bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dynamics of Domestic Gray Markets and Its Impact on Supply Chains
Authors: Altug Mehmet Sekip
Published: September 2016

Gray markets are created by unauthorized retailers selling manufacturer's branded products. Similar to international gray markets, domestic gray markets are a growing phenomenon whose impact on supply chains is not clear. We consider a supply chain with one manufacturer and several authorized retailers who face a newsvendor problem and a domestic gray market. While a gray market provides an opportunity for retailers to clear their excess inventory (inventory‐correction effect), it also can be a threat to their demand (demand‐cannibalization effect). We first characterize the emerging equilibrium by assuming an MSRP environment. Comparing a decentralized and centralized system, we show that a wholesale pricing contract is quite efficient in a gray market environment; we explain the underlying mechanism and note some of the operational decisions that could hurt that efficiency. We show that the gray market price determines the degree of both the negative effects of demand‐cannibalization and the positive effects of inventory correction, which in turn determines the net impact of gray markets on the retailer's stocking choice and, ultimately, the manufacturer's profit. We then study the authorized retailers' problem as a price‐setting newsvendor. We observe that the gray market creates price competition between the authorized and unauthorized retailers, causing a drop in the primary market price. However, this price competition can be counteracted by the authorized retailers' stocking decision. Finally, we extend our model to consider the cases where the demand can be correlated across retailers.
GADOXETATE DISODIUM (GD‐EOB‐DTPA) CONTRAST ENHANCED MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN DOGS
Authors: Constant Chase , Hecht Silke , Craig Linden E. , Lux Cassie N. , Cannon Claire M. , Conklin Gordon A.
Published: September 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary hepatic tumor in dogs and is amenable to surgical resection in many cases. Unfortunately, overlap of sonographic findings between benign and malignant hepatic lesions typically requires more invasive diagnostic tests to be performed (e.g., biopsy for histopathology). The availability of a noninvasive diagnostic test to identify hepatocellular carcinoma would be beneficial. The use of a liver‐specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent such as gadoxetate disodium (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA; Eovist® or Primovist®) has improved lesion detection in human patients. In this descriptive study, gadoxetate disodium contrast‐enhanced MRI characteristics in dogs were evaluated in seven dogs (total of eight lesions). The imaging characteristics were variable with the exception of all lesions being hypointense to surrounding normal hepatic parenchyma on 3D T1‐weighted gradient recalled echo images at all postcontrast time points. All lesions displayed signal intensity ratios less than 1, consistent with retained but impaired hepatocyte function. Hepatic lesions not identified on previous imaging were found in 3/7 patients which may affect surgical planning. In two patients, several hepatic nodules were identified during surgery which had not been visualized on MRI and were found to be benign on histopathology. This descriptive study reports the MRI characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in dogs using the liver‐specific contrast agent gadoxetate disodium.
Gradual downhill running improves age‐related skeletal muscle and bone weakness: implication of autophagy and bone morphogenetic proteins
Authors: Kim Jeong‐Seok , Lee Young‐Hee , Yi Ho‐Keun
Published: September 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Exercise training by running has an effect on age‐related muscle and bone wasting that improves physical activity and quality of life in the elderly. However, the effect of downhill running on age‐related muscle and bone wasting, and its mechanisms, are unclear.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Gradual downhill running can improve skeletal muscle growth and bone formation by enhancing autophagy and bone morphogenetic protein signalling in aged rats. Therefore, downhill running exercise might be a practical intervention to improve skeletal muscle and bone protection in the elderly.

Recent evidence suggests that autophagy and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway regulate skeletal muscle growth and bone formation in aged rats. However, the effect of downhill running on muscle growth and bone formation is not well understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of downhill and uphill running on age‐related muscle and bone weakness. Young and late middle‐aged rats were randomly assigned to control groups (young, YC; and late middle‐aged, LMC) and two types of running training groups (late middle‐aged downhill, LMD; and late middle‐aged uphill, LMU). Training was progressively carried out on a treadmill at a speed of 21 m min−1 with a slope of +10 deg for uphill training versus 16 m min−1 with a slope of −16 deg for downhill training, both for 60 min day−1, 5 days week−1 for 8 weeks. Downhill and uphill training increased autophagy‐related protein 5, microtubule‐associated protein light chain, Beclin‐1 and p62 proteins in aged rats. In addition, superoxide dismutase, haem oxygenase‐1 and the BMP signalling pathway were elevated. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin and myogenic differentiation were increased significantly in the LMD and LMU groups. Consequently, in the femur, BMP‐2, BMP‐7 and autophagy molecules were highly expressed in the LMD and LMU groups. These results suggest that both downhill and uphill training appear to have a positive effect on expression of autophagy molecules and BMPs. In particular, these physiological adaptations from gradual downhill exercise have an effect on bone morphological changes and muscle quality similar to gradual uphill training interventions in ageing.
Na+/H+ exchange via the Drosophila vesicular glutamate transporter mediates activity‐induced acid efflux from presynaptic terminals
Authors: Rossano Adam J. , Kato Akira , Minard Karyl I. , Romero Michael F. , Macleod Gregory T.
Published: September 2016

Key points

Intracellular pH regulation is vital to neurons as nerve activity produces large and rapid acid loads in presynaptic terminals.

Rapid clearance of acid loads is necessary to maintain control of neurotransmission, but neuronal acid clearance mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Glutamate is loaded into synaptic vesicles via the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT), a mechanism conserved across phyla, and this study reports a previously unknown role for VGLUT as an acid‐extruding protein when deposited in the plasmamembrane during exocytosis.

The finding was made in Drosophila (fruit fly) larval motor neurons through a combined pharamacological and genetic dissection of presynaptic pH homeostatic mechanisms.

A dual role for VGLUT serves to integrate neuronal activity and pH regulation in presynaptic nerve terminals.

Neuronal activity can result in transient acidification of presynaptic terminals, and such shifts in cytosolic pH (pHcyto) probably influence mechanisms underlying forms of synaptic plasticity with a presynaptic locus. As neuronal activity drives acid loading in presynaptic terminals, we hypothesized that the same activity might drive acid efflux mechanisms to maintain pHcyto homeostasis. To better understand the integration of neuronal activity and pHcyto regulation we investigated the acid extrusion mechanisms at Drosophila glutamatergic motorneuron terminals. Expression of a fluorescent genetically encoded pH indicator, named ‘pHerry’, in the presynaptic cytosol revealed acid efflux following nerve activity to be greater than that predicted from measurements of the intrinsic rate of acid efflux. Analysis of activity‐induced acid transients in terminals deficient in either endocytosis or exocytosis revealed an acid efflux mechanism reliant upon synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Pharmacological and genetic dissection in situ and in a heterologous expression system indicate that this acid efflux is mediated by conventional plasmamembrane acid transporters, and also by previously unrecognized intrinsic H+/Na+ exchange via the Drosophila vesicular glutamate transporter (DVGLUT). DVGLUT functions not only as a vesicular glutamate transporter but also serves as an acid‐extruding protein when deposited on the plasmamembrane.
Effect of Operating Conditions on the Elastohydrodynamic Performance of Foil Thrust Bearings for Supercritical CO2 Cycles
Authors: Qin Kan , Jahn Ingo H. , Jacobs Peter A.
Published: September 2016

In this paper, a quasi-three-dimensional fluid–structure model using computational fluid dynamics for the fluid phase is presented to study the elastohydrodynamic performance of foil thrust bearings for supercritical CO2 cycles. For the simulation of the gas flows within the thin gap, the computational fluid dynamics solver Eilmer is extended, and a new solver is developed to simulate the bump and top foil within foil thrust bearings. These two solvers are linked using a coupling algorithm that maps pressure and deflection at the fluid structure interface. Results are presented for ambient CO2 conditions varying between 0.1 and 4.0 MPa and 300 and 400 K. It is found that the centrifugal inertia force can play a significant impact on the performance of foil thrust bearings with the highly dense CO2 and that the centrifugal inertia forces create unusual radial velocity profiles. In the ramp region of the foil thrust bearings, they generate an additional inflow close to the rotor inner edge, resulting in a higher peak pressure. Contrary to the flat region, the inertia force creates a rapid mass loss through the bearing outer edge, which reduces pressure in this region. This different flow fields alter bearing performance compared to conventional air foil bearings. In addition, the effect of turbulence in load capacity and torque is investigated. This study provides new insight into the flow physics within foil bearings operating with dense gases and for the selection of optimal operating condition to suit CO2 foil bearings.
On the Stochastic Dynamical Behaviors of a Nonlinear Oscillator Under Combined Real Noise and Harmonic Excitations
Authors: Kong Chen , Chen Zhen , Liu Xian-Bin
Published: September 2016

The exit problem and global stability of a nonlinear oscillator excited by an ergodic real noise and harmonic excitations are examined. The real noise is assumed to be a scalar stochastic function of an n-dimensional Ornstein–Uhlenbeck vector process which is the output of a linear filter system. Due to the existence of t-dependent excitation, two two-dimensional Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov (FPK) equations governing the van der Pol variables process and the amplitude-phase process, respectively, are obtained and discussed through a perturbation method and the spectrum representations of the FPK operator and its adjoint operator of the linear filter system, while the detailed balance condition and the strong mixing condition are removed. Based on these FPK equations, the global properties of one-dimensional nonlinear oscillators with external or (and) internal periodic excitations under external or (and) internal real noises can be examined. Finally, a Duffing oscillator excited by a parametric real noise and parametric harmonic excitations is presented as an example, and the mean first-passage time (MFPT) about the oscillator's exit behavior between limit cycles is obtained under both wide-band noise and narrow-band noise excitations. The analytical result is verified by digital simulation.
Modulation masking and glimpsing of natural and vocoded speech during single-talker modulated noise: Effect of the modulation spectrum
Authors: Fogerty Daniel , Xu Jiaqian , Gibbs Bobby E.
Published: September 2016

Compared to notionally steady-state noise, modulated maskers provide a perceptual benefit for speech recognition, in part due to preserved speech information during the amplitude dips of the masker. However, overlap in the modulation spectrum between the target speech and the competing modulated masker may potentially result in modulation masking, and thereby offset the release from energetic masking. The current study investigated masking release provided by single-talker modulated noise. The overlap in the modulation spectra of the target speech and the modulated noise masker was varied through time compression or expansion of the competing masker. Younger normal hearing adults listened to sentences that were unprocessed or noise vocoded to primarily limit speech recognition to the preserved temporal envelope cues. For unprocessed speech, results demonstrated improved performance with masker modulation spectrum shifted up or down compared to the target modulation spectrum, except for the most extreme time expansion. For vocoded speech, significant masking release was observed with the slowest masker rate. Perceptual results combined with acoustic analyses of the preserved glimpses of the target speech suggest contributions of modulation masking and cognitive-linguistic processing as factors contributing to performance.
Within-Day Time-Varying Associations Between Behavioral Cognitions and Physical Activity in Adults
Authors: Maher Jaclyn P. , Dzubur Eldin , Huh Jimi , Intille Stephen , Dunton Genevieve F.
Published: September 2016

This study used time-varying effect modeling to examine time-of-day differences in how behavioral cognitions predict subsequent physical activity (PA). Adults (N = 116) participated in three 4-day “bursts” of ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Participants were prompted with eight EMA questionnaires per day assessing behavioral cognitions (i.e., intentions, self-efficacy, outcome expectations) and wore an accelerometer during waking hours. Subsequent PA was operationalized as accelerometer-derived minutes of moderate- or vigorousintensity PA in the 2 hr following the EMA prompt. On weekdays, intentions positively predicted subsequent PA in the morning (9:25 a.m.–11:45 a.m.) and in the evening (8:15 p.m.–10:00 p.m.). Self-efficacy positively predicted subsequent PA on weekday evenings (7:35 p.m.–10:00 p.m.). Outcome expectations were unrelated to subsequent PA on weekdays. On weekend days, behavior cognitions and subsequent PA were unrelated regardless of time of day. This study identifies windows of opportunity and vulnerability for motivation-based PA interventions aiming to deliver intervention content within the context of adults’ daily lives.
To Extend or Not Extend a Human Brand: An Analysis of Perceived Fit and Attitudes Toward Athlete Brand Extensions
Authors: Walsh Patrick , Williams Antonio
Published: September 2016

While athletes have been building and leveraging their brands for many years by introducing brand extensions, research on sport brand extensions has primarily focused on factors that influence the success of team-related extensions. However, as there is potential risk involved when introducing brand extensions, it is important for athletes to understand how consumers respond to extensions they may introduce. Through the use of self-administered web-based surveys this study provides the initial examination of this topic by exposing participants (n = 292) to hypothetical brand extensions and investigating factors that may influence perceived fit and attitudes toward athlete brand extensions. Partial least squares path modeling suggests that athlete prestige had the most significant effect on fit and attitudes for a brand extension that is considered to be a fit with an athlete’s image, while athlete attachment had the most influence on fit and attitudes for a brand extension with low perceived fit.
Surviving Between Hosts: Sporulation and Transmission
Authors: Swick Michelle C. , Koehler Theresa M. , Driks Adam
Published: September 2016

To survive adverse conditions, some bacterial species are capable of developing into a cell type, the “spore,” which exhibits minimal metabolic activity and remains viable in the presence of multiple environmental challenges. For some pathogenic bacteria, this developmental state serves as a means of survival during transmission from one host to another. Spores are the highly infectious form of these bacteria. Upon entrance into a host, specific signals facilitate germination into metabolically active replicating organisms, resulting in disease pathogenesis. In this article, we will review spore structure and function in well-studied pathogens of two genera,
Bacillus
and
Clostridium
, focusing on
Bacillus anthracis
and
Clostridium difficile
, and explore current data regarding the lifestyles of these bacteria outside the host and transmission from one host to another.
Volvulus of ileum: a rare cause of small bowel obstruction
Authors: Islam Shariful , Hosein Devin , Dan Dilip , Naraynsingh Vijay
Published: September 2016

Small bowel volvulus is a rare but life-threatening surgical emergency. Owing to its rarity, it is seldom entertained as a differential for small bowel obstruction. The aetiology may be either primary or secondary, with secondary being more common in the Western world. Prompt diagnosis and urgent surgical treatment is required if bowel necrosis is to be prevented, which is associated with increased mortality. We present a case of primary ileal volvulus with a gangrenous segment and a brief overview of the current literature.
Current and future perspectives on lumbar degenerative disc disease: a UK survey exploring specialist multidisciplinary clinical opinion
Authors: Deane Janet A , McGregor Alison H
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Despite lumbar degenerative disc disease (LDDD) being significantly associated with non-specific low back pain and effective treatment remaining elusive, specialist multidisciplinary clinical stakeholder opinion remains unexplored. The present study examines the views of such experts.

Design

A reliable and valid electronic survey was designed to establish trends using theoretical constructs relating to current assessment and management practices. Clinicians from the Society of Back Pain Research (SBPR) UK were invited to take part. Quantitative data were collated and coded using Bristol Online Surveys (BOS) software, and content analysis was used to systematically code and categorise qualitative data.

Setting

Specialist multidisciplinary spinal interest group in the UK.

Participants

38/141 clinically active, multidisciplinary SBPR members with specialist spinal interest participated. Among them, 84% had >9 years postgraduate clinical experience.

Interventions

None.

Outcome measures

Frequency distributions were used to establish general trends in quantitative data. Qualitative responses were coded and categorised in relation to each theme and percentage responses were calculated.

Results

LDDD symptom recurrence, in the absence of psychosocial influence, was associated with physical signs of joint stiffness (26%), weakness (17%) and joint hypermobility (6%), while physical factors (21%) and the ability to adapt (11%) were postulated as reasons why some experience pain and others do not. No one management strategy was supported exclusively or with consensus. Regarding effective modalities, there was no significant difference between allied health professional and medic responses (p=0.1–0.8). The future of LDDD care was expressed in terms of improvements in patient communication (35%), patient education (38%) and treatment stratification (24%).

Conclusions

Results suggest that multidisciplinary expert spinal clinicians appear to follow UK-based assessment guidelines with regard to recurrent LDDD; there are, however, inconsistencies in the management approaches supported. This reflects the current literature and the lack of specific, formalised guidance. LDDD treatment stratification and further research are explicitly supported.
Primary care physicians’ willingness to disclose oncology errors involving multiple providers to patients
Authors: Mazor Kathleen , Roblin Douglas W , Greene Sarah M , Fouayzi Hassan , Gallagher Thomas H
Published: September 2016

Background

Full disclosure of harmful errors to patients, including a statement of regret, an explanation, acceptance of responsibility and commitment to prevent recurrences is the current standard for physicians in the USA.

Objective

To examine the extent to which primary care physicians’ perceptions of event-level, physician-level and organisation-level factors influence intent to disclose a medical error in challenging situations.

Design

Cross-sectional survey containing two hypothetical vignettes: (1) delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, and (2) care coordination breakdown causing a delayed response to patient symptoms. In both cases, multiple physicians shared responsibility for the error, and both involved oncology diagnoses.

Setting

The study was conducted in the context of the HMO Cancer Research Network Cancer Communication Research Center.

Participants

Primary care physicians from three integrated healthcare delivery systems located in Washington, Massachusetts and Georgia; responses from 297 participants were included in these analyses.

Main measures

The dependent variable intent to disclose included intent to provide an apology, an explanation, information about the cause and plans for preventing recurrences. Independent variables included event-level factors (responsibility for the event, perceived seriousness of the event, predictions about a lawsuit); physician-level factors (value of patient-centred communication, communication self-efficacy and feelings about practice); organisation-level factors included perceived support for communication and time constraints.

Key results

A majority of respondents would not fully disclose in either situation. The strongest predictors of disclosure were perceived personal responsibility, perceived seriousness of the event and perceived value of patient-centred communication. These variables were consistently associated with intent to disclose.

Conclusion

To make meaningful progress towards improving disclosure; physicians, risk managers, organisational leaders, professional organisations and accreditation bodies need to understand the factors which influence disclosure. Such an understanding is required to inform institutional policies and provider training.
Tocilizumab in the treatment of mixed connective tissue disease and overlap syndrome in children
Authors: Cabrera Natalia , Duquesne Agnes , Desjonquères Marine , Larbre Jean-Paul , Lega Jean-Christophe , Fabien Nicole , Belot Alexandre
Published: September 2016

Arthritis is one of the main manifestations of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and overlap syndrome in children and can be responsible for functional disability. We report on 2 children with arthritis that were dramatically improved by a treatment with interleukin-6 (IL-6) blockers in the context of connective tissue disease. However, in both cases, other systemic autoimmune symptoms were not modified by the treatment and autoantibodies tend to increase, suggesting a differential effect of IL-6 inhibition on articular inflammation and systemic autoimmunity.
Effects of environmental enrichment on behavioral and spatial cognitive deficits in morphine-dependent and -withdrawn rats
Authors: Hammami-Abrand Abadi Arezoo , Miladi-Gorji Hossein
Published: September 2016

This study was designed to examine the effect of environmental enrichment during morphine dependence and withdrawal on morphine-induced behavioral and spatial cognitive disorders in morphine-withdrawn rats. Adult male Wistar rats (190 ± 20 g) were injected with bi-daily doses (10 mg/kg, 12 h intervals) of morphine for 14 days. Rats were reared in SE or EE during the development of dependence on morphine and withdrawal. Then, rats were tested for spatial learning and memory (the water maze), spontaneous withdrawal signs, and grooming behavior. We found that the EE blocked chronic morphine-induced partial impairments of spatial memory retention. Moreover, the EE diminished the occurrence of spontaneous morphine withdrawal signs as mild and the self-grooming behavior. Our findings showed that EE ameliorates chronic morphine-induced partial deficits of spatial cognition, obsessive-like behavior, and the overall severity of the morphine withdrawal. Thus, environmental enrichment may be a potential therapeutic strategy for spatial memory and behavioral deficits in morphine-dependent individuals.
The Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic TOPSIS Method Based on Novel Information Measures
Authors: Tan Qian-Yun , Wei Cui-Ping , Liu Qi , Feng Xiang-Qian
Published: September 2016

Hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets (HFLTSs) have attracted lots of attention recently due to their distinguished power and efficiency for dealing with multi-criteria decision making. To extend the applicability of HFLTSs, this paper first presents a more concise comparison formula of hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets based on probability criterion of uniform distribution and develops novel distance measures considering the hesitance degree. Next, an aggregation scheme is designed to integrate OWD measure into the TOPSIS analysis procedure, in which we calculate different criterion weights according to the distance between criterion values and positive and negative ideal solutions. The weighted distances between the alternatives and positive and negative ideal solutions are calculated. Then the relative closeness degree to the positive ideal solution is calculated to rank all alternatives. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the capabilities and validation of the proposed algorithm.
First-principles study of SnO under high pressure
Authors: Ali M. A. , Islam A. K. M. A. , Jahan N. , Karimunnesa S.
Published: September 2016

This paper reports the first-principles study of SnO under high pressure within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have calculated the structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of SnO. The elastic properties such as the elastic constants [Formula: see text], bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, anisotropic factor, Pugh’s ratio and Poisson’s ratio are calculated and analyzed. Mechanical stability of SnO at all pressures is confirmed using the Born’s stability conditions in terms of [Formula: see text]. It is also found that SnO exhibits very high anisotropy. The energy band structure and density of states are also calculated and analyzed. The results show the semiconducting and metallic properties at zero and high pressures, respectively. Furthermore, the optical properties are also calculated. All the results are compared with those of SnO where available but most of the results at high pressure are not compared due to the unavailability of results.
Anisotropic Heisenberg form of RKKY interaction in the one-dimensional spin-polarized electron gas
Authors: Valizadeh M. M.
Published: September 2016

We study the indirect exchange interaction between two localized magnetic moments, known as Ruderman–Kittel–Kasuya–Yosida (RKKY) interaction, in a one-dimensional (1D) spin-polarized electron gas. We find explicit expressions for each term of this interaction, study their oscillatory behaviors as a function of the distance between two magnetic moments, [Formula: see text], and compare them with the known results for RKKY interaction in the case of 1D standard electron gas. We show this interaction can be written in an anisotropic Heisenberg form, [Formula: see text], coming from broken time-reversal symmetry of the host material.
A Classification and Evaluation Framework for NoC Mapping Strategies
Authors: Nesrine Toubaline , Djamel Bennouar , Ali Mahdoum
Published: September 2016

Network on Chip (NoC) is a new communication medium used for systems-on-chip (SoCs). In an SoC, the placement of the communicating elements across the network has an impact on system performance. Such a placing is called the MAPPING phase in networks on chip design process. Many approaches dealing with the mapping phase have been proposed but selecting the best technique for a given NoC remains a challenging problem. This paper attempts to provide an answer to this issue. It motivates and presents a definition and a classification according to some criteria: (i) the algorithms used for solving the mapping problem, (ii) the moment in which the mapping is executed, (iii) the impact of combining mapping with other phases during NoC design and (iv) the target architecture.
A 260-μW Down-Conversion Demodulator for MICS-Band Receiver
Authors: Chang Chia-Hung , Gong Cihun-Siyong Alex , Liou Jian-Chiun , Tsou Yu-Lin , Shiu Feng-Lin , Chiou Hwann-Kaeo , Tu Po-Hsun
Published: September 2016

This paper showcases a low-power demodulator for medical implant communication services (MICS) applications. Complementary shunt resistive feedback, current reuse configuration, and sub-threshold LO driving techniques are proposed to achieve ultra-low power consumption. The chip has been implemented in standard CMOS process and consumes only 260-[Formula: see text]W.
Scalar field as a Bose–Einstein condensate in a Schwarzschild–de Sitter spacetime
Authors: Castellanos Elías , Escamilla-Rivera Celia , Lämmerzahl Claus , Macías Alfredo
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we analyze some properties of a scalar field configuration, where it is considered as a trapped Bose–Einstein condensate in a Schwarzschild–de Sitter background spacetime. In a natural way, the geometry of the curved spacetime provides an effective trapping potential for the scalar field configuration. This allows us to explore some thermodynamical properties of the system. Additionally, the curved geometry of the spacetime also induces a position-dependent self-interaction parameter, which can be interpreted as a kind of gravitational Feshbach resonance, that could affect the stability of the cloud and could be used to obtain information about the interactions among the components of the system.
A Method of Reinforcement and Vibration Reduction of Girder Bridges Using Shape Memory Alloy Cables
Authors: Liu Ai-Rong , Liu Chun-Hui , Fu Ji-Yang , Pi Yong-Lin , Huang Yong-Hui , Zhang Jun-Ping
Published: September 2016

Bending and torsional vibrations caused by moving vehicle loads are likely to affect the traffic safety and comfort for girder bridges with limited torsional rigidity. This paper studies the use of cables made of shape memory alloy (SMA) as the devices of reinforcement and vibration reduction for girder bridges. The SMA cables are featured by their small volume, expedient installation. To investigate their effect on the vibration of girder bridges, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental study were conducted in this paper. For bending vibration, the governing equations of the girder with and without SMA cables subjected to moving vehicle loads were derived, while for torsional vibration, the finite element (FE) simulations were used instead. The results of bending and torsional vibrations obtained by the analytical approach and FE simulations, respectively, were compared with the experimental ones from model testing. It was confirmed that the SMA cables can restrain the vibration of the girder bridge effectively.
Hochschild cohomology of reduced incidence algebras
Authors: Kanuni Müge , Kaygun Atabey , Sütlü Serkan
Published: September 2016

We compute the continuous Hochschild cohomology of four reduced incidence algebras: the algebra of formal power series, the algebra of exponential power series, the algebra of Eulerian power series, and the algebra of formal Dirichlet series. We achieve the result by carrying out the computation for the coalgebra Cotor-groups of their pre-dual coalgebras.
Effects of Thermal Tension Transients on the Muscle Crossbridge
Authors: Greene Peter R.
Published: September 2016

The transverse thermal fluctuations of the myosin molecule are significant. This paper explores the contribution of lateral myosin bending to the developed crossbridge force and power stroke. The equipartition theorem is used to calculate the mode amplitudes for myosin bending. Crossbridge axial force [Formula: see text] and power stroke [Formula: see text] are developed by transverse in-plane fluctuations along the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-axes. Practical applications include the effects of temperature on the flexibility of the myosin molecule stiffness and tension, relevant to man-made fabrication of synthetic muscle using micromachines and nanowires. Scaling laws for the [Formula: see text] bending amplitude depend on filament length, mode number, and stiffness, as [Formula: see text], and (EI)[Formula: see text]. This paper quantifies the effects of thermal motion on the mechanics of miniature molecular motors, including the muscle crossbridge.
RATT-ECC
Authors: Chen Hsing-Min , Wu Carole-Jean , Mudge Trevor , Chakrabarti Chaitali
Published: September 2016

This article proposes a rate-adaptive, two-tiered error-correction scheme (RATT-ECC) that provides strong reliability (10
10
x
reduction in raw FIT rate) for an HBM-like 3D DRAM system. The tier-1 code is a strong symbol-based code that can correct errors due to small granularity faults and detect errors caused by large granularity faults; the tier-2 code is an XOR-based code that corrects errors detected by the tier-1 code. The rate-adaptive feature of RATT-ECC enables permanent bank failures to be handled through sparing. It can also be used to significantly reduce the refresh power consumption without decreasing reliability and timing performance.
Scalability Issues in Online Social Networks
Authors: Maqsood Tahir , Khalid Osman , Irfan Rizwana , Madani Sajjad A. , Khan Samee U.
Published: September 2016

The last decade witnessed a tremendous increase in popularity and usage of social network services, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Moreover, advances in Web technologies coupled with social networks has enabled users to not only access, but also generate, content in many forms. The overwhelming amount of produced content and resulting network traffic gives rise to precarious scalability issues for social networks, such as handling a large number of users, infrastructure management, internal network traffic, content dissemination, and data storage. There are few surveys conducted to explore the different dimensions of social networks, such as security, privacy, and data acquisition. Most of the surveys focus on privacy or security-related issues and do not specifically address scalability challenges faced by social networks. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive study of social networks along with their significant characteristics and categorize social network architectures into three broad categories: (a) centralized, (b) decentralized, and (c) hybrid. We also highlight various scalability issues faced by social network architectures. Finally, a qualitative comparison of presented architectures is provided, which is based on various scalability metrics, such as availability, latency, interserver communication, cost of resources, and energy consumption, just to name a few.
Hardware-Assisted Thread and Data Mapping in Hierarchical Multicore Architectures
Authors: Cruz Eduardo H. M. , Diener Matthias , Pilla Laércio L. , Navaux Philippe O. A.
Published: September 2016

The performance and energy efficiency of modern architectures depend on memory locality, which can be improved by thread and data mappings considering the memory access behavior of parallel applications. In this article, we propose intense pages mapping, a mechanism that analyzes the memory access behavior using information about the time the entry of each page resides in the translation lookaside buffer. It provides accurate information with a very low overhead. We present experimental results with simulation and real machines, with average performance improvements of 13.7% and energy savings of 4.4%, which come from reductions in cache misses and interconnection traffic.
Yet Another Compressed Cache
Authors: Sardashti Somayeh , Seznec Andre , Wood David A.
Published: September 2016

Cache memories play a critical role in bridging the latency, bandwidth, and energy gaps between cores and off-chip memory. However, caches frequently consume a significant fraction of a multicore chip's area and thus account for a significant fraction of its cost. Compression has the potential to improve the effective capacity of a cache, providing the performance and energy benefits of a larger cache while using less area. The design of a compressed cache must address two important issues: (i) a low-latency, low-overhead compression algorithm that can represent a fixed-size cache block using fewer bits and (ii) a cache organization that can efficiently store the resulting variable-size compressed blocks. This article focuses on the latter issue.

Here, we propose Yet Another Compressed Cache (YACC), a new compressed cache design that targets improving effective cache capacity with a simple design. YACC uses super-blocks to reduce tag overheads while packing variable-size compressed blocks to reduce internal fragmentation. YACC achieves the benefits of two state-of-the art compressed caches—Decoupled Compressed Cache (DCC) [Sardashti and Wood 2013a, 2013b] and Skewed Compressed Cache (SCC) [Sardashti et al. 2014]—with a more practical and simpler design. YACC's cache layout is similar to conventional caches, with a largely unmodified tag array and unmodified data array. Compared to DCC and SCC, YACC requires neither the significant extra metadata (i.e., back pointers) needed by DCC to track blocks nor the complexity and overhead of skewed associativity (i.e., indexing ways differently) needed by SCC. An additional advantage over previous work is that YACC enables modern replacement mechanisms, such as RRIP.

For our benchmark set, compared to a conventional uncompressed 8MB LLC, YACC improves performance by 8% on average and up to 26%, and reduces total energy by 6% on average and up to 20%. An 8MB YACC achieves approximately the same performance and energy improvements as a 16MB conventional cache at a much smaller silicon footprint, with only 1.6% greater area than an 8MB conventional cache. YACC performs comparably to DCC and SCC but is much simpler to implement.
Galaxies in the First Billion Years After the Big Bang
Authors: Stark Daniel P.
Published: September 2016

In the past five years, deep imaging campaigns conducted with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and ground-based observatories have delivered large samples of galaxies at 6.5<z<10, providing our first glimpse of the census of star formation activity in what is thought to be the heart of the reionization era. The space density of luminous galaxies has been shown to decrease by 15–20× over 4<z<8. Over this same redshift interval, the faint-end slope of the UV luminosity function becomes steeper (α≃−2.0 at z≃7−8), revealing a dominant population of low-luminosity galaxies. Analysis of multiwavelength imaging from HST and the Spitzer Space Telescope demonstrates that z>6 UV-selected galaxies are relatively compact with blue UV continuum slopes, low stellar masses, and large specific star formation rates. In the last year, ALMA (the Atacama Large Millimeter Array) and ground-based infrared spectrographs have begun to complement this picture, revealing minimal dust obscuration and hard radiation fields, and providing evidence for metal-poor ionized gas. Weak low-ionization absorption lines suggest a patchy distribution of neutral gas surrounds O and B stars, possibly aiding in the escape of ionizing radiation. Gamma ray burst afterglows and Lyman-α surveys have provided evidence that the intergalactic medium (IGM) evolves from mostly ionized at z≃6−6.5 ([Formula: see text]) to considerably neutral at z≃7−8 ([Formula: see text]). The reionization history that emerges from considering the UV output of galaxies over 6<z<10 is consistent with these constraints on the IGM ionization state. The latest measurements suggest that galaxies can complete reionization by z≃6 and reproduce the Thomson scattering optical depth faced by cosmic microwave background photons if the luminosity function extends ≃4 mag below current surveys and a moderate fraction ([Formula: see text]) of ionizing radiation escapes from galaxies.
Lithiated and Sulfonated Poly (Ether Ether Ketone) Binders with High Rate Capability for LiFePO4 Cathodes
Authors: Chiu Kuo-Feng , Leu Hoang-Jyh , Su Shih-Hsuan , Wu Chien-Hsun
Published: September 2016

Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) was synthesized and used as an ion-conductive binder for LiFePO4 cathodes. In order to further increase its ionic conductivity, SPEEK was lithiated by adding various amounts of LiClO4 (Li-SPEEK). For comparison, SPEEK, Li-SPEEK, and conventional polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binders were used to fabricate LiFePO4 cathodes. At a high discharge rate (10 C), the LiFePO4 cathodes using Li-SPEEK with optimal amounts of LiClO4 exhibited higher discharge capacity (108 mAh/g) than the LiFePO4 cathode with a PVDF binder (80 mAh/g). This can be attributed to the lower charge-transfer resistance, resulting from the higher ionic conductivity because of the presence of Li+ ions in the Li-SPEEK binder. The electrochemical impedance spectra showed more than 50% reduction in charge-transfer resistance for Li-SPEEK. In addition, the LiFePO4 cathodes using Li-SPEEK and conventional binders exhibited comparable in 100 charge-discharge cycles at 1 C, showing capacity retention higher than 88%. These findings indicate that Li-SPEEK is a promising candidate as an alternative binder for high-rate applications.
Nickel Hexacyanoferrate-Modified LiFePO4 Cathodes with High-Rate and High-Pulse Current Charge-Discharge Capabilities
Authors: Chiu Kuo-Feng , Leu Hoang-Jyh , Su Shih-Hsuan , Chao Kuan-Yu
Published: September 2016

Nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) was synthesized by reverse micelle method and was coated on LiFePO4 cathodes to improve the high-rate and pulse-current charge-discharge performances. This NiHCF has a low-strain open framework structure and exhibits a redox potential similar to that of LiFePO4. The NiHCF-modified LiFePO4 cathodes show improved high-rate capability, with a 10 C discharge capacity that is 15% higher than that of pristine LiFePO4. The NiHCF-modified LiFePO4 can endure high-pulse current charge-discharge, which is well suited for green energy grids. The modified and pristine LiFePO4 cathodes were operated with alternate pulse currents of 0.01 C and 5 C introduced into a 0.2 C discharge/charge process to simulate the conditions of green grids. The modified LiFePO4 cathodes exhibited a capacity retention of 92% after 50 cycles, whereas the pristine sample showed a capacity retention of only 75%. These results can be attributed to the reduction of electrode/electrolyte interface resistances due to NiHCF coating, as demonstrated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Carbon-Laminated Silicon/Graphene Composite Anodes with Improved Capacity and Cycling Stability
Authors: Chiu Kuo-Feng , Leu Hoang-Jyh , Su Shih-Hsuan , Yang Po-Chun
Published: September 2016

Si/graphene composite anodes were prepared via a new route. Well-crystallized silicon powder purified from solar-cell waste was mixed with graphene in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and this was calcined directly on metal current collectors. The PVDF was pyrolyzed, forming a carbon-laminate around the Si and graphene. The graphene sheets supported the Si powders, preventing stress cracking due to the large volume changes that occur during charging and discharging. For comparison, silicon anodes were prepared using a conventional coating method with PVDF binder and carbon black. The carbon-laminated Si anodes (Si/C) showed an initial delithiation capacity of more than 2500 mAh/g at 0.1C, whereas the pristine Si purified from solar-cell waste showed almost no electrochemical activity with a capacity of only 8 mAh/g at 0.1 C. Adding graphene to the composite improved the cycling stability of the cell, leading to a 1 C delithiation capacity of 1420 mAh/g after 60 cycles, twice as high as that of the Si/C anodes. Consequently, improved capacity and high cycling stability can be achieved via this pyrolysis-based process in which graphene and Si powders are attached to each other.
Adverse postresuscitation myocardial effects elicited by buffer-induced alkalemia ameliorated by NHE-1 inhibition in a rat model of ventricular fibrillation
Authors: Lamoureux Lorissa , Radhakrishnan Jeejabai , Mason Thomas G. , Kraut Jeffrey A. , Gazmuri Raúl J.
Published: September 2016

Major myocardial abnormalities occur during cardiac arrest and resuscitation including intracellular acidosis—partly caused by CO2accumulation—and activation of the Na+-H+exchanger isoform-1 (NHE-1). We hypothesized that a favorable interaction may result from NHE-1 inhibition during cardiac resuscitation followed by administration of a CO2-consuming buffer upon return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Ventricular fibrillation was electrically induced in 24 male rats and left untreated for 8 min followed by defibrillation after 8 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Rats were randomized 1:1:1 to the NHE-1 inhibitor zoniporide or vehicle during CPR and disodium carbonate/sodium bicarbonate buffer or normal saline (30 ml/kg) after ROSC. Survival at 240 min declined from 100% with Zoniporide/Saline to 50% with Zoniporide/Buffer and 25% with Vehicle/Buffer ( P = 0.004), explained by worsening postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction. Marked alkalemia occurred after buffer administration along with lactatemia that was maximal after Vehicle/Buffer, attenuated by Zoniporide/Buffer, and minimal with Zoniporide/Saline [13.3 ± 4.8 (SD), 9.2 ± 4.6, and 2.7 ± 1.0 mmol/l; P ≤ 0.001]. We attributed the intense postresuscitation lactatemia to enhanced glycolysis consequent to severe buffer-induced alkalemia transmitted intracellularly by an active NHE-1. We attributed the worsened postresuscitation myocardial dysfunction also to severe alkalemia intensifying Na+entry via NHE-1 with consequent Ca2+overload injuring mitochondria, evidenced by increased plasma cytochrome c. Both buffer-induced effects were ameliorated by zoniporide. Accordingly, buffer-induced alkalemia after ROSC worsened myocardial function and survival, likely through enhancing NHE-1 activity. Zoniporide attenuated these effects and uncovered a complex postresuscitation acid-base physiology whereby blood pH drives NHE-1 activity and compromises mitochondrial function and integrity along with myocardial function and survival.
Archaeal DNA Polymerase-B as a DNA Template Guardian: Links between Polymerases and Base/Alternative Excision Repair Enzymes in Handling the Deaminated Bases Uracil and Hypoxanthine
Authors: Abellón-Ruiz Javier , Ishino Sonoko , Ishino Yoshizumi , Connolly Bernard A.
Published: September 2016

In Archaea repair of uracil and hypoxanthine, which arise by deamination of cytosine and adenine, respectively, is initiated by three enzymes: Uracil-DNA-glycosylase (UDG, which recognises uracil); Endonuclease V (EndoV, which recognises hypoxanthine); and Endonuclease Q (EndoQ), (which recognises both uracil and hypoxanthine). Two archaeal DNA polymerases, Pol-B and Pol-D, are inhibited by deaminated bases in template strands, a feature unique to this domain. Thus the three repair enzymes and the two polymerases show overlapping specificity for uracil and hypoxanthine. Here it is demonstrated that binding of Pol-D to primer-templates containing deaminated bases inhibits the activity of UDG, EndoV, and EndoQ. Similarly Pol-B almost completely turns off EndoQ, extending earlier work that demonstrated that Pol-B reduces catalysis by UDG and EndoV. Pol-B was observed to be a more potent inhibitor of the enzymes compared to Pol-D. Although Pol-D is directly inhibited by template strand uracil, the presence of Pol-B further suppresses any residual activity of Pol-D, to near-zero levels. The results are compatible with Pol-D acting as the replicative polymerase and Pol-B functioning primarily as a guardian preventing deaminated base-induced DNA mutations.