bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the audit committees of government ministries in Namibia: Their compositions, functions and regulations
Authors: Kandandu Angela Winnie , Beukes Edwin , Benedict Olumide Henrie
Published: December 2016

The aim of the underlying study to this paper is to evaluate the audit committees in the government ministries in Namibia; by assessing their composition, the function and regulations that govern committees. The study used a qualitative approach of inquiry. A purposive sampling method was used as the researcher selected ministries with audit committees. Thematic and content analysis was used in this study. Both primary and secondary and data were used. On primary data, interviews were conducted and recorded with a voice recorder. Secondary data was during the review of existing literature on the subject. The study found that from the 4 government ministries with audit committees, only one ministry consisted of independent members as well as an independent chairperson, while 3 ministries are chaired by members within their organisations. There was clear evidence of lack of accounting / financial /auditing competence among the committee members. This trend is contrary to the best practice which requires that the chairperson of the audit committees be independent of the ministry as well as the members of the audit committee. The finding indicates possibility of lack of capacity to carry out the functions of audit committees; weak internal control systems; chances of conflict of interest and complacency due to the lack of independence. There is avenue for further research as more ministries in Namibia are now establishing their audit committees, especially as the Namibian Code of Corporate Governance (the NamCode) gains more popularity among the public sector.
Public works programmes in South Africa: Experience and the problem of their limited use
Authors: Biyase Mduduzi , Bromberger Norman
Published: December 2016

South Africa is experiencing high (and possibly rising) levels of unemployment and poverty despite government efforts to reduce them. Public works programme (PWPs) is one of the strategies used by the government to tackle unemployment and poverty. The aim of this paper is to provide a survey of alternative specifications, or design options, which may be adopted —with some illustrations from cross country experience and some evidence about the comparative desirability of some of the options. And to shed some light on the South African experience in recent years with PWPs. The interesting question here will be what prospects there are for a successful expansion of the scale on which they are run and why these prospects are not better than they appear to be.
Does corporate governance matter after all? governance scores and the value of Canadian companies
Authors: Perez-de Toledo Eloisa , Bocatto Evandro
Published: December 2016

This study assesses the determinants of governance in the case of Canadian firms and examines the relationship between governance and firm value after the 2008 financial crisis. We estimate the effect of governance on stock return by using different econometric approaches. Our results show that large firms and firms with higher market-to-book value adopt better standards of governance. However, the results show a negative impact of governance on stock return. Therefore, providing important insights to policy makers that have recently proposed changes to the Canadian regulatory system. Our results show a lack of market enforcement, therefore, self-regulation is unlikely to be an effective mechanism for implementation of best practices of governance.
Causes and outcomes of customer satisfaction in business-to-business markets relationship marketing in the South African cement manufacturing industry
Authors: Mbango Phineas
Published: December 2016

Close relationships between cement manufacturers and their customers in business-to-business markets are becoming a necessity in today’s competitive markets. The literature search reveals that, three constructs of relationship marketing (trust, commitment and satisfaction) are the most studied and well known. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by adding two constructs (supplier competencies and communication) as vital causes to customer satisfaction and the outcome being customer loyalty and cooperation. The study produced a framework of dimensions of relationship marketing in the South African Cement Industry and its hoped will help marketing managers in the industry and related sectors in coming up with relationship marketing strategies that can go a long way in helping them retain, attract, satisfy, and achieve long-term profitable relationships for both the supplier and the customer. A judgemental sample of major cement customers (362) throughout South Africa’s nine provinces were contacted using face-to-face interview technique with self-administered questionnaires. The results support the conceptual model presented; supplier competencies, trust, commitment and communication have a positive association with satisfaction; and satisfaction, in turn, relates positively to all the two outcomes of cooperation and loyalty. It is recommended that a cement manufacturer must invest in strategies that enhance trust, communication, commitment and supplier competencies in order to satisfy its customers who will in turn contribute to customer cooperation and loyalty.
Exploring the economic significance of small and medium enterprises
Authors: Fanta Ashenafi Beyene
Published: December 2016

This paper aims at providing a detailed account of economic significance of small and medium enterprises by drawing on the extant body of empirical literature. It has been noted that studies on the link between SME development and economic growth are inconclusive. While modeling growth in the SME sector and its impact on economic development is a matter of ongoing scientific investigation, we emphasized on the most conspicuous economic benefits of SMEs that includes, among others, job creation, contribution to national output, reducing income inequality and poverty. We believe this may help researchers frame their future investigations in line with the benefits discussed in the paper.
Box-Jenkins transfer function framework applied to saving-investment nexus in the South African context
Authors: Moroke Ntebogang Dinah
Published: December 2016

This paper studied the relationship between investment and savings in South Africa for the period 1990 quarter 1 to 2014 quarter 3. The unit root test confirmed the non-stationarity of the series prior to first differencing. The correlation coefficient and the model assessing a full capacity mobility hypothesis were significant and passed all the diagnostic examinations. The estimated parameter provided evidence of imperfect capital mobility. ARIMAX (5, 1, 0) out-performed all the five models and was used for pre-whitening process. This model was later used to produce a two year forecasts of investment. The error forecast measure provided enough evidence to conclude that ARIMAX (5, 1, 0) provided valid forecasts. These results are recommended when embarking on future saving-investment plans in South Africa.
A theory of strain-gradient plasticity with effect of internal microforce
Authors: Borokinni Adebowale , Akinola Adegbola , Layeni Olawanle
Published: December 2016

This paper develops a theory of strain gradient plasticity for isotropic bodies undergoing small deformation in the absence of plastic spin. The proposed theory is based on a system of microstresses which include a microstress vector consistent with microforce balance; the mechanical form of the second law of thermodynamics which includes work performed by the microstresses during plastic flow; and a constitutive theory that allows the free energy to depend on the elastic strain E??, divergence of plastic strain div E?? and the Burgers tensor G. Substitution of the constitutive relations into the microforce balance leads to a nonlinear partial differential equation in the plastic strain known as flow rule which captures the presence of an additional energetic length scale arising from the accounting of microstress vector. In addition to the flow rule, nonstandard boundary conditions are obtained, and as an aid to finite element solution a variational formulation of the flow rule is deduced. Finite element solution is obtained of one-dimensional problem of viscoplastic simple shearing under gravity force, where it is shown that for a fixed dissipative length scale, increase in the energetic length scales will result in decrease in the plastic strain.
The impact of military life on the well-being of children in single-parent military families
Authors: Skomorovsky Alla , Norris Deborah , Bullock Amanda , Smith Evans Kimberly
Published: December 2016

Introduction: The military lifestyle presents unique challenges to children from military families, such as frequent family separations due to operational deployments and training. There is little evidence on how children in single-parent military families adjust to the demands of military life. The current study examined the impact of military life on the well-being and quality of child–parent relationships in single-parent Canadian Armed Forces families. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with 65 single parents from several locations in Canada. Parents were asked about their satisfaction with the quality of the child–parent relationship, their child's well-being, and the phases of deployment presenting the most challenges to their child. Results: Most parents reported that their children were doing well; however, deployment was identified as a major stressor that took a toll on children's well-being. Moreover, for some families, deployment reduced the quality of the child–parent relationship. Discussion: The findings are discussed by comparing the similarities and differences in child well-being and the child–parent relationship within single-parent military families to those within single-parent civilian families and dual-parent military families.
Robustness of the neurological prognostic score in brain metastasis patients treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Authors: Serizawa Toru , Higuchi Yoshinori , Nagano Osamu , Matsuda Shinji , Aoyagi Kyoko , Ono Junichi , Saeki Naokatsu , Iwadate Yasuo , Hirai Tatsuo , Takemoto Shinya , Shibamoto Yuta
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

The neurological prognostic score (NPS) was recently proposed as a means for predicting neurological outcomes, such as the preservation of neurological function and the prevention of neurological death, in brain metastasis patients treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). NPS consists of 2 groups: Group A patients were expected to have better neurological outcomes, and Group B patients were expected to have poorer outcomes. NPS robustness was tested in various situations.

METHODS

In total, 3040 patients with brain metastases that were treated with GKRS were analyzed. The cumulative incidence of the loss of neurological function independence (i.e., neurological deterioration) was estimated using competing risk analysis, and NPS was compared between Groups A and B by employing Gray's model. NPS was tested to determine if it can be applied to 5 cancer categories—non–small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, gastrointestinal tract cancer, breast cancer, and other cancers—as well as if it can be incorporated into the 5 major grading systems: recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), score index for stereotactic radiosurgery (SIR), basic score for brain metastases (BSBM), graded prognostic assessment (GPA), and modified-RPA (M-RPA).

RESULTS

There were 2263 patients in NPS Group A and 777 patients in Group B. Neurological deterioration was observed in 586 patients (19.2%). The cumulative incidences of neurological deterioration were 9.5% versus 21.0%, 14.1% versus 25.4%, and 17.6% versus 27.8% in NPS Groups A and B at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. Significant differences were detected between the NPS groups in all cancer categories. There were significant differences between NPS Groups A and B for all classes in terms of the BSBM, GPA, and M-RPA systems, but the differences failed to reach statistical significance in terms of RPA Class I and SIR Class 0 to 3.

CONCLUSIONS

The NPS was verified as being highly applicable to all cancer categories and almost all classes for the 5 grading systems in terms of neurological function independence. This NPS system appears to be quite robust in various situations for brain metastasis patients treated with GKRS.
C-2 arteriovenous fistula presenting as a pathologic hangman's fracture: case report
Authors: Sen Rajeev D. , Benjamin Carolina Gesteira , Riina Howard A. , Pacione Donato
Published: December 2016

The authors report on an 81-year-old woman with a pathologic hangman's fracture secondary to a complex arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The patient presented with severe, unremitting neck pain and was found to have fractures bilaterally through the pars interarticularis of C-2 with significant anterior subluxation of C-2 over C-3 along with widening of the left transverse foramen. Due to an abnormally appearing left vertebral artery (VA) on CT angiography, the patient underwent conventional angiography, which revealed a complex AVF stemming from the left VA at the level of C-2 with dilated posterior cervical veins and a large venous varix. Given the radiographic evidence of bone remodeling and the chronicity of the AVF, it is believed that the C-2 vertebra was weakened over time by the pulsatile and compressive force of the vascular malformation eventually leading to fracture with minimal stress. Coil embolization of the AVF was performed followed by surgical fixation of C-1 to C-4. This case highlights the importance of investigating an underlying disease process in patients who present with significant spinal fractures in the absence of trauma.
Size and location of ruptured intracranial aneurysms: consecutive series of 1993 hospital-admitted patients
Authors: Korja Miikka , Kivisaari Riku , Rezai Jahromi Behnam , Lehto Hanna
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

Large consecutive series on the size and location of ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIAs) are limited, and therefore it has been difficult to estimate population-wide effects of size-based treatment strategies of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. The authors' aim was to define the size and location of RIAs in patients diagnosed with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysm rupture in a high-volume academic center.

METHODS

Consecutive patients admitted to a large nonprofit academic hospital with saccular RIAs between 1995 and 2009 were identified, and the size, location, and multiplicity of RIAs were defined and reported by patient sex.

RESULTS

In the study cohort of 1993 patients (61% women) with saccular RIAs, the 4 most common locations of RIAs were the middle cerebral (32%), anterior communicating (32%), posterior communicating (14%), and pericallosal arteries (5%). However, proportional distribution of RIAs varied considerably by sex; for example, RIAs of the anterior communicating artery were more frequently found in men than in women. Anterior circulation RIAs accounted for 90% of all RIAs, and 30% of the patients had multiple intracranial aneurysms. The median size (measured as maximum diameter) of all RIAs was 7 mm (range 1–43 mm), but the size varied considerably by location. For example, RIAs of the ophthalmic artery had a median size of 11 mm, whereas the median size of RIAs of the pericallosal artery was 6 mm. Of all RIAs, 68% were smaller than 10 mm in maximum diameter.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large consecutive series of RIAs, 83% of all RIAs were found in 4 anterior circulation locations. The majority of RIAs were small, but the size and location varied considerably by sex. The presented data may be of help in defining effective prevention strategies.
International multicenter cohort study of pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations. Part 1: Predictors of hemorrhagic presentation
Authors: Ding Dale , Starke Robert M. , Kano Hideyuki , Mathieu David , Huang Paul P. , Feliciano Caleb , Rodriguez-Mercado Rafael , Almodovar Luis , Grills Inga S. , Silva Danilo , Abbassy Mahmoud , Missios Symeon , Kondziolka Douglas , Barnett Gene H. , Dade Lunsford L. , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the most common cause of spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage in pediatric patients (age < 18 years). Since the cumulative lifetime risk of AVM hemorrhage is considerable in children, an improved understanding of the risk factors influencing hemorrhagic presentation may aid in the management of pediatric AVMs. The aims of this first of a 2-part multicenter, retrospective cohort study are to evaluate the incidence and determine the predictors of hemorrhagic presentation in pediatric AVM patients.

METHODS

The authors analyzed pooled AVM radiosurgery data from 7 institutions participating in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation (IGKRF). Patients younger than 18 years at the time of radiosurgery and who had at least 12 months of follow-up were included in the study cohort. Patient and AVM characteristics were compared between unruptured and ruptured pediatric AVMs.

RESULTS

A total of 357 pediatric patients were eligible for analysis, including 112 patients in the unruptured and 245 patients in the ruptured AVM cohorts (69% incidence of hemorrhagic presentation). The annual hemorrhage rate prior to radiosurgery was 6.3%. Hemorrhagic presentation was significantly more common in deep locations (basal ganglia, thalamus, and brainstem) than in cortical locations (frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes) (76% vs 62%, p = 0.006). Among the factors found to be significantly associated with hemorrhagic presentation in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, deep venous drainage (OR 3.2, p < 0.001) was the strongest independent predictor, followed by female sex (OR 1.7, p = 0.042) and smaller AVM volume (OR 1.1, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Unruptured and ruptured pediatric AVMs have significantly different patient and nidal features. Pediatric AVM patients who possess 1 or more of these high-risk features may be candidates for relatively more aggressive management strategies.
Autotaxin is Related to Metabolic Dysfunction and Predicts Alzheimer’s Disease Outcomes
Authors: McLimans Kelsey E. , Willette Auriel A. ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: December 2016

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance are associated with neuropathology and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Objective: Ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2, also called autotaxin, is produced by beige adipose tissue, regulates metabolism, and is higher in AD prefrontal cortex (PFC). Autotaxin may be a novel biomarker of dysmetabolism and AD.

Methods: We studied Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative participants who were cognitively normal (CN; n = 86) or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 135) or AD ( n = 66). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Multinomial regression analyses tested if higher autotaxin was associated with higher relative risk for MCI or AD diagnosis, compared to the CN group. Linear mixed model analyses were used to regress autotaxin against MRI, FDG-PET, and cognitive outcomes. Spearman correlations were used to associate autotaxin and CSF biomarkers due to non-normality. FreeSurfer 4.3 derived mean cortical thickness in medial temporal lobe and prefrontal regions of interest.

Results: Autotaxin levels were significantly higher in MCI and AD. Each point increase in log-based autotaxin corresponded to a 3.5 to 5 times higher likelihood of having MCI and AD, respectively. Higher autotaxin in AD predicted hypometabolism in the medial temporal lobe [R2 = 0.343, p < 0.001] and PFC [R2 = 0.294, p < 0.001], and worse performance on executive function and memory factors. Autotaxin was associated with less cortical thickness in PFC areas like orbitofrontal cortex [R2 = 0.272, p < 0.001], as well as levels of total tau, p-tau181, and total tau/Aβ1–42.

Conclusions: These results are comparable to previous reports using insulin resistance. CSF autotaxin may be a useful dysmetabolism biomarker for examining AD outcomes and risk.
Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunctions as a Basis for a Predictive Model of Risk of Neurological Disorders in Subjects with Prior History of Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ho Lap , Legere Marc , Li Tongbin , Levine Samara , Hao Ke , Valcarcel Breanna , Pasinetti Giulio M.
Published: December 2016

Autonomic dysfunction is very common in patients with dementia, and its presence might also help in differential diagnosis among dementia subtypes. Various central nervous system structures affected in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are also implicated in the central autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation. For example, deficits in central cholinergic function in AD could likely lead to autonomic dysfunction. We recently developed a simple, readily applicable evaluation for monitoring ANS disturbances in response to traumatic brain injury (TBI). This ability to monitor TBI allows for the possible detection and targeted prevention of long-term, detrimental brain responses caused by TBI that lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. We randomly selected and extracted de-identified medical record information from subjects who have been assessed using the ANS evaluation protocol. Using machine learning strategies in the analysis of information from individual as well as a combination of ANS evaluation protocol components, we identified a novel prediction model that is effective in correctly segregating between cases with or without a documented history of TBI exposure. Results from our study support the hypothesis that trauma-induced ANS dysfunctions may contribute to clinical TBI features. Because autonomic dysfunction is very common in AD patients it is possible that TBI may also contribute to AD and/or other forms of dementia through these novel mechanisms. This study provides a novel prediction model to physiologically assess the likelihood of subjects with prior history of TBI to develop clinical TBI complications, such as AD.
A formal analysis of the Norwegian E-voting protocol
Authors: Cortier Véronique , Wiedling Cyrille
Published: December 2016

Norway used e-voting in its last political election both in September 2011 and September 2013, with more than 28,000 voters using the e-voting option in 2011, and 70,000 in 2013. While some other countries use a black-box, proprietary voting solution, Norway has made its system publicly available. The underlying protocol, designed by Scytl, involves several authorities (a ballot box, a receipt generator, a decryption service, and an auditor). Of course, trusting the correctness and security of e-voting protocols is crucial in that context. In this paper, we propose a formal analysis of the protocol used in Norway, w.r.t. ballot secrecy, considering several corruption scenarios. We use a state-of-the-art definition of ballot secrecy, based on equivalence properties and stated in the applied pi-calculus.
Dementia Predictors in Parkinson Disease: A Validation Study
Authors: Anang Julius B.M. , Nomura Takashi , Romenets Silvia Rios , Nakashima Kenji , Gagnon Jean-Francois , Postuma Ronald B.
Published: December 2016

In a prospective study, we recently discovered 8 clinical predictors of dementia in Parkinson’s disease. Here, we validate these dementia predictors using two additional prospective cohorts ( n = 134). After a 3.6-year follow-up, 35/134 developed dementia (7.2% per year). When confirming individual variables, 5/8 were significantly associated with dementia in the validation cohort. These included age, male sex, baseline RBD, orthostatic hypotension, and MCI. Bilateral onset, hallucinations and falls/freezing did not significantly predict dementia; however, point estimates of OR were all >1. In all cohorts, the strongest determinant for dementia development was the co-existence of RBD, MCI and orthostatic hypotension at baseline.
Impulsive and Compulsive Behaviors in Parkinson’s Disease: The Norwegian ParkWest Study
Authors: Erga Aleksander H. , Alves Guido , Larsen Jan Petter , Tysnes Ole Bj∅rn , Pedersen Kenn Freddy
Published: December 2016

Background: Impulsive and compulsive behaviors (ICBs) are frequent in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but data from population-based cohorts is lacking.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and associated demographic, clinical, neuropsychiatric and cognitive features of ICBs in a population-based PD cohort.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 125 patients with PD and 159 age- and gender-matched normal controls recruited from the Norwegian ParkWest study. Participants underwent comprehensive neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological assessments. ICBs were assessed using the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in PD short form. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the odds of ICBs between groups and to identify independent correlates of ICBs in PD.

Results: 30.4% of patients reported at least one ICB, with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–5.9) compared with controls. Multiple ICBs were experienced by 8.8% of patients vs 1.3% of controls (OR 7.6, 95% CI 1.7–34.8). Compared to controls, the ORs of having an ICB were 7.4 (95% CI 2.6–20.9) in patients taking DA without levodopa, 4.6 (95% CI 2.3–9.3) in those treated with both DA and levodopa, and 1.2 (95% CI 0.5–3.2) in patients using levodopa but not DA. In multivariate models, ICB status in patients was independently associated with DA treatment and depressive symptoms, but not with other dopaminergic medications, motor function, or cognitive performance.

Conclusions: Patients with PD treated with DA, but not other dopaminergic medications, have increased odds of having ICBs compared with age- and gender-matched controls. This has implications for individualized patient management and follow-up.
PINK1, Parkin, and Mitochondrial Quality Control: What can we Learn about Parkinson’s Disease Pathobiology?
Authors: Truban Dominika , Hou Xu , Caulfield Thomas R. , Fiesel Fabienne C. , Springer Wolfdieter
Published: December 2016

The first clinical description of Parkinson’s disease (PD) will embrace its two century anniversary in 2017. For the past 30 years, mitochondrial dysfunction has been hypothesized to play a central role in the pathobiology of this devastating neurodegenerative disease. The identifications of mutations in genes encoding PINK1 (PTEN-induced kinase 1) and Parkin (E3 ubiquitin ligase) in familial PD and their functional association with mitochondrial quality control provided further support to this hypothesis. Recent research focused mainly on their key involvement in the clearance of damaged mitochondria, a process known as mitophagy. It has become evident that there are many other aspects of this complex regulated, multifaceted pathway that provides neuroprotection. As such, numerous additional factors that impact PINK1/Parkin have already been identified including genes involved in other forms of PD. A great pathogenic overlap amongst different forms of familial, environmental and even sporadic disease is emerging that potentially converges at the level of mitochondrial quality control. Tremendous efforts now seek to further detail the roles and exploit PINK1 and Parkin, their upstream regulators and downstream signaling pathways for future translation. This review summarizes the latest findings on PINK1/Parkin-directed mitochondrial quality control, its integration and cross-talk with other disease factors and pathways as well as the implications for idiopathic PD. In addition, we highlight novel avenues for the development of biomarkers and disease-modifying therapies that are based on a detailed understanding of the PINK1/Parkin pathway.
Accuracy analysis of intrahepatic fat density measurements using dual-energy computed tomography: Validation using a test phantom
Authors: Arai Tomohiro , Misawa Masaki , Arai Miki , Shinozaki Masafumi , Sakamoto Kayo , Yajima Yoshinobu , Nozaki Yuichi , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Sato Masanori , Hinoshita Fumihiko
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND: Currently, no standardized method for measuring intrahepatic fat density via conventional computed tomography (CT) exists.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to quantify intrahepatic fat density via material decomposition analysis using rapid kilovolt peak-switching dual-energy (RSDE) CT.

METHODS: Homogenized porcine liver and fat (lard) were mixed in various ratios to produce phantoms for fat density verification. The actual fat density was measured on the basis of the phantom volume and weight, and these measurements were used as reference densities. The fat and liver mass attenuation coefficients, which were used as the material basis pairs, were employed in the material decomposition analysis. Then, the measured fat density of each phantom was compared with the reference densities.

RESULTS: For fat content differences exceeding 2%, the measured fat density for the phantoms became statistically significant ( p < 0.01). The correlation between the reference densities and RSDE-measured fat densities was reasonably high ( R > 0.9997); this indicates the validity of this analysis method.

CONCLUSIONS: Intrahepatic fat density can be measured using the mass attenuation coefficients of fat and liver in a material decomposition analysis. Given the knowledge of the accuracy and the limitations found in this study, our method can quantitatively evaluate fat density.
Medical equipment antiseptic processes using the atmospheric plasma sprayed copper coatings
Authors: Goudarzi M. , Saviz Sh. , Ghoranneviss M. , Salar Elahi A.
Published: December 2016

Antibacterial surfaces such as copper coatings are able to reduce the growth of bacteria. In this study, copper coatings was deposited on the 316 stainless steel substrates by a handmade device operating as an atmospheric plasma spraying system. The chemical composition microstructure and morphology surface of the coatings are examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and back scattering electron microscope (BSE). Micro hardness as one of the key properties of the coating is characterized based on cross-section. We also evaluate the thickness and the adhesion strength of the coating. Dissection material of coating is performed by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Further, the antibacterial activity of our coatings is assessed by both gram negative Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus PTCC 1112 bacteria. As the last step, the antibacterial performance of the coated stainless steel surface with copper are compared to uncoated one. Results confirm that the copper coatings improve the antibacterial property of substrates and owning fine antibacterial behavior compared to stainless steel.
Computer-aided classification of mammographic masses using visually sensitive image features
Authors: Wang Yunzhi , Aghaei Faranak , Zarafshani Ali , Qiu Yuchen , Qian Wei , Zheng Bin
Published: December 2016

PURPOSE: To develop a new computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme that computes visually sensitive image features routinely used by radiologists to develop a machine learning classifier and distinguish between the malignant and benign breast masses detected from digital mammograms.

METHODS: An image dataset including 301 breast masses was retrospectively selected. From each segmented mass region, we computed image features that mimic five categories of visually sensitive features routinely used by radiologists in reading mammograms. We then selected five optimal features in the five feature categories and applied logistic regression models for classification. A new CAD interface was also designed to show lesion segmentation, computed feature values and classification score.

RESULTS: Areas under ROC curves (AUC) were 0.786±0.026 and 0.758±0.027 when to classify mass regions depicting on two view images, respectively. By fusing classification scores computed from two regions, AUC increased to 0.806±0.025.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a new approach to develop CAD scheme based on 5 visually sensitive image features. Combining with a “visual aid” interface, CAD results may be much more easily explainable to the observers and increase their confidence to consider CAD generated classification results than using other conventional CAD approaches, which involve many complicated and visually insensitive texture features.
Vavilov and FIAN: a perspective from 2016
Authors: Vitukhnovsky A G
Published: December 2016

The 2016 celebration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Academician S I Vavilov, the outstanding physicist of the last century, provides an opportunity to compare what is going on today at the Russian Academy of Sciences (reforms, new members election, etc.) to the days long ago that preceded the foundation of the P N Lebedev Physical Institute (FIAN). The role of S I Vavilov and his academician colleagues in fighting bureaucracy and bureaucrats to create real academic science in our country is examined in this short paper.
Linear Algorithms for Radioelectric Spectrum Forecast
Authors: Pedraza Luis , Hernandez Cesar , Paez Ingrid , Ortiz Jorge , Rodriguez-Colina E.
Published: December 2016

This paper presents the development and evaluation of two linear algorithms for forecasting reception power for different channels at an assigned spectrum band of global systems for mobile communications (GSM), in order to analyze the spatial opportunity for reuse of frequencies by secondary users (SUs) in a cognitive radio (CR) network. The algorithms employed correspond to seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH), which allow for a forecast of channel occupancy status. Results are evaluated using the following criteria: availability and occupancy time for channels, different types of mean absolute error, and observation time. The contributions of this work include a more integral forecast as the algorithm not only forecasts reception power but also the occupancy and availability time of a channel to determine its precision percentage during the use by primary users (PUs) and SUs within a CR system. Algorithm analyses demonstrate a better performance for SARIMA over GARCH algorithm in most of the evaluated variables.
Variation and Correlations among European and North American Orchardgrass Germplasm for Herbage Yield and Nutritive Value
Authors: Robins Joseph , Bushman B. , Feuerstein Ulf , Blaser Greg
Published: December 2016

Efforts to improve water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations are common in perennial forage grass breeding. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) breeding has been very successful in developing new cultivars with high WSC and high agronomic performance. Breeding efforts are ongoing to improve the WSC of other perennial forage grasses, such as orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata). The United States Department of Agriculture Forage and Range and Deutsche Saatveredelung orchardgrass breeding programs cooperated to characterize the expression and genotype by environment interaction (GEI) of water-soluble carbohydrates in a collection of orchardgrass populations from both breeding programs. Additionally, the effort characterized the relationship between water-soluble carbohydrates and other agronomic and nutritive value traits in these populations. Overall, the Deutsche Saatveredelung populations had higher herbage mass (15%), rust resistance (59%), and later maturity. The Forage and Range Research populations had higher water-soluble carbohydrates (4%), nutritive value, and earlier maturity. However, results were highly dependent on GEI. Differences were very pronounced at the French and German field locations, but less pronounced at the two US locations. Combining the germplasm from the Forage and Range Research and Deutsche Saatveredelung programs may be a way to develop an improved base germplasm source that could then be used separately in the EU and US for water-soluble carbohydrate and other trait improvement.
The Effect of Lupinus albus and Calcium Chloride on Growth Performance, Body Composition, Plasma Biochemistry and Meat Quality of Male Pigs Immunized Against Gonadotrophin Releasing Factor
Authors: Moore Karen , Mullan Bruce , Kim Jae , Dunshea Frank
Published: December 2016

Two hundred and ninety-four pigs were used to assess the effect of two ingredients (Lupinus albus (albus lupins) or a combination of calcium chloride and sodium tri-polyphosphate (mineral salts)) on growth performance, body composition and objective meat quality of pigs immunized against gonadotrophin releasing factor (immunocastrates) and entire male pigs in the late finishing phase. Pigs fed mineral salts ate less feed than those fed the control diet with no effect on growth rate (p > 0.05), backfat (p > 0.05) or fat deposition (p > 0.05). Pigs fed albus lupins had a reduced feed intake (p < 0.001 for all time periods), lower growth rate (p < 0.001 for all time periods), lower backfat (p < 0.005) and decreased fat deposition (p < 0.001 for all time periods) compared to those fed the control diet or mineral salts. From day (d) 0–28 pigs fed mineral salts had a better feed conversion ratio (p = 0.001) than those fed albus lupins who in turn had an improved feed conversion compared to the control diet. Immunocastrates had thicker backfat than entire males at the end of the experiment (p < 0.001), however, feeding albus lupins to immunocastrated males reduced backfat thickness to similar to entire males fed the control diet (p = 0.01). With the exception of the increased muscle pH at 45 minutes post-exsanguination in mineral salts and albus lupins compared with the control diet (p = 0.03) there was no effect of diet on objective pork quality. Pork from IC males had a higher ultimate pH (p < 0.001), was lighter (L*; p = 0.003), more yellow (p = 0.008) and had a higher drip loss (p < 0.001) compared to entire males. Albus lupins show potential in reducing the increase in feed intake and backfat associated with immunocastration. Mineral salts may be useful in situations where a reduction in feed intake and an improvement in feed conversion is desired and reducing fat deposition is not the objective.
Characterization of Chemical Compounds with Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities in Bougainvillea x buttiana Holttum and Standl, (var. Rose) Extracts
Authors: Abarca-Vargas Rodolfo , Peña Malacara Carlos , Petricevich Vera
Published: December 2016

Bougainvillea is widely used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat several diseases. This study was designed to characterize the chemical constituents of B. x buttiana extracts with antioxidant and cytotoxic activities using different solvents. The extraction solvents used were as follows: distilled water (dH2O), methanol (MeOH), acetone (DMK), ethanol (EtOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), dichloromethane (DCM), and hexane (Hex) (100%) at an extraction temperature of 26 °C. Analysis of bioactive compounds present in the B. x buttiana extracts included the application of common phytochemical screening assays, GC-MS analysis, and cytotoxicity and antioxidant assays. The results show that the highest extraction yield was observed with water and methanol. The maximum total phenolic content amount and highest antioxidant potential were obtained when extraction with methanol was used. With the exceptions of water and ethanol extractions, all other extracts showed cytotoxicity ranging between 31% and 50%. The prevailing compounds in water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone solvents were as follows: 4H-pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3, 5-dihydroxy-6-methyl (2), 2-propenoic acid, 3-(2-hydrophenyl)-(E)- (3), and 3-O-methyl-d-glucose (6). By contrast, the major components in the experiments using solvents such as EtOH, DMK, EtOAc, DCM, and Hex were n-hexadecanoic acid (8), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z) (12); 9-octadecenoic acid (E)- (13), and stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol (28).
Discrete-Time Sliding Mode Filter with Adaptive Gain
Authors: Jin Shanhai , Jin Yonggao , Wang Xiaodan , Xiong Xiaogang
Published: December 2016

In feedback control of mechatronic systems, sensor signals are usually noisy and uncertain because of measurement errors and environmental disturbances. Such uncertainty and noise of feedback signals may cause instability of the controlled systems. This paper presents a new model-free discrete-time sliding mode filter for effectively removing noise by balancing the tradeoff between the filtering smoothness and the suppression of delay. The presented filter is an extension of a sliding mode filter (Jin et al. Real-time quadratic sliding mode filter for removing noise. Adv. Robot., 2012) by including an adaptive gain, of which value is determined in a similar way to that of a first-order adaptive windowing filter (Janabi-Sharifi et al. Discrete-time adaptive windowing for velocity estimation. IEEE Trans. Control Syst. Technol., 2000). The effectiveness of the presented filter is validated through numerical examples and experiments.
Bidimensional and Multidimensional Principal Component Analysis in Long Term Atmospheric Monitoring
Authors: Giussani Barbara , Roncoroni Simone , Recchia Sandro , Pozzi Andrea
Published: December 2016

Atmospheric monitoring produces huge amounts of data. Univariate and bivariate statistics are widely used to investigate variations in the parameters. To summarize information graphs are usually used in the form of histograms or tendency profiles (e.g., variable concentration vs. time), as well as bidimensional plots where two-variable correlations are considered. However, when dealing with big data sets at least two problems arise: a great quantity of numbers (statistics) and graphs are produced, and only two-variable interactions are often considered. The aim of this article is to show how the use of multivariate statistics helps in handling atmospheric data sets. Multivariate modeling considers all the variables simultaneously and returns the main results as bidimensional graphs that are easy-to-read. Principal Component Analysis (PCA; the most known multivariate method) and multiway-PCA (Tucker3) are compared from methodological and interpretative points of view. The article demonstrates the ability to emphasize different information depending on the data handling performed. The results and benefits achieved using a more complex model that allows for the simultaneous consideration of the entire variability of the system are compared with the results provided by the simpler but better-known model. Atmospheric monitoring (SO2, NOx, NO2, NO, and O3) data from the Lake Como Area (Italy) since 1992 to 2007 were chosen for consideration for the case study.
Decreased STAT3 Phosphorylation Mediates Cell Swelling in Ammonia-Treated Astrocyte Cultures
Authors: Jayakumar Arumugam , Curtis Kevin , Panickar Kiran , Shamaladevi Nagarajarao , Norenberg Michael
Published: December 2016

Brain edema, due largely to astrocyte swelling, and the subsequent increase in intracranial pressure and brain herniation, are major complications of acute liver failure (ALF). Elevated level of brain ammonia has been strongly implicated in the development of astrocyte swelling associated with ALF. The means by which ammonia brings about astrocyte swelling, however, is incompletely understood. Recently, oxidative/nitrosative stress and associated signaling events, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), as well as activation of the transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), have been implicated in the mechanism of ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling. Since these signaling events are known to be regulated by the transcription factor, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), we examined the state of STAT3 activation in ammonia-treated cultured astrocytes, and determined whether altered STAT3 activation and/or protein expression contribute to the ammonia-induced astrocyte swelling. STAT3 was found to be dephosphorylated (inactivated) at Tyrosine705 in ammonia-treated cultured astrocytes. Total STAT3 protein level was also reduced in ammonia-treated astrocytes. We also found a significant increase in protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type-1 (PTPRT-1) protein expression in ammonia-treated cultured astrocytes, and that inhibition of PTPRT-1 enhanced the phosphorylation of STAT3 after ammonia treatment. Additionally, exposure of cultured astrocytes to inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases diminished the ammonia-induced cell swelling, while cultured astrocytes over-expressing STAT3 showed a reduction in the astrocyte swelling induced by ammonia. Collectively, these studies strongly suggest that inactivation of STAT3 represents a critical event in the mechanism of the astrocyte swelling associated with acute liver failure.
Cellular and Molecular Preconditions for Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE) Natural Reprogramming during Retinal Regeneration in Urodela
Authors: Grigoryan Eleonora , Markitantova Yuliya
Published: December 2016

Many regeneration processes in animals are based on the phenomenon of cell reprogramming followed by proliferation and differentiation in a different specialization direction. An insight into what makes natural (in vivo) cell reprogramming possible can help to solve a number of biomedical problems. In particular, the first problem is to reveal the intrinsic properties of the cells that are necessary and sufficient for reprogramming; the second, to evaluate these properties and, on this basis, to reveal potential endogenous sources for cell substitution in damaged tissues; and the third, to use the acquired data for developing approaches to in vitro cell reprogramming in order to obtain a cell reserve for damaged tissue repair. Normal cells of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in newts (Urodela) can change their specialization and transform into retinal neurons and ganglion cells (i.e., actualize their retinogenic potential). Therefore, they can serve as a model that provides the possibility to identify factors of the initial competence of vertebrate cells for reprogramming in vivo. This review deals mainly with the endogenous properties of native newt RPE cells themselves and, to a lesser extent, with exogenous mechanisms regulating the process of reprogramming, which are actively discussed.
A Theoretical Study of Love Wave Sensors Based on ZnO–Glass Layered Structures for Application to Liquid Environments
Authors: Caliendo Cinzia , Hamidullah Muhammad
Published: December 2016

The propagation of surface acoustic Love modes along ZnO/glass-based structures was modeled and analysed with the goal of designing a sensor able to detect changes in the environmental parameters, such as liquid viscosity changes and minute amounts of mass supported in the viscous liquid medium. Love mode propagation was modeled by numerically solving the system of coupled electro-mechanical field equations and Navier–Stokes equations. The phase and group velocities and the attenuation of the acoustic wave propagating along the 30° tilted c-axis ZnO/glass structure contacting a viscous non-conductive liquid were calculated for different ZnO guiding layer thicknesses, added mass thicknesses, and liquid viscosity and density. The three sensor responses, i.e., the wave phase and group velocity, and attenuation changes are calculated for different environmental parameters and related to the sensor velocity and attenuation sensitivities. The resulted sensitivities to liquid viscosity and added mass were optimized by adjusting the ZnO guiding layer thickness corresponding to a sensitivity peak. The present analysis is valuable for the manufacture and application of the ZnO-glass structure Love wave sensors for the detection of liquid properties, such as viscosity, density and mass anchored to the sensor surface.