bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Playing the Vertical Power Game: The Impact of Local Authorities in Cantonal Parliaments on the Financing of Special Schools
Authors: Arnold Tobias
Published: May 2017

This study analyses the effect of local authorities in the Swiss cantonal parliaments on the allocation of special school costs. The empirical findings show that a higher share of local authorities in the cantonal legislature leads to a higher share of special school costs borne by the cantonal authorities. The effect is stronger for mayors compared to all members of local governments. Hence, mayors have a strong connection with their home municipality and use the political power of the accumulation of mandates for shifting undesirable costs from the local up to the cantonal level. This specific finding does not depend on the overall national constitutional framework, as the introduction of theNFA(Neuer Finanzausgleich) –in the course of which the federal state fully withdrew from financing special schools ‐ has not changed the magnitude of this effect.
Intratumoral injection of radioactive holmium (166Ho) microspheres for treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats
Authors: van Nimwegen S. A. , Bakker R. C. , Kirpensteijn J. , van Es R. J. J. , Koole R. , Lam M. G. E. H. , Hesselink J. W. , Nijsen J. F. W.
Published: May 2017

Background & Aims

A “microbrachytherapy” was developed as treatment option for inoperable tumours by direct intratumoral injection of radioactive holmium‐166 (
166Ho) microspheres (MS). 166Ho emits β‐radiation which potentially enables a high, ablative, radioactive‐absorbed dose on the tumour tissue while sparing surrounding tissues.

Materials & Methods

Safety and efficacy of 166Ho microbrachytherapy were evaluated in a prospective cohort study of 13 cats with inoperable oral squamous cell carcinoma without evidence of distant metastasis.

Results

Local response rate was 55%, including complete response or partial response (downstaging) enabling subsequent marginal resection. Median survival time was 113 days overall, and 296 days for patients with local response. Side effects were minimal. Tumour volume was a significant predictor of response.

Discussion

Response rate may be further improved by optimizing the intratumoral spatial distribution of 166Ho MS.

Conclusion

166Ho microbrachytherapy has potential as a minimally invasive, single procedure radio‐ablation treatment of unresectable tumours with minimal morbidity.
Treatment of meloxicam overdose in a dog via therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Walton Stuart , Ryan Kirk A. , Davis Jennifer L. , Acierno Mark
Published: May 2017

Objective

To describe the treatment of a meloxicam overdose in a dog with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).

Case Summary

A 6‐month‐old female Bulldog, presented for routine laparoscopic ovariectomy. Postoperatively the dog received an accidental overdose of meloxicam (1 mg/kg IV [intravenously]). The patient was treated with supportive medical therapy and TPE over 210 minutes achieving 1.2 plasma volume exchanges. During therapy, heparinized blood and effluent samples were collected. Meloxicam concentrations were determined in the samples by high pressure liquid chromatography. Post TPE, the dog continued to receive supportive medical therapy and was discharged 48 hours after the overdose. The dog remained asymptomatic for meloxicam intoxication. Follow‐up rechecks at 1 and 6 weeks were unremarkable with no further treatment required.

New or Unique Information

This report describes the successful use of TPE adjunctively following an acute meloxicam overdose. An 82% reduction of plasma meloxicam concentration was achieved over 210 minutes. Twenty‐four hours after therapy, a 47% sustained reduction of plasma meloxicam was measured after redistribution of drug between body compartments.
Exploring the Weight and Health Status of Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Havercamp Susan M , Tassé Marc J. , Navas Patricia , Benson Betsey A , Allain Dawn , Manickam Kandamurugu
Published: May 2017

Background: People with developmental disabilities experience worse health than typically developing peers. This health differential is often described in terms of health disparities, which refers to differences caused or exacerbated by social or access issues. Objective: the goal of this study was to compare the weight status and health conditions of adults with Down syndrome to comparison groups of adults with developmental disabilities and adults with no disability. Methods: Information about health risks and health conditions was collected for 291 adults with Down syndrome living in Ohio through an online survey. We compared this data on adults with Down syndrome to state-level data from adults without disabilities (2012 BRFSS) and Ohio data on a random sample of adults with developmental disabilities other than Down syndrome (2012-2013 National Core Indicators). Results: Adults with Down syndrome were 3 times more likely to be overweight or obese than adults without disabilities. Surprisingly, despite having a body mass index in the overweight or obese range, 70% of adults with Down syndrome reported having eating habits that were good to excellent and less than 6% of the Down syndrome sample reported having co-occurring diabetes or hypertension. Discussion: Despite high rates of overweight and obesity, few adults with Down syndrome reported having the chronic health conditions associated with excess weight. Further research is needed to understand the health risks of overweight in adults with Down syndrome and the availability of health promotion programs for this population.
The development of gaze to a speaking face
Authors: Irwin Julia , Brancazio Lawrence , Volpe Nicole
Published: May 2017

When a speaker talks, the visible consequences of what they are saying can be seen. Listeners are influenced by this visible speech both in a noisy listening environment and even when auditory speech can easily be heard. While visible influence on heard speech has been reported to increase from early to late childhood, little is known about the mechanism that underlies this developmental trend. One possible account of developmental differences is that looking behavior to the face of a speaker changes with age. To examine this possibility, the gaze to a speaking face was examined in children from 5 to 10 yrs of age and adults. Participants viewed a speaker's face in a range of conditions that elicit looking: in a visual only (speech reading) condition, in the presence of auditory noise (speech in noise) condition, and in an audiovisual mismatch (McGurk) condition. Results indicate an increase in gaze on the face, and specifically, to the mouth of a speaker between the ages of 5 and 10 for all conditions. This change in looking behavior may help account for previous findings in the literature showing that visual influence on heard speech increases with development.
MiR-129-5p suppresses gastric cancer cell invasion and proliferation by inhibiting COL1A1
Authors: Wang Quan , Yu Jinhai
Published: May 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of miR-129-5p, a newly identified miR-129 member, in GC cells as well as the potential mechanism of action. The results of reverse transcription – qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) and Western Blot showed that miR-129 was downregulated in GC cells compared with normal ones. Using MTT, colony formation, wound healing assay, and a Transwell assay, we evaluated the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of transfected cells, and confirmed miR-129-5p as a tumor suppressor in GC. After a microarray analysis comparing different gene expressions in miR-129-5p transfected SGC-7901 cells, COL1A1 was selected for biggest fold-change and potential target of miR-129-5p predicted by TargetScan. Measured by RT–qPCR and Western blot, COL1A1 turned out to be upregulated in GC tissues and cells. We further confirmed the targeting relationship between miR-129-5p and COL1A1 by dual luciferase assay. By manipulating the expression of COL1A1 in SGC-7901 cells, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were examined and the tumor-promoting function of COL1A1 was validated. Moreover, co-transfection of miR-129-5p mimics and COL1A1 attenuated the tumor-promoting effects induced by a single-transfection of COL1A1, and miR-129-5p inhibitor counteracted the tumor-suppressing effects of COL1A1 siRNA. Collectively, the data demonstrate the important functions of the miR-129-5p–COL1A1 axis in GC: miR-129-5p suppresses GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, by selectively inhibiting COL1A1. This study provides new therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of GC.
First report of a sexual state in an ambrosia fungus:Ambrosiella cleistominutasp. nov. associated with the ambrosia beetleAnisandrus maiche
Authors: Mayers Chase G. , Harrington Thomas C. , Ranger Christopher M.
Published: May 2017

Genera of ambrosia beetles in the tribe Xyleborini with large, mesonotal mycangia host unique fungal symbionts in the genus Ambrosiella. The symbiont of a recent invasive to the USA from Asia, Anisandrus maiche Stark, had not been previously characterized. We found the mycangium anatomy of An. maiche collected in Ohio to be similar to that of Anisandrus dispar and consistently isolated a novel fungus, Ambrosiella cleistominuta sp. nov., from An. maiche mycangia and galleries. The fungus was distinguished from other named Ambrosiella by morphological characters and DNA sequences (ITS rDNA and tef-1α). The mycangial symbionts of ambrosia beetles had been assumed to be strictly asexual, but A. cleistominuta produces cleistothecious ascomata with ascospores in beetle galleries and in culture. In contrast to ascomata of other Ceratocystidaceae, the relatively small ascomata of A. cleistominuta are neckless and without ostioles. The ascospores are relatively large, and single-ascospore colonies produced ascomata and ascospores in culture, showing that A. cleistominuta is homothallic.
Brucella melitensis M5-90Δbp26 as a potential live vaccine that allows for the distinction between natural infection and immunization
Authors: Li Tiansen , Tong Zhixia , Huang Meiling , Tang Liyan , Zhang Hui , Chen Chuangfu
Published: May 2017

Brucella is Gram-negative intracellular bacterial pathogen that infects humans and animals and contributes to great economic losses in developing countries. Presently, live attenuated Brucella vaccines (Brucella melitensis M5-90) are the most effective means of brucellosis control and prevention in animals. However, these vaccines have several drawbacks, such as an inability to distinguish between a natural infection and immunization and an association with abortions in pregnant animals. Therefore, this study constructed a Brucella M5-90Δbp26 mutant and evaluated its virulence. The survival of the M5-90Δbp26 mutant was attenuated in human placenta trophoblastic 8 cells (HPT-8 cells) and in BALB/c mice, with a high immunoprotectivity noted in mice. Furthermore, safety tests showed that the M5-90Δbp26 mutant was less virulent than the M5-90 vaccine strain. Additionally, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screening was shown to detect the presence of Brucella protein 26 (BP26) with high sensitivity, with M5-90Δbp26 inoculation accompanied with a lack of BP26 expression, and was further confirmed by western blotting. Together, the M5-90Δbp26 mutant and the indirect ELISA can be employed to distinguish vaccinated livestock from infected animals.
Inflationary cosmology for f(R, ϕ) models with different potentials
Authors: Zubair M. , Kousar Farzana
Published: May 2017

We examine inflation in [Formula: see text] theory, where a scalar field is coupled to gravity. We have constructed [Formula: see text] models using exponential and power law potentials and study inflation for these models, which can support the early-time acceleration with a useful cosmological constant at high curvature. We have calculated the slow-roll parameters, scalar-to-tensor ratio, and spectral index for these models and analyzed them graphically to check the viability according to recent observational data. We have also presented the evolution of effective equation of state and energy density.
Qualitative study of anisotropic cosmological models with dark sector coupling
Authors: Raushan Rakesh , Chaubey R.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study the dynamical evolution of locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type I cosmological model with coupling of dark sector. We investigate the phase-plane analysis when dark energy is modelled as exponential quintessence, and is coupled to dark energy matter via linear coupling between both dark components. The evolution of cosmological solutions is studied by using dynamical systems techniques. Stability and viability issues for three different physically viable linear couplings between both dark components are presented and discussed in detail.
Age and experience affect the reproductive success of captive Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) subspecies
Authors: Imlay T.L. , Steiner J.C. , Bird D.M.
Published: May 2017

Two explanations are often used to interpret the positive relationship between reproductive success and age: (1) trade-offs between current and future breeding and (2) age-related improvements in competence. Captive populations provide a unique opportunity to test these explanations because several mechanisms that result in age-related improvements in competence are managed. We modelled the effect of age and experience on the reproductive success of captive migrant Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus L., 1766) subspecies (formerly Lanius ludovicianus migrans W. Palmer, 1898). Female shrikes had the highest reproductive success during mid-life and lower success at 1–2 years of age and over 10 years. Both experienced male and female shrikes had higher fledgling success than inexperienced individuals. Although captive populations breed in controlled settings with few limitations, this work suggests that both explanations (i.e., trade-offs and age-related improvements in competence) are important for understanding reproductive success. Furthermore, management of the captive shrike population can be informed by these relationships to maximize the number of young produced for release to supplement the wild population.
Salinity acclimation and advanced parr–smolt transformation in growth-hormone transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Authors: Bystriansky J.S. , Clarke W.C. , Alonge M.M. , Judd S.M. , Schulte P.M. , Devlin R.H.
Published: May 2017

Growth hormone (GH) is involved in the parr–smolt transformation of salmonid fishes and is known to improve salinity tolerance. This study compared the capacity for seawater acclimation of GH transgenic coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum, 1792)) to that of wild-type fish, allowing examination of responses to sustained (chronic) exposure to elevated GH. GH transgenic fish (GH TG) smolted 1 year in advance of wild-type salmon and showed a greater capacity to hypo-osmoregulate in seawater. As GH TG fish were much larger than the wild-type fish, a second experiment was conducted with three size-matched groups of coho salmon (a 1+-year-old wild-type group, a 1+-year-old ration-restricted GH TG group, and a 0+-year-old fully fed GH TG group). When size-matched, the effect of GH transgenesis was not as dramatic, but the feed-rationed TG1+ group exhibited smaller deviations in plasma ion and osmolality levels following seawater exposure than did the other groups, suggesting a somewhat improved hypo-osmoregulatory ability. These results support a role for GH in the development of seawater tolerance by salmonid fishes independent of fish size.
The influence of heavy vehicles on traffic dynamics around on-ramp system: Cellular automata approach
Authors: Kong Dewen , Guo Xiucheng , Wu Dingxin
Published: May 2017

Although the on-ramp system has been widely studied, the influence of heavy vehicles is unknown because researchers only investigate the traffic dynamics around on-ramp system under homogeneous traffic conditions, which is different in real-world settings. This paper uses an improved cellular automaton model to study the heterogeneous traffic around on-ramp system. The forward motion rules are improved by considering the differences of driving behavior in different vehicle combinations. The lane change rules are improved by reflecting the aggressive behavior in mandatory lane changes. The phase diagram, traffic flow, capacity and spatial-temporal diagram are analyzed under the influences of heavy vehicles. The results show that by increasing the percentage of heavy vehicles, there will be more severe traffic congestion around on-ramp system, lower saturated flow and capacity. Also, the interactions between main road and on-ramp have been investigated. Increasing the percentage of heavy vehicles at the upstream of the conflict area on the main road or restricting heavy vehicles on the outside lane of the main road will deteriorate the performance of on-ramp. While the main road will have better performance as the percentage of heavy vehicles on the on-ramp increases when the on-ramp inflow rate is not low.
Simulating Chalk Art Style Painting
Authors: Qian Wenhua , Xu Dan , Guan Zheng , Yue Kun , Pu Yuanyuan
Published: May 2017

Different kinds of illustrations and artistic imagery can be generated or simulated through the nonphotorealistic rendering (NPR) technique. However, designing and simulating new NPR artistic styles remains extremely challenging. Chalk art style is a very famous artistic work all over the world, and few algorithms have been put forward to illustrate this style. This paper presents a novel NPR technique which generates a chalk art drawing from a 2D photograph automatically. We aim at obtaining a set of lines surface with coarse appearance and generating stroke textures of the real chalk painting. Firstly, the edge of the source image is extracted by difference-of-Gaussian filter method. To simulate chalk painting’s lines, image diffusion and enhancement techniques are proposed to produce coarse and rough lines. Secondly, we developed an improved line integral convolution and dilation operation methods to produce the chalk stroke texture. Finally, the edge image, stroke texture image and color image will be mapped to another background image to generate the chalk art drawing. Experimental results are presented to show the effectiveness of our method in producing the color chalk stylistic illustrations, and the methods can simulate the characters of the real chalk art painting. The proposed method of this paper will enlarge the research and application fields of NPR. Meanwhile, it provides a tool for the user to create chalk art paintings via computers even without painting skill.
Third-Order Memristive Morris–Lecar Model of Barnacle Muscle Fiber
Authors: Rajamani Vetriveeran , Sah Maheshwar PD. , Mannan Zubaer Ibna , Kim Hyongsuk , Chua Leon
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a detailed analysis of various oscillatory behaviors observed in relation to the calcium and potassium ions in the third-order Morris–Lecar model of giant barnacle muscle fiber. Since, both the calcium and potassium ions exhibit all of the characteristics of memristor fingerprints, we claim that the time-varying calcium and potassium ions in the third-order Morris–Lecar model are actually time-invariant calcium and potassium memristors in the third-order memristive Morris–Lecar model. We confirmed the existence of a small unstable limit cycle oscillation in both the second-order and the third-order Morris–Lecar model by numerically calculating the basin of attraction of the asymptotically stable equilibrium point associated with two subcritical Hopf bifurcation points. We also describe a comprehensive analysis of the generation of oscillations in third-order memristive Morris–Lecar model via small-signal circuit analysis and a subcritical Hopf bifurcation phenomenon.
Queues with Choice via Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Pender Jamol , Rand Richard H. , Wesson Elizabeth
Published: May 2017

Delay or queue length information has the potential to influence the decision of a customer to join a queue. Thus, it is imperative for managers of queueing systems to understand how the information that they provide will affect the performance of the system. To this end, we construct and analyze two two-dimensional deterministic fluid models that incorporate customer choice behavior based on delayed queue length information. In the first fluid model, customers join each queue according to a Multinomial Logit Model, however, the queue length information the customer receives is delayed by a constant [Formula: see text]. We show that the delay can cause oscillations or asynchronous behavior in the model based on the value of [Formula: see text]. In the second model, customers receive information about the queue length through a moving average of the queue length. Although it has been shown empirically that giving patients moving average information causes oscillations and asynchronous behavior to occur in U.S. hospitals, we analytically and mathematically show for the first time that the moving average fluid model can exhibit oscillations and determine their dependence on the moving average window. Thus, our analysis provides new insight on how operators of service systems should report queue length information to customers and how delayed information can produce unwanted system dynamics.
Bifurcation of Reaction Cross-Diffusion Systems
Authors: Zou Rong , Guo Shangjiang
Published: May 2017

This paper is devoted to a reaction cross-diffusion system under Neumann boundary conditions. Firstly, the existence and multiplicity of spatially nonhomogeneous/homogeneous steady-state solutions are investigated by means of Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction. Next, the linear stability and Hopf bifurcations of homogeneous steady-state solutions are described in detail. In particular, the Hopf bifurcation direction and the stability of bifurcating time-periodic solutions are determined by using center manifold reduction and normal form theory. Finally, some of the main results are illustrated by an application to a predator–prey model with Allee effect and one-dimensional spatial domain [Formula: see text].
Jacobi Stability Analysis of Rössler System
Authors: Gupta M. K. , Yadav C. K.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, Rössler system has been studied by using differential geometry method i.e. with KCC-theory. We obtained the deviation tensor and its eigenvalue which determine the stability of Rössler system. We also consider the time evolution of the components of deviation tensor and deviation vector near the equilibrium points.
Multilayer Network from Multivariate Time Series for Characterizing Nonlinear Flow Behavior
Authors: Gao Zhong-Ke , Zhang Shan-Shan , Dang Wei-Dong , Li Shan , Cai Qing
Published: May 2017

The exploration of two-phase flows, as a multidisciplinary subject, has drawn a great deal of attention on account of its significance. The dynamical flow behaviors underlying the transitions of oil–water bubbly flows are still elusive. We carry out oil–water two-phase flow experiments and capture multichannel flow information. Then we propose a novel methodology for inferring multilayer network from multivariate time series, which enables to fuse multichannel flow information at different frequency bands. We employ macro-scale, meso-scale and micro-scale network measures to characterize the generated multilayer networks, and the results suggest that our analysis allows uncovering the nonlinear flow behaviors underlying the transitions of oil-in-water bubbly flows.
Perpetual Points: New Tool for Localization of Coexisting Attractors in Dynamical Systems
Authors: Dudkowski Dawid , Prasad Awadhesh , Kapitaniak Tomasz
Published: May 2017

Perpetual points (PPs) are special critical points for which the magnitude of acceleration describing the dynamics drops to zero, while the motion is still possible (stationary points are excluded), e.g. considering the motion of the particle in the potential field, at perpetual point, it has zero acceleration and nonzero velocity. We show that using PPs we can trace all the stable fixed points in the system, and that the structure of trajectories leading from former points to stable equilibria may be similar to orbits obtained from unstable stationary points. Moreover, we argue that the concept of perpetual points may be useful in tracing unexpected attractors (hidden or rare attractors with small basins of attraction). We show potential applicability of this approach by analyzing several representative systems of physical significance, including the damped oscillator, pendula, and the Henon map. We suggest that perpetual points may be a useful tool for localizing coexisting attractors in dynamical systems.
On the integral and globally irreducible representations of finite groups
Authors: Malinin Dmitry
Published: May 2017

We consider the arithmetic of integral representations of finite groups over algebraic integers and the generalization of globally irreducible representations introduced by Van Oystaeyen and Zalesskii. For the ring of integers [Formula: see text] of an algebraic number field [Formula: see text] we are interested in the question: what are the conditions for subgroups [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text]-span of [Formula: see text], coincides with [Formula: see text], the ring of [Formula: see text]-matrices over [Formula: see text], and what are the minimal realization fields.
A DFT study of 3d (d1–d10) transition-metal phthalocyanines (TMPcs): Bonding natures, electronic adsorption spectroscopy
Authors: Sun Xiyuan , Du Jiguang
Published: May 2017

The structures, electronic properties, bonding characters and UV–Vis spectra of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) transition-metal phthalocyanines (TMPcs) molecules have been studied with different density function theory (DFT) methods. The calculated structural parameters agree well with previous experimental or theoretical values. Natural Population Analysis (NPA) charge revealed that [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] hybridizations occur when [Formula: see text] TM atoms are involved in chemical bondings. The spin magnetic moments of TMPcs are mainly from the contribution of [Formula: see text] electrons. Conceptual density functional theory (CDFT) results indicate that [Formula: see text] TMPcs molecules are willing to accept further electrons. The TM–N chemical bonds show very weak covalent nature, and are consistent with bond order analyses. Time-dependent density function theory (TD-DFT) calculations were carried out to simulate the UV–Vis spectra, and corresponding electronic transfers for dominant peaks were also obtained.
On controlled frames in Hilbert C∗-modules
Authors: Rashidi-Kouchi M. , Rahimi A.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we introduce controlled frames in Hilbert [Formula: see text]-modules and we show that they share many useful properties with their corresponding notions in Hilbert space. Next, we give a characterization of controlled frames in Hilbert [Formula: see text]-module. Also multiplier operators for controlled frames in Hilbert [Formula: see text]-modules will be defined and some of its properties will be shown. Finally, we investigate weighted frames in Hilbert [Formula: see text]-modules and verify their relations to controlled frames and multiplier operators.
Finite equal norm Parseval wavelet frames over prime fields
Authors: Rahimi Asghar , Seddighi Niloufar
Published: May 2017

In the framework of wave packet analysis, finite wavelet systems are particular classes of finite wave packet systems. In this paper, using a scaling matrix on a permuted version of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of system generator, we derive a locally-scaled version of the DFT of system generator and obtain a finite equal-norm Parseval wavelet frame over prime fields. We also give a characterization of all multiplicative subgroups of the cyclic multiplicative group, for which the associated wavelet systems form frames. Finally, we present some concrete examples as applications of our results.
Birth of the GUP and its effect on the entropy of the universe in Lie-N-algebra
Authors: Sepehri Alireza , Pradhan Anirudh , Pincak Richard , Rahaman Farook , Beesham A. , Ghaffary Tooraj
Published: May 2017

In this paper, the origin of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) in an [Formula: see text]-dimensional theory with Lie-[Formula: see text]-algebra is considered. This theory which we name Generalized Lie-[Formula: see text]-Algebra (GLNA)-theory can be reduced to [Formula: see text]-theory with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this theory, at the beginning, two energies with positive and negative signs are created from nothing and produce two types of branes with opposite quantum numbers and different numbers of timing dimensions. Coincidence with the birth of these branes, various derivatives of bosonic fields emerge in the action of the system which produce the [Formula: see text] GUP for bosons. These branes interact with each other, compact and various derivatives of spinor fields appear in the action of the system which leads to the creation of the GUP for fermions. The previous predicted entropy of branes in the GUP is corrected as due to the emergence of higher orders of derivatives and different number of timing dimensions.
Detection of angiospastic disorders in the microcirculatory bed using laser diagnostics technologies
Authors: Makovik Irina N. , Dunaev Andrey V. , Dremin Victor V. , Krupatkin Alexander I. , Sidorov Viktor V. , Khakhicheva Lyudmila S. , Muradyan Vadim F. , Pilipenko Olga V. , Rafailov Ilya E. , Litvinova Karina S.
Published: May 2017

The evaluation of the microcirculatory bed functional state and the identification of angiospastic disorders with related complications, when the pathological changes are reversible, have an important role in medical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using optical noninvasive methods and the cold pressor test to solve this problem.

A total of 33 patients with rheumatological diseases and 32 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Laser Doppler flowmetry, tissue reflectance oximetry and pulse oximetry were used as optical noninvasive methods. The parameters were recorded before, immediately after and 20[Formula: see text]min after the cold pressor test. Based on the measured parameters, the complex parameters of the microcirculatory bed were calculated.

A detailed statistical analysis of the parameter changes for each individual in the two groups displayed diverse microcirculatory bed parameter responses upon cold exposure, with differing recovery of parameters after CPT. New diagnostic criteria were proposed for the identification of angiospastic disorders. According to the proposed criteria, 27 people of the volunteers group were confirmed to not display any disorders. In the patient group, however, 18 people were observed to have a relatively normal functional state of the microcirculatory bed, while 15 people were observed to have a possible tendency to angiospasm. To highlight the differences between a relatively normal state and presence of angiospastic disorders, statistical analysis of experimental data was carried out, which revealed significant differences. Further analysis of data with angiospastic disorders identified a relationship between their diagnoses and the results of laboratory studies.

Thus, the evaluation of combined noninvasive optical diagnostic method use, the cold pressor test and proposed diagnostic criteria showed a positive result. This approach can be used to detect the presence of possible angiospastic disorders and related complications, as well as microcirculatory bed disorders against the background of other diseases.
Bridging the Air Gap between Isolated Networks and Mobile Phones in a Practical Cyber-Attack
Authors: Guri Mordechai , Monitz Matan , Elovici Yuval
Published: May 2017

Information is the most critical asset of modern organizations, and accordingly it is one of the resources most coveted by adversaries. When highly sensitive data is involved, an organization may resort to air gap isolation in which there is no networking connection between the inner network and the external world. While infiltrating an air-gapped network has been proven feasible in recent years, data exfiltration from an air-gapped network is still considered one of the most challenging phases of an advanced cyber-attack. In this article, we present “AirHopper,” a bifurcated malware that bridges the air gap between an isolated network and nearby infected mobile phones using FM signals. While it is known that software can intentionally create radio emissions from a video card, this is the first time that mobile phones serve as the intended receivers of the maliciously crafted electromagnetic signals. We examine the attack model and its limitations and discuss implementation considerations such as modulation methods, signal collision, and signal reconstruction. We test AirHopper in an existing workplace at a typical office building and demonstrate how valuable data such as keylogging and files can be exfiltrated from physically isolated computers to mobile phones at a distance of 1--7 meters, with an effective bandwidth of 13--60 bytes per second.
Expressiveness of Logic Programs under the General Stable Model Semantics
Authors: Zhang Heng , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2017

Stable model semantics had been recently generalized to non-Herbrand structures by several works, which provides a unified framework and solid logical foundations for answer set programming. This article focuses on the expressiveness of normal and disjunctive logic programs under general stable model semantics. A translation from disjunctive logic programs to normal logic programs is proposed for infinite structures. Over finite structures, some disjunctive logic programs are proved to be intranslatable to normal logic programs if the arities of auxiliary predicates and functions are bounded in a certain way. The equivalence of the expressiveness of normal logic programs and disjunctive logic programs over arbitrary structures is also shown to coincide with that over finite structures and coincide with whether the complexity class NP is closed under complement. Moreover, to obtain a more explicit picture of the expressiveness, some intertranslatability results between logic program classes, and fragments of second-order logic are established.
Evolutionary feature manipulation in data mining/big data
Authors: Xue Bing , Zhang Mengjie
Published: May 2017

Known as the GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out) principle, the quality of the input data highly influences or even determines the quality of the output of any machine learning, big data and data mining algorithm. The input data which is often represented by a set of features may suffer from many issues. Feature manipulation is an effective means to improve the feature set quality, but it is a challenging task. Evolutionary computation (EC) techniques have shown advantages and achieved good performance in feature manipulation. This paper reviews recent advances on EC based feature manipulation methods in classifcation, clustering, regression, incomplete data, and image analysis, to provide the community the state-of-the-art work in the field.
Learning Networking by Reproducing Research Results
Authors: Yan Lisa , McKeown Nick
Published: May 2017

In the past five years, the graduate networking course at Stanford has assigned over 200 students the task of reproducing results from over 40 networking papers. We began the project as a means of teaching both engineering rigor and critical thinking, qualities that are necessary for careers in networking research and industry. We have observed that reproducing research can simultaneously be a tool for education and a means for students to contribute to the networking community. Through this editorial we describe our project in reproducing network research and show through anecdotal evidence that this project is important for both the classroom and the networking community at large, and we hope to encourage other institutions to host similar class projects.
2016 International Teletraffic Congress (ITC 28) Report
Authors: Hossfeld Tobias
Published: May 2017

The 28th International Teletraffic Congress (ITC 28) was held on 12--16 September 2016 at the University of W\"urzburg, Germany. The conference was technically cosponsored by the IEEE Communications Society and the Information Technology Society within VDE, and in cooperation with ACM SIGCOMM. ITC 28 provided a forum for leading researchers from academia and industry to present and discuss the latest advances and developments in design, modelling, measurement, and performance evaluation of communication systems, networks, and services. The main theme of ITC 28, \emph{Digital Connected World}, reflects the evolution of communications and networking, which is continually changing the world we are living in. The technical program was composed of 37 contributed full papers, 6 short demo papers and three keynote addresses. Three workshops dedicated to timely topics were sponsored: Programmability for Cloud Networks and Applications, Quality of Experience Centric Management, Quality Engineering for a Reliable Internet of Services.

See ITC 28 Homepage: \url{https://itc28.org/}
Data and lore in technical communication research
Authors: Graham S. Scott
Published: May 2017

As a scholar who works at the intersections of technical communication and rhetoric of science, I like to think I know a little bit about effective approaches to communicating technical information. For over a decade, I've been a happy member of a seemingly productive research discipline devoted to understanding how best to communicate scientific and technical information to clients, stakeholders, employers, funders, and the general public. I am, of course, not alone in these endeavors and my work benefits substantially from the efforts of my many colleagues in the Association for Teachers of Technical Writing and the Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine. Now, given this background, imagine my surprise when one of my colleagues forwarded me a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine decrying the state of science communication research in America. Indeed, I was shocked and saddened to see the report call for "building a coherent science communication research enterprise" with the obvious implication that no such enterprise currently exists (p. 74).
Analyzing information in complex collaborative tasks
Authors: Zaad Lambert , Lenior Dick , van der Geest Thea , van der Pool Els
Published: May 2017

In this article, we present a method for analyzing the communication of people who exchange dynamic and complex information to come to a shared understanding of situations and of the actions planned and monitored by one party, but executed remotely by another. To examine this situation, we analyzed dispatchers working in police dispatch center in a large city in the Netherlands and their communication behavior in three different settings. The results of our analyses answer the question of how collaborative parties should assess an emergency situation in order to decide how to handle the incident in accordance with the procedures. Our results indicate which information must be communicated in order to deal with the current problem during the course of an incident. We will also demonstrate the proposed way of analyzing the communication used here is needed to understand how information is collaboratively handled in complex tasks.
Comparing infovis designs with different information architecture for communicating complex information
Authors: Li Mingran , Gao Ruimin , Hu Xinghe , Chen Yingjie
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we explore the connections of information architecture (IA) with information visualization (InfoVis) through the discussion of different visualization designs used to demonstrate the occupations pursued by college students after graduation. In examining this topic, we used different information architectures to compare three visualization layouts based on the same data. The three layouts included one published visualization and two visualization designs developed by the researchers. We then used eight IA principles to compare how these visualizaitons communicate the complex relationship between majors, occupations, and their related characteristics in relation to the career paths of students.
Helping content
Authors: Flanagan Suzan , Getto Guiseppe
Published: May 2017

Nonprofits must reach a variety of community audiences to sustain their organizations, and these audiences include potential volunteers, donors, and clients. With the increasing availability of open-source, freely available, and inexpensive communication technologies, many nonprofits can now develop a robust web presence that targets a variety of audiences via a variety of channels. In this article, we present a three-part heuristic to help nonprofits better manage digital content. This heuristic is comprised of developing audience awareness and interaction, making use of emerging technologies, and building sustainable partnerships. Using a project designed to help a homeless shelter improve its content strategy, we explore this heuristic and its implications for helping technical and professional communicators improve local nonprofit digital capacities.
IT personnel and corporate identification
Authors: Guynes Stephen , Vedder Richard
Published: May 2017

Commerce of today is characterized by an increase in corporation size and complexity. The computer has clearly become the backbone of today's business, simplifying much of that complexity as it performs all types of routine as well as special duties. Because of its potential for functional variety, the computer has been entrusted with data ranging from low level tasks such as company payroll to highly privileged strategic information. Although the computer has become a reliable servant for corporate use, it has also become the agent for a corporate identification problem, particularly with IT (Information Technology) personnel which can jeopardize a system's security. Corporate identification problems exist when employees identify more with their own skill set than with the company they work for.
Rapid Determination of Isomeric Benzoylpaeoniflorin and Benzoylalbiflorin in Rat Plasma by LC-MS/MS Method
Authors: Zhou Chuanqi , Wang Xiaoke
Published: May 2017

Benzoylpaeoniflorin (BP) is a potential therapeutic agent against oxidative stress related Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, a more rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine BP in rat plasma distinguishing with a monoterpene isomer, benzoylalbiflorin (BA). The method showed a linear response from 1 to 1000 ng/mL (r>0.9950). The precision of the interday and intraday ranged from 2.03 to 12.48% and the accuracy values ranged from −8.00 to 10.33%. Each running of the method could be finished in 4 minutes. The LC-MS/MS method was validated for specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability and was found to be acceptable for bioanalytical application. Finally, this fully validated method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats following oral administration.
Reduced Actuator Set for Pressure Control and Thrust Distribution for Multinozzle Propulsion Systems
Authors: Lim Yeerang , Lee Jaecheong , Bang Hyochoong , Huh Hwanil , Lee Hosung
Published: May 2017

This study investigated an approach to reduce the number of actuators used for internal pressure control and thruster allocation in a multinozzle solid propulsion system. In the proposed design, the throat areas of four divert nozzles are controlled by only three actuators, and chamber pressure maintenance and thrust distribution are achieved by controlling the throat areas. Using the proposed actuator set, thrust allocation can be accomplished in a more efficient way than when independent actuators are employed for each nozzle.
Characterization of Ex Vivo Expanded Oral Mucosal Epithelium Cells on Acellular Porcine Corneal Stroma for Ocular Surface Reconstruction
Authors: Wang Jia-Song , Xie Hua-Tao , Zhang Ming-Chang
Published: May 2017

Purpose. To ex vivo expand oral mucosal epithelium cells (OMECs) on acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS) without using feeder cells and serum and to compare the morphologic and phenotypic characteristics of cultured oral cells on APCS to those of cells on deluded human amniotic membrane (HAM). Methods. SD rat oral mucosal biopsies were cultured on APCS and HAM. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the characterization of stem cells and epithelial differentiation of the outgrowth products. Results. Stratified and optimal transplantable OMECs were obtained after being cultured three to four weeks. Both RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry showed that cultured OMECs expressed markers of epithelial differentiation cytokeratin K3 and epithelial stem cell markers of p63 and ABCG2. Conclusions. OMECs can be successfully cultured on APCS without using xenobiotic feeder cells and serum. Characterization showed that these sheets retain the morphologic and phenotypic characteristics of OMECs within differentiated cells and stem cells. The optimal transplantable sheets can prove to be particularly beneficial to both bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency and deep corneal lesions.
Changes in the Total Polyphenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacities of Perilla (Perilla frutescensL.) Plant Extracts during the Growth Cycle
Authors: Gai Francesco , Peiretti Pier Giorgio , Karamać Magdalena , Amarowicz Ryszard
Published: May 2017

Changes in the total polyphenolics and antioxidative capacity of the perilla (Perilla frutescensL.) plant, during the growth cycle, have been analyzed in this study. These parameters were evaluated at five morphological stages. The extracts characterized by the highest total phenolic compound content were obtained at the full flowering stage. The phenolic compound profile was characterized by the presence of three major compounds, with rosmarinic acid being the most abundant. Moreover, their contents were significantly different according to the growth stage. High Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity values were found for the last two growth stages. The lowest ferric-reducing antioxidant power value was observed for the medium vegetative stage. The highest antiradical activity against DPPH•was observed for extracts obtained from the early vegetative stage. The antioxidant activity changes during the growth cycle, and this change may be useful to determine the optimal harvest time.