bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracting tomographic arrival time information from ships of opportunity in the Santa Barbara channel using blind deconvolution
Authors: Durofchalk Nicholas C. , Gemba Kay L. , Sarkar Jit , Sabra Karim G.
Published: November 2017

This paper summarizes the ongoing investigations surrounding the use of a ray-based blind deconvolution algorithm to recover arrival time information from sources of opportunity, such as shipping vessels, recorded on vertical line arrays (VLAs) in ocean waveguides. The deconvolution is primarily performed by using an estimate of the unknown source phase, obtained through wideband beamforming, to essentially match filter the VLA recordings and recover the channel impulse response (CIR). This paper will focus on results from an experiment performed in 2016 in the Santa Barbara shipping channel (water depth ~550 m). Four VLAs, with both short (~15 m) and long (~56 m) apertures, were deployed between the north and south bound shipping lanes and continuously collected acoustic data during one week. With the ultimate goal of passive acoustic tomography in mind, this paper aims to discuss (1) the robustness of the algorithm to extract differential arrival times along VLA elements using ships as sources of opportunity, (2) the achievable accuracy of blind arrival time measurements in comparison to the time-of-flight precision required for tomographic inversions, and (3) the ideal parameters (e.g., frequency bandwidth, snapshot duration, beamforming methodology...) for which to perform this ray-based blind deconvolution method in SBC-like ocean environments.
Neutralization of Taiwanese tone sandhi: An acoustic study
Authors: Chien Yu-Fu , Jongman Allard
Published: November 2017

Taiwanese tonal alternation is realized in a circular chain shift fashion for both smooth and checked syllables. Debate regarding the processes of Taiwanese tonal alternation has centered on whether a surface tone is derived from an underlying tone, or whether a surface tone is selected without undergoing any derivation. The current study investigates this controversial issue by examining Taiwanese checked tone and smooth tone neutralization in production. In particular, we analyzed whether smooth citation and sandhi tone 55 (T51→T55) are completely neutralized in F0 contour, F0 height, and duration. We further extended the Taiwanese neutralization literature by also comparing smooth citation and sandhi tone 21 (T33→T21), checked citation and sandhi tone 53 (CT21→CT53), and checked citation and sandhi tone 21 (CT53→CT21). Non-sandhi exceptions were also included to evaluate the effect of position-in-word on F0 height and duration given that citation tones always appear in phrase-final position. Complete neutralization would indicate a surface-tone-storage-and-access point of view, whereas incomplete neutralization would suggest a derivational account for the production of Taiwanese tonal alternation. Results showed complete neutralization for checked tones after factoring out the positional effect. Results for smooth tones and theoretical implications will be also be discussed.
Direction of arrival estimation for broadband array based on conjugate gradient
Authors: Sun Hai X. , Hai Dandan , Miao Yongchun , Guo Huiming
Published: November 2017

In Broadband array, the direction of arrival (DOA) has high computing capacity, high complexity and real time difference. To solve this issue, we have proposed fast subspace estimation based on conjugate gradient (CG) method, which used to find orthogonal vectors and span the signal subspace. Initially, training signals are not required and also avoids eigenvalue decomposition. In this paper, subspace method based on CG is combined with DOA estimation of wideband signal coherent subspace, which replaces the focus matrix and the eigenvalue decomposition of narrowband DOA estimation. Herein, we equated the computational complexity is highly reduced and also better for real-time implementation of the DOA estimation. As performance compared with old methods experimental outcomes show our method has high efficiency and low complexity. Key words: direction of arrival, conjugate gradient, subspace estimation, focus matrix, eigenvalue, etc.
An improved robust adaptive beamforming based on worst-case performance optimization
Authors: Yan Chao , Zhang Weiyu , Xu Peng , Zhou Mingyang
Published: November 2017

Generally, the adaptive beamformer has better spatial resolution and much better interference rejection capability than the conventional data-independent beamformer. But, in practice, the performance of the traditional adaptive beamformer will degrade greatly if some assumptions or information on the propagation model, array parameters, and signal model are imprecise. In this paper, a new approach to robust adaptive beamforming based on optimization of worst-case performance by parameter auto-adjust (PAWCO) is proposed, which can estimate the power of the signal using Newton-Raphson interactions. The method can confirm the upper bound of the mismatch vector neither overly nor under estimated. Theoretical analysis and simulation results are presented to show the proposed beamformer can estimate the power of signal precisely while achieving better spatial resolution. The robustness of the PAWCO algorithm to environment mismatch is also demonstrated by the acoustical experimental data.
Representation of the combined concurrent acoustic sources in the electrical domain
Authors: Abdulaziz Azhar , Këpuska Veton
Published: November 2017

In the electrical domain, adding samples of individual sound sources is used to represent a combined acoustic signal formed by them. It is commonly believed that, when many concurrent acoustic sources are sampled by a single microphone, it will produce samples that are equal to the linear addition of the electrical samples of those sources. The key problem about this argument is it assumes linearity between the total sound pressure level (SPL) and each individual SPL. It also assumes that the microphone voltage varies linearly with the SPL applied on it. However, it is more likely that both of those relationships are non linear, at least in theory. We believe that this is the first study that correlates the mathematical relationship between the individual acoustic signals and their combination in both electrical and acoustic domains. A theoretical new formula is derived throughout this work showing that the acoustic source samples are added in a non-linear manner. In the electrical domain, the voltages that represent each component of a multiple acoustic sources, are added together as if they are perpendicular vectors. Experimentally, adding electrical samples using the new addition formula is more accurate than the common linear one.
Analysis of a prediction error method employing orthonormal basis functions in adaptive feedback cancellation for hearing aids
Authors: Hashemgeloogerdi Sahar , Bocko Mark
Published: November 2017

Hearing aids often suffer from acoustic feedback, which limits the achievable amplification and may severely degrade sound quality by creating howling artifacts. A potential method of feedback cancellation comprises predicting the feedback path (FP) using an adaptive filter. However, a large model error, or bias, is introduced due to signal correlations. To reduce the bias in the FP estimate, a prediction-error-method (PEM) has been used, which is based on a closed-loop identification of the FP and the auto-regressive modeling of the desired signal. This approach, which represents the FP using an FIR filter, requires a large number of parameters. Furthermore, in a reverberant environment, even a high order of the FIR filter may be insufficient to fully represent the FP, which reduces the convergence rate and limits the maximum stable gain of the system. In this contribution, we introduce a PEM-based method that utilizes orthonormal basis functions to precisely predict the acoustic FP in hearing aids. Simulation results with measured data show that the proposed method outperforms the standard PEM adaptation algorithm in terms of convergence rate and maximum stable gain.
Method for underwater impulsive sound characteristic measurement in non-anechoic pool
Authors: Zhang Junming , Tang Rui , Gao Zirong , Yu Xinyue
Published: November 2017

A method for measuring the sound power of impulsive sound sources in non-anechoic pool was proposed in this paper, which can also be applied to measure the sound power of other transient sound sources. The characteristic of sound field in enclosed space were presented based on normal-wave theory. By calculating the volume integral of square pressure within local sound field, the interference caused by boundary was eliminated and the steady sound power density of the enclosed space was obtained. The sound power of the source can then be obtained by introducing the sound field transmission relationship from enclosed space to free field. The method was extended to measure the sound power of transient sound sources in non-anechoic pool. The sound power of impulse sound sources was measured by using the method proposed in this paper. The effectiveness of the proposed method was proved by comparing the sound power measured in anechoic pool and non-anechoic pool.
Relationship Between Physical Therapy Characteristics, Surgical Procedure, and Clinical Outcomes in Patients After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Dempsey Ian J. , Norte Grant E. , Hall Matthew , Goetschius John , Slater Lindsay V. , Cancienne Jourdan M. , Werner Brian C. , Diduch David R. , Hart Joseph M.
Published: November 2017

Context: Postoperative rehabilitation is critical to optimize outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, the relationship between physical therapy (PT) and clinical outcomes is unclear. Objective: To describe PT characteristics following ACLR and to assess the relationships between PT characteristics, surgical procedure, and clinical outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Patients (or Other Participants): A total of 60 patients (31 females/29 males, age = 22.4 [9.2] y, height = 171.7 [9.9] cm, and mass = 70.2 [14.7] kg) with a history of primary unilateral ACLR (53.6% patellar tendon and 46.4% hamstring) participated. Intervention(s): Patients completed a performance assessment and rated subjective knee function prior to physician clearance (mean = 6.3 [1.3] mo postoperatively) and were contacted within 6 months of clearance to complete a PT questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: PT questionnaire item response, knee extension maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque, peak isokinetic knee extension torque, single leg hop distance, and International Knee Documentation Committee were measured. Correlations assessed relationships between PT quantity and clinical outcomes. Independent t tests compared PT quantity and clinical outcomes based on return-to-sport status, readiness to return to sport, and surgical procedure. Results: Patients completed regular PT (2 d/wk, 25 wk, 58 visits) and were most likely to conclude when discharged by the therapist (68.3%). More than half (56.7%) returned to sport, yet most (73.3%) felt unready at discharge. Isokinetic torque was correlated with days of PT/week (r = .29, P = .03). Isokinetic torque and hop symmetry were reduced in patients who returned to sport (P < .05). Patients who felt ready to return completed fewer weeks of PT (P < .05). Patients with a patellar tendon graft completed more days of PT/week and total visits, but demonstrated lower MVIC torque, MVIC symmetry, and isokinetic symmetry (P < .05). Conclusions: Many patients felt unready to return to sport at PT discharge. PT frequency was associated with isokinetic torque, yet this relationship was small. Outcomes were reduced in patients who returned to sport, suggesting premature resumption of preinjury activity.
Initiation, Elongation, and Realignment during Influenza Virus mRNA Synthesis
Authors: te Velthuis Aartjan J. W. , Oymans Judith
Published: November 2017

The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of the influenza A virus replicates and transcribes the viral genome segments in the nucleus of the host cell. To transcribe these viral genome segments, the RdRp “snatches” capped RNA oligonucleotides from nascent host cell mRNAs and aligns these primers to the ultimate or penultimate nucleotide of the segments for the initiation of viral mRNA synthesis. It has been proposed that this initiation process is not processive and that the RdRp uses a prime-realign mechanism during transcription. Here we provide
in vitro
evidence for the existence of this transcriptional prime-realign mechanism but show that it functions efficiently only for primers that are short or cannot stably base pair with the template. In addition, we demonstrate that transcriptional elongation is dependent on the priming loop of the PB1 subunit of the RdRp. We propose that the prime-realign mechanism may be used to rescue abortive transcription initiation events or cope with sequence variation among primers. Overall, these observations advance our mechanistic understanding of how influenza A virus initiates transcription correctly and efficiently.

IMPORTANCE
Influenza A virus causes severe disease in humans and is considered a major global health threat. The virus replicates and transcribes its genome by using an enzyme called the RNA polymerase. To ensure that the genome is amplified faithfully and abundant viral mRNAs are made for viral protein synthesis, the viral RNA polymerase must transcribe the viral genome efficiently. In this report, we characterize a structure inside the polymerase that contributes to the efficiency of viral mRNA synthesis.
Genomic Variation and Evolution ofVibrio parahaemolyticusST36 over the Course of a Transcontinental Epidemic Expansion
Authors: Martinez-Urtaza Jaime , van Aerle Ronny , Abanto Michel , Haendiges Julie , Myers Robert A. , Trinanes Joaquin , Baker-Austin Craig , Gonzalez-Escalona Narjol
Published: November 2017

Vibrio parahaemolyticusis the leading cause of seafood-related infections with illnesses undergoing a geographic expansion. In this process of expansion, the most fundamental change has been the transition from infections caused by local strains to the surge of pandemic clonal types. Pandemic clone sequence type 3 (ST3) was the only example of transcontinental spreading until 2012, when ST36 was detected outside the region where it is endemic in the U.S. Pacific Northwest causing infections along the U.S. northeast coast and Spain. Here, we used genome-wide analyses to reconstruct the evolutionary history of theV. parahaemolyticusST36 clone over the course of its geographic expansion during the previous 25 years. The origin of this lineage was estimated to be in ~1985. By 1995, a new variant emerged in the region and quickly replaced the old clone, which has not been detected since 2000. The new Pacific Northwest (PNW) lineage was responsible for the first cases associated with this clone outside the Pacific Northwest region. After several introductions into the northeast coast, the new PNW clone differentiated into a highly dynamic group that continues to cause illness on the northeast coast of the United States. Surprisingly, the strains detected in Europe in 2012 diverged from this ancestral group around 2000 and have conserved genetic features present only in the old PNW lineage. Recombination was identified as the major driver of diversification, with some preliminary observations suggesting a trend toward a more specialized lifestyle, which may represent a critical element in the expansion of epidemics under scenarios of coastal warming.

IMPORTANCEVibrio parahaemolyticusandVibrio choleraerepresent the only two instances of pandemic expansions of human pathogens originating in the marine environment. However, while the current pandemic ofV. choleraeemerged more than 50 years ago, the global expansion ofV. parahaemolyticusis a recent phenomenon. These modern expansions provide an exceptional opportunity to study the evolutionary process of these pathogens at first hand and gain an understanding of the mechanisms shaping the epidemic dynamics of these diseases, in particular, the emergence, dispersal, and successful introduction in new regions facilitating global spreading of infections. In this study, we used genomic analysis to examine the evolutionary divergence that has occurred over the course of the most recent transcontinental expansion of a pathogenicVibrio, the spreading of theV. parahaemolyticussequence type 36 clone from the region where it is endemic on the Pacific coast of North America to the east coast of the United States and finally to the west coast of Europe.
Adaptive optics imaging of inherited retinal diseases
Authors: Georgiou Michalis , Kalitzeos Angelos , Patterson Emily J , Dubra Alfredo , Carroll Joseph , Michaelides Michel
Published: November 2017

Adaptive optics (AO) ophthalmoscopy allows for non-invasive retinal phenotyping on a microscopic scale, thereby helping to improve our understanding of retinal diseases. An increasing number of natural history studies and ongoing/planned interventional clinical trials exploit AO ophthalmoscopy both for participant selection, stratification and monitoring treatment safety and efficacy. In this review, we briefly discuss the evolution of AO ophthalmoscopy, recent developments and its application to a broad range of inherited retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease, retinitis pigmentosa and achromatopsia. Finally, we describe the impact of this in vivo microscopic imaging on our understanding of disease pathogenesis, clinical trial design and outcome metrics, while recognising the limitation of the small cohorts reported to date.
Lipid profiles and determinants of total cholesterol and hypercholesterolaemia among 25–74 year-old urban and rural citizens of the Yangon Region, Myanmar: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Htet Aung Soe , Kjøllesdal Marte Karoline , Aung Wai Phyo , Moe Myint Aye Nyein , Aye Win Thuzar , Wai Myint Myint , Nu Than Than , Hla Ei Mon , Soe Pyone Pyone , Tun Nan Wut Yi , Angela Naw , Khaing Mya Mya , Htoo Aung Kyaw , Tun Soe , Thitsar Pai , Lwin Theeoo , Wai San San , Aung Thi Thi , Thant Khin Aye , Aung Po Wai Wai , Gauzam Seng Taung , Naing Tun Tun , Tun Thet Min , Myint Khin San , Oo Kyi Kyi , Mang Nang Kee Myu , Naing Soe Moe , Zaw Ko Ko , Bjertness Marius Bergsmark , Sherpa Lhamo Yangchen , Oo Win Myint , Stigum Hein , Bjertness Espen
Published: November 2017

Objective

The first is to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidaemia (hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level), as well as the mean levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL, in the urban and rural Yangon Region, Myanmar. The second is to investigate the association between urban-rural location and total cholesterol.

Design

Two cross-sectional studies using the WHO STEPS methodology.

Setting

Both the urban and rural areas of the Yangon Region, Myanmar.

Participants

A total of 1370 men and women aged 25–74 years participated based on a multistage cluster sampling. Physically and mentally ill people, monks, nuns, soldiers and institutionalised people were excluded.

Results

Compared with rural counterparts, urban dwellers had a significantly higher age-standardised prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (50.7% vs 41.6%; p=0.042) and a low HDL level (60.6% vs 44.4%; p=0.001). No urban-rural differences were found in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia and high LDL. Men had a higher age-standardised prevalence of hypertriglyceridaemia than women (25.1% vs 14.8%; p<0.001), while the opposite pattern was found in the prevalence of a high LDL (11.3% vs 16.3%; p=0.018) and low HDL level (35.3% vs 70.1%; p<0.001).

Compared with rural inhabitants, urban dwellers had higher age-standardised mean levels of total cholesterol (5.31 mmol/L, SE: 0.044 vs 5.05 mmol/L, 0.068; p=0.009), triglyceride (1.65 mmol/L, 0.049 vs 1.38 mmol/L, 0.078; p=0.017), LDL (3.44 mmol/L, 0.019 vs 3.16 mmol/L, 0.058; p=0.001) and lower age-standardised mean levels of HDL (1.11 mmol/L, 0.010 vs 1.25 mmol/L, 0.012; p<0.001). In linear regression, the total cholesterol was significantly associated with an urban location among men, but not among women.

Conclusion

The mean level of total cholesterol and the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia were alarmingly high in men and women in both the urban and rural areas of Yangon Region, Myanmar. Preventive measures to reduce cholesterol levels in the population are therefore needed.
Imaging and CSF analyses effectively distinguish CJD from its mimics
Authors: Rudge Peter , Hyare Harpreet , Green Alison , Collinge John , Mead Simon
Published: November 2017

Objective

To review clinical and investigation findings in patients referred to a specialist prion clinic who were suspected to have sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) and yet were found to have an alternative final diagnosis.

Methods

Review the clinical findings and investigations in 214 patients enrolled into the UK National Prion Monitoring Cohort Study between October 2008 and November 2015 who had postmortem confirmed sCJD and compare these features with 50 patients referred over the same period who had an alternative final diagnosis (CJD mimics).

Results

Patients with an alternative diagnosis and those with sCJD were of similar age, sex and frequency of dementia but CJD mimics had a longer clinical history. Myoclonus, rigidity and hallucinations were more frequent in patients with sCJD but these features were not helpful in classifying individual patients. Alzheimer’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and genetic neurodegenerative disorders were alternative diagnoses in more than half of the CJD mimic cases, and 10% had an immune-mediated encephalopathy; lymphoma, hepatic encephalopathy and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were seen more than once. Diffusion-weighted MRI was the most useful readily available test to classify cases correctly (92% CJD, 2% CJD mimics). The CSF cell count, 14-3-3 protein detection and S100B were of limited value. A positive CSF RT-QuIC test, introduced during the course of the study, was found in 89% of tested CJD cases and 0% CJD mimics.

Conclusion

The combination of diffusion-weighted MRI analysis and CSF RT-QuIC allowed a perfect classification of sCJD versus its mimics in this study.
Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) is increased in microglia and macrophages in spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cerebrospinal fluid levels correlate with disease severity and progression
Authors: Steinacker Petra , Verde Federico , Fang Lubin , Feneberg Emily , Oeckl Patrick , Roeber Sigrun , Anderl-Straub Sarah , Danek Adrian , Diehl-Schmid Janine , Fassbender Klaus , Fliessbach Klaus , Foerstl Hans , Giese Armin , Jahn Holger , Kassubek Jan , Kornhuber Johannes , Landwehrmeyer G Bernhard , Lauer Martin , Pinkhardt Elmar Hans , Prudlo Johannes , Rosenbohm Angela , Schneider Anja , Schroeter Matthias L , Tumani Hayrettin , von Arnim Christine A F , Weishaupt Jochen , Weydt Patrick , Ludolph Albert C , Yilmazer Hanke Deniz , Otto Markus
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Neurochemical markers of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that reflect underlying disease mechanisms might help in diagnosis, staging and prediction of outcome. We aimed at determining the origin and differential diagnostic and prognostic potential of the putative marker of microglial activation chitotriosidase (CHIT1).

Methods

Altogether 316 patients were included, comprising patients with sporadic ALS, ALS mimics (disease controls (DCo)), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD) and healthy controls (Con). CHIT1 and neurofilament levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood and analysed with regard to diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and prognostic performance. Additionally, postmortem tissue was analysed for CHIT1 expression.

Results

In ALS, CHIT1 CSF levels were higher compared with Con (p<0.0001), DCo (p<0.05) and neurodegenerative diseases (AD p<0.05, PD p<0.01, FTLD p<0.0001) except CJD. CHIT1 concentrations were correlated with ALS disease progression and severity but not with the survival time, as did neurofilaments. Serum CHIT1 levels were not different in ALS compared with any other study group. In the spinal cord of patients with ALS, but not Con, AD or CJD cases, CHIT1 was expressed in the corticospinal tract and CHIT1 staining colocalised with markers of microglia (IBA1) and macrophages (CD68).

Conclusions

CHIT1 concentrations in the CSF of patients with ALS may reflect the extent of microglia/macrophage activation in the white matter of the spinal cord. CHIT1 could be a potentially useful marker for differential diagnosis and prediction of disease progression in ALS and, therefore, seems suitable as a supplemental marker for patient stratification in therapeutic trials.
Increase in branched‐chain amino acids due to acidemia in neonatal calves with diarrhoea
Authors: Tsukano Kenji , Inoue Hiroki , Suzuki Kazuyuki
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between acid‐base status and plasma branched‐chain amino acids (BCAA) concentration in calves with diarrhoea for intravenous nutrition, especially with amino acid solution in calves with diarrhoea. Thirty‐four Holstein calves aged 11.0±5.9 days old were enrolled in this study. In 10 of 34 calves exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhoea, severe dehydration and acidemia were observed (severe group: pH: 7.04±0.11, base excess (BE): −17.4±4.5) based on blood gas analysis. In 7 of 34 calves exhibiting clinical signs of diarrhoea, mild dehydration and acidemia were observed (mild group: pH: 7.29±0.06, BE: 0.0±5.2). The other 17 calves did not exhibit dehydration or acidemia (pH: 7.41±0.02, BE: 11.2±3.5) based on clinical signs and blood gas analysis. The plasma concentration of BCAA was significantly higher in the severe group than in the other groups. In addition, the blood pH and plasma concentrations of BCAA (r=−0.41, P<0.05) were significantly and negatively correlated. As calves with metabolic acidosis have increased plasma BCAA concentrations due to hypermetabolic states of proteolysis, amino acid solutions containing low concentrations of BCAA may be useful to gradually correct the negative nitrogen balance.
Thirty-Ninth Canadian Geotechnical Colloquium: Unsaturated soil mechanics — bridging the gap between research and practice
Authors: Siemens Greg A.
Published: November 2017

The majority of geoengineering applications occur in the unsaturated (vadose) zone, which is the near-surface region forming the connection between meteorological phenomena above and saturated ground below. The key characteristic of the unsaturated zone is that water is in tension or, put another way, pore-water pressure is negative. Moisture content, as well as most material properties, vary spatially and temporally in the unsaturated zone and coupled processes are common. In geoengineering applications in the vadose zone, unsaturated soils may be present during part or all of their design lives. The question is how or when to consider the unsaturated soils’ principles in an analysis or design. Although most geoengineering applications have an unsaturated component, use of unsaturated soil mechanics in practice lingers behind the prolific number of publications due the uncertain benefit of accounting for unsaturated effects, complexity, and conservativeness among other reasons. The focus of this colloquium is to continue bridging the gap by illustrating unsaturated soils’ principles using application-driven examples in the areas of capillarity as well as flow, strength, and deformation phenomena. As principles of unsaturated soils become more understood and demand increases for incorporating climate change effects in design, use of unsaturated soils’ principles in practice will continue to increase.
The Action on p-Groups and p-Supersolvability
Authors: Bai Pengfei , Guo Xiuyun , Zhang Boru
Published: November 2017

Let a finite group A act on a finite p-group P with |P| > pe, where e is an integer with e ≥ 2. In this paper, we show that P is centralized by [Formula: see text] if every non-maximal class p-group of order pe in P is stabilized by Op(A). As applications, some conditions are given for a finite group to be p-supersolvable.
A model-driven approach for the formal verification of storm-based streaming applications
Authors: Marconi Francesco , Bersani Marcello M. , Rossi Matteo
Published: November 2017

Data-intensive applications (DIAs) based on so-called Big Data technologies are nowadays a common solution adopted by IT companies to face their growing computational needs. The need for highly reliable applications able to handle huge amounts of data and the availability of infrastructures for distributed computing rapidly led industries to develop frameworks for streaming and big-data processing, like Apache Storm and Spark. The definition of methodologies and principles for good software design is, therefore, fundamental to support the development of DIAs. This paper presents an approach for non-functional analysis of DIAs through DVerT, a tool for the architectural assessment of Storm applications. The verification is based on a translation of Storm topologies into the CLTLoc metric temporal logic. It allows the designer of a Storm application to check for the existence of components that cannot process their workload in a timely manner, typically due to an incorrect design of the topology.
Computer aided diagnosis with boosted learning for anomaly detection in microwave tomography
Authors: Pack Chulwoo , Son Seong-Ho , Shin Sung
Published: November 2017

Most recently developed Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems and their related research is based on medical images that are usually obtained through conventional imaging techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), x-ray mammography, and ultrasound. With the development of a new imaging technology called Microwave Tomography Imaging (MTI), it has become inevitable to develop a CAD system that can show improved performance using the new format of data. In this paper, we propose the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) model taking MT data as an input and we boost the learning process by using Dynamic Learning Rate (DLR) and momentum. In order to eliminate the indeterminate equation problem, we optimize the number of weights to the number of the training data. To make the model capable of escaping the local minima problem, we assign the learning rate dynamically. Since training a network with data having uneven distribution for the all possible classes can cause the network to be biased to the majority class, our model assign the low learning rate if unseen data belongs to the majority class. Along with this strategy, to speed up a back-propagation, the model employs the momentum optimizer to reduce the convergence time. In experiment, we train the model with two different datasets, 15 and 30, and evaluate the performance by the following measures; precision, recall, specificity, accuracy, and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC). Differences in each measure are assessed by paired t-tests at the significance level of 0.01 for validation purposes. The results show that the proposed model outperforms the conventional model for the overall measures but only precision, accuracy, and MCC are statistically significant.
Bio-Behavioral Sensing
Authors: Sabharwal Ashutosh , Veeraraghavan Ashok
Published: November 2017

There is now a significant body of evidence that links human behavior to human health and well-being. In fact, for some behaviors like smoking, the harm to health is so well documented that it has led to public health policies, such as banning smoking inside buildings. Similarly, there is also growing evidence documenting the health benefits of many behaviors, e.g., regular exercise and healthy eating. However, we are only beginning to understand the deep bi-directional connections between human behavior and biology, largely powered by the rapidly increasing body of knowledge from the field of behavioral epigenetics. Since 2000, an explosion of results are unraveling the two-way pathways of how our molecular biology influences our behavior and how our behavior influences our molecular biology
An Overview of 3GPP Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything Standards
Authors: Wang Xuyu , Mao Shiwen , Gong Michelle X.
Published: November 2017

With the growth of mobile data and devices, cellular networks have great potential to support various vehicular communication services for safety and non-safety applications. This paper presents an overview of the 3GPP cellular vehicle-to-everything (V2X) standards. We discuss various aspects of V2X standards, including types of V2X application support in 3GPP, requirements to support eV2X scenarios, different levels of automation, comparison of V2X and IEEE 802.11p, architecture, spectrum usage, and security and privacy for V2X services. Finally, we conclude this article with a review of typical V2X applications
Autophagy and Inflammation
Authors: Matsuzawa-Ishimoto Yu , Hwang Seungmin , Cadwell Ken
Published: November 2017

The cellular degradative pathway of autophagy has a fundamental role in immunity. Here, we review the function of autophagy and autophagy proteins in inflammation. We discuss how the autophagy machinery controls the burden of infectious agents while simultaneously limiting inflammatory pathologies, which often involves processes that are distinct from conventional autophagy. Among the newly emerging processes we describe are LC3-associated phagocytosis and targeting by autophagy proteins, both of which require many of the same proteins that mediate conventional autophagy. We also discuss how autophagy contributes to differentiation of myeloid and lymphoid cell types, coordinates multicellular immunity, and facilitates memory responses. Together, these functions establish an intimate link between autophagy, mucosal immunity, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Finally, we offer our perspective on current challenges and barriers to translation.
New Insights into Lymphoma Pathogenesis
Authors: Elenitoba-Johnson Kojo S.J. , Lim Megan S.
Published: November 2017

Lymphomas represent clonal proliferations of lymphocytes that are broadly classified based upon their maturity (peripheral or mature versus precursor) and lineage (B cell, T cell, and natural killer cell). Insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in lymphoma impact the classification of lymphoma and have significant implications for the diagnosis and clinical management of patients. Serial scientific and technologic advances over the last 30 years in immunology, cytogenetics, molecular biology, gene expression profiling, mass spectrometry–based proteomics, and, more recently, next-generation sequencing have contributed to greatly enhance our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms in lymphoma. Novel and emerging concepts that challenge our previously accepted paradigms about lymphoma biology and how these impact diagnosis, molecular testing, disease monitoring, drug development, and personalized and precision medicine for lymphoma are discussed.
Epithelial immunity: priming defensive responses in the intestinal mucosa
Authors: Pardo-Camacho Cristina , González-Castro Ana M , Rodiño-Janeiro Bruno K , Pigrau Marc , Vicario María
Published: November 2017

As the largest interface between the outside and internal milieu, the intestinal epithelium constitutes the first structural component facing potential luminal threats to homeostasis. This single-cell layer is the epicenter of a tightly regulated communication network between external and internal factors that converge to prime defensive responses aimed at limiting antigen penetration and the maintenance of intestinal barrier function. The defensive role developed by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) relies largely on the variety of receptors they express at both extracellular (apical and basolateral) and intracellular compartments, and the capacity of IEC to communicate with immune and nervous systems. IEC recognize pathogen-associated molecules by innate receptors that promote the production of mucus, antimicrobial substances, and immune mediators. Epithelial cells are key to oral tolerance maintenance and also participate in adaptive immunity through the expression of immunoglobulin (Ig) receptors and by promoting local Ig class switch recombination. In IEC, different types of antigens can be sensed by multiple immune receptors that share signaling pathways to assure effective responses. Regulated defensive activity maintains intestinal homeostasis, whereas a breakdown in the control of epithelial immunity can increase the intestinal passage of luminal content and microbial invasion, leading to inflammation and tissue damage. In this review, we provide an updated overview of the type of immune receptors present in the human intestinal epithelium and the responses generated to promote effective barrier function and maintain mucosal homeostasis.
Synthesis and In Vitro AMPK Activation of Cycloalkyl/Alkarylbiguanides with Robust In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Action
Authors: Gutierrez-Lara Erika , Martínez-Conde Carlos , Rosales-Ortega Edgar , Ramírez-Espinosa Juan José , Rivera-Leyva Julio C. , Centurión David , Carvajal Karla , Ortega-Cuellar Daniel , Estrada-Soto Samuel , Navarrete-Vázquez Gabriel
Published: November 2017

This work describes the design, synthesis in one step, and the in vitro, in vivo, and in silico antidiabetic evaluation of a series of ten alicyclic and aromatic (alkyl +aryl: alkaryl)biguanides, analogues of metformin and phenformin. The design was conceived using isosteric replacement, chain-ring transformation, and lower and higher homologation strategies. All compounds were obtained as crystals and their structure was confirmed on the basis of their spectral data (NMR and mass spectra), and their purity was ascertained by microanalysis. Compounds were in vitro evaluated as activators of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). The results indicated that compounds 4, 5, and 6 showed similar or even better effect compared to metformin. Docking analysis was performed with regulatory subunit γ of AMPK, showing several interactions with nucleotide binding pocket. The in vivo evaluation of compounds 4–6 at a single dose of 50 mg/kg was performed in a murine experimental model of diabetes. The results showed an important and robust decrease of plasmatic glucose levels (−40%). Compound 6 was selected for an oral glucose tolerance test, showing an antihyperglycemic effect similar to metformin. The in vivo results indicated that compounds 4–6 may be effective in treating experimental T2DM.
Simulation of the Impacts of Urbanization on Winter Meteorological Fields over the Pearl River Delta Region
Authors: Luo Naixing , Zeng Liping , Lin Wenshi , Li Fangzhou , Jiang Baolin , Li Jiangnan
Published: November 2017

The influences of urbanization on weather in Guangdong Province, China, were studied using the Weather Research and Forecasting model from 31 December 2009 through 3 January 2010. Model outputs were compared with extensive monitoring of meteorological data to examine the simulation ability. Model results between tests (with and without land-use change) show that the urbanization had major effects on meteorological fields across nearly the entire Pearl River Delta region and particularly in urban areas. Studied fields (wind speed, temperature, precipitation, and sensible and latent heat fluxes) were affected by the urbanization of the PRD region. The major influences occurred in urban areas, where wind speeds decreased greatly, while the daytime surface upward sensible heat flux clearly increased. Unlike the sensible heat flux, the latent heat flux had a nonmonotonic increase or decrease. As a consequence of the two heat fluxes, 2-m temperature varied with location and time. Change of precipitation was complex. The main rain band became more concentrated, while precipitation decreased upwind of the urban area and increased downwind.
Research on Rapid Identification and Evaluation Technology for Gas Formation during Underbalanced Drilling
Authors: Wu Hao , Chen Ping , Fan Xiangyu , Xia Hongquan , Wang Junrui , Wang Junli , Wu Jian
Published: November 2017

The underbalanced drilling (UBD) technology has been widely implemented due to its advantages in drilling efficiency improvement and cost reduction. However, this advanced technology requires very special equipment and operational mechanism, which raises multiple challenges to traditional well logging techniques. In this study, a real-time logging system (MWD/LWD and mud logging) was developed and utilized during underbalanced drilling, to quickly identify and evaluate gas formation. This advanced system enables fast detection of gas formation and determining the formation type while drilling, by monitoring the changes in gas production. This real-time logging system provides a powerful technical support to the gas reservoir drilling and development. A case study has clearly shown that the interpretation and evaluation results based on the real-time logging data agree well with the results of conventional well logging. Therefore, this advanced real-time logging technique can be utilized as an effective guidance for field operation.
A Novel and Chemoselective Process ofN-Alkylation of Aromatic Nitrogen Compounds Using Quaternary Ammonium Salts as Starting Material
Authors: González-González Carlos A. , Vega Juan Javier Mejía , Monroy Ricardo García , González-Calderón Davir , Corona-Becerril David , Fuentes-Benítes Aydeé , Mascarúa Joaquín Tamariz , González-Romero Carlos
Published: November 2017

The process ofN-alkylation of several pyrroles, indoles, and derivative heterocycles is herein described, using quaternary ammonium salts as the source of an alkylating agent. These reactions were carried out on several heterocyclic rings with triethylbenzylammonium chloride or tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and an NaOH solution at 50%, leading to a chemoselectiveN-alkylated product and an average yield of 73%. This is an alternative process to the traditional benzylation and methylation ofN-heterocycles with direct handling of alkyl halides.
Dynamical Analysis, Synchronization, Circuit Design, and Secure Communication of a Novel Hyperchaotic System
Authors: Xiong Li , Liu Zhenlai , Zhang Xinguo
Published: November 2017

This paper is devoted to introduce a novel fourth-order hyperchaotic system. The hyperchaotic system is constructed by adding a linear feedback control level based on a modified Lorenz-like chaotic circuit with reduced number of amplifiers. The local dynamical entities, such as the basic dynamical behavior, the divergence, the eigenvalue, and the Lyapunov exponents of the new hyperchaotic system, are all investigated analytically and numerically. Then, an active control method is derived to achieve global chaotic synchronization of the novel hyperchaotic system through making the synchronization error system asymptotically stable at the origin based on Lyapunov stability theory. Next, the proposed novel hyperchaotic system is applied to construct another new hyperchaotic system with circuit deformation and design a new hyperchaotic secure communication circuit. Furthermore, the implementation of two novel electronic circuits of the proposed hyperchaotic systems is presented, examined, and realized using physical components. A good qualitative agreement is shown between the simulations and the experimental results around 500 kHz and below 1 MHz.
Preclinical Antileukemia Activity of Tramesan: A Newly Identified Bioactive Fungal Metabolite
Authors: Ricciardi M. R. , Licchetta R. , Mirabilii S. , Scarpari M. , Parroni A. , Fabbri A. A. , Cescutti P. , Reverberi M. , Fanelli C. , Tafuri A.
Published: November 2017

Despite improvements that occurred in the last decades in the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment, clinical results are still unsatisfactory. More effective therapies are required, and innovative approaches are ongoing, including the discovery of novel antileukemia natural compounds. Several studies have described the activity of extracts from mushrooms which produce compounds that exhibited immunological and antitumor activities. The latter has been demonstrated to be promoted in vitro by mushroom polysaccharides via induction of apoptosis. However, the antileukemia activity of these compounds on primary cells is still not reported. In the present study, we examined the in vitro effects of Tramesan (TR), a bioactive compound extracted from Trametes versicolor, on leukemic cell lines and primary cells. Our results demonstrated that TR induced a marked growth inhibition of leukemic cell lines and primary cells from AML patients. The antiproliferative effects of TR were associated in primary AML cells with a significant increase of apoptosis. No significant cytotoxic effects were observed in normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from healthy donors. Our data demonstrated a cytotoxic activity of TR on leukemia cells prompting further translational applications. Ongoing studies are elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying its antileukemic activity.
Pleomorphic Adenoma Originating from Heterotopic Salivary Tissue of the Upper Neck: A Diagnostic Pitfall
Authors: La Macchia Riccardo , Stefanelli Salvatore , Lenoir Vincent , Dulguerov Nicolas , Pache Jean-Claude , Becker Minerva
Published: November 2017

Pleomorphic adenoma directly arising in the neck is thought to originate from heterotopic salivary gland tissue. In this article, we present the case of a 55-year-old female patient with a histologically proven pleomorphic adenoma located at the left mandibular angle, anteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and posteroinferiorly to the submandibular gland. As the patient also had an ipsilateral thyroid nodule with coarse calcifications, clinical and radiological features suggested a possible level II metastatic lymph node. However, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and postsurgery histopathological examination revealed a pleomorphic adenoma arising from heterotopic salivary gland tissue unrelated to a benign thyroid nodule. In this article, we provide a review of the existing literature on heterotopic salivary gland tissue and related neoplasms and discuss their imaging presentation.
A Case of MDMA-Associated Cerebral and Pulmonary Edema Requiring ECMO
Authors: Thakkar A. , Parekh K. , El Hachem K. , Mohanraj E. M.
Published: November 2017

A 20-year-old female presented with confusion, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and severe hyponatremia after ingesting 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Brain computed tomography (CT) demonstrated cerebral edema. Her hospital course was rapidly complicated by respiratory failure and shock requiring intubation and vasopressors. Refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was diagnosed which was unresponsive to conventional and salvage therapies, requiring initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), leading to normalization of oxygenation parameters. Hyponatremia was corrected and the encephalopathy resolved. The patient was decannulated and extubated after three days. MDMA-induced hyponatremia is hypothesized to result from enhanced serotonergic activity and arginine vasopressin (AVP) release in the brain leading to hyperthermia-induced polydipsia and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. A common but often unrecognized complication of severe hyponatremia is the Ayus-Arieff syndrome where cerebral edema causes neurogenic pulmonary edema via centrally mediated increases in catecholamine release and capillary injury. For our patient, ECMO was required for three days while the hyponatremia was corrected which led to rapid clearing of the cerebral edema and neurogenic pulmonary edema. This case illustrates that, in selecting patients with refractory ARDS from MDMA-associated cerebral and pulmonary edema, ECMO may be a temporizing and life-saving modality of treatment.