bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FLOW SURROUNDING A THERMOACOUSTIC STACK: SINGLE-STACK AGAINST DOUBLE-STACK PLATE DOMAIN
Authors: Mohd-Ghazali Normah , Fa Liew Kim
Published: October 2016

Over the last few decades, numerical simulation has fast become an effective research tool in analyzing internal and external fluid flow. Much of the unknowns associated with microscopic bounded and unbounded fluid behavior generally not obtainable via experimental approach can now be explained in details with computational fluid dynamics modeling. This has much assist designers and engineers in developing better engineering designs. However, the choice of the computational domain selected plays an important role in exhibiting the correct flow patterns associated with changes in certain parameters. This research looked at the outcomes when two computational domains were chosen to represent a system of parallel stack plates in a thermoacoustic resonator. Since the stack region is considered the “heart” of the system, accurate modeling is crucial in understanding the complex thermoacoustic solid-fluid interactions that occur. Results showed thatalthough the general flow pattern and trends have been produced with the single and double plate stack system, details of a neighboring solid wall do affect the developments of vortices in the stack region. The symmetric assumption in the computational domain may result in the absence of details that could generate an incomplete explanation of the patterns observed such as shown in this study. This is significant in understanding the solid-fluid interactions that is thermoacoustic phenomena
SEISMIC MICROZONATION OF SEMARANG, INDONESIA BASED ON SITE RESPONSE ANALYSIS USING 30 M SOIL DEPOSIT MODEL
Authors: Partono Windu , Wardani Sri Prabandiyani Retno , Irsyam Masyhur , Maarif Syamsul
Published: October 2016

Seismic microzonation study of Semarang is still on-going following the recommendations from the Team for Revision of Seismic Hazard Maps of Indonesia 2010 (TRSHMI-2010). The study was performed by carrying one-dimensional site response analysis at 190 locations and implementing Lasem fault as a closest seimic source that significantly influence the hazard of the city. The analysis was performed using two soil deposit models, 30 m and real soil deposit models, to get ground surface peak acceleration (PGA) and amplification factor of PGA. The results obtained using the first model are then compared with the results obtained using the second model. To perform the analysis bedrock elevation and acceleration time histories data are needed. The bedrock elevation was estimated based on 218 single station seismometer measurements. Five different time histories representing different earthquakes with magnitude 6.5 MW and maximum distance 20 km are collected from worldwide historical earthquake records. The results of this study includes the distribution of surface PGA and amplification factor of PGA. The PGA and amplification factor calculated using 30 meter soil deposit model are greater than the same values calculated using real soil deposit model.
MODEL TEST ON THE AXIAL CAPACITY OF DISPLACEMENT RIBBED PILES
Authors: Ganiyu Abideen Adekunle , A. Rashid Ahmad Safuan , Osman Mohd Hanim
Published: October 2016

The capacity, hence the load-settlement behaviour of a pile is governed by the collective behaviour of the base and shaft. It is highly desirable, sustainable and economical to accommodate the increasing demand for deeper and wider foundations through the use of higher capacity piles. This research investigated the performance of preformed displacement ribbed piles in a unit gravity model test. Four tests were carried out to replicate the constant rate of penetration (CRP) test in the field. Two lengths corresponding to short and long piles for each of plain and ribbed piles were employed. Compacted Kaolin S300 type was employed as the model soil. The failure load of the piles was determined using six different methods. An increased capacity of 32% and 20% was obtained in the short and long ribbed piles, respectively. Also, it was observed that the closer the distance between the ribs, the higher the capacity produced for equal number of ribs. The ribbed piles gave higher capacities through the increase in their shaft capacity which is associated with the presence of ribs along their lengths. An increase in the axial capacity of displacement piles can be attained by modifying the profile of the pile shaft through the use of ribs.
RESPONSE OF SUCTION DISTRIBUTION DUE TO VARIATIONS OF PERMEABILITY IN RESIDUAL SOIL SLOPE
Authors: Abu Talib Zaihasra , Kassim Azman , Yunusa Gambo Haruna , A.Rashid Ahmad Safuan
Published: October 2016

A landslide in residual soil normally occurs immediately after heavy rainfall. Previous studies have shown that decrease in matric suction during rainfall decreases the shear strength of soil and results in landslides. One of the factors that contribute to infiltration of water into soil is permeability of the soil which varies with depth. The variations of permeability can either prevent or allow water to infiltrate into deeper soil layer. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine the suction distribution in a two- layered residual soil system with variable permeability function using laboratory physical slope model. The Ksat for Grade V varies from 5.11 x 10-4 m/s for relict joint of 100 mm spacing to 5.40 x 10-5 m/s for relict joint of 300 mm spacing. Meanwhile the Ksat for Grade VI represent Grade VI without burrow holes, 5.00 x 10-7 m/s and Ksat with burrow holes, 6.98 x 10-4 m/s. The infiltration tests were conducted for 12 series of experimental program. The suction distribution due to variations of permeability and rainfall intensity were determined. The results illustrated that suction distribution responded in various ways depending on permeability of the layered soil and also the rainfall intensity.
GEOPHYSICS APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Authors: Saad Rosli , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam
Published: October 2016

Geophysical investigation is non-invasive, time and cost effective. There is a relation between geophysics and geotechnical data. Unfortunately many engineers did not aware of this or have lost confidence in geophysics, as a result of insufficient communication of the capabilities, limitations and precision of the geophysical approach; poorly planned investigations; or lack of data integration. With good communications and planning, geophysics can be used together with borehole, excavation data or others to provide greater certainty of site characteristics. Three geophysical investigations case studies were discussed with different objective for assessment and design. The case studies illustrated how geophysical data can provide important geological interpretation that could not be achieved by interpretation from borehole results alone.
ATTENUATION CAPACITY OF SOIL MIXED WITH PALM OIL FUEL ASH (POFA) LINER FOR TREATING LEACHATE
Authors: Nik Daud Nik Norsyahariati , Muhammed Abubakar Sadiq , Misban Nadwatul Khodijah , Wan Yaacob Wan Zuhairi
Published: October 2016

This paper presents the results of a study on the effectiveness of mixtures of granite residual soil with palm oil fuel ash (POFA) to attenuate leachate contaminants. Granite residual soil samples were mixed with 0 to 15% POFA. A short term filtration processes and hydraulic conductivity test were conducted simultaneously using a falling head apparatus with natural leachate as the permeant. The values of natural attenuation capacity of the compacted soil mixed with various percentage of POFA were determine by carrying out several water quality tests on the influent and effluent. The parameters measured were Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) values and some selected heavy metal (Chromium, Copper, Manganese, Lead and Zinc). The results showed the highest reduction in hydraulic conductivity (65.4%) was achieved by the compacted soil mixed with 10% POFA. The removal rate of all parameters studied except for copper increased with the increment of POFA content
TRANSFER FUNCTION MODELS FOR STATISTICAL DOWNSCALING OF MONTHLY PRECIPITATION
Authors: Hadipour Sahar , Harun Sobri , Arefnia Ali , Alamgir Mahiuddin
Published: October 2016

Three transfer function based statistical downscaling namely, linear regression model (LM), generalized linear model (GLM), generalized additive model (GAM) have been developed to assess their performance in downscaling monthly rainfall. Previous studies reported that performance of downscaling model depends on climate region and characteristics of climatic variable being downscaled. This has motivated to assess the performance of these three statistical downscaling models to identify most suitable model for downscaling monthly rainfall in the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Assessment of model performance using standard statistical measures revealed that LM model performs best in downscaling monthly precipitation in the study area. The Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) for LM was found always greater than 0.9 and 0.7 with predictor set selected using stepwise multiple regression method during model calibration and validation, respectively. The finding opposes the general conception of better performance of non-linear models compared to linear models in downscaling rainfall. The near normal distribution of monthly rainfall in the tropical region has made the LM model much stronger compared to other models which assume that distribution of dependent variable is not normal.
The Implications of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's Leadership on Islamic Economic Development in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Shafie Noor Husna , Mohd Rosdi Mohd Syakir
Published: October 2016

During Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad served as a Prime Minister of Malaysia, some efforts are shown when he trying to evaluate the current economic system which is based on the conventional economic system and trying to change to the Islamic economic system. This is caused by the evolution from the westernized thought to the Islamic thinking that occurred by a paradigm shift of people who was more interested in switching to the Islamic economic system. However, it's weird because this thought is differ from Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's leadership who is deemed to be more westernized than Islamic ways. In the meantime, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad also had implemented the Dasar Penerapan Nilai-nilai Islam policies and he had declared Malaysia as an Islamic state. The problem is, the economic development is mixed between the conventional economic development and the Islamic economic development. It is being an issue because when the people are taught to use the Islamic economic system? Is that the outcome from the implementation of the Dasar Penerapan Nilai-nilai Islam by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's leadership? What are the Islamic economic criteria has been used by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad to attract the people? In order to answer the above questions, this paper was written to answer these questions by examining and analyzing the implications of the Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad's leadership in the Islamic economic development in Malaysia. The methodology has been used for this paper are using the literature review method and content analysis method. The results shows during Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad served as Prime Minister of Malaysia, he has been attempting to develop the Islamic economic system in Malaysia. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad also approached the Saudi Arabia to get the information and an experience from their implementation economic system based on shari'ah. Interestingly, although the implementation of the Islamic economic system is already started in Malaysia, the positions of non-Muslims in the country are not affected at all
Pelaksanaan Organisasi Dan Aktiviti Islam Hadhari Di Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) : Satu Pengamatan Awal
Authors: Surip Abd. Ghafar , Mohd Nasir Badlihisham , Baharuddin Ahmad Syukran
Published: October 2016

Islam Hadhari Islam is another policy implemented after the adaptation of ‘Islamic Values’ introduced by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi post-election of 2004 General Election in Malaysia. It is a comprehensive approach to human development, society and state of Malaysia based on the perspective of Islamic civilization. In order to achieve these goals, the government outlines 10 fundamental principles that are considered suitable to be implemented in the context of Malaysia. Since the launch of Islam Hadhari, the government has been working hard to promote and implement Islam Hadhari over the globe. As for this purpose, JAKIM as federal level religious institution was entrusted to coordinate all activities related to the implementation of Islam Hadhari in Malaysia. This article attempts to examine the development of the organization and generally evaluate the implementation of an organizational structure in JAKIM especially in mobilizing Islamic Hadhari which the establishment has covered both, the federal and state levels. However, there are still some problems due to the organization of Islam Hadhari is basically in deficient compared to other organizations with the addition of the engagement under other existing organization, whether either at the federal or state level. This situation led to the failure to achieve the goals set by the activities. Thus, it is nothing more than a political rhetoric to repeat the routine activities in the form of lectures and publications than specific activities to build a glorious generation.
Fesyen Wanita Menurut Perspektif Islam dan Kesannya Terhadap Kesejahteraan Fizikal dan Spiritual
Authors: Othman Rashidah , Muhamad Siti Norlina , Mohd Yusof Farahwahida , Wan Harun Muhammad Amir
Published: October 2016

Fashion is the popular or the latest style of clothing or behaviour that evolves with time. Fashion may influence the way of living of the society. The current fashion scene presents to the general public an abundance of fashion trends. However, most of them tend to accentuate the figure of the wearer which does not meet the concept of covering aurah properly, with designs that are see-through or close-fitting. This matter must be taken into consideration since covering the aurah is compulsory in the Islamic Law. This article, therefore, discusses women fashion according to the Islamic perspective and its impact on their physical and spiritual health. From the physical aspect, dressing according to the Islamic way can balance the stimulation of the hormone and mind.  In addition to regulating the body temperature through the head, it coordinates the balance between a healthy body and good brain functioning. It also aids in the development of a great intellect and motivation, and it encourages the development of positive behaviour. Meanwhile, from the spiritual aspect, it deepens their faith and piety to Allah, as well as gives high confidence and self-esteem in the women. It also preserves their dignity and honour. Hence, the fundamentals of the fashion design that is based on the Islamic way of dressing are beneficial in attaining the blessings from Allah and maintaining a good health.
A depth‐sensing technique on 3D‐printed compensator for total body irradiation patient measurement and treatment planning
Authors: Lee Min‐Young , Han Bin , Jenkins Cesare , Xing Lei , Suh Tae‐Suk
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of total body irradiation (TBI) techniques is to deliver a uniform radiation dose to the entire volume of a patient's body. Due to variations in the thickness of the patient, it is difficult to produce such a uniform dose distribution throughout the body. In many techniques, a compensator is used to adjust the dose delivered to various sections of the patient. The current study aims to develop and validate an innovative method of using depth‐sensing cameras and 3D printing techniques for TBI treatment planning and compensator fabrication.

Methods

A tablet with an integrated depth‐sensing camera and motion tracking sensors was used to scan a RANDO™ phantom positioned in a TBI treatment booth to detect and store the 3D surface in a point cloud format. The accuracy of the detected surface was evaluated by comparing extracted body thickness measurements with corresponding measurements from computed tomography (CT) scan images. The thickness, source to surface distance, and off‐axis distance of the phantom at different body section were measured for TBI treatment planning. A detailed compensator design was calculated to achieve a uniform dose distribution throughout the phantom. The compensator was fabricated using a 3D printer, silicone molding, and a mixture of wax and tungsten powder. In vivo dosimetry measurements were performed using optically stimulated luminescent detectors.

Results

The scan of the phantom took approximately 30 s. The mean error for thickness measurements at each section of phantom relative to CT was 0.48 ± 0.27 cm. The average fabrication error for the 3D‐printed compensator was 0.16 ± 0.15 mm. In vivo measurements for an end‐to‐end test showed that overall dose differences were within 5%.

Conclusions

A technique for planning and fabricating a compensator for TBI treatment using a depth camera equipped tablet and a 3D printer was demonstrated to be sufficiently accurate to be considered for further investigation.
Hunt for Planet Nine heats up
Authors: Mann Adam
Published: October 2016

Discovery of icy worlds in the distant solar system offer new clues in searches for hypothetical giant.
Mental health chief to stress neural circuits
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: October 2016

Joshua Gordon will also prioritize computational psychiatry and suicide prevention.
Name that offender? It depends
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: October 2016

Federal agencies have different policies on disclosure.
Conference navigates gap between science and government
Authors: Jarvis Michaela
Published: October 2016

International experts on both sides share best methods for achieving evidence-informed policy
Webinar | Multiplexed immunohistochemistry: Illuminating the tumor microenvironment to study cancer-immune mechanisms
Authors: Taube Janis , Hoyt Clifford
Published: October 2016

As immuno-oncology takes center stage in the battle against cancer, the need for biomarkers has become even more acute, with response rates continuing in the 20%–30% range and the menu of options, including combination therapies, growing at an accelerating pace. The specific immunoarchitecture characteristics of the microenvironment in which a particular tumor grows may be both prognostic and predictive of response to these new immunotherapies. Multiplex immunofluorescence is the most effective, efficient way to identify specific immune cell types, their location, and their state of activation, as well as the presence of immunoactive molecular expression, all at the same time. This method is highly beneficial for exploring immune evasion mechanisms and finding potential biomarkers that allow researchers to assess the mechanism of action and predict and track response. This live, online seminar will take the viewer through validation of this multiplexing technique, including a comparison with singleplex immunofluorescence and standard (chromogenic) immunohistochemistry, as well as an assessment of intersite reproducibility and the influence of staining order on quantitation.

View the Webinar
Warburg meets epigenetics
Authors: Patel Chirag H. , Powell Jonathan D.
Published: October 2016

Glycolysis promotes T cell function by an epigenetic mechanism
ϕX174 Procapsid Assembly: Effects of an Inhibitory External Scaffolding Protein and Resistant Coat Proteins
In Vitro
Authors: Cherwa James E. , Tyson Joshua , Bedwell Gregory J. , Brooke Dewey , Edwards Ashton G. , Dokland Terje , Prevelige Peter E. , Fane Bentley A.
Published: October 2016

During ϕX174 morphogenesis, 240 copies of the external scaffolding protein D organize 12 pentameric assembly intermediates into procapsids, a reaction reconstituted
in vitro
. In previous studies, ϕX174 strains resistant to exogenously expressed dominant lethal D genes were experimentally evolved. Resistance was achieved by the stepwise acquisition of coat protein mutations. Once resistance was established, a stimulatory D protein mutation that greatly increased strain fitness arose. In this study,
in vitro
biophysical and biochemical methods were utilized to elucidate the mechanistic details and evolutionary trade-offs created by the resistance mutations. The kinetics of procapsid formation was analyzed
in vitro
using wild-type, inhibitory, and experimentally evolved coat and scaffolding proteins. Our data suggest that viral fitness is correlated with
in vitro
assembly kinetics and demonstrate that
in vivo
experimental evolution can be analyzed within an
in vitro
biophysical context.

IMPORTANCE
Experimental evolution is an extremely valuable tool. Comparisons between ancestral and evolved genotypes suggest hypotheses regarding adaptive mechanisms. However, it is not always possible to rigorously test these hypotheses
in vivo
. We applied
in vitro
biophysical and biochemical methods to elucidate the mechanistic details that allowed an experimentally evolved virus to become resistant to an antiviral protein and then evolve a productive use for that protein. Moreover, our results indicate that the respective roles of scaffolding and coat proteins may have been redistributed during the evolution of a two-scaffolding-protein system. In one-scaffolding-protein virus assembly systems, coat proteins promiscuously interact to form heterogeneous aberrant structures in the absence of scaffolding proteins. Thus, the scaffolding protein controls fidelity. During ϕX174 assembly, the external scaffolding protein acts like a coat protein, self-associating into large aberrant spherical structures in the absence of coat protein, whereas the coat protein appears to control fidelity.
Transcriptional Silencing of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus in Human Embryonic Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Wang Gary Z. , Goff Stephen P.
Published: October 2016

Embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells are malignant counterparts of embryonic stem (ES) cells and serve as useful models for investigating cellular differentiation and human embryogenesis. Though the susceptibility of murine EC cells to retroviral infection has been extensively analyzed, few studies of retrovirus infection of human EC cells have been performed. We tested the susceptibility of human EC cells to transduction by retroviral vectors derived from three different retroviral genera. We show that human EC cells efficiently express reporter genes delivered by vectors based on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and Mason-Pfizer monkey virus (M-PMV) but not Moloney murine leukemia virus (MLV). In human EC cells, MLV integration occurs normally, but no viral gene expression is observed. The block to MLV expression of MLV genomes is relieved upon cellular differentiation. The lack of gene expression is correlated with transcriptional silencing of the MLV promoter through the deposition of repressive histone marks as well as DNA methylation. Moreover, depletion of SETDB1, a histone methyltransferase, resulted in a loss of transcriptional silencing and upregulation of MLV gene expression. Finally, we provide evidence showing that the lack of MLV gene expression may be attributed in part to the lack of MLV enhancer function in human EC cells.

IMPORTANCE
Human embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells are shown to restrict the expression of murine leukemia virus genomes but not retroviral genomes of the lentiviral or betaretroviral families. The block occurs at the level of transcription and is accompanied by the deposition of repressive histone marks and methylation of the integrated proviral DNA. The host machinery required for silencing in human EC cells is distinct from that in murine EC cell lines: the histone methyltransferase SETDB1 is required, but the widely utilized corepressor TRIM28/Kap1 is not. A transcriptional enhancer element from the Mason-Pfizer monkey virus can override the silencing and promote transcription of chimeric proviral DNAs. The findings reveal novel features of human EC gene regulation not present in their murine counterparts.
Deconstructing the Antiviral Neutralizing-Antibody Response: Implications for Vaccine Development and Immunity
Authors: VanBlargan Laura A. , Goo Leslie , Pierson Theodore C.
Published: October 2016

The antibody response plays a key role in protection against viral infections. While antiviral antibodies may reduce the viral burden via several mechanisms, the ability to directly inhibit (neutralize) infection of cells has been extensively studied. Eliciting a neutralizing-antibody response is a goal of many vaccine development programs and commonly correlates with protection from disease. Considerable insights into the mechanisms of neutralization have been gained from studies of monoclonal antibodies, yet the individual contributions and dynamics of the repertoire of circulating antibody specificities elicited by infection and vaccination are poorly understood on the functional and molecular levels. Neutralizing antibodies with the most protective functionalities may be a rare component of a polyclonal, pathogen-specific antibody response, further complicating efforts to identify the elements of a protective immune response. This review discusses advances in deconstructing polyclonal antibody responses to flavivirus infection or vaccination. Our discussions draw comparisons to HIV-1, a virus with a distinct structure and replication cycle for which the antibody response has been extensively investigated. Progress toward deconstructing and understanding the components of polyclonal antibody responses identifies new targets and challenges for vaccination strategies.
Prognosis assessment of persistent left bundle branch block after TAVI by an electrophysiological and remote monitoring risk-adapted algorithm: rationale and design of the multicentre LBBB–TAVI Study
Authors: Massoullié Grégoire , Bordachar Pierre , Irles Didier , Caussin Christophe , Da Costa Antoine , Defaye Pascal , Jean Frédéric , Mechulan Alexis , Mondoly Pierre , Souteyrand Géraud , Pereira Bruno , Ploux Sylvain , Eschalier Romain
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Percutaneous aortic valve replacement (transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)) notably increases the likelihood of the appearance of a complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) by direct lesion of the LBB of His. This block can lead to high-grade atrioventricular conduction disturbances responsible for a poorer prognosis. The management of this complication remains controversial.

Method and analysis

The screening of LBBB after TAVI persisting for more than 24 hours will be conducted by surface ECG. Stratification will be performed by post-TAVI intracardiac electrophysiological study. Patients at high risk of conduction disturbances (≥70 ms His–ventricle interval (HV) or presence of infra-Hisian block) will be implanted with a pacemaker enabling the recording of disturbance episodes. Those at lower risk (HV <70 ms) will be implanted with a loop recorder device with remote monitoring of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Clinical, ECG and implanted device follow-up will also be performed at 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary objective is to assess the efficacy and safety of a decisional algorithm based on electrophysiological study and remote monitoring of CIEDs in the prediction of high-grade conduction disturbances in patients with LBBB after TAVI. The primary end point is to compare the incidence (rate and time to onset) of high-grade conduction disturbances in patients with LBBB after TAVI between the two groups at 12 months. Given the proportion of high-grade conduction disturbances (20–40%), a sample of 200 subjects will allow a margin of error of 6–7%. The LBBB–TAVI Study has been in an active recruiting phase since September 2015 (21 patients already included).

Ethics and dissemination

Local ethics committee authorisation was obtained in May 2015. We will publish findings from this study in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and present results at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT02482844; Pre-results.
Development of a high-value care culture survey: a modified Delphi process and psychometric evaluation
Authors: Gupta Reshma , Moriates Christopher , Harrison James D , Valencia Victoria , Ong Michael , Clarke Robin , Steers Neil , Hays Ron D , Braddock Clarence H , Wachter Robert
Published: October 2016

Background

Organisational culture affects physician behaviours. Patient safety culture surveys have previously been used to drive care improvements, but no comparable survey of high-value care culture currently exists. We aimed to develop a High-Value Care Culture Survey (HVCCS) for use by healthcare leaders and training programmes to target future improvements in value-based care.

Methods

We conducted a two-phase national modified Delphi process among 28 physicians and nurse experts with diverse backgrounds. We then administered a cross-sectional survey at two large academic medical centres in 2015 among 162 internal medicine residents and 91 hospitalists for psychometric evaluation.

Results

Twenty-six (93%) experts completed the first phase and 22 (85%) experts completed the second phase of the modified Delphi process. Thirty-eight items achieved ≥70% consensus and were included in the survey. One hundred and forty-one residents (83%) and 73 (73%) hospitalists completed the survey. From exploratory factor analyses, four factors emerged with strong reliability: (1) leadership and health system messaging (α=0.94); (2) data transparency and access (α=0.80); (3) comfort with cost conversations (α=0.70); and (4) blame-free environment (α=0.70). In confirmatory factor analysis, this four-factor model fit the data well (Bentler-Bonett Normed Fit Index 0.976 and root mean square residual 0.056). The leadership and health system messaging (r=0.56, p<0.001), data transparency and access (r=0.15, p<0.001) and blame-free environment (r=0.37, p<0.001) domains differed significantly between institutions and positively correlated with Value-Based Purchasing Scores.

Conclusions

Our results provide support for the reliability and validity of the HVCCS to assess high-value care culture among front-line clinicians. HVCCS may be used by healthcare groups to identify target areas for improvements and to monitor the effects of high-value care initiatives.
A presumptive case of gluten sensitivity in a border terrier: a multisystem disorder?
Authors: Lowrie M. , Hadjivassiliou M. , Sanders D. S. , Garden O. A.
Published: October 2016

Paroxysmal gluten‐sensitive dyskinesia (previously termed canine epileptoid cramping syndrome) is a condition of Border terriers in which the leading manifestation is neurological. The authors describe a case they believe to represent the first report of a Border terrier with a combination of neurological signs, atopy, positive serological results for anti‐transglutaminase 2 (TG2 IgA) and anti‐gliadin (AGA IgG) antibodies, and signs suggestive of gastrointestinal disease with pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract—seemingly responsive to a gluten‐free diet. As such, the authors suggest that gluten sensitivity in Border terriers may manifest as a multisystem disease in a similar manner to that seen in human beings.
New perspectives on research
Authors: Charlier Johannes
Published: October 2016

As graduation approached, Johannes Charlier was surprised to find that clinical practice was not for him. Postgraduate research in parasitology led on to postdoctoral research, but as grant funding became more difficult to secure, he switched to a new role at the science‐policy interface
Trabeculae and Al-accumulation in the wood cells of Melastomataceae species from Brazilian savanna
Authors: Milanez Camilla Rozindo Dias , Marcati Carmen Regina , Machado Silvia Rodrigues
Published: October 2016

Family Melastomataceae is an important component of the Brazilian Cerrado flora, inhabiting different environments from those with well-drained soils to swamp soil sites. Several members of this family are recognized as aluminum (Al)-accumulating. We studied the wood anatomy of six species of Melastomataceae (Miconia albicans (Sw.) Triana, M. fallax DC., M. chamissois Naudin, M. ligustroides (DC.) Naudin, Microlepis oleaefolia (DC.) Triana, Rhynchanthera dichotoma DC.), growing in different environments of Cerrado, exploring the occurrence of trabeculae and Al-accumulation sites. We processed the material following the usual techniques in wood anatomy and histochemistry. We used a chrome azurol-S spot-test in fresh material to detect Al-accumulation. The common features were diffuse porosity, vessel elements with simple perforation plates and vestured pits, abundant parenchyma-like fiber bands and septate fibers, axial parenchyma scanty to vasicentric, and heterocellular rays. The presence of trabeculae in vessel elements, septa in parenchyma cells, and aluminum in the G-layer of the gelatinous fiber walls, in the septa of fibers, in cambial initials and derivatives cell walls, and in the vacuole of ray cells are recorded for the first time for Melastomataceae. The results of this study indicate an additional role for gelatinous fibers in Al-accumulation, and offer a new perspective on Al-compartmentalization in the wood cells from Cerrado species.
Studying viscosity of asphalt binders and effect of varied production temperatures on engineering properties of hot mix asphalt mixtures
Authors: Diab Aboelkasim
Published: October 2016

The objectives of this paper are studying the viscosity characteristics of asphalt binders containing different additives, ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene, and hydrated lime, and the influence of varying mixing and compaction temperatures on the engineering properties of the corresponding mixtures. The engineering properties of the asphalt mixtures were investigated using the indirect tensile strength, moisture damage evaluation, and volumetric properties (in terms of the air void content). Based on the viscosity results, the non-Newtonian behavior of the asphalt binders prevails with the increase in the concentration of polymers and hydrated lime, thus the setting of the production temperatures using the equiviscous principle would be expected to be rather inaccurate. The variation in the production temperatures affected the engineering properties of the asphalt mixtures. It is recommended that a revision of the production temperatures from different methods be undertaken to satisfy the desired engineering properties for different conditions.
Seasonal niche partitioning and coexistence of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Crustacea: Ostracoda)
Authors: Rossi V. , Martorella A. , Scudieri D. , Menozzi P.
Published: October 2016

Sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages in species with mixed reproductive systems is rarely observed in nature. On Lampedusa Island (Pelagie Islands, Italy), amphimictic and parthenogenetic lineages of Heterocypris barbara (Gauthier and Brehm, 1928) co-occur in a temporary pond. Their sympatric persistence calls for an ecological differentiation. We investigated the role of seasonal variation of temperature and photoperiod conditions by two different approaches: microcosms set up by inundation of dry sediments from the temporary pond and life-table experiments. Microcosms recreate conditions similar to the field and in their sediments random samples of resting eggs of both amphimictic and parthenogenetic females are stored. Life-table experiments supplied individual-based estimates of survivorship, adult life span, fecundity, and sex ratio in the progeny. We carried out the experiments at 24 °C and a photoperiod of 12 h light (L) : 12 h dark (D) (simulating fall conditions) and at 16 °C and a photoperiod of 10 h L : 14 h D (simulating winter conditions). Males and amphimictic females were the most numerous forms at 24 °C and 12 h L : 12 h D; parthenogenetic females were dominant at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Life-table experiments showed that amphimictic forms do not complete development at 16 °C and 10 h L : 14 h D. Our results suggest that sympatry of amphimictic and parthenogenetic females in the field depends on seasonal niche partitioning and the storage effect of resting eggs that allows survival through adverse-season conditions.
A Chinese Herbal Decoction, Shaoyao-Gancao Tang, Exerts Analgesic Effect by Down-Regulating the TRPV1 Channel in a Rat Model of Arthritic Pain
Authors: Sui Feng , Zhou Hai-Yu , Meng Jing , Du Xin-Liang , Sui Yun-Peng , Zhou Zhi-Kun , Dong Cheng , Wang Zhu-Ju , Wang Wei-Hao , Dai Li , Ma Hai , Huo Hai-Ru , Jiang Ting-Liang
Published: October 2016

Shaoyao-Gancao Tang (SGT) is one of the most frequently used compound formulas in the treatment of pain-related diseases in the medical practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects, as well as to uncover the molecular mechanism of SGT, the rat pain model of arthritis was experimentally induced by single unilateral injection of rats’ left hind paw with Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). SGT was orally administered to the rats daily at three doses individually for a period of 16 days post-model induction. Swollen degrees and pain thresholds of the rats in different groups were measured for evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of SGT. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of transient receptor potential ion channel protein vanilloid receptor 1 (TRPV1) channel as well as its calcium-mediating function in the isolated DRG neurons were further detected to provide indexes for exploration of the molecular mechanisms mediating anti-arthritic activities of SGT. As a result, FCA injection induced significant allodynia, inflammation and edema, accompanied by a significant increase in both expression and calcium-mediating function of the TRPV1 channel. Pharmacologically, oral administration of SGT at a high or middle dose demonstrated a significant relief from the above-mentioned pathological conditions in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously the mRNA and protein expressional levels of TRPV1 channel, as well as its calcium-mediating function, were down-regulated greatly. These findings suggest that SGT possesses a significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on arthritis rats; its therapeutic activities might be achieved through reversing the elevated expression and function of TRPV1 channel evoked by FCA.
Rhamnella gilgitica Attenuates Inflammatory Responses in LPS-Induced Murine Macrophages and Complete Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis Rats
Authors: Huang Shan , Liu Hai Feng , Quan Xianghua , Jin Yan , Xuan Guangshan , An Ren-Bo , Dikye Tsering , Li Bin
Published: October 2016

Rhamnella gilgitica Mansf. et Melch, which belongs to the rhamnus family (Rhamnaceae), is traditionally used to treat rheumatism, swelling and pain in China. However, little is known about the pharmacological activities of this plant. The anti-inflammatory activities of the 70% ethanol extract of R. gilgitica (RG) in RAW264.7 macrophages and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats are investigated in this study for the first time. The effects of RG on cell viability were determined by a MTT assay, and the effects of RG on pro-inflammatory mediators were analyzed by ELISA and Western blot. The effects of RG on paw thickness, thymus and spleen index were also examined in CFA-induced arthritic rats. RG suppressed the induction of proinflammatory mediators, including iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), NO (nitric oxide), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) and PG (prostaglandin) E2 in LPS stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. RG also inhibited the phosphorylation and degradation of I[Formula: see text]B-[Formula: see text], as well as the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-[Formula: see text]B) p65. In addition, RG treatment significantly reduced the paw thickness in CFA-induced arthritic rats. Oral administration of RG led to a significant decrease of both the thymus and spleen index at a concentration of 100[Formula: see text]mg/mL. Taken together, these findings suggest that RG might be an agent for further development in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases.
Polymer-Fourier quantization of the scalar field revisited
Authors: Garcia-Chung Angel , Vergara J. David
Published: October 2016

The polymer quantization of the Fourier modes of the real scalar field is studied within algebraic scheme. We replace the positive linear functional of the standard Poincaré invariant quantization by a singular one. This singular positive linear functional is constructed as mimicking the singular limit of the complex structure of the Poincaré invariant Fock quantization. The resulting symmetry group of such polymer quantization is the subgroup [Formula: see text] which is a subgroup of [Formula: see text] formed by spatial volume preserving diffeomorphisms. In consequence, this yields an entirely different irreducible representation of the canonical commutation relations, nonunitary equivalent to the standard Fock representation. We also compared the Poincaré invariant Fock vacuum with the polymer Fourier vacuum.
Research on the influence of transparent vacuum encapsulation quartz tuning fork on the photo-thermoelastic spectroscopy of acetylene
Authors: Zhang Zhouqiang , Jia Shuhai , Wang Yonglin , Tang Zhenhua , Wang Fei
Published: October 2016

In this paper, a transparent vacuum-encapsulated quartz tuning fork (QTF) is proposed for the first time to improve the quality factor and sensitivity of QTF sensors. Increasing the vacuum considerably improved the quality factor of QTF, and the resonance frequency was also shifted to higher values to 10 Hz. Subsequently, the spectroscopy detection of acetylene gas using an exposed QTF and a transparent vacuum-encapsulated QTF was investigated. The sensitivity of the detection system improved in the presence of the transparent vacuum-sealed QTF. The current findings represent a gateway to subsequent research in photo-thermoelastic spectroscopy.
Using Uniform-Design GEP for Part-of-Speech Tagging
Authors: Lv Chengyao , Liu Huihua , Dong Yuanxing , Li Fangyuan , Liang Yuan
Published: October 2016

In natural language processing (NLP), a crucial subsystem in a wide range of applications is a part-of-speech (POS) tagger, which labels (or classifies) unannotated words of natural language with POS labels corresponding to categories such as noun, verb or adjective. This paper proposes a model of uniform-design genetic expression programming (UGEP) for POS tagging. UGEP is used to search for appropriate structures in function space of POS tagging problems. After the evolution of sequence of tags, GEP can find the best individual as solution. Experiments on Brown Corpus show that (1) in closed lexicon tests, UGEP model can get higher accuracy rate of 98.8% which is much better than genetic algorithm model, neural networks and hidden Markov model (HMM) model.; (2) in open lexicon tests, the proposed model can also achieve higher accuracy rate of 97.4% and a high accuracy rate on unknown words of 88.6%.
Topological Classification of Quadratic Polynomial Differential Systems with a Finite Semi-Elemental Triple Saddle
Authors: Artés Joan C. , Oliveira Regilene D. S. , Rezende Alex C.
Published: October 2016

The study of planar quadratic differential systems is very important not only because they appear in many areas of applied mathematics but due to their richness in structure, stability and questions concerning limit cycles, for example. Even though many papers have been written on this class of systems, a complete understanding of this family is still missing. Classical problems, and in particular Hilbert’s 16th problem [Hilbert, 1900, 1902], are still open for this family. In this article, we make a global study of the family [Formula: see text] of all real quadratic polynomial differential systems which have a finite semi-elemental triple saddle (triple saddle with exactly one zero eigenvalue). This family modulo the action of the affine group and time homotheties is three-dimensional and we give its bifurcation diagram with respect to a normal form, in the three-dimensional real space of the parameters of this normal form. This bifurcation diagram yields 27 phase portraits for systems in [Formula: see text] counting phase portraits with and without limit cycles. Algebraic invariants are used to construct the bifurcation set and we present the phase portraits on the Poincaré disk. The bifurcation set is not just algebraic due to the presence of a surface found numerically, whose points correspond to connections of separatrices.
User eXperience Management from Early Stages of Computer Game Development
Authors: Mitre-Hernandez Hugo , Lara-Alvarez Carlos , Gonzalez-Salazar Mario , Mejia-Miranda Jezreel , Martin Diego
Published: October 2016

The video game industry is becoming increasingly important due to its revenues and growing capabilities. User eXperience (UX) is an important factor which contributes to the acceptance of a video game. The UX is usually assessed at the end of the development process, and for this reason it is difficult to ensure an adequate level of interactive experience between computer game and players. Cancelation of projects or even bankruptcy of a company can be caused by bad management of UX. In this paper, we propose the game experience management (GEM), a method to evaluate, manage, measure and track the UX from early stages of computer game development. In order to compare the proposal against a method comprised by conventional approaches, teams of master degree students were formed for developing six tower defense games for teaching basic multiplication operations; surveys were conducted to compare the UX of games. In this setting, we find that games developed with GEM significantly improve UX by increasing the puppetry and consequently reducing player frustration.
Bipedal Crowd–Structure Interaction Including Social Force Effects
Authors: Gao Yan-An , Yang Qing-Shan , Qin Jing-Wei
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes a vertical crowd-structure interaction (CSI) model, considering the social force interaction effect among pedestrians. Pedestrian, as the basic unit of crowd, is modeled by a dynamic bipedal system with one lump mass and two compliance legs. The CSI model can be applied to self-determining the walking velocities of pedestrians instead of the sensitive passive control force for a stable gait from the original human–structure interaction (HSI) model. The damping compliance legs are responsible for the energy transfer between the pedestrian and the supporting structures during the dynamic walking process. Numerical studies with several pedestrians walking on a simply supported beam show an improvement of the damping property of the structure, but a decrease of the deterioration of natural frequency of the structure. The experiences gained in this study can be adopted for further study on the more complicated social force interaction among pedestrians in a large crowd passing some slender structures such as large-span footbridge.