bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition Theory in Nurse/Patient Relationships: The contribution of Gillian Rose
Authors: Cummings Rachel
Published: September 2018

Recognition theory attempts to conceptualize interpersonal relationships and their normative political implications. British social philosopher Gillian Rose developed her own version of recognition rooted in the work of Georg Hegel. This article applies Rose's theory of recognition to care, arguing that its emphasis on lack of identity, the dynamic process of recognition and the existential risks involved accurately describes the relationship between nurse and patient. Rose's version is compared to both contemporary notions of the interpersonal in healthcare literature, other forms of recognition theory and Emmanuel Levinas's vision of intersubjective relationships, a traditional philosophical basis for nursing care. In each case, I will argue that Rosean recognition is a fuller, more complex and ultimately more satisfying view of the relationships involved.
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and intervention for pulmonary vein stenosis in a patient with Fontan circulation
Authors: Uhm Jae‐Sun , Choi Jae Young , Kim Young Jin , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Joung Boyoung , Pak Hui‐Nam , Lee Moon‐Hyoung
Published: September 2018

Incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is high in patients with congenial heart disease. However, management of AF is challenging in these patients. Although radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is effective therapeutic option for AF, RFCA for AF is not common in patients who underwent Fontan operation. We present a 24‐year‐old woman with paroxysmal AF, who underwent lateral tunnel Fontan operation for functional single ventricle. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation was successfully performed. However, significant pulmonary vein stenosis developed after RFCA. Pulmonary vein stenosis was successfully treated by transcatheter intervention.
Drought‐introduced variability of mesophyll conductance in Gossypium and its relationship with leaf anatomy
Authors: Han Jimei , Lei Zhangying , Zhang Yujie , Yi Xiaoping , Zhang Wangfeng , Zhang Yali
Published: September 2018

Mesophyll conductance (gm) is one of the major determinants of photosynthetic rate, for which it has an impact on crop yield. However, the regulatory mechanisms behind the decline in gm of cotton (Gossypium. spp) by drought are unclear. An upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genotype and a pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense) genotype were used to determine the gas exchange parameters, leaf anatomical structure as well as aquaporin and carbonic anhydrase gene expression under well‐watered and drought treatment conditions. In this study, the decrease of net photosynthetic rate (AN) under drought conditions was related to a decline in gm and in stomatal conductance (gs). gm and gs coordinate with each other to ensure optimum state of CO2 diffusion and achieve the balance of water and CO2 demand in the process of photosynthesis. Meanwhile, mesophyll limitations to photosynthesis are equally important to the stomatal limitations. Considering gm, its decline in cotton leaves under drought was mostly regulated by the chloroplast surface area exposed to leaf intercellular air spaces per leaf area (Sc/S) and might also be regulated by the expression of leaf CARBONIC ANHYDRASE (CA1). Meanwhile, cotton leaves can minimize the decrease in gm under drought by maintaining cell wall thickness (Tcw). Our results indicated that modification of chloroplasts might be a target trait in future attempts to improve cotton drought tolerance.
Continence surgery at the time of pelvic organ prolapse repair: a review of the literature
Authors: Loganathan Jemina , Fayyad Abdalla , Abdel‐Fattah Mohamed
Published: September 2018

Key content

Pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence are significant health problems; one in nine women are affected by prolapse and one in three by stress urinary incontinence.

Pelvic floor muscle training remains the first‐line treatment for stress urinary incontinence.

Concomitant surgical correction for coexisting symptomatic prolapse and incontinence is an option for treatment, but persistent postoperative incontinence can be challenging to manage.

Delayed or interval continence procedures may be beneficial and should be discussed with women preoperatively.

Learning objectives

To understand the health burden and prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence in the population.

To understand the surgical treatment options available.

To learn about the advantages and disadvantages of concomitant surgery in patients with symptomatic or occult stress incontinence and in those who are continent.

Ethical issues

Should transvaginal prolapse repair and concomitant synthetic miduretheral sling be offered to women without stress urinary incontinence?

Should all women be preoperatively screened for occult stress urinary incontinence, given its prevalence and implications for postoperative outcomes?
Genetic and genomic resources of sorghum to connect genotype with phenotype in contrasting environments
Authors: Boyles Richard E. , Brenton Zachary W. , Kresovich Stephen
Published: September 2018

With the recent development of genomic resources and high‐throughput phenotyping platforms, the 21st century is primed for major breakthroughs in the discovery, understanding and utilization of plant genetic variation. Significant advances in agriculture remain at the forefront to increase crop production and quality to satisfy the global food demand in a changing climate all while reducing the environmental impacts of the world's food production. Sorghum, a resilient C4 grain and grass important for food and energy production, is being extensively dissected genetically and phenomically to help connect the relationship between genetic and phenotypic variation. Unlike genetically modified crops such as corn or soybean, sorghum improvement has relied heavily on public research; thus, many of the genetic resources serve a dual purpose for both academic and commercial pursuits. Genetic and genomic resources not only provide the foundation to identify and understand the genes underlying variation, but also serve as novel sources of genetic and phenotypic diversity in plant breeding programs. To better disseminate the collective information of this community, we discuss: (i) the genomic resources of sorghum that are at the disposal of the research community; (ii) the suite of sorghum traits as potential targets for increasing productivity in contrasting environments; and (iii) the prospective approaches and technologies that will help to dissect the genotype–phenotype relationship as well as those that will apply foundational knowledge for sorghum improvement.
An early increase of CD56bright natural killer subset as dominant effect and predictor of response to extracorporeal photopheresis for graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Iniesta Pastora , Revilla Nuria , Chen‐Liang Tzu Hua , Hurtado Ana María , Vicente Vicente , Heras Inmaculada , Jerez Andrés , Lozano María Luisa
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

CD56bright natural killer (NK) regulatory cells were recently shown to display a differential impact on the risk of developing extensive chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). To date no study has definitively established which immune populations are most responsible for the immunomodulatory effects or response to extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for GVHD.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

To test the role of CD56bright NK cells in ECP, a prospective enhanced flow cytometry follow‐up of immune subsets (CD19+, CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD3‐/CD56+, CD3‐/CD56bright, and CD3‐/CD56dim) was performed in 32 patients with GVHD who underwent 552 procedures.

RESULTS

An early increase of CD56bright NK cells was found as a hallmark effect to ECP, particularly during the first 3 months of treatment. This was also supported by the ability to predict for complete responses when this increase was expressed as a higher CD56bright versus CD56dim NK cells ratio. Among the immune subsets tested, the only variable that had direct influence on response to ECP was a CD56bright/dim ratio more than 0.16 (hazard ratio [HR] 4.32, p = 0.014; HR 5.8, p = 0.007, at 2 and 3 months of ECP treatment, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These findings argue for exploring strategies for priming a CD56bright NK cell expansion during ECP and providing additional and potentially relevant data for revisiting the underpinning cellular mechanisms of ECP that could generate that expansion.
Genomics of Salmonella contaminating backyard production systems reveals persistence and transmission of genetically related Salmonella on a farm basis
Authors: Toro Magaly , Rivera Dácil , Toledo Viviana , Campos‐Vargas Reinaldo , Allard Marc W. , Hamilton‐West Christopher , Moreno‐Switt Andrea I.
Published: September 2018

Animals raised in backyard productive systems (BPS) have been frequently associated with Salmonella outbreaks. Several serovars have caused these events, showing that different BPSs can be contaminated by distinct Salmonella serovars. The aim of this study was to characterize the genomic diversity of Salmonella isolates obtained from BPSs in Central Chile to understand their genomic relatedness. A whole‐genome SNP‐based phylogenetic analysis of 22 Salmonella isolates from 12 locations revealed that S. Typhimurium isolates clustered based on the BPS that they were originally isolated from, and the same was established for S. Enteritidis isolates. Furthermore, our genomic analysis shows that animals from different species (i.e., a chicken, a duck and a pig) carried genetically related S. Typhimurium strains within the same BPS. Moreover, some of these genetically related isolates were obtained in different years (2013 and 2014), indicating that farm‐specific Salmonella can persist in BPSs for multiple years and that interspecies transmission is plausible in this environment. Understanding the dynamics of interspecies transmission of Salmonella serovars within a contaminated BPS is fundamental to the design of mitigation strategies to reduce outbreaks of human Salmonella associated with backyard production systems.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: September 2018

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 6, Number 10Ahmet Hakan Hancer, TurkeyAhmet Turan Orhan, TurkeyAngelina Sánchez, Martí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, SpainBerfin Serdil Örs, Adnan Menderes University, TurkeyBurcu GÜVENDİ, TurkeyCagla Atmaca, Pamukkale University, TurkeyCarmen Pérez-Sabater, Universitat Poltècnica de València, SpainEbru Çetin,Gazi University, TurkeyEbru Kilic Cakmak, TurkeyEnisa Mede, Bahcesehir University, TurkeyFroilan D. Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippineHanifi Üzüm, Abant İzzet Baysal Universty, TurkeyHulya Yumru, Istanbul Aydın University, Turkeyİbrahim Yaşar Kazu, Firat University, Turkeyİlknur Özal Göncü, Gazi University, TurkeyIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaJohn Bosco Azigwe, Bolgatanga Polytechnic, GhanaJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJohn Jongho Park, University of Michigan, USAJon S. Turner, Missouri State University, USAJulide Inozu, Adana Cukurova University, TurkeyKadir Yıldız, Manisa Celal Bayar Universty, TurkeyKadir Yıldız, TurkeyKatya De Giovanni, University of Malta, MaltaLaura Bruno, The College of New Jersey, USALinda J. Rappel, Yorkville University/University of Calgary, CanadaMarcie Zaharee, The MITRE Corporation, USAMehmet Inan, Marmara University, TurkeyMeral Seker, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, TurkeyMert Aydoğmuş, Karabuk University, TurkeyMutar Taş, TurkeyNevzat Demirci, Mersin University, TurkeyÖzkan Işık, Sakarya University, TurkeyPhil Sirinides, University of Pennsylvania, USASandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USAŞengül Atasoy, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Universty, TurkeySimona Savelli, Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi, ItalySüleyman Gönülateş, Pamukkale University, TurkeyVeronica Rosa, University Rome, ItalyYalçın Dilekli, Aksaray University, Turkey  Robert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAURL: http://jets.redfame.com
The Social Media Addiction Among Turkish University Students
Authors: Altın Mehmet , Kıvrak Ali Osman
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study is to examine the place and importance of social media in the lives of university students according to several demographic variables. 323 Turkish students in total, 186 of whom were males and 137 of whom were females, studying in different departments at Selçuk University, participated in the study. A personal information form was used to obtain the socio-demographical information of the students, while “Social Media Addiction Scale” (SMAS), developed by Tutgun Ünal (2015), was implemented to determine the media addiction levels. Although no differences were observed concerning the age factor among the students; statistically significant differences were found among the averages of social media addiction with regards to sex, income, educational background of the parents, the means to access the internet, the number of years of access and the number of hours of access (p<0.05; p<0.01). Statistically significant variances were also found in all the dimensions of social media addiction concerning the time and the hours the students spend on social media (p<0.05; p<0.01). Based on the findings of this study, it can be said that the social media addiction levels of the male students are higher compared to that of the female students; this situation is caused by the social roles imposed on men and women depending on social status and responsibilities and the cultural structure; and as the number of days and hours spent on social media increase, so does the addiction to social media.
A deep learning based segregation algorithm to increase speech intelligibility for hearing-impaired listeners in reverberant-noisy conditions
Authors: Zhao Yan , Wang DeLiang , Johnson Eric M. , Healy Eric W.
Published: September 2018

Recently, deep learning based speech segregation has been shown to improve human speech intelligibility in noisy environments. However, one important factor not yet considered is room reverberation, which characterizes typical daily environments. The combination of reverberation and background noise can severely degrade speech intelligibility for hearing-impaired (HI) listeners. In the current study, a deep learning based time-frequency masking algorithm was proposed to address both room reverberation and background noise. Specifically, a deep neural network was trained to estimate the ideal ratio mask, where anechoic-clean speech was considered as the desired signal. Intelligibility testing was conducted under reverberant-noisy conditions with reverberation time T60 = 0.6 s, plus speech-shaped noise or babble noise at various signal-to-noise ratios. The experiments demonstrated that substantial speech intelligibility improvements were obtained for HI listeners. The algorithm was also somewhat beneficial for normal-hearing (NH) listeners. In addition, sentence intelligibility scores for HI listeners with algorithm processing approached or matched those of young-adult NH listeners without processing. The current study represents a step toward deploying deep learning algorithms to help the speech understanding of HI listeners in everyday conditions.
Mechanism of shear thickening in suspensions of rigid spheres in Boger fluids. Part I: Dilute suspensions
Authors: Yang Mengfei , Shaqfeh Eric S. G.
Published: September 2018

The mechanism for shear thickening of the viscometric functions of rigid non-Brownian sphere suspensions in highly elastic fluids is studied numerically. Particular focus is placed on the particle-induced fluid stress, which is the dominant contribution to the shear thickening behavior, especially at moderate to high Weissenberg numbers. We determine the Weissenberg number scaling for both the magnitude of the particle-induced fluid stress and the volume containing most of the particle-induced fluid stress to understand the overall suspension behavior at moderate Weissenberg numbers. Furthermore, we analyze the flow type in the regions of significant polymer-induced fluid stress and find that the stretch of polymers in strain-dominated flow within closed streamlines around the particles generates the large stresses that contribute to the thickening behavior. Thus, understanding the response of the suspending fluid to extensional deformation is important for predicting the shear rheology of the bulk suspension. Lastly, we explore the effect of polymer viscosity and polymer extensibility on the behavior of the particle-induced fluid stress.
Mechanism of shear thickening in suspensions of rigid spheres in Boger fluids. Part II: Suspensions at finite concentration
Authors: Yang Mengfei , Shaqfeh Eric S. G.
Published: September 2018

The steady shear rheology of nondilute suspensions of noncolloidal, rigid spheres in highly elastic, constant viscosity fluids is studied via numerical simulation using three-dimensional, finite-volume methods and via experiments using cone-and-plate measurements. In the numerical study, we use an immersed boundary method to simulate an ensemble of particles as a function of time until they achieve steady average bulk properties, and the simulations include fully resolved particle-scale hydrodynamics and fluid stresses. The simulations show that for low volume fraction, nondilute suspensions, the viscosity thickens at high shear and this effect can be fully determined by considering a single particle’s interactions with the suspending fluid. In fact, we show that experimentally measured viscosities of suspensions up to ϕ∼0.25, where ϕ is the volume fraction of particles, can be characterized by a shift factor that determines the zero-shear viscosity and a master curve that describes the viscosity thickening. The master curve is determined by single particle–fluid interactions that depend critically on the extensional properties of the suspending fluid. Thus, the “per particle” thickening contribution to the viscosity, at large values of the Weissenberg number, is not dependent on particle–particle interactions when plotted versus the suspension stress. This “master curve” for the thickening of the shear viscosity is not only demonstrated in the simulations, but also we show that it is consistent with all available experimental data including our own. We show that the first normal stress difference coefficient can be described similarly by a shift factor and a master curve. Our numerical simulations do not quantitatively reproduce the experimental data and in general underpredict the experimentally measured shear-thickening of the rheological properties. We suggest, and provide supporting evidence, that this can be explained by the inability of the constitutive model employed in the simulations to adequately describe the extensional properties of the suspending fluid.
The Relationships Among Self-Compassion, Stigma, and Attitudes Toward Counseling in Student-Athletes
Authors: Hilliard Robert C. , Redmond Lorenzo A. , Watson Jack C.
Published: September 2018

Although factors involved with help-seeking have been widely studied in the general college population, college student-athletes have received less attention. The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of self-compassion on the relationship between public and self-stigma, and how self-stigma was associated with attitudes toward seeking counseling. A sample of 243 student-athletes from NCAA Divisions I and III participated in the study. Using structural equation modeling, self-compassion was not found to moderate the relationship between public and self-stigma. However, public stigma was positively associated with self-stigma, and self-stigma was negatively associated with attitudes toward counseling. A multigroup analysis did not find differences between males and females for the model. The results of this study have implications for professionals who work with college student-athletes and suggest that efforts should aim to reduce stigma and examine alternative factors that might improve attitudes toward mental health help-seeking.
Versatile Fungal Polyphenol Oxidase with Chlorophenol Bioremediation Potential: Characterization and Protein Engineering
Authors: Nikolaivits Efstratios , Dimarogona Maria , Karagiannaki Ioanna , Chalima Angelina , Fishman Ayelet , Topakas Evangelos
Published: September 2018

A novel fungal PPO was heterologously expressed and biochemically characterized. Construction of single and double mutants led to the generation of variants with altered specificity against CPs. Through this work, knowledge is gained regarding the effect of mutations on the substrate specificity of PPOs. This work also demonstrates that more potent biocatalysts for the bioremediation of harmful CPs can be developed by applying site-directed mutagenesis.
Rediscovering Zygorhizidium affluens Canter: Molecular Taxonomy, Infectious Cycle, and Cryopreservation of a Chytrid Infecting the Bloom-Forming Diatom Asterionella formosa
Authors: Rad-Menéndez Cecilia , Gerphagnon Mélanie , Garvetto Andrea , Arce Paola , Badis Yacine , Sime-Ngando Télesphore , Gachon Claire M. M.
Published: September 2018

Despite their ecological relevance, parasitic aquatic chytrids are understudied, especially due to the challenges associated with their isolation and maintenance in culture. Here we isolated and established a culture of a chytrid parasite infecting the bloom-forming freshwater diatom
Asterionella formosa
. The chytrid morphology suggests that it corresponds to the
Asterionella
parasite known as
Zygorhizidium affluens
. The phylogenetic reconstruction in the present study supports the hypothesis that our
Z. affluens
isolate belongs to the order Lobulomycetales and clusters within the novel clade SW-I. We also validate a cryopreservation method for stable and cost-effective long-term storage of parasitic chytrids of phytoplankton. The establishment of a monoclonal pathosystem in culture and its successful cryopreservation opens the way to further investigate this ecologically relevant parasitic interaction.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Attachment as a model to understand and manage difficult doctor–parent relationships
Authors: Swanepoel Annie
Published: September 2018

Paediatricians are often faced with managing the child who is unwell, and parents, who may present in ways that are difficult to manage. Difficult behaviours can range from those who disregard their child’s needs, to those who overstate their child’s minor symptoms, to those who ask for help but then refuse to accept it. This paper gives a framework using attachment theory to help paediatricians recognise, understand and deal with difficult doctor–parent interactions in a way that is appropriate and sensitive. Making changes to the way we communicate with parents can improve outcomes for the child, the family and the doctor’s own well-being.
Diabetic ketoacidosis and thyroid storm: coexistence of a double trouble
Authors: Rajput Rajesh , Jain Deepak , Pathak Vaibhav , Dangi Anoop
Published: September 2018

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and thyrotoxic crisis are both endocrine emergencies. Here, we present a case of a patient who presented with DKA and on further evaluation was found to also have a thyrotoxic crisis. The coexistence of both of these endocrine emergencies simultaneously is extremely rare and heralds grave prognosis unless identified and treated promptly.
Creating allegiance: leading transformational change within the NHS
Authors: Tweed Alison , Singfield Andrew , Taylor Julia R A , Gilbert Lucy , Mount Paul
Published: September 2018

Background

Within the UK National Health Service (NHS) the move to Sustainable Transformation Plans/Partnerships and Integrated Care Systems reflect the increasing need and expectation for transformational change at a system level across both health and social care boundaries. Transformational change is complex, emergent and dynamic requiring new, non-traditional forms of leadership which are highly relational and persuasive.

Aim of the study

The current study aimed to explore a small number of NHS senior leaders’ experiences of undertaking transformational change within their localities over a period of a year following participation in a national transformational change programme designed to enhance personal capabilities.

Method

Four pairs of leaders working on different change programmes took part in the study and were interviewed at three time points about their approach to their change work. The data were analysed qualitatively using template analysis.

Results

A core theme ofCreating Allegiance to an Emergent Future Worldwas developed. The senior leaders created allegiance to the transformational change through a process ofConnectingon three levels:relational,with purpose and visionandthrough practice.Allegiance creation was attempted even if the transformational change work at the year-end was deemed successful or not.

Conclusions

The study highlights the types of leadership behaviours employed by the participants reflecting the complexity and social construction of their transformational work. The findings provide further evidence to the existing system leadership literature as well as emphasising the importance of creating stakeholder, multilevel buy-in to healthcare transformation.
Resolution of iatrogenic calcinosis cutis in a dog through topical application of DMSO
Authors: Tolon Jose Maria Cifuentes , Jimenez Juan Jose Esteban , Irizar Iñigo Gilabert , Trasobares Paula Casas
Published: September 2018

A dog with calcinosis cutis was treated by topical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) administration, reaching a complete involution of symptoms. DMSO is well-known for its transdermal penetration and anti-inflammatory capacity. For this reason, DMSO is proposed as a topical treatment for the management of calcinosis cutis in dogs. The authors present the clinical case of a dog with seropositive leishmaniosis and secondary immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia who was affected by intense dermatopathia on the dorsal area, diagnosed by a biopsy as calcinosis cutis. Injuries were described as necrotising ulcerative dermatitis. Currently, there are no specific treatments for its cure. The topical application of DMSO every other day was used as a unique treatment, and the use of other treatments like antibiotics or anti-inflammatory therapy was not necessary. Treating calcinosis cutis via a topical wash with DMSO every other day was effective for the symptoms of calcinosis cutis.
The synergistic antifungal effects of sodium phenylbutyrate combined with azoles against Candida albicans via the regulation of the Ras–cAMP–PKA signalling pathway and virulence
Authors: Sun Wenwen , Zhang Liuping , Lu Xiaoyan , Feng Lei , Sun Shujuan
Published: September 2018

The pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is one of the most commonly clinically isolated fungal species, and its resistance to the antifungal drug fluconazole is known to be increasing. In this paper, we sought to characterize the effect of sodium phenylbutyrate used alone or in combination with azoles against resistant C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentrations and sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined to explore the synergistic mechanism. The results showed that sodium phenylbutyrate exerted clear antifungal activity and that the combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and azoles functioned synergistically to combat resistant C. albicans. In our study of the mechanism, we initially found that the combination therapy resulted in the inhibition of hypha growth, the increased penetration of fluconazole through C. albicans biofilm, and the decreased expression of hyphae-related genes and the upstream regulatory genes (CYR1 and TPK2) of the Ras–cAMP–PKA signalling pathway, as determined by RT–PCR. In addition, the combination treatment decreased the extracellular phospholipase activities and the expression of aspartyl proteinase genes (SAP1–SAP3). The synergistic antifungal effects of the combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and azoles against resistant C. albicans was mainly based on the regulation of the Ras–cAMP–PKA signalling pathway, hyphae-related genes, and virulence factors.
Electron transport through two one-dimensional multi-quantum dot arrays coupled to four leads
Authors: He Zelong , Chen Kongfa , Lu Mengchun , Li Qiang
Published: September 2018

Employing the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique, we have obtained the formula for dc current of two one-dimensional multi-quantum dot arrays, which couple to each other via tunneling coupling between two quantum dots connected to four leads, respectively. The retarded Green’s function is a staircase type, terminating at the four leads. Furthermore, the four quantum dots case is demonstrated. The influence of inter-dot coupling strength and quantum dot energy level on the transmission probability for TL, TM and TN branches is investigated. A non-resonant band is observed. By adjusting energy levels of quantum dots, a resonance emerges in the region of the non-resonance band. The system can be used as a quantum switch.
The effect of halogen atom adsorption on electrical and mechanical properties of β12 borophene sheet
Authors: Vajary Rana Alizadeh , Tagani Meysam Bagheri , Vishkayi Sahar Izadi
Published: September 2018

Borophene as a monolayer of boron atoms has been recently synthesized. Experimental reports show that the borophene can have different stable phases. In this paper, we study the effect of halogen atom adsorption on electrical and mechanical properties of [Formula: see text] borophene sheet using density functional theory. Adsorption of F, Cl, Br and I is considered and it is found that electronegativity and mass of halogen atom significantly affect the mechanical ability of the sheet. Young’s modulus of the sheet is decreased in the presence of halogen atoms. In addition, halogen atoms control electrical properties of the borophene sheet.
The Legendrian knot complement problem
Authors: Kegel Marc
Published: September 2018

We prove that every Legendrian knot in the tight contact structure of the [Formula: see text]-sphere is determined by the contactomorphism type of its exterior. Moreover, by giving counterexamples we show this to be not true for Legendrian links in the tight [Formula: see text]-sphere. On the way a new user-friendly formula for computing the Thurston–Bennequin invariant of a Legendrian knot in a surgery diagram is given.
Betti numbers of the HOMFLYPT homology
Authors: Wu Hao
Published: September 2018

In [Rasmussen, Khovanov–Rozansky homology of two-bridge knots and links, Duke Math. J. 136 (2007) 551–583], Rasmussen observed that the Khovanov–Rozansky homology of a link is a finitely generated module over the polynomial ring generated by the components of this link. In the current paper, we study the module structure of the middle HOMFLYPT homology, especially, the Betti numbers of this module. For each link, these Betti numbers are supported on a finite subset of [Formula: see text]. One can easily recover from these Betti numbers the Poincaré polynomial of the middle HOMFLYPT homology. We explain why the Betti numbers can be viewed as a generalization of the reduced HOMFLYPT homology of knots. As an application, we prove that the projective dimension of the middle HOMFLYPT homology is additive under split union of links and provides a new obstruction to split links.
A note on genera of band sums that are fibered
Authors: Miyazaki Katura
Published: September 2018

We show that if a fibered knot [Formula: see text] is expressed as a band-connected sum of [Formula: see text], then each [Formula: see text] is fibered, and the genus of [Formula: see text] is greater than or equal to that of the connected sum of [Formula: see text].
Interval Methods in Knowledge Representation
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: September 2018

Please send your abstracts (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@utep.edu, or by regular mail to Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
On Asano’s theorem
Authors: Eroǧlu Münevver Pınar , Lee Tsiu-Kwen , Lin Jheng-Huei
Published: September 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a division algebra over an infinite field [Formula: see text] such that every element of [Formula: see text] is a sum of finitely many algebraic elements. As a generalization of Asano’s theorem, it is proved that every noncentral subspace of [Formula: see text] invariant under all inner automorphisms induced by algebraic elements contains [Formula: see text], the additive subgroup of [Formula: see text] generated by all additive commutators of [Formula: see text]. From the viewpoint we study the existence of normal bases of certain subspaces of division algebras. It is proved among other things that [Formula: see text] is generated by multiplicative commutators as a vector space over the center of [Formula: see text].
Sol–Gel Dip Coating Method Synthesis of Mn-Doped Titanium Dioxide Thin Films
Authors: Kharoubi Abdelmalek , Bouaza Amar , Benrabah Bedhiaf , Ammari Abdelkader , Benhebal Hadj , Khiali Belkacem , Dalache Cherifa
Published: September 2018

Undoped and Mn-doped TiO2 thin films have been prepared by sol–gel dip-coating technique on glass and silicon substrates. X-ray diffraction studies showed that both TiO2 and Mn-doped TiO2 thin films are of anatase phase with (101) as preferential orientation. All films exhibit high transparency ([Formula: see text]80%) over the visible range. The optical bandgap decreases from 3.66[Formula: see text]eV to 3.52[Formula: see text]eV due to the extent of electronic states introduced by doping. Infrared transmission spectra showed Ti–O (625[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]) and Ti–O–Ti (495–436[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]) bands. Thermal analysis revealed endothermic reactions between 94∘C and 110∘C and exothermic reactions between 406∘C and 443∘C. The Nyquist plots depicted that equivalent circuit of the films is an [Formula: see text] parallel. The resistance [Formula: see text] decreases while the capacitance [Formula: see text] increases with Mn-doping.
Unsupervised Domain Ranking in Large-Scale Web Crawls
Authors: Cui Yi , Sparkman Clint , Lee Hsin-Tsang , Loguinov Dmitri
Published: September 2018

With the proliferation of web spam and infinite autogenerated web content, large-scale web crawlers require low-complexity ranking methods to effectively budget their limited resources and allocate bandwidth to reputable sites. In this work, we assume crawls that produce frontiers orders of magnitude larger than RAM, where sorting of pending URLs is infeasible in real time. Under these constraints, the main objective is to quickly compute domain budgets and decide which of them can be massively crawled. Those ranked at the top of the list receive aggressive crawling allowances, while all other domains are visited at some small default rate. To shed light on Internet-wide spam avoidance, we study topology-based ranking algorithms on domain-level graphs from the two largest academic crawls: a 6.3B-page IRLbot dataset and a 1B-page ClueWeb09 exploration. We first propose a new methodology for comparing the various rankings and then show that in-degree BFS-based techniques decisively outperform classic PageRank-style methods, including TrustRank. However, since BFS requires several orders of magnitude higher overhead and is generally infeasible for real-time use, we propose a fast, accurate, and scalable estimation method called TSE that can achieve much better crawl prioritization in practice. It is especially beneficial in applications with limited hardware resources.
Exploring and Analysing the African Web Ecosystem
Authors: Fanou Rodérick , Tyson Gareth , Fernandes Eder Leao , Francois Pierre , Valera Francisco , Sathiaseelan Arjuna
Published: September 2018

It is well known that internet infrastructure deployment is progressing at a rapid pace in the African continent. A flurry of recent research has quantified this, highlighting the expansion of its underlying connectivity network. However, improving the infrastructure is not useful without appropriately provisioned services to exploit it. This article measures the availability and utilisation of
web infrastructure
in Africa. Whereas others have explored web infrastructure in developed regions, we shed light on practices in developing regions. To achieve this, we apply a comprehensive measurement methodology to collect data from a variety of sources. We first focus on Google to reveal that its content infrastructure in Africa is, indeed, expanding. That said, we find that much of its web content is still served from the US and Europe, despite being the most popular website in many African countries. We repeat the same analysis across a number of other regionally popular websites to find that even top African websites prefer to host their content abroad. To explore the reasons for this, we evaluate some of the major bottlenecks facing content delivery networks (CDNs) in Africa. Amongst other factors, we find a lack of peering between the networks hosting our probes, preventing the sharing of CDN servers, as well as poorly configured DNS resolvers. Finally, our mapping of middleboxes in the region reveals that there is a greater presence of transparent proxies in Africa than in Europe or the US. We conclude the work with a number of suggestions for alleviating the issues observed.
The Many Faces of a Dynamic Virion: Implications of Viral Breathing on Flavivirus Biology and Immunogenicity
Authors: Dowd Kimberly A. , Pierson Theodore C.
Published: September 2018

Flaviviruses are arthropod-borne RNA viruses that are a significant threat to global health due to their widespread distribution, ability to cause severe disease in humans, and capacity for explosive spread following introduction into new regions. Members of this genus include dengue, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. Vaccination has been a highly successful means to control flaviviruses, and neutralizing antibodies are an important component of a protective immune response. High-resolution structures of flavivirus structural proteins and virions, alone and in complex with antibodies, provide a detailed understanding of viral fusion mechanisms and virus-antibody interactions. However, mounting evidence suggests these structures provide only a snapshot of an otherwise structurally dynamic virus particle. The contribution of the structural ensemble arising from viral breathing to the biology, antigenicity, and immunity of flaviviruses is discussed, including implications for the development and evaluation of flavivirus vaccines.
VIPERdb: A Tool for Virus Research
Authors: Ho Phuong T. , Montiel-Garcia Daniel J. , Wong Jonathan. J. , Carrillo-Tripp Mauricio , Brooks Charles L. , Johnson John E. , Reddy Vijay S.
Published: September 2018

The VIrus Particle ExploreR database (VIPERdb) ( http://viperdb.scripps.edu ) is a database and web portal for primarily icosahedral virus capsid structures that integrates structure-derived information with visualization and analysis tools accessed through a set of web interfaces. Our aim in developing VIPERdb is to provide comprehensive structure-derived information on viruses comprising simple to detailed attributes such as size (diameter), architecture ( T number), genome type, taxonomy, intersubunit association energies, and surface-accessible residues. In addition, a number of web-based tools are provided to enable users to interact with the structures and compare and contrast structure-derived properties between different viruses. Recently, we have constructed a series of data visualizations using modern JavaScript charting libraries such as Google Charts that allow users to explore trends and gain insights based on the various data available in the database. Furthermore, we now include helical viruses and nonicosahedral capsids by implementing modified procedures for data curation and analysis. This article provides an up-to-date overview of VIPERdb, describing various data and tools that are currently available and how to use them to facilitate structure-based bioinformatics analysis of virus capsids.
Tendon structure quantified using ultrasound imaging differs based on location and training type
Authors: Hagan Kenton L. , Hullfish Todd , Casey Ellen , Baxter Josh R.
Published: September 2018

Achilles tendinopathy is 10 times more common among running athletes compared with age-matched peers. Load-induced tendon remodeling and its progression in an at-risk population of developing symptomatic tendinopathy are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to prospectively characterize Achilles and patellar tendon structure in competitive collegiate distance runners over different competitive seasons using quantitative ultrasound imaging. Twenty-two collegiate cross-country runners and eleven controls were examined for this study. Ultrasound images of bilateral Achilles and patellar tendons were obtained near the start and end of the collegiate cross-country season and the conclusion outdoor track season. Collagen organization, mean echogenicity, tendon thickness, and neovascularity were determined using well-established image processing techniques. Achilles tendon collagen was less aligned in runners compared with controls (28% greater) but improved slightly (7% decrease) after the completion of the track season. Conversely, patellar tendons in runners were similar to control tendons throughout the cross-country season but underwent collagen alignment (17% decrease) and tendon hypertrophy (21% increase). Our findings indicate that Achilles tendon structure in trained runners differs structurally from control tendons but is stable throughout training while patellar tendon structure changes in response to the transition in training volume between cross-country and track seasons. These findings expand upon prior reports that some degree of tendon remodeling may act as a protective adaptation for sport specific loading.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study we prospectively examined the Achilles and patellar tendon structure of distance runners to determine if continued training through multiple seasons elicits tendon remodeling or pathology. We found that Achilles and patellar tendons respond uniquely to the changing loads required during each season. Achilles tendon collagen alignment is mostly stable throughout the competitive cycle, but the patellar tendon structurally remodels following the transition from cross-country to track season.
Skin Autofluorescence, as a Measure of AGE Accumulation in Individuals Suffering from Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
Authors: Kopeć-Pyciarz Karolina , Makulska Irena , Zwolińska Danuta , Łaczmański Łukasz , Baran Wojciech
Published: September 2018

Background. Psoriasis is currently regarded as a chronic systemic inflammatory disease associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Objectives. The aim of the study was the assessment of skin autofluorescence (SAF), as a measure of AGE accumulation, in individuals suffering from chronic plaque psoriasis without any comorbid conditions. Methods. A study group consisted of 70 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis without any comorbid conditions and 59 healthy controls, matched by age and gender. AGE accumulation was assessed by SAF (AGE Reader, DiagnOptics BV) which is a validated and noninvasive technique. Relations between SAF and some clinical and laboratory data were assessed. Results. SAF was positively correlated with age both in patients with psoriasis and controls (R=0.722, p<0.00001 and R=0.613, p<0.00001, respectively). There was significantly increased SAF in patients with psoriasis with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) compared to controls (p<0.00001; p<0.00001, respectively, after adjustment to age). Increased SAF was found in psoriatic patients with prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7–6.4%) compared to controls (p<0.0012, after adjustment to age). Conclusion. Systemic inflammation (increased CRP level), prediabetes, and aging may influence enhanced AGE accumulation in patients with psoriasis without any comorbidities. SAF may be considered as a useful, noninvasive method to identify patients with psoriasis at increased cardiovascular risk.
Impact of Aging in Microglia-Mediated D-Serine Balance in the CNS
Authors: Beltrán-Castillo Sebastián , Eugenín Jaime , von Bernhardi Rommy
Published: September 2018

A mild chronic inflammatory state, like that observed in aged individuals, affects microglial function, inducing a dysfunctional phenotype that potentiates neuroinflammation and cytotoxicity instead of neuroprotection in response to additional challenges. Given that inflammatory activation of microglia promotes increased release of D-serine, we postulate that age-dependent inflammatory brain environment leads to microglia-mediated changes on the D-serine-regulated glutamatergic transmission. Furthermore, D-serine dysregulation, in addition to affecting synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity, appears also to potentiate NMDAR-dependent excitotoxicity, promoting neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment. D-serine dysregulation promoted by microglia could have a role in age-related cognitive impairment and in the induction and progression of neurodegenerative processes like Alzheimer’s disease.
miR-122-5p Expression and Secretion in Melanoma Cells Is Amplified by the LPAR3 SH3–Binding Domain to Regulate Wnt1
Authors: Byrnes Charnel C. , Jia Wei , Alshamrani Ali A. , Kuppa Sudeepti S. , Murph Mandi M.
Published: September 2018

The lysophosphatidic acid receptor-3 (LPAR3) is a G protein–coupled receptor that mediates viability among malignant cells and aggressiveness among certain tumors. The study's objective was to determine the interplay between LPAR3 and miRNAs to impact key cellular signaling pathways. Using SK-Mel-2 and SK-Mel-5 melanoma cells, wild-type and mutated receptors were stably expressed to explore molecular mechanisms. LPAR3 signaling induced miR-122-5p intracellularly and subsequently its inclusion into exosomes. This amplification resulted in less abundant Wnt1, maintenance of GSK3 inactivation and to a lesser extent, partial degradation of β-catenin. The surge in miR-122-5p and reduction in Wnt1 originated from signaling at the Src homology 3 (SH3) ligand–binding motif within the third intracellular loop of LPAR3, because mutant receptors did not increase miR-122-5p and had a weakened capacity to reduce Wnt1. In addition, a key mediator of melanoma survival signaling, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α (PPARGC1A/PGC1), was involved in miR-122-5p transcription. In conclusion, this study highlights the powerful role miRNAs have in fine-tuning specific G protein–coupled receptor-mediated signaling events by altering the transcription of signaling transduction pathway components. This study also identifies that LPAR3 increases miR-122-5p expression, which occurs mechanistically through the SH3 domain and helps explain why miR-122-5p increases are detected in cancer patient serum.

Implications:

LPAR3 is partially responsible for the production and secretion of miR-122-5p, found in the serum of a wide variety of patients with cancer.