bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Index of tobacco control sustainability (ITCS): a tool to measure the sustainability of national tobacco control programmes
Authors: Jackson-Morris Angela , Latif Ehsan
Published: February 2017

Objective

To produce a tool to assess and guide sustainability of national tobacco control programmes.

Method

A two-stage process adapting the Delphi and Nominal group techniques. A series of indicators of tobacco control sustainability were identified in grantee/country advisor reports to The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease under the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Control (2007–2015). Focus groups and key informant interviews in seven low and middle-income countries (52 government and civil society participants) provided consensus ratings of the indicators’ relative importance. Data were reviewed and the indicators were accorded relative weightings to produce the ‘Index of Tobacco Control Sustainability’ (ITCS).

Results

All 31 indicators were considered ‘Critical’ or ‘Important’ by the great majority of participants. There was consensus that a tool to measure progress towards tobacco control sustainability was important. The most critical indicators related to financial policies and allocations, a national law, a dedicated national tobacco control unit and civil society tobacco control network, a national policy against tobacco industry ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR), national mortality and morbidity data, and national policy evaluation mechanisms.

Conclusions

The 31 indicators were agreed to be ‘critical’ or ‘important’ factors for tobacco control sustainability. The Index comprises the weighted indicators as a tool to identify aspects of national tobacco control programmes requiring further development to augment their sustainability and to measure and compare progress over time. The next step is to apply the ITCS and produce tobacco control sustainability assessments.
Anomalous broncho‐oesophageal arteries and peripheral systemic‐to‐pulmonary connections in an asymptomatic puppy
Authors: Newhard Daniel K , Winter Randolph L , Cline Kelsey A , Hathcock John T
Published: February 2017

A clinically healthy four‐month‐old puppy had a grade 2/6 left basilar, continuous heart murmur and was presented for further evaluation. Echocardiography revealed multiple small diastolic colour signals around the main right pulmonary artery. Mild pulmonary overcirculation and left ventricular enlargement were observed on thoracic radiography. Contrast enhanced CT with angiography revealed anomalous broncho‐oesophageal arteries with peripheral pulmonary shunting, consistent with systemic‐to‐pulmonary connections. Six months after diagnosis, the patient continued to lack clinical signs, had no progression in left atrial or left ventricular size, and there was no progression in pulmonary overcirculation. This report shows that dogs with congenital anomalous broncho‐oesophageal arteries and mild‐to‐moderate peripheral pulmonary shunting can remain asymptomatic over a long period of time.
Dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel for noise‐associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs—a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical study
Authors: Korpivaara M. , Laapas K. , Huhtinen M. , Schöning B. , Overall K.
Published: February 2017

The aim of this randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical‐field study was to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine oromucosal gel at subsedative doses in alleviation of noise‐associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs. On New Year's Eve, 182 dogs with a history of acute anxiety and fear associated with fireworks received treatment as needed up to five times: 89 dogs received dexmedetomidine and 93 dogs received placebo. For the primary efficacy variables, dog owners assessed the overall treatment effect as well as signs and extent of anxiety and fear. The overall treatment effect was statistically significant (P<0.0001). An excellent or good treatment effect was reported for a higher proportion of dogs treated with dexmedetomidine (64/89, 72 per cent) than those receiving placebo (34/93, 37 per cent). Additionally, dexmedetomidine‐treated dogs expressed significantly (P<0.0314) fewer signs of fear and anxiety despite the noise of fireworks. No local tolerance or clinical safety concerns occurred during the study. This study demonstrated that oromucosal dexmedetomidine at subsedative doses alleviates noise‐associated acute anxiety and fear in dogs.
On Pseudovarieties of Forest Algebras
Authors: Alirezazadeh Saeid
Published: February 2017

Forest algebras are defined for investigating languages of forests [ordered sequences] of unranked trees, where a node may have more than two [ordered] successors. They consist of two monoids, the horizontal and the vertical, with an action of the vertical monoid on the horizontal monoid, and a complementary axiom of faithfulness. In the study of forest algebras one of the main difficulties is how to handle the faithfulness property. A pseudovariety is a class of finite algebras of a given signature, closed under the taking of homomorphic images, subalgebras and finitary direct products. We tried to adapt in this context some of the results in the theory of semigroups, specially the studies on relatively free profinite semigroups, which are an important tool in the theory of pseudovarieties of semigroups.

We define a new version of syntactic congruence of a subset of the free forest algebra, not just a forest language. This new version is the natural extension of the syntactic congruence for monoids in the case of forest algebras and is used in the proof of an analog of Hunter’s Lemma. We show that under a certain assumption the two versions of syntactic congruences coincide.

We adapt some results of Almeida on metric semigroups to the context of forest algebras. We show that the analog of Hunter’s Lemma holds for metric forest algebras, which leads to the result that zero-dimensional compact metric forest algebras are residually finite. We show an analog of Reiterman’s Theorem, which is based on a study of the structure profinite forest algebras.
Decision Algorithms for Fibonacci-Automatic Words, III: Enumeration and Abelian Properties
Authors: Du Chen Fei , Mousavi Hamoon , Schaeffer Luke , Shallit Jeffrey
Published: February 2017

We continue our study of the class of Fibonacci-automatic words. These are infinite words whose nth term is defined in terms of a finite-state function of the Fibonacci representation of n. In this paper, we show how enumeration questions (such as counting the number of squares of length n in the Fibonacci word) can be decided purely mechanically, using a decision procedure. We reprove some known results, in a unified way, using our technique, and we prove some new results. We also examine abelian properties of these words. As a consequence of our results on abelian properties, we get the result that every nontrivial morphic image of the Fibonacci word is Fibonacci-automatic.
Fast Simulation of Conway’s Game of Life Using Bitwise Parallel Bulk Computation on a GPU
Authors: Fujita Toru , Nakano Koji , Ito Yasuaki
Published: February 2017

Conway’s Game of Life is the most well-known cellular automaton. The universe of the Game of Life is a 2-dimensional array of cells, each of which takes two possible states, alive or dead. The state of every cell is repeatedly updated according to those of eight neighbors. A cell will be alive if exactly three neighbors are alive, or if it is alive and two neighbors are alive. The main contribution of this paper is to develop several acceleration techniques for simulating the Game of Life using a GPU as follows: (1) the states of 32/64 cells in 32/64-bit words (integers) and the next states are computed by the Bitwise Parallel Bulk Computation (BPBC) technique, (2) the states of cells stored in 2 words are updated at the same time by a thread, (3) warp shuffle instruction is used to directly transfer the current states stored in registers, and (4) multi-step simulation is performed to reduce the overhead of data transfer and invoking CUDA kernel. The experimental results show that, the performance of our GPU implementation using GeForce GTX TITAN X is 1350×109 updates per second for 16K-step simulation of 512K ×512K cells stored in the SSD. Since Intel Core i7 CPU using the same technique performs 13.4×109 updates per second, our GPU implementation for the Game of Life achieves a speedup factor of 100. Thus, these techniques work very efficiently on a GPU.
Flood and Storm Hazard Adaptation in New Jersey’s Coastal Zone: Barriers and Opportunities
Authors: Mauriello Mark N.
Published: February 2017

New Jersey’s coastal zone has a long history of storm and flood hazard vulnerability, as documented by copious technical reports, historical maps and surveys, storm damage assessments and flood insurance claims. In the context of geologic time, this vulnerability can be attributed, in part, to increasing sea level rise resulting from melting of Pleistocene glaciers. In the context of human time, extensive development, redevelopment and urbanization of the New Jersey coast has contributed significantly to this vulnerability. At the same time, financial constraints at the state and federal level and increasing taxpayer liability for damage recovery costs will create challenges in long-term adaptation. A number of New Jersey academics have identified the magnitude of natural hazard vulnerabilities and the importance of mitigation to promote public safety, with James K. Mitchell of Rutgers University being one of the notable contributors to that effort. Current mitigation measures may be partially effective in protecting people and property in the short term. However, barriers to effective hazard area management and adaptation planning, including physical, financial, social, demographic and political constraints, need to be addressed. Understanding the scope and impact of these barriers is critical to developing the necessary long-term adaptation plans that will promote a safe and sustainable future for New Jersey.
His Work/Our Work: Advancing the Learning Values of James Kenneth Mitchell’s Hazards in Context Framework
Authors: Barnes Mark
Published: February 2017

The principal objective of this essay is to pay tribute to James Kenneth Mitchell and his service to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the larger academic community, practitioner circles, and at-risk communities worldwide. As testimony to his instructional and mentoring influences, the works of his former students are described from the author’s experience and point of view. Their works reflect his professional and personal values towards inclusiveness that have helped to shape a more nuanced knowledge about natural hazard risks and related management policies. To bring perspective to Mitchell’s impact on his former students, the essay features a brief review of the literature on natural hazards education, describes the scholastic and service achievements of those students, and concludes with a statement of his ongoing legacy.
Changing coastlines in NE England: a legacy of colliery spoil tipping and the effects of its cessation
Authors: Cooper Nick , Benson Niall , McNeill Aaron , Siddle Robin
Published: February 2017

Historical tipping of vast quantities of colliery spoil at various foreshore locations in NE England has changed the morphology and sedimentology of large areas of the shoreline and nearshore sea bed, and has impacted adversely upon the ecology and amenity use of the area. Tipping started early in the 20th Century, well before statutory controls to regulate impacts of activities on the marine environment came into force in the UK in 1974, and ended with the closure of the last colliery in 2005. The spoil tipping acted as a form of artificial sediment recharge to the foreshore, akin to conventional beach recharge schemes that use sand or shingle to replenish foreshores for coastal defence and amenity purposes, but creating a legacy of contaminated beaches and prograding (advancing) shores. Since closure of the collieries, however, the foreshores have received no artificial supply of material, and the shoreline in all former tipping areas has since been in retreat due to natural erosion. This has caused problems where assets are present at the rear of the spoil beaches, requiring coastal defence structures for their protection. As well as collating and analysing historical maps, records, literature and data relating to colliery spoil tipping, the coastal changes that have occurred since its cessation have been assessed by reference to more recent maps, literature, aerial photographs and new and up-to-date beach profile transect survey data from contemporary coastal monitoring programmes. It is envisaged that where sea cliffs are protected by colliery spoil beaches, and hence currently are dormant, they could become re-activated by erosion and start to retreat at short term rates of several metres per year and longer-term rates of up to 0.3 m/year in the foreseeable future.
Patterned ground and superficial deposits at Hare Park, Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire, England
Authors: West R. G.
Published: February 2017

Patterned ground on chalkland at Hare Park, Cambridgeshire, includes patterns associated with a periglacial climate (stripes, nets), but also a type of pattern distinctly differing from these. These patterns are seen in the Fort field, to the east of the Hare Park ridge, which extends northwards across the Chalk escarpment and from the Anglian till plateau to the south. Three valleys are present in the Fort field, draining to the NE. Stripes and nets are associated with the two older valleys, and are associated with incision of streams of the Chalk escarpment. The other patterns, developed on the surface of the Moulton Head, consist of depressed rings and arcs forming wide and low ditches. These are shown to be filled with sandy sediment. They result from Chalk solution associated with pools formed by groundwater released from a perched aquifer in the Chalk. The pools pre-dated the head, with the depth of depression reflecting the degree of subsequent subsidence, and the patterns are related to the presence of sand bodies older than the head. The Fort field patterns are related to the superficial deposits immediately to the west by analysis of boreholes and local geological records. The Moulton Head interdigitates with clays interpreted as being of proglacial origin, as are the Head Gravels of Hare Park. The proglacial origin is related to the Fenland mid-Wolstonian Tottenhill glaciation at
c.
160 ka. The relation of the Palaeolithic archaeology of Hare Park to the deposits is considered and compared with records of palaeoliths in proglacial sediments in southern Fenland.
A wing metacarpal from Italy and its implications for latest Cretaceous pterosaur diversity
Authors: Dalla Vecchia Fabio M.
Published: February 2017

An incomplete bone from the latest Cretaceous dinosaur site of Villaggio del Pescatore (Trieste Province, Italy) is definitely a wing metacarpal of a pterodactyloid pterosaur. It represents the only Italian Cretaceous pterosaur remains known, as well as the only pterosaur from the Adriatic Carbonate Platform. With an estimated minimum length of 136 mm, it belongs to a relatively small individual relative to the standard of latest Cretaceous pterodactyloids. It is not as elongated and gracile as azhdarchid wing metacarpals and shows a mix of features found in
Pteranodon
and some more basal pterodactyloids. It is one of the very few remains of putative non-azhdarchid pterosaurs from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian worldwide and supports the view that the Azhdarchidae were not the only pterosaur clade existing during latest Cretaceous times.
Hydrogen sulfide alleviates hypertensive kidney dysfunction through an epigenetic mechanism
Authors: Weber Gregory J. , Pushpakumar Sathnur B. , Sen Utpal
Published: February 2017

Hypertension is a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), and renal inflammation is an integral part in this pathology. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been shown to mitigate renal damage through reduction in blood pressure and ROS; however, the exact mechanisms are not clear. While several studies have underlined the role of epigenetics in renal inflammation and dysfunction, the mechanisms through which epigenetic regulators play a role in hypertension are not well defined. In this study, we sought to identify whether microRNAs are dysregulated in response to angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension in the kidney and whether a H2S donor, GYY4137, could reverse the microRNA alteration and kidney function. Wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice were treated without or with ANG II and GYY4137 for 4 wk. Blood pressure, renal blood flow, and resistive index (RI) were measured. MicroRNA microarrays were conducted and subsequent target prediction revealed genes associated with a proinflammatory response. ANG II treatment significantly increased blood pressure, decreased blood flow in the renal cortex, increased RI, and reduced renal function. These effects were ameliorated in mice treated with GYY4137. Microarray analysis revealed downregulation of miR-129 in ANG II-treated mice and upregulation after GYY4137 treatment. Quantitation of proteins involved in the inflammatory response and DNA methylation revealed upregulation of IL-17A and DNA methyltransferase 3a, whereas H2S production enzymes and anti-inflammatory IL-10 were reduced. Taken together, our data suggest that downregulation of miR-129 plays a significant role in ANG II-induced renal inflammation and functional outcomes and that GYY4137 improves renal function by reversing miR-129 expression.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated epigenetic changes that occur in the hypertensive kidney and how H2S supplementation reverses adverse effects. Inflammation, aberrant methylation, and dysfunction were observed in the hypertensive kidney, and these effects were alleviated with H2S supplementation. We identify miR-129 as a potential regulator of blood pressure and H2S regulation.
Statistical Downscaling for Rainfall Forecasts Using Modified Constructed Analog Method in Thailand
Authors: Anuchaivong Patchalai , Sukawat Dusadee , Luadsong Anirut
Published: February 2017

The simulations of rainfall from historical data were created in this study by using statistical downscaling. Statistical downscaling techniques are based on a relationship between the variables that are solved by the General Circulation Models (GCMs) and the observed predictions. The Modified Constructed Analog Method (MCAM) is a technique in downscaling estimation, suitable for rainfall simulation accuracy using weather forecasting. In this research, the MCAM was used to calculate the Euclidean distance to obtain the number of analog days. Afterwards, a linear combination of 30 analog days is created with simulated rainfall data which are determined by the corresponding 5 days from the adjusted weights of the appropriate forecast day. This method is used to forecast the daily rainfall and was received from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) from the period during 1979 to 2010 at thirty stations. The experiment involved the use of rainfall forecast data that was combined with the historical data during the rainy season in 2010. The result showed that the MCAM gave the correlation value of 0.8 resulting in a reduced percentage error of 13.66%. The MCAM gave the value of 1094.10 mm which was the closest value to the observed precipitation of 1119.53 mm.
FLECH: Fuzzy Logic Based Energy Efficient Clustering Hierarchy for Nonuniform Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Balakrishnan Baranidharan , Balachandran Santhi
Published: February 2017

Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is an important issue which affects its implementation in various real time applications. The major factor behind the energy consumption in WSN is its data collection mechanism. The direct data transmission from each sensor node to the Base Station (BS) consumes more energy than other alternatives. Also it is unnecessary, due to redundant data transmission because of geographically closer nodes. Clustering is the best data collection architectural model for WSN since it takes care of in-network processing which handles redundant data within the network. The techniques used for the network having uniform node distribution are not suitable for the networks which have nonuniformly distributed nodes. This paper contributes a novel clustering algorithm: Fuzzy Logic Based Energy Efficient Clustering Hierarchy (FLECH) for nonuniform WSN. The clusters in FLECH are created using proper parameters which increases the lifetime of the WSN. Fuzzy logic in FLECH is wisely used to combine important parameters like residual energy, node centrality, and distance to BS for electing best suitable nodes as CH and increases the network lifetime. FLECH performance is verified in different scenarios and the results are compared with LEACH, CHEF, ECPF, EAUCF, and MOFCA. The simulation results clearly indicate the lifetime increase by FLECH over other algorithms and its energy conservation per round of data collection in the network.
Best Speed Fit EDF Scheduling for Performance Asymmetric Multiprocessors
Authors: Wu Peng , Ryu Minsoo
Published: February 2017

In order to improve the performance of a real‐time system, asymmetric multiprocessors have been proposed. The benefits of improved system performance and reduced power consumption from such architectures cannot be fully exploited unless suitable task scheduling and task allocation approaches are implemented at the operating system level. Unfortunately, most of the previous research on scheduling algorithms for performance asymmetric multiprocessors is focused on task priority assignment. They simply assign the highest priority task to the fastest processor. In this paper, we propose BSF‐EDF (best speed fit for earliest deadline first) for performance asymmetric multiprocessor scheduling. This approach chooses a suitable processor rather than the fastest one, when allocating tasks. With this proposed BSF‐EDF scheduling, we also derive an effective schedulability test.
MIMO PI Controllers for LTI Systems with Multiple Time Delays Based on ILMIs and Sensitivity Functions
Authors: Belhaj Wajdi , Boubaker Olfa
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a MIMO PI design procedure is proposed for linear time invariant (LTI) systems with multiple time delays. The controller tuning is established in two stages and guarantees performances for set‐point changes, disturbance variations, and parametric uncertainties. In the first stage, an iterative linear matrix inequality (ILMI) approach is extended to design PI controllers for systems with multiple time delays without performance guarantee, a priori. The second stage is devoted to improve the closed‐loop performances by minimizing sensitivity functions. Simulations results carried out on the unstable distillation column, the stable industrial scale polymerization (ISP) reactor, and the non‐minimum phase 4‐tank benchmark prove the efficiency of the proposed approach. A comparative analysis with the conventional internal model control (IMC) approach, a multiloop IMC‐PI approach, and a previous ILMI PID approach proves the superiority of the proposed approach compared to the related ones.
Experimental Investigation on the Feasibility of Using a Fresnel Lens as a Solar-Energy Collection System for Enhancing On-Orbit Power Generation Performance
Authors: Park Tae-Yong , Jung Joo-Yong , Oh Hyun-Ung
Published: February 2017

Cube satellites have a limitation for generating power because of their cubic structure and extremely small size. In addition, the incidence angle between the sun and the solar panels continuously varies owing to the revolution and rotation of the satellite according to the attitude control strategy. This angle is an important parameter for determining the power generation performance of the cube satellite. In this study, we performed an experimental feasibility study that uses a Fresnel lens as a solar-energy collection system for cube satellite applications, so that the power generation efficiency can be enhanced under the worst incidence angle condition between the sun and solar panels by concentrating and redirecting solar energy onto the solar panels with a commercial Fresnel lens. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed system, we conducted a power-measurement test using a solar simulator and Fresnel lenses at various angles to the light source. In addition, we predicted the on-orbit power-generation enhancement achieved by employing the solar-energy collection system with various attitude control strategies.
An Effective Way to Control Numerical Instability of a Nonordinary State‐Based Peridynamic Elastic Model
Authors: Gu Xin , Zhang Qing , Yu Yangtian
Published: February 2017

The constitutive modeling and numerical implementation of a nonordinary state‐based peridynamic (NOSB‐PD) model corresponding to the classical elastic model are presented. Besides, the numerical instability problem of the NOSB‐PD model is analyzed, and a penalty method involving the hourglass force is proposed to control the instabilities. Further, two benchmark problems, the static elastic deformation of a simple supported beam and the elastic wave propagation in a two‐dimensional rod, are discussed with the present method. It proves that the penalty instability control method is effective in suppressing the displacement oscillations and improving the accuracy of calculated stress fields with a proper hourglass force coefficient, and the NOSB‐PD approach with instability control can analyze the problems of structure deformation and elastic wave propagation well.
Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells and Cytokines Gene Expression of the T Cells in AIDS Patients with Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome during Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Sun Jia , Chen Heling , Xie Yirui , Su Junwei , Huang Ying , Xu Lijun , Yin Michael , Zhou Qihui , Zhu Biao
Published: February 2017

Background. The etiology of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in AIDS patients after the initiation of HAART remains unknown. Several researches indicated that the development of IRIS is associated with the production and variation of cytokines, whose gene expression are closely related to the Ca2+/CN-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway.Methods. We studied the expression of NFAT isoforms and their major target cytokines genes in peripheral blood CD3+T cells of subjects through fluorescence quantitative PCR and explored the expression changes of these genes before and after HAART.Results. After the initiation of HARRT, NFAT1, IL-6, and IL-8 gene expression showed a reversal trend in the CD3+T cells of the IRIS group and changed from low expression before HARRT to high expression after HARRT. In particular, the relative gene expression of NFAT1 was markedly higher compared with the other three isoforms. The IRIS group also showed higher NFAT4, NFAT2, NFAT1, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-2, IL-18, and TNF-αgene expression than the non-IRIS group.Conclusion. This study suggested that high expression levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-18 can predict the risk of IRIS. The increased expression of NFAT1 and NFAT4 may promote the expression of cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, which may promote the occurrence of IRIS.
Unsteady Micropolar Fluid over a Permeable Curved Stretching Shrinking Surface
Authors: Saleh Siti Hidayah Muhad , Arifin Norihan Md , Nazar Roslinda , Pop Ioan
Published: February 2017

This work deals with the unsteady micropolar fluid over a permeable curved stretching and shrinking surface. Using similarity transformations, the governing boundary layer equations are transformed into the nonlinear ordinary (similarity) differential equations. The transformed equations are then solved numerically using the shooting method. The effects of the governing parameters on the skin friction and couple stress are illustrated graphically. The results reveal that dual solutions exist for stretching/shrinking surface as well as weak/strong concentration. A comparison with known results from the open literature has been done and it is shown to be in excellent agreement.
Maximum Likelihood Time Delay Estimation Based on Monte Carlo Importance Sampling in Multipath Environment
Authors: Ba Bin , Cui Weijia , Wang Daming , Wang Jianhui
Published: February 2017

In multipath environment, the computation complexity of single snapshot maximum likelihood for time delay estimation is huge. In particular, the computational complexity of grid search method increases exponentially with the increase of dimension. For this reason, this paper presents a maximum likelihood estimation algorithm based on Monte Carlo importance sampling technique. Firstly, the algorithm takes advantage of the channel frequency response in order to build the likelihood function of time delay in multipath environment. The pseudoprobability density function is constructed by using exponential likelihood function. Then, it is crucial to choose the importance function. According to the characteristic of the Vandermonde matrix in likelihood function, the product of the conjugate transpose Vandermonde matrix and itself is approximated by the product of a constant and an identity matrix. The pseudoprobability density function can be decomposed into product of many probability density functions of single path time delay. The importance function is constructed. Finally, according to probability density function of multipath time delay decomposed by importance function, the time delay of the multipath is sampled by Monte Carlo method. The time delay is estimated via calculating weighted mean of sample. Simulation results show that the performance of proposed algorithm approaches the Cramér-Rao bound with reduced complexity.
Potential Impact of Rapid Blood Culture Testing for Gram-Positive Bacteremia in Japan with the Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture Test
Authors: Kikuchi Ken , Matsuda Mari , Iguchi Shigekazu , Mizutani Tomonori , Hiramatsu Keiichi , Tega-Ishii Michiru , Sansaka Kaori , Negishi Kenta , Shimada Kimie , Umemura Jun , Notake Shigeyuki , Yanagisawa Hideji , Takahashi Hiroshi , Yabusaki Reiko , Araoka Hideki , Yoneyama Akiko
Published: February 2017

Background.Early detection of Gram-positive bacteremia and timely appropriate antimicrobial therapy are required for decreasing patient mortality. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the performance of the Verigene Gram-positive blood culture assay (BC-GP) in two special healthcare settings and determine the potential impact of rapid blood culture testing for Gram-positive bacteremia within the Japanese healthcare delivery system. Furthermore, the study included simulated blood cultures, which included a library of well-characterized methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolates reflecting different geographical regions in Japan.Methods.A total 347 BC-GP assays were performed on clinical and simulated blood cultures. BC-GP results were compared to results obtained by reference methods for genus/species identification and detection of resistance genes using molecular and MALDI-TOF MS methodologies.Results.For identification and detection of resistance genes at two clinical sites and simulated blood cultures, overall concordance of BC-GP with reference methods was 327/347 (94%). The time for identification and antimicrobial resistance detection by BC-GP was significantly shorter compared to routine testing especially at the cardiology hospital, which does not offer clinical microbiology services on weekends and holidays.Conclusion.BC-GP generated accurate identification and detection of resistance markers compared with routine laboratory methods for Gram-positive organisms in specialized clinical settings providing more rapid results than current routine testing.
Survey on Flight Control Technology for Large-Scale Helicopter
Authors: Hu Jinshuo , Gu Hongbin
Published: February 2017

A literature review of flight control technology is presented for large-scale helicopter. Challenges of large-scale helicopter flight control system (FCS) design are illustrated. Following this, various flight control methodologies are described with respect to their engineering implementation and theoretical developments, whose advantages and disadvantages are also analyzed. Then, the challenging research issues on flight control technology are identified, and future directions are highlighted.
A Review of the Role of Neurotensin and Its Receptors in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Qiu Shengyang , Pellino Gianluca , Fiorentino Francesca , Rasheed Shahnawaz , Darzi Ara , Tekkis Paris , Kontovounisios Christos
Published: February 2017

Neurotensin (NTS) is a physiologically occurring hormone which affects the function of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In recent years, NTS, acting through its cellular receptors (NTSR), has been implicated in the carcinogenesis of several cancers. In colorectal cancer (CRC), a significant body of evidence, from in vitro and in vivo studies, is available which elucidates the molecular biology of NTS/NTSR signalling and the resultant growth of CRC cells. There is growing clinical data from human studies which corroborate the role NTS/NTSR plays in the development of human CRC. Furthermore, blockade and modulation of the NTS/NTSR signalling pathways appears to reduce CRC growth in cell cultures and animal studies. Lastly, NTS/NTSR also shows potential of being utilised as a diagnostic biomarker for cancers as well as targets for functional imaging. We summarise the existing evidence and understanding of the role of NTS and its receptors in CRC.
Pattern Synthesis of Linear Antenna Arrays Using Enhanced Flower Pollination Algorithm
Authors: Singh Urvinder , Salgotra Rohit
Published: February 2017

In this paper, a new variant of flower pollination algorithm (FPA), namely, enhanced flower pollination algorithm (EFPA), has been proposed for the pattern synthesis of nonuniform linear antenna arrays (LAA). The proposed algorithm uses the concept of Cauchy mutation in global pollination and enhanced local search to improve the exploration and exploitation tendencies of FPA. It also uses dynamic switching to control the rate of exploration and exploitation. The algorithm is tested on standard benchmark problems and has been compared statistically with state of the art to prove its worthiness. LAA design is a tricky and difficult electromagnetic problem. Hence to check the efficacy of the proposed algorithm it has been used for synthesis of four different LAA with different sizes. Experimental results show that EFPA algorithm provides enhanced performance in terms of side lobe suppression and null control compared to FPA and other popular algorithms.
Network Intelligence Based on Network State Information for Connected Vehicles Utilizing Fog Computing
Authors: Park Seongjin , Yoo Younghwan
Published: February 2017

This paper proposes a method to take advantage of fog computing and SDN in the connected vehicle environment, where communication channels are unstable and the topology changes frequently. A controller knows the current state of the network by maintaining the most recent network topology. Of all the information collected by the controller in the mobile environment, node mobility information is particularly important. Thus, we divide nodes into three classes according to their mobility types and use their related attributes to efficiently manage the mobile connections. Our approach utilizes mobility information to reduce control message overhead by adjusting the period of beacon messages and to support efficient failure recovery. One is to recover the connection failures using only mobility information, and the other is to suggest a real-time scheduling algorithm to recover the services for the vehicles that lost connection in the case of a fog server failure. A real-time scheduling method is first described and then evaluated. The results show that our scheme is effective in the connected vehicle environment. We then demonstrate the reduction of control overhead and the connection recovery by using a network simulator. The simulation results show that control message overhead and failure recovery time are decreased by approximately 55% and 5%, respectively.
Preparation of N-Doped Composite Shell Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles and Their Magnetic, Adsorptive, and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Shi Caijing , Cui Lan , Lin Kui , Guo Qianjin , Zhang Fan , Hu Fengxiang , Shah Sayyar Ali , Wang Xitao , Chen Xiaoping , Cui Shen
Published: February 2017

The N-doped composite shell encapsulated iron nanoparticles (CSEINPs) were prepared by DC arc discharge under nitrogen at 800°C, using the anode with high Fe content and good homogeneity. The morphology, microstructure, composition, and some properties of the N-doped CSEINPs were characterized by various characterization techniques. The results revealed that the shells of the N-doped CSEINPs were composed of homogeneously amorphous structure containing C, Fe, O, and N elements; the saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity (Hc) of them at room temperature were 130 emu/g and 194 Oe, respectively. Due to the surface structure and the electrostatic interaction, the N-doped CSEINPs are employed to remove methylene blue (MB) from the waste solution, and they exhibited high adsorption properties and photocatalytic activity under irradiation of visible light (IVL). The kinetics of adsorption of MB on the N-doped CSEINPs was investigated and the recycling test was carried out. The formation mechanism of the N-doped CSEINPs is discussed briefly.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Using Citrullus lanatus Fruit Rind Extract
Authors: Ndikau Michael , Noah Naumih M. , Andala Dickson M. , Masika Eric
Published: February 2017

The wide-scale application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in areas such as chemical sensing, nanomedicine, and electronics has led to their increased demand. Current methods of AgNPs synthesis involve the use of hazardous reagents and toxic solvents. There is a need for the development of new methods of synthesizing AgNPs that use environmentally safe reagents and solvents. This work reports a green method where silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using silver nitrate and the aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus fruit rind as the reductant and the capping agent. The optimized conditions for the AgNPs synthesis were a temperature of 80°C, pH 10, 0.001 M AgNO3, 250 g/L watermelon rind extract (WMRE), and a reactant ratio of 4 : 5 (AgNO3 to WMRE). The AgNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy exhibiting a λmax at 404 nm which was consistent with the spectra of spherical AgNPs within the wavelength range of 380–450 nm, and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) results showed a distinct oxidation peak at +291 mV while the standard reference AgNPs (20 nm diameter) oxidation peak occurred at +290 mV, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) revealed spherical shaped AgNPs. The AgNPs were found to have an average diameter of 17.96±0.16 nm.
SmartOntoSensor: Ontology for Semantic Interpretation of Smartphone Sensors Data for Context-Aware Applications
Authors: Ali Shaukat , Khusro Shah , Ullah Irfan , Khan Akif , Khan Inayat
Published: February 2017

The integration of cheap and powerful sensors in smartphones has enabled the emergence of several context-aware applications and frameworks. However, the available smartphone context-aware frameworks are static because of using relational data models having predefined usage of sensory data. Importantly, the frameworks lack the soft integration of new data types and relationships that appear with the emergence of new smartphone sensors. Furthermore, sensors generate huge data that intensifies the problem of too much data and not enough knowledge. Smarting of smartphone sensory data is essential for advanced analytical processing, integration, inferencing, and interpretation by context-aware applications. In order to achieve this goal, novel smartphone sensors ontology is required for semantic modeling of smartphones and sensory data, which is the main contribution of this paper. This paper presents SmartOntoSensor, a lightweight mid-level ontology that has been developed using NeOn methodology and Content Ontology Design pattern. The ontology describes smartphone and sensors from different aspects including platforms, deployments, measurement capabilities and properties, observations, data fusion, and context modeling. SmartOntoSensor has been developed using Protégé and evaluated using OntoQA, SPARQL, and experimental study. The ontology is also tested by integrating into ModeChanger application that leverages SmartOntoSensor for automatic changing of smartphone modes according to the varying contexts. We have obtained promising results that advocate for the improved ontological design and applications of SmartOntoSensor.
The Role of Serotonin Transporter in Human Lung Development and in Neonatal Lung Disorders
Authors: Castro E. C. C. , Sen P. , Parks W. T. , Langston C. , Galambos C.
Published: February 2017

Introduction.Failure of the vascular pulmonary remodeling at birth often manifests as pulmonary hypertension (PHT) and is associated with a variety of neonatal lung disorders including a uniformly fatal developmental disorder known as alveolar capillary dysplasia with misalignment of pulmonary veins (ACD/MPV). Serum serotonin regulation has been linked to pulmonary vascular function and disease, and serotonin transporter (SERT) is thought to be one of the key regulators in these processes. We sought to find evidence of a role that SERT plays in the neonatal respiratory adaptation process and in the pathomechanism of ACD/MPV.Methods.We used histology and immunohistochemistry to determine the timetable of SERT protein expression in normal human fetal and postnatal lungs and in cases of newborn and childhood PHT of varied etiology. In addition, we tested for a SERT gene promoter defect in ACD/MPV patients.Results.We found that SERT protein expression begins at 30 weeks of gestation, increases to term, and stays high postnatally. ACD/MPV patients had diminished SERT expression without SERT promoter alteration.Conclusion.We concluded that SERT/serotonin pathway is crucial in the process of pulmonary vascular remodeling/adaptation at birth and plays a key role in the pathobiology of ACD/MPV.
Comparative Expression Analyses of Pro- versus Anti-Inflammatory Mediators within Synovium of Patients with Joint Trauma, Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Al-Madol Mohammed A. , Shaqura Mohammed , John Thilo , Likar Rudolf , Ebied Reham Said , Schäfer Michael , Mousa Shaaban A.
Published: February 2017

Synovial injury and healing are complex processes including catabolic effects by proinflammatory cytokines and anabolic processes by anti-inflammatory mediators. Here we examined the expression of pro- versus anti-inflammatory mediators in synovium of patients with diagnostic arthroscopy (control), joint trauma (JT), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synovial samples from these patients were subjected to RT-PCR and double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators as well as immune cell markers. Interestingly, pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators were expressed predominantly in granulocytes in patients with JT and in macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in patients with OA and RA. Interestingly, parallel to the severity of inflammation, proinflammatory mediators IL-1β, TNF-α, and 5-LOX specific mRNA as well as immunoreactive (IR) cells were significantly more abundant in patients with RA and JT than in those with OA. However, anti-inflammatory mediators 15-LOX, FPR2, and IL-10 specific mRNA as well as IR cells were significantly more abundant in patients with OA than in those with JT and RA. These findings show that upregulation of proinflammatory mediators contributes to the predominantly catabolic inflammatory process in JT and RA synovium, whereas upregulation of anabolic anti-inflammatory mediators counteracts inflammation resulting in the inferior inflammatory process in OA synovium.
FDA Approval Summary: TAS-102
Authors: Marcus Leigh , Lemery Steven J. , Khasar Sachia , Wearne Emily , Helms Whitney S. , Yuan Weishi , He Kun , Cao Xianhua , Yu Jingyu , Zhao Hong , Wang Yaning , Stephens Olen , Englund Erika , Agarwal Rajiv , Keegan Patricia , Pazdur Richard
Published: February 2017

The FDA approved TAS-102 (Lonsurf; Taiho Oncology, Inc.) for the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have been previously treated with fluoropyrimidine-, oxaliplatin-, and irinotecan-based chemotherapy; an anti-VEGF biological therapy; and if RAS wild type, an anti-EGFR therapy. In an international, multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (TPU-TAS-102-301, herein referred to as RECOURSE), 800 patients with previously treated mCRC were randomly allocated (2:1) to receive either TAS-102 35 mg/m2 orally twice daily after meals on days 1 through 5 and 8 through 12 of each 28-day cycle (n = 534) or matching placebo (n = 266). The trial demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for those randomized to receive TAS-102, with a median survival of 7.1 months in the TAS-102 arm [confidence interval (CI), 6.5–7.8] and 5.3 months in the placebo arm [CI, 4.6–6.0; hazard ratio (HR), 0.68; 95% CI, 0.58–0.81; P < 0.001, stratified log-rank test]. The trial also demonstrated a statistically significant prolongation of progression-free survival (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.40–0.55; P < 0.001). The most common adverse reactions, in order of decreasing frequency, observed in the patients who received TAS-102 were anemia, neutropenia, asthenia/fatigue, nausea, thrombocytopenia, decreased appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and pyrexia. Adverse events led to discontinuation of TAS-102 in 3.6% of patients, and 13.7% required a dose reduction. The most common adverse reactions leading to dose reduction were neutropenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, and diarrhea. Clin Cancer Res; 23(12); 2924–7. ©2017 AACR.