structure for the Interactive Exploration of Dynamic and Large Image Collections
Authors: Rayar Frédéric , Barrat Sabine , Bouali Fatma , Venturini Gilles
Published: February 2018

Thanks to the capturing devices cost reduction and the advent of social networks, the size of image collections is becoming extremely huge. Many works in the literature have addressed the indexing of large image collections for search purposes. However, there is a lack of support for exploratory data mining. One may want to wander around the images and experience serendipity in the exploration process. Thus, effective paradigms not only for organising, but also visualising these image collections become necessary. In this article, we present a study to jointly index and visualise large image collections. The work focuses on satisfying three constraints. First, large image collections, up to million of images, shall be handled. Second, dynamic collections, such as ever-growing collections, shall be processed in an incremental way, without reprocessing the whole collection at each modification. Finally, an intuitive and interactive exploration system shall be provided to the user to allow him to easily mine image collections. To this end, a data partitioning algorithm has been modified and proximity graphs have been used to fit the visualisation purpose. A custom web platform has been implemented to visualise the hierarchical and graph-based hybrid structure. The results of a user evaluation we have conducted show that the exploration of the collections is intuitive and smooth thanks to the proposed structure. Furthermore, the scalability of the proposed indexing method is proved using large public image collections.
Proving the Incompatibility of Efficiency and Strategyproofness via SMT Solving
Authors: Brandl Florian , Brandt Felix , Eberl Manuel , Geist Christian
Published: February 2018

Two important requirements when aggregating the preferences of multiple agents are that the outcome should be economically efficient and the aggregation mechanism should not be manipulable. In this article, we provide a computer-aided proof of a sweeping impossibility using these two conditions for randomized aggregation mechanisms. More precisely, we show that every efficient aggregation mechanism can be manipulated for all expected utility representations of the agents’ preferences. This settles an open problem and strengthens several existing theorems, including statements that were shown within the special domain of assignment. Our proof is obtained by formulating the claim as a satisfiability problem over predicates from real-valued arithmetic, which is then checked using a satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solver. To verify the correctness of the result, a minimal unsatisfiable set of constraints returned by the SMT solver was translated back into a proof in higher-order logic, which was automatically verified by an interactive theorem prover. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first application of SMT solvers in computational social choice.
Temporal Integration of Emulation and Network Simulators on Linux Multiprocessors
Authors: Lamps Jereme , Babu Vignesh , Nicol David M. , Adam Vladimir , Kumar Rakesh
Published: February 2018

Integration of emulation and simulation in virtual time requires that emulated execution bursts be ascribed a duration in virtual time and that emulated execution and simulation executions be coordinated within this common virtual time basis. This article shows how the open-source tool TimeKeeper for coordinating emulations in virtual time can be integrated with three different existing software emulations/simulations (CORE, Mininet, and EMANE) and with two existing network simulators (ns-3 and S3F). The integration does not require modification to those tools. However, the information that TimeKeeper needs to administer these emulations has to be extracted from each. We discuss the issues and challenges we encounter there, and the solutions. The S3F integration is specialized and shows how we can treat bursts of emulated execution just like an event handler in a discrete-event simulation. Through these case studies, we show the impact that the time dilation factor has on available resources, execution time, and fidelity of causality and that deleterious behaviors suffered under best-effort management of emulation processes can be corrected by integration with TimeKeeper. The key contribution is that we have shown how, using TimeKeeper, it is possible to bring virtual time to many existing emulators without needing to change them.
A Survey of Statistical Model Checking
Authors: Agha Gul , Palmskog Karl
Published: February 2018

Interactive, distributed, and embedded systems often behave stochastically, for example, when inputs, message delays, or failures conform to a probability distribution. However, reasoning analytically about the behavior of complex stochastic systems is generally infeasible. While simulations of systems are commonly used in engineering practice, they have not traditionally been used to reason about formal specifications. Statistical model checking (SMC) addresses this weakness by using a simulation-based approach to reason about precise properties specified in a stochastic temporal logic. A specification for a communication system may state that within some time bound, the probability that the number of messages in a queue will be greater than 5 must be less than 0.01. Using SMC, executions of a stochastic system are first sampled, after which statistical techniques are applied to determine whether such a property holds. While the output of sample-based methods are not always correct, statistical inference can quantify the confidence in the result produced. In effect, SMC provides a more widely applicable and scalable alternative to analysis of properties of stochastic systems using numerical and symbolic methods. SMC techniques have been successfully applied to analyze systems with large state spaces in areas such as computer networking, security, and systems biology. In this article, we survey SMC algorithms, techniques, and tools, while emphasizing current limitations and tradeoffs between precision and scalability.
Scalable Cloning on Large-Scale GPU Platforms with Application to Time-Stepped Simulations on Grids
Authors: Yoginath Srikanth B. , Perumalla Kalyan S.
Published: February 2018

Cloning is a technique to efficiently simulate a tree of multiple what-if scenarios that are unraveled during the course of a base simulation. However, cloned execution is highly challenging to realize on large, distributed memory computing platforms, due to the dynamic nature of the computational load across clones, and due to the complex dependencies spanning the clone tree. We present the conceptual simulation framework, algorithmic foundations, and runtime interface of C
lone
X, a new system we designed for scalable simulation cloning. It efficiently and dynamically creates whole
logical
copies of a dynamic tree of simulations across a large parallel system without full
physical
duplication of computation and memory. The performance of a prototype implementation executed on up to 1,024 graphical processing units of a supercomputing system has been evaluated with three benchmarks—heat diffusion, forest fire, and disease propagation models—delivering a speed up of over two orders of magnitude compared to replicated runs. The results demonstrate a significantly faster and scalable way to execute many what-if scenario ensembles of large simulations via cloning using the C
lone
X interface.
Fuzzy Cognitive Diagnosis for Modelling Examinee Performance
Authors: Liu Qi , Wu Runze , Chen Enhong , Xu Guandong , Su Yu , Chen Zhigang , Hu Guoping
Published: February 2018

Recent decades have witnessed the rapid growth of educational data mining (EDM), which aims at automatically extracting valuable information from large repositories of data generated by or related to people’s learning activities in educational settings. One of the key EDM tasks is cognitive modelling with examination data, and cognitive modelling tries to profile examinees by discovering their latent knowledge state and cognitive level (e.g. the proficiency of specific skills). However, to the best of our knowledge, the problem of extracting information from both objective and subjective examination problems to achieve more precise and interpretable cognitive analysis remains underexplored. To this end, we propose a
fuzzy cognitive diagnosis framework
(FuzzyCDF) for examinees’ cognitive modelling with both objective and subjective problems. Specifically, to handle the partially correct responses on subjective problems, we first fuzzify the skill proficiency of examinees. Then we combine fuzzy set theory and educational hypotheses to model the examinees’ mastery on the problems based on their skill proficiency. Finally, we simulate the generation of examination score on each problem by considering slip and guess factors. In this way, the whole diagnosis framework is built. For further comprehensive verification, we apply our FuzzyCDF to three classical cognitive assessment tasks, i.e., predicting examinee performance, slip and guess detection, and cognitive diagnosis visualization. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets for these assessment tasks prove that FuzzyCDF can reveal the knowledge states and cognitive level of the examinees effectively and interpretatively.
∃R-Completeness for Decision Versions of Multi-Player (Symmetric) Nash Equilibria
Authors: Garg Jugal , Mehta Ruta , Vazirani Vijay V. , Yazdanbod Sadra
Published: February 2018

As a result of a series of important works [7--9, 15, 23], the complexity of two-player Nash equilibrium is by now well understood, even when equilibria with special properties are desired and when the game is symmetric. However, for multi-player games, when equilibria with special properties are desired, the only result known is due to Schaefer and Štefankovič [28]: that checking whether a three-player Nash Equilibrium (3-Nash) instance has an equilibrium in a ball of radius half in
l
∞
-norm is ∃R-complete, where ∃R is the class of decision problems that can be reduced in polynomial time to Existential Theory of the Reals.

Building on their work, we show that the following decision versions of 3-Nash are also ∃R-complete: checking whether (i) there are two or more equilibria, (ii) there exists an equilibrium in which each player gets at least
h
payoff, where
h
is a rational number, (iii) a given set of strategies are played with non-zero probability, and (iv) all the played strategies belong to a given set.

Next, we give a reduction from 3-Nash to symmetric 3-Nash, hence resolving an open problem of Papadimitriou [25]. This yields ∃R-completeness for symmetric 3-Nash for the last two problems stated above as well as completeness for the class FIXP
a
, a variant of FIXP for strong approximation. All our results extend to
k
-Nash for any constant
k
≥ 3.
Microfluidic Droplet Array as Optical Irises Actuated via Electrowetting
Authors: Strassner Johannes , Heisel Carina , Palm Dominic , Fouckhardt Henning
Published: February 2018

Initiated by a task in tunable microoptics, but not limited to this application, a microfluidic droplet array in an upright standing module with 3 × 3 subcells and droplet actuation via electrowetting is presented. Each subcell is filled with a single (of course transparent) water droplet, serving as a movable iris, surrounded by opaque blackened decane. Each subcell measures 1 × 1 mm2 and incorporates 2 × 2 quadratically arranged positions for the droplet. All 3 × 3 droplets are actuated synchronously by electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD). The droplet speed is up to 12 mm/s at 130 V (Vrms) with response times of about 40 ms. Minimum operating voltage is 30 V. Horizontal and vertical movement of the droplets is demonstrated. Furthermore, a minor modification of the subcells allows us to exploit the flattening of each droplet. Hence, the opaque decane fluid sample can cover each water droplet and render each subcell opaque, resulting in switchable irises of constant opening diameter. The concept does not require any mechanically moving parts or external pumps.
Systems and WBANs for Controlling Obesity
Authors: Mohammed Maali Said , Sendra Sandra , Lloret Jaime , Bosch Ignacio
Published: February 2018

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimations, one out of five adults worldwide will be obese by 2025. Worldwide obesity has doubled since 1980. In fact, more than 1.9 billion adults (39%) of 18 years and older were overweight and over 600 million (13%) of these were obese in 2014. 42 million children under the age of five were overweight or obese in 2014. Obesity is a top public health problem due to its associated morbidity and mortality. This paper reviews the main techniques to measure the level of obesity and body fat percentage, and explains the complications that can carry to the individual's quality of life, longevity and the significant cost of healthcare systems. Researchers and developers are adapting the existing technology, as intelligent phones or some wearable gadgets to be used for controlling obesity. They include the promoting of healthy eating culture and adopting the physical activity lifestyle. The paper also shows a comprehensive study of the most used mobile applications and Wireless Body Area Networks focused on controlling the obesity and overweight. Finally, this paper proposes an intelligent architecture that takes into account both, physiological and cognitive aspects to reduce the degree of obesity and overweight.
Gravitation at the Josephson Junction
Authors: Atanasov Victor
Published: February 2018

A geometric potential from the kinetic term of a constrained to a curved hyperplane of space-time quantum superconducting condensate is derived. An energy conservation relation involving the geometric field at every material point in the superconductor is demonstrated. At a Josephson junction the energy conservation relation implies the possibility of transforming electric energy into geometric field energy, that is, curvature of space-time. Experimental procedures to verify that the Josephson junction can act as a voltage-to-curvature converter are discussed.
A Very Rare Case: HPV-Negative Vulvar Cancer in an Adolescent
Authors: Kahramanoglu Ilker , Turan Hasan , Oner Yahya Ozgun , Bese Tugan , Ilvan Sennur , Arvas Macit , Demirkiran Fuat
Published: February 2018

Carcinoma of the vulva is usually regarded as a disease of older women, with the typical age of 65–85 years. There are a limited number of reports of vulvar cancer cases younger than 30 years. These patients have usually risk factors such as human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and immunosuppression. Herein, we present a case of invasive squamous vulvar cancer in an 18-year-old patient without any risk factor. Vulvar radical local excision and bilateral inguinal sentinel lymph node biopsies were performed. The clitoris was preserved during the surgery. Patient did not receive adjuvant therapy. Follow-up after 12 months of the disease showed no evidence of disease. Vulvar carcinoma in very young women may develop without any predisposing factor. Early detection will result in better survival. So, there should be a high index of suspicion when a vulvar lesion is seen, even if the patient falls below the typical age range and does not carry any well-known risk factors such as HPV infection and immunodeficiency.
Effect of Friction Coefficient on Relative Slippage of Fuel Cell Stack under Mechanical Impact Condition
Authors: Hou Yongping , Wang Leiqi , Zhang Jianwen , Hao Dong
Published: February 2018

A simplified finite element model for large polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack consisting of ten cells is established in order to investigate the internal structure deformation. It is found that the interface slippage occurs when the bipolar plate (BP) and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) are subjected to vertical impact acceleration. Based on this three-dimensional model, the influence of the friction coefficient between BP and MEA on the relative slippage can be analyzed efficiently. The division layer of relative slippage is found and its vibration rule is discussed. It is observed that increasing the magnitude of impact vibration has most significant effect on the movement of the division layer, and the two variables are linearly related when impact acceleration is greater than 5 g. This work provides important insight into the choice of the friction coefficient.
Investigation of the Effect of Recycled Asphalt Pavement Material on Permeability and Bearing Capacity in the Base Layer
Authors: Seferoğlu Ayşegül Güneş , Seferoğlu Mehmet Tevfik , Akpınar Muhammet Vefa
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and cement content on the permeability and bearing capacity characteristics of aggregate base courses. Mixtures containing untreated RAP ranging between 0 and 100 percent and 1, 2, and 3% cement‐treated RAP were subjected to laboratory tests (bitumen content, sieve analysis, modified proctor, soaked California bearing ratio (CBR), and constant‐level permeability tests). The results showed that, as the RAP percentage in the mixture increased, CBR values decreased considerably. Moreover, there is a linear increase in the CBR values with cement treatment. Optimum moisture contents (OMC) and maximum dry densities (MDD) showed a decreasing trend. Increasing the cement percentages in 100% RAP blend increases the OMC and MDD values. The permeability of RAP showed a decrease as the percentage of RAP and cement increased in blends. The study showed that the CBR value of the 20% RAP blend is also obtained in the 100% RAP/3% cement‐treated blend. Thus, it has been understood that cement is a suitable material in order to increase the use of RAP. In addition, the increase in the percentage of RAP and cement made the base course more impermeable.
Advances in the Preclinical Study of Some Flavonoids as Potential Antidepressant Agents
Authors: German-Ponciano León Jesús , Rosas-Sánchez Gilberto Uriel , Rivadeneyra-Domínguez Eduardo , Rodríguez-Landa Juan Francisco
Published: February 2018

Flavonoids are phenolic compounds found commonly in plants that protect them against the negative effects of environmental insults. These secondary metabolites have been widely studied in preclinical research because of their biological effects, particularly as antioxidant agents. Diverse flavonoids have been studied to explore their potential therapeutic effects in the treatment of disorders of the central nervous system, including anxiety and depression. The present review discusses advances in the study of some flavonoids as potential antidepressant agents. We describe their behavioral, physiological, and neurochemical effects and the apparent mechanism of action of their preclinical antidepressant-like effects. Natural flavonoids produce antidepressant-like effects in validated behavioral models of depression. The mechanism of action of these effects includes the activation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, noradrenergic, andγ-aminobutyric acid-ergic neurotransmitter systems and an increase in the production of neural factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor. Additionally, alterations in the function of tropomyosin receptor kinase B and activity of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A have been reported. In conclusion, preclinical research supports the potential antidepressant effects of some natural flavonoids, which opens new possibilities of evaluating these substances to develop complementary therapeutic alternatives that could ameliorate symptoms of depressive disorders in humans.
Emotional Semantic Recognition of Visual Scene in Flash Animation
Authors: Lin Shi , Zhenguo Xu , Xiangzeng Meng
Published: February 2018

Based on the organization structure of the Flash animation files, we first use the edge density method to segment the Flash animation to obtain the visual scenes, then extract the visual features such as color and texture as the input parameters of BP neural network, and set up the sample database. Secondly, we choose a suitable model for emotion classification, use eight kinds of emotional adjectives to describe the emotion of Flash animation, such as warm, delightful, exaggerated, funny, desolate, dreary, complex, and illusory, and mark the emotion value of the visual scene in the sample database and so use it as the output parameter of the BP neural network. Finally, we use BP neural network with appropriate transfer function and learning function for training to obtain the rules for mapping from visual features of the visual scene to semantic space and, at last, complete the automatic classification work of emotional semantic of the visual scene. We used the algorithm to carry on the emotional semantics recognition to 5012 visual scenes, and the experiment effect is good. The results of our study can be used in the classification, retrieval, and other fields of Flash animation based on emotional semantics.
Modeling Highly Buoyant Flows in the Castel Giorgio: Torre Alfina Deep Geothermal Reservoir
Authors: Volpi Giorgio , Magri Fabien , Colucci Francesca , Fisher Thomas , De Caro Mattia , Crosta Giovanni B.
Published: February 2018

The Castel Giorgio-Torre Alfina (CG-TA, central Italy) is a geothermal reservoir whose fluids are hosted in a carbonate formation at temperatures ranging between 120°C and 210°C. Data from deep wells suggest the existence of convective flow. We present the 3D numerical model of the CG-TA to simulate the undisturbed natural geothermal field and investigate the impacts of the exploitation process. The open source finite-element code OpenGeoSys is applied to solve the coupled systems of partial differential equations. The commercial software FEFLOW® is also used as additional numerical constraint. Calculated pressure and temperature have been calibrated against data from geothermal wells. The flow field displays multicellular convective patterns that cover the entire geothermal reservoir. The resulting thermal plumes protrude vertically over 3 km at Darcy velocity of about7⁎10-8 m/s. The analysis of the exploitation process demonstrated the sustainability of a geothermal doublet for the development of a 5 MW pilot plant. The buoyant circulation within the geothermal system allows the reservoir to sustain a 50-year production at a flow rate of 1050 t/h. The distance of 2 km, between the production and reinjection wells, is sufficient to prevent any thermal breakthrough within the estimated operational lifetime. OGS and FELFOW results are qualitatively very similar with differences in peak velocities and temperatures. The case study provides valuable guidelines for future exploitation of the CG-TA deep geothermal reservoir.
The Effect of Thyroid Dysfunction on the Cardiovascular Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Ghana
Authors: Sarfo-Kantanka Osei , Sarfo Fred Stephen , Ansah Eunice Oparebea , Kyei Ishmael
Published: February 2018

Background. Thyroid dysfunction is known to exaggerate the coronary heart disease (CHD) risk associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among whites. The effect is yet to be studied among African populations. Methods. This is a cross-sectional study involving 780 T2DM patients enrolled in a diabetes clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. CHD risk was estimated using the Framingham and UKPDS risk scores. Risks were categorised as low (<10%), intermediate (10–19%), and high (≥20%). Associations between metabolic risk factors, thyroid dysfunction, and CHD risk were measured using Spearman’s partial correlation analysis while controlling for age and gender. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results. 780 T2DM patients (57.7% females), mean ± SD age of 57.4 ± 9.4 was analysed. The median (IQR) 10-year CHD score estimated using the Framingham and UKPDS risk engines for males and females was 12 (8–20), 9.4 (5.7–13.4), p<0.0001 and 3 (1–6), 5.8 (3.4–9.6), p<0.0001, respectively. Positive correlation was found between CHD risk and HbA1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Conclusion. The presence of thyroid dysfunction significantly increased the CHD risk associated with T2DM patients in Ghana.
Solving Fuzzy Volterra Integrodifferential Equations of Fractional Order by Bernoulli Wavelet Method
Authors: Shabestari R. Mastani , Ezzati R. , Allahviranloo T.
Published: February 2018

A matrix method called the Bernoulli wavelet method is presented for numerically solving the fuzzy fractional integrodifferential equations. Using the collocation points, this method transforms the fuzzy fractional integrodifferential equation to a matrix equation which corresponds to a system of nonlinear algebraic equations with unknown coefficients. To illustrate the method, it is applied to certain fuzzy fractional integrodifferential equations, and the results are compared.
Prevalence and Determinants of Peripheral Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Erre Gian Luca , Piga Matteo , Fedele Anna Laura , Mura Silvia , Piras Alessandra , Cadoni Maria Luisa , Cangemi Ignazio , Dessi Martina , Di Sante Gabriele , Tolusso Barbara , Gremese Elisa , Cauli Alberto , Mangoni Arduino Aleksander , Saba Pier Sergio , Carru Ciriaco , Ferraccioli Gianfranco , Mathieu Alessandro , Passiu Giuseppe
Published: February 2018

Objectives. To define the prevalence and determinants of peripheral microvascular endothelial dysfunction (ED) in a large series of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients free of previous cardiovascular events. Materials and Methods. Data from 874 RA patients enrolled in the EDRA study (Endothelial Dysfunction Evaluation for Coronary Heart Disease Risk Estimation in Rheumatoid Arthritis—ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02341066) were analyzed. Log-transformed reactive hyperemia index (Ln-RHI) was evaluated by peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) using the EndoPAT2000 device: values of Ln-RHI < 0.51 were considered indicative of peripheral ED. Results. Peripheral microvascular ED was documented in one-third of RA patients (33.5%); in multiple logistic regression analysis, ACPA negativity and higher triglycerides concentrations were independently associated with the presence of peripheral ED [OR (95% CI) = 1.708 (1.218–2.396), p<0.01 and OR (95% CI) = 1.005 (1.002–1.009), p<0.01, respectively]. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between Ln-RHI values and systolic blood pressure and HDL cholesterol levels; furthermore, higher values of Ln-RHI were associated with ACPA positivity, while smoking habit was associated with lower Ln-RHI values. Conclusions. This study demonstrates for the first time a high prevalence of peripheral microvascular ED in patients with RA free of previous cardiovascular events that appear to be only partially driven by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. The association between ACPA negativity and ED warrants further exploration.
Physical Characteristics of Tetrahydroxy and Acylated Derivatives of Jojoba Liquid Wax in Lubricant Applications
Authors: Harry-O’kuru Rogers E. , Biresaw Girma , Gordon Sherald , Xu Jingyuan
Published: February 2018

Jojoba liquid wax is a mixture of esters of long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols mainly C38:2–C46:2. The oil exhibits excellent emolliency on the skin and, therefore, is a component in many personal care cosmetic formulations. The virgin oil is a component of the seed of the jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) plant which occurs naturally in the Sonora Desert in the United States and northwestern Mexico as well as in the northeastern Sahara desert. The seed contains 50–60% oil by dry weight. The plant has been introduced into Australia, Argentina, and Israel for commercial production of the jojoba oil. As a natural lubricant, we are seeking to explore its potential as a renewable industrial lubricant additive. Thus, we have chemically modified the carbon-carbon double bonds in the oil structure in order to improve its already good resistance to air oxidation so as to enhance its utility as well as its shelf life in nonpersonal care applications. To achieve this goal, we have hydroxylated its –C=C– bonds. Acylation of the resulting hydroxyl moieties has generated short-chain vicinal acyl substituents on the oil which keep the wax liquid, improving its cold flow properties and also protecting it from auto-oxidation and rancidity.
Gut Microbiota-Immune System Crosstalk and Pancreatic Disorders
Authors: Pagliari D. , Saviano A. , Newton E. E. , Serricchio M. L. , Dal Lago A. A. , Gasbarrini A. , Cianci R.
Published: February 2018

Gut microbiota is key to the development and modulation of the mucosal immune system. It plays a central role in several physiological functions, in the modulation of inflammatory signaling and in the protection against infections. In healthy states, there is a perfect balance between commensal and pathogens, and microbiota and the immune system interact to maintain gut homeostasis. The alteration of such balance, called dysbiosis, determines an intestinal bacterial overgrowth which leads to the disruption of the intestinal barrier with systemic translocation of pathogens. The pancreas does not possess its own microbiota, and it is believed that inflammatory and neoplastic processes affecting the gland may be linked to intestinal dysbiosis. Increasing research evidence testifies a correlation between intestinal dysbiosis and various pancreatic disorders, but it remains unclear whether dysbiosis is the cause or an effect. The analysis of specific alterations in the microbiome profile may permit to develop novel tools for the early detection of several pancreatic disorders, utilizing samples, such as blood, saliva, and stools. Future studies will have to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota is modulated and how it tunes the immune system, in order to be able to develop innovative treatment strategies for pancreatic disorders.
Black Phosphorus Q-Switched Large-Mode-Area Tm-Doped Fiber Laser
Authors: Ren Yan , Qin Zhipeng , Xie Guoqiang , Qiao Zhen , Ma Jingui , Yuan Peng , Qian Liejia , Wang Shikai , Yu Chunlei , Hu Lili
Published: February 2018

We report on a passively Q-switched fiber laser with black phosphorus as saturable absorber. By employing the sol-gel fabricated large-mode-area Tm-doped fiber as gain medium, a high-energy Q-switched fiber laser has been demonstrated which delivers the maximum pulse energy of 11.72 μJ with the pulse width of 660 ns at the wavelength of 1954 nm. Our experimental results indicate that BP Q-switched large-mode-area Tm-doped fiber laser is an effective and reliable approach to generate high-energy pulses at 2 μm.
Age‐Related Macular Degeneration: New Paradigms for Treatment and Management of AMD
Authors: Hernández-Zimbrón Luis Fernando , Zamora-Alvarado Ruben , Ochoa-De la Paz Lenin , Velez-Montoya Raul , Zenteno Edgar , Gulias-Cañizo Rosario , Quiroz-Mercado Hugo , Gonzalez-Salinas Roberto
Published: February 2018

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a well‐characterized and extensively studied disease. It is currently considered the leading cause of visual disability among patients over 60 years. The hallmark of early AMD is the formation of drusen, pigmentary changes at the macula, and mild to moderate vision loss. There are two forms of AMD: the “dry” and the “wet” form that is less frequent but is responsible for 90% of acute blindness due to AMD. Risk factors have been associated with AMD progression, and they are taking relevance to understand how AMD develops: (1) advanced age and the exposition to environmental factors inducing high levels of oxidative stress damaging the macula and (2) this damage, which causes inflammation inducing a vicious cycle, altogether causing central vision loss. There is neither a cure nor treatment to prevent AMD. However, there are some treatments available for the wet form of AMD. This article will review some molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the onset of AMD focusing on feasible treatments for each related factor in the development of this pathology such as vascular endothelial growth factor, oxidative stress, failure of the clearance of proteins and organelles, and glial cell dysfunction in AMD.
Whole-Body Cryotherapy Decreases the Levels of Inflammatory, Oxidative Stress, and Atherosclerosis Plaque Markers in Male Patients with Active-Phase Ankylosing Spondylitis in the Absence of Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Stanek Agata , Cholewka Armand , Wielkoszyński Tomasz , Romuk Ewa , Sieroń Aleksander
Published: February 2018

Objective. The aim of the study was to estimate the impact of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Material and Methods. We investigated the effect of WBC with subsequent kinesiotherapy on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and atherosclerosis plaque in male AS patients (WBC group). To assess the disease activity, the BASDAI and BASFI were also calculated. The results from the WBC group were compared with results from the kinesiotherapy (KT) group. Results. The results showed that in the WBC group, the plasma hsCRP level decreased without change to the IL-6 level. The ICAM-1 level showed a decreasing tendency. The CER concentration, as well as the BASDAI and BASFI, decreased in both groups, but the index changes of disease activity were higher in the WBC than KT patients. Additionally, in the WBC group, we observed a decrease in oxidative stress markers, changes in the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters. In both groups, the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, sCD40L, PAPP-A, and PLGF levels decreased, but the parameter changes were higher in the WBC group. Conclusion. WBC appears to be a useful method of atherosclerosis prevention in AS patients.
Ring Fusion of Fisheye Images Based on Corner Detection Algorithm for Around View Monitoring System of Intelligent Driving
Authors: Zhao Jianhui , Gao Hongbo , Zhang Xinyu , Zhang Yinglin , Liu Yuchao
Published: February 2018

In order to improve the visual effect of the around view monitor (AVM), we propose a novel ring fusion method to reduce the brightness difference among fisheye images and achieve a smooth transition around stitching seam. Firstly, an integrated corner detection is proposed to automatically detect corner points for image registration. Then, we use equalization processing to reduce the brightness among images. And we match the color of images according to the ring fusion method. Finally, we use distance weight to blend images around stitching seam. Through this algorithm, we have made a Matlab toolbox for image blending. 100% of the required corner is accurately and fully automatically detected. The transition around the stitching seam is very smooth, with no obvious stitching trace.
Circular Formation Control of Multiagent Systems with Any Preset Phase Arrangement
Authors: Jin Lina , Yu Shuanghe , Ren Dongxu
Published: February 2018

This paper deals with the circular formation control problem of multiagent systems for achieving any preset phase distribution. The control problem is decomposed into two parts: the first is to drive all the agents to a circle which either needs a target or not and the other is to arrange them in positions distributed on the circle according to the preset relative phases. The first part is solved by designing a circular motion control law to push the agents to approach a rotating transformed trajectory, and the other is settled using a phase-distributed protocol to decide the agents’ positioning on the circle, where the ring topology is adopted such that each agent can only sense the relative positions of its neighboring two agents that are immediately in front of or behind it. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed, and the performance of the proposed controller is verified through simulations.
Granulocyte Colony‐Stimulating Factor Alleviates Bacterial‐Induced Neuronal Apoptotic Damage in the Neonatal Rat Brain through Epigenetic Histone Modification
Authors: Yang Yung-Ning , Su Yu-Tsun , Wu Pei-Ling , Yang Chun-Hwa , Yang Yu-Chen S. H. , Suen Jau-Ling , Yang San-Nan
Published: February 2018

Bacterial meningitis during the perinatal period may cause long‐term neurological deficits. The study investigated whether bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from E. coli. led to neuronal apoptosis with an impaired performance of long‐term cognitive function involving the activation of histone modification in the TNF‐α gene promoter. Further, we looked into the therapeutic efficacy of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) in a neonatal brain suffering from perinatal bacterial meningitis. We applied the following research techniques: neurobehavioral tasks, confocal laser microscopy, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting. At postnatal day 10, the animals were subjected to LPS and/or G‐CSF. The target brain tissues were then collected at P17. Some animals (P45) were studied using neurobehavioral tasks. The LPS‐injected group revealed significantly increased expression of NF‐κB phosphorylation and trimethylated H3K4 in the TNFA gene promoter locus. Furthermore, the caspase‐3, neuronal apoptosis expression, and an impaired performance in cognitive functions were also found in our study. Such deleterious outcomes described above were markedly alleviated by G‐CSF therapy. This study suggests that selective therapeutic action sites of G‐CSF through epigenetic regulation in the TNFA gene promoter locus may exert a potentially beneficial role for the neonatal brain suffering from perinatal bacterial‐induced meningitis.
BRD4 Profiling Identifies Critical Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Oncogenic Circuits and Reveals Sensitivity to PLX51107, a Novel Structurally Distinct BET Inhibitor
Authors: Ozer Hatice Gulcin , El-Gamal Dalia , Powell Ben , Hing Zachary A. , Blachly James S. , Harrington Bonnie , Mitchell Shaneice , Grieselhuber Nicole R. , Williams Katie , Lai Tzung-Huei , Alinari Lapo , Baiocchi Robert A. , Brinton Lindsey , Baskin Elizabeth , Cannon Matthew , Beaver Larry , Goettl Virginia M. , Lucas David M. , Woyach Jennifer A. , Sampath Deepa , Lehman Amy M. , Yu Lianbo , Zhang Jiazhong , Ma Yan , Zhang Ying , Spevak Wayne , Shi Songyuan , Severson Paul , Shellooe Rafe , Carias Heidi , Tsang Garson , Dong Ken , Ewing Todd , Marimuthu Adhirai , Tantoy Christina , Walters Jason , Sanftner Laura , Rezaei Hamid , Nespi Marika , Matusow Bernice , Habets Gaston , Ibrahim Prabha , Zhang Chao , Mathé Ewy A. , Bollag Gideon , Byrd John C. , Lapalombella Rosa
Published: February 2018

Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins are key regulators of gene expression in cancer. Herein, we utilize BRD4 profiling to identify critical pathways involved in pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). BRD4 is overexpressed in CLL and is enriched proximal to genes upregulated or de novo expressed in CLL with known functions in disease pathogenesis and progression. These genes, including key members of the B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling pathway, provide a rationale for this therapeutic approach to identify new targets in alternative types of cancer. Additionally, we describe PLX51107, a structurally distinct BET inhibitor with novel in vitro and in vivo pharmacologic properties that emulates or exceeds the efficacy of BCR signaling agents in preclinical models of CLL. Herein, the discovery of the involvement of BRD4 in the core CLL transcriptional program provides a compelling rationale for clinical investigation of PLX51107 as epigenetic therapy in CLL and application of BRD4 profiling in other cancers.

Significance: To date, functional studies of BRD4 in CLL are lacking. Through integrated genomic, functional, and pharmacologic analyses, we uncover the existence of BRD4-regulated core CLL transcriptional programs and present preclinical proof-of-concept studies validating BET inhibition as an epigenetic approach to target BCR signaling in CLL. Cancer Discov; 8(4); 458–77. ©2018 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 371
Report on the NCI Microbial-Based Cancer Therapy Conference
Authors: Curran Colleen S. , Rasooly Avraham , He Min , Prickril Ben , Thurin Magdelena , Sharon Elad
Published: February 2018

The National Cancer Institute Inaugural Microbial-Based Cancer Therapy Conference was held in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 11–12, 2017. This interdisciplinary forum included industry leaders, academic investigators, and regulatory officers involved in the development of microbial-based therapies for the treatment of cancer. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the potential of virus- and bacteria-based therapies to halt tumorigenesis and induce immune responses in cancers where conventional therapy is inadequate. This summary highlights topics and viewpoints raised by the presenters and discussants and should not be viewed as the conclusions or recommendations of the workshop as a whole. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(2); 122–6. ©2017 AACR.
Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells Enhances Their Potential to Attenuate Lung Injury in a Preterm Rabbit Model of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Authors: Jiménez Julio , Lesage Flore , Richter Jute , Nagatomo Taro , Salaets Thomas , Zia Silvia , Mori Da Cunha Marina Gabriela , Vanoirbeek Jeroen , Deprest Jan A. , Toelen Jaan
Published: February 2018

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that affects extremely preterm infants and remains – despite improvements in neonatal intensive care – a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Cell-therapeutic strategies employing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to modulate lung development in BPD models. Objective: Herein, we evaluate the potential of human amniotic fluid (hAF)-SC and hAF-SC with upregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as cell-therapeutic agents for BPD. Methods: Preterm rabbit pups were raised in normoxia (21% O2) or hyperoxia (≥95% O2). Hyperoxia-exposed pups randomly received an intraperitoneal injection of fibroblasts, naïve hAF-SC, or hAF-SC-VEGF on postnatal day (PN) 0. On PN7, surviving pups were tested for pulmonary (forced oscillation technique) and vascular (pulmonary artery Doppler ultrasound) function, and lungs were processed for morphometric measurements of parenchymal and vascular structure and inflammation. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of cells resulted in homing to the lungs. The lungs of hyperoxia-exposed animals displayed parenchymal and vascular structural and functional damage reminiscent of BPD, which was significantly improved after treatment with hAF-SC-VEGF. Treating hyperoxia-exposed animals with naïve AF-SC attenuated only the lung inflammation and the vascular structural defect. Treatment with fibroblasts, which were used as a cellular control, did not lead to any improvements. Conclusion: hAF-SC with upregulated VEGF expression display enhanced potential to prevent/reverse lung injury in preterm rabbits, whereas naïve hAF-SC only show a moderate therapeutic potential. These results point towards an added value of VEGF delivered by hAF-SC in the treatment of BPD.
New Medical Approach to Functional Dyspepsia, from Core Symposium 3, Japan Gastroenterological Association 2015–2017
Authors: Suzuki Hidekazu
Published: February 2018

In the annual meeting of the Japan Gastroenterological Association (JGA), the scientific organizing committee selected the serial topics for the core symposium. One of the core symposia held during 2015–2017 was entitled “New medical approach to functional dyspepsia (FD).” In 2015, the subtitle of this symposium was “Helicobacter pylori gastritis and FD.” In 2016, the subtitle of this symposium was “overlap with other functional GI disorders.” In 2017, the subtitle was “therapeutic approach to FD.” During these 3 years, a total of 24 presentations were included in Core Symposium 3 and deep and intensive discussions were carried out.
Long-Term Imatinib Treatment for Patients with Unresectable or Recurrent Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Ogata Kyoichi , Kimura Akiharu , Nakazawa Nobuhiro , Suzuki Masaki , Yanoma Toru , Ubukata Yasunari , Iwamatsu Kiyohito , Kogure Norimichi , Yanai Mitsuhiro , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: February 2018

Background: Only limited data are available concerning the long-term outcomes of imatinib treatment among Japanese or Asian patients with advanced or recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Our multicenter study, which was conducted in northern Kanto, Japan, aimed to assess the efficacy of imatinib mesylate against advanced or recurrent GIST. Summary: The clinicopathological data of 234 GIST patients who were treated at one of the 11 participating hospitals from 2001 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed (GREAT study). Imatinib was administered as a first-line therapy in cases involving unresectable disease or postoperative recurrence (41 cases). The patients treated with imatinib (n = 41) exhibited 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of 92.3, 74.9, and 53.8% respectively. In univariate and multivariate analyses, imatinib continuation with dose reduction and achieving a complete or partial response were found to be associated with increased OS. The results of 2 large-scale, long-term trials demonstrate that the risk of tumor progression decreases with increased treatment duration. Furthermore, the interruption of imatinib treatment in responsive and controlled patients results in a high risk of disease progression. Key Messages: Long-term imatinib treatment is recommended for patients with nonprogressive disease. If patients experience significant toxicities, temporary dose reduction and treatment continuation might be useful.