bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medicaid Coverage of Smoking Cessation Counseling and Medication Is Underutilized for Pregnant Women
Authors: Scheuermann Taneisha S. , Richter Kimber P. , Jacobson Lisette T. , Shireman Theresa I.
Published: October 2016

Introduction:

Policies to promote smoking cessation among Medicaid-insured pregnant women have the potential to assist a significant proportion of pregnant smokers. In 2010, Kansas Medicaid began covering smoking cessation counseling for pregnant smokers. Our aim was to evaluate the use of smoking cessation benefits provided to pregnant women as a result of the Kansas Medicaid policy change that provided reimbursement for physician-provided smoking cessation counseling.

Methods:

We examined Kansas Medicaid claims data to estimate rates of delivery of smoking cessation treatment to Medicaid-insured pregnant women in Kansas from fiscal year 2010 through 2013. We analyzed the number of pregnant women who received physician-provided smoking cessation counseling indicated by procedure billing codes (ie, G0436 and G0437) and medication (ie, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, or varenicline) located in outpatient managed care encounter and fee-for-service claims data. We estimated the number of Medicaid-insured pregnant smokers using the national smoking prevalence (14%) in this population and the number of live births reported in Kansas.

Results:

Annually from 2010 to 2013, approximately 27.2%–31.6% of pregnant smokers had claims for nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, or varenicline. Excluding claims for bupropion, a medication commonly prescribed to treat depression, claims ranged from 9.3% to 11.1%. Following implementation of Medicaid coverage for smoking cessation counseling, less than 1% of estimated smokers had claims for counseling.

Conclusions:

This low claims rate suggests that simply changing policy is not sufficient to ensure use of newly implemented benefits, and that there probably remain critical gaps in smoking cessation treatment.

Implications:

This study evaluates the use of Medicaid reimbursement for smoking cessation counseling among low-income pregnant women in Kansas. We describe the Medicaid claims rates of physician-provided smoking cessation counseling for pregnant women, an evidence-based and universally recommended treatment approach for smoking cessation in this population. Our findings show that claims rates for smoking cessation benefits in this population are very low, even after policy changes to support provision of cessation assistance were implemented. Additional studies are needed to determine whether reimbursement is functioning as intended and identify potential gaps between policy and implementation of evidence-based smoking cessation treatment.
RETRACTED: How does financialization affect functional income distribution? A theoretical clarification and empirical assessment
Authors: Köhler Karsten , Guschanski Alexander , Stockhammer Engelbert
Published: October 2016

It is frequently asserted that financialization has contributed to the decline in the wage share. This article provides a theoretical clarification and a systematic empirical investigation. We identify four arguments for why financialization would affect the wage share: (a) a Political Economy approach focusing on the exit options of firms; (b) a mark-up pricing approach stressing the role of financial overhead costs for firms; (c) increased competition on capital markets and shareholder value orientation; and (d) the role of household debt in increasing workers’ financial vulnerability and undermining their class consciousness. The article compiles a comprehensive set of empirical measures of financialization and uses it to test these hypotheses with a panel regression of 14 OECD countries over the 1989–2011 period. We find strong evidence for negative effects of household debt and evidence for negative effects of financial deregulation on the wage share.
Integrating Molecular QTL Data into Genome-wide Genetic Association Analysis: Probabilistic Assessment of Enrichment and Colocalization
Authors: Wen Xiaoquan , Pique-Regi Roger , Luca Francesca
Published: October 2016

We propose a novel statistical framework for integrating genetic data from molecular quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping into genome-wide genetic association analysis of complex traits, with the primary objectives of quantitatively assessing the enrichment of the molecular QTLs in complex trait-associated genetic variants and the colocalizations of the two types of association signals. We introduce a natural Bayesian hierarchical model that treats the latent association status of molecular QTLs as SNP-level annotations for candidate SNPs for complex traits. We detail a computational procedure to seamlessly perform enrichment, fine-mapping and colocalization analyses, which is a distinct feature compared to the existing colocalization analysis procedures in the literature. The proposed approach is computationally efficient and requires only summary-level statistics. We evaluate and demonstrate the proposed computational approach through extensive simulation studies and the analysis of blood lipid data and the whole blood eQTL data from the GTEx project. In addition, a useful utility from our proposed method enables the computation of expected colocalization signals, which is analogous to the power calculation in genetic association studies. Using this utility, we further illustrate the importance of enrichment analysis on the ability of discovering colocalized signals and the potential limitations of currently available molecular QTL data.
Co-expression networks reveal the tissue-specific regulation of transcription and splicing
Authors: Saha Ashis , Kim Yungil , Gewirtz Ariel D. H. , Jo Brian , Gao Chuan , McDowell Ian C. ,   GTEx Consortium, Engelhardt Barbara E. , Battle Alexis
Published: October 2016

Gene co-expression networks capture biologically important patterns in gene expression data, enabling functional analyses of genes, discovery of biomarkers, and interpretation of regulatory genetic variants. Most network analyses to date have been limited to assessing correlation between total gene expression levels in a single or small sets of tissues. Here, we have reconstructed networks that capture a much more complete set of regulatory relationships, specifically including regulation of relative isoform abundance and splicing, and tissue-specific connections unique to each of a diverse set of tissues. Using the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project v6 RNA-sequencing data across 44 tissues in 449 individuals, we evaluated shared and tissue-specific network relationships. First, we developed a framework called Transcriptome Wide Networks (TWNs) for combining total expression and relative isoform levels into a single sparse network, capturing the complex interplay between the regulation of splicing and transcription. We built TWNs for sixteen tissues, and found that hubs with isoform node neighbors in these networks were strongly enriched for splicing and RNA binding genes, demonstrating their utility in unraveling regulation of splicing in the human transcriptome, and providing a set of candidate shared and tissue-specific regulatory hub genes. Next, we used a Bayesian biclustering model that identifies network edges between genes with co-expression in a single tissue to reconstruct tissue-specific networks (TSNs) for 27 distinct GTEx tissues and for four subsets of related tissues. Using both TWNs and TSNs, we characterized gene co-expression patterns shared across tissues. Finally, we found genetic variants associated with multiple neighboring nodes in our networks, supporting the estimated network structures and identifying 33 genetic variants with distant regulatory impact on transcription and splicing. Our networks provide an improved understanding of the complex relationships between genes in the human transcriptome, including tissue-specificity of gene co-expression, regulation of splicing, and the coordinated impact of genetic variation on transcription.
Optimal use of EEG recordings to target active brain areas with transcranial electrical stimulation
Authors: Dmochowski Jacek P. , Koessler Laurent , Norcia Anthony M. , Bikson Marom , Parra Lucas C.
Published: October 2016

To demonstrate causal relationships between brain and behavior, investigators would like to guide brain stimulation using measurements of neural activity. Particularly promising in this context are electroen-cephalography (EEG) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), as they are linked by a reciprocity principle which, despite being known for decades, has not led to a formalism for relating EEG recordings to optimal stimulation parameters. Here we derive a closed-form expression for the TES configuration that optimally stimulates (i.e., targets) the sources of recorded EEG, without making assumptions about source location or distribution. We also derive a duality between TES targeting and EEG source localization, and demonstrate that in cases where source localization fails, so does the proposed targeting. Numerical simulations with realistic head models confirm these theoretical predictions and quantify the achieved stimulation in terms of focality and intensity. We show that constraining the stimulation currents automatically selects optimal montages that involve only a few (4-7) electrodes, with only incremental loss in performance. The proposed technique allows brain scientists and clinicians to rationally target the sources of observed EEG and thus overcomes a major obstacle to the realization of individualized or closed-loop brain stimulation.
Unbiased K-mer Analysis Reveals Changes in Copy Number of Highly Repetitive Sequences During Maize Domestication and Improvement
Authors: Liu Sanzhen , Zheng Jun , Migeon Pierre , Ren Jie , Hu Ying , He Cheng , Liu Hongjun , Fu Junjie , White Frank F. , Toomajian Christopher , Wang Guoying
Published: October 2016

The major component of complex genomes is repetitive elements, which remain recalcitrant to characterization. Using maize as a model system, we analyzed whole genome shotgun (WGS) sequences for the two maize inbred lines B73 and Mo17 using k-mer analysis to quantify the differences between the two genomes. Significant differences were identified in highly repetitive sequences, including centromere repeats, 45S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), knob, and telomere repeats. Previously unknown genotype specific 45S rDNA sequences were discovered. The B73-specific 45S rDNA is not only located on the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) on chromosome 6 but also dispersed on all the chromosomes in B73, indicating the relatively recent spread of 45S rDNA from the NOR. The B73 and Mo17 polymorphic k-mers were used to examine allele-specific expression of 45S rDNA. Although Mo17 contains higher copy number than B73, equivalent levels of overall 45S rDNA expression indicates that dosage compensation operates for the 45S rDNA in the hybrids. Using WGS sequences of B73xMo17 double haploids (DHs), genomic locations showing differential repetitive contents were genetically mapped. Analysis of WGS sequences of HapMap2 lines, including maize wild progenitor teosintes, landraces, and improved lines, decreases and increases in abundance of additional sets of k-mers associated with centromere repeats, 45S rDNA, knob, and retrotransposon sequences were found between teosinte and maize lines, revealing global evolutionary trends of genomic repeats during maize domestication and improvement.
Brain activity and connectivity attributable to nociceptive signal block
Authors: Meier Michael L , Widmayer Sonja , de Matos Nuno M.P. , Abazi Jetmir , Ettlin Dominik A
Published: October 2016

Converging lines of evidence indicate that the pain experience emerges from distributed cortical nodes that share nociceptive information. While the theory of a single pain center is still not falsifiable by current neuroimaging technology, the validation of distinct brain mechanisms for acute pain and its relief is ongoing and strongly dependent on the employed experimental design. In the current study including a total of 28 subjects, a recently presented, innovative experimental approach was adopted that is able to clearly differentiate painful from non-pain perceptions without changing stimulus strength and while recording brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Namely, we applied a repetitive and purely nociceptive stimulus to the tooth pulp with subsequent suppression of the nociceptive barrage via a regional nerve block. The study aims were 1) to replicate previous findings of acute pain demonstrating a fundamental role of the operculo-insular region and 2) to explore its functional connectivity during pain and subsequent relief. The brain activity reduction in the posterior insula (pINS) due to pain extinction was confirmed. In addition, the posterior S2 region (OP1) showed a similar activity pattern, thus confirming the relevance of the operculo-insular cortex in acute pain processing. Furthermore, the functional connectivity analysis yielded an enhanced positive coupling of the pINS with the cerebellar culmen during pain relief, whereas the OP1 demonstrated a positive coupling with the posterior midcingulate cortex during pain. The current results support the conceptual synthesis of localized specialization of pain processing with interactions across distributed neural targets.
Encoding of locomotion kinematics in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Muzzu Tomaso , Mitolo Susanna , Pietro Gava Giuseppe , Schultz Simon R
Published: October 2016

The cerebellum has a well-established role in locomotion control, but how the cerebellar network regulates locomotion behaviour is still not well understood. We therefore characterized the activity of cerebellar neurons in awake mice engaged in a locomotion task, using high-density silicon electrode arrays. We characterized the activity of over 300 neurons in response to locomotion, finding tuning to speed of locomotion, turning, and phase of the step cycle. We found that the cerebellar neurons we recorded mainly encoded information about future locomotor activity. We were able to decode the speed of locomotion with a simple linear algorithm, needing relatively few well-chosen cells to provide an accurate estimate of locomotion speed. Our observation that cerebellar neuronal activity predicts locomotion in the near future, and encodes the required kinematic variables, points to this activity underlying the efference copy signal for vertebrate locomotion.
Measuring the DNA Content of Cells in Apoptosis and at Different Cell-Cycle Stages by Propidium Iodide Staining and Flow Cytometry
Authors: Crowley Lisa C. , Chojnowski Grace , Waterhouse Nigel J.
Published: October 2016

All cells are created from preexisting cells. This involves complete duplication of the parent cell to create two daughter cells by a process known as the cell cycle. For this process to be successful, the DNA of the parent cell must be faithfully replicated so that each daughter cell receives a full copy of the genetic information. During the cell cycle, the DNA content of the parent cell increases as new DNA is synthesized (S phase). When there are two full copies of the DNA (G2/M phase), the cell splits to form two new cells (G0/G1 phase). As such, cells in different stages of the cell cycle have different DNA contents. The cell cycle is tightly regulated to safeguard the integrity of the cell and any cell that is defective or unable to complete the cell cycle is programmed to die by apoptosis. When this occurs, the DNA is fragmented into oligonucleosomal-sized fragments that are disposed of when the dead cell is removed by phagocytosis. Consequently apoptotic cells have reduced DNA content compared with living cells. This can be measured by staining cells with propidium iodide (PI), a fluorescent molecule that intercalates with DNA at a specific ratio. The level of PI fluorescence in a cell is, therefore, directly proportional to the DNA content of that cell. This protocol describes the use of PI staining to determine the percentage of cells in each phase of the cell cycle and the percentage of apoptotic cells in a sample.
Preparation of Yeast DNA Sequencing Libraries
Authors: Schwartz Katja , Sherlock Gavin
Published: October 2016

This protocol provides a detailed description of how to prepare a DNA sequencing library from yeast genomic DNA for use with the Illumina sequencing platform. This method does not require purchase of Illumina kits for library preparation but instead employs specific reagents purchased largely from New England BioLabs, which significantly reduces the cost of library preparation. Although we assume here that users intend to generate libraries with ∼400-bp insert sizes for paired-end sequencing, it is relatively straightforward to modify the shearing and size selection steps for longer or shorter inserts.
Combining Optogenetics and Electrophysiology to Analyze Projection Neuron Circuits
Authors: Yamawaki Naoki , Suter Benjamin A. , Wickersham Ian R. , Shepherd Gordon M. G.
Published: October 2016

A set of methods is described for channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2)-based synaptic circuit analysis that combines photostimulation of virally transfected presynaptic neurons’ axons with whole-cell electrophysiological recordings from retrogradely labeled postsynaptic neurons. The approach exploits the preserved photoexcitability of ChR2-expressing axons in brain slices and can be used to assess either local or long-range functional connections. Stereotaxic injections are used both to express ChR2 selectively in presynaptic axons of interest (using rabies virus [RV] or adeno-associated virus [AAV]) and to label two types of postsynaptic projection neurons of interest with fluorescent retrograde tracers. In brain slices, tracer-labeled postsynaptic neurons are targeted for whole-cell electrophysiological recordings, and synaptic connections are assessed by sampling voltage or current responses to light-emitting diode (LED) photostimulation of ChR2-expressing axons. The data are analyzed to estimate the relative amplitude of synaptic input and other connectivity parameters. Pharmacological and electrophysiological manipulations extend the versatility of the basic approach, allowing the dissection of monosynaptic versus disynaptic responses, excitatory versus inhibitory responses, and more. The method enables rapid, quantitative characterization of synaptic connectivity between defined pre- and postsynaptic classes of neurons.
Preparation of Plasmid DNA by Alkaline Lysis with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: Minipreps
Authors: Green Michael R. , Sambrook Joseph
Published: October 2016

In this protocol, plasmid DNA is isolated from small-scale (1–2 mL) bacterial cultures. Yields vary between 100 and 5 µg of DNA, depending on the copy number of the plasmid. Miniprep DNA is sufficiently pure for use as a substrate or template in many in vitro enzymatic reactions. However, further purification is required if the plasmid DNA is used as the substrate in sequencing reactions.
Enterprise social media at work: web-based solutions for employee engagement
Authors: Sharma Anshu , Bhatnagar Jyotsna
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The paper aims to highlight the role of enterprise social media as an internal workplace tool for employee engagement purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a viewpoint on how social media can be used internally by organizations after considering both academic and practitioner literature in the respective field.

Findings

The paper posits that organizations should move beyond using social networking tools for recruitment and branding purposes and take a step further to use social media tools internally for employee engagement initiatives. It provides practical implications for managers to embrace social media as an engagement tool and to increase employees’ participation on such media.

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides implications for both researchers and practitioners for using social media as a strategic employee engagement initiative and devising appropriate social media and human resource strategies to do so.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into how enterprise social media can be used as an internal communication tool for engaging employees in this technologically connected era.
Sexual harassment at the workplace: how organizations can pro-actively reduce its incidence
Authors: Malhotra Smitu , Srivastava Arpita
Published: October 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the role of human resources in organizations in preventing sexual harassment (SH) at the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explains how SH is detrimental to the organization and why creating awareness about SH is essential for both men and women in the organization.

Findings

Findings show how organizations can pro-actively prevent the incidence of SH by creating a zero tolerance for SH in organizations with top management commitment and the formulation and enforcement of a policy against SH.

Originality/value

The paper creates a case for proactive preventive measures such as sensitization, policy formulation and enforcement to combat SH in organizations rather than pursuing a reactive approach.
Effect of feed supplementation with kynurenic acid on the morphology of the liver, kidney and gills in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792), healthy and experimentally infected with Yersinia ruckeri
Authors: Kaczorek E , Szarek J , Mikiewicz M , Terech‐Majewska E , Schulz P , Małaczewska J , Wójcik R , Siwicki A K
Published: October 2016

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an endogenous substance produced on the kynurenine pathway which is primarily known for its neuroactive properties. Recently, it has been proven that KYNA is a selective ligand for G protein‐coupled receptor (GPR 35), presented on immunocompetent cells such as T lymphocytes. This opens up new possibilities of its application as an immunostimulating substance in aquaculture. Thus far, no histopathological investigations in fish have been completed to evaluate influence of KYNA supplementation in feed. This study has been undertaken to determine the effect of feed supplementation with KYNA (2.5, 25, 250 mg kg−1 of feed) for 28 days on the liver, gills and kidney in healthy fish and experimentally infected with Yersinia ruckeri. In a control group were observed a fatty liver, which is natural for this fish species in the autumn and winter season. As the dose of the supplement was increased, the fat liver changed, it decreased or completely disappeared. Additionally, inflammatory changes occurred in all the analysed organs, and their intensification was dose dependent. In the fish experimentally infected, KYNA caused aggravation of the signs in the liver, kidneys and gills, and the effect was dose dependent. The results implicate that KYNA may be a stressor for fish.
Computation of scattering of a plane wave from multiple prolate spheroids using the collocation multipole method
Authors: Lee W. M. , Chen J. T.
Published: October 2016

The collocation multipole method is presented to solve three-dimensional acoustic scattering problems with multiple prolate spheroids subjected to a plane sound wave. To satisfy the three-dimensional Helmholtz equation in prolate spheroidal coordinates and the radiation condition at infinity, the scattered field is formulated in terms of radial and angular prolate spheroidal wave functions. Instead of using the complicated addition theorem of prolate spheroidal wave functions, the multipole method, the directional derivative, and the collocation technique are combined to solve multiple scattering problems semi-analytically. For the sound-hard or Neumann conditions, the normal derivative of the acoustic pressure with respect to a non-local prolate spheroidal coordinate system is developed without any truncation error for multiply connected domain problems. By truncating the higher order terms of the multipole expansion, a finite linear algebraic system is obtained and the scattered field is determined from the given incident acoustic wave. Once the total field is calculated as the sum of the incident field and the scattered field, the near field acoustic pressure and the far field scattering pattern are determined. Numerical experiments for convergence are performed to provide the guide lines for the proposed method. The proposed results of acoustic scattering by one, two, and three prolate spheroids are compared with those of an available analytical method and the boundary element method to validate the proposed method. Finally, the effects of the eccentricity of a prolate spheroidal scatterer, the separation between scatterers and the incident wave number on the near-field acoustic pressure and the far-field scattering pattern are investigated.
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia masquerading as multiple pulmonary embolisms
Authors: Saraya Takeshi , Mikura Sunao , Oda Miku , Takizawa Hajime
Published: October 2016

A 47-year-old previously healthy man was admitted to the hospital with a 5-day history of fever, dry cough, and dyspnoea. Thoracic radiographs and CT scan showed extensive bilateral consolidation predominantly involving the central portions of the upper lung lobes, along with multiple scattered nodules. On taking a thorough history, it was found that the patient had visited a gritty 100-year-old Japanese folk house 1 week ago. An urgent bronchoscopy was performed, and the results were consistent with the findings of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). The patient's respiratory distress resolved within 10 days without treatment. Hence, even in an AEP case with atypical radiological presentations, careful history taking can lead to a rapid diagnosis.
Pines and porcupines: a tree-ring analysis of browsing and dynamics of an overmature pine forest
Authors: Rivet Amélie , Payette Serge , Berteaux Dominique , Girard François
Published: October 2016

Past feeding activities of the North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum L.) in an overmature forest were reconstructed using tree-ring dated feeding scars on jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) trees in Parc national du Bic (Quebec). Following a long fire-free period, most pines that regenerated after the 1847 fire are currently senescent, moribund, or dead, and the youngest trees are nearly 100 years old. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), the most abundant species in the regeneration layer, is predicted to replace jack pine given the absence of recent fire and present fire protection practices in the park. According to the age structure of feeding scars, porcupine activity has been particularly high during the 1980s, which is coincident with the creation of the park. Porcupine activity was lower before this decade and in the late 20th century and absent in this century (2000–2015). The recent decrease in the number of feeding scars is consistent with the decline of the porcupine population, as shown by censuses of active dens and inventories of individuals. Observed tree death is linked with tree senescence rather than excessive feeding. In the absence of fire, it is probable that the shift from the overmature pine stand to a balsam fir stand will profoundly affect porcupine activity. This research shows how the study of tree rings can unravel some of the ecological relationships structuring a forest ecosystem through fire, succession, and animal browsing.
Parikh Matrices and Strong M-Equivalence
Authors: Teh Wen Chean
Published: October 2016

Parikh matrices have been a powerful tool in arithmetizing words by numerical quantities. However, the dependence on the ordering of the alphabet is inherited by Parikh matrices. Strong M-equivalence is proposed as a canonical alternative to M-equivalence to get rid of this undesirable property. Some characterization of strong M-equivalence for a restricted class of ternary words is obtained. Finally, the existential counterpart of strong M-equivalence is introduced as well.
Subset Synchronization and Careful Synchronization of Binary Finite Automata
Authors: Vorel Vojtěch
Published: October 2016

We present a strongly exponential lower bound that applies both to the subset synchronization threshold for binary deterministic automata and to the careful synchronization threshold for binary partial automata. In the later form, the result finishes the research initiated by Martyugin (2013). Moreover, we show that both the thresholds remain strongly exponential even if restricted to strongly connected binary automata. In addition, we apply our methods to computational complexity. Existence of a subset reset word is known to be PSPACE-complete; we show that this holds even under the restriction to strongly connected binary automata. The results apply also to the corresponding thresholds in two more general settings: D1- and D3-directable nondeterministic automata and composition sequences over finite domains.
Thermostatistics of bosonic and fermionic Fibonacci oscillators
Authors: Algin Abdullah , Arik Metin , Senay Mustafa , Topcu Gozde
Published: October 2016

In this work, we first introduce some new properties concerning the Fibonacci calculus. We then discuss the thermostatistics of gas models of two-parameter deformed oscillators, called bosonic and fermionic Fibonacci oscillators, in the thermodynamical limit. In this framework, we analyze the behavior of two-parameter deformed mean occupation numbers describing the Fibonacci-type bosonic and fermionic intermediate-statistics particles. A virial expansion of the equation of state for the bosonic Fibonacci oscillators’ gas model is obtained in both two and three dimensions, and the first five virial coefficients are derived in terms of the real independent deformation parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The effect of bosonic and fermionic [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-deformation on the thermostatistical properties of Fibonacci-type [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-boson and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-fermion gas models are also discussed. The results obtained in this work can be useful for investigating some exotic quasiparticle states encountered in condensed matter systems.
Three-dimensional few cycle optical pulses in nonlinear medium with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Belonenko Mikhail B. , Dvuzhilov Ilya S. , Galkina Elena N. , Nevzorova Yulia V.
Published: October 2016

The theoretical problem of three-dimensional few cycle optical pulse (known as light bullet) propagation dynamics was considered in nonlinear medium containing carbon nanotubes. The stable and persistent propagation of optical pulses were found out.
Designing and Implementing a Lightweight WSN MAC Protocol for Smart Home Networking Applications
Authors: Chen Ching-Han , Lin Ming-Yi , Lin Wen-Hung
Published: October 2016

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) represent a promising solution in the fields of the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine networks for smart home applications. However, to feasibly deploy wireless sensor devices in a smart home environment, four key requirements must be satisfied: stability, compatibility, reliability routing, and performance and power balance. In this study, we focus on the unreliability problem of the IEEE 802.15.4 WSN medium access control (MAC), which is caused by the contention-based MAC protocol used for channel access. This problem results in a low packet delivery ratio, particularly in a smart home network with only a few sensor nodes. In this paper, we first propose a lightweight WSN protocol for a smart home or an intelligent building, thus replacing the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, which is highly complex and has a low packet delivery ratio. Subsequently, we describe the development of a discrete event system model for the WSN by using a GRAFCET and propose a development platform based on a reconfigurable FPGA for reducing fabrication cost and time. Finally, a prototype WSN controller ASIC chip without an extra CPU and with our proposed lightweight MAC was developed and tested. It enhanced the packet delivery ratio by up to 100%.
Longitudinal and Transverse Coupling Dynamic Properties of a Timoshenko Beam with Mass Eccentricity
Authors: Lei Zhiyang , Su Jinpeng , Hua Hongxing
Published: October 2016

Non-uniform mass distribution on a beam will lead to the coupling between lateral and axial vibrations of the beam. To simulate the mass eccentricity, a double-layered Timoshenko beam model is developed. Based on Hamilton’s principle, the coupled governing equations are derived and mass and stiffness coupling coefficients are also derived. Moreover, the spectral element method (SEM), with high frequency accuracy by employing the dynamic shape functions, is utilized to study the dynamic properties of the beam. In addition, a corresponding finite element model is established to verify the SEM model. The coupling vibration characteristics are investigated and the coupling mechanism is revealed. Furthermore, the effects of mass non--uniformity on the free vibration and forced vibration of the beam with classical and flexible boundary conditions are analyzed. Finally, an optimal control method for reducing the contributions of bending modes under the axial excitation is presented with the results displayed.
Construction of Lyapunov Functions via Relative Entropy with Application to Caching
Authors: Gast Nicolas
Published: October 2016

We consider a system of interacting objects that is a generalization of the model of the cache-replacement policy RAND(m) introduced in [6]. We provide a mean-field approximation of this system. We show how to use relative entropy to construct a Lyapunov function for this model. This guarantees that the mean-field model converges to its unique fixed point.
Emergence of Shared Behaviour in Distributed Scheduling Systems for Domestic Appliances
Authors: Facchini Alessandro , Rottondi Cristina , Verticale Giacomo
Published: October 2016

When energy prices change during the day, users will schedule their appliances with the aim of minimizing their bill. If the variable price component depends on the peak demand during each given hour, users will distribute their consumption more evenly during the day, resulting in lower peak consumption. The process can be automated by means of an Energy Management System that chooses the best schedule that satisfies the user's delay tolerance threshold. In turn, delay tolerance thresholds may slowly vary over time. In fact, users may be willing to change their threshold to match the threshold of their social group, especially if there is evidence that friends with a more flexible approach have paid a lower bill. We show that social interaction can increase the flexibility of users and lower the peak power, resulting in a more smooth usage of energy throughout the day.
AURORA
Authors: Rossi Claudio , Gaetani Manuel , Defina Antonio
Published: October 2016

Public lighting accounts for a considerable amount of the total electricity consumption. Solutions to reduce its energy (and cost) footprint do exists, and they often translate into costly lamp replacement projects, which cannot be afforded by the majority of municipalities. To solve this situation, we propose Aurora: a low-budget, easy-to-deploy IoT control system that exploits the ubiquity of cellular networks (2- 4G) and scalable Cloud computing architectures to allow Smart Cities to save on the public lighting electrical bill. We deploy Aurora in a mid-size Italian municipality and we evaluate its performance over 4 months to quantify both the power and the economic saving achieved by our solution. We estimate the impact of a city-level Aurora installation and further extend the benefit analysis to most populated EU countries.
Radio Resource Management for Improving Energy Self-sufficiency of Green Mobile Networks
Authors: Dalmasso Mattia , Meo Michela , Renga Daniela
Published: October 2016

Three factors make power supply one of the most urgent and challenging issues for the future of mobile networks. First, the expected fast growth of mobile traffic raises doubts about the sustainability of mobile communications, that already account for 0.5% of the woldwide energy consumption. Second, power supply has become far the largest component of the operational costs of running a network. Third, the deployment of network infrastructures in emerging countries is strategic, but, in these countries, the power grid is not always reliable. Renewable energy sources can help to cope with these issues. However, one of their main drawbacks is the intermittent and difficult to predict energy generation profile. The feasibility of renewable power supply for base station (BS) powering depends then by the possibility to reduce the BS consumption and to adapt it to the amount of available energy.

In this paper, we consider a cluster of BSs powered with photovoltaic (PV) panels and equipped with energy storage units. Resource on Demand (RoD) strategies are implemented to reduce the cluster energy consumption and to adapt it to energy availability. The results show that resource of demand can effectively be applied to make off-grid BS deployment feasible.
Systems biology: impressions from a newcomer graduate student in 2016
Authors: Simpson Melanie Rae
Published: October 2016

As a newcomer, the philosophical basis of systems biology seems intuitive and appealing, the underlying philosophy being that the whole of a living system cannot be completely understood by the study of its individual parts. Yet answers to the questions “What is systems biology?” and “What constitutes a systems biology approach in 2016?” are somewhat more elusive. This seems to be due largely to the diversity of disciplines involved and the varying emphasis placed on the computational modeling and experimental aspects of systems biology. As such, the education of systems biology would benefit from multidisciplinary collaboration with both instructors and students from a range of disciplines within the same course. This essay is the personal reflection of a graduate student trying to get an introductory overview of the field of systems biology and some thoughts about effective education of systems biology.
Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in an Italian Tertiary Referral Centre: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Prognosis
Authors: Accorinti Massimo , Spinucci Giovanni , Pirraglia Maria Pia , Bruschi Simone , Pesci Francesca Romana , Iannetti Ludovico
Published: October 2016

Purpose. To study epidemiology, clinical findings and visual prognosis of patients with Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis (FHI).Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 158 patients with FHI. Thirty-five patients were observed only once; the remaining 123 had a mean follow-up of 30.7 months (50 of them had a mean follow-up of 63.5 months) and in those we assessed complications, medical and surgical treatment, and long-term visual prognosis.Results. Average age at uveitis diagnosis was 27.2 years and 18.3% of patients were children. Blurred vision (54.5%) and floaters (40.5%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms. Small to medium-sized keratic precipitates (95.6%), iris atrophy (86.8%), and vitreous opacities (91.2%) were the most common signs; the prevalence of cataract and IOP increase was 63.5% and 20.1%, respectively, and their incidence was 0.1 and 0.06 eye/year. Significant risk factor for visual loss was IOP increase at presentation (p=0.02). At final examination 98% of the eye had a visual acuity ≥ 0.6, and topical (p<0.001) and systemic (p<0.001) corticosteroids therapy were used less frequently than before referral.Conclusions. FHI has a good visual prognosis, despite the significant incidence of cataract and glaucoma. A correct and prompt diagnosis might avoid unnecessary therapies and provide excellent visual outcomes.
Timing of Pars Plana Vitrectomy in Management of Gunshot Perforating Eye Injury: Observational Study
Authors: Ghoraba Hammouda Hamdy , Heikal Mohamed Amin , Mansour Hosam Osman , Abdelfattah Haithem Mamon , Elgemai Emad Mohamed , Zaky Adel Galal
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study is to report the difference in either anatomical or functional outcome of vitreoretinal intervention in cases of gunshot perforating eye injury if done 2–4 weeks or after the 4th week after the original trauma. Patients were treated with pars plana vitrectomy and silicon oil. Surgeries were performed in the period from February 2011 until the end of December 2014. 253 eyes of 237 patients were reviewed. 46 eyes were excluded. 207 eyes of 197 patients were analyzed. The included eyes were classified based on the timing of vitrectomy in relation to the initial trauma into two groups: 149 eyes (the first group) operated on between the 3rd and the 4th week and 58 eyes (the second group) operated on after the 4th week after the trauma. Following one surgical intervention, in the first group, attached retina was achieved in 93.28% of patients. In the second group, attached retina was achieved in 96.55% of patients. All RD cases could be attached by a second surgery. Visual acuity improved in 81.21% of patients, did not change in 15.43% of patients, and declined in 3.35% of patients. In the second group, visual acuity improved in 81.03% of patients, did not change in 12.06% of patients, and worsened in 6.89% of patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in either anatomical or functional results. We recommend interfering before the 5th week after the trauma as retinal detachment is encountered more in cases operated on after the 4th week. The visual outcome depends on the site of entry and exit (the route of gunshot).
Diagnosis and Management of Spontaneous Lumbar Venous Retroperitoneal Hematoma in Setting of Deep Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report and Algorithm
Authors: Tseng Joseph , Leshen Michael , Chapman Todd , Scott Ryan , Kalinkin Olga
Published: October 2016

Retroperitoneal hematoma is rare and benefits from a systematic approach to prevent morbidity and mortality. Management of such bleeds is based upon patient stability, the cause (spontaneous or posttraumatic), and source (arterial or venous). Herein, the authors describe a diagnostic and management algorithm for retroperitoneal hemorrhage with an example of a rare lumbar venous bleed under the complicated clinical setting of deep venous thrombosis.
Metformin Prevents Renal Stone Formation through an Antioxidant Mechanism In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Yang Xiong , Ding Hao , Qin Zhenbang , Zhang Changwen , Qi Shiyong , Zhang Hongtuan , Yang Tong , He Zhen , Yang Kuo , Du E , Liu Chunyu , Xu Yong , Zhang Zhihong
Published: October 2016

Oxidative stress is a causal factor and key promoter of urolithiasis associated with renal tubular epithelium cell injury. The present study was designed to investigate the preventive effects of metformin on renal tubular cell injury induced by oxalate and stone formation in a hyperoxaluric rat model. MTT assays were carried out to determine the protection of metformin from oxalate‐induced cytotoxicity. The intracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in vitro. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into control group, ethylene glycol (EG) treated group, and EG + metformin treated group. Oxidative stress and crystal formations were evaluated in renal tissues after 8‐week treatment. Metformin significantly inhibited the decrease of the viability in MDCK cells and HK‐2 cells induced by oxalate. Besides, metformin markedly prevented the increased concentration of MDA and the decreased tendency of SOD in oxalate‐induced MDCK cells and HK‐2 cells. In vivo, the increased MDA levels and the reduction of SOD activity were detected in the EG treated group compared with controls, while these parameters reversed in the EG + metformin treated group. Kidney crystal formation in the EG + metformin treated group was decreased significantly compared with the EG treated group. Metformin suppressed urinary crystal deposit formation through renal tubular cell protection and antioxidative effects.
The CXCL10/CXCR3 Axis and Cardiac Inflammation: Implications for Immunotherapy to Treat Infectious and Noninfectious Diseases of the Heart
Authors: Altara Raffaele , Mallat Ziad , Booz George W. , Zouein Fouad A.
Published: October 2016

Accumulating evidence reveals involvement of T lymphocytes and adaptive immunity in the chronic inflammation associated with infectious and noninfectious diseases of the heart, including coronary artery disease, Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathies, Chagas, hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and nonischemic heart failure. Chemokine CXCL10 is elevated in cardiovascular diseases, along with increased cardiac infiltration of proinflammatory Th1 and cytotoxic T cells. CXCL10 is a chemoattractant for these T cells and polarizing factor for the proinflammatory phenotype. Thus, targeting the CXCL10 receptor CXCR3 is a promising therapeutic approach to treating cardiac inflammation. Due to biased signaling CXCR3 also couples to anti-inflammatory signaling and immunosuppressive regulatory T cell formation when activated by CXCL11. Numbers and functionality of regulatory T cells are reduced in patients with cardiac inflammation, supporting the utility of biased agonists or biologicals to simultaneously block the pro-inflammatory and activate the anti-inflammatory actions of CXCR3. Other immunotherapy strategies to boost regulatory T cell actions include intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, adoptive transfer, immunoadsorption, and low-dose interleukin-2/interleukin-2 antibody complexes. Pharmacological approaches include sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 agonists and vitamin D supplementation. A combined strategy of switching CXCR3 signaling from pro- to anti-inflammatory and improving Treg functionality is predicted to synergistically lessen adverse cardiac remodeling.
Arterial Calcium Stimulation with Hepatic Venous Sampling in the Localization Diagnosis of Endogenous Hyperinsulinism
Authors: Moreno-Moreno Paloma , Alhambra-Expósito María Rosa , Herrera-Martínez Aura Dulcinea , Palomares-Ortega Rafel , Zurera-Tendero Luis , Espejo Herrero Juan José , Gálvez-Moreno María Angeles
Published: October 2016

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of arterial calcium stimulation with hepatic venous sampling (ASVS) in the localization diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism.Patients and Methods. A retrospective descriptive study was performed including patients with endogenous hyperinsulinism who underwent ASVS. The histopathological diagnosis in patients who underwent a surgical procedure was used as the reference for the statistical study of the accuracy of this technique.Results. 30 patients were included with endogenous hyperinsulinism and nonconclusive imaging diagnosis was included. ASVS was performed in all cases. Surgery was performed in 20 cases. Insulinoma was removed in 19 patients; the location of all cases was detected in the ASVS. All cases of endogenous hyperinsulinism had a positive result for the ASVS, with this association being statistically significant (χ2=15.771;p<0.001). A good and statistically significant agreement was obtained between histopathologic diagnosis and ASVS results (K=0.518,p<0.001).Conclusions. ASVS is a useful procedure in the localization diagnosis of endogenous hyperinsulinism undetected by other imaging tests. This technique allows the localization of intrapancreatic insulinomas and represents useful tool for the diagnosis and surgical management of these tumors.