bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A refinement of models projecting future Canadian fire regimes using homogeneous fire regime zones
Authors: Boulanger Yan , Gauthier Sylvie , Burton Philip J.
Published: January 2014

Broad-scale fire regime modelling is frequently based on large ecological and (or) administrative units. However, these units may not capture spatial heterogeneity in fire regimes and may thus lead to spatially inaccurate estimates of future fire activity. In this study, we defined homogeneous fire regime (HFR) zones for Canada based on annual area burned (AAB) and fire occurrence (FireOcc), and we used them to model future (2011–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) fire activity using multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). We identified a total of 16 HFR zones explaining 47.7% of the heterogeneity in AAB and FireOcc for the 1959–1999 period. MARS models based on HFR zones projected a 3.7-fold increase in AAB and a 3.0-fold increase in FireOcc by 2100 when compared with 1961–1990, with great interzone heterogeneity. The greatest increases would occur in zones located in central and northwestern Canada. Much of the increase in AAB would result from a sharp increase in fire activity during July and August. Ecozone- and HFR-based models projected relatively similar nationwide FireOcc and AAB. However, very high spatial discrepancies were noted between zonations over extensive areas. The proposed HFR zonation should help providing more spatially accurate estimates of future ecological patterns largely driven by fire in the boreal forest such as biodiversity patterns, energy flows, and carbon storage than those obtained from large-scale multipurpose classification units.
Hydromagnetic stagnation point flow of a micropolar viscoelastic fluid towards a stretching/shrinking sheet in the presence of heat generation
Authors: Abbas Z. , Sheikh Mariam , Sajid M.
Published: January 2014

In this article, the boundary layer two-dimensional Hiemenz flow and heat transfer for a micropolar, viscoelastic electrically conducting fluid over a shrinking/stretching sheet with heat generation is investigated. The governing system of flow equations is first reduced to coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations by means of similarity transformations. A purely analytical series solutions of these equations is obtained in which domain (0 ≤ η ≤ ∞) using an analytic technique, namely, the homotopy analysis method. The convergence of the series solutions is discussed explicitly. The influences of an emerging parameters on the fluid velocity, microrotation velocity and temperature field are shown graphically and discussed in detail. The comparison of present results with the existing results is also given and found in excellent agreement.
Measurable maximal energy and minimal time interval
Authors: Tawfik Abdel Nasser , Abou El Dahab Eiman
Published: January 2014

The possibility of finding the measurable maximal energy and the minimal time interval is discussed in different quantum aspects. It is found that the linear generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) approach gives a nonphysical result. Based on large scale Schwarzschild solution, the quadratic GUP approach is utilized. The calculations are performed at the shortest distance, at which the general relativity is assumed to be a good approximation for the quantum gravity and at larger distances, as well. It is found that both maximal energy and minimal time have the order of the Planck time. Then, the uncertainties in both quantities are accordingly bounded. Some physical insights are addressed. Also, the implications on the physics of early Universe and on quantized mass are outlined. The results are related to the existence of finite cosmological constant and minimum mass (mass quanta).
Oral glucosamine sulfate supplementation does not induce endoplasmic reticulum stress or activate the unfolded protein response in circulating leukocytes of human subjects
Authors: McAlpine Cameron S. , Beriault Daniel R. , Behdinan Tina , Shi Yuanyuan , Werstuck Geoff H.
Published: January 2014

Glucosamine sulfate is a dietary supplement that is marketed as a treatment for osteoarthritis. Recent evidence from animal and cell culture models have suggested that glucosamine treatment can promote the misfolding of proteins and the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). We investigated whether glucosamine sulfate supplementation activates the UPR in circulating leukocytes of human subjects. Cultured Thp1 human monocytes were exposed to increasing concentrations of glucosamine (0, 0.25, 1.0, 4.0 mmol·L–1) for 18 h. We observed a dose-dependent increase in intracellular glucosamine levels as well as the activation of UPR. To test the effect of glucosamine sulfate supplementation in humans, 14 healthy human subjects took 1500 mg·day–1 glucosamine sulfate for 14 days. Metabolic parameters and blood samples were collected before and after supplementation. In humans, glucosamine sulfate supplementation did not alter metabolic parameters including lipid levels and glucose tolerance. Further, glucosamine sulfate supplementation did not affect intracellular glucosamine levels or activate the UPR in the leukocytes of human subjects. Our results indicate that in healthy human subjects, the recommended dose of glucosamine sulfate (1500 mg·day–1) for 14 days does not significantly alter intracellular glucosamine levels and does not activate the UPR in circulating leukocytes.
Volume-preserving mean curvature flow of hypersurfaces in space forms
Authors: Xu Hongwei , Leng Yan , Zhao Entao
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the convergence of the volume-preserving mean curvature flow of closed hypersurfaces in space forms. Assume that the initial hypersurface satisfies suitable integral curvature pinching conditions. We prove that along the volume-preserving mean curvature flow the initial hypersurface will be deformed to a totally umbilical sphere.
A robust and entropy-satisfying numerical scheme for fluid flows in discontinuous nozzles
Authors: Coquel Frédéric , Saleh Khaled , Seguin Nicolas
Published: January 2014

We propose in this work an original finite volume scheme for the system of gas dynamics in a nozzle. Our numerical method is based on a piecewise constant discretization of the cross-section and on an approximate Riemann solver in the sense of Harten, Lax and van Leer. The solver is obtained by the use of a relaxation approximation that leads to a positive and entropy satisfying numerical scheme for all variation of section, even discontinuous sections with arbitrary large jumps. To do so, we introduce, in the first step of the relaxation solver, a singular dissipation measure superposed on the standing wave, which enables us to control the approximate speeds of sound and thus the time step, even for extreme initial data.
SOLUTION OF A SINGULAR ZERO-SUM LINEAR-QUADRATIC DIFFERENTIAL GAME BY REGULARIZATION
Authors: SHINAR JOSEF , GLIZER VALERY Y. , TURETSKY VLADIMIR
Published: January 2014

A linear-quadratic zero-sum singular differential game, where the cost functional does not contain the minimizer's control cost, is considered. Due to the singularity, the game cannot be solved either by applying the MinMax principle of Isaacs, or by using the Bellman–Isaacs equation method. In this paper, the solution of the singular game is obtained by using an auxiliary differential game with the same equation of dynamics and with a similar cost functional augmented by an integral of the square of the minimizer's control multiplied by a small positive weighting coefficient. This auxiliary game is a regular cheap control zero-sum differential game. For the analysis of such a cheap control differential game, in the present paper a singular perturbation technique is applied. Based on this analysis, the minimizing control sequence and the maximizer's optimal strategy in the original (singular) game are derived. Moreover, the existence of the value of the original game is established and its expression is derived. The solution is illustrated by an interception example.
STOCHASTIC CAKE DIVISION PROTOCOL
Authors: MAZALOV VLADIMIR V. , NOSALSKAYA TATYANA E. , TOKAREVA JULIA S.
Published: January 2014

We present a multistage stochastic procedure that produces a fair allocation of a cake among n-person. In each step players observe the collection of the random offers (x1, …, xn), where x1 + ⋯ + xn = 1. As the proposal emerged players have to make a decision to accept it or reject it. The final decision is defined by majority rule or by consensus. The optimal behavior of the players is derived as a class of threshold strategies.
EXPLORATION FOR NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES IN A DYNAMIC OLIGOPOLY: AN ARROVIAN RESULT
Authors: LAMBERTINI LUCA
Published: January 2014

The model proposed in this paper investigates a differential Cournot oligopoly game with nonrenewable resource exploitation, in which each firm may exploit either its own private pool or a common pool jointly with the rivals. Firms use a deterministic technology to invest in exploration activities. There emerges that (i) the individual exploration effort is higher when each firms has exclusive rights on a pool of its own, and (ii) depending on whether each firm has access to its own pool or all firms exploit a common one, the aggregate exploration effort is either increasing or constant in the number of firms.
SUBGAME CONSISTENT COOPERATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR RANDOMLY FURCATING STOCHASTIC DYNAMIC GAMES WITH UNCERTAIN HORIZON
Authors: YEUNG DAVID W. K. , PETROSYAN LEON A.
Published: January 2014

In cooperative stochastic dynamic games a stringent condition — subgame consistency — is required for a dynamically stable solution. A cooperative solution is subgame consistent if an extension of the solution policy to a situation with a later starting time and any feasible state brought about by prior optimal behavior would remain optimal. This paper considers subgame consistent cooperative solutions in randomly furcating stochastic discrete-time dynamic games with uncertain horizon. Analytically tractable payoff distribution procedures contingent upon specific random realizations of the state and payoff structure are derived. Novel forms of Bellman equations and Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations for solving intertemporal problems with randomly furcating payoffs and random horizon are developed. This is the first time that subgame consistent solution for games with stochastic dynamics, uncertain future payoff structures and random horizon is obtained.
Optimal control of affine connection control systems from the point of view of Lie algebroids
Authors: Abrunheiro Lígia , Camarinha Margarida
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this paper is to use the framework of Lie algebroids to study optimal control problems (OCPs) for affine connection control systems (ACCSs) on Lie groups. In this context, the equations for critical trajectories of the problem are geometrically characterized as a Hamiltonian vector field.
Vanishing theorems of conformal Killing forms and their applications to electrodynamics in the general relativity theory
Authors: Stepanov Sergey E. , Jukl Marek , Mikeš Josef
Published: January 2014

Conformal Killing forms are a natural generalization of conformal Killing vector fields. These forms have applications in physics related to hidden symmetries, conserved quantities, symmetry operators, or separation of variables. In this paper, we prove two vanishing theorems of conformal Killing forms on a space-like totally umbilical submanifold of a Lorentzian manifold. Finally, we show an application of these results to electrodynamics in the General Relativity Theory.
Almost additive entropy
Authors: Kalogeropoulos Nikos
Published: January 2014

We explore consequences of a hyperbolic metric induced by the composition property of the Harvda–Charvat/Daróczy/Cressie–Read/Tsallis entropy. We address the special case of systems described by small deviations of the non-extensive parameter q ≈ 1 from the "ordinary" additive case which is described by the Boltzmann/Gibbs/Shannon entropy. By applying the Gromov/Ruh theorem for almost flat manifolds, we show that such systems have a power-law rate of expansion of their configuration/phase space volume. We explore the possible physical significance of some geometric and topological results of this approach.
To Gibberellins and Beyond! Surveying the Evolution of (Di)Terpenoid Metabolism
Authors: Zi Jiachen , Mafu Sibongile , Peters Reuben J.
Published: January 2014

The diterpenoids are classically defined by their composition—four isoprenyl units (20 carbons)—and are generally derived from [E,E,E]-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP). Such metabolism seems to be ancient and has been extensively diversified, with ∼12,000 diterpenoid natural products known. Particularly notable are the gibberellin phytohormones, whose requisite biosynthesis has provided a genetic reservoir that gave rise to not only a large superfamily of ∼7,000 diterpenoids but also, to some degree, all plant terpenoid natural products. This review focuses on the diterpenoids, particularly the defining biosynthetic characteristics of the major superfamilies defined by the cyclization and/or rearrangement of GGPP catalyzed by diterpene synthases/cyclases, although it also includes some discussion of the important subsequent elaboration in the few cases where sufficient molecular genetic information is available. It additionally addresses the array of biological activity providing the selective pressures that drive the observed gene family expansion and diversification, along with biosynthetic gene clustering.
Division and Dynamic Morphology of Plastids
Authors: Osteryoung Katherine W. , Pyke Kevin A.
Published: January 2014

Plastid division is fundamental to the biology of plant cells. Division by binary fission entails the coordinated assembly and constriction of four concentric rings, two internal and two external to the organelle. The internal FtsZ ring and external dynamin-like ARC5/DRP5B ring are connected across the two envelopes by the membrane proteins ARC6, PARC6, PDV1, and PDV2. Assembly-stimulated GTPase activity drives constriction of the FtsZ and ARC5/DRP5B rings, which together with the plastid-dividing rings pull and squeeze the envelope membranes until the two daughter plastids are formed, with the final separation requiring additional proteins. The positioning of the division machinery is controlled by the chloroplast Min system, which confines FtsZ-ring formation to the plastid midpoint. The dynamic morphology of plastids, especially nongreen plastids, is also considered here, particularly in relation to the production of stromules and plastid-derived vesicles and their possible roles in cellular communication and plastid functionality.
Light Regulation of Plant Defense
Authors: Ballaré Carlos L.
Published: January 2014

Precise allocation of limited resources between growth and defense is critical for plant survival. In shade-intolerant species, perception of competition signals by informational photoreceptors activates shade-avoidance responses and reduces the expression of defenses against pathogens and insects. The main mechanism underlying defense suppression is the simultaneous downregulation of jasmonate and salicylic acid signaling by low ratios of red:far-red radiation. Inactivation of phytochrome B by low red:far-red ratios appears to suppress jasmonate responses by altering the balance between DELLA and JASMONATE ZIM DOMAIN (JAZ) proteins in favor of the latter. Solar UVB radiation is a positive modulator of plant defense, signaling through jasmonate-dependent and jasmonate-independent pathways. Light, perceived by phytochrome B and presumably other photoreceptors, helps plants concentrate their defensive arsenals in photosynthetically valuable leaves. The discovery of connections between photoreceptors and defense signaling is revealing novel mechanisms that control key resource allocation decisions in plant canopies.
Regulation and Dynamics of the Light-Harvesting System
Authors: Rochaix Jean-David
Published: January 2014

Photosynthetic organisms are continuously subjected to changes in light quantity and quality, and must adjust their photosynthetic machinery so that it maintains optimal performance under limiting light and minimizes photodamage under excess light. To achieve this goal, these organisms use two main strategies in which light-harvesting complex II (LHCII), the light-harvesting system of photosystem II (PSII), plays a key role both for the collection of light energy and for photoprotection. The first is energy-dependent nonphotochemical quenching, whereby the high-light-induced proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane triggers a process in which excess excitation energy is harmlessly dissipated as heat. The second involves a redistribution of the mobile LHCII between the two photosystems in response to changes in the redox poise of the electron transport chain sensed through a signaling chain. These two processes strongly diminish the production of damaging reactive oxygen species, but photodamage of PSII is unavoidable, and it is repaired efficiently.
Attenuated Psychosis Syndrome: Ready for DSM-5.1?
Authors: Fusar-Poli P. , Carpenter W.T. , Woods S.W. , McGlashan T.H.
Published: January 2014

Prodromal features of the schizophrenia syndrome have been described for a century, and work in the past two decades has produced a substantial literature based on these features to identify individuals at increased risk for developing a psychotic disorder. Sometimes conceptualized as a “risk state” and sometimes as early manifestations of a “disorder,” the work has been conducted with several related but different constructs. Early in the preparation of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) public comment was sought on the proposal to create a new disorder termed attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS), and a range of issues emerged that generated interesting and important controversies. In this review, these criticisms are fully discussed, the APS concept is explicated; data relating to reliability, validity, and treatment are updated; the heterogeneity of APS is considered; and alternative views of the construct are presented with an emphasis on developmental pattern with timing for primary and secondary prevention and early treatment. Areas of future research are identified, and a potential roadmap for inclusion in DSM-5.1 is traced.
Belief Elicitation in the Laboratory
Authors: Schotter Andrew , Trevino Isabel
Published: January 2014

One constraint we face as economists is not being able to observe all the relevant variables required to test our theories or make policy prescriptions. Laboratory techniques allow us to convert many variables (such as beliefs) that are unobservable in the field into observables. This article presents a survey of the literature on belief elicitation in laboratory experimental economics. We discuss several techniques available to elicit beliefs in an incentive-compatible manner and the problems involved in their use. We then look at how successful these techniques have been when employed in laboratory studies. We find that despite some problems, beliefs elicited in the laboratory are meaningful (i.e., they are generally used as the basis for behavior), and the process of eliciting beliefs seems not to be too intrusive. One hope for the future is that by eliciting beliefs, we may be able to develop better theories of belief formation.
Ill-Posed Inverse Problems in Economics
Authors: Horowitz Joel L.
Published: January 2014

A parameter of an econometric model is identified if there is a one-to-one or many-to-one mapping from the population distribution of the available data to the parameter. Often, this mapping is obtained by inverting a mapping from the parameter to the population distribution. If the inverse mapping is discontinuous, then estimation of the parameter usually presents an ill-posed inverse problem. Such problems arise in many settings in economics and other fields in which the parameter of interest is a function. This article explains how ill-posedness arises and why it causes problems for estimation. The need to modify or regularize the identifying mapping is explained, and methods for regularization and estimation are discussed. Methods for forming confidence intervals and testing hypotheses are summarized. It is shown that a hypothesis test can be more precise in a certain sense than an estimator. An empirical example illustrates estimation in an ill-posed setting in economics.
Transcriptional Control of Early T and B Cell Developmental Choices
Authors: Rothenberg Ellen V.
Published: January 2014

T and B cells share a common somatic gene rearrangement mechanism for assembling the genes that code for their antigen receptors; they also have developmental pathways with many parallels. Shared usage of basic helix-loop-helix E proteins as transcriptional drivers underlies these common features. However, the transcription factor networks in which these E proteins are embedded are different both in membership and in architecture for T and B cell gene regulatory programs. These differences permit lineage commitment decisions to be made in different hierarchical orders. Furthermore, in contrast to B cell gene networks, the T cell gene network architecture for effector differentiation is sufficiently modular so that E protein inputs can be removed. Complete T cell–like effector differentiation can proceed without T cell receptor rearrangement or selection when E proteins are neutralized, yielding natural killer and other innate lymphoid cells.
Military Rule
Authors: Geddes Barbara , Frantz Erica , Wright Joseph G.
Published: January 2014

Military rule as a form of autocratic governance can mean either rule by a military strongman unconstrained by other officers or rule by a group of high-ranking officers who can limit the dictator's discretion. We label the latter form a military regime. Both military strongmen and military regimes are more likely to commit human rights abuses and become embroiled in civil wars than are civilian dictatorships. The behavior of strongmen diverges from that of more constrained military rulers in other areas, however. Military strongmen start more international wars than either military regimes or civilian dictators, perhaps because they have more reason to fear postouster exile, prison, or assassination. Fear of the future may also motivate their resistance to transition. Military strongmen are more often ousted by insurgency, popular uprising, or invasion than are military regimes or civilian dictators. Their tenures rarely end in democratization, whereas the opposite is true of military regimes.
Boundaries of American Identity: Evolving Understandings of “Us”
Authors: Schildkraut Deborah J.
Published: January 2014

This review examines empirical research about American national identity. It focuses on the social and political causes and consequences of (a) how people define what being American means and (b) their degree of attachment to being American. It explains why scholars increasingly view American identity as a social identity and reviews arguments for why political scientists should investigate American identity as both an independent and a dependent variable. Existing research documents a high degree of consensus across demographic groups regarding how American identity is defined. It also reveals both beneficial and harmful consequences of people strongly identifying as American. Empirical inquiries of American identity are motivated by demographic trends, especially the rise in immigration-driven diversity, but they are also deeply grounded in historical and philosophical assessments of the nature of American identity, and such scholarship is also discussed throughout the review.
Partial ablation of leptin signaling in mouse pancreatic α-cells does not alter either glucose or lipid homeostasis
Authors: Tudurí Eva , Denroche Heather C. , Kara Jenna A. , Asadi Ali , Fox Jessica K. , Kieffer Timothy J.
Published: January 2014

The role of glucagon in the pathological condition of diabetes is gaining interest, and it has been recently reported that its action is essential for hyperglycemia to occur. Glucagon levels, which are elevated in some diabetic models, are reduced following leptin therapy. Likewise, hyperglycemia is corrected in type 1 diabetic mice treated with leptin, although the mechanisms have not been fully determined. A direct inhibitory effect of leptin on mouse and human α-cells has been demonstrated at the levels of electrical activity, calcium signaling, and glucagon secretion. In the present study we employed the Cre- loxP strategy to generate Leprflox/floxGcg-cre mice, which specifically lack leptin receptors in glucagon-secreting α-cells, to determine whether leptin resistance in α-cells contributes to hyperglucagonemia, and also whether leptin action in α-cells is required to improve glycemia in type 1 diabetes with leptin therapy. Immunohistochemical analysis of pancreas sections revealed Cre-mediated recombination in ∼43% of the α-cells. We observed that in vivo Leprflox/floxGcg-cre mice display normal glucose and lipid homeostasis. In addition, leptin administration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Leprflox/floxGcg-cre mice restored euglycemia similarly to control mice. These findings suggest that loss of leptin receptor signaling in close to one-half of α-cells does not alter glucose metabolism in vivo, nor is it sufficient to prevent the therapeutic action of leptin in type 1 diabetes.
Galectin-9 ameliorates anti-GBM glomerulonephritis by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 immune responses in mice
Authors: Zhang Qian , Luan Hong , Wang Le , He Fan , Zhou Huan , Xu Xiaoli , Li Xingai , Xu Qing , Niki Toshiro , Hirashima Mitsuomi , Xu Gang , Lv Yongman , Yuan Jin
Published: January 2014

Antiglomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) is a Th1- and Th17-predominant autoimmune disease. Galectin-9 (Gal-9), identified as the ligand of Tim-3, functions in diverse biological processes and leads to the apoptosis of CD4+Tim-3+ T cells. It is still unclear how Gal-9 regulates the functions of Th1 and Th17 cells and prevents renal injury in anti-GBM GN. In this study, Gal-9 was administered to anti-GBM GN mice for 7 days. We found that Gal-9 retarded the increase of Scr, ameliorated renal tubular injury, and reduced the formation of crescents. The infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells into the spleen and kidneys significantly decreased in Gal-9-treated nephritic mice. The reduced infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells might be associated with the downregulation of CCL-20, CXCL-9, and CXCL-10 mRNAs in the kidney. In parallel, the blood levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A declined in Gal-9-treated nephritic mice at days 21 and 28. In addition, an enhanced Th2 cell-mediated immune response was observed in the kidneys of nephritic mice after a 7-day injection of Gal-9. In conclusion, the protective role of Gal-9 in anti-GBM GN is associated with the inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cell-mediated immune responses and enhanced Th2 immunity in the kidney.
Polygenic risk for hypertriglyceridemia is attenuated in Japanese men with high fitness levels
Authors: Tanisawa Kumpei , Ito Tomoko , Sun Xiaomin , Cao Zhen-Bo , Sakamoto Shizuo , Tanaka Masashi , Higuchi Mitsuru
Published: January 2014

High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with a reduced risk for dyslipidemia; however, blood lipid levels are also affected by individual genetic variations. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine whether CRF modifies polygenic risk for dyslipidemia. Serum levels of triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured in 170 Japanese men (age 20–79 yr). CRF was assessed by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max), and subjects were divided into low-fitness and high-fitness groups according to the reference V̇o2max value for health promotion in Japan. We analyzed 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with TG, LDL-C, or HDL-C levels. Based on these SNPs, we calculated three genetic risk scores (GRSs: TG-GRS, LDL-GRS, and HDL-GRS), and subjects were divided into low, middle, and high groups according to the tertile for each GRS. Serum TG levels of low-fitness individuals were higher in the high and middle TG-GRS groups than in the low TG-GRS group ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), whereas no differences were detected in the TG levels of high-fitness individuals among the TG-GRS groups. In contrast, the high LDL-GRS group had higher LDL-C levels than did the low LDL-GRS group, and HDL-C levels were lower in the high HDL-GRS group than in the low HDL-GRS group regardless of the fitness level ( P < 0.05). These results suggest that high CRF attenuates polygenic risk for hypertriglyceridemia; however, high CRF may not modify the polygenic risk associated with high LDL-C and low HDL-C levels in Japanese men.
Application of Butterfly Clos-Network in Network-on-Chip
Authors: Liu Hui , Xie Linquan , Liu Jiansheng , Ding Lei
Published: January 2014

This paper studied the topology of NoC (Network-on-Chip). By combining the characteristics of the Clos network and butterfly network, a new topology named BFC (Butterfly Clos-network) network was proposed. This topology integrates several modules, which belongs to the same layer but different dimensions, into a new module. In the BFC network, a bidirectional link is used to complete information exchange, instead of information exchange between different layers in the original network. During the routing period, other nondestination nodes can be used as middle stages to transfer data packets to complete the routing mission. Therefore, this topology has the characteristic of multistage. Simulation analyses show that BFC inherits the rich path diversity of Clos network, and it has a better performance than butterfly network in throughput and delay in a quite congested traffic pattern.
Normal Modes, Molecular Orbitals and Thermochemical Analyses of 2,4 and 3,4 Dichloro Substituted Phenyl-N-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)acetamides: DFT Study and FTIR Spectra
Authors: Srivastava Ambrish K. , Pandey Anoop K. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K. , Nayak Prakash S. , Misra Neeraj
Published: January 2014

A detailed spectroscopic analysis of two dichloro substituted phenyl-N-(1,3-thiazol-2-yl)acetamides at 2,4 and 3,4 positions of the phenyl ring has been carried out by using B3LYP method with 6-31+G(d, p) basis set within density functional scheme. The scaled theoretical wave numbers are in perfect agreement with the experimental values and the vibrational modes are interpreted in terms of potential energy distribution (PED). The internal coordinates are optimized repeatedly to maximize the PED contributions. The molecular HOMO-LUMO surfaces, their respective energy gaps, and MESP surfaces have also been drawn to explain the chemical activity of both molecules. Various thermodynamic parameters are presented at the same level of theory.
A Temperature-Based Model for Estimating Monthly Average Daily Global Solar Radiation in China
Authors: Li Huashan , Cao Fei , Wang Xianlong , Ma Weibin
Published: January 2014

Since air temperature records are readily available around the world, the models based on air temperature for estimating solar radiation have been widely accepted. In this paper, a new model based on Hargreaves and Samani (HS) method for estimating monthly average daily global solar radiation is proposed. With statistical error tests, the performance of the new model is validated by comparing with the HS model and its two modifications (Samani model and Chen model) against the measured data at 65 meteorological stations in China. Results show that the new model is more accurate and robust than the HS, Samani, and Chen models in all climatic regions, especially in the humid regions. Hence, the new model can be recommended for estimating solar radiation in areas where only air temperature data are available in China.
High-Accuracy Approximation of High-Rank Derivatives: Isotropic Finite Differences Based on Lattice-Boltzmann Stencils
Authors: Mattila Keijo Kalervo , Hegele Júnior Luiz Adolfo , Philippi Paulo Cesar
Published: January 2014

We propose isotropic finite differences for high-accuracy approximation of high-rank derivatives. These finite differences are based on direct application of lattice-Boltzmann stencils. The presented finite-difference expressions are valid in any dimension, particularly in two and three dimensions, and any lattice-Boltzmann stencil isotropic enough can be utilized. A theoretical basis for the proposed utilization of lattice-Boltzmann stencils in the approximation of high-rank derivatives is established. In particular, the isotropy and accuracy properties of the proposed approximations are derived directly from this basis. Furthermore, in this formal development, we extend the theory of Hermite polynomial tensors in the case of discrete spaces and present expressions for the discrete inner products between monomials and Hermite polynomial tensors. In addition, we prove an equivalency between two approaches for constructing lattice-Boltzmann stencils. For the numerical verification of the presented finite differences, we introduce 5th-, 6th-, and 8th-order two-dimensional lattice-Boltzmann stencils.
Chirping for Large-Scale Maritime Archaeological Survey: A Strategy Developed from a Practical Experience-Based Approach
Authors: Grøn Ole , Boldreel Lars Ole
Published: January 2014

Archaeological wrecks exposed on the sea floor are mapped using side-scan and multibeam techniques, whereas the detection of submerged archaeological sites, such as Stone Age settlements, and wrecks, partially or wholly embedded in sea-floor sediments, requires the application of high-resolution subbottom profilers. This paper presents a strategy for cost-effective, large-scale mapping of previously undetected sediment-embedded sites and wrecks based on subbottom profiling with chirp systems. The mapping strategy described includes (a) definition of line spacing depending on the target; (b) interactive surveying, for example, immediate detailed investigation of potential archaeological anomalies on detection with a denser pattern of subbottom survey lines; (c) onboard interpretation during data acquisition; (d) recognition of nongeological anomalies. Consequently, this strategy differs from those employed in several detailed studies of known wreck sites and from the way in which geologists map the sea floor and the geological column beneath it. The strategy has been developed on the basis of extensive practical experience gained during the use of an off-the-shelf 2D chirp system and, given the present state of this technology, it appears well suited to large-scale maritime archaeological mapping.
Gait Correlation Analysis Based Human Identification
Authors: Chen Jinyan
Published: January 2014

Human gait identification aims to identify people by a sequence of walking images. Comparing with fingerprint or iris based identification, the most important advantage of gait identification is that it can be done at a distance. In this paper, silhouette correlation analysis based human identification approach is proposed. By background subtracting algorithm, the moving silhouette figure can be extracted from the walking images sequence. Every pixel in the silhouette has three dimensions: horizontal axis (x), vertical axis (y), and temporal axis (t). By moving every pixel in the silhouette image along these three dimensions, we can get a new silhouette. The correlation result between the original silhouette and the new one can be used as the raw feature of human gait. Discrete Fourier transform is used to extract features from this correlation result. Then, these features are normalized to minimize the affection of noise. Primary component analysis method is used to reduce the features’ dimensions. Experiment based on CASIA database shows that this method has an encouraging recognition performance.
Versatile SiO2 Nanoparticles@Polymer Composites with Pragmatic Properties
Authors: Dhapte Vividha , Kadam Shivajirao , Pokharkar Varsha , Khanna Pawan K. , Dhapte Vishwas
Published: January 2014

In the present work, we report the fabrication of silica nanoparticles embedded polymeric (SiO2 nanoparticles@polymer) composite films for numerous traits like texture, folding endurance, crystallinity, size, thermal behavior, spectral analysis, and bioactivity. Significant facets of bulky, inert, inorganic materials are known to burgeon out due to the high surface area of nanosized particles. Nature and proportion of silica nanoparticles as well as polymers exhibited remarkable impact on the fabrication and quality of casted films. Hydrophilic silica nanoparticulate-PVA films depicted better mechanical properties like thermal plus photo stability. Hydrophobic silica nanoparticulate-PMMA films showed qualities of a robust, active, thermostable, antimicrobial material that could resist extreme storage and processing conditions. Overall, these metal oxide nanoparticle-polymer composite films possess qualities reflecting their potential in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industry.
Effects of Periodic Task-Specific Test Feedback on Physical Performance in Older Adults Undertaking Band-Based Resistance Exercise
Authors: Hasegawa Ryuichi , Islam Mohammod Monirul , Watanabe Ryuji , Tomiyama Naoki , Taaffe Dennis R.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of periodic task-specific test feedback on performance improvement in older adults undertaking community- and home-based resistance exercises (CHBRE). Fifty-two older adults (65–83 years) were assigned to a muscular perfsormance feedback group (MPG,n=32) or a functional mobility feedback group (FMG,n=20). Both groups received exactly the same 9-week CHBRE program comprising one community-based and two home-based sessions per week. Muscle performance included arm curls and chair stands in 30 seconds, while functional mobility was determined by the timed up and go (TUG) test. MPG received fortnightly test feedback only on muscle performance and FMG received feedback only on the TUG. Following training, there was a significant (P<0.05) interaction for all performance tests with MPG improving more for the arm curls (MPG 31.4%, FMG 15.9%) and chair stands (MPG 33.7%, FMG 24.9%) while FMG improved more for the TUG (MPG-3.5%, FMG-9.7%). Results from this nonrandomized study suggest that periodic test feedback during resistance training may enhance task-specific physical performance in older persons, thereby augmenting reserve capacity or potentially reducing the time required to recover functional abilities.
Evaluation of the Pericardium with CT and MR
Authors: Czum Julianna M. , Silas Anne M. , Althoen Morgan C.
Published: January 2014

The pericardium plays an important role in optimizing cardiac motion and chamber pressures and serves as a barrier to pathology. In addition to pericardial anatomy and function, this review article covers a variety of pericardial conditions, with mention of potential pitfalls encountered during interpretation of diagnostic imaging. Normal and abnormal appearance of pericardium on CT and MR imaging is emphasized, including dynamic imaging correlates of pericardial pathophysiology.
Induction of Apoptotic Effects of Antiproliferative Protein from the Seeds ofBorreria hispidaon Lung Cancer (A549) and Cervical Cancer (HeLa) Cell Lines
Authors: Rupachandra S. , Sarada D. V. L.
Published: January 2014

A 35 KDa protein referred to as F3 was purified from the seeds ofBorreria hispidaby precipitation with 80% ammonium sulphate and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 column. RP-HPLC analysis of protein fraction (F3) on an analytical C-18 column produced a single peak, detected at 220 nm. F3 showed an apparent molecular weight of 35 KDa by SDS PAGE and MALDI-TOF-MS analyses. Peptide mass fingerprinting analysis of F3 showed the closest homology with the sequence of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase ofPyrococcus horikoshii. The protein (F3) exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against lung (A549) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 10 µg to 1000 µg/mL, as revealed by the MTT assay. Cell cycle analysis revealed the increased growth of sub-G0 population in both cell lines exposed to a concentration of 1000 µg/mL of protein fraction F3 as examined from flow cytometry. This is the first report of a protein from the seeds ofBorreria hispidawith antiproliferative and apoptotic activity in lung (A549) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells.
Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum and Skeletal Deformities in Two Unrelated Patients: Analysis via MRI and Radiography
Authors: Al Kaissi Ali , Kurz Herbert , Bock Wolfgang , Pärtan Gerald , Klaushofer Klaus , Ganger Rudolf , Grill Franz
Published: January 2014

Purpose. Mental retardation, mild to severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy often of hemiplegic type are common accompaniments in patients with agenesis/hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. Skeletal deformities of bilateral radiohumeral synostosis, brachydactyly, bilateral elbow dislocation, talipes equinovarus, and juxtacalcaneal accessory bones have been encountered in two unrelated children with agenesis of the corpus callosum.Methods. We report on two unrelated children who presented with the full clinical criteria of agenesis of the corpus callosum. Strikingly, both presented with variable upper and lower limb deformities. The clinical features, radiographic and MRI findings in our current patients, have been compared with previously reported cases identified through a PubMed literature review.Results. Bilateral radiohumeral synostosis associated with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency has been encountered in one patient. The other patient manifested bilateral elbow dislocation, coxa valga, talipes equinovarus, and bilateral juxtacalcaneal accessory bones.Conclusion. The constellation of malformation complexes in our current patients have the hitherto not been reported and expanding the spectrum of skeletal deformities in connection with agenesis of the corpus callosum.
Evaluation of an Immunoassay-Based Algorithm for Screening and Identification ofGiardiaandCryptosporidiumAntigens in Human Faecal Specimens from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Hawash Yousry
Published: January 2014

An immunoassay-based algorithm, involving three commercial kits, was introduced and evaluated for screening and identification ofGiardia/Cryptosporidiumantigens in human stool specimens. Initially,Giardia/CryptosporidiumChek kit (TechLab), an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was adopted for screening. The ELISA-positive reactions were subsequently characterised by RIDA QuickGiardiaand RIDA QuickCryptosporidiumimmunochromatographic kits (R-Biopharm). A gold standard test comprising PCR and microscopy was used for preparing control samples. Performance of individual kits was tested against these samples which included 50Giardia-positive, 40Cryptosporidium-positive, and 70Cryptosporidium/Giardia-negative. ForCryptosporidium, specificities of the ELISA and RIDA QuickCryptosporidiumkits were 95.71% and 100%, respectively. Both kits demonstrated sensitivity of 95%. ForGiardia, the ELISA and RIDA QuickGiardiakits showed sensitivities of 100% and 97.5%, respectively. Specificities obtained by the ELISA and RIDA QuickGiardiawere 95.7% and 100%, respectively. Based on the results of two reference PCRs, on 250 random samples, the algorithm exhibited sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 97.06%, 100.00%, 100.00%, and 98.91%, respectively. In conclusion, this immunoassay-based algorithm can be used as routine test in diagnostic laboratories for screening and identification of a large number of samples.
The Soluble Form of CTLA-4 from Serum of Patients with Autoimmune Diseases Regulates T-Cell Responses
Authors: Simone Rita , Pesce Giampaola , Antola Princey , Rumbullaku Margarita , Bagnasco Marcello , Bizzaro Nicola , Saverino Daniele
Published: January 2014

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) is a costimulatory receptor transducing a potent inhibitory signal. Increasing evidence showed that CTLA-4 gene is an important susceptibility locus for autoimmune disorders. Alternatively spliced mRNA generates a soluble form, called sCTLA-4. Whereas low levels of sCTLA-4 are detected in normal human serum, increased/high serum levels are observed in several autoimmune diseases. The biological significance of increased sCTLA-4 serum level is not fully clarified yet. It can be envisaged that sCTLA-4 specifically inhibits the early T-cell activation by blocking the interaction of CD80/CD86 with the costimulatory receptor CD28. On the other hand, higher levels of sCTLA-4 could contend the binding of the membrane form of CTLA-4 with CD80/CD86, in later activation phase, causing a reduction of inhibitory signalling. We showed that sCTLA-4 from sera of patients with different autoimmune diseases is able to display functional activities on anin vitrosystem acting on the proliferation capability and modulating the secretion of cytokines. We observed a dual effect of sCTLA-4: inhibiting the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-7, and IL-13 and activating the secretion of TGF-βand IL-10. This study underlines the role of sCTLA-4 in modulating the immune response and its relevance in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
Brd4 and HEXIM1: Multiple Roles in P-TEFb Regulation and Cancer
Authors: Chen Ruichuan , Yik Jasper H. N. , Lew Qiao Jing , Chao Sheng-Hao
Published: January 2014

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) and hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) are two opposing regulators of the positive transcription elongation factor b (P-TEFb), which is the master modulator of RNA polymerase II during transcriptional elongation. While Brd4 recruits P-TEFb to promoter-proximal chromatins to activate transcription, HEXIM1 sequesters P-TEFb into an inactive complex containing the 7SK small nuclear RNA. Besides regulating P-TEFb’s transcriptional activity, recent evidence demonstrates that both Brd4 and HEXIM1 also play novel roles in cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. Here we will discuss the current knowledge on Brd4 and HEXIM1 and their implication as novel therapeutic options against cancer.
Biology of the KCNQ1 Potassium Channel
Authors: Abbott Geoffrey W.
Published: January 2014

Ion channels are essential for basic cellular function and for processes including sensory perception and intercellular communication in multicellular organisms. Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels facilitate dynamic cellular repolarization during an action potential, opening in response to membrane depolarization to facilitate K+efflux. In both excitable and nonexcitable cells other, constitutively active, K+channels provide a relatively constant repolarizing force to control membrane potential, ion homeostasis, and secretory processes. Of the forty known human Kv channel pore-formingαsubunits that coassemble in various combinations to form the fundamental tetrameric channel pore and voltage sensor module, KCNQ1 is unique. KCNQ1 stands alone in having the capacity to form either channels that are voltage-dependent and require membrane depolarization for activation, or constitutively active channels. In mammals, KCNQ1 regulates processes including gastric acid secretion, thyroid hormone biosynthesis, salt and glucose homeostasis, and cell volume and in some species is required for rhythmic beating of the heart. In this review, the author discusses the unique functional properties, regulation, cell biology, diverse physiological roles, and involvement in human disease states of this chameleonic K+channel.