bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
F
ault
S
im
Authors: Nair Prashant J. , Roberts David A. , Qureshi Moinuddin K.
Published: December 2015

As memory systems scale, maintaining their Reliability Availability and Serviceability (RAS) is becoming more complex. To make matters worse, recent studies of DRAM failures in data centers and supercomputer environments have highlighted that large-granularity failures are common in DRAM chips. Furthermore, the move toward 3D-stacked memories can make the system vulnerable to newer failure modes, such as those occurring from faults in Through-Silicon Vias (TSVs). To architect future systems and to use emerging technology, system designers will need to employ strong error correction and repair techniques. Unfortunately, evaluating the relative effectiveness of these reliability mechanisms is often difficult and is traditionally done with analytical models, which are both error prone and time-consuming to develop. To this end, this article proposes F
ault
S
im
, a fast configurable memory-reliability simulation tool for 2D and 3D-stacked memory systems. FaultSim employs Monte Carlo simulations, which are driven by real-world failure statistics. We discuss the novel algorithms and data structures used in FaultSim to accelerate the evaluation of different resilience schemes. We implement BCH-1 (SECDED) and ChipKill codes using FaultSim and validate against an analytical model. FaultSim implements BCH-1 and ChipKill codes with a deviation of only 0.032% and 8.41% from the analytical model. FaultSim can simulate 1 million Monte Carlo trials (each for a period of 7 years) of BCH-1 and ChipKill codes in only 34 seconds and 33 seconds, respectively.
Diagnosability under Weak Fairness
Authors: Germanos Vasileios , Haar Stefan , Khomenko Victor , Schwoon Stefan
Published: December 2015

In partially observed Petri nets, diagnosis is the task of detecting whether the given sequence of observed labels indicates that some unobservable fault has occurred. Diagnosability is an associated property of the Petri net, stating that in any possible execution, an occurrence of a fault can eventually be diagnosed.

In this article, we consider diagnosability under the weak fairness (WF) assumption, which intuitively states that no transition from a given set can stay enabled forever—it must eventually either fire or be disabled. We show that a previous approach to WF-diagnosability in the literature has a major flaw and present a corrected notion. Moreover, we present an efficient method for verifying WF-diagnosability based on a reduction to LTL-X model checking. An important advantage of this method is that the LTL-X formula is fixed—in particular, the WF assumption does not have to be expressed as a part of it (which would make the formula length proportional to the size of the specification), but rather the ability of existing model checkers to handle weak fairness directly is exploited.
Automatic Vectorization of Interleaved Data Revisited
Authors: Anderson Andrew , Malik Avinash , Gregg David
Published: December 2015

Automatically exploiting short vector instructions sets (SSE, AVX, NEON) is a critically important task for optimizing compilers. Vector instructions typically work best on data that is contiguous in memory, and operating on non-contiguous data requires additional work to gather and scatter the data. There are several varieties of non-contiguous access, including interleaved data access. An existing approach used by GCC generates extremely efficient code for loops with power-of-2 interleaving factors (strides). In this paper we propose a generalization of this approach that produces similar code for any compile-time constant interleaving factor. In addition, we propose several novel program transformations, which were made possible by our generalized representation of the problem. Experiments show that our approach achieves significant speedups for both power-of-2 and non--power-of-2 interleaving factors. Our vectorization approach results in mean speedups over scalar code of 1.77x on Intel SSE and 2.53x on Intel AVX2 in real-world benchmarking on a selection of BLAS Level 1 routines. On the same benchmark programs, GCC 5.0 achieves mean improvements of 1.43x on Intel SSE and 1.30x on Intel AVX2. In synthetic benchmarking on Intel SSE, our maximum improvement on data movement is over 4x for gathering operations and over 6x for scattering operations versus scalar code.
On How to Accelerate Iterative Stencil Loops
Authors: Cattaneo Riccardo , Natale Giuseppe , Sicignano Carlo , Sciuto Donatella , Santambrogio Marco Domenico
Published: December 2015

In high-performance systems,
stencil
computations play a crucial role as they appear in a variety of different fields of application, ranging from partial differential equation solving, to computer simulation of particles’ interaction, to image processing and computer vision. The computationally intensive nature of those algorithms created the need for solutions to efficiently implement them in order to save both execution time and energy. This, in combination with their regular structure, has justified their widespread study and the proposal of largely different approaches to their optimization.

However, most of these works are focused on aggressive compile time optimization, cache locality optimization, and parallelism extraction for the multicore/multiprocessor domain, while fewer works are focused on the exploitation of custom architectures to further exploit the regular structure of Iterative Stencil Loops (ISLs), specifically with the goal of improving power efficiency.

This work introduces a methodology to systematically design power-efficient hardware accelerators for the optimal execution of ISL algorithms on Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). As part of the methodology, we introduce the notion of Streaming Stencil Time-step (SST), a
streaming-based architecture
capable of achieving both low resource usage and efficient data reuse thanks to an
optimal
data buffering strategy, and we introduce a technique called SSTs
queuing
that is capable of delivering a
pseudolinear
execution time speedup with constant bandwidth.

The methodology has been validated on significant benchmarks on a
Virtex-7
FPGA using the
Xilinx
Vivado
suite. Results demonstrate how the efficient usage of the on-chip memory resources realized by an SST allows one to treat problem sizes whose implementation would otherwise not be possible via direct synthesis of the original, unmanipulated code via High-Level Synthesis (HLS). We also show how the SSTs queuing effectively ensures a pseudolinear throughput speedup while consuming constant off-chip bandwidth.
10x10
Authors: Chien Andrew A. , Thanh-Hoang Tung , Vasudevan Dilip , Fang Yuanwei , Shambayati Amirali
Published: December 2015

Customized architecture is widely recognized as an important approach for improved performance and energyefficiency. To balance generality and customization benefit, researchers have proposed to federate heterogeneous micro-engines. Using the 10x10 architecture and an integrated image and vision benchmark as a case study, we explore the performance and energy benefits achievable. Results for current 32nm technology and DDR3 memory show 10x10 architecture benefits of 140x performance and 72x energy overall. Adding 3D-stacked DRAM increase benefits to 171x (performance) and 100x (energy). Finally, considering future 7nm transistor process, benefits as large as 597x (performance) and 137x energy are observed.
Effects of sustained exercise on GH-IGFs axis in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)
Authors: Vélez Emilio J. , Azizi Sheida , Millán-Cubillo Antonio , Fernández-Borràs Jaume , Blasco Josefina , Chan Shu Jin , Calduch-Giner Josep A. , Pérez-Sánchez Jaume , Navarro Isabel , Capilla Encarnación , Gutiérrez Joaquim
Published: December 2015

The endocrine system regulates growth mainly through the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) axis and, although exercise promotes growth, little is known about its modulation of these factors. The aim of this work was to characterize the effects of 5 wk of moderate sustained swimming on the GH-IGFs axis in gilthead sea bream fingerlings. Plasma IGF-I/GH ratio and tissue gene expression of total IGF-I and three splice variants, IGF-II, three IGF binding proteins, two GH receptors, two IGF-I receptors, and the downstream molecules were analyzed. Fish under exercise (EX) grew more than control fish (CT), had a higher plasma IGF-I/GH ratio, and showed increased hepatic IGF-I expression (mainly IGF-Ia). Total IGF-I expression levels were similar in the anterior and caudal muscles; however, IGF-Ic expression increased with exercise, suggesting that this splice variant may be the most sensitive to mechanical action. Moreover, IGFBP-5b and IGF-II increased in the anterior and caudal muscles, respectively, supporting enhanced muscle growth. Furthermore, in EX fish, hepatic IGF-IRb was reduced together with both GHRs; GHR-II was also reduced in anterior muscle, while GHR-I showed higher expression in the two muscle regions, indicating tissue-dependent differences and responses to exercise. Exercise also increased gene and protein expression of target of rapamycin (TOR), suggesting enhanced muscle protein synthesis. Altogether, these data demonstrate that moderate sustained activity may be used to increase the plasma IGF-I/GH ratio and to potentiate growth in farmed gilthead sea bream, modulating the gene expression of different members of the GH-IGFs axis (i.e., IGF-Ic, IGF-II, IGFBP-5b, GHR-I, and TOR).
Acute effects of changes to the gravitational vector on the eye
Authors: Anderson Allison P. , Swan Jacob G. , Phillips Scott D. , Knaus Darin A. , Kattamis Nicholas T. , Toutain-Kidd Christine M. , Zegans Michael E. , Fellows Abigail M. , Buckey Jay C.
Published: December 2015

Intraocular pressure (IOP) initially increases when an individual enters microgravity compared with baseline values when an individual is in a seated position. This has been attributed to a headward fluid shift that increases venous pressures in the head. The change in IOP exceeds changes measured immediately after moving from seated to supine postures on Earth, when a similar fluid shift is produced. Furthermore, central venous and cerebrospinal fluid pressures are at or below supine position levels when measured initially upon entering microgravity, unlike when moving from seated to supine postures on Earth, when these pressures increase. To investigate the effects of altering gravitational forces on the eye, we made ocular measurements on 24 subjects (13 men, 11 women) in the seated, supine, and prone positions in the laboratory, and upon entering microgravity during parabolic flight. IOP in microgravity (16.3 ± 2.7 mmHg) was significantly elevated above values in the seated (11.5 ± 2.0 mmHg) and supine (13.7 ± 3.0 mmHg) positions, and was significantly less than pressure in the prone position (20.3 ± 2.6 mmHg). In all measurements, P < 0.001. Choroidal area was significantly increased in subjects in a microgravity environment ( P < 0.007) compared with values from subjects in seated (increase of 0.09 ± 0.1 mm2) and supine (increase of 0.06 ± 0.09 mm2) positions. IOP results are consistent with the hypothesis that hydrostatic gradients affect IOP, and may explain how IOP can increase beyond supine values in microgravity when central venous and intracranial pressure do not. Understanding gravitational effects on the eye may help develop hypotheses for how microgravity-induced visual changes develop.
Attentional demands modulate sensorimotor learning induced by persistent exposure to changes in auditory feedback
Authors: Scheerer Nichole E. , Tumber Anupreet K. , Jones Jeffery A.
Published: December 2015

Hearing one's own voice is important for regulating ongoing speech and for mapping speech sounds onto articulator movements. However, it is currently unknown whether attention mediates changes in the relationship between motor commands and their acoustic output, which are necessary as growth and aging inevitably cause changes to the vocal tract. In this study, participants produced vocalizations while they heard their vocal pitch persistently shifted downward one semitone in both single- and dual-task conditions. During the single-task condition, participants vocalized while passively viewing a visual stream. During the dual-task condition, participants vocalized while also monitoring a visual stream for target letters, forcing participants to divide their attention. Participants' vocal pitch was measured across each vocalization, to index the extent to which their ongoing vocalization was modified as a result of the deviant auditory feedback. Smaller compensatory responses were recorded during the dual-task condition, suggesting that divided attention interfered with the use of auditory feedback for the regulation of ongoing vocalizations. Participants' vocal pitch was also measured at the beginning of each vocalization, before auditory feedback was available, to assess the extent to which the deviant auditory feedback was used to modify subsequent speech motor commands. Smaller changes in vocal pitch at vocalization onset were recorded during the dual-task condition, suggesting that divided attention diminished sensorimotor learning. Together, the results of this study suggest that attention is required for the speech motor control system to make optimal use of auditory feedback for the regulation and planning of speech motor commands.
Video Game Playing Effects on Obesity in an Adolescent with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study
Authors: Strahan Brandy E. , Elder Jennifer H.
Published: December 2015

Adolescent obesity has tripled in the past two decades, and adolescents with disabilities, specifically autism spectrum disorders (ASD), may be at greater risk for obesity due to the behavioral, physical, and psychosocial complications related to their disorder. This case study reports the effects of video game playing on an obese adolescent with ASD and illustrates the use of a multiple baseline single subject design. Over 12 weeks, the participant played inactive (6 weeks) and active video games (6 weeks) on the Wii console. Physiological data were evaluated weekly at home. Stress and anxiety were measured via the Stress Survey Schedule for Individuals with Autism and Other Pervasive Non-Developmental Disorders (SSS) and the Behavior Assessment System for Children Second Edition (BASC-2) pre- and postintervention. The Therapy Attitude Inventory (TAI) was used to determine parental perception of video game playing as a socially valid intervention to reduce stress and anxiety. Results demonstrated that active video game playing slowed and/or reduced weight and BMI with minimal changes to waist-to-hip ratios, triceps skinfolds, and stress and anxiety. This study demonstrates how alternative methods for physical activity may be used to improve health outcomes of overweight/obese adolescents with ASD and suggests directions for future research.
Validation of a UV Spectrometric Method for the Assay of Tolfenamic Acid in Organic Solvents
Authors: Ahmed Sofia , Mustaan Nafeesa , Sheraz Muhammad Ali , Nabi Syeda Ayesha Ahmed un , Ahmad Iqbal
Published: December 2015

The present study has been carried out to validate a UV spectrometric method for the assay of tolfenamic acid (TA) in organic solvents. TA is insoluble in water; therefore, a total of thirteen commonly used organic solvents have been selected in which the drug is soluble. Fresh stock solutions of TA in each solvent in a concentration of 1 × 10−4 M (2.62 mg%) were prepared for the assay. The method has been validated according to the guideline of International Conference on Harmonization and parameters like linearity, range, accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and robustness have been studied. Although the method was found to be efficient for the determination of TA in all solvents on the basis of statistical data 1-octanol, followed by ethanol and methanol, was found to be comparatively better than the other studied solvents. No change in the stock solution stability of TA has been observed in each solvent for 24 hours stored either at room (25±1°C) or at refrigerated temperature (2–8°C). A shift in the absorption maxima has been observed for TA in various solvents indicating drug-solvent interactions. The studied method is simple, rapid, economical, accurate, and precise for the assay of TA in different organic solvents.
Five-Year Retrospective Review of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis
Authors: Thienvibul Chitprapassorn , Vachiramon Vasanop , Chanprapaph Kumutnart
Published: December 2015

Background.Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an acute pustular eruption characterized by widespread nonfollicular sterile pustules. The aim of this study is to characterize the etiology, clinical features, laboratory findings, management, and outcome of patients with AGEP in Asians.Patient/Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on patient who presented with AGEP between August 2008 and November 2012 in a tertiary center in Thailand.Results.Nineteen patients with AGEP were included. AGEP was generally distributed in seventeen patients (89.5%) and localized in two (10.5%). Fever and neutrophilia occurred in 52.6% and 68.4%, respectively. Hepatitis was found up to 26.3%. The most common etiology was drugs (94.7%), comprising of antibiotics (73.6%), proton pump inhibitors (10.5%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (5.3%), and herbal medicine (5.3%). Beta-lactams were the most common causal drug, particularly carbapenems and cephalosporins. This is the first report ofAndrographis paniculataas an offending agent for AGEP. We found no differences between various treatment regimens (topical corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroid, and supportive treatment) regarding the time from drug cessation to pustules resolution (P=0.171).Conclusions.We have highlighted the presentation of AGEP among Asians. We found high association with systemic drugs. Carbapenems were one of the leading culprit drugs. Finally, a localized variant was observed.
Role of Baicalin in Anti-Influenza Virus A as a Potent Inducer of IFN-Gamma
Authors: Chu Ming , Xu Lan , Zhang Ming-bo , Chu Zheng-yun , Wang Yue-dan
Published: December 2015

Baicalin (BA) is a flavonoid compound purified fromScutellaria baicalensisGeorgi and has been shown to possess a potent inhibitory activity against viruses. However, the role of BA in anti-influenza virus has not been extensively studied, and the immunological mechanism of BA in antiviral activity remains unknown. Here, we observed that BA could protect mice from infection by influenza virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), associated with increasing IFN-γproduction, but presented no effects in IFN-γor IFN-γreceptor deficient mice. Further study indicated that BA could inhibit A/PR/8/34 replication through IFN-γin human PBMC. Moreover, BA can directly induce IFN-γproduction in human CD4+and CD8+T cells and NK cells, and activate JAK/STAT-1 signaling pathway. Collectively, BA exhibited anti-influenza virus A (H1N1) activityin vitroandin vivoas a potent inducer of IFN-γin major IFN-γproducing cells.
Compressive Sensing Approach in the Hermite Transform Domain
Authors: Stanković Srdjan , Stanković Ljubiša , Orović Irena
Published: December 2015

Compressive sensing has attracted significant interest of researchers providing an alternative way to sample and reconstruct the signals. This approach allows us to recover the entire signal from just a small set of random samples, whenever the signal is sparse in certain transform domain. Therefore, exploring the possibilities of using different transform basis is an important task, needed to extend the field of compressive sensing applications. In this paper, a compressive sensing approach based on the Hermite transform is proposed. The Hermite transform by itself provides compressed signal representation based on a smaller number of Hermite coefficients compared to the signal length. Here, it is shown that, for a wide class of signals characterized by sparsity in the Hermite domain, accurate signal reconstruction can be achieved even if incomplete set of measurements is used. Advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated on numerical examples. The presented concept is generalized for the short-time Hermite transform and combined transform.
Carboxylated Capped Carbon Nanotubes Interacting with Nimesulide Molecules: Applied Electric Fields Effects
Authors: de Menezes Vivian Machado , Zanella Ivana , Fagan Solange Binotto
Published: December 2015

Interactions of carboxylated capped carbon nanotubes with nimesulide molecules under electric fields were investigated by ab initio simulations. Repulsive forces between the nimesulide molecules and the carboxyl group of the carbon nanotubes, except for the nimesulide radical configuration, were observed. To keep the original molecule in the pristine form, electric fields with different intensities were applied, where changes in the behavior of the interactions between the molecules were noticed. It was shown that the intensity of the interaction between the nimesulide and the hydrophilic carboxylated capped carbon nanotube can be modulated by the action of the external electric fields making promising systems for drug delivery applications.
Helical Phase Inflation and Monodromy in Supergravity Theory
Authors: Li Tianjun , Li Zhijin , Nanopoulos Dimitri V.
Published: December 2015

We study helical phase inflation which realizes “monodromy inflation” in supergravity theory. In the model, inflation is driven by the phase component of a complex field whose potential possesses helicoid structure. We construct phase monodromy based on explicitly breaking globalU(1)symmetry in the superpotential. By integrating out heavy fields, the phase monodromy from single complex scalar field is realized and the model fulfills natural inflation. The phase-axion alignment is achieved from explicitly symmetry breaking and gives super-Planckian phase decay constant. TheF-term scalar potential provides strong field stabilization for all the scalars except inflaton, which is protected by the approximate globalU(1)symmetry. Besides, we show that helical phase inflation can be naturally realized in no-scale supergravity withSU(2,1)/SU(2)×U(1)symmetry since the supergravity setup needed for phase monodromy is automatically provided in the no-scale Kähler potential. We also demonstrate that helical phase inflation can be reduced to another well-known supergravity inflation model with shift symmetry. Helical phase inflation is free from the UV-sensitivity problem although there is super-Planckian field excursion, and it suggests that inflation can be effectively studied based on supersymmetric field theory while a UV-completed framework is not prerequisite.
Simulation of Binary CO2/CH4 Mixture Breakthrough Profiles in MIL‐53 (Al)
Authors: Gomez Luis Fernando , Zacharia Renju , Bénard Pierre , Chahine Richard
Published: December 2015

MIL‐53 (Al) aluminum terephthalate, a commercial metal‐organic framework, has been studied as a potential candidate for pressure swing adsorption separation of CO2/CH4 binary mixtures. Pure gas isotherms of CH4 and CO2 measured over 0–6 MPa and at room temperature are fitted with the Dubinin‐Astakhov (D‐A) model. The D‐A model parameters are used in the Doong‐Yang Multicomponent adsorption model to predict the binary mixture isotherms. A one‐dimensional multicomponent adsorption breakthrough model is then used to perform a parametric study of the effect of adsorbent particle diameter, inlet pressures, feed flow rates, and feed compositions on the breakthrough performance. Commercial MIL‐53 with a particle diameter of 20 μm renders high tortuous flow; therefore it is less effective for separation. More effective separation can be achieved if MIL‐53 monoliths of diameters above 200 μm are used. Faster separation is possible by increasing the feed pressure or if the starting compositions are richer in CO2. More CH4 is produced per cycle at higher feed pressures, but the shortened time at higher pressures can result in the reduction of the CH4 purity.
Valve-Like and Protruding Calcified Intimal Flap Complicating Common Iliac Arteries Kissing Stenting
Authors: Georgiadis George S. , Georgakarakos Efstratios I. , Schoretsanitis Nikolaos , Argyriou Christos C. , Antoniou George A. , Lazarides Miltos K.
Published: December 2015

Endovascular therapy for iliac artery chronic total occlusions is nowadays associated with low rates of procedure-related complications and improved clinical outcomes, and it is predominantly used as first-line therapy prior to aortobifemoral bypass grafting. Herein, we describe the case of a patient presenting with an ischemic left foot digit ulcer and suffering complex aortoiliac lesions, who received common iliac arteries kissing stents, illustrating at final antegrade and retrograde angiograms the early recognition of a blood flow obstructing valve-like calcified intimal flap protruding through the stent struts, which was obstructing antegrade but not retrograde unilateral iliac arterial axis blood flow. The problem was resolved by reconstructing the aortic bifurcation at a more proximal level. Completion angiogram verified normal patency of aorta and iliac vessels. Additionally, a severe left femoral bifurcation stenosis was also corrected by endarterectomy-arterioplasty with a bovine patch. Postintervention ankle brachial pressure indices were significantly improved. At the 6-month and 2-year follow-up, normal peripheral pulses were still reported without intermittent claudication suggesting the durability of the procedure. Through stent-protruding calcified intimal flap, is a very rare, but existing source of antegrade blood flow obstruction after common iliac arteries kissing stents.
Surgical Treatment of a Case of Ledderhose’s Disease: A Safe Plantar Approach to Subtotal Fasciectomy
Authors: Souza Bruno Gonçalves Schröder e , de Souza Júnior Gilberto Zaquine , Rodrigues Raíssa Mansilla Cabrera , Dias Diogo Stelito Rezende , de Oliveira Valdeci Manoel
Published: December 2015

Plantar fibromatosis, Ledderhose’s disease, or Morbus Ledderhose is an uncommon benign nodular hyperplasia of the plantar aponeurosis. The aim of this paper was to report the case of a 47-year-old male patient who had concomitant Dupuytren’s disease and failed all conservative measures. He was treated surgically with prompt and complete relief of symptoms postoperatively, and he has had no recurrence at the 2-year follow-up. In this richly documented case, we discuss details of the surgical technique and anatomy, which was important for a successful outcome and preventing complications. The technique for subtotal fasciectomy is reviewed and the relevance of the adequate choice of skin incision to prevent painful scarring, skin necrosis, and difficulties with shoe wearing is highlighted.
Bufalin Induces Mitochondria-Dependent Apoptosis in Pancreatic and Oral Cancer Cells by Downregulating hTERT Expression via Activation of the JNK/p38 Pathway
Authors: Tian Xin , Dai Shundong , Sun Jing , Jiang Shenyi , Sui Chengguang , Meng Fandong , Li Yan , Fu Liye , Jiang Tao , Wang Yang , Su Jia , Jiang Youhong
Published: December 2015

Bufalin, a digoxin-like active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Chan Su, exhibits potent antitumor activities in many human cancers. Bufalin induces mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells, but the detailed molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. hTERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, protects against mitochondrial damage by binding to mitochondrial DNA and reducing mitochondrial ROS production. In the present study, we investigated the effects of bufalin on the cell viability, ROS production, DNA damage, and apoptosis of CAPAN-2 human pancreatic and CAL-27 human oral cancer cells. Bufalin reduced CAPAN-2 and CAL-27 cell viability with IC50values of 159.2 nM and 122.6 nM, respectively. The reduced cell viability was accompanied by increased ROS production, DNA damage, and apoptosis and decreased expression of hTERT. hTERT silencing in CAPAN-2 and CAL-27 cells by siRNA resulted in increased caspase-9/-3 cleavage and DNA damage and decreased cell viability. Collectively, these data suggest that bufalin downregulates hTERT to induce mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in CAPAN-2 and CAL-27 cells. Moreover, bufalin increased the phosphorylation of JNK and p38-MAPK in CAPAN-2 and CAL-27 cells, and blocking the JNK/p38-MAPK pathway using the JNK inhibitor SP600125 or the p38-MAPK inhibitor SB203580 reversed bufalin-induced hTERT downregulation. Thus, the JNK/p38 pathway is involved in bufalin-induced hTERT downregulation and subsequent induction of apoptosis by the mitochondrial pathway.
Infinite Matrix Products and the Representation of the Matrix Gamma Function
Authors: Cortés J.-C. , Jódar L. , Solís Francisco J. , Ku-Carrillo Roberto
Published: December 2015

We introduce infinite matrix products including some of their main properties and convergence results. We apply them in order to extend to the matrix scenario the definition of the scalar gamma function given by an infinite product due to Weierstrass. A limit representation of the matrix gamma function is also provided.
Cu(I) Modification duringγ-Fe2O3Nanoparticles Synthesis and Subsequent Characterization
Authors: Mao Hong , Qiu Xiaoyan , Li Decai , Lin Yueqiang , Liu Xiaodong , Li Jian
Published: December 2015

During the synthesis of theγ-Fe2O3nanoparticles via the chemically induced transition method, Cu(I) modification has been attempted by adding CuCl/NaOH to the treatment solution. The experimental results showed that, under the condition of a NaOH content equal to 0.04 moles, when the content of CuCl is as low as1.25×10-3or2.50×10-3moles, the products are singleγ-Fe2O3/Cu(I)FeO2/FeCl3·6H2O composite nanoparticles, whereas when the content of CuCl is higher,5×10-2moles, the product is a mixture consisting ofγ-Fe2O3/Cu(I)FeO2/FeCl3·6H2O nanoparticles and Cu(II)(OH)Cl nanoparticles. For theγ-Fe2O3/Cu(I)FeO2/FeCl3·6H2O composite nanoparticles, the Cu(I)FeO2interface layer is not thick enough to form one unit cell, but it can modify the formation of a FeCl3·6H2O surface layer and the effective magnetization of theγ-Fe2O3core.
Effect of Pr, Sm, and Tb Doping on the Morphology, Crystallite Size, and N2O Decomposition Activity of Co3O4 Nanorods
Authors: Abu-Zied Bahaa M. , Bawaked Salem M. , Kosa Samia A. , Schwieger Wilhelm
Published: December 2015

Cobalt(II,III) oxide, Co3O4, is a promising catalyst for nitrous oxide direct decomposition. In this paper we report effect of doping with some rare earth (RE) elements (Pr, Sm, and Tb) on the morphology and crystallite size of Co3O4 nanorods. The various precursors (RE/Co oxalates) were prepared via the microwave assisted method and subsequent calcination. The decomposition pathway of these precursors was followed using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Based on thermal analysis results, Pr‐, Sm‐, and Tb‐doped Co3O4 samples were obtained via the calcination in static air at 500°C for their oxalate precursors. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and hydrogen temperature programmed reduction (H2‐TPR) were used to characterize the RE‐doped cobalt oxide catalysts. The activity of the prepared catalysts was investigated for N2O direct decomposition and compared with that of the undoped Co3O4 catalyst. It was shown that the promoted Co3O4 catalysts revealed higher activity compared to the unpromoted one. The dependence of the activity on both the catalysts particle size and the reduction behaviour was discussed.
Myasthenic Crisis in an Elderly Patient with Positive Antibodies against Acetylcholine and Anti-MuSK, Successfully Treated with Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Fernández José A. , Fernández-Valiñas Antonio , Hernández Daniel , Orozco Joel , Lugo Antonio
Published: December 2015

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease characterized by muscle weakness. Subjects with antibodies against acetylcholine usually have greater ocular symptoms, lower bulbar weakness, and fewer respiratory complications, compared to individuals with anti-MuSK antibodies. The presence of positivity to both types of antibodies in the same patient is uncommon, and the clinical behavior of these individuals is uncertain. A myasthenic crisis is characterized by respiratory and bulbar muscle weakness, causing acute respiratory failure which requires mechanical ventilatory support. We present the case of a 73-year-old man with a medical history of myasthenia gravis and positive antibody titers against acetylcholine and anti-MuSK, who sought for medical assessment because of respiratory tract infection symptoms, dysphagia, and generalized weakness. Initially, no respiratory distress was found. After 24 hours the patient showed respiratory deterioration and neurological impairment. Endotracheal intubation was rejected, so ventilatory support with noninvasive ventilation was started. The patient was supported by intense respiratory therapy, and infusion of immunoglobulin was initiated. The individual responded favorably, improving his general condition. Weaning from noninvasive mechanical ventilation was possible after six days. Our case illustrates that noninvasive ventilation, properly supported by intense respiratory therapy, can be a great option to avoid intubation in the myasthenic patient.
Molecular Detection ofTheileriaspp. in Livestock on Five Caribbean Islands
Authors: Zhang Jilei , Kelly Patrick , Li Jing , Xu Chuanling , Wang Chengming
Published: December 2015

Theileriaspp. are tick-transmitted, intracellular apicomplexan protozoan parasites infecting a wide range of animals. As there is very limited information on the prevalence ofTheileriaspp. in the Caribbean we used the recently described genus-specific pan-TheileriaFRET-qPCR to identify infected animals in the region and a standard 18S rRNA gene PCR and sequencing to determine the species involved. We foundTheileriaspp. in 9% of the convenience samples of animals (n=752) studied from five Caribbean islands. Donkeys (20.0%: 5/25) were most commonly infected, followed by sheep (17.4%, 25/144), cattle (6.8%; 22/325), goats (5.0%; 12/238), and horses (5.0%; 1/20). Six species ofTheileriawere identified:T.equi(donkeys, cattle, goats, and sheep),Theileriasp. OT3 (sheep and goats),Theileriasp. NG-2013a (cattle),Theileriasp. YW-2014 (donkeys),Theileriasp. B15a (goats), andBabesia vulpesor a closely related organism (sheep and goats). OnlyT. equihas been previously reported in the Caribbean. Our findings expand the known host ranges ofTheileriaspp. and the known distribution of the organisms around the world.
Rate Request Sequenced Bit Loading Secondary User Reallocation Algorithm for DMT Systems in Cognitive Radio
Authors: Prema S. Chris , Rani Dara Sudha
Published: December 2015

A rate request sequenced bit loading reallocation algorithm is proposed. The spectral holes detected by spectrum sensing (SS) in cognitive radio (CR) are used by secondary users. This algorithm is applicable to Discrete Multitone (DMT) systems for secondary user reallocation. DMT systems support different modulation on different subchannels according to Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The maximum bits and power that can be allocated to each subband is determined depending on the channel state information (CSI) and secondary user modulation scheme. The spectral holes or free subbands are allocated to secondary users depending on the user rate request and subchannel capacity. A comparison is done between random rate request and sequenced rate request of secondary user for subchannel allocation. Through simulations it is observed that with sequenced rate request higher spectral efficiency is achieved with reduced complexity.
Labview Based ECG Patient Monitoring System for Cardiovascular Patient Using SMTP Technology
Authors: Singh Om Prakash , Mekonnen Dawit , Malarvili M. B.
Published: December 2015

This paper leads to developing a Labview based ECG patient monitoring system for cardiovascular patient using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol technology. The designed device has been divided into three parts. First part is ECG amplifier circuit, built using instrumentation amplifier (AD620) followed by signal conditioning circuit with the operation amplifier (lm741). Secondly, the DAQ card is used to convert the analog signal into digital form for the further process. Furthermore, the data has been processed in Labview where the digital filter techniques have been implemented to remove the noise from the acquired signal. After processing, the algorithm was developed to calculate the heart rate and to analyze the arrhythmia condition. Finally, SMTP technology has been added in our work to make device more communicative and much more cost-effective solution in telemedicine technology which has been key-problem to realize the telediagnosis and monitoring of ECG signals. The technology also can be easily implemented over already existing Internet.
An Analytical Approach to Opportunistic Transmission under Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Zikria Yousaf Bin , Kim Sung Won , Yu Heejung , Nam Seung Yeob
Published: December 2015

In cognitive radio sensor networks, the routing methods including multiple relays have been extensively studied to achieve higher throughput and lower end-to-end delay. As one of innovative approaches, the opportunistic routing scheme was proposed. In this paper, the effectiveness of the opportunistic transmission in terms of reliability and delay of transmission is verified with an analytical way. For the analysis, we establish the probabilistic model with respect to distance and the number of relay nodes under the Rayleigh fading channels including path loss effects. Under this model, we develop a generic Markov chain model to obtain the analytical results and verify the effectiveness of the statistical analysis. The results show that an opportunistic transmission approach is better than traditional multihop transmissions in terms of successful data delivery with fewer transmissions. Consequently, it can provide an energy efficient transmission mechanism for cognitive radio sensor networks.
Treatment of Intravenous Leiomyomatosis with Cardiac Extension following Incomplete Resection
Authors: Doyle Mathew P. , Li Annette , Villanueva Claudia I. , Peeceeyen Sheen C. S. , Cooper Michael G. , Hanel Kevin C. , Fermanis Gary G. , Robertson Greg
Published: December 2015

Aim. Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) with cardiac extension (CE) is a rare variant of benign uterine leiomyoma. Incomplete resection has a recurrence rate of over 30%. Different hormonal treatments have been described following incomplete resection; however no standard therapy currently exists. We review the literature for medical treatments options following incomplete resection of IVL with CE.Methods. Electronic databases were searched for all studies reporting IVL with CE. These studies were then searched for reports of patients with inoperable or incomplete resection and any further medical treatments. Our database was searched for patients with medical therapy following incomplete resection of IVL with CE and their results were included.Results. All studies were either case reports or case series. Five literature reviews confirm that surgery is the only treatment to achieve cure. The uses of progesterone, estrogen modulation, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonism, and aromatase inhibition have been described following incomplete resection. Currently no studies have reviewed the outcomes of these treatments.Conclusions. Complete surgical resection is the only means of cure for IVL with CE, while multiple hormonal therapies have been used with varying results following incomplete resection. Aromatase inhibitors are the only reported treatment to prevent tumor progression or recurrence in patients with incompletely resected IVL with CE.
Interface Study on Amorphous Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors Using High‐k Gate Dielectric Materials
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , Chou Jay-Chi
Published: December 2015

We investigated amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a‐IGZO) thin film transistors (TFTs) using different high‐k gate dielectric materials such as silicon nitride (Si3N4) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) at low temperature process (<300°C) and compared them with low temperature silicon dioxide (SiO2). The IGZO device with high‐k gate dielectric material will expect to get high gate capacitance density to induce large amount of channel carrier and generate the higher drive current. In addition, for the integrating process of integrating IGZO device, postannealing treatment is an essential process for completing the process. The chemical reaction of the high‐k/IGZO interface due to heat formation in high‐k/IGZO materials results in reliability issue. We also used the voltage stress for testing the reliability for the device with different high‐k gate dielectric materials and explained the interface effect by charge band diagram.
Evaluation of Biological Activities of Chemically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Mostafa Ashraf A. , Sayed Shaban R. M. , Solkamy Essam N. , Khan Mujeeb , Shaik Mohammed Rafi , Al-Warthan Abdulrahman , Adil Syed Farooq
Published: December 2015

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by the earlier reported methods. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry (UV/Vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). The synthesized materials were also evaluated for their antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. TEM micrograph showed the spherical morphology of AgNPs with size range of 40–60 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a strong antimicrobial activity and their effect depends upon bacterial strain as AgNPs exhibited greater inhibition zone for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19.1 mm) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14.8 mm) and S. pyogenes (13.6 mm) while the least activity was observed for Salmonella typhi (12.5 mm) at concentration of 5 µg/disc. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of AgNPs against S. aureus was 2.5 µg/disc and less than 2.5 µg/disc for P. aeruginosa. These results suggested that AgNPs can be used as an effective antiseptic agent for infectious control in medical field.
Tensile Bond Strengths of Two Adhesives on Irradiated and Nonirradiated Human Dentin
Authors: Bernard Cécile , Villat Cyril , Abouelleil Hazem , Gustin Marie-Paule , Grosgogeat Brigitte
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of radiotherapy on bond efficiency of two different adhesive systems using tensile bond strength test. Twenty extracted teeth after radiotherapy and twenty nonirradiated extracted teeth were used. The irradiation was appliedin vivoto a minimal dose of 50 Gy. The specimens of each group were randomly assigned to two subgroups to test two different adhesive systems. A three-step/etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Optibond FL) and a two-steps/self-etch adhesive system (Optibond XTR) were used. Composite buildups were performed with a nanohybrid composite (Herculite XTR). All specimens were submitted to thermocycling ageing (10000 cycles). The specimens were sectioned in 1 mm2sticks. Microtensile bond strength tests were measured. Nonparametric statistical analyses were performed due to nonnormality of data. Optibond XTR on irradiated and nonirradiated teeth did not show any significant differences. However, Optibond FL bond strength was more effective on nonirradiated teeth than on irradiated teeth. Within the limitations of anin vitrostudy, it can be concluded that radiotherapy had a significant detrimental effect on bond strength to human dentin. However, it seems that adhesive choice could be adapted to the substrata. According to the present study, the two-steps/self-etch (Optibond XTR) adhesive system tested could be more effective on irradiated dentin compared to three-steps/etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Optibond FL).
Identifying and Overcoming Perceived Barriers of Providers towards HPV Vaccination: A Literature Review
Authors: Palmer Jessica , Carrico Catherine , Costanzo Cindy
Published: December 2015

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection in the United States associated with nearly 26,000 cases of cancer annually. With the recent addition of Gardasil 9, three vaccines are now licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for HPV prevention. While providers are the preferred source in educating individuals on HPV and HPV vaccination, low uptake percentages indicate that providers are missing valuable opportunities to educate and strongly recommend HPV vaccination. It is critical to examine perceived barriers and attitudes among providers related to HPV and HPV vaccination to identify factors that influence vaccination coverage. This paper aims to expand provider knowledge and awareness of factors that may facilitate an increase in HPV vaccination coverage and subsequent cancer prevention.
Pseudoaneurysm of the Common Carotid Artery in an Infant due to Swallowed Fish Bone
Authors: Jean Roger Moulion Tapouh , Marcus Fokou , Emmanuel Fongang , Boniface Moifo , Alain Georges Juimo
Published: December 2015

Carotid artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition, particularly in the paediatric population. Only about 30 cases of carotid artery aneurysms in infants have been published until now. This paper reports the case of a giant pseudoaneurysm of the left common carotid artery due to swallowed fish bone by an 8-year-old boy. This pseudoaneurysm was 5.5 cm transverse-diameter and resulted in severe respiratory distress. It was treated by resection and end-to-end anastomosis with satisfactory outcome after one-year follow-up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest carotid artery pseudoaneurysm ever described in children.
Comment on “Examination of a Theoretical Model of Streaming Potential Coupling Coefficient”
Authors: Glover P. W. J.
Published: December 2015

Recently, Luong and Sprik published an article that compared measurements that had been made on 20 samples of saturated rock with a number of empirical models and Glover et al.’s 2012 theoretical model for zeta potential and streaming potential coefficient. They found that none of the empirical models could reproduce the streaming potential coefficient measurements which had been made in the presence of low pore fluid salinities, and the theoretical method could only do so if a constant zeta potential was invoked. This contribution in the form of a comment (i) indicates at least three possible errors in modelling that contribute to the mismatch between the theoretical model and the data at low salinities and (ii) carries out individual modelling on all of samples of Luong and Sprik’s 2014 dataset, showing that Glover et al.’s 2012 theoretical model matches the data well when the zeta potential is allowed to vary and good match can only be obtained with a constant zeta potential if an unrealistic value of zeta potential offset is used.