bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Dimensional Image Data Sets Retrieval: Improving Accuracy Using a Weighted Relevance Feedback
Authors: Gallas Abir , Barhoumi Walid , Zagrouba Ezzeddine
Published: October 2015

The user's interaction with the retrieval engines, while seeking a particular image (or set of images) in large-scale databases, defines better his request. This interaction is essentially provided by a relevance feedback step. In fact, the semantic gap is increasing in a remarkable way due to the application of approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) algorithms aiming at resolving the curse of dimensionality. Therefore, an additional step of relevance feedback is necessary in order to get closer to the user's expectations in the next few retrieval iterations. In this context, this paper details a classification of the different relevance feedback techniques related to region-based image retrieval applications. Moreover, a technique of relevance feedback based on re-weighting regions of the query-image by selecting a set of negative examples is elaborated. Furthermore, the general context to carry out this technique which is the large-scale heterogeneous image collections indexing and retrieval is presented. In fact, the main contribution of the proposed work is affording efficient results with the minimum number of relevance feedback iterations for high dimensional image databases. Experiments and assessments are carried out within an RBIR system for "Wang" data set in order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Musical Fundamental Frequency Estimator Based on Harmonic Pattern Match
Authors: Luo Li , Bruck Guido H. , Jung Peter
Published: October 2015

The fundamental frequency (F0) plays a vital role in music signal analysis and processing. However, due to non-stationary noise, undesired physical vibration from the musical instruments, the robust estimation of F0 remains a main challenge. In this paper, a F0 estimation algorithm of music signals based on harmonic pattern match (HPM) is described to achieve more reliable estimation accuracy. The algorithm utilizes the autocorrelation both in the time domain and in the frequency domain, exploiting the spectrum subset to guide the search of F0 candidates (FCs), and an efficient mechanism to evaluate the match between each FC and the harmonic pattern of the input signal. The harmonic pattern of the measured spectrum is presented by sub-pitch in each segmented sub-band. Finally, the estimated $$ \hat{F}_0$$ is selected to best match the sub-pitches under a weighting strategy. Evaluation experiments were performed over a musical instruments database consisting of single pitched notes and the viability of the HPM algorithm was demonstrated to be competitive with several other F0 estimators.
Maintenance of Plant Species Diversity by Pathogens
Authors: Bever James D. , Mangan Scott A. , Alexander Helen M.
Published: October 2015

We present strong evidence that pathogens play a critical role in structuring plant communities and maintaining plant diversity. Pathogens mediate plant species coexistence through trade-offs between competitive ability and resistance to pathogens and through pathogen specialization. Experimental tests of individual plant–pathogen interactions, tests of feedback through host-specific changes in soil communities, and field patterns and field experimentation consistently identify pathogens as important to plant species coexistence. These direct tests are supported by observations of the role of pathogens in generating the productivity gains from manipulations of plant diversity and by evidence that escape from native pathogens contributes to success of introduced plant species. Further work is necessary to test the role of pathogen dynamics in large-scale patterns of plant diversity and range limits, the robustness of coexistence to coevolutionary dynamics, the contribution of different pathogens, and the role of pathogens in plant succession.
Understanding Language from a Genomic Perspective
Authors: Graham Sarah A. , Fisher Simon E.
Published: October 2015

Language is a defining characteristic of the human species, but its foundations remain mysterious. Heritable disorders offer a gateway into biological underpinnings, as illustrated by the discovery that FOXP2 disruptions cause a rare form of speech and language impairment. The genetic architecture underlying language-related disorders is complex, and although some progress has been made, it has proved challenging to pinpoint additional relevant genes with confidence. Next-generation sequencing and genome-wide association studies are revolutionizing understanding of the genetic bases of other neurodevelopmental disorders, like autism and schizophrenia, and providing fundamental insights into the molecular networks crucial for typical brain development. We discuss how a similar genomic perspective, brought to the investigation of language-related phenotypes, promises to yield equally informative discoveries. Moreover, we outline how follow-up studies of genetic findings using cellular systems and animal models can help to elucidate the biological mechanisms involved in the development of brain circuits supporting language.
Gene × Environment Determinants of Stress- and Anxiety-Related Disorders
Authors: Sharma Sumeet , Powers Abigail , Bradley Bekh , Ressler Kerry J.
Published: October 2015

The burgeoning field of gene-by-environment (G×E) interactions has revealed fascinating biological insights, particularly in the realm of stress-, anxiety-, and depression-related disorders. In this review we present an integrated view of the study of G×E interactions in stress and anxiety disorders, including the evolution of genetic association studies from genetic epidemiology to contemporary large-scale genome-wide association studies and G×E studies. We convey the importance of consortia efforts and collaboration to gain the large sample sizes needed to move the field forward. Finally, we discuss several robust and well-reproduced G×E interactions and demonstrate how epidemiological identification of G×E interactions has naturally led to a plethora of basic research elucidating the mechanisms of high-impact genetic variants.
The sodium-bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe2 (slc4a5) expressed in human renal proximal tubules shows increased apical expression under high-salt conditions
Authors: Gildea John J. , Xu Peng , Carlson Julia M. , Gaglione Robert T. , Bigler Wang Dora , Kemp Brandon A. , Reyes Camellia M. , McGrath Helen E. , Carey Robert M. , Jose Pedro A. , Felder Robin A.
Published: October 2015

The electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter (NBCe2) is encoded by SLC4A5, variants of which have been associated with salt sensitivity of blood pressure, which affects 25% of the adult population. NBCe2 is thought to mediate sodium bicarbonate cotransport primarily in the renal collecting duct, but NBCe2 mRNA is also found in the rodent renal proximal tubule (RPT). The protein expression or function of NBCe2 has not been demonstrated in the human RPT. We validated an NBCe2 antibody by shRNA and Western blot analysis, as well as overexpression of an epitope-tagged NBCe2 construct in both RPT cells (RPTCs) and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Using this validated NBCe2 antibody, we found NBCe2 protein expression in the RPT of fresh and frozen human kidney slices, RPTCs isolated from human urine, and isolated RPTC apical membrane. Under basal conditions, NBCe2 was primarily found in the Golgi, while NBCe1 was primarily found at the basolateral membrane. Following an acute short-term increase in intracellular sodium, NBCe2 expression was increased at the apical membrane in cultured slices of human kidney and polarized, immortalized RPTCs. Sodium bicarbonate transport was increased by monensin and overexpression of NBCe2, decreased by NBCe2 shRNA, but not by NBCe1 shRNA, and blocked by 2,2′-(1,2-ethenediyl)bis[5-isothiocyanato-benzenesulfonic acid]. NBCe2 could be important in apical sodium and bicarbonate cotransport under high-salt conditions; the implication of the ex vivo studies to the in vivo situation when salt intake is increased remains unclear. Therefore, future studies will examine the role of NBCe2 in mediating increased renal sodium transport in humans whose blood pressures are elevated by an increase in sodium intake.
Spatiotemporal distribution of location and object effects in reach-to-grasp kinematics
Authors: Rouse Adam G. , Schieber Marc H.
Published: October 2015

In reaching to grasp an object, the arm transports the hand to the intended location as the hand shapes to grasp the object. Prior studies that tracked arm endpoint and grip aperture have shown that reaching and grasping, while proceeding in parallel, are interdependent to some degree. Other studies of reaching and grasping that have examined the joint angles of all five digits as the hand shapes to grasp various objects have not tracked the joint angles of the arm as well. We, therefore, examined 22 joint angles from the shoulder to the five digits as monkeys reached, grasped, and manipulated in a task that dissociated location and object. We quantified the extent to which each angle varied depending on location, on object, and on their interaction, all as a function of time. Although joint angles varied depending on both location and object beginning early in the movement, an early phase of location effects in joint angles from the shoulder to the digits was followed by a later phase in which object effects predominated at all joint angles distal to the shoulder. Interaction effects were relatively small throughout the reach-to-grasp. Whereas reach trajectory was influenced substantially by the object, grasp shape was comparatively invariant to location. Our observations suggest that neural control of reach-to-grasp may occur largely in two sequential phases: the first determining the location to which the arm transports the hand, and the second shaping the entire upper extremity to grasp and manipulate the object.
Corticotropin-releasing factor increases Purkinje neuron excitability by modulating sodium, potassium, and Ih currents
Authors: Libster Avraham M. , Title Ben , Yarom Yosef
Published: October 2015

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a neuromodulator closely associated with stress responses. It is synthesized and released in the central nervous system by various neurons, including neurons of the inferior olive. The targets of inferior olivary neurons, the cerebellar Purkinje neurons (PNs), are endowed with CRF receptors. CRF increases the excitability of PNs in vivo, but the biophysical mechanism is not clear. Here we examine the effect of CRF on the firing properties of PNs using acute rat cerebellar slices. CRF increased the PN firing rate, regardless of whether they were firing tonically or switching between firing and quiescent periods. Current- and voltage-clamp experiments showed that the increase in firing rate was associated with a voltage shift of the activation curve of the persistent sodium current and hyperpolarizing-activated current, as well as activation of voltage-dependent potassium current. The multiple effects on various ionic currents, which are in agreement with the possibility that activation of CRF receptors triggers several intracellular pathways, are manifested as an increase excitability of PN.
A Secure Privacy-Preserving Data Aggregation Model in Wearable Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Changlun , Li Chao , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2015

With the rapid development and widespread use of wearable wireless sensors, data aggregation technique becomes one of the most important research areas. However, the sensitive data collected by sensor nodes may be leaked at the intermediate aggregator nodes. So, privacy preservation is becoming an increasingly important issue in security data aggregation. In this paper, we propose a security privacy-preserving data aggregation model, which adopts a mixed data aggregation structure. Data integrity is verified both at cluster head and at base station. Some nodes adopt slicing technology to avoid the leak of data at the cluster head in inner-cluster. Furthermore, a mechanism is given to locate the compromised nodes. The analysis shows that the model is robust to many attacks and has a lower communication overhead.
Tracking Control for Switched Cascade Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Dong Xiaoxiao , Chang Linyan , Wu Fangfang , Hu Na
Published: October 2015

The issue ofH∞output tracking for switched cascade nonlinear systems is discussed in this paper, where not all the linear parts of subsystems are stabilizable. The conditions of the solvability for the issue are given by virtue of the structural characteristics of the systems and the average dwell time method, in which the total activation time for stabilizable subsystems is longer than that for the unstabilizable subsystems. At last, a simulation example is used to demonstrate the validity and advantages of the proposed approach.
Structural and Computational Biology in the Design of Immunogenic Vaccine Antigens
Authors: Liljeroos Lassi , Malito Enrico , Ferlenghi Ilaria , Bottomley Matthew James
Published: October 2015

Vaccination is historically one of the most important medical interventions for the prevention of infectious disease. Previously, vaccines were typically made of rather crude mixtures of inactivated or attenuated causative agents. However, over the last 10–20 years, several important technological and computational advances have enabled major progress in the discovery and design of potently immunogenic recombinant protein vaccine antigens. Here we discuss three key breakthrough approaches that have potentiated structural and computational vaccine design. Firstly, genomic sciences gave birth to the field of reverse vaccinology, which has enabled the rapid computational identification of potential vaccine antigens. Secondly, major advances in structural biology, experimental epitope mapping, and computational epitope prediction have yielded molecular insights into the immunogenic determinants defining protective antigens, enabling their rational optimization. Thirdly, and most recently, computational approaches have been used to convert this wealth of structural and immunological information into the design of improved vaccine antigens. This review aims to illustrate the growing power of combining sequencing, structural and computational approaches, and we discuss how this may drive the design of novel immunogens suitable for future vaccines urgently needed to increase the global prevention of infectious disease.
Modeling and Fault Diagnosis of Interturn Short Circuit for Five-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Yang Jian-wei , Dou Man-feng , Dai Zhi-yong
Published: October 2015

Taking advantage of the high reliability, multiphase permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs), such as five-phase PMSM and six-phase PMSM, are widely used in fault-tolerant control applications. And one of the important fault-tolerant control problems is fault diagnosis. In most existing literatures, the fault diagnosis problem focuses on the three-phase PMSM. In this paper, compared to the most existing fault diagnosis approaches, a fault diagnosis method for Interturn short circuit (ITSC) fault of five-phase PMSM based on the trust region algorithm is presented. This paper has two contributions. (1) Analyzing the physical parameters of the motor, such as resistances and inductances, a novel mathematic model for ITSC fault of five-phase PMSM is established. (2) Introducing an object function related to the Interturn short circuit ratio, the fault parameters identification problem is reformulated as the extreme seeking problem. A trust region algorithm based parameter estimation method is proposed for tracking the actual Interturn short circuit ratio. The simulation and experimental results have validated the effectiveness of the proposed parameter estimation method.
Age-Related Differences in Percentages of Regulatory and Effector T Lymphocytes and Their Subsets in Healthy Individuals and Characteristic STAT1/STAT5 Signalling Response in Helper T Lymphocytes
Authors: Holcar Marija , Goropevšek Aleš , Ihan Alojz , Avčin Tadej
Published: October 2015

The dynamic process of the development of the immune system can in itself result in age-related immune malfunctions. In this study, we analysed lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of 60 healthy donors, divided into groups of children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on effector (Teff) and regulatory (Treg) T lymphocytes and STAT1/STAT5 signalling response in helper T lymphocytes (Th) in adults, using flow cytometry. Our results demonstrate a decrease in the percentage of total Tregs and an increase in the percentage of total Teffs with age and a consequential immense increase in the Teff/Treg ratio. The increase of Teffs was most apparent in Th1, Th1Th17, and Th17CD161− subsets. Significant Th lymphocyte STAT1 expression differences were observed between children and adolescents, which were associated with the decrease in activated Tregs. Higher expression of STAT1 was found in FoxP3hi than in FoxP3low Th lymphocytes, while significant IL-2 induced STAT5 phosphorylation differences were found among the subsets of Th lymphocytes in adults. Our study demonstrates age-related changes in circulating Teff and Treg, as well as significant differences in STAT5/STAT1 signalling among FoxP3+ Th lymphocytes, providing new advances in the understanding of immunosenescence.
Comparison of Repellency Effect of Mosquito Repellents for DEET, Citronella, and Fennel Oil
Authors: Yoon Jong Kwang , Kim Kang-Chang , Cho Yeondong , Gwon Yong-Dae , Cho Han Sam , Heo Yoonki , Park Kihoon , Lee Yang-Won , Kim Mijeong , Oh Yu-Kyoung , Kim Young Bong
Published: October 2015

To confirm that Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) guidelines are applicable to test the efficacy of mosquito repellents, these guidelines were used to test the efficacy and complete protection times (CPTs) of three representative mosquito repellents: N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), citronella, and fennel oil. The repellency of citronella oil decreased over time, from 97.9% at 0 h to 71.4% at 1 h and 57.7% at 2 h, as did the repellency of fennel oil, from 88.6% at 0 h to 61.2% at 1 h and 47.4% at 2 h. In contrast, the repellency of DEET remained over 90% for 6 h. The CPT of DEET (360 min) was much longer than the CPTs of citronella (10.5 min) and fennel oil (8.4 min). These results did not differ significantly from previous findings, and hence confirm that the KFDA guidelines are applicable for testing the efficacy of mosquito repellents.
Bulk Density Adjustment of Resin-Based Equivalent Material for Geomechanical Model Test
Authors: Fan Pengxian , Xing Haozhe , Ma Linjian , Jiang Kaifeng , Wang Mingyang , Yan Zechen , Fang Xiang
Published: October 2015

An equivalent material is of significance to the simulation of prototype rock in geomechanical model test. Researchers attempt to ensure that the bulk density of equivalent material is equal to that of prototype rock. In this work, barite sand was used to increase the bulk density of a resin-based equivalent material. The variation law of the bulk density was revealed in the simulation of a prototype rock of a different bulk density. Over 300 specimens were made for uniaxial compression test. Test results indicated that the substitution of quartz sand by barite sand had no apparent influence on the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus of the specimens but can increase the bulk density, according to the proportional coarse aggregate content. An ideal linearity was found in the relationship between the barite sand substitution ratio and the bulk density. The relationship between the bulk density and the usage of coarse aggregate and barite sand was also presented. The test results provided an insight into the bulk density adjustment of resin-based equivalent materials.
Feature Learning for Fingerprint-Based Positioning in Indoor Environment
Authors: Zheng Zengwei , Chen Yuanyi , He Tao , Sun Lin , Chen Dan
Published: October 2015

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in using Wi-Fi received signal strength for indoor fingerprint-based positioning. However, previous study about this problem has primarily faced two main challenges. One is that positioning fingerprint feature using received signal strength is unstable due to heterogeneous devices and dynamic environment status, which will greatly degrade the positioning accuracy. Another is that some improved positioning fingerprint features will suffer the curse of dimensionality in online positioning. In this paper, we designed a novel positioning fingerprint feature using the segment similarity of Wi-Fi access points, considering both the received signal strength value and the Wi-Fi access point. Based on this designed fingerprint feature, we proposed a two-stage positioning algorithm for indoor fingerprint-based positioning. Experiment results indicate that our proposed positioning methodology can not only achieve better positioning performance but also consume less positioning time compared to three baseline methods.
A Robust Method for Speech Emotion Recognition Based on Infinite Student’st-Mixture Model
Authors: Zhang Xinran , Tao Huawei , Zha Cheng , Xu Xinzhou , Zhao Li
Published: October 2015

Speech emotion classification method, proposed in this paper, is based on Student’st-mixture model with infinite component number (iSMM) and can directly conduct effective recognition for various kinds of speech emotion samples. Compared with the traditional GMM (Gaussian mixture model), speech emotion model based on Student’st-mixture can effectively handle speech sample outliers that exist in the emotion feature space. Moreover,t-mixture model could keep robust to atypical emotion test data. In allusion to the high data complexity caused by high-dimensional space and the problem of insufficient training samples, a global latent space is joined to emotion model. Such an approach makes the number of components divided infinite and forms an iSMM emotion model, which can automatically determine the best number of components with lower complexity to complete various kinds of emotion characteristics data classification. Conducted over one spontaneous (FAU Aibo Emotion Corpus) and two acting (DES and EMO-DB) universal speech emotion databases which have high-dimensional feature samples and diversiform data distributions, the iSMM maintains better recognition performance than the comparisons. Thus, the effectiveness and generalization to the high-dimensional data and the outliers are verified. Hereby, the iSMM emotion model is verified as a robust method with the validity and generalization to outliers and high-dimensional emotion characters.
Prognostic Value of High CXCR4 Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma: A System Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Du Yuefeng , Long Qingzhi , Guan Bing , Mu Lijun
Published: October 2015

Background. Recent studies have shown that CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is involved in the progression and metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, the prognostic value of CXCR4 expression in RCC remains controversial. The aim of our meta-analysis is to evaluate the prognostic value of high CXCR4 expression in RCC.Methods. Relevant studies focused on the relationship between high CXCR4 expression and the outcome of RCC were searched in PubMed and EMBASE/Cochrane Library database. Hazard ratios (HRs) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were our evaluation index. The individual and pooled HRs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed.Results. A total of 1068 patients from 7 studies were included in our meta-analysis. The results suggested that high CXCR4 expression predicted a poor OS (random effect model (REM) HR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.80−4.27) and PFS (REM HR = 4.83, 95% CI = 2.30−10.15) for RCC patients.Conclusion. The results of meta-analysis indicated that high CXCR4 expression was correlated with worse OS and PFS for patients with RCC. However, some larger samples and well-matched studies should be designed to estimate the potential prognosis of RCC patients.
Breakdown of Epithelial Barrier Integrity and Overdrive Activation of Alveolar Epithelial Cells in the Pathogenesis of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Yanagi Shigehisa , Tsubouchi Hironobu , Miura Ayako , Matsumoto Nobuhiro , Nakazato Masamitsu
Published: October 2015

Individual alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) collaboratively form a tight barrier between atmosphere and fluid-filled tissue to enable normal gas exchange. The tight junctions of AECs provide intercellular sealing and are integral to the maintenance of the AEC barrier integrity. Disruption and failure of reconstitution of AEC barrier result in catastrophic consequences, leading to alveolar flooding and subsequent devastating fibrotic scarring. Recent evidences reveal that many of the fibrotic lung diseases involve AECs both as a frequent target of injury and as a driver of ongoing pathological processes. Aberrantly activated AECs express most of the growth factors and chemokines responsible for the proliferation, migration, and activation of fibroblasts. Current evidences suggest that AECs may acquire overdrive activation in the initial step of fibrosis by several mechanisms, including abnormal recapitulation of the developmental pathway, defects of the molecules essential for epithelial integrity, and acceleration of aging-related properties. Among these initial triggering events, epithelial Pten, a multiple phosphatase that negatively regulates the PI3K/Akt pathway and is crucial for lung development, is essential for the prevention of alveolar flooding and lung fibrosis through the regulation of AEC barrier integrity after injury. Reestablishment of AEC barrier integrity also involves the deployment of specialized stem/progenitor cells.
Detecting Cyber-Attacks on Wireless Mobile Networks Using Multicriterion Fuzzy Classifier with Genetic Attribute Selection
Authors: El-Alfy El-Sayed M. , Al-Obeidat Feras N.
Published: October 2015

With the proliferation of wireless and mobile network infrastructures and capabilities, a wide range of exploitable vulnerabilities emerges due to the use of multivendor and multidomain cross-network services for signaling and transport of Internet- and wireless-based data. Consequently, the rates and types of cyber-attacks have grown considerably and current security countermeasures for protecting information and communication may be no longer sufficient. In this paper, we investigate a novel methodology based on multicriterion decision making and fuzzy classification that can provide a viable second-line of defense for mitigating cyber-attacks. The proposed approach has the advantage of dealing with various types and sizes of attributes related to network traffic such as basic packet headers, content, and time. To increase the effectiveness and construct optimal models, we augmented the proposed approach with a genetic attribute selection strategy. This allows efficient and simpler models which can be replicated at various network components to cooperatively detect and report malicious behaviors. Using three datasets covering a variety of network attacks, the performance enhancements due to the proposed approach are manifested in terms of detection errors and model construction times.
Efficiency Improvements of Antenna Optimization Using Orthogonal Fractional Experiments
Authors: Chen Yen-Sheng , Ku Ting-Yu
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an extremely efficient method for antenna design and optimization. Traditionally, antenna optimization relies on nature-inspired heuristic algorithms, which are time-consuming due to their blind-search nature. In contrast, design of experiments (DOE) uses a completely different framework from heuristic algorithms, reducing the design cycle by formulating the surrogates of a design problem. However, the number of required simulations grows exponentially if a full factorial design is used. In this paper, a much more efficient technique is presented to achieve substantial time savings. By using orthogonal fractional experiments, only a small subset of the full factorial design is required, yet the resultant response surface models are still effective. The capability of orthogonal fractional experiments is demonstrated through three examples, including two tag antennas for radio-frequency identification (RFID) applications and one internal antenna for long-term-evolution (LTE) handheld devices. In these examples, orthogonal fractional experiments greatly improve the efficiency of DOE, thereby facilitating the antenna design with less simulation runs.
Locating High-Impedance Fault Section in Electric Power Systems Using Wavelet Transform,k-Means, Genetic Algorithms, and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Hong Ying-Yi , Huang Wei-Shun
Published: October 2015

High-impedance faults (HIFs) caused by downed conductors in electric power systems are in general difficult to be detected using traditional protection relays due to small fault currents. The energized downed conductor can pose a safety risk to the public and cause a fire hazard. This paper presents a new method for locating the line (feeder) section of the HIF with the help of limited measurements in electric power systems. The discrete wavelet transform is used to extract the features of transients caused by HIFs. A modifiedk-means algorithm associated with genetic algorithms is then utilized to determine the placement of measurement facilities. The signal energies attained by wavelet coefficients serve as inputs to the support vector machine for locating the HIF line section. The simulation results obtained from an 18-busbar distribution system show the applicability of the proposed method.
Application ofT2Control Charts and Hidden Markov Models in Condition-Based Maintenance at Thermoelectric Power Plants
Authors: Kisić Emilija , Đurović Željko , Kovačević Branko , Petrović Vera
Published: October 2015

An innovative approach to condition-based maintenance of coal grinding subsystems at thermoelectric power plants is proposed in the paper. Coal mill grinding tables become worn over time and need to be replaced through time-based maintenance, after a certain number of service hours. At times such replacement is necessary earlier or later than prescribed, depending on the quality of the coal and of the grinding table itself. Considerable financial losses are incurred when the entire coal grinding subsystem is shut down and the grinding table found to not actually require replacement. The only way to determine whether replacement is necessary is to shut down and open the entire subsystem for visual inspection. The proposed algorithm supports condition-based maintenance and involves the application ofT2control charts to distinct acoustic signal parameters in the frequency domain and the construction of Hidden Markov Models whose observations are coded samples from the control charts. In the present research, the acoustic signals were collected by coal mill monitoring at the thermoelectric power plant “Kostolac” in Serbia. The proposed approach provides information about the current condition of the grinding table.
Cardiac Arrest in Pregnancy
Authors: Jeejeebhoy Farida M. , Zelop Carolyn M. , Lipman Steve , Carvalho Brendan , Joglar Jose , Mhyre Jill M. , Katz Vern L. , Lapinsky Stephen E. , Einav Sharon , Warnes Carole A. , Page Richard L. , Griffin Russell E. , Jain Amish , Dainty Katie N. , Arafeh Julie , Windrim Rory , Koren Gideon , Callaway Clifton W.
Published: October 2015

This is the first scientific statement from the American Heart Association on maternal resuscitation. This document will provide readers with up-to-date and comprehensive information, guidelines, and recommendations for all aspects of maternal resuscitation. Maternal resuscitation is an acute event that involves many subspecialties and allied health providers; this document will be relevant to all healthcare providers who are involved in resuscitation and specifically maternal resuscitation.
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor-α Association With Silent Information Regulator 1 Suppresses Cardiac Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Failing Heart
Authors: Oka Shin-ichi , Zhai Peiyong , Yamamoto Takanobu , Ikeda Yoshiyuki , Byun Jaemin , Hsu Chiao-Po , Sadoshima Junichi
Published: October 2015

Background—

Heart failure is accompanied by changes in cardiac metabolism characterized by reduced fatty acid (FA) utilization. However, the underlying mechanism and its causative involvement in the progression of heart failure are poorly understood. The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPARα)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer promotes transcription of genes involved in FA metabolism through binding to the PPAR response element, called direct repeat 1 (DR1). Silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1) is a histone deacetylase, which interacts with PPARα.

Methods and Results—

To investigate the role of PPARα in the impaired FA utilization observed during heart failure, genetically altered mice were subjected to pressure overload. The DNA binding of PPARα, RXRα, and Sirt1 to DR1 was evaluated with oligonucleotide pull-down and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Although the binding of PPARα to DR1 was enhanced in response to pressure overload, that of RXRα was attenuated. Sirt1 competes with RXRα to dimerize with PPARα, thereby suppressing FA utilization in the failing heart. DR1 sequence analysis indicated that the typical DR1 sequence favors PPARα/RXRα heterodimerization, whereas the switch from RXRα to Sirt1 takes place on degenerate DR1s. Sirt1 bound to PPARα through a region homologous to the PPARα binding domain in RXRα. A short peptide corresponding to the RXRα domain not only inhibited the interaction between PPARα and Sirt1 but also improved FA metabolism and ameliorated cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions—

A change in the heterodimeric partner of PPARα from RXRα to Sirt1 is responsible for the impaired FA metabolism and cardiac dysfunction in the failing heart.
Prevention of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression by Targeted Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity With Batimastat-Loaded Nanoparticles
Authors: Nosoudi Nasim , Nahar-Gohad Pranjal , Sinha Aditi , Chowdhury Aniqa , Gerard Patrick , Carsten Christopher G. , Gray Bruce H. , Vyavahare Naren R.
Published: October 2015

Rationale:

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)–mediated extracellular matrix destruction is the major cause of development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Systemic treatments of MMP inhibitors have shown effectiveness in animal models, but it did not translate to clinical success either because of low doses used or systemic side effects of MMP inhibitors. We propose a targeted nanoparticle (NP)–based delivery of MMP inhibitor at low doses to the abdominal aortic aneurysms site. Such therapy will be an attractive option for preventing expansion of aneurysms in patients without systemic side effects.

Objective:

Our previous study showed that poly(
d
,
l
-lactide) NPs conjugated with an antielastin antibody could be targeted to the site of an aneurysm in a rat model of abdominal aortic aneurysms. In the study reported here, we tested whether such targeted NPs could deliver the MMP inhibitor batimastat (BB-94) to the site of an aneurysm and prevent aneurysmal growth.

Methods and Results:

Poly(
d
,
l
-lactide) NPs were loaded with BB-94 and conjugated with an elastin antibody. Intravenous injections of elastin antibody–conjugated BB-94-loaded NPs targeted the site of aneurysms and delivered BB-94 in a calcium chloride injury-induced abdominal aortic aneurysms in rats. Such targeted delivery inhibited MMP activity, elastin degradation, calcification, and aneurysmal development in the aorta (269% expansion in control versus 40% elastin antibody–conjugated BB-94-loaded NPs) at a low dose of BB-94. The systemic administration of BB-94 alone at the same dose was ineffective in producing MMP inhibition.

Conclusions:

Targeted delivery of MMP inhibitors using NPs may be an attractive strategy to inhibit aneurysmal progression.
Effects of Induced Hypertension on Cerebral Perfusion in Delayed Cerebral Ischemia After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Gathier Celine S. , Dankbaar Jan Willem , van der Jagt Mathieu , Verweij Bon H. , Oldenbeuving Annemarie W. , Rinkel Gabriel J.E. , van den Bergh Walter M. , Slooter Arjen J.C. , Algra Ale , Beute Gus N. , Coert Bert A. , Dammers Ruben , Dippel Diederik W.J. , Dirven Clemens M.F. , Horn Janneke , Müller Marcella C. , Kesecioglu Jozef , van Kooten Fop , van der Lugt Aad , van der Pol Bram , Roks Gerwin , van Rooij Willem J. , van der Schaaf Irene C. , Sluzewski Menno , Vandertop W. Peter
Published: October 2015

Background and Purpose—

The presumed effectiveness of induced hypertension for treating delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is based on uncontrolled case-series only. We assessed the effect of induced hypertension on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with delayed cerebral ischemia in a randomized clinical trial.

Methods—

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were randomized to induced or no induced hypertension (control group) at delayed cerebral ischemia onset. CBF was assessed, blinded for treatment allocation, with computed tomographic perfusion in standardized predefined regions at delayed cerebral ischemia onset and after 24 to 36 hours of study treatment. Mean arterial blood pressure was compared between groups (linear mixed model). The primary outcome measure was the difference in change in overall CBF (Mann–Whitney
U
test).

Results—

Mean arterial blood pressure was, on average, 12 mm Hg (95% confidence interval, 8.6–14.5) higher in the hypertension group (n=12) than in the control group (n=13). Change in overall CBF (mL/100g per s) was −8.5 (range, −42 to 30) in the control group and 0.1 (range, −31–43) in the hypertension group (
P
=0.25).

Conclusions—

Change in overall CBF did not differ to a statistically significant extent between the groups. Based on our results, 225 to 250 patients per group are needed to find a statistically significant difference in change in overall CBF between induced hypertension and no hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT0161323.
Verbal Aspect and the Greek Future: ἕξω and σχήσω
Authors: George Coulter H.
Published: October 2015

The verb ἔχω has two future formations, ἕξω and σχήσω. Opinion is divided, however, as to whether there is any semantic difference between them. In the view of some, ἕξω shows imperfective aspect (‘will have, keep’), σχήσω perfective aspect (‘will hold back, prevent’). Others deny that any such aspectual distinction can be drawn, pointing to passages where the supposedly aoristic σχήσω is clearly durative. Examination of the evidence from seven authors reveals that, despite the decline of the (-)σχησ- future, the two forms are nearly always used in distinct ways, which can often be characterized as aspectual. First, the (-)σχησ- future is used more often of telic events. Second, it is preferred when the verb has the meaning ‘prevent’, especially when it has a prepositional prefix; as this sense shows higher transitivity than the ‘have’ semantics of the (-)ἑξ- future, it is reasonable to associate it with the perfective aspect.
Fennerosquilla heptacantha (Crustacea: Stomatopoda: Squillidae) in South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: LUCATELLI DÉBORA
Published: October 2015

Fennerosquilla is a monotypic genus that belongs to the family Squillidae, which has the highest generic diversity within Stomatopoda. This genus has been recorded in the north Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, between 105 and 458 m depth. The present specimen was collected during the project “Avaliação da Biota Bentônica e Planctônica na porção offshore das Bacias Potiguar e Ceará”, in 2011, from the continental slope region of Brazil. In this expedition Fennerosquilla heptacantha was found at 178–193 m depth, and represents the first record of the species in the south Atlantic Ocean (Rio Grande do Norte State, northeastern Brazil), expanding the southern limit distribution. The specimen is the largest recorded, measuring 149 mm total length. The pigmentation zone on median region of telson and all diagnostic characters are still preserved and agree with the original description. Fennerosquilla heptacantha has a disjunct deep water distribution (more than 100 m) in the tropical western Atlantic, mostly along the continental slope.
Remarkable sexually dimorphic Aroidothrips longistylus newly recorded from China (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: TONG XIAOLI , WANG ZHAOHONG , ZHAO CHAO
Published: October 2015

Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic differentiation between males and females of the same species. Thrips display a wide variety of sexual dimorphism between taxa including size, ornamentation and coloration (Crespi 1986, Mound 2005, Tyagi et al. 2008). During recent surveys on the thrips fauna in subtropical China, Aroidothrips longistylus Ananthakrishnan, an interesting and little known sexually dimorphic species, was found. This discovery greatly extends the geographic distribution of this species that has been known only from South India (Tyagi et al. 2008).
Radiation-Induced Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Nachalon Yuval , Katz Orna , Alkan Uri , Shvero Jacob , Popovtzer Aron
Published: October 2015

Background:

Radiation exposure is a well-known risk factor for well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). However, gender disparity in disease characteristics is not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavior of radiation-induced thyroid cancer according to gender.

Methods:

Charts of all patients diagnosed with WDTC after radiation exposure between the years 1985 and 2013 in a tertiary referral center were retrieved.

Results:

Forty-three patients were reviewed, 29 females and 14 males. Mean age of exposure for women and men were 17.1 ± 19.5 and 15.5 ± 12.5 years, respectively ( P = .78). Age at diagnosis were 47.5 ± 15.5 and 41.5 ± 15 years for women and men, respectively ( P = .18). Mean disease-specific survival was 44.1 and 43.7 years for women and men, respectively ( P = .50).

Conclusions:

Similar disease characteristics, tumor pathology, disease-free survival, and overall survival in both genders. In sporadic well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, female gender is associated with better tumor behavior and prognosis. However, our results suggest that women are more affected by radiation than men and therefore have the same prognosis as men.
Two-Sided Markets and the Challenge of Turning Economic Theory into Antitrust Policy
Authors: Auer Dirk , Petit Nicolas
Published: October 2015

The award of the Nobel Prize in Economics to Professor Jean Tirole in 2014 has generated intense interest about his brainchild theory of two-sided markets. Against this background, this article explores whether there is such a thing as a unified theory of two-sided markets and whether the two-sided markets literature can readily be applied by antitrust agencies, regulatory authorities, and courts. This article vindicates caution. The buzz surrounding two-sided markets could mask the fact that, in many cases, the policy implications of the theory are not yet clear, and divergences among its proponents are often underplayed. In that regard, the article notably stresses that one of the key conditions of market two-sidedness identified by Rochet and Tirole in their seminal paper of 2003—the unavailability of Coasian bargaining between both sides of a platform—has often disappeared from subsequent scholarship. This omission threatens the coherent implementation of the theory of two-sided markets. Without this qualification, markets are often mischaracterized as two-sided, as soon as they display prima facie signs of indirect network externalities.
Threats to Territorial Integrity, National Mass Schooling, and Linguistic Commonality
Authors: Darden Keith , Mylonas Harris
Published: October 2015

Why are some countries more linguistically homogeneous than others? We posit that the international environment in which a state develops partially determines the extent of its linguistic commonality and national cohesion. Specifically, the presence of an external threat of territorial conquest or externally supported secession leads governing elites to have stronger incentives to pursue nation-building strategies to generate national cohesion, often leading to the cultivation of a common national language through mass schooling. Comparing cases with similar levels of initial linguistic heterogeneity, state capacity, and development, but in different international environments, we find that states that did not face external threats to their territorial integrity were more likely to outsource education and other tools for constructing identity to missionaries or other groups, or not to invest in assimilation at all, leading to higher ethnic heterogeneity. States developing in high threat environments were more likely to invest in nation-building strategies to homogenize their populations.
Helmet ownership and use among skateboarders: Utilisation of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Peachey Andrew A , Sutton Debra L , Cathorall Michelle L
Published: October 2015

Introduction:

The purpose of this study was to determine the proportion of skateboarders who owned and who wore a helmet and which constructs from the Health Belief Model predicted helmet ownership and helmet use among undergraduate skateboarders.

Methods:

From March 2013 through March 2014, 83 skateboarders completed a helmet attitude and use survey.

Results:

Among participants, 47% owned a helmet while 18% wore a helmet on their most recent ride. Skateboarders who did not own a helmet were compared to skateboarders who owned a helmet but did not wear it and to skateboarders who wore a helmet. Positive trends for emotional benefits, friends and family cues to action and parental rules cues to action were observed. A negative trend for vanity and discomfort barriers was observed. Friends and family cues to action, parental rules cues to action and lower perceived danger were associated with helmet ownership. Friends and family cues to action were associated with helmet use.

Conclusion:

The findings are consistent with the thrill seeking culture of skateboarding. Implications for interventions to increase helmet use among undergraduate skateboarders are discussed.
Antenatal depression in coastal South India: Prevalence and risk factors in the community
Authors: George Christina , Lalitha Anoop RN , Antony Abish , Kumar Arun V , Jacob KS
Published: October 2015

Background:

Antenatal depression is a highly prevalent disorder with serious implications on maternal and child outcomes. There are few studies examining this in low-middle-income community settings.

Aims:

To determine the prevalence of antenatal depression in women from a coastal rural background in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and to determine its associated factors.

Materials and methods:

In this cross-sectional community-based study, in 202 antenatal women, standard interview and diagnostic criteria (Clinical Interview Schedule–Revised (CIS-R)) were employed for identifying depression and examining a wide range of putative clinical and sociocultural risk factors including domestic violence.

Results:

There was a 16.3% prevalence of depression among the 202 women sampled. The possible risk factors after stepwise backward regression were pressure to have a male child, 11.48 (2.36–55.78); financial difficulties, 8.23 (2.49–27.22); non-arranged marriage, 6.05 (1.72–21.23); history of miscarriage–still birth, 5.77 (1.55–21.43) and marital conflict, 9.55 (2.34–38.98).

Conclusion:

There is a need to develop strategies for recognition and appropriate intervention for antenatal depression, in the context of locally relevant risk factors, so as to improve both maternal and child outcomes.