bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avoiding the Opportunist: The Role of Simmelian Ties in Fostering the Trust in Sensor-Cloud Networks
Authors: Xiang Ming , Liu William , Bai Quan , Al-Anbuky Adnan
Published: October 2015

The wireless sensor-cloud networks (WSCNs) are becoming popular nowadays. The new concept of trust has emerged in recent studies as an alternative mechanism to address the security concern in WSCN. Most of the studies on trust are focusing on how to model and evaluate trust so as to effectively detect any malicious activity in the network and then isolate and avoid them. In addition, WSCNs are very dynamic and flexible, thus being hard to keep a static network topology and connectivity which bring more challenges to be secured. In this paper, we have introduced the new angle of adaptive network approach to discover the interplay between network node’s trust evaluation and its underlying topology change. It has been found that the network connectivity change will also have strong impact on the trust behavior running over it. Moreover, inspired from the trust studies in sociology, we propose that the Simmelian tie structured networks enable more positive impact on fostering trustworthiness among wireless sensor nodes, but the structural hole characterized networks provide more opportunity for misbehaviors and have negative impact on securing the sensor-cloud networks. The extensive simulation studies have confirmed our new concepts and validated our hypothesis
A Multidata Connection Scheme for Big Data High-Dimension Using the Data Connection Coefficient
Authors: Jeong Yoon-su , Shin Seung-soo
Published: October 2015

In the era of big data and cloud computing, sources and types of data vary, and the volume and flow of data are massive and continuous. With the widespread use of mobile devices and the Internet, huge volumes of data distributed over heterogeneous networks move forward and backward across networks. In order to meet the demands of big data service providers and customers, efficient technologies for processing and transferring big data over networks are needed. This paper proposes a multidata connection (MDC) scheme that decreases the amount of power and time necessary for information to be communicated between the content server and the mobile users (i.e., the content consumers who are moving freely across different networks while using their mobile devices). MDC scheme is an approach to data validation that requires the presentation of two or more pieces of data in a heterogeneous environment of big data. The MDC transmits the difference of the consecutive data sequences instead of sending the data itself to the receiver, thus increasing transmission throughput and speed.
Design and Analysis of a Novel 25 GHz Interleaver for DWDM Applications with Two Ring Configurations
Authors: Liang Tsair-Chun , Chen Chun-Ting
Published: October 2015

We present a novel scheme of an excellent flat-top 25 GHz optical interleaver based on two ring configurations. And the Advanced Systems Analysis Program (ASAP) optical modeling software has been utilized for the interleaver design. The optical path difference for interference and the phase shift are provided by the interferometer with two birefringent crystals and dual-ring arrangement. The proposed structure exhibits the passband utilization of more than 90% and the channel isolation greater than 95 dB within the C-band. Furthermore, we improve the dispersion performance by employingλ/6 wave plates as birefringent compensators for interleavers. The research results illustrate that our proposed scheme with compensator can improve the dispersion of more than 85.8%. Comparing the performance with the previous studies of optical interleavers with birefringent crystal and ring structure, the proposed system can achieve an excellent 25 GHz multichannel filter for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) transmission systems.
A Novel Approach for Protein-Named Entity Recognition and Protein-Protein Interaction Extraction
Authors: Li Meijing , Munkhdalai Tsendsuren , Yu Xiuming , Ryu Keun Ho
Published: October 2015

Many researchers focus on developing protein-named entity recognition (Protein-NER) or PPI extraction systems. However, the studies about these two topics cannot be merged well; then existing PPI extraction systems’ Protein-NER still needs to improve. In this paper, we developed the protein-protein interaction extraction system named PPIMiner based on Support Vector Machine (SVM) and parsing tree. PPIMiner consists of three main models: natural language processing (NLP) model, Protein-NER model, and PPI discovery model. The Protein-NER model, which is named ProNER, identifies the protein names based on two methods: dictionary-based method and machine learning-based method. ProNER is capable of identifying more proteins than dictionary-based Protein-NER model in other existing systems. The final discovered PPIs extracted via PPI discovery model are represented in detail because we showed the protein interaction types and the occurrence frequency through two different methods. In the experiments, the result shows that the performances achieved by our ProNER and PPI discovery model are better than other existing tools. PPIMiner applied this protein-named entity recognition approach and parsing tree based PPI extraction method to improve the performance of PPI extraction. We also provide an easy-to-use interface to access PPIs database and an online system for PPIs extraction and Protein-NER.
Joint Motion Deblurring and Superresolution from Single Blurry Image
Authors: He Linyang , Li Gang , Liu Jinghong
Published: October 2015

Currently superresolution from a motion blurred image still remains a challenging task. The conventional approach, which preprocesses the blurry low resolution (LR) image with a deblurring algorithm and employs a superresolution algorithm, has the following limitation. The high frequency texture of the image is unavoidably lost in the deblurring process and this loss restricts the performance of the subsequent superresolution process. This paper presents a novel technique that performs motion deblurring and superresolution jointly from one single blurry image. The basic idea is to regularize the ill-posed reconstruction problem using an edge-preserving gradient prior and a sparse kernel prior. This method derives from an inverse problem approach under an efficient optimization scheme that alternates between blur kernel estimation and superresolving until convergence. Furthermore, this paper proposes a simple and efficient refinement formulation to remove artifacts and render better deblurred high resolution (HR) images. The improvements brought by the proposed combined framework are demonstrated by the processing results of both simulated and real-life images. Quantitative and qualitative results on challenging examples show that the proposed method outperforms the existing state-of-the-art methods and effectively eliminates motion blur and artifacts in the superresolved image.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning May Attenuate Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in a Porcine Model of Supraceliac Aortic Cross-Clamping
Authors: Athanasiadis Dimitris , Kapelouzou Alkistis , Martikos Georgios , Katsimpoulas Michael , Schizas Dimitrios , Vasdekis Spyros N. , Kostakis Alkiviadis , Liakakos Theodore D. , Lazaris Andreas M.
Published: October 2015

Aim: The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) in decreasing renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during a suprarenal aortic cross-clamping was examined in a swine model. Materials and Methods: Four groups of pigs were examined: (a) ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group, renal IRI produced by 30 min of supraceliac aortic cross-clamping; (b) RIPC I group, the same renal IRI following RIPC by brief occlusion of the infrarenal aorta (15 min ischemia and 15 min reperfusion); (c) RIPC II group, the same renal IRI following RIPC by brief occlusion of the infrarenal aorta (3 cycles of 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion); (d) sham group. Renal function was assessed before and after IRI by examining creatinine, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), cystatin C and C-reactive protein (CRP) from renal vein blood samples at specific time intervals. Results: Both RIPC groups presented significantly less impaired results compared to the IR group when considering MDA, cystatin C, CRP and creatinine. Between the two RIPC groups, RIPC II presented a better response with regard to CRP, NGAL, TNF-α, MDA and cystatin C. Conclusions: Remote IR protocols and mainly repetitive short periods of cycles of IR ameliorate the biochemical kidney effects of IRI in a model of suprarenal aortic aneurysm repair.
CD10 Immunohistochemical Expression in Apocrine Lesions of the Breast
Authors: Kővári Bence , Báthori Ágnes , Cserni Gábor
Published: October 2015

Objective: In the breast, CD10 is expressed by myoepithelial cells (MECs), and apocrine metaplasia has also been mentioned as being positive with this marker. Apocrine lesions have been explored for the expression of CD10. Methods: The apocrine lesions studied included 11 cysts, 6 cases of apocrine adenosis, 2 of apocrine metaplasia or hyperplasia in papilloma, 13 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) and invasive carcinomas (14 ductal and 4 lobular). Results: Benign apocrine lesions showed complete or partial luminal CD10 staining, although most cases included parts without staining, and 2 lesions were completely negative. The MECs were often but not always positive. Nine of the 13 cases of apocrine DCIS displayed no luminal staining, but 4 demonstrated very focal luminal positivity. The MECs around the DCIS showed a spectrum of staining from nil to strong and complete. Only 4 invasive carcinomas demonstrated luminal/membranous staining. Cytoplasmic CD10 positivity was seen focally in 4 invasive cancers and in 3 DCIS. Conclusion: CD10 positivity is luminal/membranous in most benign apocrine lesions, the staining being nonuniversal and sometimes focal. Analogous staining in apocrine malignancies seems rarer in DCIS and even rarer in invasive apocrine carcinomas, but atypical cytoplasmic positivity may also occur. CD10 is not an ideal myoepithelial marker in apocrine lesions.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Following Acute Cerebral Events
Authors: Blanc Christelle , Zeller Marianne , Cottin Yves , Daubail Benoit , Vialatte Anne-Laure , Giroud Maurice , Béjot Yannick
Published: October 2015

Objective: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterized by transient apical ventricular dysfunction typically induced by acute stress. Acute cerebral events including ischemic stroke (IS) or epileptic events (EEs) may be associated with massive catecholamine release. We aimed to identify the characteristics and outcomes of patients who experienced the Takotsubo syndrome complicated by IS or EE. Methods: Between 2008 and 2013, 87 patients were admitted to our intensive care unit for TCM. Of these, 6 had previously experienced acute cerebral symptoms within 2 days of experiencing either IS or EE. Takotsubo syndrome was diagnosed on cardiac MRI, echocardiography, electrocardiography (ECG), biology and coronary angiography data. Results: Five women and 1 man were included in the study. The mean age was 63.7 ± 20.1 years (range 44-84). Four of them (67%) initially presented an acute IS and 2 (33%) had EE. The suspected brain injury was found in the insular cortex for 4 patients and the posterior fossa for 2 patients. Hemiparesis, aphasia and cerebellar symptoms were the main neurological signs. Abnormal ECG findings including ST-segment elevation (33%) or T-wave inversion (50%) developed between a few hours and 48 h after the onset of the IS or EE. Peak troponin was 1.8 (0.79-14.11) µg/l. A transient reduction in the left ventricular ejection fraction (46 ± 12%) with apical hypokinesis was found using echocardiography. Two (33%) patients went on to develop acute heart failure. Coronary angiography confirmed the lack of significant coronary stenosis for all 6 patients. Conclusion: TCM can develop within the first few days after an acute cerebral event. It occurs predominantly in women with insular or posterior fossa lesions and is possibly induced by vegetative reactions.
Associations of Leu72Met Polymorphism of Preproghrelin with Ratios of Plasma Lipids Are Diversified by a High-Carbohydrate Diet in Healthy Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Su Mi , Qiu Li , Wang Qian , Jiang Zhen , Liu Xiao Juan , Lin Jia , Fang Ding Zhi
Published: October 2015

Background/Aims: The association of preproghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism with plasma lipids profile was inconsistently reported and needs more studies to be confirmed. Our study was to investigate the changes of plasma lipids ratios after a high-carbohydrate (high-CHO) diet in healthy Chinese adolescents with different genotypes of this polymorphism. Methods: Fifty-three healthy university students were given a washout diet of 54.1% carbohydrate for 7 days, followed by a high-CHO diet of 70.1% carbohydrate for 6 days. The anthropometric and biological parameters were analyzed at baseline and before and after the high-CHO diet. Results: When compared with those before the high-CHO diet, body mass index (BMI) decreased in the male and female Met72 allele carriers. Decreased low-/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) was observed in all participants except the female subjects with the Leu72Leu genotype. TG/HDL-C and log (TG/HDL-C) were increased only in the female subjects with the Leu72Leu genotype. Conclusion: These results suggest that the Met72 allele of preproghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism may be associated with decreased BMI induced by the high-CHO diet in male and female adolescents, while the Leu72 allele with increased TG/HDL-C and log (TG/HDL-C) in the female adolescents only. Furthermore, the decreasing effect of the high-CHO diet on LDL/HDL-C may be eliminated in the female Leu72Leu homozygotes.
Pulpal Remineralisation of Artificial Residual Caries Lesions in vitro
Authors: Schwendicke Falk , Al-Abdi Allam , Meyer-Lückel Hendrik , Paris Sebastian
Published: October 2015

We assessed pulpal remineralisation of caries lesions in vitro. On the coronal aspect of human dentin discs (n = 70), artificial lesions [mineral loss ΔZ (mean ± SD) = 3,060 ± 604 vol% × µm] were induced, covered and pulpal surfaces exposed to pulpal fluid, remineralisation medium or water at pressures of 0, 1.47 or 2.94 kPa for 3 months. Mineral loss differences were assessed using transversal microradiography. No significant mineral gain occurred at 0 kPa and in samples exposed to water. At 1.47 and 2.94 kPa, pulpal and remineralisation fluid induced significant mineral gain [ΔΔZ = 1,317 (25th/75th percentiles: 735/1,541) vol% × µm; p < 0.001]. Pressure and fluid composition determined pulpal remineralisation in vitro.
The Role of Cell-Free Plasma DNA in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Clementi Anna , Virzì Grazia Maria , Brocca Alessandra , Pastori Silvia , de Cal Massimo , Marcante Stefano , Granata Antonio , Ronco Claudio
Published: October 2015

Background: The identification of highly reliable outcome predictors in severe sepsis is important to define disease severity, predict bedside prognosis and monitor response to treatment. Cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) has been recently proposed as a possible prognostic marker of clinical outcome in septic patients. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of cfDNA in patients with sepsis and its possible correlation with caspase-3, IL-6 and IL-18 levels. Methods: We enrolled 34 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Out of these 34, 27 patients were septic and 7 were non-septic. cfDNA was extracted from plasma and quantified by real time PCR. Plasma levels of caspase-3, IL-6 and IL-18 were measured by ELISA. Results: We observed significantly higher levels of cfDNA in septic patients. No significant differences were found between cfDNA levels in patients with Gram+, Gram- and fungal infections. Out of the 27 septic patients, 12 developed acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and cfDNA levels resulted to be higher in this group. Out of the 27 septic patients, 11 had a negative outcome during the ICU stay. The cfDNA concentrations at admission were higher in non-survivors than in survivors. Caspase-3, IL-6 and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in septic patients when compared to these levels in non-septic patients and correlated with cfDNA levels. Conclusion: cfDNA can be considered a good prognostic marker of clinical outcome in septic patients. Its levels increase in case of AKI complicating sepsis, in particular if CRRT is needed, and are associated with poor outcome. Caspase-3, IL-6 and IL-18 levels are higher in septic patients and correlate to cfDNA concentrations.
Anaphylaxis to Intravenous Tramadol in a Child
Authors: Mori Francesca , Barni Simona , Manfredi Mariangela , Sarti Lucrezia , Pecorari Lisa , Pucci Neri , Novembre Elio
Published: October 2015

Hypersensitivity reactions to tramadol are rare and the drug is commonly considered safe. Here, we report the first case of anaphylaxis to tramadol in a child. We point out the difficulty in reaching a confident diagnosis when testing opioid alkaloid drugs with histamine-releasing properties. Additionally, we showed the importance of a well-performed allergy work-up, especially when testing drugs with low experience and when standardized concentrations have not been tested. Moreover, this case provides insight into the possibility of severe reactions, and even anaphylaxis, to tramadol.
Additional data on Iranian trichodorids (Triplonchida: Trichodoridae) and proposal for a new synonymy
Authors: Pedram Majid , Pourjam Ebrahim , Panahandeh Yousef , Soleymanzadeh Mahya , Atighi Mohammad Reza , Roshan-Bakhsh Ali , Ehsani Alireza
Published: October 2015

Molecular data on several species of trichodorids occurring in Iran are provided. Live specimens of two species, Trichodorus arasbaranensis and T. gilanensis, were collected from their type localities. One population of T. orientalis was collected from Arasbaran forests in Eastern Azarbayjan province. The species Paratrichodorus porosus, occurring in Gilan province, and one European isolate of P. pachydermus were also included in phylogenetic analysis. An Iranian population of T. minzi, representing only the second population found of this rare species, was recovered from soil samples collected from grasslands of north-western Iran and is in morphological congruence with the original description of the species. Besides morphological study, molecular phylogenetic study was performed on newly reported species using partial 28S rDNA data, and the phylogenetic relations of all sequenced species as inferred from Bayesian analysis are discussed. According to the phylogenetic tree, two newly described species, T. golestanensis and T. iranicus, formed a clade and further studies revealed they have the same morphology and molecular sequences of 28S rDNA D2-D3. Accordingly, T. golestanensis is regarded as a junior synonym of T. iranicus according to the Principle of Priority.
The Rules of Proper Conduct of the Mahāsāṃghika-Lokottaravāda Tradition
Authors: Kieffer-Pülz Petra
Published: October 2015

The Abhisamācārikā Dharmāḥ are part of the monastic code of the Mahāsāṃghika-Lokottaravāda. The text is handed down in a single, very corrupt Sanskrit manuscript. Though it was edited already in 1969, the previously misunderstood structure of the text as a whole and the large number of unknown words, many of them terms for realia, made a new and more reliable examination necessary. This was published in 2012 by Seishi Karashima, in collaboration with Oskar von Hinüber. Several of the terms used in the text belong to the broader Indian stock of realia, and contribute to our understanding of Indian cultural history. The present contribution, in addition to evaluating the work as a whole, highlights terms connected with food, places for its preparation and consumption, and vessels.
Self-Defence Against Multiple Threats
Authors: Gordon-Solmon Kerah
Published: October 2015

If a threat (or threatener) is liable to be defensively killed, there is a defeasible justification for killing her. On certain prevailing assumptions about liability, which I accept, there are liability justifications for killing any number of minimally responsible threats, each of whom would otherwise kill a single non-responsible victim. Absent harms to third parties, these justifications appear, counter-intuitively, to be undefeated. I argue that this counter-intuitive appearance is deceptive.
A new species of Neoathripsodes Holzenthal, 1989 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) with new generic and species records in Bahia State, Brazil
Authors: DIAS EVERTON S. , QUINTEIRO FABIO B. , CALOR ADOLFO R.
Published: October 2015

Trichoptera is the most species-rich clade of exclusively aquatic insects. In Brazil, 645 species have been recorded, distributed in 70 genera and 16 families. In the Northeast Region of Brazil, 85 species have been recorded, including 56 in Bahia State. Sixteen of the Northeast Region species belong to the family Leptoceridae. Among these, the long-horned caddisfly genus Neoathripsodes Holzenthal has been a monotypic genus since its erection more than 26 years ago. It is an endemic genus in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo and only the male stage has been described for its only known species, Neoathripsodes anomalus. In this paper, we describe a new species of Neoathripsodes, with the first description of a female in this genus. Additionally, we present new records for the family Leptoceridae in Bahia, especially from the Serra Bonita Mountains, in order to help solve a long-term problem in Brazilian caddisfly research: An uneven proportion of studies in some regions of the country due to historical reasons. The Northeast Region of Brazil still remains a neglected area in which efforts to unearth its biodiversity should be focused. In this work, four species are recorded for the first time for Bahia State and its Serra Bonita Mountains: Grumichella rostrata Thienemann 1905, Neoathripsodes holzenthali n. sp., Nectopsyche fuscomaculata Flint 1983, and Notalina cipo Holzenthal 1986. Neoathripsodes and Notalina are new generic records for Bahia State. The following four species are new records for Serra Bonita: Atanatolica bonita Costa & Calor 2014, Oecetis martinae Quinteiro & Calor 2015, O. furcata Quinteiro & Calor 2015, and Triplectides gracilis (Burmeister 1839). Additional new distributional records for Bahia State are included in this study.
Two new species of the genus Taphioporus Moseyko & Kirejtshuk (Chrysomelidae: Eumolpinae) from Baltic amber
Authors: BUKEJS ANDRIS , Moseyko Alexey G.
Published: October 2015

Two new species of Taphioporus Moseyko & Kirejtshuk are described and illustrated from Baltic amber: T. rufous sp. nov. and T. carsteni sp. nov. Members of this fossil genus are known from Baltic and Rovno amber. A key to species of Taphioporus is provided.
First report of a parthenogenetic Grylloidea and new genus of Neoaclini (Insecta: Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Phalangopsidae: Phalangopsinae)
Authors: FERNANDES MARIA LUIZA , ZACARO ADILSON ARIZA , SERRÃO JOSÉ EDUARDO
Published: October 2015

This study describes a new genus and species of Neoaclini cricket based on specimens collected in the Brazilian Atlantic forest. In addition to the morphological description, we also report karyotype. Ubiquepuella telytokous n. sp. represents the first recorded occurrence of parthenogenesis in Grylloidea. Although the exclusively parthenogenetic reproduction is rare in Orthoptera, we acknowledge this phenomenon in this species based on successful reproduction in the laboratory setting (i.e., approximately ten generations) despite the absence of males, indicating thelytokous parthenogenesis.
A new species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Juruena basin, Central Brazil
Authors: DAGOSTA FERNANDO C. P. , MARINHO MANOELA M. F. , BENINE RICARDO C.
Published: October 2015

Moenkhausia lineomaculata, new species, is described herein from the upper rio Juruena, upper rio Tapajós basin. The new species seems to be part of a monophyletic group formed by M. cosmops, M. cotinho, M. diktyota, M. forestii, M. oligolepis, M. sanctaefilomenae, and M. pyrophthalma, the Moenkhausia oligolepis/M. sanctaefilomenae complex, by sharing a reticulated color pattern on body and the presence of a light area preceding a wide, dark caudal-peduncle blotch. The new species is distinguished from these species, except M. cotinho, by the presence of longitudinal series of dark dots on body, and from M. cotinho by the humeral blotch evenly pigmented along its length and by having the dark line along horizontal septum starting approximately at the vertical through dorsal-fin origin. The new species presents intraspecific variation in lateral-line scales perforation, a feature often present in species of the aforementioned group.
Libanasa kilomeni, a new species of East African Lutosinae (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae)
Authors: HEMP CLAUDIA , JOHNS PETER M.
Published: October 2015

A new species of Libanasa, L. kilomeni, is described. In contrast to L. brachyura, an inhabitant of lowland wet to submontane forest along the Tanzanian coast and part of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, this new species is found in montane forest in the North Pare Mountains. L. kilomeni n. sp. is restricted to a small forest reserve and due to forest clearing at lower elevations probably driven to its upper ecological border. Therefore this species is considered endangered and should be included in the IUCN red list.
The Longitudinal Variation of Equatorial Waves due to Propagation on a Varying Zonal Flow
Authors: Hoskins Brian J. , Yang Gui-Ying
Published: October 2015

The general 1D theory of waves propagating on a zonally varying flow is developed from basic wave theory, and equations are derived for the variation of wavenumber and energy along ray paths. Different categories of behavior are found, depending on the sign of the group velocity cg and a wave property B. For B positive, the wave energy and the wavenumber vary in the same sense, with maxima in relative easterlies or westerlies, depending on the sign of cg. Also the wave accumulation of Webster and Chang occurs where cg goes to zero. However, for B negative, they behave in opposite senses and wave accumulation does not occur. The zonal propagation of the gravest equatorial waves is analyzed in detail using the theory. For nondispersive Kelvin waves, B reduces to 2, and an analytic solution is possible. For all the waves considered, B is positive, except for the westward-moving mixed Rossby–gravity (WMRG) wave, which can have negative B as well as positive B.

Comparison is made between the observed climatologies of the individual equatorial waves and the result of pure propagation on the climatological upper-tropospheric flow. The Kelvin wave distribution is in remarkable agreement, considering the approximations made. Some aspects of the WMRG and Rossby wave distributions are also in qualitative agreement. However, the observed maxima in these waves in the winter westerlies in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are generally not in accord with the theory. This is consistent with the importance of the sources of equatorial waves in these westerly duct regions due to higher-latitude wave activity.
Resolving Contrasting Regional Rainfall Responses to El Niño over Tropical Africa
Authors: Parhi Pradipta , Giannini Alessandra , Gentine Pierre , Lall Upmanu
Published: October 2015

The evolution of El Niño can be separated into two phases—namely, growth and mature—depending on whether the regional sea surface temperature has adjusted to the tropospheric warming in the remote tropics (tropical regions away from the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean). The western Sahel’s main rainy season (July–September) is shown to be affected by the growth phase of El Niño through (i) a lack of neighboring North Atlantic sea surface warming, (ii) an absence of an atmospheric column water vapor anomaly over the North Atlantic and western Sahel, and (iii) higher atmospheric vertical stability over the western Sahel, resulting in the suppression of mean seasonal rainfall as well as number of wet days. In contrast, the short rainy season (October–December) of tropical eastern Africa is impacted by the mature phase of El Niño through (i) neighboring Indian Ocean sea surface warming, (ii) positive column water vapor anomalies over the Indian Ocean and tropical eastern Africa, and (iii) higher atmospheric vertical instability over tropical eastern Africa, leading to an increase in the mean seasonal rainfall as well as in the number of wet days. While the modulation of the frequency of wet days and seasonal mean accumulation is statistically significant, daily rainfall intensity (for days with rainfall > 1 mm day−1), whether mean, median, or extreme, does not show a significant response in either region. Hence, the variability in seasonal mean rainfall that can be attributed to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon in both regions is likely due to changes in the frequency of rainfall.
Land–Atmosphere Coupling at the Southern Great Plains Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Field Site and Its Role in Anomalous Afternoon Peak Precipitation
Authors: Song Hyo-Jong , Ferguson Craig R. , Roundy Joshua K.
Published: October 2015

The multimodel Global Land–Atmosphere Coupling Experiment (GLACE) identified the semiarid Southern Great Plains (SGP) as a hotspot for land–atmosphere (LA) coupling and, consequently, land-derived temperature and precipitation predictability. The area including and surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) SGP Climate Research Facility has in particular been well studied in the context of LA coupling. Observation-based studies suggest a coupling signal that is much weaker than modeled, if not elusive. Using North American Regional Reanalysis and North American Land Data Assimilation System data, this study provides a 36-yr (1979–2014) climatology of coupling for ARM-SGP that 1) unifies prior interdisciplinary efforts and 2) isolates the origin of the (weak) coupling signal. Specifically, the climatology of a prominent convective triggering potential–low-level humidity index (CTP–HIlow) coupling classification is linked to corresponding synoptic–mesoscale weather and atmospheric moisture budget analyses. The CTP–HIlow classification defines a dry-advantage regime for which convective triggering is preferentially favored over drier-than-average soils as well as a wet-advantage regime for which convective triggering is preferentially favored over wetter-than-average soils. This study shows that wet-advantage days are a result of horizontal moisture flux convergence over the region, and conversely, dry-advantage days are a result of zonal and vertical moisture flux divergence. In this context, the role of the land is nominal relative to that of atmospheric forcing. Surface flux partitioning, however, can play an important role in modulating diurnal precipitation cycle phase and amplitude and it is shown that soil moisture and sensible heat flux are significantly correlated with both occurrence and intensity of afternoon peak precipitation.
A study of generating principles and loading capacity for one torus involute gears
Authors: Wei Jing , Zhang Ai-Qiang , Yang Yu-Liang , Zhou Dong-Ming , Ru Xue-bin
Published: October 2015

Gear geometry is critical to the transmission performance. It not only affects the relative motion characteristics, lubrication, efficiency, and loading capacity but also affects the noise and vibration, as well as working reliability of system. The generating principles of one kind of torus involute (TI) gears is presented in this paper. The mathematical model and profiles equation of torus involute gears are derived and the profiles equation and its parameters are proposed. The correct meshing condition and tooth contact analysis (TCA) are analyzed. The loading capacity including contact stress and bending stress, etc., are proposed after compared with cylindrical spur gears. One pair of TI gears is machined according to the generating principles. The analysis results show that the TI gears can reduce the contact stress efficiently and it can effectively improve the bending strength of convex involute gear while the bending strength of concave TI gears is not significantly affected.
Nonlinear finite element analysis of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Yoo Doo-Yeol , Kang Su-Tae , Banthia Nemkumar , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: October 2015

A nonlinear finite element analysis was performed to simulate the flexural behaviors of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete beams. For this, two different tension-softening curves obtained from micromechanics-based analysis and inverse analysis were incorporated. For micromechanics-based analysis, two-dimensional and three-dimensional random fiber orientations were assumed to obtain the fiber-bridging curve, and a softening curve of matrix in ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete was used. The use of tension-softening curves obtained from inverse analysis and micromechanics-based analysis using two-dimensional random fiber orientation exhibited fairly good agreement with the experimental results, whereas the use of tension-softening curve from micromechanics-based analysis using three-dimensional random fiber orientation underestimated the experimental results.
Heroines of gendercide: The religious sensemaking of rape and abduction in Aramean, Assyrian and Chaldean migrant communities
Authors: Mutlu-Numansen Sofia , Ossewaarde Ringo
Published: October 2015

This study seeks to understand a diaspora community narrative of rape and abduction suffered during the genocidal massacre of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire and its aftermath. Based on interviews with 50 Aramean, Assyrian and Chaldean migrants in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, whose families are from the village of Bote, known as one of the ‘killing fields’ in southeast Turkey, the article explores the ways in which descendants remember the ‘forgotten genocide’ of Aramean, Assyrian and Chaldean communities in 1915. The research reveals that the descendants of survivors make sense of the sexual violence experienced in Bote mainly through a religious narrative and that, for them, the genocide is, in spite of all the sufferings the males had to go through, a feminized event. In their gendercide narrative, the abducted and raped women are identified as the ‘heroines’ of the genocide.
Development of the Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose Monitor System Surveillance Protocol
Authors: Klonoff David C. , Lias Courtney , Beck Stayce , Parkes Joan Lee , Kovatchev Boris , Vigersky Robert A. , Arreaza-Rubin Guillermo , Burk Robert D. , Kowalski Aaron , Little Randie , Nichols James , Petersen Matt , Rawlings Kelly , Sacks David B. , Sampson Eric , Scott Steve , Seley Jane Jeffrie , Slingerland Robbert , Vesper Hubert W.
Published: October 2015

Background:

Inaccurate blood glucsoe monitoring systems (BGMSs) can lead to adverse health effects. The Diabetes Technology Society (DTS) Surveillance Program for cleared BGMSs is intended to protect people with diabetes from inaccurate, unreliable BGMS products that are currently on the market in the United States. The Surveillance Program will provide an independent assessment of the analytical performance of cleared BGMSs.

Methods:

The DTS BGMS Surveillance Program Steering Committee included experts in glucose monitoring, surveillance testing, and regulatory science. Over one year, the committee engaged in meetings and teleconferences aiming to describe how to conduct BGMS surveillance studies in a scientifically sound manner that is in compliance with good clinical practice and all relevant regulations.

Results:

A clinical surveillance protocol was created that contains performance targets and analytical accuracy-testing studies with marketed BGMS products conducted by qualified clinical and laboratory sites. This protocol entitled “Protocol for the Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose Monitor System Surveillance Program” is attached as supplementary material.

Conclusion:

This program is needed because currently once a BGMS product has been cleared for use by the FDA, no systematic postmarket Surveillance Program exists that can monitor analytical performance and detect potential problems. This protocol will allow identification of inaccurate and unreliable BGMSs currently available on the US market. The DTS Surveillance Program will provide BGMS manufacturers a benchmark to understand the postmarket analytical performance of their products. Furthermore, patients, health care professionals, payers, and regulatory agencies will be able to use the results of the study to make informed decisions to, respectively, select, prescribe, finance, and regulate BGMSs on the market.
Complete genome sequences of Geobacillus sp. Y412MC52, a xylan-degrading strain isolated from obsidian hot spring in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Brumm Phillip , Land Miriam L. , Hauser Loren J. , Jeffries Cynthia D. , Chang Yun-Juan , Mead David A.
Published: October 2015

Geobacillus sp. Y412MC52 was isolated from Obsidian Hot Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Montana, USA under permit from the National Park Service. The genome was sequenced, assembled, and annotated by the DOE Joint Genome Institute and deposited at the NCBI in December 2011 (CP002835). Based on 16S rRNA genes and average nucleotide identity, Geobacillus sp. Y412MC52 and the related Geobacillus sp. Y412MC61 appear to be members of a new species of Geobacillus. The genome of Geobacillus sp. Y412MC52 consists of one circular chromosome of 3,628,883 bp, an average G + C content of 52 % and one circular plasmid of 45,057 bp and an average G + C content of 45 %. Y412MC52 possesses arabinan, arabinoglucuronoxylan, and aromatic acid degradation clusters for degradation of hemicellulose from biomass. Transport and utilization clusters are also present for other carbohydrates including starch, cellobiose, and α- and β-galactooligosaccharides.
Nonenzymatic, Enantioconvergent Dynamic Kinetic Resolution (DKR) of Racemic 2-(1H-Pyrrol-1-yl)alkanoic Acids as α-Amino Acid Equivalents
Authors: Tokumaru Eri , Tengeiji Atsushi , Nakahara Takayoshi , Shiina Isamu
Published: October 2015

We report an effective dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) system of racemic 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)alkanoic acids, which consists of a rapid racemization step via an activating substrate and an enantio-discriminating step via catalytic esterification. The combination of pivalic anhydride as an activating agent, bis(α-naphthyl)methanol as an achiral alcohol, (R)-BTM as a chiral acyl-transfer catalyst, and Hünig’s base converted racemic 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)alkanoic acids to the corresponding chiral carboxylates, which can be transformed into chiral α-amino acid derivatives with maintained high enantiopurity.
Ad Revenue Optimization in Live Broadcasting
Authors: Popescu Dana G. , Crama Pascale
Published: October 2015

In live broadcasting, the break lengths available for commercials are not always fixed and known in advance (e.g., strategic and injury time-outs are of variable duration in live sports transmissions). Broadcasters actively manage their advertising revenue by jointly optimizing sales and scheduling policies. We characterize the optimal dynamic schedule in a simplified setting that incorporates stochastic break durations and advertisement lengths of 15 and 30 seconds. The optimal policy is a “greedy” look-ahead rule that accounts for the remaining number of breaks; in this setting, there is no value to perfect information at the scheduling stage, and hence knowing the duration of all breaks would not change the schedule. We present heuristics to help solve scheduling problems of even greater complexity. The performance of these heuristics under various scenarios is tested by running simulations calibrated using industry data. The simple greedy heuristic is shown to perform well except when revenues are concave in ad length, in which case the look-ahead aspect of the optimal schedule becomes more important. Finally, we recommend ways for broadcasters to balance their portfolio of booked ads by determining the optimal overbooking level and mix of ads as a function of their associated revenues generated and penalties incurred.

This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
Treating urinary tract infection in older adults
Authors: Bardsley Alison
Published: October 2015

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are particularly common in the older population, and assessment and treatment can be complicated. In this article, Alison Bardsley considers the guidelines for diagnosing a UTI
How to choose a residential care software management system
Authors: Dewsbury Guy , Ballard Debbie
Published: October 2015

When it comes to updating records and other administrative tasks, pencils and paper are rapidly being replaced by smartphones and tablets. But in order to get the most out of new technologies you need to choose the right software
Residential care nurse call systems: which one is right for you?
Authors: Dewsbury Guy , Ballard Debbie
Published: October 2015

Nurse call systems have a wide range of performance, functions and prices. A good system could be invaluable to your care home. A bad one, or the wrong one, could simply add to staff workload. The key, say Guy Dewsbury and Debbie Ballard, is to do your research
Raising awareness through film: the themes raised by Still Alice
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: October 2015

A huge commercial and critical success, Still Alice brought the story of early-onset dementia to a global audience. According to Aysha Mendes, Julianne Moore's portrayal of Alice Howland lays bare the devastating reality of an illness often shrouded in fear, stigma and misunderstanding
Inquests and care providers: what you need to know
Authors: Hill Tim
Published: October 2015

Any death in a care home is sad and unfortunate—as is the growing tendency of some families to blame the care provider for their loved one's death. So if you do get involved in a coroner's investigation, writes Tim Hill, make sure you know what to expect
How to recover debts without losing a valued customer
Authors: Chadwick Jonathan
Published: October 2015

A client with whom you've always had a warm relationship owes you money. What do you do? Do you write it off? Or do you harden your stance and risk wrecking the relationship? Jonathan Chadwick offers his advice on sticks and carrots
A wide-angle view of the Chancellor's summer budget
Authors: Ward Alison , Silsby Will
Published: October 2015

The summer budget has major implications for both small owner-managed businesses and for individual taxpayers. Tax experts Alison Ward and Will Silsby investigate
How to… successfully photograph and record activities
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: October 2015

Adrian Ashurst discusses the importance of recording activities in the care home and offers some practical tips on photographing events.
Education secretary demands continued restraint over pay
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: October 2015

Unions on alert as Nicky Morgan tells STRB there is ‘no expectation’ that every teacher should get chancellor's one per cent rise in 2016/17
Creating individual thinkers
Authors: McKeown Sal
Published: October 2015

Teachers of philosophy are passionate about the benefits that this subject can bring to young people. Sal McKeown considers the place of philosophy in schools
Systems thinking and the leadership conundrum in health care
Authors: Marchildon Gregory P , Fletcher Amber J
Published: October 2015

The ability to think in terms of a system is critical to achieving common direction, alignment, and commitment in highly distributed health systems. In Canada, provincial and territorial ministries of health provide leadership on the direction of health reform while leadership to align system levels is determined by a far more distributed group of actors. There is a natural tension between organisational (or ‘tribal’) identity and loyalty and a system-wide loyalty and identity. A major research project in Canada reveals that the challenge for health system leaders is to find the most constructive balance within this tension.
The most ‘undeserving’ of all? How poverty drives young men to victimisation and crime
Authors: Kingston Sarah , Webster Colin
Published: October 2015

Public policy reform over several decades has succeeded in systematically impoverishing and worsening the social and economic conditions of poor, single young men. That this group is the most prone to criminality and criminalisation, while being pushed further into the margins of the licit and illicit economy, has been a central feature of long-term and growing crime trends. The article argues that successive governments have been unwise to neglect the poverty of unemployed, single young men into young adulthood. Their comparatively unfavourable treatment (as the most ‘undeserving’ of the ‘undeserving poor’) has impoverished a group renowned for being crime-prone.
Allelopathic effects of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) on germination & growth of cucumber, alfalfa, common bean and bread wheat
Authors: BAKHSHAYESHAN-AGDAM Hamideh , SALEHI-LISAR Seyed Yahya , MOTAFAKKERAZAD Rouhollah , TALEBPOUR Amirhosein , FARSAD Nader
Published: October 2015

Allelopathy is one of the important interactions among plants. Weeds can reduce crops productions in farms by their allelopathic effects. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is the most common weed in Iran with well-known allelopathic potential. In the presented experiment, the allelopathic effects of redroot pigweed on germination and growth of four important crop species including cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), common bean (Phaseulus vulgaris L.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. The effect of different concentrations of redroot pigweed leachate on seed germination and seedlings growth parameters of tested plants was significant, but not same in all studied species. Bread wheat and cucumber were more resistance in seed germination stage in comparison to common bean and alfalfa. Except alfalfa, all plant species showed certain rate of resistance in the most measured parameters. According to the obtained results, bread wheat and common bean were the most resistant species, cucumber was resistant at low concentration but sensitive at high concentration, and alfalfa was the most sensitive species to the redroot pigweed leachate treatments. Therefore, the cultivation of resistant plant species (such as bread wheat and common bean plants) in the regions with redroot pigweed’s invasion is appropriate way in management of the farms.