bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communication and Sign Stealing in Baseball: Pitcher-Catcher “Hot-Key” Sign Indicator Obfuscation via Situational Game Data
Authors: Howard Jeffrey N.
Published: August 2017

The game of baseball and its internal cryptic communication system has always been vulnerable to sign stealing. By systematically studying the signals of an opponent so as to decrypt and intercept opponent communications, one can garner valuable insight into future events and strategies. Such “theft of signals” can lead teams to frequently change their sign indicator, should they suspect it has been compromised. The current paper presents a theoretical process of “hot” sign indicator obfuscation whereby the pitcher and catcher use unique hot indicator values that are generated after each pitch via an algorithm derived from randomly changing situational and/or scoreboard data.
Thermal-induced nonlinearities in rose, linseed, and chamomile oils using continuous wave visible laser beam
Authors: Sultan H.A. , Hassan Qusay M.A. , Bakr H. , Al-Asadi Ahmed S. , Hashim D.H. , Emshary C.A.
Published: August 2017

Self-diffraction rings or spatial self-phase modulation were observed in rose, linseed, and chamomile oils under 473 nm continuous wave laser irradiation. The measurements were performed by propagating the laser beam through a cell containing each sample. The number of rings as well as diameter of the outer-most ring in each pattern obtained increases monotonically with increasing input power. The diffraction ring patterns are theoretically simulated using Fresnel–Kirchhoff diffraction integral in the case of an optically thin medium. The experimental and simulation results show that when a laser beam with Gaussian profile is transmitted through an oil medium, a series of circular diffraction rings forms in the intensity distribution pattern in the far-field. The nonlinear refractive index, n2, was determined from the number of observed rings and by the Z-scan technique. The results obtained from self-diffraction rings experiment and Z-scan are compared and analyzed for the three different oils. A large value was obtained of the order of n2 = 1.32 × l0−6 cm2/W for chamomile oil using the diffraction ring pattern technique. This large nonlinearity is attributed to a thermal effect resulting from linear absorption. Moreover, the optical limiting characteristics of rose, linseed, and chamomile oils were investigated.
Preconditioned RRGMRES for Discrete Ill-Posed Problems
Authors: Aminikhah H. , Yousefi M.
Published: August 2017

Range Restricted GMRES (RRGMRES) can be considered as regularizing iterative method and its iterates as regularized solutions. In this paper, we use two preconditioned versions of this method for solving ill-posed inverse problems. Our proposed preconditioner matrix is appropriate to use directly for linear systems of the form [Formula: see text] with square ill-conditioned coefficient matrix. We show numerically that the Preconditioned RRGMRES method has more stable solution compared to RRGMRES.
Multiranks and classical theta functions
Authors: Fu Shishuo , Tang Dazhao
Published: August 2017

Multiranks and new rank/crank analogs for a variety of partitions are given, so as to imply combinatorially some arithmetic properties enjoyed by these types of partitions. Our methods are elementary relying entirely on the three classical theta functions, and are motivated by the seminal work of Ramanujan, Garvan, Hammond and Lewis.
Intervals without primes near elements of linear recurrence sequences
Authors: Dubickas Artūras
Published: August 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be an unbounded sequence of integers satisfying a linear recurrence relation with integer coefficients. We show that for any [Formula: see text] there exist infinitely many [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] consecutive integers [Formula: see text] are all divisible by certain primes. Moreover, if the sequence of integers [Formula: see text] satisfying a linear recurrence relation is unbounded and non-degenerate then for some constant [Formula: see text] the intervals [Formula: see text] do not contain prime numbers for infinitely many [Formula: see text]. Applying this argument to sequences of integer parts of powers of Pisot and Salem numbers [Formula: see text] we derive a similar result for those sequences as well which implies, for instance, that the shifted integer parts [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] runs through some infinite arithmetic progression of positive integers, are all composite.
Facial Synthesized Co-doped SnO2@Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as an Efficient Microwave Absorber in High Frequency Range
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Xing Honglong , Lin Ling , Ji Xiaoli , Shen Ziyao
Published: August 2017

Co-doped SnO2@multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by a one-pot hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to characterize the morphology and structure of the composites. XRD, FT-IR, and XPS analyses demonstrated that Co was doped into SnO2 lattice, no other impure phases were detected. Co-doped SnO2, with a uniform size of 4–6[Formula: see text]nm, is coated on MWCNTs but separated from the nanotubes with some aggregation. The microwave absorption properties of Co-doped SnO2@MWCNTs were investigated at room temperature within 2–18[Formula: see text]GHz. Results indicated that Co-doping concentration plays an important role in the microwave absorption capability of Co-doped SnO2@MWCNTs. The maximum reflection loss (RL) is [Formula: see text]22.8[Formula: see text]dB at 14.1[Formula: see text]GHz. The absorption bandwidth with RL less than [Formula: see text]10[Formula: see text]dB is 4.2[Formula: see text]GHz (12.2–16.4) with coating thickness of only 1.5[Formula: see text]mm; hence, Co-doping can enhance the microwave absorption performance of SnO2@MWCNTs. The excellent microwave absorption performance may be attributed to interfacial polarization, conductivity loss, and changes in electromagnetic parameters and lattice constant caused by Co-doping. Consequently, Co-doped SnO2@MWCNTs can be considered as efficient microwave absorbers in high-frequency range.
Walter Greiner: In Memoriam
Authors: Zen Vasconcellos César , Coelho Helio T. , Hess Peter Otto
Published: August 2017

Walter Greiner (29 October 1935 - 6 October 2016) was a German theoretical physicist. His scientific research interests include the thematic areas of atomic physics, heavy ion physics, nuclear physics, elementary particle physics (particularly quantum electrodynamics and quantum chromodynamics). He is most known in Germany for his series of books in theoretical physics, but he is also well known around the world. Greiner was born on October 29, 1935, in Neuenbau, Sonnenberg, Germany. He studied physics at the University of Frankfurt (Goethe University in Frankfurt Am Main), receiving in this institution a BSci in physics and a Master’s degree in 1960 with a thesis on plasma-reactors, and a PhD in 1961 at the University of Freiburg under Hans Marshal, with a thesis on the nuclear polarization in [Formula: see text]-mesic atoms. During the period of 1962 to 1964 he was assistant professor at the University of Maryland, followed by a position as research associate at the University of Freiburg, in 1964. Starting in 1965, he became a full professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Goethe University until 2003. Greiner has been a visiting professor to many universities and laboratories, including Florida State University, the University of Virginia, the University of California, the University of Melbourne, Vanderbilt University, Yale University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2003, with Wolf Singer, he was the founding Director of the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS), and gave lectures and seminars in elementary particle physics. He died on October 6, 2016 at the age of 80.

Walter Greiner was an excellent teacher, researcher, friend. And he was a great supporter of the series of events known by the acronyms IWARA - International Workshop on Astronomy and Relativistic Astrophysics, STARS - Caribbean Symposium on Cosmology, Gravitation, Nuclear and Astroparticle Physics, and SMFNS - International Symposium on Strong Electromagnetic Fields and Neutron Stars. Walter Greiner left us. But his memory will remain always alive among us who have had the privilege of knowing him and enjoy his wisdom and joy of living.
Pseudo-Complex General Relativity
Authors: Hess Peter O.
Published: August 2017

The present status of the pseudo-complex General Relativity is presented. The pcGR includes many known theories with a minimal length. Restricting to its simplest form, an energy-momentum tensor is added at the right hand side of the Einstein equations, representing a dark energy, related to vacuum fluctuations. We use a phenomenological ansatz for the density and discuss observable consequences: Quaisperiodic Oscillations (QPO), effects on accretion disks and gravitational waves.
New Tetrads in Riemannian Geometry and New Ensuing Results in Group Theory, Gauge Theory and Fundamental Physics in Particle Physics, General Relativity and Astrophysics
Authors: Garat Alcides
Published: August 2017

A new tetrad is introduced within the framework of geometrodynamics for non-null electromagnetic fields. This tetrad diagonalizes the electromagnetic stress-energy tensor and allows for maximum simplification of the expression of the electromagnetic field. The Einstein-Maxwell equations will also be simplified. New group isomorphisms are proved. The local group of electromagnetic gauge transformations is isomorphic to the new group LB1. LB1 is the group of local tetrad transformations comprised by SO(1,1) plus two different kinds of discrete transformations. The local group of electromagnetic gauge transformations is also isomorphic to the local group of tetrad transformations LB2, which is SO(2), as well. Therefore, we proved that LB1 is isomorphic to LB2. These group results amount to proving that the no-go theorems of the sixties like the S. Coleman- J. Mandula, the S. Weinberg or L. ORaifeartagh versions are incorrect. Not because of their internal logic, but because of the assumptions made at the outset of all these versions. These new tetrads are useful in astrophysics spacetime evolution algorithms since they introduce maximum simplification in all relevant objects, specially in stress-energy tensors.
Statical Properties of CMB B-Mode Polarisation in a Partial Sky Analysis
Authors: Santos Larissa , Zhao Wen
Published: August 2017

Measuring the imprint of primordial gravitational waves in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarisation field is one of the main goals in modern cosmology. However, the so called [Formula: see text]-mode polarisation can be generated by different sources besides the primary one predicted by inflationary theories, known as secondary [Formula: see text]-mode signal. Among them, CMB lensing and astrophysical foregrounds play an important role. Moreover, a partial sky analysis leads to a leakage between [Formula: see text]-modes and [Formula: see text]-modes. In this article, we use the well known Minkowski functionals (MF) statistics to study the significance of this leakage in the CMB lensing [Formula: see text]-mode signal. We find that the MF can detect the [Formula: see text]-to-[Formula: see text] leakage contamination, thus it should not be neglected in future CMB data analysis.
A Family of Hierarchical Symplectic Maps for N-body Simulations with Post-Newtonian Corrections
Authors: Ferrari Guilherme Gonçalves
Published: August 2017

Symplectic maps are well known for preserving the phase-space volume in Hamiltonian dynamics and are particularly suited for problems that require long integration times, such as the [Formula: see text]-body problem. However, when combined with a varying time-step scheme, they end up losing its symplecticity and become numerically inefficient. We address this problem by using a recursive Hamiltonian splitting based on the time-symmetric value of the individual time-steps required by the particles in the system. We present a family of 48 quasi-symplectic maps with different orders of convergence (2nd-, 4th- & 6th-order) and three time-stepping schemes: i) 16 using constant time-steps, ii) 16 using shared adaptive time-steps, and iii) 16 using hierarchical (individual) time-steps. All maps include post-Newtonian corrections up to order 3.5PN. We describe the method and present some details of the implementation.
Simulations of the Neutron Star Crust
Authors: Schramm Stefan , Nandi Rana
Published: August 2017

The properties of the neutron star crust are crucially important for many physical processes occurring in the star. For instance, the crustal transport coefficients define the temperature evolution of accreting stars after bursts, which can be compared to observation. Furthermore, the structure of the inner crust can modify the neutrino transport through the matter considerably, significantly impacting the dynamics of supernova explosions. Therefore, we perform numerical studies of the inner crust, and among other aspects, investigate the dependence of the pasta phase on the isospin properties of the nuclear interactions. To this end we developed an efficient computer code to simulate the inner and outer crust using molecular dynamics techniques. First results of the simulations and insights into the crust-core transition are presented.
Stellar Structure Models of Deformed Neutron Stars
Authors: Zubairi Omair , Wigley David , Weber Fridolin
Published: August 2017

Traditional stellar structure models of non-rotating neutron stars work under the assumption that these stars are perfect spheres. This assumption of perfect spherical symmetry is not correct if the matter inside neutron stars is described by an anisotropic model for the equation of state. Certain classes of neutron stars such as Magnetars and neutron stars which contain color-superconducting quark matter cores are expected to be deformed making them oblong spheroids. In this work, we investigate the stellar structure of these deformed neutron stars by deriving stellar structure equations in the framework of general relativity. Using a non-isotropic equation of state model, we solve these structure equations numerically in two dimensions. We calculate stellar properties such as masses and radii along with pressure profiles and investigate changes from standard spherical models.
A Model for the Braking Indices of Pulsars
Authors: de Oliveira Heitor O. , Marinho Rubens M. , Magalhães Nadja S.
Published: August 2017

Stars known as pulsars are generally modeled as magnetized spheres made of neutrons with high rotation frequency. It is known that such stars are spinning down and this braking is measured by a parameter, n, known as braking index. For the canonical model such parameter should have a single value for all pulsars: n = 3. However, from observations it is known that n diverges from 3. In this work, differently from the canonical model, we have hypothesized the existence of a variation of the moment of inertia of the star through a time-varying radius. Using energy conservation we find the values for the variation of the radius of our pulsar sample. Our results indicate that it may be reasonable to consider that the radius of pulsars can be changing with time.
On the Submergence and Reemergence of Magnetic Fields in Young Supernovae
Authors: Bernal Cristian G.
Published: August 2017

In this work I present numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the early dynamics around newly born neutrons stars using the AMR Flash method. When the core-collapse supernovae occurs a reverse shock is formed allowing strong accretion onto the neutron star surface (hypercritical phase). In such regime large amounts of matter are deposited on the neutron star surface, submerging the magnetic field in the new crust. When the hypercritical regime is over, the magnetic field can suffer a reemergence episode due to magnetic diffusion processes, allowing the delayed switch-on of pulsars.
The QCD Phase-Diagram Obtained from the NJL and the Extended-NJL Models for Quark and Hadron Phases
Authors: Graeff Clebson A. , Menezes Débora P.
Published: August 2017

We analyse the hadron/quark phase transition described by the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model [quark phase] and the extended Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model (eNJL) [hadron phase]. While the original formulation of the NJL model is not capable of describing hadronic properties due to its lack of confinement, it can be extended with a scalar-vector interaction so it exhibits this property, the so-called eNJL model. As part of this analysis, we obtain the equations of state within the SU(2) versions of both models for the hadron and the quark phases and determine the binodal surface.
Neutral Pion Pole Mass Calculation in a Strong Magnetic Field: Lattice QCD Versus NJL Model
Authors: Farias Ricardo L. S. , Avancini Sidney S. , Pinto Marcus Benghi , Tavares William R. , Timóteo Varese S.
Published: August 2017

Within the framework of cold magnetized SU(2) Nambu-Jona-Lasinio model we evaluate the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] pole mass, as well as, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] at zero baryon density. We employ a magnetic field dependent coupling, [Formula: see text], fitted to reproduce lattice QCD results for the quark condensates. In particular, we find that the [Formula: see text] meson mass systematically decreases when the magnetic field increases, in good agreement with recent lattice calculations.
Total, Elastic and Single Diffractive Cross Sections for LHC Energies
Authors: Machado Mairon M. , Machado Magno V. T.
Published: August 2017

In this contribution we provide predictions for total, elastic and single diffractive cross sections calculated for the proton-proton collisions at the LHC in centre-of-mass energies of 0.9, 7, 8 and 14 TeV. We consider the framework of the Miettinen-Pumplin model which correctly describes the lower energy data available by Fermilab-Tevatron. Our predictions are based on the fitted parameters of the model for the Tevatron measurements and for TOTEM-LHC measurements at 7 TeV. We extrapolate the results for the higher energies runs of LHC and provide predictions for them. We verify that those prediction are in agreement with the recent CERN-ATLAS Collaboration result.
Diffractive Production of Quarkonium in p-A Collisions at LHC
Authors: Rocha Érison S. , Machado Magno V. T.
Published: August 2017

In the present work, we investigated the exclusive diffractive production of charmonium in pronton-nucleus collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) energies. Such exclusive production reactions possess a cleaner experimental signal than inclusive production once it is characterized by low multiplicity of particles between final produced state and the incident protons of collider beam. The considered theoretical framework was the perturbative model of Quantum Cromodynamics (QCD) for the Pomeron exchange. In particular, we have used the resolved Pomeron model which depends on the Pomeron flux and Pomeron parton distribution functions. The main goal is to provide predictions for the single diffractive cross section for the J/Psi meson production at the energies of 5.02 TeV and 8.8 TeV. We have shown that a measurement is feasible as the order of magnitude is 400 microbarns even absorption corrections. Furthermore, we analyze the ratio of the diffractive to inclusive cross section which allows theoretical uncertainties to be canceled, mostly those associated to approximations performed in inclusive case.
Regge Phenomenology at LHC Energies
Authors: Bahia Carlos A. S. , Broilo Mateus , Luna Emerson G. S.
Published: August 2017

At high energies the Pomeron plays a crucial part in describing the soft interactions. In the light of LHC (Large Hadron Collider) data we perform a detailed analysis of proton-proton ([Formula: see text]) and antiproton-proton ([Formula: see text]) forward scattering data in order to determine the intercept and the slope of the soft Pomeron trajectory. This analysis is performed based on Regge theory using Born-level amplitudes. We investigate the role of the proton-Pomeron vertex form and of the nearest [Formula: see text]-channel singularity. We give predictions for the total cross section and the ratio of the real part to the imaginary part of the elastic amplitude in [Formula: see text] collisions at LHC and cosmic-ray energies.
Double Heavy Quark-Antiquark Pair Production in Double Parton Scattering Processes at the LHC
Authors: Mariotto Cristiano B. , da Silva Rafael P.
Published: August 2017

The high gluon density in the initial state of hadronic collisions at LHC energies implies that the probability of multiple parton interactions within one proton-proton collision increases. In particular, this motivates one to investigate the importance of Double Parton Scattering (DPS) processes at the LHC. In a DPS process one can have, from one proton-proton collision, two interacting partons coming from each colliding hadron. In this context, the relation between the double parton distribution functions (dPDF) and the usual parton distribution functions (PDF) is discussed, and some formulae for the DPS cross section are compared. Our results focus on the production of different final states related to two heavy quark-antiquark pairs. Those include [Formula: see text], which is called the golden channel of DPS, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Two-Photon Interactions in Meson Production at Energies at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
Authors: da Veiga Eduardo S. , da Silva Daniel T. , Sauter Werner K. , Gonçalves Victor P.
Published: August 2017

With the development of experiments in particle accelerators, there have been many new particles discovered. Some of these new particles are called exotic particles and are predicted by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). There are various models for the study of these particles, and a possible way to study the exotic particle production is through the study of meson production in two-photon interactions at high-energy collisions due his clean experimental signal. In this contribution, we calculate the meson production in two-photon interactions at LHC energies considering proton-proton collisions to estimate the total cross section for the production of exotic states.
Light Meson Decay with Gaussian Confinement in a JKJ Decay Model
Authors: da Veiga Eduardo S. , da Silva Daniel T. , da Silva Mario L. L. , Hadjimichef Dimiter
Published: August 2017

A form to describe hadron strong decays is in terms of quark and gluon degrees of freedom in microscopic decay models. Initially we assume that strong decays are driven by the same inter-quark Hamiltonian which determines the spectrum, and that it incorporates gaussian confinement. An [Formula: see text] decay matrix element of the JKJ Hamiltonian involves a pair-production current matrix elements times a scattering matrix element. Diagrammatically this corresponds to an interaction between an initial line and produced pair. In this work we apply the model to the light meson sector and calculate the decay rate, comparing with the experimental values.
Materials, Devices and Spin Transfer Torque in Antiferromagnetic Spintronics: A Concise Review
Authors: Coileáin Cormac Ó , Wu Han Chun
Published: August 2017

From historical obscurity, antiferromagnets are recently enjoying revived interest, as antiferromagnetic (AFM) materials may allow the continued reduction in size of spintronic devices. They have the benefit of being insensitive to parasitic external magnetic fields, while displaying high read/write speeds, and thus poised to become an integral part of the next generation of logical devices and memory. They are currently employed to preserve the magnetoresistive qualities of some ferromagnetic based giant or tunnel magnetoresistance systems. However, the question remains how the magnetic states of an antiferromagnet can be efficiently manipulated and detected. Here, we reflect on AFM materials for their use in spintronics, in particular, newly recognized antiferromagnet Mn2Au with its in-plane anisotropy and tetragonal structure and high Néel temperature. These attributes make it one of the most promising candidates for AFM spintronics thus far with the possibility of architectures freed from the need for ferromagnetic (FM) elements. Here, we discuss its potential for use in ferromagnet-free spintronic devices.
ARIADNE
Authors: Meghini Carlo , Scopigno Roberto , Richards Julian , Wright Holly , Geser Guntram , Cuy Sebastian , Fihn Johan , Fanini Bruno , Hollander Hella , Niccolucci Franco , Felicetti Achille , Ronzino Paola , Nurra Federico , Papatheodorou Christos , Gavrilis Dimitris , Theodoridou Maria , Doerr Martin , Tudhope Douglas , Binding Ceri , Vlachidis Andreas
Published: August 2017

Research e-infrastructures, digital archives, and data services have become important pillars of scientific enterprise that in recent decades have become ever more collaborative, distributed, and data intensive. The archaeological research community has been an early adopter of digital tools for data acquisition, organization, analysis, and presentation of research results of individual projects. However, the provision of e-infrastructure and services for data sharing, discovery, access, and (re)use have lagged behind. This situation is being addressed by ARIADNE, the Advanced Research Infrastructure for Archaeological Dataset Networking in Europe. This EU-funded network has developed an e-infrastructure that enables data providers to register and provide access to their resources (datasets, collections) through the ARIADNE data portal, facilitating discovery, access, and other services across the integrated resources. This article describes the current landscape of data repositories and services for archaeologists in Europe, and the issues that make interoperability between them difficult to realize. The results of the ARIADNE surveys on users’ expectations and requirements are also presented. The main section of the article describes the architecture of the e-infrastructure, core services (data registration, discovery, and access), and various other extant or experimental services. The ongoing evaluation of the data integration and services is also discussed. Finally, the article summarizes lessons learned and outlines the prospects for the wider engagement of the archaeological research community in the sharing of data through ARIADNE.
On the Parameterized Complexity of Finding Small Unsatisfiable Subsets of CNF Formulas and CSP Instances
Authors: Haan Ronald De , Kanj Iyad , Szeider Stefan
Published: August 2017

In many practical settings it is useful to find a small unsatisfiable subset of a given unsatisfiable set of constraints. We study this problem from a parameterized complexity perspective, taking the size of the unsatisfiable subset as the natural parameter where the set of constraints is either (i) given a set of clauses, i.e., a formula in conjunctive normal Form (CNF), or (ii) as an instance of the Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP).

In general, the problem is fixed-parameter
in
tractable. For an instance of the propositional satisfiability problem (SAT), it was known to be W[1]-complete. We establish A[2]-completeness for CSP instances, where A[2]-hardness prevails already for the Boolean case.

With these fixed-parameter intractability results for the general case in mind, we consider various restricted classes of inputs and draw a detailed complexity landscape. It turns out that often Boolean CSP and CNF formulas behave similarly, but we also identify notable exceptions to this rule.

The main part of this article is dedicated to classes of inputs that are induced by Boolean constraint languages that Schaefer [1978] identified as the maximal constraint languages with a tractable satisfiability problem. We show that for the CSP setting, the problem of finding small unsatisfiable subsets remains fixed-parameter intractable for all Schaefer languages for which the problem is non-trivial. We show that this is also the case for CNF formulas with the exception of the class of bijunctive (Krom) formulas, which allows for an identification of a small unsatisfiable subset in polynomial time.

In addition, we consider various restricted classes of inputs with bounds on the maximum number of times that a variable occurs (the degree), bounds on the arity of constraints, and bounds on the domain size. For the case of CNF formulas, we show that restricting the degree is enough to obtain fixed-parameter tractability, whereas for the case of CSP instances, one needs to restrict the degree, the arity, and the domain size simultaneously to establish fixed-parameter tractability.

Finally, we relate the problem of finding small unsatisfiable subsets of a set of constraints to the problem of identifying whether a given variable-value assignment is entailed or forbidden already by a small subset of constraints. Moreover, we use the connection between the two problems to establish similar parameterized complexity results also for the latter problem.
Multimodal Retrieval with Diversification and Relevance Feedback for Tourist Attraction Images
Authors: Dang-Nguyen Duc-Tien , Piras Luca , Giacinto Giorgio , Boato Giulia , Natale Francesco G. B. DE
Published: August 2017

In this article, we present a novel framework that can produce a visual description of a tourist attraction by choosing the most diverse pictures from community-contributed datasets, which describe different details of the queried location. The main strength of the proposed approach is its flexibility that permits us to filter out non-relevant images and to obtain a reliable set of diverse and relevant images by first clustering similar images according to their textual descriptions and their visual content and then extracting images from different clusters according to a measure of the user’s credibility. Clustering is based on a two-step process, where textual descriptions are used first and the clusters are then refined according to the visual features. The degree of diversification can be further increased by exploiting users’ judgments on the results produced by the proposed algorithm through a novel approach, where users not only provide a
relevance
feedback but also a
diversity
feedback. Experimental results performed on the MediaEval 2015 “Retrieving Diverse Social Images” dataset show that the proposed framework can achieve very good performance both in the case of automatic retrieval of diverse images and in the case of the exploitation of the users’ feedback. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been also confirmed by a small case study involving a number of real users.
Caching Online Video
Authors: Akhtar Shahid , Beck Andre , Rimac Ivica
Published: August 2017

Online video presents new challenges to traditional caching with over a thousand-fold increase in number of assets, rapidly changing popularity of assets and much higher throughput requirements.

We propose a new hierarchical filtering algorithm for caching online video HiFi. Our algorithm is designed to optimize hit rate, replacement rate and cache throughput. It has an associated implementation complexity comparable to that of LRU.

Our results show that, under typical operator conditions, HiFi can increase edge cache byte hit rate by 5%--24% over an LRU policy, but more importantly can increase the RAM or memory byte hit rate by 80% to 200% and reduce the replacement rate by more than 100 times! These two factors combined can dramatically increase throughput for most caches. If SSDs are used for storage, the much lower replacement rate may also allow substitution of lower-cost MLC-based SSDs instead of SLC-based SSDs.

We extend previous multi-tier analytical models for LRU caches to caches with filtering. We analytically show how HiFi can approach the performance of an optimal caching policy and how to tune HiFi to reach as close to optimal performance as the traffic conditions allow. We develop a realistic simulation environment for online video using statistics from operator traces. We show that HiFi performs within a few percentage points from the optimal solution which was simulated by Belady's MIN algorithm under typical operator conditions
O-Mopsi
Authors: Fränti Pasi , Mariescu-Istodor Radu , Sengupta Lahari
Published: August 2017

Location-based games have been around already since 2000 but only recently when PokemonGo came to markets it became clear that they can reach wide popularity. In this article, we perform a literature-based analytical study of what kind of issues location-based game design faces, and how they can be solved. We study how to use and verify the location, the role of the games as exergames, use in education, and study technical and safety issues. As a case study, we present O-Mopsi game that combines physical activity with problem solving. It includes three challenges: (1) navigating to the next target, (2) deciding the order of targets, (3) physical movement. All of them are unavoidable and relevant. For guiding the players, we use three types of multimedia: images (targets and maps), sound (user guidance), and GPS (for positioning). We discuss motivational aspects, analysis of the playing, and content creation. The quality of experiences is reported based on playing in SciFest Science festivals during 2011--2016.
Lessons from Interspecies Mammalian Chimeras
Authors: Suchy Fabian , Nakauchi Hiromitsu
Published: August 2017

As chimeras transform from beasts of Greek mythology into tools of contemporary bioscience, secrets of developmental biology and evolutionary divergence are being revealed. Recent advances in stem cell biology and interspecies chimerism have generated new models with extensive basic and translational applications, including generation of transplantable, patient-specific organs.
Infant Statistical Learning
Authors: Saffran Jenny R. , Kirkham Natasha Z.
Published: August 2017

Perception involves making sense of a dynamic, multimodal environment. In the absence of mechanisms capable of exploiting the statistical patterns in the natural world, infants would face an insurmountable computational problem. Infant statistical learning mechanisms facilitate the detection of structure. These abilities allow the infant to compute across elements in their environmental input, extracting patterns for further processing and subsequent learning. In this selective review, we summarize findings that show that statistical learning is both a broad and flexible mechanism (supporting learning from different modalities across many different content areas) and input specific (shifting computations depending on the type of input and goal of learning). We suggest that statistical learning not only provides a framework for studying language development and object knowledge in constrained laboratory settings, but also allows researchers to tackle real-world problems, such as multilingualism, the role of ever-changing learning environments, and differential developmental trajectories.
Proximate Mediators of Microvascular Dysfunction at the Blood-Brain Barrier: Neuroinflammatory Pathways to Neurodegeneration
Authors: Festoff Barry W. , Sajja Ravi K. , Cucullo Luca
Published: August 2017

Current projections are that by 2050 the numbers of people aged 65 and older withAlzheimer’s disease(AD) in the US may increase threefold whiledementiais projected to double every 20 years reaching ~115 million by 2050. AD is clinically characterized by progressive dementia and neuropathologically by neuronal and synapse loss, accumulation of amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in specific brain regions. The preclinical or presymptomatic stage of AD-related brain changes may begin over 20 years before symptoms occur,making development of noninvasive biomarkers essential. Distinct from neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, plasma or serumbiomarkerscan be analyzed to assess (i) the presence/absence of AD, (ii) the risk of developing AD, (iii) the progression of AD, or (iv) AD response to treatment. No unifying theory fully explains the neurodegenerative brain lesions butneuroinflammation(a lethal stressor for healthy neurons) is universally present. Current consensus is that the earlier the diagnosis, the better the chance to develop treatments that influence disease progression. In this article we provide a detailed review and analysis of the role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) as well as coagulation molecules in the onset and progression of these neurodegenerative disorders.
Differential Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease, Essential Tremor, and Enhanced Physiological Tremor with the Tremor Analysis of EMG
Authors: Zhang Jie , Xing Yan , Ma Xiuli , Feng Liqun
Published: August 2017

We investigate the differential diagnostic value of tremor analysis of EMG on Parkinson’s disease (PD), essential tremor (ET), and enhanced physiological tremor (EPT). Clinical data from 25 patients with PD, 20 patients with ET, and 20 patients with EPT were collected. The tremor frequency and muscle contraction pattern of the resting, posture, and 500 g and 1000 g overload were recorded. The frequency of PD tremor was 4–6 Hz, and the frequency of ET was also in this range; the frequency of EPT is 6–12 hz having some overlap with PD. The muscle contraction patterns of the ET and EPT group were mainly synchronous contraction, and the muscle contraction mode of the PD group was mainly alternating contraction. Having tremor latency from rest to postural position and having changes in tremor amplitude after mental concentration in PD might distinguish ET. Tremor analysis of EMG was able to distinguish PD from ET and EPT by varying the tremor frequency and muscle contraction pattern. It can also differentiate between PD and ET by the latency and concentration effect and ET and EPT by weight load effect.
Transpseudarthrosis Osteotomy with Interbody Fusion for Kyphotic Spinal Pseudarthrosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis by a Single Posterior Approach: A Retrospective Study and a Brief Relevant Literature Review
Authors: Yang Erzhu , Cao Liangliang , Zhang Guowang , Lian Xiaofeng , Xu Jianguang
Published: August 2017

Objective. To explore the safety and efficacy of transpseudarthrosis osteotomy with interbody fusion in the treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients with kyphotic spinal pseudarthrosis by a single posterior approach. Methods. Twelve consecutive patients with spinal pseudarthrosis underwent transpseudarthrosis osteotomy and interbody fusion with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage by a single posterior approach. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded. Radiographic and clinical results were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results. The average operative time was 201.9 min and the mean blood loss was 817.5 ml. The visual analogue scale (VAS) improved significantly from 6.7 preoperatively to 1.1 at the final follow-up. The average correction of the segmental kyphosis at the level of the pseudarthrosis was 22.3°. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients, and there was no obvious loss of correction at follow-up. Conclusion. Transpseudarthrosis osteotomy at the level of the pseudarthrosis can be safely performed and surgical repair of pseudarthrosis with interbody fusion by a single posterior approach was feasible.
Loss of Sigma‐1 Receptor Chaperone Promotes Astrocytosis and Enhances the Nrf2 Antioxidant Defense
Authors: Weng Tzu-Yu , Hung Denise T. , Su Tsung-Ping , Tsai Shang-Yi A.
Published: August 2017

Sigma‐1 receptor (Sig‐1R) functions as a chaperon that interacts with multiple proteins and lipids and is implicated in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. Here, we used Sig‐1R KO mice to examine brain expression profiles of astrocytes and ubiquitinated proteins, which are both hallmarks of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies. Our results showed that Sig‐1R KO induces increased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression in primary neuron‐glia cultures and in the whole brain of fetus mice with concomitantly increased accumulations of ubiquitinated proteins. Astrogliosis was also observed in the neuron‐glia culture. Upon proteasome or autophagy inhibitor treatments, the pronounced ubiquitinated proteins were further increased in Sig‐1R KO neurons, indicating that the Sig‐1R regulates both protein degradation and quality control systems. We found that Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2), which functions to overcome the stress condition, was enhanced in the Sig‐1R KO systems especially when cells were under stressful conditions. Mutation or deficiency of Sig‐1Rs has been observed in neurodegenerative models. Our study identifies the critical roles of Sig‐1R in CNS homeostasis and supports the idea that functional complementation pathways are triggered in the Sig‐1R KO pathology.
Ganglioneuroma of the External Auditory Canal and Middle Ear
Authors: Almofada Hesham Saleh , Timms Michael Steven , Dababo M. Anas
Published: August 2017

Objective. We report an extremely rare case of ganglioneuroma involving the external auditory canal and middle ear. Case Report. Ganglioneuromas are rare benign mature tumors thought to originate from sympathetic ganglions, with the highest incidence in the retroperitoneum, adrenal medulla, and posterior mediastinum. We present a case of ganglioneuroma of the external auditory canal and middle ear. At the age of 12 months, the patient was diagnosed with neuroblastoma stage IV with metastasis to the squamous temporal bone, bone marrow, and skull base. He received a high-risk protocol regimen resulting in complete remission. The patient later presented with recurrent right ear discharge at the age of six years and was diagnosed with ganglioneuroma of external auditory canal and middle ear after appropriate investigations. We report in this article the clinical presentation, investigations, surgical intervention, and follow-up. Conclusion. After the literature review and to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its kind. Ganglioneuroma maturing from neuroblastoma is one of the theories describing pathophysiology of the disease. Ganglioneuroma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with recurrent ear discharge and decreased hearing in treated cases of neuroblastoma with metastases to temporal bone.
Decreased Rivaroxaban Levels in a Patient with Cerebral Vein Thrombosis Receiving Phenytoin
Authors: Becerra Ana F. , Amuchastegui Tomas , Tabares Aldo H.
Published: August 2017

Combined use of antiepileptic drugs and anticoagulants is common. We describe the first case documenting laboratory interaction between rivaroxaban and phenytoin. A 48-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to cerebral venous thrombosis, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. She came from a small town with difficult access to warfarin monitoring. She was receiving phenytoin 100 mg three times daily (t.i.d.) and started enoxaparin 60 mg twice daily (b.i.d.). An abdominal mass was diagnosed and removed by laparoscopy (gastrointestinal stromal tumor). On day 5, she was switched to rivaroxaban 15 mg b.i.d. First peak anti-Factor Xa was 70 ng/ml (reference value: 100–300 ng/ml). She was discharged on rivaroxaban 15 mg b.i.d. and phenytoin 100 mg t.i.d. A week later, anti-Xa levels were 90 ng/ml. Due to concerns about thrombosis progression, she was switched to dabigatran. During follow-up, she remained asymptomatic and thrombin time >180 s was measured several times along 3 months as surrogate for dabigatran activity. Phenytoin is a combined CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inducer, which might reduce rivaroxaban levels. Dabigatran is substrate of P-glycoprotein, meaning potential malabsorption. Despite unavailability of plasmatic dabigatran essays, our patient improved her symptoms without further symptomatic thromboembolism. Facing these interactions, either monitoring serum levels of anticoagulants or other therapeutic options should be considered.
The Influence of Cigarette Smoke Exposure on the Copper Concentration in the Serum Depending on the Use of Menopausal Hormone Therapy
Authors: Jasińska-Starczewska Maria , Szydłowska Iwona , Mroczek Bożena , Laszczyńska Maria , Chlubek Dariusz , Kemicer-Chmielewska Ewa , Chełstowski Kornel , Karakiewicz Beata , Ciećwież Sylwester , Starczewski Andrzej
Published: August 2017

This study evaluated the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on serum concentration of copper in postmenopausal women depending on passive or active exposure to tobacco smoke or lack thereof. The study included healthy postmenopausal women aged 42–69 years, who used (n=76) or did not use (n=76) MHT. Salivary cotinine and serum copper concentrations were determined in all the study subjects. Salivary cotinine exceeded 14 ng/ml in 14 women from the MHT group (18.5%) and in 16 controls (21.1%). Up to 41 (27%) study subjects had serum copper above the upper normal limit (1.17 mg/l). No correlation was found between salivary cotinine and serum copper in women with cotinine concentrations <14 ng/ml, and these two parameters correlated weakly in subjects with cotinine >14 ng/ml. Salivary concentration of cotinine increased with serum copper level in the MHT group, but not in the controls; smokers using MHT presented with significantly higher serum copper than nonsmokers. These findings imply that MHT does not affect serum concentration of copper in women who are not exposed to tobacco smoke. However, MHT seems to contribute to unfavorable increase in serum copper in passive and active smokers.
Multiple Targets for Novel Therapy of FSGS Associated with Circulating Permeability Factor
Authors: Savin Virginia J. , Sharma Mukut , Zhou Jianping , Genochi David , Sharma Ram , Srivastava Tarak , Ilahe Amna , Budhiraja Pooja , Gupta Aditi , McCarthy Ellen T.
Published: August 2017

A plasma component is responsible for altered glomerular permeability in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Evidence includes recurrence after renal transplantation, remission after plasmapheresis, proteinuria in infants of affected mothers, transfer of proteinuria to experimental animals, and impaired glomerular permeability after exposure to patient plasma. Therapy may include decreasing synthesis of the injurious agent, removing or blocking its interaction with cells, or blocking signaling or enhancing cell defenses to restore the permeability barrier and prevent progression. Agents that may prevent the synthesis of the permeability factor include cytotoxic agents or aggressive chemotherapy. Extracorporeal therapies include plasmapheresis, immunoadsorption with protein A or anti-immunoglobulin, or lipopheresis. Oral or intravenous galactose also decreasesPalbactivity. Studies of glomeruli have shown that several strategies prevent the action of FSGS sera. These include blocking receptor-ligand interactions, modulating cell reactions using indomethacin or eicosanoids 20-HETE or 8,9-EET, and enhancing cytoskeleton and protein interactions using calcineurin inhibitors, glucocorticoids, or rituximab. We have identified cardiotrophin-like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF-1) as a candidate for the permeability factor. Therapies specific to CLCF-1 include potential use of cytokine receptor-like factor (CRLF-1) and inhibition of Janus kinase 2. Combined therapy using multiple modalities offers therapy to reverse proteinuria and prevent scarring.