bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commitment to Control Regulations in the Combat against Corruption in Public Budget: Sudan Case
Authors: Elbushari Mustafa Ngam
Published: April 2017

This paper has focused on the impact of commitment to control regulations in the elimination of corruption, trickery and fraud in the course of the implementing of the public budget that is applicable to some of the government institutions. It has indicated the impact of limiting of corruption , trickery ,fraud and counterfeit on the financial statements and the case problem has been represented by the corruption in some of the government institutions and corporations and what it breeds of problems that pose a hindrance to the objectives of the public budget plan, as a general target. The importance of this paper has sprung from the increase of concern toward control regulations as a vital tool to help combating the current of trickery ,fraud and corruption as it aims to shed light on some of the obstacles those minimize the control process within the authority of the auditor general related to corruption, as well, the papers’ inquiries included :the types of corruption, and how it takes place in government organizations and corporations? What are the effects of corruption on the economic rates such as poverty and the slowdown of the common growth? What is the impact of financial corruption on the deepening of the deficit in the public budget and governmental common revenues? In addition, what is the impact of corruption on attraction of private investments?
Compensatory Eating Behaviors, Alcohol Consumption and Opioid Use in a Clinical Sample
Authors: Diehl Beau J.
Published: April 2017

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of compensatory eating behaviors in relation to alcohol consumption in a clinical sample, to assess the moderating capabilities of opioid use in relation to alcohol use and compensatory behaviors, and to examine the predictive capabilities of gender-specific binge drinking in relation to compensatory behaviors.Methods: The Compensatory Eating Behaviors in Relation to Alcohol Consumption Scale (CEBRACS), an opioid use survey, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were administered to residents at an addiction treatment facility (n = 77) over a period of 6 months.Results: Morphine was the only opioid to have significant relationships with the CEBRACS alcohol effects (r = - .33), diet/exercise (r = - .38), and restrictive eating (r = - .31), subscales (all p < .001), but not with the bulimic subscale. Heroin had the strongest correlations with all other opioids. Opioid use did not have a significant moderating effect between alcohol frequency and the CEBRACS in a single moderating regression analysis (b = .84, t(73) = .43, p = .67). Men (Mdn = 27.00) and women (Mdn = 33.00) did not differ on the CEBRACS, although women ranked higher than men (U = 678.00, z = - .68, ns, r = .08). Binge drinking predicted CEBRACS scores in both males (b = .50, t(38) = 3.59, p < .001) and females (b = .60, t(35) = 4.46, p < .001).Conclusions: Individual dietary habits fluctuate throughout alcohol consumption and the goals of the individual  are crucial in discerning specific substance use vs disordered eating motivations.
Impact of Working Memory Training Targeting the Central Executive on Kindergarteners’ Numerical Skills
Authors: Honoré Nastasya , Noël Marie-Pascale
Published: April 2017

Working memory capacities are associated with mathematical development. Many studies have tried to improve working memory abilities through training. Furthermore, the central executive has been shown to be the component of working memory, which is the most strongly related to numerical and arithmetical skills. Therefore, we developed a training program that specifically targeted the central executive to examine the possible impact on kindergarteners’ working memory and numerical abilities. Thirty-four 5-6 year olds were randomly assigned to the experimental or the control conditions. Both groups received 16 30-minute sessions of their respective training program. The experimental group was trained with games tapping the central executive and the control group received a vocabulary-learning program. The results showed an immediate training effect on one central executive task and an effect of training appeared on another central executive task at follow-up, 6 months later. However, no impact was observed on numerical and arithmetical skills.
A Sample Application for Use of Biography in Social Studies; Science, Technology and Social Change Course
Authors: Er Harun
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study is to evaluate the opinions of social studies teacher candidates on use of biography in science, technology and social change course given in the undergraduate program of social studies education. In this regard, convergent parallel design as a mixed research pattern was used to make use of both qualitative and quantitative data. A single-group pretest-posttest experimental pattern and a semi-structured interview form with three sections were used respectively for quantitative and qualitative data. The study group consists of 49 students receiving undergraduate education in the 2nd grade of Bartın University Faculty of Education Department of Primary Education - Social Studies Teaching. From quantitative point of view, a statistically significant difference was observed between the pretest and posttest results of the performed application. On the basis of gender variable, no significant difference was found between the opinions of male and female students on use of biography in science, technology and social change course. Qualitative results of the application indicate that the use of biography makes a positive contribution to the course, increases the level of permanent learning, and helps to teach the course materials in a more entertaining and attractive way, while limitations such as the questionable objectivity of references also exist, in addition to other issues such as availability of visuals and works.
An Analysis of Implementation Strategies in a School-wide Vocabulary Intervention
Authors: Roskos Katheen A. , Moe Jennifer Randazzo , Rosemary Catherine
Published: April 2017

From an improvement research perspective, this study explores strategies used to implement a school-wide vocabulary intervention into language arts instruction at an urban elementary school. Academic language time, an innovative change in the instructional delivery system, allots time and structure for deliberate teaching of cross-disciplinary academic vocabulary as a routine practice in the language arts block. Implementation included a set of core strategies delivered by a university-school purveyor team. Implementation evidence consisting of survey, observation, and interview data was collected over one school year. Quantitative and qualitative analytic techniques were applied to determine effectiveness of the implementation strategies. Results identify strategy characteristics that supported or impeded the implementation process, the valence of strategy patterns, and areas for improvement. The strategy analysis provides fine-grained descriptive information that informs the specification and description of implementation strategies for purposes of innovation and change.
Frequency Effects in Second Language Acquisition: An Annotated Survey
Authors: Kartal Galip , Sarigul Ece
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between frequency and language acquisition from many perspectives including implicit and explicit instruction, frequency effects on morpheme acquisition in L2, the relationship between frequency and multi-word constructions, frequency effects on phonetics, vocabulary, gerund and infinitive constructions, bitransitive constructions, and so on. In his impressive article on frequency, Ellis (2002a) asked this crucial question about the relationship between frequency and SLA: “How exactly does the frequency of patterns in the input affect acquisition?” Another fundamental question that needs to be answered is: “What purpose does frequency serve in language acquisition?” In addition, frequency and range are said to be the most salient criteria for determining the general usefulness of a word (Koprowski, 2005). Moreover, both corpus and experimental data suggest that frequency has significant effects on second language acquisition. These questions and arguments, which constitute the foundation of frequency studies in second language acquisition, led and guided this study. This annotated survey, summarizing the studies on frequency effects on L2 learning, shows that there are still lots of ways to go with research on the relationship between frequency and second language acquisition in the literature. Some pedagogical implications are discussed with recommendations for the stakeholders of foreign language contexts (i.e. curriculum designers, coursebook writers, language teachers and learners).
What is Innovative Geography Teaching? A Perspective from Geography Teachers
Authors: Artvinli Eyüp
Published: April 2017

The purpose of the study is to examine views of geography teachers on innovative geography teaching. The study group consists of 15 geography teachers (8 Females, 7 Males). The study is designed in keeping with phenomenological research. Semi-structured interview form is used as a data collection tool in the study. The collected data are analyzed through content analysis based on inductive analysis technique. Themes are derived from codes. The content analysis results reveal that the geography teachers are satisfied with their professions, the teachers who can keep up with technological and methodological developments in their field, are regarded as innovative teachers, innovative geography teachers are the ones who integrate new technologies into their lessons, the internet resources are the most significant application form in following the innovations, the participants consider making innovation in geography teaching as a part of their profession, and proficiency in the use of computers plays a crucial role in becoming innovative. The research findings have been discussed in relation to the literature and some recommendations have been given.
Resistance exercise reduces memory impairment induced by monosodium glutamate in male and female rats
Authors: Araujo Paulo Cesar Oliveira , Quines Caroline Brandão , Jardim Natália Silva , Leite Marlon Regis , Nogueira Cristina Wayne
Published: April 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Monosodium glutamate causes cognitive impairment. Does resistance exercise improve the performance of rats treated with monosodium glutamate?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Resistance exercise is effective against monosodium glutamate‐induced memory impairment in male and female rats.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavour enhancer in diets, causes cognitive impairment in rodents. Exercise has been reported to protect against impairment of memory in humans. In this study, we investigated whether resistance exercise improves the performance of male and female rats treated with MSG in tests of memory and motor co‐ordination. Wistar rats received MSG [4 g (kg body weight)−1 day−1, s.c.] from postnatal day 1 to 10. At postnatal day 60, the animals started a resistance exercise protocol in an 80 deg inclined vertical ladder apparatus and performed it during 7 weeks. Rats performed object recognition and location memory tests. Resistance exercise reduced impairment in motor co‐ordination of male and female rats treated with MSG. Resistance exercise was effective against the decrease in exploratory preference in the long‐term recognition memory for novel objects of male rats treated with MSG. In MSG‐treated female rats, resistance exercise was effective against the decrease in exploratory preference in the novel object location test. The exploratory preference of female rats in the long‐term recognition memory test was similar in all groups. The short‐term memory was not altered by MSG or resistance exercise in male and female rats. This study demonstrates that MSG affected the memory of male and female rats in different ways. Resistance exercise was effective against the decrease in recognition for male rats and in location memory for female rats treated with MSG. This report demonstrates the beneficial effects of resistance exercise against the prejudice of motor condition and impairment of memory induced by MSG in male and female rats.
Direct current stimulation boosts synaptic gain and cooperativity in vitro
Authors: Rahman Asif , Lafon Belen , Parra Lucas C. , Bikson Marom
Published: April 2017

Key points

Direct current stimulation (DCS) polarity specifically modulates synaptic efficacy during a continuous train of presynaptic inputs, despite synaptic depression.

DCS polarizes afferent axons and postsynaptic neurons, boosting cooperativity between synaptic inputs.

Polarization of afferent neurons in upstream brain regions may modulate activity in the target brain region during transcranial DCS (tDCS).

A statistical theory of coincident activity predicts that the diffuse and weak profile of current flow can be advantageous in enhancing connectivity between co‐active brain regions.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) produces sustained and diffuse current flow in the brain with effects that are state dependent and outlast stimulation. A mechanistic explanation for tDCS should capture these spatiotemporal features. It remains unclear how sustained DCS affects ongoing synaptic dynamics and how modulation of afferent inputs by diffuse stimulation changes synaptic activity at the target brain region. We tested the effect of acute DCS (10–20 V m−1 for 3–5 s) on synaptic dynamics with constant rate (5–40 Hz) and Poisson‐distributed (4 Hz mean) trains of presynaptic inputs. Across tested frequencies, sustained synaptic activity was modulated by DCS with polarity‐specific effects. Synaptic depression attenuates the sensitivity to DCS from 1.1% per V m−1 to 0.55%. DCS applied during synaptic activity facilitates cumulative neuromodulation, potentially reversing endogenous synaptic depression. We establish these effects are mediated by both postsynaptic membrane polarization and afferent axon fibre polarization, which boosts cooperativity between synaptic inputs. This potentially extends the locus of neuromodulation from the nominal target to afferent brain regions. Based on these results we hypothesized the polarization of afferent neurons in upstream brain regions may modulate activity in the target brain region during tDCS. A multiscale model of transcranial electrical stimulation including a finite element model of brain current flow, numerical simulations of neuronal activity, and a statistical theory of coincident activity predicts that the diffuse and weak profile of current flow can be advantageous. Thus, we propose that specifically because tDCS is diffuse, weak and sustained it can boost connectivity between co‐active brain regions.
Genotype‐specific pathogenic effects in human dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bollen Ilse A. E. , Schuldt Maike , Harakalova Magdalena , Vink Aryan , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Pinto Jose R. , Krüger Martina , Kuster Diederik W. D. , van der Velden Jolanda
Published: April 2017

Key points

Mutations in genes encoding cardiac troponin I (TNNI3) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2) caused altered troponin protein stoichiometry in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

TNNI3p.98trunc resulted in haploinsufficiency, increased Ca2+‐sensitivity and reduced length‐dependent activation.

TNNT2p.K217del caused increased passive tension.

A mutation in the gene encoding Lamin A/C (LMNAp.R331Q) led to reduced maximal force development through secondary disease remodelling in patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy.

Our study shows that different gene mutations induce dilated cardiomyopathy via diverse cellular pathways.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can be caused by mutations in sarcomeric and non‐sarcomeric genes. In this study we defined the pathogenic effects of three DCM‐causing mutations: the sarcomeric mutations in genes encoding cardiac troponin I (TNNI3p.98truncation) and cardiac troponin T (TNNT2p.K217deletion; also known as the p.K210del) and the non‐sarcomeric gene mutation encoding lamin A/C (LMNAp.R331Q). We assessed sarcomeric protein expression and phosphorylation and contractile behaviour in single membrane‐permeabilized cardiomyocytes in human left ventricular heart tissue. Exchange with recombinant troponin complex was used to establish the direct pathogenic effects of the mutations in TNNI3 and TNNT2. The TNNI3p.98trunc and TNNT2p.K217del mutation showed reduced expression of troponin I to 39% and 51%, troponin T to 64% and 53%, and troponin C to 73% and 97% of controls, respectively, and altered stoichiometry between the three cardiac troponin subunits. The TNNI3p.98trunc showed pure haploinsufficiency, increased Ca2+‐sensitivity and impaired length‐dependent activation. The TNNT2p.K217del mutation showed a significant increase in passive tension that was not due to changes in titin isoform composition or phosphorylation. Exchange with wild‐type troponin complex corrected troponin protein levels to 83% of controls in the TNNI3p.98trunc sample. Moreover, upon exchange all functional deficits in the TNNI3p.98trunc and TNNT2p.K217del samples were normalized to control values confirming the pathogenic effects of the troponin mutations. The LMNAp.R331Q mutation resulted in reduced maximal force development due to disease remodelling. Our study shows that different gene mutations induce DCM via diverse cellular pathways.
Parametric Study of Rarefaction Effects on Micro- and Nanoscale Thermal Flows in Porous Structures
Authors: Meghdadi Isfahani A. H.
Published: April 2017

Hydrodynamics and heat transfer in micro/nano channels filled with porous media for different porosities and Knudsen numbers, Kn, ranging from 0.1 to 10, are considered. The performance of standard lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is confined to the microscale flows with a Knudsen number less than 0.1. Therefore, by considering the rarefaction effect on the viscosity and thermal conductivity, a modified thermal LBM is used, which is able to extend the ability of LBM to simulate wide range of Knudsen flow regimes. The present study reports the effects of the Knudsen number and porosity on the flow rate, permeability, and mean Nusselt number. The Knudsen's minimum effect for micro/nano channels filled with porous media was observed. In addition to the porosity and Knudsen number, the obstacle sizes have important role in the heat transfer, so that enhanced heat transfer is observed when the obstacle sizes decrease. For the same porosity and Knudsen number, the inline porous structure has the highest heat transfer performance.
Description of a new species of Sphaerotarsus (Acari: Parasitengonina: Smarididae) and new record for the fauna of Europe
Authors: G. Mayoral Jaime , Barranco Pablo
Published: April 2017

Six species have been described in the genus Sphaerotarsus, five from Australia and one from Iran. Only three of them have been described from larvae. The knowledge of this small group is very limited, and here we describe and illustrate the larvae of Sphaerotarsus baenai sp. nov. collected from soil in two provinces of Andalusia, Spain. This is the fourth larval species described in the genus, and the first report of Sphaerotarsus for the European fauna. A key to the species of Sphaerotarsus larvae is provided.
Biomedical surface analysis: Evolution and future directions (Review)
Authors: Castner David G.
Published: April 2017

This review describes some of the major advances made in biomedical surface analysis over the past 30–40 years. Starting from a single technique analysis of homogeneous surfaces, it has been developed into a complementary, multitechnique approach for obtaining detailed, comprehensive information about a wide range of surfaces and interfaces of interest to the biomedical community. Significant advances have been made in each surface analysis technique, as well as how the techniques are combined to provide detailed information about biological surfaces and interfaces. The driving force for these advances has been that the surface of a biomaterial is the interface between the biological environment and the biomaterial, and so, the state-of-the-art in instrumentation, experimental protocols, and data analysis methods need to be developed so that the detailed surface structure and composition of biomedical devices can be determined and related to their biological performance. Examples of these advances, as well as areas for future developments, are described for immobilized proteins, complex biomedical surfaces, nanoparticles, and 2D/3D imaging of biological materials.
Sound transmission loss characteristics of sandwich panels with a truss lattice core
Authors: Ehsan Moosavimehr S. , Srikantha Phani A.
Published: April 2017

Sandwich panels are extensively used in constructional, naval, and aerospace structures due to the high stiffness and strength-to-weight ratios. In contrast, the sound transmission properties are adversely influenced by the low effective mass. Phase velocity matching of structural waves propagating within the panel and the incident pressure waves from the fluid medium leads to coincidence effects resulting in reduced impedance and high sound transmission. Truss-like lattice cores with porous microarchitecture and reduced inter panel connectivity offer the potential to satisfy the conflicting structural and vibroacoustic response requirements. This study combines Bloch-wave analysis and the finite element method to understand wave propagation and hence sound transmission in sandwich panels with a truss lattice core. Three dimensional coupled fluid-structure finite element simulations are conducted to compare the performance of a representative set of lattice core topologies. Potential advantages of sandwich structures with a lattice core are identified. The significance of partial band gaps is evident in the sound transmission loss characteristics of the panels studied. This work demonstrates that, even without optimization, significant enhancements in sound transmission loss performance can be achieved in truss lattice core sandwich panels compared to a traditional sandwich panel employing a honeycomb core under constant mass constraint.
Complete Genome Sequence of Spiroplasma citri Strain R8-A2
T
, Causal Agent of Stubborn Disease in
Citrus
Species
Authors: Davis Robert E. , Shao Jonathan , Zhao Yan , Gasparich Gail E. , Gaynor Brady J. , Donofrio Nicole
Published: April 2017

Spiroplasma citri
causes stubborn disease in
Citrus
spp. and diseases in other plants. Here, we report the nucleotide sequence of the 1,599,709-bp circular chromosome and two plasmids of
S. citri
strain R8-A2
T
. This information will facilitate analyses to understand spiroplasmal pathogenicity and evolutionary adaptations to lifestyles in plants and arthropod hosts.
A tenebrous tale: malignant melanoma of the oesophagus
Authors: O’Sullivan Jane , Hintze Justin Matthias , Molony Peter , O’Connor Donal B , Conlan Kevin C
Published: April 2017

A 57-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of worsening symptoms of oesophageal obstruction. The physical examination was unremarkable. An oesophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an exophytic tumour in the distal oesophagus. A biopsy demonstrated malignant melanoma. Staging of the melanoma showed disseminated lymph node and bony-spine metastases. He had no prior history of cutaneous or ocular melanoma. Following full multidisciplinary team input, he was palliated with a metal mesh stent and immunotherapy. He died 3 months later following community management.
Cystic tumour of the atrioventricular node: treatment dilemma
Authors: Abuzeid Wael , Myers Robert B H
Published: April 2017

An asymptomatic 18-year-old black woman was found to have an incidental finding of third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block on a routine ECG. 2-Dimensional transthoracic echocardiography showed a heterogeneous mass in the region of the peri-membranous septum in the AV node area. A cardiac MRI showed a well-defined cystic mass arising from the right side of the interatrial septal wall. An MRI compatible permanent pacemaker was implanted with plans to monitor the tumour with non-invasive imaging. Cystic tumour of the AV node is a rare primary cardiac tumour. It is known as the smallest and most common primary cardiac tumour that can cause sudden death. All previous six cases of living patients with cystic tumour of the AV node reported in the literature were females and symptomatic. We present a rare case of a patient with cystic tumour of the AV node, and we highlight the treatment dilemmas for this condition.
Improved large-scale synthesis and characterization of small and medium generation PAMAM dendrimers
Authors: Ficker Mario , Paolucci Valentina , Christensen Jørn B.
Published: April 2017

Dendrimers are promising polymers for biomedical applications; however, most dendrimer formulations have failed to move from laboratory science to upscaled products for preclinical testing or GMP production. This publications reports on an improved large-scale PAMAM dendrimer synthesis that is suitable to manufacture large amounts of highly pure and monodisperse dendrimers of generations G0–G5. Furthermore, an extended analytical guideline how to characterize PAMAM dendrimers with NMR, HPLC, SEC-MALS, ESI, MALDI, UV–vis, fluorescence, and IR spectroscopy is provided.
Pressure dependence of the electronic structure in kaolinite: A first-principles study
Authors: Fang Zhi-Jie , Zhai Xiao-Shuai , Li Zheng-Lin , Pan Rong-Jun , Mo Man
Published: April 2017

Using the first-principle methods, the pressure dependence of the electronic structure and band structure of kaolinite were studied within the local-density approximation. The calculated results show that pressure would chiefly alter the band structure of kaolinite, while pressure can have its main effect on the band gap of kaolinite. At p = 0.6 GPa, band structure of kaolinite first converts an indirect gap into a direct gap, and then recovers an indirect gap structure at p = 66.2 GPa because CBM shift in the band structure is under high-pressure. The bond Si–O is more stable than bond Al–O under pressure, in addition, pressure has a significant effect on the inner hydroxyl bond of kaolinite and leads to a large variation of H–O(inner) bond lengths. The calculated results will not only help to understand the electronic structure of kaolinite under pressure, but also provide theoretical guidance for deal with the safe problems of soft-rock tunnel engineering.
Study the nonlinear optical property of pull/push type azo dye-doped polymer using 633nm He–Ne laser
Authors: Hu Hao-Jie , Liu Chen-Chen , Zang Jia-Qi , Zhu Chao-Yu , Luo Duan-Bin
Published: April 2017

Azo dyes with different pull/push substituents are selected as photosensitive molecules. Guest–host amorphous azo polymer samples are prepared by doping these azo dyes directly in poly(methyl methacrylate) polymeric matrices. Nonlinear optical properties of these pull/push type azo dye-doped polymers are investigated using the Z-scan experiment. The influence of the pull/push substituents and the azo dye concentration on the nonlinear optical property is studied.
Gradewise Properties of Subgroups and Their Applications
Authors: Guo Wenbin , Skiba Alexander N.
Published: April 2017

For each finite group E, let Θ(E) be a binary relation on the set of all subgroups of E. If A and B are subgroups of a finite group G, then we say that the pair (A, B) enjoys the gradewise property (resp., generalized gradewise property) Θ in G if G has a normal series Γ : 1 = G0 [Formula: see text] such that for each [Formula: see text], we have [Formula: see text] (resp., we have [Formula: see text]. Using these concepts, we obtain some new characterizations for solubility and supersolubility of finite groups and generalize some known results.
Mobile Unified Memory-Storage Structure Based on Hybrid Non-Volatile Memories
Authors: Yoon Su-Kyung , Youn Young-Sun , Park Kihyun , Kim Shin-Dug
Published: April 2017

In mobile computing systems, the limited amount of main memory space leads to page swap operation overhead and data duplication in both main memory and secondary storage. Furthermore, SQLite write operations in mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet PCs tend to frequently overwrite data to storage, significantly degrading performance. Thus, this article presents a unified memory-storage structure that is optimized for mobile devices and blurs the boundary between the existing main memory layer and secondary storage layer. This structure can eliminate the conventional page-swap operations that cause significant performance degradation and support fast program execution time. The unified memory-storage structure consists of a dynamic RAM (DRAM) and phase change memory (PCM) -based dual buffering module, a hybrid unified memory-storage array consisting of DRAM and NAND Flash memory, and an associated unified storage translation layer devised for the memory address and file translation mechanism as a system software module. This hybrid array of non-volatile memories is formed as a single memory-disk integrated storage space that can be logically divided into static and dynamic spaces. Experimental results show that the overall performance of the hybrid unified memory-storage system with the buffering structure increases by around 13% and power consumption is also improved by 35%, compared to current mobile system.
TEI-power
Authors: Lee Woojoo , Han Kyuseung , Wang Yanzhi , Cui Tiansong , Nazarian Shahin , Pedram Massoud
Published: April 2017

FinFETs have emerged as a promising replacement for planar CMOS devices in sub-20nm technology nodes. However, based on the temperature effect inversion (TEI) phenomenon observed in FinFET devices, the delay characteristics of FinFET circuits in sub-, near-, and superthreshold voltage regimes may be fundamentally different from those of CMOS circuits with nominal voltage operation. For example, FinFET circuits may run faster in higher temperatures. Therefore, the existing CMOS-based and TEI-unaware dynamic power and thermal management techniques would not be applicable. In this article, we present TEI-power, a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling--based dynamic thermal management technique that considers the TEI phenomenon and also the superlinear dependencies of power consumption components on the temperature and outlines a real-time trade-off between delay and power consumption as a function of the chip temperature to provide significant energy savings, with no performance penalty—namely, up to 42% energy savings for small circuits where the logic cell delay is dominant and up to 36% energy savings for larger circuits where the interconnect delay is considerable.
Vital Sign and Sleep Monitoring Using Millimeter Wave
Authors: Yang Zhicheng , Pathak Parth H. , Zeng Yunze , Liran Xixi , Mohapatra Prasant
Published: April 2017

Continuous monitoring of human’s breathing and heart rates is useful in maintaining better health and early detection of many health issues. Designing a technique that can enable contactless and ubiquitous vital sign monitoring is a challenging research problem. This article presents mmVital, a system that uses 60GHz millimeter wave (mmWave) signals for vital sign monitoring. We show that the mmWave signals can be directed to human’s body and the Received Signal Strength (RSS) of the reflections can be analyzed for accurate estimation of breathing and heart rates. We show how the directional beams of mmWave can be used to monitor multiple humans in an indoor space concurrently. mmVital also provides sleep monitoring with sleeping posture identification and detection of central apnea and hypopnea events. It relies on a novel human finding procedure where a human can be located within a room by reflection loss-based object/human classification. We evaluate mmVital using a 60GHz testbed in home and office environment and show that it provides the mean estimation error of 0.43 breaths per minute (Bpm; breathing rate) and 2.15 beats per minute (bpm; heart rate). Also, it can locate the human subject with 98.4% accuracy within 100ms of dwell time on reflection. We also demonstrate that mmVital is effective in monitoring multiple people in parallel and even behind a wall.
Realistic and Repeatable Emulation of Energy Harvesting Environments
Authors: Hester Josiah , Sitanayah Lanny , Scott Timothy , Sorber Jacob
Published: April 2017

Harvesting energy from the environment makes it possible to deploy tiny sensors for long periods of time, with little or no required maintenance; however, this free energy makes testing and experimentation difficult. Environmental energy sources vary widely and are often difficult both to predict and to reproduce in the lab during testing. These variations are also behavior dependent—a factor that leaves application engineers unable to make even simple comparisons between algorithms or hardware configurations, using traditional testing approaches.

In this article, we describe the design and evaluation of Ekho, an emulator capable of recording energy harvesting conditions and accurately recreating those conditions in the lab. This makes it possible to conduct realistic and repeatable experiments involving energy harvesting devices. Ekho is a general-purpose, mobile tool that supports a wide range of harvesting technologies. We demonstrate, using a working prototype, that Ekho is capable of reproducing solar, Radio Frequency (RF), and kinetic energy harvesting environments accurately and consistently. Our results show that Ekho can recreate harvesting-dependent program behaviors by emulating energy harvesting conditions accurately to within 77.4μA for solar and 15.0μA for kinetic environments, and can emulate RF energy harvesting conditions consistently.
Improved skeletal muscle Ca2+ regulation in vivo following contractions in mice overexpressing PGC-1α
Authors: Eshima Hiroaki , Miura Shinji , Senoo Nanami , Hatakeyama Koji , Poole David C. , Kano Yutaka
Published: April 2017

In skeletal muscle, resting intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis is exquisitely regulated by Ca2+ transport across the sarcolemmal, mitochondrial, and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes. Of these three systems, the relative importance of the mitochondria in [Ca2+]i regulation remains poorly understood in in vivo skeletal muscle. We tested the hypothesis that the capacity for Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria is a primary factor in determining [Ca2+]i regulation in muscle at rest and following contractions. Tibialis anterior muscle of anesthetized peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-overexpressing (OE, increased mitochondria model) and wild-type (WT) littermate mice was exteriorized in vivo and loaded with the fluorescent probe fura 2-AM, and Rhod 2-AM Ca2+ buffering and mitochondrial [Ca2+] were evaluated at rest and during recovery from fatiguing tetanic contractions induced by electrical stimulation (120 s, 100 Hz). In addition, the effects of pharmacological inhibition of SR (thapsigargin) and mitochondrial [carbonyl cyanide- 4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP)] function were examined at rest. [Ca2+]i in WT remained elevated for the entire postcontraction recovery period (+6 ± 1% at 450 s), but in PGC-1α OE [Ca2+]i returned to resting baseline within 150 s. Thapsigargin immediately and substantially increased resting [Ca2+]i in WT, whereas in PGC-1α OE this effect was delayed and markedly diminished (WT, +12 ± 3; PGC-1α OE, +1 ± 2% at 600 s after thapsigargin treatment, P < 0.05). FCCP abolished this improvement of [Ca2+]i regulation in PGC-1α OE. Mitochondrial [Ca2+] accumulation was observed in PGC-1α OE following contractions and thapsigargin treatment. In the SR, PGC-1α OE downregulated SR Ca2+-ATPase 1 (Ca2+ uptake) and parvalbumin (Ca2+ buffering) protein levels, whereas mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake-related proteins (Mfn1, Mfn2, and mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter) were upregulated. These data demonstrate a heretofore unappreciated role for skeletal muscle mitochondria in [Ca2+]i regulation in vivo following fatiguing tetanic contractions and at rest.
Identification of a Novel Alternatively Spliced Form of Inflammatory Regulator SWAP-70-Like Adapter of T Cells
Authors: Hashimoto Marie , Nagao Jun-ichi , Ikezaki Shojiro , Tasaki Sonoko , Arita-Morioka Ken-ichi , Narita Yuka , Cho Tamaki , Yuasa Kenji , Altman Amnon , Tanaka Yoshihiko
Published: April 2017

Activation of naive CD4+T cells results in the development of several distinct subsets of effector Th cells, including Th2 cells that play a pivotal role in allergic inflammation and helminthic infections. SWAP-70-like adapter of T cells (SLAT), also known as Def6 or IBP, is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for small GTPases, which regulates CD4+T cell inflammatory responses by controlling Ca2+/NFAT signaling. In this study, we have identified a novel alternatively spliced isoform of SLAT, named SLAT2, which lacks the region encoded by exons 2–7 of theDef6gene. SLAT2 was selectively expressed in differentiated Th2 cells after the second round of in vitro stimulation, but not in differentiated Th1, Th17, or regulatory T (Treg) cells. Functional assays revealed that SLAT2 shared with SLAT the ability to enhance T cell receptor- (TCR-) mediated activation of NFAT and production of IL-4 but was unable to enhance TCR-induced adhesion to ICAM-1. Ectopic expression of SLAT2 or SLAT in Jurkat T cells resulted in the expression of distinct forms of filopodia, namely, short versus long ones, respectively. These results demonstrate that modulating either SLAT2 or SLAT protein expression could play critical roles in cytokine production and actin reorganization during inflammatory immune responses.
NovelTreponema pallidumRecombinant Antigens for Syphilis Diagnostics: Current Status and Future Prospects
Authors: Kubanov Aleksey , Runina Anastassia , Deryabin Dmitry
Published: April 2017

The recombinant protein technology considerably promoted the development of rapid and accurate treponema-specific laboratory diagnostics of syphilis infection. For the last ten years, the immunodominant recombinant inner membrane lipoproteins are proved to be sensitive and specific antigens for syphilis screening. However, the development of an enlargedT. pallidumantigen panel for diagnostics of early and late syphilis and differentiation of syphilis stages or cured syphilis remains as actual goal of multidisciplinary expertise. Current review revealed novel recombinant antigens: surface-exposed proteins, adhesins, and periplasmic and flagellar proteins, which are promising candidates for the improved syphilis serological diagnostics. The opportunities and limitations of diagnostic usage of these antigens are discussed and the criteria for selection of optimal antigens panel summarized.
Cuffless Blood Pressure Estimation Based on Data-Oriented Continuous Health Monitoring System
Authors: Atomi Kengo , Kawanaka Haruki , Bhuiyan Md. Shoaib , Oguri Koji
Published: April 2017

Measuring blood pressure continuously helps monitor health and also prevent lifestyle related diseases to extend the expectancy of healthy life. Blood pressure, which is nowadays used for monitoring patient, is one of the most useful indexes for prevention of lifestyle related diseases such as hypertension. However, continuously monitoring the blood pressure is unrealistic because of discomfort caused by the tightening of a cuff belt. We have earlier researched the data-oriented blood pressure estimation without using a cuff. Remarkably, our blood pressure estimation method only uses a photoplethysmograph sensor. Therefore, the application is flexible for sensor locations and measuring situations. In this paper, we describe the implementation of our estimation method, the launch of a cloud system which can collect and manage blood pressure data measured by a wristwatch-type photoplethysmograph sensor, and the construction of our applications to visualize life-log data including the time-series data of blood pressure.
A State-of-the-Art Review on Mapping and Localization of Mobile Robots Using Omnidirectional Vision Sensors
Authors: Payá L. , Gil A. , Reinoso O.
Published: April 2017

Nowadays, the field of mobile robotics is experiencing a quick evolution, and a variety of autonomous vehicles is available to solve different tasks. The advances in computer vision have led to a substantial increase in the use of cameras as the main sensors in mobile robots. They can be used as the only source of information or in combination with other sensors such as odometry or laser. Among vision systems, omnidirectional sensors stand out due to the richness of the information they provide the robot with, and an increasing number of works about them have been published over the last few years, leading to a wide variety of frameworks. In this review, some of the most important works are analysed. One of the key problems the scientific community is addressing currently is the improvement of the autonomy of mobile robots. To this end, building robust models of the environment and solving the localization and navigation problems are three important abilities that any mobile robot must have. Taking it into account, the review concentrates on these problems; how researchers have addressed them by means of omnidirectional vision; the main frameworks they have proposed; and how they have evolved in recent years.
Uterine Fibroid Torsion during Pregnancy: A Case of Laparotomic Myomectomy at 18 Weeks’ Gestation with Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Basso Annachiara , Catalano Mariana Rita , Loverro Giuseppe , Nocera Serena , Di Naro Edoardo , Loverro Matteo , Natrella Mariateresa , Mastrolia Salvatore Andrea
Published: April 2017

Uterine myomas are the most common benign growths affecting female reproductive system, occurring in 20–40% of women, whereas the incidence rate in pregnancy is estimated from 0.1 to 3.9%. The lower incidence in pregnancy is due to the association with infertility and low pregnancy rates and implantation rates after in vitro fertilization treatment. Uterine myomas, usually, are asymptomatic during pregnancy. However, occasionally, pedunculated fibroids torsion or other superimposed complications may cause acute abdominal pain. There are many controversies in performing myomectomy during cesarean section because of the risk of hemorrhage. Nevertheless, the majority of indication arises before labor and delivery due to acute symptoms leading to a discussion regarding the need for intervention during pregnancy. Therefore, we present a case of successful multiple laparotomic myomectomy at 17 + 2 weeks of gestational age and a systematic review of the literature in order to clarify the approach to this pathologic condition and its effect on pregnancy outcome.
Distributed Robust H∞ Consensus Control for Uncertain Multiagent Systems with State and Input Delays
Authors: Li Ping , Qin Kaiyu
Published: April 2017

Robust H∞ consensus control problem is investigated for multiagent systems. Each agent is tackled in a more generalized form, which includes parameter uncertainties, external disturbances, nonidentical time‐varying state, and input delays. Firstly, a distributed control protocol based on state feedback of neighbors is designed. By a decoupling method, H∞ consensus control problem for multiagent systems is transformed into H∞ control problem for the decoupling subsystems. Then employing Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and free‐weighting matrices, a lower conservative bounded real lemma (BRL) is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) such that a class of time‐delay system is guaranteed to be globally asymptotically stable with the desired H∞ performance index. Extending BRL, a sufficient delay‐dependent condition of lower complexity in terms of the matrix inequalities is obtained to make all agents asymptotically reach consensus with the desired H∞ performance index. Furthermore, an algorithm is elaborately designed to get feasible solution to this condition. Extending this algorithm, an optimization algorithm for control protocol parameter is proposed to improve the disturbance attenuation capacity or allowable delay bounds. Finally, simulation results are provided to illustrate the correctness of the theoretical results and the effectiveness of the algorithms.
Neoplasia in Cri du Chat Syndrome from Italian and German Databases
Authors: Guala Andrea , Spunton Marianna , Kalantari Silvia , Kennerknecht Ingo , Danesino Cesare
Published: April 2017

Cri du Chat syndrome (CdC) is a chromosomal abnormality (deletion of short arm of chromosome 5) associated with intellectual disability and typical anatomical abnormalities. Research up to now focuses on the management of the disease during childhood. The longer lifespan of these patients warrants deeper investigations of how and if aging could be affected by the syndrome. We decided to focus on the association of the disease with proliferative disorders. Data on proliferative disorders in a cohort of 321 patients from Italian and German Cri du Chat databases were collected. A neoplasia was present in four patients (age 10–50 yrs), and a fifth patient developed a cholesteatoma during childhood. It is of interest that two cases had an early onset of the neoplasia as compared to the expected age of development in the general population. The chromosome region deleted in 5p does not contain genes whose haploinsufficiency is a well-known main cause of the proliferative disorders observed. We nonetheless believe that reporting even sporadic cases of proliferative disorders in CdC patients may increase our knowledge as to the natural history of the disease. In conclusion, available information suggests that surveillance for cancer development in CdC can follow the guidelines for the general population.
Catalytic Intermediate Crystal Structures of Cysteine Desulfurase from the Archaeon Thermococcus onnurineus NA1
Authors: Ho Thien-Hoang , Huynh Kim-Hung , Nguyen Diem Quynh , Park Hyunjae , Jung Kyoungho , Sur Bookyo , Ahn Yeh-Jin , Cha Sun-Shin , Kang Lin-Woo
Published: April 2017

Thermococcus onnurineus NA1 is an anaerobic archaeon usually found in a deep-sea hydrothermal vent area, which can use elemental sulfur (S0) as a terminal electron acceptor for energy. Sulfur, essential to many biomolecules such as sulfur-containing amino acids and cofactors including iron-sulfur cluster, is usually mobilized from cysteine by the pyridoxal 5′-phosphate- (PLP-) dependent enzyme of cysteine desulfurase (CDS). We determined the crystal structures of CDS from Thermococcus onnurineus NA1 (ToCDS), which include native internal aldimine (NAT), gem-diamine (GD) with alanine, internal aldimine structure with existing alanine (IAA), and internal aldimine with persulfide-bound Cys356 (PSF) structures. The catalytic intermediate structures showed the dihedral angle rotation of Schiff-base linkage relative to the PLP pyridine ring. The ToCDS structures were compared with bacterial CDS structures, which will help us to understand the role and catalytic mechanism of ToCDS in the archaeon Thermococcus onnurineus NA1.