bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scattering on Riemannian Symmetric Spaces and Huygens Principle
Authors: Semenov-Tian-Shansky Michael
Published: June 2018

The famous paper by L. D. Faddeev and B. S. Pavlov (1972) on automorphic wave equation explored a highly romantic link between Scattering Theory (in the sense of Lax and Phillips) and Riemann hypothesis. An attempt to generalize this approach to general semisimple Lie groups leads to an interesting evolution system with multidimensional time explored by the author in 1976. In the present paper, we compare this system with a simpler one defined for zero curvature symmetric spaces and show that the Huygens principle for this system in the curved space holds if and only if it holds in the zero curvature limit.
A Combined Motion-Audio School Bullying Detection Algorithm
Authors: Ye Liang , Wang Peng , Wang Le , Ferdinando Hany , Seppänen Tapio , Alasaarela Esko
Published: June 2018

School bullying is a common social problem, which affects children both mentally and physically, making the prevention of bullying a timeless topic all over the world. This paper proposes a method for detecting bullying in school based on activity recognition and speech emotion recognition. In this method, motion and voice data are gathered by movement sensors and a microphone, followed by extraction of a set of motion and audio features to distinguish bullying incidents from daily life events. Among extracted motion features are both time-domain and frequency-domain features, while audio features are computed with classical MFCCs. Feature selection is implemented using the wrapper approach. At the next stage, these motion and audio features are merged to form combined feature vectors for classification, and LDA is used for further dimension reduction. A BPNN is trained to recognize bullying activities and distinguish them from normal daily life activities. The authors also propose an action transition detection method to reduce computational complexity for practical use. Thus, the bullying detection algorithm will only run, when an action transition event has been detected. Simulation results show that the combined motion-audio feature vector outperforms separate motion features and acoustic features, achieving an accuracy of 82.4% and a precision of 92.2%. Moreover, with the action transition method, the computation cost can be reduced by half.
A New Square Grid-Based Method for Identifying Solar Activities
Authors: Li Weijiang , Yi Jing , Qi Xin
Published: June 2018

The FITS is widely used as a common file format in astronomy. However, how to detect an effective celestial event from large-scale astronomical images with complex background is a thorny issue. This paper proposes a square grid structure for target detection (GSTD) of solar activities, inncluding the separation of the target area and the deletion of the background area. This kind of processing can greatly reduce the storage cost of the data set, while the solar activity area can be well preserved. The solar image is operated through an equally sized square grid to separate the solar activity target area and the background area to speed up the processing of images, improve processing accuracy, and effectively prevent image noise interference. The experiment results have shown that this method delivers satisfactory performance in accuracy and time-cost. Through the anti-jamming processing of image noise, the accurate positioning and effective recognition of solar activities are realized. This method has been proved to achieve good image segmentation recognition of solar phenomenon in the research of various types of solar activities. Moreover, it can provide a feasible way to reduce the storage occupancy of Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) systems.
Spatial-Temporal Feature Representation Learning for Facial Fatigue Detection
Authors: Wang Changyuan , Yan Ting , Jia Hongbo
Published: June 2018

In order to reduce the serious problems caused by the operators’ fatigue, we propose a novel network model Convolutional Neural Network and Long Short-Term Memory Network (CNN-LSTM) — for fatigue detection in the inter-frame images of video sequences, which mainly consists of CNN and LSTM network. Firstly, in order to improve the accuracy of the deep network structure, the Viola–Jones detection algorithm and the Kernelized Correlation Filter (KCF) tracking algorithm are used in the face detection to normalize the size of the inter-frame images of video sequences. Secondly, we use the CNN and the LSTM network to detect the fatigue state in real time and efficiently. The fatigue-related facial features are extracted by the CNN. Then, the temporal symptoms of the whole fatigue process can be extracted by LSTM networks, the input data which is the facial feature vector can be obtained by the CNN. Thirdly, we train and test the network in a step-by-step approach. Finally, we experiment with the proposed network model. The experimental results demonstrate that the network structure can effectively detect the fatigue state, and the overall accuracy rate can rise to 82.8%.
Dynamic Modeling and Optimal Control of a Wind Turbine with Doubly Fed Induction Generator Using Imperialist Competitive and Artificial Bee Colony Algorithms
Authors: Salehi Javad , Badr Arman Amini
Published: June 2018

This paper addresses modeling, stability analysis and control of the doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) for wind turbines (WTs). In the present work, imperialist competitive and artificial bee colony algorithms are used for optimizing parameters of controllers of a WT with DFIG. Algorithms for optimizing the controllers’ parameters are described. Based on this, an eigenvalue-based objective function is utilized to optimize the parameters. To evaluate the optimized gains, simulations are performed on a single machine-infinite bus system, and the dynamic responses of system with parameters obtained from two optimization techniques are compared.
Study of the Q.Q interaction
Authors: Kingan Arun , Yu Xiaofei , Zamick Larry
Published: June 2018

We perform shell model calculations using a quadrupole–quadrupole interaction (Q.Q). We show results in single j shell spaces and the full S-D shell. We show that one gets useful results with Q.Q in both spaces. We emphasize the importance of the choice of single particle energies in order to obtain the results of Elliott using a Q.Q interaction without the momentum terms. We show a [Formula: see text] spectrum for a ground state band but with [Formula: see text]’s different from the rotational model. We also show results such as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] excited “spin bands”. (The latter can also be expressed as a [Formula: see text] band). We find spectra starting with [Formula: see text] which have both even [Formula: see text] and odd [Formula: see text] members.
Facial expression recognition using best tree RD-LGP encoded features and HMM
Authors: Nashat Ahmed A.
Published: June 2018

Hand and face gestures enable deaf people to communicate in their daily lives rather than speaking. This paper describes a hidden Markov model (HMM)-based framework for face sign recognition and detection. The observation vectors used to characterize the states of the HMM are obtained using the best tree local gradient pattern (LGP) encoded features. Each face gesture is modeled as a five-state HMM. The problem of facial expression classification is posed as a composite seven-classes multi-hypothesis Bayesian test. The likelihood ratio test showed that the overall recognition rate for the proposed model is higher than the HMM-local binary pattern descriptor by 6.4%. The overall recognition rate is enhanced by 8.6% using the discrete wavelet packet best tree decomposition filter as a pre-processing noise removal tool. In addition, the overall recognition rate ranges from 84.3%, for the seven classes Bayesian test, to 100%, for lower number of classes depending upon the type of the face gesture. The proposed face expression algorithm reduces significantly the computational complexity of previous HMM-based face expression recognition systems, and still preserve the recognition rate.
A simple geometry-based model for the photon
Authors: Duarte Celso de Araujo
Published: June 2018

The classical and the quantum expressions of the energy of the electromagnetic radiation are compared. This comparison shows that, contrary to the commonly expected, the dependency of the energy [Formula: see text] of the photon with respect to the frequency [Formula: see text] on the Einstein–Planck relation [Formula: see text] is obtainable from classical electrodynamics, a fact that may provide a new historic perspective of the birth of quantum mechanics. It is suggested that the photon is a composite particle, constituted by quanta of electric and magnetic field fluxes maybe in an entangled state — being these two quanta either real or only as pseudo particles. It is also suggested a modification on the de Broglie’s fusion principle for the photon for the specific case in consideration.
The Effect of Airfoil Shape on Trailing Edge Noise
Authors: Lee Seongkyu
Published: June 2018

This paper investigates the effect of airfoil shape on trailing edge noise. The boundary layer profiles are obtained by XFOIL and the trailing edge noise is predicted by a TNO semi-empirical model. In order to investigate the noise source characteristics, the wall pressure spectrum is decomposed into three components. This decomposition helps in finding the dominant source region and the peak noise frequency for each airfoil. The method is validated for a NACA0012 airfoil, and then five additional wind turbine airfoils are examined: NACA0018, DU96-w-180, S809, S822 and S831. It is found that the dominant source region is around 40% of the boundary layer thickness for both the suction and pressure sides for a NACA0012 airfoil. As airfoil thickness and camber increase, the maximum source region moves slightly upward on the suction side. However, the effect of the airfoil shape on the maximum source region on the pressure side is negligible, except for the S831 airfoil, which exhibits an extension of the noise source region near the wall at high frequencies. As airfoil thickness and camber increase, low frequency noise is increased. However, a higher camber reduces low frequency noise on the pressure side. The maximum camber position is also found to be important and its rear position increases noise levels on the suction side.
An Element-Free Galerkin Coupled with Improved Infinite Element Method for Exterior Acoustic Problem
Authors: Wu Shaowei , Xiang Yang , Yao Jiachi , Wang Shuai
Published: June 2018

It is known that the variable-order infinite acoustic wave envelope element (WEE) must be coupled with finite element method (FEM) by element matching for computing acoustic field radiated from radiators with complex geometric shapes. Therefore, the WEEs have to be reconstructed when the finite elements are refined or changed. To overcome the shortcoming, the element-free Galerkin (EFG) coupled with improved WEE (IWEE) method is presented to compute acoustic problems in the infinite domain. The continuity and compatibility of the acoustic pressure are maintained by IWEE that is composed of a standard WEE and a fictitious finite mesh. A key feature of the method is the introduction of the EFG method which is employed to eliminate the element matching and improve the accuracy of predicted acoustic pressure. The factors that affect the performance of the method are investigated by numerical examples, which include shape function construction, the weight function and the size of the influence domain. The numerical results show that the present method provides more accurate results compared to the coupled FEM-WEE method. The experimental results show that the method is very flexible for acoustic radiation prediction in the infinite domain.
Modeling Attenuation of Diffusive-Viscous Wave Using Reflectivity Method
Authors: Zhao Haixia , Gao Jinghuai , Peng Jigen , Zhang Gulan
Published: June 2018

Seismic waves in earth materials are subject to attenuation and dispersion in a broad range of frequencies. The commonly accepted mechanism of intrinsic attenuation and dispersion is the presence of fluids in the pore space of rocks. The diffusive-viscous model was proposed to explain low-frequency seismic anomalies related to hydrocarbon reservoirs. But, the model is only a description of compressional wave. In this work, we firstly discuss the extended elastic diffusive-viscous model. Then, we extend reflectivity method to the diffusive-viscous medium. Finally, we present two numerical models to simulate the attenuation of diffusive-viscous wave in horizontal and dip multi-layered media compared with the results of viscoelastic wave. The modeling results show that the diffusive-viscous wave has strong amplitude attenuation and phase shift when it propagates across absorptive layers.
Cross-cultural whistle-blowing in an emerging outbreak
Authors: Ding Huiling
Published: June 2018

How do whistleblowers reveal critical issues unknown to the public during emerging epidemics to push for policy changes? Using a case study about a medical care worker (MCW) whistleblower in China during the SARS outbreak of 2003, this paper examines the ways whistleblowers navigate through complicated networks of power and mediascape to disseminate critical risk messages and call for changes.
Platelet Mechanotransduction
Authors: Hansen Caroline E. , Qiu Yongzhi , McCarty Owen J.T. , Lam Wilbur A.
Published: June 2018

The vasculature is a dynamic environment in which blood platelets constantly survey the endothelium for sites of vessel damage. The formation of a mechanically coherent hemostatic plug to prevent blood loss relies on a coordinated series of ligand–receptor interactions governing the recruitment, activation, and aggregation of platelets. The physical biology of each step is distinct in that the recruitment of platelets depends on the mechanosensing of the platelet receptor glycoprotein Ib for the adhesive protein von Willebrand factor, whereas platelet activation and aggregation are responsive to the mechanical forces sensed at adhesive junctions between platelets and at the platelet–matrix interface. Herein we take a biophysical perspective to discuss the current understanding of platelet mechanotransduction as well as the measurement techniques used to quantify the physical biology of platelets in the context of thrombus formation under flow.
Metabolic flexibility to lipid availability during exercise is enhanced in individuals with high insulin sensitivity
Authors: Fernández-Verdejo Rodrigo , Bajpeyi Sudip , Ravussin Eric , Galgani José E.
Published: June 2018

Metabolic flexibility to lipid (MetFlex-lip) is the capacity to adapt lipid oxidation to lipid availability. Hypothetically, impaired MetFlex-lip in skeletal muscle induces accumulation of lipid metabolites that interfere with insulin signaling. Our aim was to compare MetFlex-lip during exercise in subjects with low (Low_IS) vs. high (High_IS) insulin sensitivity. Twenty healthy men were designated as Low_IS or High_IS on the basis of the median of the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. Groups had similar age, body mass index, and maximum oxygen uptake (V̇o2max). Subjects cycled at 50% V̇o2max until expending 650 kcal. Adaptation in lipid oxidation was calculated as the drop in respiratory quotient (RQ) at the end of exercise vs. the maximum RQ (ΔRQ). Lipid availability was calculated as the increase in circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) at the end of exercise vs. the minimum NEFA (ΔNEFA). ΔRQ as a function of ΔNEFA was used to determine MetFlex-lip. On average, RQ and circulating NEFA changed similarly in both groups. However, ΔRQ correlated with ΔNEFA in High_IS ( r = −0.83, P < 0.01) but not in Low_IS ( r = −0.25, P = 0.48) subjects. Thus the slope of the ΔRQ vs. ΔNEFA relationship was steeper in High_IS vs. Low_IS subjects (−0.139 ± 0.03 vs. −0.025 ± 0.03 RQ·mmol−1·l−1, respectively; P < 0.05), with similar intercepts. We conclude that in subjects with High_IS lipid-to-carbohydrate oxidation ratio adapts to the increased circulating NEFA availability during exercise. Such MetFlex-lip appears impaired in subjects with Low_IS. Whether a cause-effect relationship exists between impaired MetFlex-lip and low insulin sensitivity remains to be determined.
Detection System of HTTP DDoS Attacks in a Cloud Environment Based on Information Theoretic Entropy and Random Forest
Authors: Idhammad Mohamed , Afdel Karim , Belouch Mustapha
Published: June 2018

Cloud Computing services are often delivered through HTTP protocol. This facilitates access to services and reduces costs for both providers and end-users. However, this increases the vulnerabilities of the Cloud services face to HTTP DDoS attacks. HTTP request methods are often used to address web servers’ vulnerabilities and create multiple scenarios of HTTP DDoS attack such as Low and Slow or Flooding attacks. Existing HTTP DDoS detection systems are challenged by the big amounts of network traffic generated by these attacks, low detection accuracy, and high false positive rates. In this paper we present a detection system of HTTP DDoS attacks in a Cloud environment based on Information Theoretic Entropy and Random Forest ensemble learning algorithm. A time-based sliding window algorithm is used to estimate the entropy of the network header features of the incoming network traffic. When the estimated entropy exceeds its normal range the preprocessing and the classification tasks are triggered. To assess the proposed approach various experiments were performed on the CIDDS-001 public dataset. The proposed approach achieves satisfactory results with an accuracy of 99.54%, a FPR of 0.4%, and a running time of 18.5s.
Joints Parameters Identification in Numerical Modeling of Structural Dynamics
Authors: Yang Yuedong , Chen Jiqing , Lan Fengchong , Xiong Fei , Zeng Zicong
Published: June 2018

The dynamics of assembled structures are significantly dependent on joints. Joints parameters, owing to be difficultly measured, are always ignored by pure rigid in numerical modeling and it will result in unreliable or even error descriptions. 1~3 Hz deviations may cause resonance especially in engineering optimization issues; hence it is necessary to identify joints parameters for structural dynamics investigation. In present work, multiobjective optimization algorithms are used to identify joints parameters by approaching actual test results in each series of structure to decrease unreliable or error for numerical modeling. Taking automotive dynamics with seam‐welding and spot‐welding as examples, the relationship of joints parameters perturbation and structural dynamics is derived to give the selecting reason of parameters’ identification. The actual dynamics of an SUV’s frame and a thin‐walled part in BIW (body in white) are utilized to validate the methodology. Results demonstrate that the validated model has enough accuracy to reflect the dynamics of the actual structure. The methodology provides reliable guarantee for dynamic analysis and the design of structure.
Overweight or Obese Individuals at Eighteen Years of Age Develop Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma at a Significantly Earlier Age
Authors: Chao David T. , Shah Nilesh H. , Zeh Herbert J. , Singhi Aatur D. , Bahary Nathan , McGrath Kevin M. , Fasanella Kenneth E. , Zureikat Amer H. , Whitcomb David C. , Brand Randall E.
Published: June 2018

Background. Adolescent obesity is a national epidemic that recently has been shown to increase risk for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) and is associated with an earlier age of PC onset. We hypothesized that PC patients who are overweight or obese at age 18 would have an earlier age of PC onset. Methods. Retrospective review of 531 patients in our PC registry was completed. Self-reported weight at age 18 and maximum lifetime weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) at age 18 (BMI-18) and maximum lifetime BMI. Results. Complete BMI and baseline covariate data was available in 319 PC patients. Mean age (in years) of PC diagnosis for patients whose BMI-18 was overweight (64.0) or obese (59.9) was significantly different when compared to patients with a normal BMI-18 (66.7). No significant difference was observed in the mean age of PC diagnosis in those patients who maintained a normal BMI-18 when compared to those patients who subsequently became overweight or obese (67.0 versus 66.6; p=0.65). Conclusions. An elevated BMI at age 18 is associated with an earlier age of PC onset and should be factored into determining the optimal age of beginning screening for patients at high risk for PC.
A Novel Multiple-Bits Collision Attack Based on Double Detection with Error-Tolerant Mechanism
Authors: Yuan Ye , Wu Liji , Yang Yijun , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: June 2018

Side-channel collision attacks are more powerful than traditional side-channel attack without knowing the leakage model or establishing the model. Most attack strategies proposed previously need quantities of power traces with high computational complexity and are sensitive to mistakes, which restricts the attack efficiency seriously. In this paper, we propose a multiple-bits side-channel collision attack based on double distance voting detection (DDVD) and also an improved version, involving the error-tolerant mechanism, which can find all 120 relations among 16 key bytes when applied to AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm. In addition, we compare our collision detection method called DDVD with the Euclidean distance and the correlation-enhanced collision method under different intensity of noise, which indicates that our detection technique performs better in the circumstances of noise. Furthermore, 4-bit model of our collision detection method is proven to be optimal in theory and in practice. Meanwhile the corresponding practical attack experiments are also performed on a hardware implementation of AES-128 on FPGA board successfully. Results show that our strategy needs less computation time but more traces than LDPC method and the online time for our strategy is about 90% less than CECA and 96% less than BCA with 90% success rate.
Pregabalin Prescription for Neuropathic Pain and Fibromyalgia: A Descriptive Study Using Administrative Database in Japan
Authors: Hirakata Mikito , Yoshida Satomi , Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Kuwauchi Aki , Kawakami Koji
Published: June 2018

Objective. To assess dose, characteristics, and coprescribed analgesics in patients newly prescribed pregabalin for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia in Japan. Methods. Based on the medical and prescription information present in the Medical Data Vision database, we analyzed the initial and maximum daily doses, prescription period, coprescribed analgesics, and neuropathic pain-related disorders of patients newly prescribed pregabalin between 01 July 2010 and 31 December 2013. Results. A total of 45,331 patients (mean age 66.8 years, 48.7% men) were newly prescribed pregabalin during this period. The mean initial and maximum daily doses were 97.3 mg and 127.8 mg, respectively, and decreased yearly. The duration of the prescription period was 111.9 (mean) and 53 (median) days, and the frequently coprescribed analgesics included NSAIDs, opioids, and Neurotropin®. About one half of the patients had spinal disorders. Conclusion. In Japan during the period examined, the number of newly prescribed pregabalin users increased, but the initial and maximum daily doses decreased yearly after pregabalin went on the market. The maximum daily dose in Japan was lower than those reported in the USA and Europe. These differences might be associated with patient age and physical status and with anxiety about possible adverse events.
The Mechanical and Fracturing of Rockburst in Tunnel and Its Acoustic Emission Characteristics
Authors: Liu Xiangxin , Zhan Sibo , Zhang Yanbo , Wang Xiaolei , Liang Zhengzhao , Tian Baozhu
Published: June 2018

The phenomenon of acoustic emission (AE) is associated with rock failure and rock fracturing. In order to investigate the influence of tectonic stress on rockburst in tunnel, a biaxial loading experiment system was used in this study. The excavation operation is undertaken at the center of samples to monitor the tunnel forming process in situ, and the different horizontal stresses can be studied by using the AE monitoring technique. The dynamical fracturing process of the tunnel model was summarized, and the timing parameters of AE signals in rockburst stages were obtained. The curves of AE energy and cumulative AE energy with time show a “step‐like” rising trend before the occurrence of rockburst. The evolution of macro‐ and mesocracks is captured, and the mechanical conditions for a “V‐shaped” rockburst pit are derived. As the horizontal stress increases, the effect of excavation unloading becomes more pronounced, and the damage caused by the rockburst intensifies. In the early stage of rockburst evolution, the fracturing type follows a model of tensile‐shear mix model. A positive relationship between the ratio of shear fracturing type and the horizontal stress can be noted when the rock is about to burst, and the high intensity and the high energy released of from the rock‐fracturing event have become evident. Thus, the results indicate that one should focus on monitoring both sides of the surrounding rock of the tunnel so as to extract the characteristics of the process of tunnel in tunnel. The applications of biaxial loading system and during an excavation operation provide a useful tool to simulate the rock burst in tunnel at an engineering site.
Higher Concentrations of BCAAs and 3-HIB Are Associated with Insulin Resistance in the Transition from Gestational Diabetes to Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Andersson-Hall Ulrika , Gustavsson Carolina , Pedersen Anders , Malmodin Daniel , Joelsson Louise , Holmäng Agneta
Published: June 2018

Aim. Determine the metabolic profile and identify risk factors of women transitioning from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods. 237 women diagnosed with GDM underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), anthropometrics assessment, and completed lifestyle questionnaires six years after pregnancy. Blood was analysed for clinical variables (e.g., insulin, glucose, HbA1c, adiponectin, leptin, and lipid levels) and NMR metabolomics. Based on the OGTT, women were divided into three groups: normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM.Results. Six years after GDM, 19% of subjects had T2DM and 19% IGT. After BMI adjustment, the IGT group had lower HDL, higher leptin, and higher free fatty acid (FFA) levels, and the T2DM group higher triglyceride, FFA, and C-reactive protein levels than the NGT group. IGT and T2DM groups reported lower physical activity. NMR measurements revealed that levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and the valine metabolite 3-hydroxyisobyturate were higher in T2DM and IGT groups and correlated with measures of insulin resistance and lipid metabolism.Conclusion. In addition to well-known clinical risk factors, BCAAs and 3-hydroxyisobyturate are potential markers to be evaluated as predictors of metabolic risk after pregnancy complicated by GDM.
Mathematical Analysis for Roundabout Capacity
Authors: Suh Wonho , Kim Jung In , Kim Hyunmyung , Ko Joonho , Lee Young-Joo
Published: June 2018

This paper investigates roundabout capacity analysis using mathematical modelling and microscopic simulation. The capacity in approach section in roundabout is calculated by estimating the number of vehicles that can enter a roundabout for a given approach given a certain circulating volume. Since roundabouts are working with only yield conditions, capacity is dependent on gap acceptance model. Priority rules are used to simulate the gap acceptance model and define the right-of-way for conflicting movements. In the case of roundabouts, priority rules can be utilized to establish right-of-way at each of the conflict points where the approach traffic merges with the circulating traffic of the roundabout. By altering the minimum acceptable gap and related parameters, it is possible to calibrate a simulation model to be that of a real-life roundabout or that of a theoretical roundabout that meets the operating characteristics defined in current capacity models. The proposed roundabout capacity analysis methodology is expected to assist modelling operational conditions for roundabouts. Results are presented that provide evidence to validate the proposed approach.
Neural Basis of Depression Related to a Dominant Right Hemisphere: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Li Mi , Xu Hongpei , Lu Shengfu
Published: June 2018

Background. In the past, studies on the lateralization of the left and right hemispheres of the brain suggested that depression is dominated by the right hemisphere of the brain, but the neural basis of this theory remains unclear. Method. Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the brain was performed in 22 depressive patients and 15 healthy controls. The differences in the mean values of the regional homogeneity (ReHo) of two groups were compared, and the low-frequency amplitudes of these differential brain regions were compared. Results. The results show that compared with healthy subjects, depressive patients had increased ReHo values in the right superior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, triangular part of the right inferior frontal gyrus, orbital part of the right inferior frontal gyrus, right superior occipital gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, bilateral anterior cingulate, and paracingulate gyri; reduced ReHo values were seen in the right fusiform gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, left lingual gyrus, and left inferior parietal except in the supramarginal and angular gyri. Conclusions. The results show that regional homogeneity mainly occurs in the right brain, and the overall performance of the brain is such that right hemisphere synchronization is enhanced while left hemisphere synchronization is weakened. ReHo abnormalities in the resting state can predict abnormalities in individual neurological activities that reflect changes in the structure and function of the brain; abnormalities shown with this indicator are the neuronal basis for the phenomenon that the right hemisphere of the brain has a dominant effect on depression.
Transcriptome and Expression Profiling Analysis of Recalcitrant Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) Seeds Sensitive to Dehydration
Authors: Jin Xiaofang , Liu Dandan , Ma Linlong , Gong Ziming , Cao Dan , Liu Yanli , Li Yeyun , Jiang Changjun
Published: June 2018

The tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) is an economically important woody perennial nonalcoholic health beverage crop. Tea seeds are categorized as recalcitrant and are sensitive to dehydration treatment. However, the molecular basis of this phenomenon has not been investigated. Thus, we analyzed the genome-wide expression profiles of three dehydration stages using RNA-Seq and digital gene expression (DGE) technologies. We performed de novo assembly and obtained a total of 91,925 nonredundant unigenes, of which 58,472 were extensively annotated. By a hierarchical clustering of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), we found that 8929 DEGs were downregulated and 5875 DEGs were upregulated during dehydration treatment. A series of genes related to ABA biosynthesis and signal transduction, transcription factor, antioxidant enzyme, LEA protein, and proline metabolism that have been reported to function in dehydration process were found to be downregulated. Additionally, the expression profiles of 12 selected genes related to tea seed dehydration treatment were confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide study elucidating the possible molecular mechanisms of sensitivity of recalcitrant tea seeds to dehydration. The results obtained in this study contribute to the preservation of tea seeds as genetic resources and can also be used to explore the mechanism of dehydration sensitivity of other recalcitrant seeds.
Metabolic Reprogramming of Cancer Associated Fibroblasts: The Slavery of Stromal Fibroblasts
Authors: Avagliano Angelica , Granato Giuseppina , Ruocco Maria Rosaria , Romano Veronica , Belviso Immacolata , Carfora Antonia , Montagnani Stefania , Arcucci Alessandro
Published: June 2018

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main stromal cell type of solid tumour microenvironment and undergo an activation process associated with secretion of growth factors, cytokines, and paracrine interactions. One of the important features of solid tumours is the metabolic reprogramming that leads to changes of bioenergetics and biosynthesis in both tumour cells and CAFs. In particular, CAFs follow the evolution of tumour disease and acquire a catabolic phenotype: in tumour tissues, cancer cells and tumour microenvironment form a network where the crosstalk between cancer cells and CAFs is associated with cell metabolic reprogramming that contributes to CAFs activation, cancer growth, and progression and evasion from cancer therapies. In this regard, the study of CAFs metabolic reprogramming could contribute to better understand their activation process, the interaction between stroma, and cancer cells and could offer innovative tools for the development of new therapeutic strategies able to eradicate the protumorigenic activity of CAFs. Therefore, this review focuses on CAFs metabolic reprogramming associated with both differentiation process and cancer and stromal cells crosstalk. Finally, therapeutic responses and potential anticancer strategies targeting CAFs metabolic reprogramming are reviewed.
A Feasible Fuzzy-Extended Attribute-Based Access Control Technique
Authors: Xu Yang , Gao Wuqiang , Zeng Quanrun , Wang Guojun , Ren Ju , Zhang Yaoxue
Published: June 2018

Attribute-based access control (ABAC) is a maturing authorization technique with outstanding expressiveness and scalability, which shows its overwhelmingly competitive advantage, especially in complicated dynamic environments. Unfortunately, the absence of a flexible exceptional approval mechanism in ABAC impairs the resource usability and business time efficiency in current practice, which could limit its growth. In this paper, we propose a feasible fuzzy-extended ABAC (FBAC) technique to improve the flexibility in urgent exceptional authorizations and thereby improving the resource usability and business timeliness. We use the fuzzy assessment mechanism to evaluate the policy-matching degrees of the requests that do not comply with policies, so that the system can make special approval decisions accordingly to achieve unattended exceptional authorizations. We also designed an auxiliary credit mechanism accompanied by periodic credit adjustment auditing to regulate expediential authorizations for mitigating risks. Theoretical analyses and experimental evaluations show that the FBAC approach enhances resource immediacy and usability with controllable risk.
Prognostic Value of MUC2 Expression in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Chao , Zuo Didi , Yin Libin , Lin Yuyang , Li Chenguang , Liu Tao , Wang Lei
Published: June 2018

Background. The reliability of MUC2 as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. This study evaluated the association between MUC2 expression levels in CRC tissues and prognosis. Methods. The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Biology Medicine disc (CBMdisc), Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched to identify studies exploring the relationship between MUC2 expression in CRC tissues and overall survival (OS). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the associations between MUC2 expression levels and prognosis and MUC2 expression levels and CRC clinicopathological characteristics, respectively. Results. The meta-analysis included 11 studies (2619 patients). Low MUC2 expression level was significantly associated with poor OS (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.43–1.94; P<0.00001) and disease-free survival (DFS)/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.21–2.12; P=0.001) in patients with CRC. Low MUC2 expression level was associated with advanced TNM stage (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.26–1.60; P<0.00001), lymph node metastasis (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.25–1.60; P<0.00001), lymphatic invasion (RR,1.64; 95% CI, 1.26–2.12; P=0.0002), rectal tumor site (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.09–1.46; P=0.001), and large tumor size (RR,1.32; 95% CI, 1.02–1.70; P=0.03). There were no associations between low MUC2 expression level and gender, histological grade, depth of invasion, and distant metastasis. Conclusion. The low levels of MUC2 in CRC tissues are poor prognostic factor independent of stage or other well-recognized markers of later-stage disease. Large well-designed cohort studies are required to validate MUC2 as a biomarker for poor prognosis in CRC.
Colorectal Cancer: How Familiar Are Our Future Doctors with the Cancer of Tomorrow?
Authors: Kulkarni Vaman , Darshan B. B. , Unnikrishnan Bhaskaran , Cheng Kho Chun , Hui Goh Cia , Theng Ang Yee , Yuien Kong Sik , Thapar Rekha , Mithra Prasanna , Kumar Nithin , Holla Ramesh , Kumar Avinash
Published: June 2018

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the common cancers affecting both genders. Although the incidence of CRC is low in India there has been an increase in the past few decades. Objective. To assess the awareness regarding colorectal cancer and its screening among medical students and interns. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 290 participants (final year medical students and interns) from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. A pretested semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information. Data was analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Results. Majority of participants had satisfactory knowledge regarding CRC. 38% of them scored excellently, 64.8% had good knowledge, and 5.2% scored poorly. Knowledge regarding CRC symptoms was good (95%). 92% of the participants were aware of risk factors of CRC. Only 49% of the participants identified FOBT as a screening tool and 30.7% participants knew that 50 years is the recommended age to begin CRC screening. Interns and international students had better knowledge than final year medical students and Indian students and this was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion. There is a need to improve participant’s knowledge regarding CRC screening although majority of them are aware of CRC symptoms and risk factors.
Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Transthyretin Association from Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Dongmo Foumthuim Cedrix J. , Corazza Alessandra , Berni Rodolfo , Esposito Gennaro , Fogolari Federico
Published: June 2018

Molecular dynamics simulations are used in this work to probe the structural stability and the dynamics of engineered mutants of transthyretin (TTR), i.e., the double mutant F87M/L110M (MT-TTR) and the triple mutant F87M/L110M/S117E (3M-TTR), in relation to wild-type. Free energy analysis from end-point simulations and statistical effective energy functions are used to analyze trajectories, revealing that mutations do not have major impact on protein structure but rather on protein association, shifting the equilibria towards dissociated species. The result is confirmed by the analysis of 3M-TTR which shows dissociation within the first 10 ns of the simulation, indicating that contacts are lost at the dimer-dimer interface, whereas dimers (formed by monomers which pair to form two extended β-sheets) appear fairly stable. Overall the simulations provide a detailed view of the dynamics and thermodynamics of wild-type and mutant transthyretins and a rationale of the observed effects.
Effects of Maceral Compositions of Coal on Methane Adsorption Heat
Authors: Liu Yingke , Kang Jianhong , Zhou Fubao , Fan Yanming , Li Haijian
Published: June 2018

The role of maceral compositions (vitrinite and inertinite) in the adsorption characteristics of coal has not been fully understood in terms of energy. In this study, using a microcalorimeter, the adsorption heat of maceral compositions for methane is directly measured for five groups of Chinese coal samples with different coal ranks. The results show that the adsorption heat of the maceral concentrates varies with increasing coal rank, but for the same coal sample, the vitrinite concentrates have a higher adsorption heat than the inertinite concentrates. Furthermore, the adsorption heat of both vitrinite and inertinite concentrates is highest at the long-flame coal stage. This finding indicates that the coalification and maceral compositions have significant effects on the adsorption heat of coal for methane. It is observed that although the inertinite concentrates have a larger pore volume, they are less microporous than their rank equivalent vitrinite concentrates, resulting in lower adsorption heat. Furthermore, it is revealed that the adsorption heat of both vitrinite and inertinite concentrates is primarily correlated to the content of oxygen-containing functional groups and aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Active Disturbance Rejection Synchronization of Morris‐Lecar Neurons
Authors: Wei Wei , Shao Yanjie , Zuo Min
Published: June 2018

Synchronization of biological neurons is not only a hot topic, but also a difficult issue in the field of bioelectrical physiology. Numerous reported synchronization algorithms are designed on the basis of neural model, but they have deficiencies like relatively complex and poor robustness and are difficult to be realized. Morris‐Lecar neuron is considered, and linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC) is designed. Only one control input signal is utilized to synchronize membrane potentials of biological neurons. Meanwhile, in order to verify the robustness of synchronization, sinusoidal signal and parameter perturbations are introduced in numerical simulations. LADRC can still achieve satisfactory synchronization. Both theoretical and numerical simulation results show that LADRC is capable of estimating and cancelling disturbances and uncertainties. Neither accurate neural models nor concrete disturbance signal models are indispensable. A more practical and effective thought is provided to address the synchronization between neurons.
Dynamics of Immune Responses during ExperimentalMycobacterium kansasiiInfection of Cynomolgus Monkeys(Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Min Fangui , He Lifang , Luo Yinzhu , Huang Shuwu , Pan Jinchun , Wang Jing , Wu Ruike , Zhang Lan , Chen Meili
Published: June 2018

To profile the dynamic changes of immune responses forM. kansasiiinfection, 3 cynomolgus monkeys were experimentally infected withM. kansasiiby intratracheal inhalation of 1 × 106 CFU bacteria per monkey. Every 2 to 4 weeks, tuberculin skin testings (TSTs) were performed and blood samples were collected for immunoassay. Multiple cytokines in a single sample were measured by Luminex xMAP technologies. IgM and IgA were detected by double-antibody sandwich ELISA. IgG against PPD and 11M. tuberculosisproteins were detected by using of indirect ELISA. At week 16, all animals were euthanized for necropsy and histological analysis. Positivities of TSTs emerged from week 2 to 6 postinfection. Leukocyte counts and T lymphocyte subsets experienced moderate increases. Among 44 kinds of cytokines, 36 kinds of them showed increases of different dynamic types and 8 kinds of them showed no specific changes. Total IgM and IgA showed a transient increase at an early infection stage. Positivities ofM. tuberculosisspecific IgM and IgA emerged as early as week 2 postinfection. All animals showed positive IgG against PPD and negative IgG responses to 38 kDa, MPT64L, TB16.3, 16 kDa, U1, and MTB81 antigens during the infection period. IgG against ESAT-6, CFP10, CFP10-ESAT-6, Ag85b, and 14 kDa antigens reached positive levels. The IgG avidities of PPD, ESAT-6, CFP10-ESAT-6, and Ag85b were all above 50 percent. In conclusion, the data indicate thatM. kansasiiinfection in monkeys can induce positivities of TSTs, increases of multiple cytokines, and cross-reactive antibody responses toM. tuberculosisantigens.
Sample Aging Profoundly Reduces Monocyte Responses in Human Whole Blood Cultures
Authors: Grievink H. W. , Moerland M.
Published: June 2018

Human whole blood cultures are widely used for the investigation of physiological pathways and drug effectsin vitro. Detailed information on the effect of “sample aging” (the time span between blood collection and experimental start) on the experimental outcome is not readily available in the public domain. We studied the effect of sample aging on the ability of immune cells to respond to cell-specific immune triggers (LPS, PMA/ionomycin, and SEB). Sample aging at room temperature profoundly inhibited the LPS-induced monocytic cytokine release in minimally diluted whole blood cultures. The reduction ranged from 20–50% after 30 minutes to 80–100% after 10 hours and differed between cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFNγ, and TNFα). Sample storage at 4°C or 37°C even worsened this. PMA/ionomycin- and SEB-induced cytokine release, both mainly T-cell-driven, were also reduced by sample aging but to a lesser extent (20–50% after 24 hours). Intracellular cytokine staining revealed that the number of LPS-responding cells was not impacted by sample aging and reduced LPS responsivity could also not be explained by apoptosis or downregulated TLR4 expression. Thus, we speculate that sample aging induces an inhibitory pathway downstream from TLR4 in monocytes. These results underline the importance of quick sample handling when investigating innate immune responses in whole blood, especially for monocyte responses.
Identification of Peptide Antagonists to Thioredoxin Glutathione Reductase ofSchistosoma japonicum
Authors: Song Li-Jun , Li Jia-Huang , Yin Xu-Ren , Zhang Wei , Jin Yi , Gao Hong , Wang Jie , Yu Chuan-Xin , Hua Zi-Chun
Published: June 2018

Schistosomiasis is one of the world’s major public health problems. Praziquantel is currently the only effective drug against schistosomiasis. As resistance of praziquantel has emerged in some endemic areas, development of new antischistosomal agents should be a high priority. In this study, a phage display peptide library was used for screening for peptide antagonists of thioredoxin glutathione reductase ofSchistosoma japonicum(SjTGR), which has been identified as an alternative drug target. Three rounds of panning produced four different fusion phages. ELISA proved that all four phages could bind to SjTGR. One peptide, JIPDys1 (aa, WPHNWWPHFKVK), reduced enzyme activity of SjTGR by more than 50%. 2μM of the synthesized peptide of JIPDys1 inhibited the activity of TrxR, GR, and Grx of SjTGR by 32.5%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The IC50values of the synthetic peptide JIPDys1 for TrxR, GR, and Grx were 3.67μM, 0.11μM, and 0.97μM, respectively. Based on computer simulation, it appeared that JIPDys1 binds to the substrate binding sites of glutathione reductase (GR) and glutaredoxin (Grx). Our data show that the peptide, JIPDys1 (aa, WPHNWWPHFKVK), is a promising candidate to develop novel drugs againstS. japonicumwhich acts by binding with SjTGR and reduces enzyme activity of SjTGR.