bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Odontogenic parakeratinized cyst resulting in exophthalmos and palatine, maxillary, and zygomatic bone erosion in a dog
Authors: Holly Vanessa L. , Zwicker Lesley A. , Starrak Gregory , Leis Marina L. , Bauer Bianca S. , Osinchuk Stephanie , Sandmeyer Lynne S. , Grahn Bruce H.
Published: December 2017

A novel case of a canine odontogenic parakeratinized cyst (COPC) that resulted in exophthalmos and palatine, maxillary, and zygomatic bone erosion in a 5‐year‐old Chihuahua dog is reported. Final diagnosis was aided by cross‐sectional imaging (magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) and confirmed with histologic examination of the cyst wall.
Fitness‐related differences in the rate of whole‐body total heat loss in exercising young healthy women are heat‐load dependent
Authors: Lamarche Dallon T. , Notley Sean R. , Poirier Martin P. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: December 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Aerobic fitness modulates heat loss, albeit the heat load at which fitness‐related differences occur in young healthy women remains unclear.

What is the main finding and its importance?

We demonstrate using direct calorimetry that fitness modulates heat loss in a heat‐load dependent manner, with differences occurring between young women of low and high fitness and matched physical characteristics when the metabolic heat load is at least 400 W in hot, dry conditions. Although fitness has been known for some time to modulate heat loss, our findings define the metabolic heat load at which fitness‐related differences occur.

Aerobic fitness has recently been shown to alter heat loss capacity in a heat‐load dependent manner in young men. However, given that sex‐related differences in heat loss capacity exist, it is unclear whether this response is consistent in women. We therefore assessed whole‐body total heat loss in young (21 ± 3 years old) healthy women matched for physical characteristics, but with low (low‐fit; 35.8 ± 4.5 ml O2 kg−1 min−1) or high aerobic fitness (high‐fit; 53.1 ± 5.1 ml O2 kg−1 min−1; both n = 8; indexed by peak oxygen consumption), during three 30 min bouts of cycling performed at increasing rates of metabolic heat production of 250 (Ex1), 325 (Ex2) and 400 W (Ex3), each separated by a 15 min recovery, in hot, dry conditions (40°C, 11% relative humidity). Whole‐body total heat loss (evaporative ± dry heat exchange) and metabolic heat production were measured using direct and indirect calorimetry, respectively. Body heat content was measured as the temporal summation of heat production and loss. Total heat loss did not differ during Ex1 (low‐fit, 215 ± 16 W; high‐fit, 231 ± 20 W; P > 0.05) and Ex2 (low‐fit, 278 ± 15 W; high‐fit, 301 ± 20 W; P > 0.05), but was lower in the low‐fit (316 ± 21 W) compared with the high‐fit women (359 ± 32 W) during Ex3 (P < 0.01). Consequently, the low‐fit group stored 1.3‐fold more heat (429 ± 61 kJ) throughout the three exercise bouts relative to the high‐fit group (330 ± 113 kJ; P < 0.05). We show that aerobic fitness independently modulates heat loss capacity during exercise in hot, dry conditions in women separated by a peak oxygen consumption of ∼17 ml O2 kg−1 min−1 starting at a metabolic heat load of 400 W.
Nutrition Knowledge Among Young Finnish Endurance Athletes and Their Coaches
Authors: Heikkilä Maria , Valve Raisa , Lehtovirta Mikko , Fogelholm Mikael
Published: December 2017

The nutrition knowledge of athletes and coaches is often inadequate. However, athletes need sufficient knowledge of this subject to understand the importance of food choices for their athletic performance, recovery, and overall health. Adequate nutrition knowledge and skills are important for coaches because they are often the most significant source of nutrition knowledge for their athletes. Most previous nutrition knowledge studies have been carried out in team sports and outside Scandinavia. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the nutrition knowledge of Finnish endurance athletes (156 males and 156 females; age = 17.9 ± 1.2 years) and their coaches (69 males and 25 females; age = 44.3 ± 12.3 years). The three main sports among the participants were cross-country skiing (n = 53 coaches and n = 111 athletes), orienteering (n = 13 and n = 110), and biathlon (n = 6 and n = 38). On average, the coaches (N = 94) answered 81% ± 9% of the 79 nutrition questionnaire items correctly, whereas the respective result was 73% ± 9% among the athletes (N = 312). The coaches had significantly (p < .001) better nutrition knowledge of all the five subcategories of the questionnaire, whereas the “dietary supplements” and “nutrition recommendations for endurance athletes” subcategories appeared particularly difficult for the athletes. The average nutrition knowledge score of athletes was relatively low. As nutrition knowledge may have a positive association with athletes’ food choices and subsequent dietary intake, Finnish endurance athletes and coaches would benefit from enhanced nutrition education.
The Effect of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Dynamic Apnea and Intermittent Sprint Performance in Elite Female Water Polo Players
Authors: Jonvik Kristin L. , van Dijk Jan-Willem , Senden Joan M.G. , van Loon Luc J.C. , Verdijk Lex B.
Published: December 2017

Nitrate-rich beetroot juice is thought to have ergogenic effects, particularly in conditions where oxygen availability is limited. Whether these effects also apply to elite athletes is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of beetroot juice supplementation on dynamic apnea and intermittent sprint performance in elite female water polo players. In a double-blinded, randomized, crossover manner, the Dutch National female water polo team (N = 14) was subjected to two 6-day supplementation periods (1 and 2), with either 140 ml/day of nitrate-rich (BR; ∼800 mg/day nitrate) or nitrate-depleted (PLA) beetroot juice. Following blood sampling on Day 6, the athletes performed a maximal-distance front crawl swimming test without breathing (dynamic apnea test). In addition, intermittent sprint performance was assessed by performing 16 swim sprints of 15 m, in a 4 × 4 block with 30-s recovery between blocks (intermittent test). Distance covered during the dynamic apnea test did not differ between BR (49.5 ± 7.8 m) and PLA (46.9 ± 9.1 m, p = .178). However, when correcting for test order, the distance covered was significantly larger in BR versus PLA when BR was ingested in Period 2 (50.1 ± 8.5 vs. 42.8 ± 5.7 m, p = .002), whereas no difference was observed when BR was ingested in Period 1 (48.8 ± 7.4 vs. 52.3 ± 10.4 m, p = .10). The time to complete the intermittent test was not different between BR and PLA (316.0 ± 7.9 vs. 316.3 ± 6.9 s, p = .73). In conclusion, beetroot juice supplementation does not improve intermittent performance in elite female water polo players, but there may be a potential for ergogenic effects during dynamic apnea.
Assessment of Nutrient Status in Athletes and the Need for Supplementation
Authors: Larson-Meyer D. Enette , Woolf Kathleen , Burke Louise
Published: December 2017

Nutrition assessment is a necessary first step in advising athletes on dietary strategies that include dietary supplementation, and in evaluating the effectiveness of supplementation regimens. Although dietary assessment is the cornerstone component of the nutrition assessment process, it should be performed within the context of a complete assessment that includes collection/evaluation of anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and environmental data. Collection of dietary intake data can be challenging, with the potential for significant error of validity and reliability, which include inherent errors of the collection methodology, coding of data by dietitians, estimation of nutrient composition using nutrient food tables and/or dietary software programs, and expression of data relative to reference standards including eating guidance systems, macronutrient guidelines for athletes, and recommended dietary allowances. Limitations in methodologies used to complete anthropometric assessment and biochemical analysis also exist, as reference norms for the athlete are not well established and practical and reliable biomarkers are not available for all nutrients. A clinical assessment collected from history information and the nutrition-focused physical exam may help identify overt nutrient deficiencies but may be unremarkable in the well-trained athlete. Assessment of potential food-drug interactions and environmental components further helps make appropriate dietary and supplement recommendations. Overall, the assessment process can help the athlete understand that supplement intake cannot make up for poor food choices and an inadequate diet, while a healthy diet helps ensure maximal benefit from supplementation. Establishment of reference norms specifically for well-trained athletes for the nutrition assessment process is a future research priority.
Case Study: Physical Capacity and Nutritional Status Before and After a Single-Handed Yacht Race
Authors: Ghiani Giovanna , Magnani Sara , Doneddu Azzurra , Sainas Gianmarco , Pinna Virginia , Caboi Marco , Palazzolo Girolamo , Tocco Filippo , Crisafulli Antonio
Published: December 2017

During solitary sailing, the sailor is exposed to sleep deprivation and difficulties in consuming regular meals. Sailor weight loss is often reported. In the present case study, we describe changes in the physical capacity and nutritional status of an athlete attempting a single-handed yacht race around the globe. An Italian male ocean racer (Gaetano Mura) asked for our help to reach an optimum level of physical and nutritional preparation. We planned his diet after assessing his anthropometric parameters and body composition, as well as his usual energy intake and nutritional expenditure. The diet consisted of 120 meals stored in sealed plastic bags. Before his departure, GM performed two incremental exercise tests (cycle ergometry and arm crank ergometry) to assess his physical capacity. Cardiac functions were also estimated by Doppler echocardiography. All measures and exercise tests were repeated 10 days after GM finished the race, which lasted 64 days. Anthropometric measures did not change significantly, with the exception of arm fat area and thigh muscle area, which decreased. There were evident increments in maximum oxygen intake and maximum workload during arm cranking after the race. On the contrary, maximum oxygen uptake and maximum workload decreased during cycling. Finally, end-diastolic and stroke volume decreased after the race. It was concluded that nutritional counseling was useful to avoid excessive changes in nutritional status and body composition due to 64 days of solitary navigation. However, a reduction in physical leg capacity and cardiovascular functions secondary to leg disuse were present.
Reliability of the Load–Velocity Relationship Obtained Through Linear and Polynomial Regression Models to Predict the 1-Repetition Maximum Load
Authors: Pestaña-Melero Francisco Luis , Haff G. Gregory , Rojas Francisco Javier , Pérez-Castilla Alejandro , García-Ramos Amador
Published: December 2017

This study aimed to compare the between-session reliability of the load–velocity relationship between (1) linear versus polynomial regression models, (2) concentric-only versus eccentric–concentric bench press variants, as well as (3) the within-participants versus the between-participants variability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the 1-repetition maximum. The load–velocity relationship of 30 men (age: 21.2 [3.8] y; height: 1.78 [0.07] m, body mass: 72.3 [7.3] kg; bench press 1-repetition maximum: 78.8 [13.2] kg) were evaluated by means of linear and polynomial regression models in the concentric-only and eccentric–concentric bench press variants in a Smith machine. Two sessions were performed with each bench press variant. The main findings were: (1) first-order polynomials (coefficient of variation: 4.39%–4.70%) provided the load–velocity relationship with higher reliability than the second-order polynomials (coefficient of variation: 4.68%–5.04%); (2) the reliability of the load–velocity relationship did not differ between the concentric-only and eccentric–concentric bench press variants; and (3) the within-participants variability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the 1-repetition maximum was markedly lower than the between-participants variability. Taken together, these results highlight that, regardless of the bench press variant considered, the individual determination of the load–velocity relationship by a linear regression model could be recommended to monitor and prescribe the relative load in the Smith machine bench press exercise.
The Mediating Effects of Resilience, Morale, and Sense of Coherence Between Physical Activity and Perceived Physical/Mental Health Among Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kukihara Hiroko , Yamawaki Niwako , Ando Michiyo , Tamura Yoshiko , Arita Kumi , Nakashima Emiko
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effects of resilience, morale, and sense of coherence on the relationship between physical activity and respondents’ perceived physical/mental health and depression among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study included 369 participants with an average age of 74 years from Kasuishimohara District in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. They completed a survey that included the Resilience Scale, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Medical Outcomes Short Form 8, the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form), and a demographic questionnaire. The results of the path mediation analyses revealed that resilience and morale fully mediated the relationship between physical activity and perceived physical/mental health and depression. However, sense of coherence was not a significant mediator. Some intervention programs are suggested to maximize the effects of physical activity on one’s well-being. At-risk populations who need such programs are also discussed.
Hamstring Stiffness Returns More Rapidly After Static Stretching Than Range of Motion, Stretch Tolerance, and Isometric Peak Torque
Authors: Hatano Genki , Suzuki Shigeyuki , Matsuo Shingo , Kataura Satoshi , Yokoi Kazuaki , Fukaya Taizan , Fujiwara Mitsuhiro , Asai Yuji , Iwata Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Context: Hamstring injuries are common, and lack of hamstring flexibility may predispose to injury. Static stretching not only increases range of motion (ROM) but also results in reduced muscle strength after stretching. The effects of stretching on the hamstring muscles and the duration of these effects remain unclear. Objective: To determine the effects of static stretching on the hamstrings and the duration of these effects. Design: Randomized crossover study. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 24 healthy volunteers. Interventions: The torque–angle relationship (ROM, passive torque [PT] at the onset of pain, and passive stiffness) and isometric muscle force using an isokinetic dynamometer were measured. After a 60-minute rest, the ROM of the dynamometer was set at the maximum tolerable intensity; this position was maintained for 300 seconds, while static PT was measured continuously. The torque–angle relationship and isometric muscle force after rest periods of 10, 20, and 30 minutes were remeasured. Main Outcome Measures: Change in static PT during stretching and changes in ROM, PT at the onset of pain, passive stiffness, and isometric muscle force before stretching were compared with 10, 20, and 30 minutes after stretching. Results: Static PT decreased significantly during stretching. Passive stiffness decreased significantly 10 and 20 minutes after stretching, but there was no significant prestretching versus poststretching difference after 30 minutes. PT at the onset of pain and ROM increased significantly after stretching at all rest intervals, while isometric muscle force decreased significantly after all rest intervals. Conclusions: The effect of static stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstrings was not maintained as long as the changes in ROM, stretch tolerance, and isometric muscle force. Therefore, frequent stretching is necessary to improve the viscoelasticity of the muscle–tendon unit. Muscle force decreased for 30 minutes after stretching; this should be considered prior to activities requiring maximal muscle strength.
Validity and Reliability of a Virtual Reality Game in Evaluating the Projected Frontal Plane Knee Angle When Landing From a Drop Vertical Jump
Authors: Mills Kathryn , Idris Aula , Pham Thu-An , Porte John , Wiggins Mark , Kavakli Manolya
Published: December 2017

Objectives: To determine the validity and reliability of the peak frontal plane knee angle evaluated by a virtual reality (VR) netball game when landing from a drop vertical jump. Study Design: Laboratory. Methods: Forty participants performed 3 drop vertical jumps evaluated by 3-dimensional motion analysis and 3 drop vertical jumps evaluated by the VR game. Limits of agreement for the peak projected frontal plane knee angle and peak knee abduction were determined. Participants were given a consensus category of “above threshold” or “below threshold” based on a prespecified threshold angle of 9° during landing. Classification agreement was determined using kappa coefficient, and accuracy was determined using specificity and sensitivity. Ten participants returned 1 week later to determine intrarater reliability, standard error of the measure, and typical error. Results: The mean difference in detected frontal plane knee angle was 3.39° (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03° to 5.74°). Limits of agreement were −10.27° (95% CI, −14.36° to −6.19°) to 17.05° (95% CI, 12.97° to 21.14°). Substantial agreement, specificity, and sensitivity were observed for the threshold classification (κ = .66; 95% CI, .42 to .88; specificity = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78 to 1.0; and sensitivity = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.95). The game exhibited acceptable reliability over time (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC3,1 = .844), and error was approximately 2°. Conclusion: The VR game reliably evaluated a projected frontal plane knee angle. Although the knee angle detected by the VR game is strongly related to peak knee abduction, the accuracy of detecting the exact angle was limited. A threshold approach may be a more accurate approach for gaming technology to evaluate frontal plane knee angles when landing from a jump.
Concussion in Sport: Public, Professional and Critical Sociologies
Authors: Malcolm Dominic
Published: December 2017

This article explores the emerging agenda in relation to concussion in sport to illustrate the threats and opportunities currently faced by the sociology of sport as an academic sub-discipline. The article begins by delineating aspects of the “crisis” in sociology, Burawoy’s  call for an enhanced public sociology as a (part) solution, and responses to these ideas within the sociology of sport. It then identifies how the engagement of sociologists in this terrain must be understood in relation to the recent medicalization of sports-related concussion, and illustrates the impact of this on sociologists of sport through an examination of recent social scientific scholarship in relation to concussion. It argues that a successful public sociology of sport should be predicated on the subdiscipline’s distinctive contribution to the production of knowledge. To this end, the article concludes by reporting the findings of an empirical study of concussion in English professional soccer, to outline a framework for sportrelated health research, and thus the basis on which a socially influential sociology of concussion in sport could develop.
Ca
2+
-Induced Two-Component System CvsSR Regulates the Type III Secretion System and the Extracytoplasmic Function Sigma Factor AlgU in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000
Authors: Fishman Maxwell R. , Zhang Johnson , Bronstein Philip A. , Stodghill Paul , Filiatrault Melanie J.
Published: December 2017

Two-component systems (TCSs) of bacteria regulate many different aspects of the bacterial life cycle, including pathogenesis. Most TCSs remain uncharacterized, with no information about the signal(s) or regulatory targets and/or role in bacterial pathogenesis. Here, we characterized a TCS in the plant-pathogenic bacterium
Pseudomonas syringae
pv. tomato DC3000 composed of the histidine kinase CvsS and the response regulator CvsR. CvsSR is necessary for virulence of
P. syringae
pv. tomato DC3000, since Δ
cvsS
and Δ
cvsR
strains produced fewer symptoms than the wild type (WT) and demonstrated reduced growth on multiple hosts. We discovered that expression of
cvsSR
is induced by Ca
2+
concentrations found in leaf apoplastic fluid. Thus, Ca
2+
can be added to the list of signals that promote pathogenesis of
P. syringae
pv. tomato DC3000 during host colonization. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next-generation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and global transcriptome analysis (RNA-seq), we discerned the CvsR regulon. CvsR directly activated expression of the type III secretion system regulators,
hrpR
and
hrpS
, that regulate
P. syringae
pv. tomato DC3000 virulence in a type III secretion system-dependent manner. CvsR also indirectly repressed transcription of the extracytoplasmic sigma factor
algU
and production of alginate. Phenotypic analysis determined that CvsSR inversely regulated biofilm formation, swarming motility, and cellulose production in a Ca
2+
-dependent manner. Overall, our results show that CvsSR is a key regulatory hub critical for interaction with host plants.

IMPORTANCE
Pathogenic bacteria must be able to react and respond to the surrounding environment, make use of available resources, and avert or counter host immune responses. Often, these abilities rely on two-component systems (TCSs) composed of interacting proteins that modulate gene expression. We identified a TCS in the plant-pathogenic bacterium
Pseudomonas syringae
that responds to the presence of calcium, which is an important signal during the plant defense response. We showed that when
P. syringae
is grown in the presence of calcium, this TCS regulates expression of factors contributing to disease. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of how bacterial pathogens respond to plant signals and control systems necessary for eliciting disease.
The ATM and Rad3-Related (ATR) Protein Kinase Pathway Is Activated by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and Required for Efficient Viral Replication
Authors: Edwards Terri G. , Bloom David C. , Fisher Chris
Published: December 2017

The ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) protein kinase and its downstream effector Chk1 are key sensors and organizers of the DNA damage response (DDR) to a variety of insults. Previous studies of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) showed no evidence for activation of the ATR pathway. Here we demonstrate that both Chk1 and ATR were phosphorylated by 3 h postinfection (h.p.i.). Activation of ATR and Chk1 was observed using 4 different HSV-1 strains in multiple cell types, while a specific ATR inhibitor blocked activation. Mechanistic studies point to early viral gene expression as a key trigger for ATR activation. Both pATR and pChk1 localized to the nucleus within viral replication centers, or associated with their periphery, by 3 h.p.i. Significant levels of pATR and pChk1 were also detected in the cytoplasm, where they colocalized with ICP4 and ICP0. Proximity ligation assays confirmed that pATR and pChk1 were closely and specifically associated with ICP4 and ICP0 in both the nucleus and cytoplasm by 3 h.p.i., but not with ICP8 or ICP27, presumably in a multiprotein complex. Chemically distinct ATR and Chk1 inhibitors blocked HSV-1 replication and infectious virion production, while inhibitors of ATM, Chk2, and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) did not. Together our data show that HSV-1 activates the ATR pathway at early stages of infection and that ATR and Chk1 kinase activities play important roles in HSV-1 replication fitness. These findings indicate that the ATR pathway may provide insight for therapeutic approaches.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses have evolved complex associations with cellular DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, which sense troublesome DNA structures formed during infection. The first evidence for activation of the ATR pathway by HSV-1 is presented. ATR is activated, and its downstream target Chk1 is robustly phosphorylated, during early stages of infection. Both activated proteins are found in the nucleus associated with viral replication compartments and in the cytoplasm associated with viral proteins. We also demonstrate that both ATR and Chk1 kinase activities are important for viral replication. The findings suggest that HSV-1 activates ATR and Chk1 during early stages of infection and utilizes the enzymes to promote its own replication. The observation may be exploitable for antiviral approaches.
Temperate fish community variation over seasons in relation to large-scale geographic seascape variables
Authors: Perry Diana , Staveley Thomas A.B. , Hammar Linus , Meyers Alyssa , Lindborg Regina , Gullström Martin
Published: December 2017

In shallow-water marine environments, ecosystem functioning is a complex interworking of fine-scale characteristics and region-wide factors, and the importance of these variables can vary on multiple temporal and spatial scales. This underwater video study targeted seasonal changes in the fish community of seagrass habitats along the Swedish west coast and the influence of offshore seascape variables (latitudinal position, wave exposure, open ocean, and deep water). Results showed that fish assemblage structure exhibited seasonal changes between summer and autumn and strong spatiotemporal variations in the importance of offshore factors affecting shallow-water fish communities. In summer, abundance from the Gobiidae family responded to wave exposure, whereas the Gadidae family and juvenile migrant habitat preference guild responded to latitudinal position and proximity to deep water. In autumn, deep water was related to abundance of Gadidae and juvenile migrants, whereas latitudinal position influenced Gasterosteidae. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the influence of offshore factors on facets of coastal fish assemblages to address large-scale geographic connectivity along nearshore–offshore gradients.
Singularity-free spinors in gravity with propagating torsion
Authors: Fabbri Luca
Published: December 2017

We consider the most general renormalizable theory of propagating torsion in Einstein gravity for the Dirac matter distribution and we demonstrate that in this case, torsion is a massive axial-vector field whose coupling to the spinor gives rise to conditions in terms of which gravitational singularities are not bound to form; we discuss how our results improve those that are presented in the existing literature, and that no further improvement can be achieved unless one is ready to re-evaluate some considerations on the renormalizability of the theory.
One-family walking technicolor in light of LHC Run II
Authors: Matsuzaki Shinya
Published: December 2017

The LHC Higgs can be identified as the technidilaton, a composite scalar, arising as a pseudo Nambu–Goldstone boson for the spontaneous breaking of scale symmetry in walking technicolor. One interesting candidate for the walking technicolor is the QCD with the large number of fermion flavors, involving the one-family model having the eight-fermion flavors. The smallness of the technidilaton mass can be ensured by the generic walking feature, Miransky scaling, and the presence of the “anti-Veneziano limit” characteristic to the large-flavor walking scenario. To tell the standard-model Higgs from the technidilaton, one needs to wait for the precise estimate of the Higgs couplings to the standard model particles, which is expected at the ongoing LHC Run II. In this talk the technidilaton phenomenology in comparison with the LHC Run-I data is summarized with the special emphasis placed on the presence of the anti-Veneziano limit supporting the lightness of technidilaton. Besides the technidilaton, the walking technicolor predicts the rich particle spectrum such as technipions and technirho mesons, arising as composite particles formed by technifermions. The LHC phenomenology of those technihadrons and the discovery channels are also discussed, which are smoking-guns of the walking technicolor, to be accessible at the LHC Run II.
Absence of effects of an in-plane magnetic field in a quasi-two-dimensional electron system
Authors: Brandt F. T. , Sánchez-Monroy J. A.
Published: December 2017

The dynamics of a quasi-two-dimensional electron system (q2DES) in the presence of a tilted magnetic field is reconsidered employing the thin-layer method. We derive the effective equations for relativistic and nonrelativistic q2DESs. Through a perturbative expansion, we show that while the magnetic length is much greater than the confinement width, the in-plane magnetic field only affects the particle dynamics through the spin. Therefore, effects due to an in-plane magnetic vector potential reported previously in the literature for 2D quantum rings, 2D quantum dots and graphene are fictitious. In particular, the so-called pseudo chiral magnetic effect recently proposed in graphene is not realistic.
Achieving better glass-forming ability and magnetocaloric effect in the minor Zr-substituted Gd50Co50 amorphous alloy
Authors: Ma Li Yan , Gan Liang Hua , Xia Lei , Zhang JiaZheng , Ding Ding
Published: December 2017

The glass-forming ability (GFA) and magnetic properties of the minor Zr-substituted Gd[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text] amorphous alloy were investigated. The Gd[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Zr2amorphous ribbons prepared by melt-spinning show better GFA. With increasing minor Zr addition, the Gd[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Zr2amorphous ribbons possessed higher magnetic entropy change peak ([Formula: see text]S[Formula: see text] = 3.9 Jkg[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text], under 5 T) but lower Curie temperature (T[Formula: see text] = 231 K) than the Gd[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text] amorphous alloy. The mechanism for the improved GFA, magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and the decrease in T[Formula: see text] was investigated. Finally, combined with other Gd-based amorphous ribbons, the Gd[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]Zr2amorphous alloy was employed to construct amorphous composites to achieve a table-like magnetic entropy change profile, which can provide optimal efficiency when utilizing an Ericsson thermodynamic cycle.
Automatic Recognition of Flock Behavior of Chickens with Convolutional Neural Network and Kinect Sensor
Authors: Pu Haitao , Lian Jian , Fan Mingqu
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we propose an automatic convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method to recognize the chicken behavior within a poultry farm using a Kinect sensor. It resolves the hardships in flock behavior image classification by leveraging a data-driven mechanism and exploiting non-manually extracted multi-scale image features which combine both the local and global characteristics of the image. To our best knowledge, this is probably the first attempt of deep learning strategy in the field of domestic animal behavior recognition. To testify the performance of our proposed method, we conducted experiments between state-of-the-art methods and our method. Experimental results witness that our proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods both in effectiveness and efficiency. Our proposed CNN architecture for recognizing flock behavior of chickens produces an extremely impressive accuracy of 99.17%.
Saliency Region Detection Method Based on Background and Spatial Position
Authors: Wang Hui , Liu Gang , Ke Hongchang , Chen Zhiyu , Li Hongyan
Published: December 2017

Saliency region detection methods have become one of the hotspots in the field of image processing as an important method to improve the real-time and accurate analysis of massive data. Integrating more effective prior knowledge is a viable direction for improving the performance of saliency region detection methods. Most of the methods based on background prior and boundary connectivity prior assume the boundary area of the image as the background, by restraining the background to highlight the salient area. When the boundary area of the image does not describe the background well (such as a large difference in border area features), if the entire frame of the image is put together to compute the background feature, the calculation of the background feature will be inaccurate. In view of the above shortcomings, this paper proposed a saliency region detection method based on background and spatial position. This method carried on the image boundary super pixel clustering, determined the background feature according to the clustering center, and used the difference between the super pixel on the image and the background super pixel, and its spatial position to calculate the salient of the super pixels. This approach used MATLAB to program and experiment. The method was compared with a series of the state-of-the-art methods. The AUC of proposed algorithm reaches 0.839, and the MAE is 0.220, showing the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization-Based Fusion in YIQ and HSI Color Spaces for Underwater Image Enhancement
Authors: Ma Jinxiang , Fan Xinnan , Yang Simon X. , Zhang Xuewu , Zhu Xifang
Published: December 2017

To improve contrast and restore color for underwater images without suffering from insufficient details and color cast, this paper proposes a fusion algorithm for different color spaces based on contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE). The original color image is first converted from RGB space to two different spaces: YIQ and HSI. Then, the algorithm separately applies CLAHE in YIQ and HSI color spaces to obtain two different enhanced images. After that, the YIQ and HSI enhanced images are respectively converted back to RGB space. When the three components of red, green, and blue are not coherent in the YIQ-RGB or HSI-RGB images, the three components will have to be harmonized with the CLAHE algorithm in RGB space. Finally, using a 4-direction Sobel edge detector in the bounded general logarithm ratio operation, a self-adaptive weight selection nonlinear image enhancement is carried out to fuse the YIQ-RGB and HSI-RGB images together to achieve the final image. The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm provided more detail enhancement and higher values of color restoration than other image enhancement algorithms. The proposed algorithm can effectively reduce noise interference and observably improve the image quality for underwater images.
Evaluation of Image Complexity Based on SVOR
Authors: Xiao Bo , Duan Jin , Liu Xuelian , Zhu Yong , Wang Hao
Published: December 2017

Because of the subjectivity of human beings, the evaluation of image complexity in the Human Vision System (HVS) cannot be provided accurately by traditional image complexity evaluation models. In the 2016 Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR 2016), an evaluation method of visual search difficulty based on the visual search time was proposed for the first time. In this paper, the ordinal relation of the image complexity for human perception was discussed, and a quantitative evaluation model based on Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) features and Support Vector Ordinal Regression (SVOR) with explicit inequality constraints on the thresholds was proposed. The results showed that the evaluation models based on SVOR and pyramid CNN features of images can describe the order relation of image complexity among different images more accurately, which achieve the Kendall’s tau correlation of 0.4858, better than SVR overall under the same condition, whose highest Kendall’s tau correlation is 0.4794.
Real-Time Calibration and Registration Method for Indoor Scene with Joint Depth and Color Camera
Authors: Zhang Fengquan , Lei Tingshen , Li Jinhong , Cai Xingquan , Shao Xuqiang , Chang Jian , Tian Feng
Published: December 2017

Traditional vision registration technologies require the design of precise markers or rich texture information captured from the video scenes, and the vision-based methods have high computational complexity while the hardware-based registration technologies lack accuracy. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a novel registration method that takes advantages of RGB-D camera to obtain the depth information in real-time, and a binocular system using the Time of Flight (ToF) camera and a commercial color camera is constructed to realize the three-dimensional registration technique. First, we calibrate the binocular system to get their position relationships. The systematic errors are fitted and corrected by the method of B-spline curve. In order to reduce the anomaly and random noise, an elimination algorithm and an improved bilateral filtering algorithm are proposed to optimize the depth map. For the real-time requirement of the system, it is further accelerated by parallel computing with CUDA. Then, the Camshift-based tracking algorithm is applied to capture the real object registered in the video stream. In addition, the position and orientation of the object are tracked according to the correspondence between the color image and the 3D data. Finally, some experiments are implemented and compared using our binocular system. Experimental results are shown to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our method.
A New Technique for Remote Sensing Image Classification Based on Combinatorial Algorithm of SVM and KNN
Authors: Alimjan Gulnaz , Sun Tieli , Liang Yi , Jumahun Hurxida , Guan Yu
Published: December 2017

In remote sensing image classification, distance measurements and classification criteria are equally important; and less accuracy of either would affect classification accuracy. Remote sensing image classification was performed by combining support vector machine (SVM) and [Formula: see text]-nearest neighbor (KNN). This was based on the separability of classes using SVM and the spatial and spectral characteristics of remote sensing data. Moreover, a distance formula is proposed as the measure criterion that considers both luminance and direction of the vectors. First, the SVM is trained and the support vectors (SVs) are obtained for each class. In the testing phase, newly tested samples were entered, and average distance between the test samples and SVs for each class are calculated using the distance formula. Finally, decisions are made to classify the test samples into the class with minimal average distance. This procedure is repeated until all test samples are classified. In the combinatorial algorithm, the nearest neighbor classifier is used to classify a testing sample, i.e. the average Euclidean distance between the testing data point to each set of SVs from different categories is calculated and the nearest neighbor classifier identifies the category with minimum distance. The proposed combinatorial algorithm has advantages over the conventional KNN for eliminating the [Formula: see text] parameter selection problem and reducing heavy learning time. A comparison is carried out with SVM, KNN and Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification using ALOS/PALSAR and PSM images, and the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated.
Scenario of the Birth of Hidden Attractors in the Chua Circuit
Authors: Stankevich Nataliya V. , Kuznetsov Nikolay V. , Leonov Gennady A. , Chua Leon O.
Published: December 2017

Recently it was shown that in the dynamical model of Chua circuit both the classical self-excited and hidden chaotic attractors can be found. In this paper the dynamics of the Chua circuit is revisited. The scenario of the chaotic dynamics development and the birth of self-excited and hidden attractors is studied. A pitchfork bifurcation is shown in which a pair of symmetric attractors coexist and merge into one symmetric attractor through an attractor-merging bifurcation and a splitting of a single attractor into two attractors. The scenario relating the subcritical Hopf bifurcation near equilibrium points and the birth of hidden attractors is discussed.
Dynamic Cell Mapping Algorithm for Computing Basins of Attraction in Planar Filippov Systems
Authors: Erazo Christian , Homer Martin E. , Piiroinen Petri T. , Di Bernardo Mario
Published: December 2017

Discontinuities are a common feature of physical models in engineering and biological systems, e.g. stick-slip due to friction, electrical relays or gene regulatory networks. The computation of basins of attraction of such nonsmooth systems is challenging and requires special treatments, especially regarding numerical integration. In this paper, we present a numerical routine for computing basins of attraction (BA) in nonsmooth systems with sliding, (so-called Filippov systems). In particular, we extend the Simple Cell Mapping (SCM) method to cope with the presence of sliding solutions by exploiting an event-driven numerical integration routine specifically written for Filippov systems. Our algorithm encompasses a method for dynamic construction of the cell state space so that a lower number of integration steps are required. Moreover, we incorporate an adaptive strategy of the simulation time to render more efficiently the computation of basins of attraction. We illustrate the effectiveness of our algorithm by computing basins of attraction of a sliding control problem and a dry-friction oscillator.
Basins of Convergence of Equilibrium Points in the Generalized Hill Problem
Authors: Zotos Euaggelos E.
Published: December 2017

The Newton–Raphson basins of attraction, associated with the libration points (attractors), are revealed in the generalized Hill problem. The parametric variation of the position and the linear stability of the equilibrium points is determined, when the value of the perturbation parameter [Formula: see text] varies. The multivariate Newton–Raphson iterative scheme is used to determine the attracting domains on several types of two-dimensional planes. A systematic and thorough numerical investigation is performed in order to demonstrate the influence of the perturbation parameter on the geometry as well as of the basin entropy of the basins of convergence. The correlations between the basins of attraction and the corresponding required number of iterations are also illustrated and discussed. Our numerical analysis strongly indicates that the evolution of the attracting regions in this dynamical system is an extremely complicated yet very interesting issue.
Mechanism and Energy Cycling of the Qi Four-Wing Chaotic System
Authors: Qi Guoyuan , Liang Xiyin
Published: December 2017

The Qi four-wing chaotic system is transformed into a Kolmogorov-type system, thereby building a bridge between a numerical chaotic system and a physical chaotic system that is convenient for analysis when finding common ground between the two. The vector field is decomposed into four types of torques: inertial, internal, dissipative and external. The angular momentum representing the physical analogue of the state variables of the chaotic system is identified. The cycling of energy among potential energy, kinetic energy, dissipation, and external energy is analyzed. The Casimir function is employed to identify the key factors producing chaos and other dynamical modes. The system is non-Rayleigh dissipative, which determines the extremal points of Casimir function to form a hyperboloid instead of ellipsoid.
Design and Test of Pseudorandom Number Generator Using a Star Network of Lorenz Oscillators
Authors: Cho Kenichiro , Miyano Takaya
Published: December 2017

We have recently developed a chaos-based stream cipher based on augmented Lorenz equations as a star network of Lorenz subsystems. In our method, the augmented Lorenz equations are used as a pseudorandom number generator. In this study, we propose a new method based on the augmented Lorenz equations for generating binary pseudorandom numbers and evaluate its security using the statistical tests of SP800-22 published by the National Institute for Standards and Technology in comparison with the performances of other chaotic dynamical models used as binary pseudorandom number generators. We further propose a faster version of the proposed method and evaluate its security using the statistical tests of TestU01 published by L’Ecuyer and Simard.
Bifurcation Analysis and Application for Impulsive Systems with Delayed Impulses
Authors: Church Kevin E. M. , Liu Xinzhi
Published: December 2017

In this article, we present a systematic approach to bifurcation analysis of impulsive systems with autonomous or periodic right-hand sides that may exhibit delayed impulse terms. Methods include Lyapunov–Schmidt reduction and center manifold reduction. Both methods are presented abstractly in the context of the stroboscopic map associated to a given impulsive system, and are illustrated by way of two in-depth examples: the analysis of a SIR model of disease transmission with seasonality and unevenly distributed moments of treatment, and a scalar logistic differential equation with a delayed census impulsive harvesting effort. It is proven that in some special cases, the logistic equation can exhibit a codimension two bifurcation at a 1:1 resonance point.
Exact Solutions and Dynamics of the Raman Soliton Model in Nanoscale Optical Waveguides, with Metamaterials, Having Polynomial Law Nonlinearity
Authors: Zhou Yan , Li Jibin
Published: December 2017

Raman soliton model in nanoscale optical waveguides, with metamaterials, having polynomial law nonlinearity is investigated by the method of dynamical systems. The functions [Formula: see text] in the solutions [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] satisfy a singular planar dynamical system having two singular straight lines. By using the bifurcation theory method of dynamical systems to the equations of [Formula: see text], under 23 different parameter conditions, bifurcations of phase portraits and exact periodic solutions, homoclinic and heteroclinic solutions, periodic peakons and peakons as well as compacton solutions for this planar dynamical system are obtained. 92 exact explicit solutions of system (6) are derived.
Existence of Invariant Cones in General 3-Dim Homogeneous Piecewise Linear Differential Systems with Two Zones
Authors: Huan Song-Mei
Published: December 2017

Existence and number of invariant cones in general 3-dim homogeneous piecewise linear differential systems with two zones separated by a plane are investigated. Implicit parametric expressions of two proper half slope maps whose intersections determine the existence and number of invariant cones are obtained. Based on these expressions, some sufficient conditions for the existence of at most three invariant cones are provided, and it is proved that the maximum number of invariant cones for some special cases is equal to 1 plus the maximum number of limit cycles in planar piecewise linear systems with a straight line separation. Moreover, it is illustrated by a numerical example with four invariant cones that the maximum number of invariant cones is not less than four. Specially, the main results provide a method to completely solve the existence and number of invariant cones in any specific 3-dim homogeneous piecewise linear differential systems with two zones separated by a plane by using numerical method.
On Techniques Towards Chaos Preservation and Construction
Authors: Jia Qiang
Published: December 2017

This paper provides a general framework for modifying chaotic systems on the premise of preserving chaos. It formulates effective techniques to construct some derivative systems from an existing chaotic system by replacing a parameter or a term in the dynamical system with certain time-dependent or state-dependent functions. This study derives an alternative for chaotic system construction and also provides more flexibility for chaotic synthesis. Numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed techniques. As a consequence, some new chaotic systems are also obtained.