bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The conservation benefit of mowing vs grazing for management of species‐rich grasslands: a multi‐site, multi‐year field experiment
Authors: Tälle Malin , Fogelfors Håkan , Westerberg Lars , Milberg Per
Published: November 2015

Species‐rich semi‐natural grasslands in Europe are becoming more fragmented and many species that depend on this habitat type are rare and threatened today. Management methods like mowing and grazing are needed to preserve remaining grasslands. Because management is costly it is important to use the most cost‐effective as well as the most beneficial management method, but few studies have compared mowing and grazing. We investigated the effect of mowing and grazing on grassland vegetation using data from 11 long‐term field trials situated in southern Sweden. We calculated the change in the odds of finding species belonging to three different groups of indicators at the start of the treatment and after 8 and 14 years. The used indicator groups were indicators of good management, excess nitrogen and poor management. The results revealed an increase in the odds of finding indicators of good management in mowed plots and an increase in finding indicators of excess nitrogen in grazed plots. The odds of finding indicators of poor management remained unchanged. Results from sub‐analysis of the grazing intensity showed a more negative effect from grazing with low grazing intensity than normal/high grazing intensity. Therefore, mowing is the best long‐term management method for semi‐natural grasslands in Sweden and grazing using a low grazing intensity should be avoided.
RDM4 modulates cold stress resistance in Arabidopsis partially through the CBF‐mediated pathway
Authors: Chan Zhulong , Wang Yanping , Cao Minjie , Gong Yuehua , Mu Zixin , Wang Haiqing , Hu Yuanlei , Deng Xin , He Xin‐Jian , Zhu Jian‐Kang
Published: November 2015

The C‐REPEAT‐BINDING FACTOR (CBF) pathway has important roles in plant responses to cold stress. How the CBF genes themselves are activated after cold acclimation remains poorly understood.

In this study, we characterized cold tolerance of null mutant of RNA‐DIRECTED DNA METHYLATION 4 (RDM4), which encodes a protein that associates with RNA polymerases Pol V and Pol II, and is required for RNA‐directed DNA methylation (RdDM) in Arabidopsis.

The results showed that dysfunction of RDM4 reduced cold tolerance, as evidenced by decreased survival and increased electrolyte leakage. Mutation of RDM4 resulted in extensive transcriptomic reprogramming. CBFs and CBF regulon genes were down‐regulated in rdm4 but not nrpe1 (the largest subunit of PolV) mutants, suggesting that the role of RDM4 in cold stress responses is independent of the RdDM pathway. Overexpression of RDM4 constitutively increased the expression of CBFs and regulon genes and decreased cold‐induced membrane injury. A great proportion of genes affected by rdm4 overlapped with those affected by CBFs. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results suggested that RDM4 is important for Pol II occupancy at the promoters of CBF2 and CBF3.

We present evidence of a considerable role for RDM4 in regulating gene expression at low temperature, including the CBF pathway in Arabidopsis.
Molecular phenology in plants: in natura systems biology for the comprehensive understanding of seasonal responses under natural environments
Authors: Kudoh Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

Phenology refers to the study of seasonal schedules of organisms. Molecular phenology is defined here as the study of the seasonal patterns of organisms captured by molecular biology techniques. The history of molecular phenology is reviewed briefly in relation to advances in the quantification technology of gene expression. High‐resolution molecular phenology (HMP) data have enabled us to study phenology with an approach of in natura systems biology. I review recent analyses of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a temperature‐responsive repressor of flowering, along the six steps in the typical flow of in natura systems biology. The extensive studies of the regulation of FLC have made this example a successful case in which a comprehensive understanding of gene functions has been progressing. The FLC‐mediated long‐term memory of past temperatures creates time lags with other seasonal signals, such as photoperiod and short‐term temperature. Major signals that control flowering time have a phase lag between them under natural conditions, and hypothetical phase lag calendars are proposed as mechanisms of season detection in plants. Transcriptomic HMP brings a novel strategy to the study of molecular phenology, because it provides a comprehensive representation of plant functions. I discuss future perspectives of molecular phenology from the standpoints of molecular biology, evolutionary biology and ecology.

Contents

Summary
399

I.
Introduction
400

II.
Definition and methodological advance of molecular phenology
401

III.
In natura systems biology using high‐resolution molecular phenology (HMP) data
402

IV.
Predicting properties of a temperature‐responding machinery (Step 1)
402

V.
FLC as a candidate gene regulatory system for past temperature memory (Step 2)
404

VI.
In natura quantification of past temperature memory by HMP (Step 3)
405

VII.
Development of a molecular phenology‐based mechanistic model (Step 4)
406

VIII.
New insight into and analysis of the mechanism: digital repression of FLC (Step 5)
406

IX.
New insight into and analysis of natural signals: phase lag calendar hypotheses (Step 6)
407

X.
Transcriptomic HMP (revolution in Step 3)
409

XI.
Perspectives: circles of in natura systems biology
409

Acknowledgements
410

References
410
Modification of the PthA4 effector binding elements in Type I CsLOB1 promoter using Cas9/sgRNA to produce transgenic Duncan grapefruit alleviating XccΔpthA4:dCsLOB1.3 infection
Authors: Jia Hongge , Orbovic Vladimir , Jones Jeffrey B. , Wang Nian
Published: November 2015

Citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subspecies citri (Xcc) is a severe disease for most commercial citrus cultivars and responsible for significant economic losses worldwide. Generating canker‐resistant citrus varieties will provide an efficient and sustainable solution to control citrus canker. Here, we report our progress in generating canker‐resistant grapefruit by modifying the PthA4 effector binding elements (EBEs) in the CsLOB1 Promoter (EBEPthA4‐CsLOBP) of the CsLOB1 (Citrus sinensis Lateral Organ Boundaries) gene. CsLOB1 is a susceptibility gene for citrus canker and is induced by the pathogenicity factor PthA4, which binds to the EBEPthA4‐CsLOBP to induce CsLOB1 gene expression. There are two alleles, Type I and Type II, of CsLOB1 in Duncan grapefruit. Here, a binary vector was designed to disrupt the PthA4 EBEs in Type I CsLOB1 Promoter (TI CsLOBP) via epicotyl transformation of Duncan grapefruit. Four transgenic Duncan plants with targeted modification of EBEPthA4‐T1 CsLOBP were successfully created. As for Type I CsLOB1 promoter, the mutation rate was 15.63% (#D13), 14.29% (#D17), 54.54% (#D18) and 81.25% (#D22). In the presence of wild‐type Xcc, transgenic Duncan grapefruit developed canker symptoms similarly as wild type. An artificially designed dTALE dCsLOB1.3, which specifically recognizes Type I CsLOBP, but not the mutated Type I CsLOBP or Type II CsLOBP, was developed to infect Duncan transformants. Consequently, #D18 had weakened canker symptoms and #D22 had no visible canker symptoms in the presence of XccΔpthA4:dCsLOB1.3. Our data suggest that activation of a single allele of susceptibility gene CsLOB1 by PthA4 is sufficient to induce citrus canker disease, and mutation in the promoters of both alleles of CsLOB1 is probably required to generate citrus canker‐resistant plants. This work lays the groundwork to generate canker‐resistant citrus varieties via Cas9/sgRNA in the future.
Identification of salt tolerance‐improving quantitative trait loci alleles from a salt‐susceptible rice breeding line by introgression breeding
Authors: Qiu Xianjin , Yuan Zhihua , Liu Huan , Xiang Xiaojiao , Yang Longwei , He Wenjing , Du Bin , Ye Guoyou , Xu Jianlong , Xing Danying
Published: November 2015

To improve salt tolerance of two elite rice varieties, Ce258 and Zhongguangxiang1 (ZGX1), two sets of introgression lines (ILs) each comprising 200 BC1F10lines derived from a common donor, IR75862, and two recipient parents, Ce258 and ZGX1, were used for mapping of QTLs for four salt tolerance‐related traits at the seedling stage. Although the three parents were susceptible to salt, the two IL populations showed transgressive segregations for salt tolerance with 12 and 8 salt tolerance ILs in the Ce258‐ILs and ZGX1‐ILs. Eighteen main‐effect QTLs were identified for the four traits in the two IL populations, and the IR75862 alleles at most loci showed increased and decreased salt tolerance in the ZGX1 and Ce258 backgrounds, suggesting overwhelming genetic background effects on QTL detection for salt tolerance. TheqDSS11simultaneously detected in the two backgrounds was validated in a F2population derived from a salt tolerance line and ZGX1. Our results indicated that salt tolerance‐enhancing allele could be identified in the elite susceptible breeding lines and that introgression of the favourable alleles could facilitate the development of superior lines with greater salt tolerance levels.
Punctuated Equilibrium and the Information Disadvantage of Authoritarianism: Evidence from the People's Republic of China
Authors: Chan Kwan Nok , Zhao Shuang
Published: November 2015

According to the punctuated equilibrium thesis, government attention allocation alternates between long periods of stasis and dramatic spurts of disequilibrium because democratic institutions enable minority groups to obstruct change. This article presents a critical discrepancy in contemporary China, where punctuated instability is significantly more intense despite a lack of democratic institutions to empower minority obstructionism. Our empirical analysis further reveals that punctuated intensity goes even higher for Chinese regions facing fewer signs of social discontent. We attribute the intensification of punctuated dynamics to an information disadvantage arising from the lack of diverse, independent sources of information under authoritarianism. Our finding contributes to punctuated equilibrium theory by underlining the function of opposition groups not only as obstructionists but also as challengers to policy priorities. By marginalizing these challengers, authoritarian institutions confine attention to known problems, leading to serious delays in the discovery of and adjustment to emerging issues.
Softening the agricultural matrix: a novel agri‐environment scheme that balances habitat restoration and livestock grazing
Authors: Ansell Dean , Fifield Graham , Munro Nicola , Freudenberger David , Gibbons Philip
Published: November 2015

The loss and degradation of woody vegetation in the agricultural matrix represents a key threat to biodiversity. Strategies for habitat restoration in these landscapes should maximize the biodiversity benefit for each dollar spent in order to achieve the greatest conservation outcomes with scarce funding. To be effective at scale, such strategies also need to account for the opportunity cost of restoration to the farmer. Here, we critique the Whole‐of‐Paddock Rehabilitation program, a novel agri‐environment scheme which seeks to provide a cost‐effective strategy for balancing habitat restoration and livestock grazing. The scheme involves the revegetation of large (minimum 10 ha) fields, designed to maximize biodiversity benefits and minimize costs while allowing for continued agricultural production. The objectives and design of the scheme are outlined, biodiversity and production benefits are discussed, and we contrast its cost‐effectiveness with alternative habitat restoration strategies. Our analysis indicates that this scheme achieves greater restoration outcomes at approximately half the cost of windbreak‐style plantings, the prevailing planting configuration in southeastern Australia, largely due to a focus on larger fields, and the avoidance of fencing costs through the use of existing farm configuration and infrastructure. This emphasis on cost‐effectiveness, the offsetting of opportunity costs through incentive payments, and the use of a planting design that seeks to maximize biodiversity benefits while achieving production benefits to the farmer, has the potential to achieve conservation in productive parts of the agricultural landscape that have traditionally been “off limits” to conservation.
Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on the Progression of Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High Caloric Diet‐Fed Mice
Authors: Matsushita N. , Osaka T. , Haruta I. , Ueshiba H. , Yanagisawa N. , Omori‐Miyake M. , Hashimoto E. , Shibata N. , Tokushige K. , Saito K. , Tsuneda S. , Yagi J.
Published: November 2015

The incidence of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing. Because gut microbiota have been highlighted as one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, we investigated the involvement of the bacterial component in the progression of non‐alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to NASH. C57BL/6 mice were fed with maintenance food (MF, groups A and B) or a high caloric diet (HCD, groups C and D) for 1 month. Mice were then divided into four groups: Groups A and C were inoculated with PBS, while groups B and D were inoculated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The inoculations were performed a total of 3 times over 3 months. At 6 months, while hepatic steatosis was observed in groups C and D, cellular infiltration and fibrosis were less evident in group C than in group D. Inflammatory cytokines were upregulated in groups B and D. 16S rRNA pyrosequencing of whole colon homogenates containing faeces showed that certain bacterial groups, such as Bacteroidaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae, were increased in groups C and D. Although loading of bacterial components (LPS) resulted in hepatic inflammation in both MF‐ and HCD‐fed mice, HCD feeding was more crucial in the progression of NAFL during the triggering phase.
Epidemiology of hepatitis E virus infection during pregnancy in Benin
Authors: De Paschale Massimo , Ceriani Cristina , Romanò Luisa , Cerulli Teresa , Cagnin Debora , Cavallari Serena , Ndayake Joseph , Zaongo Dieudonné , Diombo Kouma , Priuli Gianbattista , Viganò Paolo , Clerici Pierangelo
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the cause of enterically transmitted non‐A, non‐C hepatitis (an infection that is particularly severe during pregnancy) in tropical and subtropical countries. As there are no published data concerning the prevalence of HEV antibodies in Benin, their presence was investigated in pregnant women undergoing routine HIV screening in a rural area in northern Benin and in pregnant women with acute non‐A, non‐C hepatitis.

Methods

A total of 278 serum samples were collected from asymptomatic pregnant women in 2011 were tested for HEV and hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies, and the HEV IgM‐positive samples were further tested for HEV‐RNA. A further seven samples of pregnant women with acute non‐A, non‐C hepatitis collected during episodes of acute hepatitis in 2005 were also analysed.

Results

Of the 278 samples collected in 2011, 16.19% were positive for HEV IgG and 1.44% for HEV IgM (none positive for HEV‐RNA), and 99.64% were positive for total HAV antibodies (none positive for HAV IgM). Six of the seven samples collected in 2005 were positive for HEV IgG and IgM, and two were also positive for HEV‐RNA.

Conclusions

The circulation of HEV infection is significant among pregnant women in Benin, in whom the consequences may be fatal.
Bacterial isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility, and clinical characteristics of bacterial keratitis in dogs presenting to referral practice in Australia
Authors: Hindley Kate E. , Groth Allyson D. , King Martyn , Graham Kathleen , Billson F. Mark
Published: November 2015

Objective

To identify clinical characteristics, bacterial isolates, and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in a prospective study of dogs presenting with suspected bacterial keratitis to aid selection of appropriate therapy.

Animals

Seventy‐one client‐owned dogs presenting to two referral hospitals in Australia.

Procedure

Corneal swabs and clinical information were collected from dogs presenting with suspect bacterial keratitis from April 2012 to December 2014. Cytology and bacteriologic culture were performed on samples with in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility performed on bacterial isolates.

Results

Positive cultures were obtained from 42 of the 71 ulcers sampled (59%), with 45 bacteria isolated. The most commonly isolated bacteria were β‐hemolytic Streptococcus (14/45, 31%), Pseudomonas (14/45, 31%), and Staphylococcus species (8/45, 18%). β‐Hemolytic Streptococcus spp. were resistant to neomycin, polymyxin B, gentamicin, framycetin and fusidic acid and >80% were resistant to ciprofloxacin but remained susceptible to chloramphenicol and cephalexin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol, cephalexin, and fusidic acid; however, >90% were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, polymyxin B, and gentamicin. Brachycephalic breed (34/42, 81%), previous ocular surgery (15/42, 36%), prior use of a topical corticosteroid (13/42, 31%), and concurrent ocular surface disease (10/42, 24%) were common in dogs with bacterial keratitis.

Conclusion

Our study identified β‐hemolytic Streptococcus and Pseudomonas spp. as the most common bacterial pathogens in canine bacterial keratitis presenting for referral. Many cases exhibited clinical factors known to influence corneal integrity that may predispose them to ulceration and infection. Based on in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and clinical outcomes, monotherapy with a fluoroquinolone may be ineffective in ulcers caused by β‐hemolytic Streptococcus spp.
Retrobulbar pigmented peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a dog
Authors: Curto Elizabeth , Clode Alison B , Durrant Jessica , Montgomery Keith W , Gilger Brian C
Published: November 2015

A 1‐year‐old male castrated Pug was referred for unilateral exophthalmos unresponsive to oral antibiotic and anti‐inflammatory therapy. Clinical findings included exophthalmos of the left eye with lateral strabismus, resistance to retropulsion, and an elevated nictitans. Hematologic and biochemical analyses were within normal limits. Findings following computed tomography (CT) of the head included an expansile retrobulbar soft tissue mass with bony lysis extending into the left nasal cavity and nasopharynx. Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates and biopsy samples obtained via rhinoscopy were nondiagnostic. Palliative exenteration was elected; the patient was euthanized 13 weeks following exenteration due to development of neurologic signs and perceived poor quality of life. The histopathologic diagnosis was a malignant pigmented peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
European Union Regulations of Corporate Reporting As a Response to the Evolution of Business Activity Conditions
Authors: Kamiński Ryszard
Published: November 2015

The characteristic feature of today’s business communication is an interaction between enterprises and their external economic and social environment, which in turn demands from enterprises to develop a new approach to the scope and form of business reporting system. Activities in this area are taken in the European Union. They were intensified after the emergence of the economic crisis in 2007. In the European Union adopted new regulations on corporate reporting. Their goal was to increase business transparency and as a result - increase the efficiency of the economy. This article aims to present the new system of financial and non-financial reporting in European Union and to evaluate these systems, focusing in particular, on the recent developments that have occurred in consequence of the changing conditions and operating environment of undertakings.
Numerical and Experimental Tribological Investigations of Diamond Nanoparticles
Authors: Marko Matthew D. , Kyle Jonathan P. , Wang Yuanyuan , Branson Blake , Terrell Elon J.
Published: November 2015

An effort was made to study and characterize the tribological characteristics of diamond nanoparticles as compared to neat mineral oil in the presence of sliding contact typically observed in the standard ASTM D4172 four-ball test. Four-ball tests were conducted with a solution of diamond nanoparticles and mineral oil, both at varying run times and bulk oil temperatures, and a consistent reduction in wear rates was observed. Numerical simulations were performed; it was observed that by enhancing the thermal conductivity of the lubricant, the wear reduction rate was observed to match the diamond nanoparticles solution results remarkably. This effort provides evidence that this additive wear reduction is in part caused by reduced lubricant temperatures due to the enhanced conductivity of the diamond.
Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Physical Activity: The Moderating Role of Mental Toughness
Authors: Hannan Thomas E. , Moffitt Robyn L. , Neumann David L. , Thomas Patrick R.
Published: November 2015

This study explored whether mental toughness, the capacity to maintain performance under pressure, moderated the relation between physical activity intentions and subsequent behavior. Participants (N = 117) completed the Mental Toughness Index and a theory of planned behavior questionnaire. Seven days later, physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control explained substantial variance (63.1%) in physical activity intentions. Intentions also significantly predicted physical activity behavior. The simple slopes analyses for the moderation effect revealed a nonsignificant intention–behavior relation at low levels of mental toughness. However, intentions were significantly and positively related to physical activity when mental toughness was moderate or high, suggesting that the development of a mentally tough mindset may reduce the gap between behavior and physical activity intention. Future research is needed to confirm these findings and apply them in the design of mental toughness interventions to facilitate physical activity engagement.
Competitive Cycling and Doping: Proposing a Functional Analysis Based on the Color Yellow
Authors: Chantal Yves , Bernache-Assollant Iouri
Published: November 2015

The authors demonstrate in three experiments (N = 241) that yellow impacts on social perceptions when associated with competitive cycling. In Experiment 1, the image of a syringe evocated competitive cycling and doping more strongly when presented on yellow as compared with gray. In Experiment 2, a performance improvement scenario yielded more discredit of a depicted racer and higher suspicions of doping when ending on a yellow frame, as opposed to a gray one. In Experiment 3, the image of a racer wearing a yellow jersey (instead of a gray or a white one) yielded the lowest scores on measures of suitability as a role model and attractiveness of sport participation. Moreover, no significant differences emerged for gender, thereby suggesting equivalent effects for female and male participants. Finally, the authors discuss conceptual and practical implications as well as limitations before proposing a number of avenues for future research.
A jejunal GIST presenting with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel obstruction secondary to intussusception
Authors: Sadeghi Peter , Lanzon-Miller Sandro
Published: November 2015

A 68-year-old man with episodes of overt obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding was investigated with multiple upper and lower GI endoscopies, CT enterography and capsule endoscopy, but no cause was found. He then presented acutely with small bowel obstruction. A laparotomy revealed complete small bowel obstruction secondary to jejunal intussusception over a 4 cm intraluminal polyp. Following resection and primary anastomosis, histology revealed that the polyp was a GI stromal tumour (GIST). This is an exceptionally uncommon presentation of a rare tumour. It is surprising that this tumour was not detected by CT enterography and not seen on capsule endoscopy. Immunohistochemistry and mutation analysis of the GIST suggested that it had a low risk of metastatic disease, but a high risk of recurrence. Staging CT scans did not reveal evidence of distal spread. The patient is currently receiving 3 years of chemotherapy with imatinib.
Effect of linoleic acid on reproduction and yeast–mycelium dimorphism in the Dutch elm disease pathogens
Authors: Naruzawa Erika Sayuri , Malagnac Fabienne , Bernier Louis
Published: November 2015

Elm populations from North America and Europe were devastated by Dutch elm disease (DED), which is a vascular disease caused by fungi from the genus Ophiostoma (Ascomycota). These pathogens feature a yeast–mycelium dimorphism that may be related to virulence by facilitating colonization of the host xylem. Cyclooxygenases (COX) have been proposed to modulate yeast–mycelium dimorphism of DED fungi, and homologs of cox genes have been found in the nuclear genome of O. novo-ulmi subsp. novo-ulmi. Linoleic acid, a substrate for COX, was reported to stimulate the formation of asexual and sexual reproduction structures in DED strains grown on complex media. We hypothesized that linoleic acid also induced mycelium production in liquid shake culture conditions. Linoleic acid was found to enhance the production of reproductive structures in sexual crosses conducted on a complex medium (elm sapwood agar), but was not sufficient for these structures to form on a minimal medium. In liquid shake cultures grown in a minimal medium, the addition of linoleic acid stimulated mycelial formation. Our results suggest that linoleic acid plays a role in reproduction and dimorphism in the DED pathogens.
Biological study of metal–organic frameworks towards human ovarian cancer cell lines
Authors: Wei Zhangwen , Maganti Madhuri , Martinez Baldemar , Vangara Kiran Kumar , Palakurthi Srinath , Luo Zhiping , Bashir Sajid , Zhou Hong-Cai , Liu Jingbo
Published: November 2015

Solvothermal chemistry was employed to produce PCN-95 starting with pyrene forming eight connected Zr6 clusters conforming to an isoreticular structure (P6/mmm). The secondary building unit was determined from polycrystals as having Zr6 center octahedral to and covering all triangular faces with eight OH and carboxylates as the framework. The polycordinated network material was characterized by electron microscopy and evaluated from its cytotoxicity against human ovarian cells. The concentration at 50% inhibition was in the low parts per million and electron micrographs showed a “darker region” around the DNA, indicative of DNA condensation leading to fragmentation. To determine whether the observed biological effects were due to the generation of singlet oxygen or elicitation of specific death pathways, the polycordinated network with and without select inhibitors or reducing and oxidizing agents was employed against human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro and NO measured as a measure of cell health against controls cells (without any cofactors). The NO release was measured a over 3 h time period and the kinetic plots compared and contrasted with known biochemical pathways. The plots were similar to methylene blue, a known singlet oxygen generator and between hydrogen peroxide and citrate but unlike cyanide or rotenone. Collectively, the results support the hypothesis of singlet oxygen generation at the mitochondria and interaction with complex IV of the electron transport chain, facilitating the reduction of nitrite towards more NO. When the cell generates higher concentrations of NO, the apoptotic pathways are triggered resulting in cell death.
Molecular structure, spectroscopic (IR, Raman, Ultra Violet-Visible) and nonlinear optical investigation on DCBLPZ: A novel semiorganic NLO material
Authors: Shkir Mohammed , Jain V. K. , AlFaify S. , Abutalib M. M. , Yahiya I. S. , Ajmal Khan M.
Published: November 2015

Dichlorobis(L-proline) zinc(II) (DCBLPZ) is an excellent nonlinear optical (NLO) material because of its ability to exhibit high second harmonic generation and having significant optical transparency. In this work, electro-optical properties of the titled material has been thoroughly investigated by Hartree–Fock (HF) and Density functional theory using different basis sets in C1 symmetry. The calculated geometrical parametres and vibrational frequencies were found to be in good agreement with reported experimental results. Highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) studies were carried out to understand the intramolecular charge transfer within the molecule. Total dipole moment ([Formula: see text]), polarizability ([Formula: see text]), anisotropy of polarizability ([Formula: see text] and first hyperpolarizability ([Formula: see text]) values were calculated. The static first hyperpolarizability value is found to be six times higher than urea. Ultra violet-visible spectrum of DCBLPZ molecule was calculated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) in gas phase using different functionals. The calculated value of absorption wavelength was found at 234[Formula: see text]nm using TD-B3LYP/[Formula: see text]* level of theory and was in good agreement with experimental value (230[Formula: see text]nm) than other applied methods. Our results give us flexibilty to predict about possible intramolecular charge transfer from both the chlorine atoms toward both the proline units through zinc atom in the studied metallic complex. The other important parametres such as frontier molecular orbital’s (FMO), global reactivity descriptors and molecular electrostatic potential have also been calculated and discussed.
Experiment and CFD Simulation of Boiling Heat Transfer Coefficient of R410A in Minichannels
Authors: Chien Nguyen Ba , Choi Kwang-Il , Oh Jong-Taek
Published: November 2015

This study performed a comparison between experimental and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation results of boiling heat transfer coefficient of R410A in a small tube. The experimental data were obtained in the horizontal circular tubes of 3.0[Formula: see text]mm inner diameter, the length of 3000[Formula: see text]mm including: mass flux and heat flux in a range from 300[Formula: see text]kg/m2s to 600[Formula: see text]kg/m2s and from 5[Formula: see text]kW/m2 to 10[Formula: see text]kW/m2, respectively, and the saturation temperature constantly kept at 20[Formula: see text]C. In the simulation procedure, the Eulerian multiphase with wall boiling were obtained. The effects of mass flux and heat flux on the heat transfer coefficient of R410A were analyzed. The comparative data between CFD and experiment was also illustrated.
Improved Distributed Approximate Matching
Authors: Lotker Zvi , Patt-Shamir Boaz , Pettie Seth
Published: November 2015

We present distributed network algorithms to compute weighted and unweighted matchings with improved approximation ratios and running times. The computational model is a network of processors exchanging
O
(log
n
)-bit messages (the CONGEST model). For unweighted graphs, we give an algorithm providing (1-ϵ)-approximation in
O
(log
n
) time for any constant ϵ>0, improving on the classical ½-approximation in
O
log
n
) time of Israeli and Itai [1986]. The time complexity of the algorithm depends on 1⁃ϵ exponentially in the general case, and polynomially in bipartite graphs. For weighted graphs, we present another algorithm which provides (½-ϵ) approximation in general graphs in
O
(logϵ
-1
log
n
) time, improving on the previously known algorithms which attain (¼-ϵ)-approximation in
O
(log
n
) time or ½-approximation in
O
(
n
) time. All our algorithms are randomized: the complexity bounds hold both with high probability and for the expected running time.
Sharp Bounds on Davenport-Schinzel Sequences of Every Order
Authors: Pettie Seth
Published: November 2015

One of the longest-standing open problems in computational geometry is bounding the complexity of the lower envelope of
n
univariate functions, each pair of which crosses at most
s
times, for some fixed
s
. This problem is known to be equivalent to bounding the length of an order-
s
Davenport-Schinzel sequence, namely, a sequence over an
n
-letter alphabet that avoids alternating subsequences of the form
a
…
b
…
a
…
b
… with length
s
+2. These sequences were introduced by Davenport and Schinzel in 1965 to model a certain problem in differential equations and have since been applied to bound the running times of geometric algorithms, data structures, and the combinatorial complexity of geometric arrangements.

Let λ

s

(
n
) be the maximum length of an order-
s
DS sequence over
n
letters. What is λ

s

asymptotically? This question has been answered satisfactorily [Hart and Sharir 1986; Agarwal et al. 1989; Klazar 1999; Nivasch 2010], when
s
is even or
s
≤ 3. However, since the work of Agarwal et al. in the mid-1980s, there has been a persistent gap in our understanding of the odd orders.

In this work, we effectively close the problem by establishing sharp bounds on Davenport-Schinzel sequences of every order
s
. Our results reveal that, contrary to one's intuition, λ

s

(
n
) behaves essentially like λ

s
-1

(
n
) when
s
is odd. This refutes conjectures by Alon et al. [2008] and Nivasch [2010].
Intrinsic Robustness of the Price of Anarchy
Authors: Roughgarden Tim
Published: November 2015

The price of anarchy, defined as the ratio of the worst-case objective function value of a Nash equilibrium of a game and that of an optimal outcome, quantifies the inefficiency of selfish behavior. Remarkably good bounds on this measure are known for a wide range of application domains. However, such bounds are meaningful only if a game's participants successfully reach a Nash equilibrium. This drawback motivates inefficiency bounds that apply more generally to weaker notions of equilibria, such as mixed Nash equilibria and correlated equilibria, and to sequences of outcomes generated by natural experimentation strategies, such as successive best responses and simultaneous regret-minimization.

We establish a general and fundamental connection between the price of anarchy and its seemingly more general relatives. First, we identify a “canonical sufficient condition” for an upper bound on the price of anarchy of pure Nash equilibria, which we call a
smoothness argument
. Second, we prove an “extension theorem”: every bound on the price of anarchy that is derived via a smoothness argument
extends automatically
, with no quantitative degradation in the bound, to mixed Nash equilibria, correlated equilibria, and the average objective function value of every outcome sequence generated by no-regret learners. Smoothness arguments also have automatic implications for the inefficiency of approximate equilibria, for bicriteria bounds, and, under additional assumptions, for polynomial-length best-response sequences. Third, we prove that in congestion games, smoothness arguments are “complete” in a proof-theoretic sense: despite their automatic generality, they are guaranteed to produce optimal worst-case upper bounds on the price of anarchy.
Mapping User Preference to Privacy Default Settings
Authors: Watson Jason , Lipford Heather Richter , Besmer Andrew
Published: November 2015

Managing the privacy of online information can be a complex task often involving the configuration of a variety of settings. For example, Facebook users determine which audiences have access to their profile information and posts, how friends can interact with them through tagging, and how others can search for them—and many more privacy tasks. In most cases, the default privacy settings are permissive and appear to be designed to promote information sharing rather than privacy. Managing privacy online can be complex and often users do not change defaults or use granular privacy settings. In this article, we investigate whether default privacy settings on social network sites could be more customized to the preferences of users. We survey users' privacy attitudes and sharing preferences for common SNS profile items. From these data, we explore using audience characterizations of profile items to quantify fit scores that indicate how well default privacy settings represent user privacy preferences. We then explore the fit of various schemes, including examining whether privacy attitude segmentation can be used to improve default settings. Our results suggest that using audience characterizations from community data to create default privacy settings can better match users' desired privacy settings.
LSH-Preserving Functions and Their Applications
Authors: Chierichetti Flavio , Kumar Ravi
Published: November 2015

Locality sensitive hashing (LSH) is a key algorithmic tool that is widely used both in theory and practice. An important goal in the study of LSH is to understand which similarity functions admit an LSH, that is, are LSHable. In this article, we focus on the class of transformations such that given any similarity that is LSHable, the transformed similarity will continue to be LSHable. We show a tight characterization of all such LSH-preserving transformations: they are precisely the probability generating functions, up to scaling.

As a concrete application of this result, we study which set similarity measures are LSHable. We obtain a complete characterization of similarity measures between two sets
A
and
B
that are ratios of two linear functions of ∣
A
∩
B
∣, ∣
A
▵
B
∣, ∣
A
∪
B
∣: such a measure is LSHable if and only if its corresponding distance is a metric. This result generalizes the well-known LSH for the Jaccard set similarity, namely, the minwise-independent permutations, and obtains LSHs for many set similarity measures that are used in practice. Using our main result, we obtain a similar characterization for set similarities involving radicals.
Coalescing-Branching Random Walks on Graphs
Authors: Dutta Chinmoy , Pandurangan Gopal , Rajaraman Rajmohan , Roche Scott
Published: November 2015

We study a distributed randomized information propagation mechanism in networks we call the
coalescing-branching
random walk (cobra walk, for short). A cobra walk is a generalization of the well-studied “standard” random walk, and is useful in modeling and understanding the Susceptible-Infected- Susceptible (SIS)-type of epidemic processes in networks. It can also be helpful in performing light-weight information dissemination in resource-constrained networks. A cobra walk is parameterized by a
branching factor
k
. The process starts from an arbitrary vertex, which is labeled
active
for step 1. In each step of a cobra walk, each active vertex chooses
k
random neighbors to become active for the next step (“branching”). A vertex is active for step
t
+ 1 only if it is chosen by an active vertex in step
t
(“coalescing”). This results in a stochastic process in the underlying network with properties that are quite different from both the standard random walk (which is equivalent to the cobra walk with branching factor 1) as well as other gossip-based rumor spreading mechanisms.

We focus on the
cover time
of the cobra walk, which is the number of steps for the walk to reach all the vertices, and derive almost-tight bounds for various graph classes. We show an
O
(log 
2
n
) high probability bound for the cover time of cobra walks on expanders, if either the expansion factor or the branching factor is sufficiently large; we also obtain an
O
(log 
n
) high probability bound for the
partial cover time
, which is the number of steps needed for the walk to reach at least a constant fraction of the vertices. We also show that the cover time of the cobra walk is, with high probability,
O
(
n
log 
n
) on any
n
-vertex tree for
k
≥ 2,
Õ
(

n
1/d

) on a
d
-dimensional grid for
k
≥ 2, and
O
(log 
n
) on the complete graph.
Internet Censorship in China
Authors: Wang Dakuo , Mark Gloria
Published: November 2015

Internet censorship has been a popular topic both in academia and in the popular press. A fundamental question that has not been fully addressed is how censorship is perceived by people who experience it. A person may exhibit pro- or anti-censorship attitudes, but it is possible that (s)he may not even be aware of its existence. In this study, we report results of a large-scale survey on Chinese Internet users' experiences with Internet censorship. The results show that users' demographic backgrounds, Internet usage experience, and personality influence their attitudes toward censorship. Those who score high on authoritarian personality measures tend to support censorship. Attitudes toward censorship change so that over time it is viewed as more normal, which suggests a “normalization” process. We discuss how these findings can generalize beyond the Chinese context to other societies in which Internet censorship can exist.
Energy-Harvesting Active Networked Tags (EnHANTs)
Authors: Margolies Robert , Gorlatova Maria , Sarik John , Stanje Gerald , Zhu Jianxun , Miller Paul , Szczodrak Marcin , Vigraham Baradwaj , Carloni Luca , Kinget Peter , Kymissis Ioannis , Zussman Gil
Published: November 2015

This article focuses on a new type of wireless devices in the domain between RFIDs and sensor networks—Energy-Harvesting Active Networked Tags (EnHANTs). Future EnHANTs will be small, flexible, and self-powered devices that can be attached to objects that are traditionally not networked (e.g., books, furniture, toys, produce, and clothing). Therefore, they will provide the infrastructure for various tracking applications and can serve as one of the enablers for the Internet of Things. We present the design considerations for the EnHANT prototypes, developed over the past 4 years. The prototypes harvest indoor light energy using custom organic solar cells, communicate and form multihop networks using ultra-low-power Ultra-Wideband Impulse Radio (UWB-IR) transceivers, and dynamically adapt their communications and networking patterns to the energy harvesting and battery states. We describe a small-scale testbed that uniquely allows evaluating different algorithms with trace-based light energy inputs. Then, we experimentally evaluate the performance of different energy-harvesting adaptive policies with organic solar cells and UWB-IR transceivers. Finally, we discuss the lessons learned during the prototype and testbed design process.
Skeletal Muscle Microvasculature: A Highly Dynamic Lifeline
Authors: Latroche Claire , Gitiaux Cyril , Chrétien Fabrice , Desguerre Isabelle , Mounier Rémi , Chazaud Bénédicte
Published: November 2015

Skeletal muscle is highly irrigated by blood vessels. Beyond oxygen and nutrient supply, new vessel functions have been identified. This review presents vessel microanatomy and functions at tissue, cellular, and molecular levels. Mechanisms of vessel plasticity are described during skeletal muscle development and acute regeneration, and in physiological and pathological contexts.
Current State of Vascular Resections in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery
Authors: Hackert Thilo , Schneider Lutz , Büchler Markus W.
Published: November 2015

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the Western world and, even in 2014, a therapeutic challenge. The only chance for long-term survival is radical surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy which can be performed in about 20% of all PDAC patients by the time of diagnosis. As pancreatic surgery has significantly changed during the past years, extended operations, including vascular resections, have become more frequently performed in specialized centres and the border of resectability has been pushed forward to achieve a potentially curative approach in the respective patients in combination with neoadjuvant and adjuvant treatment strategies. In contrast to adjuvant treatment which has to be regarded as a cornerstone to achieve long-term survival after resection, neoadjuvant treatment strategies for locally advanced findings are currently under debate. This overview summarizes the possibilities and evidence of vascular, namely, venous and arterial, resections in PDAC surgery.
Intake of Meals Containing High Levels of Carbohydrates or High Levels of Unsaturated Fatty Acids Induces Postprandial Dysmetabolism in Young Overweight/Obese Men
Authors: Adamska Edyta , Ostrowska Lucyna , Gościk Joanna , Waszczeniuk Magdalena , Krętowski Adam , Górska Maria
Published: November 2015

Postprandial metabolic response depends on the meals’ components and can be different in normal weight and obese people. However, there are some discrepancies between various reports. The aim of this study was to determine the metabolic response after intake of standardised meals with various fat and carbohydrate contents and to determine the differences among normal weight and overweight/obese individuals. The study group comprised 46 healthy men. The participants were divided into two groups and study was carried out using a crossover method. Group I received high- and normal-carbohydrate meals, whereas group II received high-carbohydrate and high-fat meals. Glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and free fatty acids levels were measured at fasting state and at 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after meal intake. Despite the lack of differences in glucose levels, insulin levels were higher among overweight/obese individuals after each meal. TG and FFA levels were higher after normal-carbohydrate and high-fat meals. Moreover, in overweight/obese young men after high-fat meal intake postprandial hypertriglyceridemia was observed, even if meals contained predominantly unsaturated fatty acids, and fasting triglycerides levels were in normal range. The conducted study showed that postprandial metabolic response depends not only on the meal macronutrient content but also on the current body mass index (BMI).
Information Dissemination of Public Health Emergency on Social Networks and Intelligent Computation
Authors: Hu Hongzhi , Mao Huajuan , Hu Xiaohua , Hu Feng , Sun Xuemin , Jing Zaiping , Duan Yunsuo
Published: November 2015

Due to the extensive social influence, public health emergency has attracted great attention in today’s society. The booming social network is becoming a main information dissemination platform of those events and caused high concerns in emergency management, among which a good prediction of information dissemination in social networks is necessary for estimating the event’s social impacts and making a proper strategy. However, information dissemination is largely affected by complex interactive activities and group behaviors in social network; the existing methods and models are limited to achieve a satisfactory prediction result due to the open changeable social connections and uncertain information processing behaviors. ACP (artificial societies, computational experiments, and parallel execution) provides an effective way to simulate the real situation. In order to obtain better information dissemination prediction in social networks, this paper proposes an intelligent computation method under the framework of TDF (Theory-Data-Feedback) based on ACP simulation system which was successfully applied to the analysis of A (H1N1) Flu emergency.