bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-Aware Scheduling for Real-Time Systems
Authors: Bambagini Mario , Marinoni Mauro , Aydin Hakan , Buttazzo Giorgio
Published: January 2016

This article presents a survey of energy-aware scheduling algorithms proposed for real-time systems. The analysis presents the main results starting from the middle 1990s until today, showing how the proposed solutions evolved to address the evolution of the platform's features and needs. The survey first presents a taxonomy to classify the existing approaches for uniprocessor systems, distinguishing them according to the technology exploited for reducing energy consumption, that is,
Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling
(DVFS),
Dynamic Power Management
(DPM), or both. Then, the survey discusses the approaches proposed in the literature to deal with the additional problems related to the evolution of computing platforms toward multicore architectures.
Peripheral Developer Participation in Open Source Projects
Authors: Krishnamurthy Rajiv , Jacob Varghese , Radhakrishnan Suresh , Dogan Kutsal
Published: January 2016

The success of the Open Source model of software development depends on the voluntary participation of external developers (theperipheral developers), a group that can have distinct motivations from that of project founders (thecore developers). In this study, we examine peripheral developer participation by empirically examining approximately 2,600 open source projects. In particular, we hypothesize that peripheral developer participation is higher when the potential for building reputation by gaining recognition from project stakeholders is higher. We consider recognition byinternalstakeholders (such as core developers) andexternalstakeholders (such as end-users and peers). We find a positive association between peripheral developer participation and the potential of stakeholder recognition after controlling for bug reports, feature requests, and other key factors. Our findings provide important insights for OSS founders and corporate managers for open sourcing or OSS adoption decisions.
Data Flow Transformation for Energy-Efficient Implementation of Givens Rotation--Based QRD
Authors: Sharma Namita , Panda Preeti Ranjan , Catthoor Francky , Li Min , Agrawal Prashant
Published: January 2016

QR decomposition (QRD), a matrix decomposition algorithm widely used in embedded application domain, can be realized in a large number of valid processing sequences that differ significantly in the number of memory accesses and computations, and hence the overall implementation energy. With modern low-power embedded processors evolving toward register files with wide memory interfaces and vector functional units (FUs), data flow in these algorithms needs to be carefully devised to efficiently utilize the costly wide memory accesses and the vector FUs. In this article, we present an energy-efficient data flow transformation strategy for the Givens rotation--based QRD.
Design of a High-Performance CDMA-Based Broadcast-Free Photonic Multi-Core Network on Chip
Authors: Poddar Soumyajit , Ghosal Prasun , Rahaman Hafizur
Published: January 2016

Present-day focus on multicore research has not only increased computing power but also power- and bandwidth-efficient communication among cores. On-chip communication networks have become popular today because of their low energy use and modular structure compared to bus-based interconnects. Silicon photonics has further boosted the performance of on-chip interconnection networks with its low energy-delay product and high reliability. In current multicore Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures, photonics is playing an important role in transferring large volumes of data both on- and off-chip. The problem addressed in this work is the issue of broadcast traffic arising due to invalidation requests from on-chip cache memories. Although such traffic is typically less than 1% of total traffic, it can easily present a high load on network resources, creating congestion and degrading performance. In this article, we propose a CDMA-based, secure, scalable, and energy-efficient technique to eliminate broadcast invalidations and increase overall performance. Experimental results indicate a performance boost up to 22.2% over a competing Photonic NoC and up to 57.4% over Electrical Mesh-based NoC when the proposed technique is used. Additional hardware deployed has an area overhead of less than 1%, whereas total energy consumed is at par with other state-of-the-art techniques.
Service Ratio-Optimal, Content Coherence-Aware Data Push Systems
Authors: Liaskos Christos , Tsioliaridou Ageliki
Published: January 2016

Advertising new information to users via push is the trigger of operation for many contemporary information systems. Furthermore, passive optical networks are expected to extend the reachability of high-quality push services to thousands of clients. The efficiency of a push service is the ratio of successfully informed users. However, pushing only data of high popularity can degrade the thematic coherency of the content. The present work offers a novel, analysis-derived, tunable way for selecting data for push services. The proposed scheme can maximize the service ratio of a push system with regard to data coherence constraints. Extensive simulations demonstrate the efficiency of the scheme compared to alternative solutions. The proposed scheme is the first to tackle the problem of data coherence-aware, service ratio optimization of push services.
Tactile Graphics with a Voice
Authors: Baker Catherine M. , Milne Lauren R. , Drapeau Ryan , Scofield Jeffrey , Bennett Cynthia L. , Ladner Richard E.
Published: January 2016

We discuss the development of Tactile Graphics with a Voice (TGV), a system used to access label information in tactile graphics using QR codes. Blind students often rely on tactile graphics to access textbook images. Many textbook images have a large number of text labels that need to be made accessible. In order to do so, we propose TGV, which uses QR codes to replace the text, as an alternative to Braille. The codes are read with a smartphone application. We evaluated the system with a longitudinal study where 10 blind and low-vision participants completed tasks using three different modes on the smartphone application: (1) no guidance, (2) verbal guidance, and (3) finger-pointing guidance. Our results show that TGV is an effective way to access text in tactile graphics, especially for those blind users who are not fluent in Braille. We also found that preferences varied greatly across the modes, indicating that future work should support multiple modes. We expand upon the algorithms we used to implement the finger pointing, algorithms to automatically place QR codes on documents. We also discuss work we have started on creating a Google Glass version of the application.
Haploidization via Chromosome Elimination: Means and Mechanisms
Authors: Ishii Takayoshi , Karimi-Ashtiyani Raheleh , Houben Andreas
Published: January 2016

The ability to generate haploids and subsequently induce chromosome doubling significantly accelerates the crop breeding process. Haploids have been induced through the generation of plants from haploid tissues (in situ gynogenesis and androgenesis) and through the selective loss of a parental chromosome set via inter- or intraspecific hybridization. Here, we focus on the mechanisms responsible for this selective chromosome elimination. CENH3, a variant of the centromere-specific histone H3, has been exploited to create an efficient method of haploid induction, and we discuss this approach in some detail. Parallels have been drawn with chromosome-specific elimination, which occurs as a normal part of differentiation and sex determination in many plant and animal systems.
Suicide, Suicide Attempts, and Suicidal Ideation
Authors: Klonsky E. David , May Alexis M. , Saffer Boaz Y.
Published: January 2016

Suicidal behavior is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Fortunately, recent developments in suicide theory and research promise to meaningfully advance knowledge and prevention. One key development is the ideation-to-action framework, which stipulates that (a) the development of suicidal ideation and (b) the progression from ideation to suicide attempts are distinct phenomena with distinct explanations and predictors. A second key development is a growing body of research distinguishing factors that predict ideation from those that predict suicide attempts. For example, it is becoming clear that depression, hopelessness, most mental disorders, and even impulsivity predict ideation, but these factors struggle to distinguish those who have attempted suicide from those who have only considered suicide. Means restriction is also emerging as a highly effective way to block progression from ideation to attempt. A third key development is the proliferation of theories of suicide that are positioned within the ideation-to-action framework. These include the interpersonal theory, the integrated motivational-volitional model, and the three-step theory. These perspectives can and should inform the next generation of suicide research and prevention.
Paraphilias in the DSM-5
Authors: Beech Anthony R. , Miner Michael H. , Thornton David
Published: January 2016

This review summarizes and critically examines the changes in how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) characterizes paraphilias. Attention is paid to the diagnostic options that were included in DSM-5, the decision not to include criterion sets for two additional disorders (paraphilic coercive disorder and hypersexual behavior disorder), and the further decision not to modify the diagnosis of pedophilic to pedohebephilic disorder. The three most significant changes are (a) the move to distinguish paraphilias from paraphilic disorders (allowing unusual sexual interests to be studied by researchers but only regarded as disorders when they cause distress or dysfunction), (b) introducing criteria describing paraphilic disorders as being in remission (when they no longer cause distress or dysfunction), and (c) clarifying the relationship between behavior and paraphilias. Concerns are noted about the forensic use of diagnoses and the lack of funding for field trials in this revision of the DSM. Suggestions are given for future directions in order to further research efficacy and clinical diagnosis.
Conducting Clinical Research Using Crowdsourced Convenience Samples
Authors: Chandler Jesse , Shapiro Danielle
Published: January 2016

Crowdsourcing has had a dramatic impact on the speed and scale at which scientific research can be conducted. Clinical scientists have particularly benefited from readily available research study participants and streamlined recruiting and payment systems afforded by Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a popular labor market for crowdsourcing workers. MTurk has been used in this capacity for more than five years. The popularity and novelty of the platform have spurred numerous methodological investigations, making it the most studied nonprobability sample available to researchers. This article summarizes what is known about MTurk sample composition and data quality with an emphasis on findings relevant to clinical psychological research. It then addresses methodological issues with using MTurk—many of which are common to other nonprobability samples but unfamiliar to clinical science researchers—and suggests concrete steps to avoid these issues or minimize their impact.
Diagnostic Issues and Controversies in DSM-5: Return of the False Positives Problem
Authors: Wakefield Jerome C.
Published: January 2016

The fifth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was the most controversial in the manual's history. This review selectively surveys some of the most important changes in DSM-5, including structural/organizational changes, modifications of diagnostic criteria, and newly introduced categories. It analyzes why these changes led to such heated controversies, which included objections to the revision's process, its goals, and the content of altered criteria and new categories. The central focus is on disputes concerning the false positives problem of setting a valid boundary between disorder and normal variation. Finally, this review highlights key problems and issues that currently remain unresolved and need to be addressed in the future, including systematically identifying false positive weaknesses in criteria, distinguishing risk from disorder, including context in diagnostic criteria, clarifying how to handle fuzzy boundaries, and improving the guidelines for “other specified” diagnosis.
Environmental Detection of Clandestine Nuclear Weapon Programs
Authors: Kemp R. Scott
Published: January 2016

Environmental sensing of nuclear activities has the potential to detect nuclear weapon programs at early stages, deter nuclear proliferation, and help verify nuclear accords. However, no robust system of detection has been deployed to date. This can be variously attributed to high costs, technical limitations in detector technology, simple countermeasures, and uncertainty about the magnitude or behavior of potential signals. In this article, current capabilities and promising opportunities are reviewed. Systematic research in a variety of areas could improve prospects for detecting covert nuclear programs, although the potential for countermeasures suggests long-term verification of nuclear agreements will need to rely on methods other than environmental sensing.
Metabolomic Technologies for Improving the Quality of Food: Practice and Promise
Authors: Johanningsmeier Suzanne D. , Harris G. Keith , Klevorn Claire M.
Published: January 2016

It is now well documented that the diet has a significant impact on human health and well-being. However, the complete set of small molecule metabolites present in foods that make up the human diet and the role of food production systems in altering this food metabolome are still largely unknown. Metabolomic platforms that rely on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) analytical technologies are being employed to study the impact of agricultural practices, processing, and storage on the global chemical composition of food; to identify novel bioactive compounds; and for authentication and region-of-origin classifications. This review provides an overview of the current terminology, analytical methods, and compounds associated with metabolomic studies, and provides insight into the application of metabolomics to generate new knowledge that enables us to produce, preserve, and distribute high-quality foods for health promotion.
CRISPR-Based Typing and Next-Generation Tracking Technologies
Authors: Barrangou Rodolphe , Dudley Edward G.
Published: January 2016

Bacteria occur ubiquitously in nature and are broadly relevant throughout the food supply chain, with diverse and variable tolerance levels depending on their origin, biological role, and impact on the quality and safety of the product as well as on the health of the consumer. With increasing knowledge of and accessibility to the microbial composition of our environments, food supply, and host-associated microbiota, our understanding of and appreciation for the ratio of beneficial to undesirable bacteria are rapidly evolving. Therefore, there is a need for tools and technologies that allow definite, accurate, and high-resolution identification and typing of various groups of bacteria that include beneficial microbes such as starter cultures and probiotics, innocuous commensals, and undesirable pathogens and spoilage organisms. During the transition from the current molecular biology–based PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) gold standard to the increasingly accessible omics-level whole-genome sequencing (WGS) N-gen standard, high-resolution technologies such as CRISPR-based genotyping constitute practical and powerful alternatives that provide valuable insights into genome microevolution and evolutionary trajectories. Indeed, several studies have shown potential for CRISPR-based typing of industrial starter cultures, health-promoting probiotic strains, animal commensal species, and problematic pathogens. Emerging CRISPR-based typing methods open new avenues for high-resolution typing of a broad range of bacteria and constitute a practical means for rapid tracking of a diversity of food-associated microbes.
Impact of Pathogen Population Heterogeneity and Stress-Resistant Variants on Food Safety
Authors: Abee T. , Koomen J. , Metselaar K.I. , Zwietering M.H. , den Besten H.M.W.
Published: January 2016

This review elucidates the state-of-the-art knowledge about pathogen population heterogeneity and describes the genotypic and phenotypic analyses of persister subpopulations and stress-resistant variants. The molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of persister phenotypes and genetic variants are identified. Zooming in on Listeria monocytogenes, a comparative whole-genome sequence analysis of wild types and variants that enabled the identification of mutations in variants obtained after a single exposure to lethal food-relevant stresses is described. Genotypic and phenotypic features are compared to those for persistent strains isolated from food processing environments. Inactivation kinetics, models used for fitting, and the concept of kinetic modeling–based schemes for detection of variants are presented. Furthermore, robustness and fitness parameters of L. monocytogenes wild type and variants are used to model their performance in food chains. Finally, the impact of stress-resistant variants and persistence in food processing environments on food safety is discussed.
Bile Acid Modifications at the Microbe-Host Interface: Potential for Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Interventions in Host Health
Authors: Joyce Susan A. , Gahan Cormac G.M.
Published: January 2016

Bile acids have emerged as important signaling molecules in the host, as they interact either locally or systemically with specific cellular receptors, in particular the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and TGR5. These signaling functions influence systemic lipid and cholesterol metabolism, energy metabolism, immune homeostasis, and intestinal electrolyte balance. Through defined enzymatic activities, the gut microbiota can significantly modify the signaling properties of bile acids and therefore can have an impact upon host health. Alterations to the gut microbiota that influence bile acid metabolism are associated with metabolic disease, obesity, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Clostridium difficile infection, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we examine the regulation of this gut-microbiota-liver axis in the context of bile acid metabolism and indicate how this pathway represents an important target for the development of new nutraceutical (diet and/or probiotics) and targeted pharmaceutical interventions.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Food Safety, and One Health: The Need for Convergence
Authors: Lammie Samantha L. , Hughes James M.
Published: January 2016

Antimicrobial resistance is a complex, multifaceted, urgent global health problem. There is increasing concern about the emergence of multidrug-resistant superbugs. These superbugs result in infections responsive to treatment with few if any currently available antimicrobial agents, reviving memories of the preantibiotic era and evoking concerns about a postantibiotic era. Use of antibiotics exerts selective pressure on pathogens as well as on commensal organisms that are part of the normal flora of humans, animals, and the environment; this favors the emergence of resistant strains and sometimes involves the food supply. Addressing this urgent threat requires implementation of a multifaceted strategy that has been articulated in the past few years; implementation will require sustained political will, investment in systems and research, and a One Health approach involving improved communication, cooperation, and collaboration among the many professional disciplines and organizations with important roles to play at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. Priorities include strengthened human and animal health surveillance and monitoring for resistant organisms, antimicrobial stewardship programs, infection-control programs, development and approval of new antimicrobial agents, research on innovative therapeutic approaches, development of rapid diagnostic tests and new vaccines, and educational programs that target professional groups and the public.
Genomic Epidemiology: Whole-Genome-Sequencing–Powered Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens
Authors: Deng Xiangyu , den Bakker Henk C. , Hendriksen Rene S.
Published: January 2016

As we are approaching the twentieth anniversary of PulseNet, a network of public health and regulatory laboratories that has changed the landscape of foodborne illness surveillance through molecular subtyping, public health microbiology is undergoing another transformation brought about by so-called next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies that have made whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of foodborne bacterial pathogens a realistic and superior alternative to traditional subtyping methods. Routine, real-time, and widespread application of WGS in food safety and public health is on the horizon. Technological, operational, and policy challenges are still present and being addressed by an international and multidisciplinary community of researchers, public health practitioners, and other stakeholders.
Unraveling Anthocyanin Bioavailability for Human Health
Authors: Lila Mary Ann , Burton-Freeman Britt , Grace Mary , Kalt Wilhelmina
Published: January 2016

This review considers the bioavailability of health-protective anthocyanin pigments from foods, in light of the multiple molecular structures and complicated traffic patterns taken by anthocyanins both as flavonoid metabolites and as phenolic acid metabolites within the body. Anthocyanins have generally been considered to have notoriously poor bioavailability, based on the very low levels typically detected in routine human blood draws after ingestion. Although some investigations have assessed anthocyanin bioavailability solely based on the measurement of parent anthocyanins or phenolic acid breakdown products, more recent research has increasingly revealed the presence, qualitative diversity, relatively high concentrations, and tenacity of molecular intermediates of anthocyanins that retain the unique flavonoid C6-C3-C6 backbone structure. We argue that the persistence of anthocyanin metabolites suggests enterohepatic recycling, leading to prolonged residence time, and supports the notion that anthocyanins are far more bioavailable than previously suggested.
Regulation of Immunity by Butyrophilins
Authors: Rhodes David A. , Reith Walter , Trowsdale John
Published: January 2016

Butyrophilin molecules (commonly contracted to BTN), collectively take their name from the eponymous protein in cow's milk. They are considered to be members of the B7 family of costimulatory receptors, which includes B7.1 (CD80), B7.2 (CD86), and related molecules, such as PD-L1 (B7-H1, CD274), ICOS-L (CD275), and B7-H3 (CD276). These coreceptors modulate T cell responses upon antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex and cognate αβ T cell receptor engagement. Molecules such as BTN3A1 (CD277), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, and mouse Skint1 and Btnl2, all members of the butyrophilin family, show greater structural and functional diversity than the canonical B7 receptors. Some butyrophilins mediate complex interactions between antigen-presenting cells and conventional αβ T cells, and others regulate the immune responses of specific γδ T cell subsets by mechanisms that have characteristics of both innate and adaptive immunity.
Crystal Formation in Inflammation
Authors: Franklin Bernardo S. , Mangan Matthew S. , Latz Eicke
Published: January 2016

The formation and accumulation of crystalline material in tissues is a hallmark of many metabolic and inflammatory conditions. The discovery that the phase transition of physiologically soluble substances to their crystalline forms can be detected by the immune system and activate innate immune pathways has revolutionized our understanding of how crystals cause inflammation. It is now appreciated that crystals are part of the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including gout, silicosis, asbestosis, and atherosclerosis. In this review we discuss current knowledge of the complex mechanisms of crystal formation in diseased tissues and their interplay with the nutrients, metabolites, and immune cells that account for crystal-induced inflammation.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: The Neuropathological Legacy of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hay Jennifer , Johnson Victoria E. , Smith Douglas H. , Stewart William
Published: January 2016

Almost a century ago, the first clinical account of the punch-drunk syndrome emerged, describing chronic neurological and neuropsychiatric sequelae occurring in former boxers. Thereafter, throughout the twentieth century, further reports added to our understanding of the neuropathological consequences of a career in boxing, leading to descriptions of a distinct neurodegenerative pathology, termed dementia pugilistica. During the past decade, growing recognition of this pathology in autopsy studies of nonboxers who were exposed to repetitive, mild traumatic brain injury, or to a single, moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, has led to an awareness that it is exposure to traumatic brain injury that carries with it a risk of this neurodegenerative disease, not the sport or the circumstance in which the injury is sustained. Furthermore, the neuropathology of the neurodegeneration that occurs after traumatic brain injury, now termed chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is acknowledged as being a complex, mixed, but distinctive pathology, the detail of which is reviewed in this article.
Democratization During the Third Wave
Authors: Haggard Stephan , Kaufman Robert R.
Published: January 2016

The initial optimism that greeted the onset of the “Third Wave” of democratization has cooled with the instability of many new democracies and the proliferation of stable competitive authoritarian regimes. These disappointments have produced a return to structural theories emphasizing the constraints posed by underdevelopment, resource endowments, inequality, and ethno-religious cleavages. We argue, however, for a sharper focus on the political mechanisms that link such factors to the emergence of democracy, including the extent of institutionalization in new democracies and the still understudied role of civil society and the capacity for collective action. The international dimensions of democratization also require closer analysis. We also underline a methodological point: The quest for an overarching theory of democracy and democratization may be misguided. Generalizations supported by cross-national statistical work yield numerous anomalies and indicate the need for approaches that emphasize combinations of causal factors, alternative pathways, and equifinality.
FGF9 and FGF18 in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis promote survival and migration and inhibit myofibroblast differentiation of human lung fibroblasts in vitro
Authors: Joannes Audrey , Brayer Stéphanie , Besnard Valérie , Marchal-Sommé Joëlle , Jaillet Madeleine , Mordant Pierre , Mal Hervé , Borie Raphael , Crestani Bruno , Mailleux Arnaud A.
Published: January 2016

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by an accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and fibroblasts in the distal airways. Key developmental lung signaling pathways are reactivated in IPF. For instance, fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) and FGF18, involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, are critical for lung development. We evaluated the expression of FGF9, FGF18, and FGF receptors (FGFRs) in lung tissue from controls and IPF patients and assessed their effect on proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation of control and IPF human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). FGF9, FGF18, and all FGFRs were present in the remodeled alveolar epithelium close to the fibroblast foci in IPF lungs. FGFR3 was generally detected in fibroblast foci by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, HLFs mainly expressed mesenchyme-associated FGFR isoforms (FGFR1c and FGFR3c) and FGFR4. FGF9 did not affect fibroblast proliferation, whereas FGF18 inhibited cell growth in control fibroblasts. FGF9 and FGF18 decreased Fas-ligand-induced apoptosis in control but not in IPF fibroblasts. FGF9 prevented transforming growth factor β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. FGF9 and FGF18 increased the migratory capacities of HLF, and FGF9 actively modulated matrix metalloproteinase activity. In addition, FGFR3 inhibition by small interfering RNA impacted p-ERK activation by FGF9 and FGF18 and their effects on differentiation and migration. These results identify FGF9 as an antiapoptotic and promigratory growth factor on HLF, maintaining fibroblasts in an undifferentiated state. The biological effects of FGF9 and FGF18 were partially driven by FGFR3. FGF18 was a less potent molecule. Both growth factors likely contribute to the fibrotic process in vivo.
Constipation and Laxative Use among Nursing Home Patients: Prevalence and Associations Derived from the Residents Assessment Instrument for Long-Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF)
Authors: Blekken Lene Elisabeth , Nakrem Sigrid , Vinsnes Anne Guttormsen , Norton Christine , Mørkved Siv , Salvesen Øyvind , Gjeilo Kari Hanne
Published: January 2016

Introduction. Constipation is a common, bothersome, and potentially dangerous condition among nursing home (NH) patients. Between 50 and 74% of NH patients use laxatives.Objective. To study prevalence and associations of laxative use and constipation using the comprehensive Norwegian version of the Resident Assessment Instrument for Long-Term Care Facilities.Methods.Cross-sectional study. Patients from 20 NH units were included. Logistic regression was used to analyze the results. Data collected in NHs might be clustered. Consequently, the multivariable models were tested against a mixed effects regression model to investigate variance both on the level of patients and on the level of NH units.Results.In all, 261 patients were included. The prevalence of constipation was 23.4%, and 67.1% used laxatives regularly. Balance problems, urinary incontinence, hypothyroidism, and Parkinson’s disease were associated with constipation. Reduced ability to communicate and number of drugs were associated with laxative use. Antidementia-drugs and being involved in activities 1/3 to 2/3 of daytime were protective factors for laxative use. Mixed effects analyses identified variance on the level of NH units as nonsignificant.Conclusion.Constipation and laxative use are common. Variance is mainly explained by different patient characteristics/health deficiencies. Hence, patients might benefit from individualized care to compensate for deficiencies.
Infected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm withHelicobacter cinaedi
Authors: Nishida Kazuhiro , Iwasawa Takamasa , Tamura Atsushi , Lefor Alan T.
Published: January 2016

Helicobacter cinaediis a rare human pathogen which has various clinical manifestations such as cellulitis, bacteremia, arthritis, meningitis, and infectious endocarditis. We report an abdominal aortic aneurysm infected withHelicobacter cinaedi, treated successfully with surgical repair and long-term antimicrobial therapy.
The Terahertz Controlled Duplex Isolator: Physical Grounds and Numerical Experiment
Authors: Vytovtov Konstantin , Zouhdi Said , Dubrovka Rostislav , Hnatushenko Volodymyr
Published: January 2016

Electromagnetic properties of an anisotropic stratified slab with an arbitrary orientation of the anisotropy axis under an oblique incidence of a plane harmonic wave are studied. The dependence of the eigenwave wavenumbers and the reflection coefficient on an anisotropy axis orientation and frequency is investigated. For the first time, the expression for the translation matrix is obtained in the compact analytical form. The controlled two-way dual-frequency (duplex) isolator based on the above described slab is presented for the first time. It is based on the properties of the anisotropic structure described here but not on the Faraday effect.
Numerical Study on Pounding between Two Adjacent Buildings under Earthquake Excitation
Authors: Naderpour H. , Barros R. C. , Khatami S. M. , Jankowski R.
Published: January 2016

Seismic excitation, which results in large horizontal relative displacements, may cause collisions between two adjacent structures due to insufficient separation distance between them. Such collisions, known as earthquake-induced structural pounding, may induce severe damage. In this paper, the case of pounding between two adjacent buildings is studied by the application of single degree-of-freedom structural models. Impact is numerically simulated with the use of a nonlinear viscoelastic model. Special attention is focused on calculating values of impact forces during collisions which have significant influence of pounding-involved response under ground motions. The results of the study indicate that the impact force time history is much dependent on the earthquake excitation analyzed. Moreover, the peak impact forces during collision depend substantially on such parameters as gap size, coefficient of restitution, impact velocity, and stiffness of impact spring element. The nonlinear viscoelastic model of impact force with the considered relation between the damping coefficient and the coefficient of restitution has also been found to be effective in simulating earthquake-induced structural pounding.
Atomistic Tight-Binding Theory of Electron-Hole Exchange Interaction in Morphological Evolution of CdSe/ZnS Core/Shell Nanodisk to CdSe/ZnS Core/Shell Nanorod
Authors: Sukkabot Worasak
Published: January 2016

Based on the atomistic tight-binding theory (TB) and a configuration interaction (CI) description, the electron-hole exchange interaction in the morphological transformation of CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanodisk to CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanorod is described with the aim of understanding the impact of the structural shapes on the change of the electron-hole exchange interaction. Normally, the ground hole states confined in typical CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals are of heavy hole-like character. However, the atomistic tight-binding theory shows that a transition of the ground hole states from heavy hole-like to light hole-like contribution with the increasing aspect ratios of the CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanostructures is recognized. According to the change in the ground-state hole characters, the electron-hole exchange interaction is also significantly altered. To do so, optical band gaps, ground-state electron character, ground-state hole character, oscillation strengths, ground-state coulomb energies, ground-state exchange energies, and dark-bright (DB) excitonic splitting (stoke shift) are numerically demonstrated. These atomistic computations obviously show the sensitivity with the aspect ratios. Finally, the alteration in the hole character has a prominent effect on dark-bright (DB) excitonic splitting.
Development of Combinatorial Pulsed Laser Deposition for Expedited Device Optimization in CdTe/CdS Thin-Film Solar Cells
Authors: Kadhim Ali , Harrison Paul , Meeth Jake , Al-Mebir Alaa , Zeng Guanggen , Wu Judy
Published: January 2016

A combinatorial pulsed laser deposition system was developed by integrating a computer controlled scanning sample stage in order to rapidly screen processing conditions relevant to CdTe/CdS thin-film solar cells. Using this system, the thickness of the CdTe absorber layer is varied across a single sample from 1.5 μm to 0.75 μm. The effects of thickness on CdTe grain morphology, crystal orientation, and cell efficiency were investigated with respect to different postprocessing conditions. It is shown that the thinner CdTe layer of 0.75 μm obtained the best power conversion efficiency up to 5.3%. The results of this work shows the importance that CdTe grain size/morphology relative to CdTe thickness has on device performance and quantitatively exhibits what those values should be to obtain efficient thin-film CdTe/CdS solar cells fabricated with pulsed laser deposition. Further development of this combinatorial approach could enable high-throughput exploration and optimization of CdTe/CdS solar cells.
Validation of a Reversed‐Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for the Simultaneous Analysis of Cysteine and Reduced Glutathione in Mouse Organs
Authors: Brundu Serena , Nencioni Lucia , Celestino Ignacio , Coluccio Paolo , Palamara Anna Teresa , Magnani Mauro , Fraternale Alessandra
Published: January 2016

A depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) has been observed in pathological conditions and in aging. Measuring GSH in tissues using mouse models is an excellent way to assess GSH depletion and the potential therapeutic efficacy of drugs used to maintain and/or restore cellular redox potential. A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the simultaneous determination of GSH and cysteine (Cys) in mouse organs was validated according to USA and European standards. The method was based on separation coupled with ultraviolet detection and precolumn derivatization with 5,5′‐dithiobis‐(2‐nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB). The required validation parameters, that are, selectivity, linearity, lower limit of quantification, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability, were studied for spleen, lymph nodes, pancreas, and brain. The results showed that the lower limits of quantification were 0.313 μM and 1.25 μM for Cys and GSH, respectively. Intraday and interday precisions were less than 11% and 14%, respectively, for both compounds. The mean extraction recoveries of Cys and GSH from all organs were more than 93% and 86%, respectively. Moreover, the stability of both analytes during sample preparation and storage was demonstrated. The method was accurate, reliable, consistent, and reproducible and it was useful to determine Cys and GSH in the organs of different mouse strains.
Outcomes of 23-Gauge Vitrectomy Combined with Phacoemulsification, Panretinal Photocoagulation, and Trabeculectomy without Use of Anti-VEGF Agents for Neovascular Glaucoma with Vitreous Hemorrhage
Authors: Yan Hua
Published: January 2016

Purpose. To evaluate the outcomes of 23-gauge vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification, PRP and trabeculectomy without use of anti-VEGF-agents for NVG. Methods. Eighteen eyes of 18 patients with NVG underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification, PRP and trabeculectomy without use of anti-VEGF agents. The preoperative BCVA ranged from light perception to 0.2. The preoperative IOP ranged from 38 mmHg to 64 mmHg with a mean of 54±8 mmHg. The average follow-up time was 14.5±3 months with a range from 11 to 24 months. Results. The postoperative VA increased in 14 eyes and was stable in 4 eyes at the final follow-up. The mean IOP was 12±3 mmHg at postoperative day 1. The mean IOP was 15±2 mmHg, 16±3 mmHg, 23±5 mmHg, 28±4 mmHg, 22±5 mmHg, 17±3 mmHg, and 19±4 mmHg at postoperative days 2 and 3, 1, 2, 3, and 12 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively, respectively, with a range from 10 to 30 mmHg at the final follow-up time point of one year. The IOP was significantly lower than the preoperative one 12 weeks postoperatively (p<0.05). Conclusion. 23-gauge vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification, PRP, and trabeculectomy without use of anti-VEGF-agents is a safe and effective method in treating NVG.
The Role of Eugenol in the Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Experimental Study
Authors: Markakis Charalampos , Tsaroucha Alexandra , Papalois Apostolos E. , Lambropoulou Maria , Spartalis Eleftherios , Tsigalou Christina , Romanidis Konstantinos , Simopoulos Constantinos
Published: January 2016

Aim. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory intra-abdominal disease, which takes a severe form in 15–20% of patients and can result in high mortality especially when complicated by acute renal failure. The aim of this study is to assess the possible reduction in the extent of acute kidney injury after administration of eugenol in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis. Materials and Methods. 106 male Wistar rats weighing 220–350 g were divided into 3 groups: (1) Sham, with sham surgery; (2) Control, with induction of acute pancreatitis, through ligation of the biliopancreatic duct; and (3) Eugenol, with induction of acute pancreatitis and eugenol administration at a dose of 15 mg/kg. Serum urea and creatinine, histopathological changes, TNF-α, IL-6, and MPO activity in the kidneys were evaluated at predetermined time intervals. Results. The group that was administered eugenol showed milder histopathological changes than the Control group, TNF-α activity was milder in the Eugenol group, and there was no difference in activity for MPO and IL-6. Serum urea and creatinine levels were lower in the Eugenol group than in the Control group. Conclusions. Eugenol administration was protective for the kidneys in an experimental model of acute pancreatitis in rats.
Advancing Building Energy Management System to Enable Smart Grid Interoperation
Authors: Lee Eun-Kyu
Published: January 2016

With the emerging concept of smart grid, a customer's building facility is able to consume, generate, and store energy. At the center of the facility, an energy management system is required to perform an efficient energy management and to enable smart grid interoperation. However, the existing EMS is designed only for the management function and does not support the interoperation. To resolve the issue, this paper designs the interoperation function and proposes a new EMS model, named Premises Automation System (PAS), that also inherits the existing management function. To identify functional requirements, we bring out four design aspects out of energy services. Then, we design two categories of interoperable energy services to achieve customer interoperation. To demonstrate the feasibility of PAS, we implement and deploy a testbed in a campus. We conduct experiments with a microgrid scenario and present interesting measurements and findings.
Differences between Groups of Family Physicians with Different Attitudes towards At-Risk Drinkers: A Post Hoc Study of the ODHIN Survey in Portugal
Authors: Rosário Frederico , Wojnar Marcin , Ribeiro Cristina
Published: January 2016

Introduction. We have recently shown that family physicians can be classified into two groups based on their attitudes towards at-risk drinkers: one with better and the other with worse attitudes. Objective. To compare the two groups regarding demographics, alcohol-related clinical practice, knowledge of sensible drinking limits, and barriers and facilitators to working with at-risk drinkers. Methods. A random sample of 234 Portuguese family physicians who answered the Optimizing Delivery of Health Care Interventions survey was included. The questionnaire asked questions on demographics, alcohol-related clinical practice, knowledge of sensible drinking limits, and barriers and facilitators to working with at-risk drinkers. Results. Family physicians with better attitudes were younger (p=0.005) and less experienced (p=0.04) and with higher male proportion (p=0.01). This group had more hours of postgraduate training (p<0.001), felt more prepared to counsel risky drinkers (p<0.001), and considered themselves to have better counselling efficacy (p<0.001). More family physicians in the group with worse attitudes considered that doctors cannot identify risky drinkers without symptoms (p=0.01) and believed counselling is difficult (p=0.005). Conclusions. Family physicians with better attitudes had more education on alcohol and fewer barriers to work with at-risk drinkers. These differences should be taken into account when designing implementation programs seeking to increase alcohol screening and brief advice.
Recent Efficient Iterative Algorithms on Cognitive Radio Cooperative Spectrum Sensing to Improve Reliability and Performance
Authors: Akbari Mohsen , Reza Ahmed Wasif , Noordin Kamarul Ariffin , Dimyati Kaharudin , Riahi Manesh Mohsen , Hindia Mohammad Nour
Published: January 2016

In cognitive radio (CR), cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) has been extensively explored to be accounted for in a spectrum scanning method that permits secondary users (SUs) or cognitive radio users to utilize discovered spectrum holes caused by the absence of primary users (PUs). This paper focuses on optimality of analytical study on the common soft decision fusion (SDF) CSS based on different iterative algorithms which confirm low total probability of error and high probability of detection in detail. In fact, all steps of genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and imperialistic competitive algorithm (ICA) will be well mentioned in detail and investigated on cognitive radio cooperative spectrum sensing (CRCSS) method. Then, the performance of CRCSS employing GA-, PSO-, and ICA-based scheme is analysed in MATLAB simulation to show superiority of these schemes over other conventional schemes in terms of detection and error performance with very less complexity. In addition, the ICA-based scheme also reveals noticeable convergence and time running performance in comparison to other techniques.
Clinical Trial Assessing the Efficacy of Gabapentin Plus B Complex (B1/B12) versus Pregabalin for Treating Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Mimenza Alvarado Alberto , Aguilar Navarro Sara
Published: January 2016

Introduction. Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a prevalent and impairing disorder. The objective of this study was to show the efficacy and safety of gabapentin (GBP) plus complex B vitamins: thiamine (B1) and cyanocobalamine (B12) compared to pregabalin in patients with moderate to severe intensity PDN.Method. Multicenter, randomized, blind study. Two hundred and seventy patients were evaluated, 147 with GBP/B1/B12 and 123 with PGB, with a 7/10 pain intensity on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Five visits (12 weeks) were scheduled. The GBP/B1 (100 mg)/B12 (20 mg) group started with 300 mg at visit 1 to 3600 mg at visit 5. The PGB group started with 75 mg/d at visit 1 to 600 mg/d at visit 5. Different safety and efficacy scales were applied, as well as adverse event assessment.Results. Both drugs showed reduction of pain intensity, without significant statistical difference (P=0.900). In the GBP/B1/B12 group, an improvement of at least 30% on VAS correlated to a 900 mg/d dose, compared with PGB 300 mg/d. Likewise, occurrence of vertigo was lower in the GBP/B1-B12 group, with a significant statistical difference,P=0.014.Conclusions. Our study shows that GPB/B1-B12 combination is as effective as PGB. Nonetheless, pain intensity reduction is achieved with 50% of the minimum required gabapentin dose alone (800 to 1600 mg/d) in classic NDD trials. Less vertigo and dizziness occurrence was also observed in the GBP/B1/B12 group. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01364298.
A Sharp Lower Bound for Toader-Qi Mean with Applications
Authors: Yang Zhen-Hang , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: January 2016

We prove that the inequalityTQ(a,b)>Lp(a,b)holds for alla,b>0witha≠bif and only ifp≤3/2, whereTQ(a,b)=2/π∫0π/2acos2θbsin2θdθ,Lp(a,b)=[(bp-ap)/(p(b-a))]1/p  (p≠0), andL0(a,b)=abare, respectively, the Toader-Qi andp-order logarithmic means ofaandb. As applications, we find two fine inequalities chains for certain bivariate means.