bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Range-dependent impacts of ocean acoustic propagation on automated classification of transmitted bowhead and humpback whale vocalizations
Authors: Binder Carolyn M. , Hines Paul C.
Published: April 2019

Significant effort has been made over the last few decades to develop automated passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) systems capable of classifying cetaceans at the species level. The utility of such systems depends on the systems' ability to operate across a wide range of ocean acoustic environments; however, anecdotal evidence suggests that site-specific propagation characteristics impact the performance of PAM systems. Variability in propagation characteristics leads to differences in how each cetacean vocalization is altered as it propagates along the source-receiver path. A propagation experiment was conducted in the Gulf of Mexico to investigate the range-dependent impacts of acoustic propagation on the performance of an automated classifier. Modified bowhead and humpback vocalizations were transmitted over ranges from 1 to 10 km. When the classifier was trained with signals collected near the sound source, it was found that the performance decreased with increasing transmission range—this appeared to be largely explained by decreasing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Generation of performance matrices showed that one method to develop a classifier that maintains high performance across many ranges is to include a varied assortment of ranges in the training data; however, if the training set is limited, it is best to train on relatively low SNR vocalizations.
A three-parameter analytical model for the acoustical properties of porous media
Authors: Horoshenkov Kirill V. , Hurrell Alistair , Groby Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2019

Many models for the prediction of the acoustical properties of porous media require non-acoustical parameters few of which are directly measurable. One popular prediction model by Johnson, Champoux, Allard, and Lafarge [J. Appl. Phys. 70(4), 1975–1979 (1991)] (459 citations, Scopus, April 2019) requires six non-acoustical parameters. This paper proves that the use of more than three parameters in the Johnson-Champoux-Allard-Lafarge model is not necessary at all. Here the authors present theoretical and experimental evidence that the acoustical impedance of a range of porous media with pore size distribution close to log-normal (granular, fibrous, and foams) can be predicted through the knowledge of the porosity, median pore size, and standard deviation in the pore size only. A unique feature of this paper is that it effectively halves the number of parameters required to predict the acoustical properties of porous media very accurately. The significance of this paper is that it proposes an unambiguous relationship between the pore microstructure and key acoustical properties of porous media with log-normal pore size distribution. This unique model is well suited for using acoustical data for measuring and inverting key non-acoustical properties of a wider range of porous media used in a range of applications which are not necessarily acoustic.
Amplitude modulation detection and modulation masking in school-age children and adults
Authors: Buss Emily , Lorenzi Christian , Cabrera Laurianne , Leibold Lori J. , Grose John H.
Published: April 2019

Two experiments were performed to better understand on- and off-frequency modulation masking in normal-hearing school-age children and adults. Experiment 1 estimated thresholds for detecting 16-, 64- or 256-Hz sinusoidal amplitude modulation (AM) imposed on a 4300-Hz pure tone. Thresholds tended to improve with age, with larger developmental effects for 64- and 256-Hz AM than 16-Hz AM. Detection of 16-Hz AM was also measured with a 1000-Hz off-frequency masker tone carrying 16-Hz AM. Off-frequency modulation masking was larger for younger than older children and adults when the masker was gated with the target, but not when the masker was continuous. Experiment 2 measured detection of 16- or 64-Hz sinusoidal AM carried on a bandpass noise with and without additional on-frequency masker AM. Children and adults demonstrated modulation masking with similar tuning to modulation rate. Rate-dependent age effects for AM detection on a pure-tone carrier are consistent with maturation of temporal resolution, an effect that may be obscured by modulation masking for noise carriers. Children were more susceptible than adults to off-frequency modulation masking for gated stimuli, consistent with maturation in the ability to listen selectively in frequency, but the children were not more susceptible to on-frequency modulation masking than adults.
New connections: Moving through mitosis with the MCU
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: April 2019

The MCU ensures that proliferating cells produce the ATP required to progress through the cell cycle.
Genomic Comparison Reveals Natural Occurrence of Clinically Relevant Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains
Authors: Teng Lin , Lee Shinyoung , Ginn Amber , Markland Sarah M. , Mir Raies A. , DiLorenzo Nicolas , Boucher Christina , Prosperi Mattia , Johnson Judith , Morris J. Glenn , Jeong Kwangcheol C.
Published: April 2019

Multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Escherichia coli
isolates pose global threats to public health due to the decreasing availability of treatment options. To better understand the characteristics of MDR
E. coli
isolated from food-producing animals with no antibiotic exposure, we employed genomic comparison, high-resolution phylogenetics, and functional characterization. Our findings highlight the potential capacity of MDR
E. coli
to cause severe disease and suggest that these strains are widespread intercontinentally. This study underlines the occurrence of MDR
E. coli
in food-producing animals raised without antibiotic use, which has alarming, critical ramifications within animal and human medical practice.
A Genome-Wide Helicobacter pylori Morphology Screen Uncovers a Membrane-Spanning Helical Cell Shape Complex
Authors: Yang Desirée C. , Blair Kris M. , Taylor Jennifer A. , Petersen Timothy W. , Sessler Tate , Tull Christina M. , Leverich Christina K. , Collar Amanda L. , Wyckoff Timna J. , Biboy Jacob , Vollmer Waldemar , Salama Nina R.
Published: April 2019

The stomach ulcer and cancer-causing pathogen
Helicobacter pylori
has a helical cell shape which facilitates stomach infection. Using light scattering to measure perturbations of cell morphology, we identified 28 genes that influence different aspects of cell shape. A mutant in a previously uncharacterized protein renamed Csd7 failed to form any helical cells. Biochemical analyses showed that Csd7 collaborates with other proteins to stabilize the cell wall-degrading enzyme Csd1. Csd7 also links Csd1 with a putative filament-forming protein via protein-protein interactions. These data suggest that helical cell shape arises from a highly orchestrated program to regulate cell wall modifications. Targeting of this helical cell shape-promoting program could offer new ways to block infectivity of this important human pathogen.
Functional Analyses of Cytokinesis Regulators in Bloodstream Stage Trypanosoma brucei Parasites Identify Functions and Regulations Specific to the Life Cycle Stage
Authors: Zhang Xuan , An Tai , Pham Kieu T. M. , Lun Zhao-Rong , Li Ziyin
Published: April 2019

The early divergent protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
is the causative agent of sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. This parasite has a complex life cycle by alternating between the insect vector and the mammalian hosts and proliferates by binary cell fission. The control of cell division in trypanosomes appears to be distinct from that in its human host and differs substantially between two life cycle stages, the procyclic (insect) form and the bloodstream form. Cytokinesis, the final step of binary cell fission, is regulated by a novel signaling cascade consisting of two evolutionarily conserved protein kinases and a cohort of trypanosome-specific regulators in the procyclic form, but whether this signaling pathway operates in a similar manner in the bloodstream form is unclear. In this report, we performed a functional analysis of multiple cytokinesis regulators and discovered their distinct functions and regulations in the bloodstream form.
Sedimentary evolution of the foreland basin in the NE Tibetan Plateau and the growth of the Qilian Shan since 7 Ma
Authors: Hu Xiaofei , Chen Dianbao , Pan Baotian , Chen Jinjun , Zhang Jian , Chang Jing , Gong Changsheng , Zhao Qiming
Published: April 2019

We studied the magnetostratigraphy and sedimentary facies of a 550-m-long drill core from the Jiudong Basin in the NE Tibetan Plateau. Our aims were to reconstruct the late Cenozoic sedimentary evolution of this foreland basin, and to determine the spatiotemporal pattern of growth of the Qilian Shan. The magnetostratigraphy indicates that the sedimentary sequence was deposited during ca. 7–0 Ma. From ca. 6.7–3.0 Ma, the sediment accumulation rate increased gradually from ∼30 mm/k.y. to 120 mm/k.y., which was associated with the gradual evolution of sedimentary facies from a shallow lake/delta front to braided rivers. The progradation of the depositional system from 7 Ma to 3 Ma probably reflects the growth of the relief of the Qilian Shan caused by tectonic uplift. The occurrence of a continuous braided river environment from 3 Ma to the present suggests that the high relief of the Qilian Shan developed before 3 Ma. An abrupt decrease of the sedimentation rate to ∼46 mm/k.y. during 3.0–1.8 Ma, and the deposition of coarse-grained sediments, indicates the uplift of the basin center. We interpret this to reflect the propagation of the thrust system of the Qilian Shan into the basin along a southward-dipping décollement from ca. 3 Ma. Climatic changes may have influenced the sedimentary sequence by introducing long-distance-transported thin coarse sand/gravel layers which are sandwiched within the sequence, and likely were a response to cooling events or climatic transitions. The widespread occurrence of deformation within the basin region in the NE Tibetan Plateau at ca. 3 Ma indicates that this date marks the basinward growth of the deformation system.
Glaucoma in myopia: diagnostic dilemmas
Authors: Tan Nicholas Y Q , Sng Chelvin C A , Jonas Jost B , Wong Tien Yin , Jansonius Nomdo M , Ang Marcus
Published: April 2019

Myopic eyes have an increased risk of glaucoma. However, glaucomatous changes in a myopic eye are often difficult to detect. Classic structural and functional investigations to diagnose glaucoma may be confounded by myopia. Here, we identify some of the common pitfalls in interpreting these structural parameters, and the possible solutions that could be taken to overcome them. For instance, in myopic eyes, we discuss the limitations and potential sources of error when using neuroretinal rim parameters, and retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness measurements. In addition, we also review new developments and potential adjuncts in structural imaging such as the assessment of the retinal nerve fibre layer texture, and the examination of the microcirculation of the optic nerve head using optical coherence tomography angiography. For the functional assessment of glaucoma, we discuss perimetric strategies that may aid in detecting characteristic visual field defects in myopic glaucoma. Ultimately, the evaluation of glaucoma in myopia requires a multimodal approach, to allow correlation between structural and functional assessments. This review provides overview on how to navigate this diagnostic dilemma.
Compliance after switching from CPAP to bilevel for patients with non-compliant OSA: big data analysis
Authors: Benjafield Adam V , Pepin Jean-Louis D , Valentine Kate , Cistulli Peter A , Woehrle Holger , Nunez Carlos M , Armitstead Jeff , Malhotra Atul
Published: April 2019

Introduction

For patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) who are initially non-compliant with continuous (automatic) positive airway pressure (CPAP/APAP) therapy, a bilevel PAP (Spont/VAuto) therapy transition pathway is available to improve therapy adherence. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare PAP therapy usage data of patients with non-compliant OSA (ncOSA) on CPAP/APAP who were switched to bilevel PAP.

Methods

A PAP telemonitoring database was queried between 1 January 2015 and 31 July 2016 for eligible patients started on CPAP/APAP and non-CMS (United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) compliant and switched to bilevel PAP within 90 days of starting CPAP/APAP therapy. PAP therapy data on all patients were compared before switch (CPAP/APAP) and after switch (VAuto/Spont).

Results

Of the 1496 patients with ncOSA identified, 30.3% used CPAP, 62.3% APAP, and 7.4% both APAP and CPAP before switching to a bilevel mode. 47.8% patients switched to Spont mode and 52.2% to VAuto mode. PAP usage significantly improved by 0.9 h/day (p<0.001) and all other device metrics (residual apnoea–hypopnoea index and unintentional mask leak) also improved after the switch. No patients had achieved US CMS criteria for compliance before the switch, and 56.8% did after.

Conclusion

This shows for the first time that there may be potential benefit from switching from CPAP/APAP to bilevel PAP for patients struggling with PAP adherence.
Prenatal ultrasound findings of rasopathies in a cohort of 424 fetuses: update on genetic testing in the NGS era
Authors: Stuurman Kyra E , Joosten Marieke , van der Burgt Ineke , Elting Mariet , Yntema Helger G , Meijers-Heijboer Hanne , Rinne Tuula
Published: April 2019

Background

This study evaluates 6 years of prenatal rasopathy testing in the Netherlands, updates on previous data and gives recommendations for prenatal rasopathy testing.

Methods

424 fetal samples, sent in for prenatal rasopathy testing in 2011–2016, were collected. Cohort 1 included 231 samples that were sequenced for 1–5 rasopathy genes. Cohort 2 included 193 samples that were analysed with a 14-gene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel. For all mutation-positive samples in both cohorts, the referring physician provided detailed ultrasound findings and postnatal follow-up. For 168 mutation-negative samples in cohort 2, solely clinical information on the requisition form was collected.

Results

In total, 40 (likely) pathogenic variants were detected (9.4%). All fetuses showed a variable degree of involvement of prenatal findings: increased nuchal translucency (NT)/cystic hygroma, distended jugular lymph sacs (JLS), hydrops fetalis, polyhydramnios, pleural effusion, ascites, cardiac defects and renal anomalies. An increased NT was the most common finding. Eight fetuses showed solely an increased NT/cystic hygroma, which were all larger than 5.5 mm. Ascites and renal anomalies appeared to be poor predictors of pathogenic outcome.

Conclusion

Fetuses with a rasopathy show in general multiple ultrasound findings. The larger the NT and the longer it persists, the more likely it is to find a pathogenic variant. Rasopathy testing is recommended when the fetus shows an isolated increased NT ≥5.0 mm or when NT of ≥3.5 mm and at least one of the following ultrasound anomalies is present: distended JLS, hydrops fetalis, polyhydramnios, pleural effusion, ascites, cardiac defects and renal anomalies.
Low gonorrhoea antimicrobial resistance and culture positivity rates in general practice: a pilot study
Authors: Visser Maartje , van Westreenen Mireille , van Bergen Jan , van Benthem Birgit H B
Published: April 2019

Objective

In the Netherlands, the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance (GRAS) programme is carried out at Centres for Sexual Health (CSH), which provide care for sexual high-risk populations. However, half of gonorrhoea infections are diagnosed in general practice (GP). We performed a pilot study to explore expanding GRAS to GPs using laboratory-based surveillance. Additionally, antimicrobial resistance patterns of GP and CSH patients were compared.

Methods

Three laboratories from different regions were included, which all perform gonorrhoea diagnostics for GPs and used ESwab for patient sampling. Additional culturing for all GP patients with gonorrhoea took place from February to July 2018. After positive PCR-nucleic acid amplification test, residual ESwab material was used for culture. In positive cultures, susceptibility testing was performed for azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone using Etest.

Results

During the study period, 484 samples were put in culture. 16.5% of cultures were positive (n=80). Antimicrobial resistance levels were low, with 2.6% resistance to azithromycin, 21.5% to ciprofloxacin and 0.0% to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. Resistance levels in CSH GRAS data (first half of 2018) were 19.2% for azithromycin, 31.5% for ciprofloxacin, 1.9% for cefotaxime and 0.0% for ceftriaxone.

Conclusions

Culture positivity rates for GP patients were low, probably due to long transportation times and awaiting PCR test results before attempting culture. Positivity rates might be improved by making changes in sampling and/or transportation methods, but that would require involvement of GPs and patients instead of keeping the surveillance lab based. Resistance levels appeared to be lower at GPs than at the CSH, indicating that resistance might emerge first in more high-risk populations. It is important to consider all potentially relevant patient populations when establishing a gonococcal antimicrobial resistance surveillance programme. However, based on the findings from this study the current GRAS programme will not be extended to GPs.
Faecal shedding of parvovirus deoxyribonucleic acid following modified live feline panleucopenia virus vaccination in healthy cats
Authors: Bergmann Michèle , Schwertler Stephanie , Speck Stephanie , Truyen Uwe , Reese Sven , Hartmann Katrin
Published: April 2019

Positive canine parvovirus (CPV) faecal test results have been reported in dogs after modified live virus (MLV) vaccination. Thus, the aim was to investigate feline panleucopenia virus (FPV) shedding in recently vaccinated, adult, clinically healthy cats and to assess related factors. Forty cats were vaccinated with an FPV MLV vaccine. Faeces of cats were tested for presence of parvovirus DNA on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 by quantitative real‐time PCR; DNA‐positive samples were subjected to partial VP2 gene sequencing. Virus isolation was performed whenever sufficient amounts of faeces were available. Serum antibody titres were measured by haemagglutination inhibition on days 0, 7 and 28. Overall, 30.0 per cent (12/40; 95% CI 18.0 to 45.6) of cats shed parvovirus DNA. Sequencing revealed FPV vaccine virus DNA in three cats, FPV field virus DNA in four cats and CPV field virus DNA in one cat. Shedding was significantly associated with lack of prevaccination antibody titres (40) (P=0.016; OR: 6.44; 95% CI 1.44 to 28.89) and with postvaccination titre increases (fourfold) (P=0.029; OR: 5.00; 95% CI 1.17 to 21.39). Shedding of field or vaccine virus DNA seems to be common in healthy cats which can be a concern in shelters and catteries. Diagnostic tools should be developed to facilitate differentiation of vaccine and field virus shedding.
Incompleteness Theorems, Large Cardinals, and Automata Over Finite Words
Authors: Finkel Olivier
Published: April 2019

We prove that one can construct various kinds of automata over finite words for which some elementary properties are actually independent from strong set theories like [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] “There exist (at least) [Formula: see text] inaccessible cardinals”, for integers [Formula: see text]. In particular, we prove independence results for languages of finite words generated by context-free grammars, or accepted by 2-tape or 1-counter automata. Moreover we get some independence results for weighted automata and for some related finitely generated subsemigroups of the set [Formula: see text] of 3-3 matrices with integer entries. Some of these latter results are independence results from the Peano axiomatic system PA.
Probing an Extended Uncertainty Principle black hole with gravitational lensings
Authors: Lu Xu , Xie Yi
Published: April 2019

We study signals of the weak and strong deflection gravitational lensings by an Extended Uncertainty Principle (EUP) black hole, which is based on a modified Heisenberg relation with an additional correction of position-uncertainty. Gravitational lensing observables, including positions, magnifications and differential time delays between lensed images, are obtained in both scenarios and analyzed for the supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in the Galactic Center (Sgr A*) and M87. We find that, for Sgr A*, measurements on the separation between the primary and secondary images in the weak deflection lensing and the apparent size of the photon sphere in the strong deflection lensing are two feasible ways to constrain EUP, imposing comparable lower bounds on the fundamental scale of EUP as [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1010 m. For the SMBH in M87, measurements on strong deflection lensing observables are only available and they can give a much bigger lower bound as [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1013 m. These results might provide hints for probing EUP black holes by gravitational lensings.
Implementation of Modified Field-Oriented Control Scheme for Improving the Fault Ride Through Ability of BDFIG System
Authors: Muthusamy Maheswari , Parvathy A. K.
Published: April 2019

This paper devises a design named brushless doubly fed induction generator (BDFIG) with a fault ride-through enhancement that employs upgraded field-oriented control (FOC) scheme. The DFIG is most suitable for wind energy conversion system (WECS) because it has an amicable establishment, economical operation and promising characteristics. A WECS based on two BDFIGs connected electrically in parallel and mechanically in series, excited by a three-phase inverter and controlled as variable speed, is described. For enhancing power quality and power flow capability, static compensator (STATCOM) has been incorporated in the proposed configuration. The comparative analysis on performance has been carried out with the existing proportional-integral (PI) controller and self-tuning fuzzy logic controller (STFLC) for the proposed configuration under varying wind speed. In this paper, the fuzzy controller is designed to adapt PI parameters Kp and Ki, in order to reduce at least some inherent characteristics (overshoot, response time, etc.) of the error between the reference and system response. The digital simulation results claim that the FLC-based controller can offer an attractive and feasible control for the proposed WECS integrating two BDFIGs.
Surgical Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures under the Ultrasound-Guided Brachial Plexus Block Performed by Surgeons
Authors: Obata Hiroyuki , Naito Kiyohito , Sugiyama Yoichi , Nagura Nana , Kinoshita Mayuko , Goto Kenji , Iwase Yoshiyuki , Obayashi Osamu , Kaneko Kazuo
Published: April 2019

Background: The upper limb surgery under the ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block is becoming popular due to its safety, effectiveness, and convenience. However, the uneven distribution of anesthesiologists become a social problem. Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block by surgeons has been widespread especially in hand surgeons. We report the surgical treatment of distal radius fractures under the ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block performed by surgeons in our hospital.

Methods: The subjects were 101 patients (41 males and 60 females, average age 61.6 years) who underwent surgery for distal radius fractures under ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block administered by orthopedists at our university or related facilities between January 2014 and June 2016. Brachial plexus block was administered through the supraclavicular approach. The time from initiation of anesthesia to initiation of surgery, mean operative time, the presence or absence of additional anesthesia (local infiltration anesthesia, intravenous anesthesia, and general anesthesia), and complications were evaluated.

Results: The mean time from brachial plexus block to initiation of surgery was 35.7 (20–68) minutes, and the mean operative time was 90.5 (35–217) minutes. Surgery was completed with brachial plexus block alone in 62 patients (61.4%), and additional anesthesia was necessary in 39 patients (38.6%). Furthermore, general anesthesia was employed in 6 patients (5.9%). No serious complications occurred.

Conclusions: According to our results, the operation could be completed with brachial plexus block alone and additional local infiltration anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia in 94.1% (95 cases). However, 6 cases (5.9%) shifted to general anesthesia. Although it needs training, we consider that hand surgery including distal radius fractures treatment under the ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block is possible. On the other hand, cooperation or a cooperative system with anesthesiologists is necessary for surgeons to administer this anesthesia.
Incomplete Ossification of the Scaphoid Mimicking Obvious Radiographic Scapholunate Dissociation: A Case Report
Authors: Shinohara Takaaki , Hirata Hitoshi
Published: April 2019

We report a patient of Scapholunate (SL) injury in which radiography revealed obvious SL dissociation with dorsal intercalated segment instability deformity, but arthroscopy showed a SL gap of less than 2 mm. Radiographs of the uninjured wrist showed a SL interval of 3.0 mm and a SL angle of 80°. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed low signal intensity in the proximal portion of the scaphoid and a mild SL gap on T1-, T2-weighted, and T2-weighted fat-suppressed images. Midcarpal wrist arthrography revealed a small amount of contrast media leakage through the SL interval. It was considered that incomplete ossification of the scaphoid mimicked obvious radiographic SL dissociation.
Identification of Synthesis Approaches for IP/IC Piracy of Reversible Circuits
Authors: Saeed Samah Mohamed , Mahendran Nithin , Zulehner Alwin , Wille Robert , Karri Ramesh
Published: April 2019

Reversible circuits employ a computational paradigm that is beneficial for several applications, including the design of encoding and decoding devices, low-power design, and emerging applications inquantum computation. However, similarly to conventional logic, reversible circuits are expected to be subject toIntellectual Property/Integrated Circuit piracy. To counteract such attacks, an understanding of how to identify the target function from a reversible circuit is a crucial first step. In contrast to conventional logic, the target function is (implicitly or explicitly) embedded into the reversible circuit. Numerous synthesis approaches have been proposed for this embedding task. To recover the target function embedded in a reversible circuit, one needs to know what synthesis approach has been used to embed the circuit.

We propose a machine-learning-based scheme to determine the used reversible synthesis approach based on the telltale signs it leaves in the synthesized reversible circuit. We study the impact of optimizing the synthesis approaches on the telltale signs that they leave. Our analysis shows that the synthesis approaches can be determined in the vast majority of cases even if optimized versions of the synthesis approaches are used.
MiC
Authors: Liu Qixiao , Chen Zhifeng , Yu Zhibin
Published: April 2019

Graphics processing units (GPUs)
1
have enjoyed increasing popularity in recent years, which benefits from, for example, general-purpose GPU (GPGPU) for parallel programs and new computing paradigms, such as the Internet of Things (IoT). GPUs hold great potential in providing effective solutions for big data analytics while the demands for processing large quantities of data in real time are also increasing. However, the pervasive presence of GPUs on mobile devices presents great challenges for GPGPU, mainly because GPGPU integrates a large amount of processor arrays and concurrent executing threads (up to hundreds of thousands). In particular, the root causes of performance loss in a GPGPU program can not be revealed in detail by current approaches.

In this article, we propose MiC (Multi-level Characterization), a framework that comprehensively characterizes GPGPU kernels at the instruction, Basic Block (BBL), and thread levels. Specifically, we devise Instruction Vectors (IV) and Basic Blocks Vectors (BBV), a Thread Similarity Matrix (TSM), and a Divergence Flow Statistics Graph (DFSG) to profile information in each level. We use MiC to provide insights into GPGPU kernels through the characterizations of 34 kernels from popular GPGPU benchmark suites such as Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) Software Development Kit (SDK), Rodinia, and Parboil. In comparison with Central Processing Unit (CPU) workloads, we conclude the key findings as follows: (1) There are comparable Instruction-Level Parallelism (ILP); (2) The BBL count is significantly smaller than CPU workloads—only 22.8 on average; (3) The dynamic instruction count per thread varies from dozens to tens of thousands and it is extremely small compared to CPU benchmarks; (4) The Pareto principle (also called 90/10 rule) does not apply to GPGPU kernels while it pervasively exists in CPU programs; (5) The loop patterns are dramatically different from those in CPU workloads; (6) The branch ratio is lower than that of CPU programs but higher than pure GPU workloads. In addition, we have also shown how TSM and DFSG are used to characterize the branch divergence in a visual way, to enable the analysis of thread behavior in GPGPU programs. In addition, we show an optimization case for a GPGPU kernel from the bottleneck identified through its characterization result, which improves 16.8% performance.
Client-side Computational Optimization
Authors: Maniezzo Vittorio , Boschetti Marco A. , Carbonaro Antonella , Marzolla Moreno , Strappaveccia Francesco
Published: April 2019

Mobile platforms have matured to a point where they can provide the infrastructure required to support sophisticated optimization codes. This opens the possibility to envisage new interest for distributed application codes and the opportunity to intensify research on optimization algorithms requiring limited computational resources, as provided by mobile platforms.

In this article, we report on some exploratory experience in this area. We illustrate some practical, real-world cases where running optimization programs on mobile or embedded devices can be useful, with particular emphasis on matheuristics approaches. Then, we discuss a practical use case involving the feasibility version of the generalized assignment problem (GAP). We present a JavaScript implementation of a GAP solver that can be executed inside an ordinary browser supporting ECMAScript. We tested the code on different smartphones of varying age and power, as well as on desktop PCs and other embedded devices. Our experiments confirm the viability of mobile devices for computational intensive tasks.
Disrupting algorithms and software
Authors: Uçar Bora
Published: April 2019

In May 2018, another ACM SIGHPC incooperation meeting, IEEE IPDPS, took place in Vancouver, Canada. We caught up with Bora Uçar (CNRS and ENS Lyon), who served as this year's general chair, for highlights from the meeting.
Student outreach broadens participation at SC18
Authors: Harvey Christine
Published: April 2019

The SC Conference has always been a great place to be a student, from the Student Volunteers working the information booth to the HPC for Undergrads program sessions for those new to our field. In 2016, the Students@SC program was expanded to include Student Outreach with a focus on developing and spreading the reach of the conference's student programs to include new and diverse student groups.
Crop Improvement Through Temperature Resilience
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Li Xin-Min , Lin Hong-Xuan , Chong Kang
Published: April 2019

Abnormal environmental temperature affects plant growth and threatens crop production. Understanding temperature signal sensing and the balance between defense and development in plants lays the foundation for improvement of temperature resilience. Here, we summarize the current understanding of cold signal perception/transduction as well as heat stress response. Dissection of plant responses to different levels of cold stresses (chilling and freezing) illustrates their common and distinct signaling pathways. Axillary bud differentiation in response to chilling is presented as an example of the trade-off between defense and development. Vernalization is a cold-dependent development adjustment mediated by O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation to sense long-term cold. Recent progress on major quantitative trait loci genes for heat tolerance has been summarized. Molecular mechanisms in utilizing temperature-sensitive sterility in super hybrid breeding in China are revealed. The way to improve crop temperature resilience using integrative knowledge of omics as well as systemic and synthetic biology, especially the molecular module program, is summarized.
From Bacteriophage to Plant Genetics
Authors: Hohn Barbara
Published: April 2019

When first asked to write a review of my life as a scientist, I doubted anyone would be interested in reading it. In addition, I did not really want to compose my own memorial. However, after discussing the idea with other scientists who have written autobiographies, I realized that it might be fun to dig into my past and to reflect on what has been important for me, my life, my family, my friends and colleagues, and my career. My life and research has taken me from bacteriophage to Agrobacterium tumefaciens–mediated DNA transfer to plants to the plant genome and its environmentally induced changes. I went from being a naïve, young student to a postdoc and married mother of two to the leader of an ever-changing group of fantastic coworkers—a journey made rich by many interesting scientific milestones, fascinating exploration of all corners of the world, and marvelous friendships.
Chip-based sensing for release of unprocessed cell surface proteins in vitro and in serum and its (patho)physiological relevance
Authors: Müller Günter A. , Herling Andreas W. , Stemmer Kerstin , Lechner Andreas , Tschöp Matthias H.
Published: April 2019

To study the possibility that certain components of eukaryotic plasma membranes are released under certain (patho)physiological conditions, a chip-based sensor was developed for the detection of cell surface proteins, which are anchored at the outer leaflet of eukaryotic plasma membranes by a covalently attached glycolipid, exclusively, and might be prone to spontaneous or regulated release on the basis of their amphiphilic character. For this, unprocessed, full-length glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-AP), together with associated phospholipids, were specifically captured and detected by a chip- and microfluidic channel-based sensor, leading to changes in phase and amplitude of surface acoustic waves (SAW) propagating over the chip surface. Unprocessed GPI-AP in complex with lipids were found to be released from rat adipocyte plasma membranes immobilized on the chip, which was dependent on the flow rate and composition of the buffer stream. The complexes were identified in the incubation medium of primary rat adipocytes, in correlation to the cell size, and in rat as well as human serum. With rats, the measured changes in SAW phase shift, reflecting specific mass/size or amount of the unprocessed GPI-AP in complex with lipids, and SAW amplitude, reflecting their viscoelasticity, enabled the differentiation between the lean and obese (high-fat diet) state, and the normal (Wistar) and hyperinsulinemic (Zucker fatty) as well as hyperinsulinemic hyperglycemic (Zucker diabetic fatty) state. Thus chip-based sensing for complexes of unprocessed GPI-AP and lipids reveals the inherently labile anchorage of GPI-AP at plasma membranes and their susceptibility for release in response to (intrinsic/extrinsic) cues of metabolic relevance and may, therefore, be useful for monitoring of (pre-)diabetic disease states.
Hydrogen sulfide inhibits Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in type-1 diabetes
Authors: Papu John A. Sashi , Kundu Sourav , Pushpakumar Sathnur , Amin Matthew , Tyagi Suresh C. , Sen Utpal
Published: April 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) attenuates N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-R1 (NMDA-R1) and mitigates diabetic renal damage; however, the molecular mechanism is not well known. Whereas NMDA-R1 facilitates Ca2+permeability, H2S is known to inhibit L-type Ca2+channel. High Ca2+activates cyclophilin D (CypD), a gatekeeper protein of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP), thus facilitating molecular exchange between matrix and cytoplasm causing oxidative outburst and cell death. We tested the hypothesis of whether NMDA-R1 mediates Ca2+influx causing CypD activation and MPTP opening leading to oxidative stress and renal injury in diabetes. We also tested whether H2S treatment blocks Ca2+channel and thus inhibits CypD and MPTP opening to prevent renal damage. C57BL/6J and Akita (C57BL/6J-Ins2Akita) mice were treated without or with H2S donor GYY4137 (0.25 mg·kg−1·day−1ip) for 8 wk. In vitro studies were performed using mouse glomerular endothelial cells. Results indicated that low levels of H2S and increased expression of NMDA-R1 in diabetes induced Ca2+permeability, which was ameliorated by H2S treatment. We observed cytosolic Ca2+influx in hyperglycemic (HG) condition along with mitochondrial-CypD activation, increased MPTP opening, and oxidative outburst, which were mitigated with H2S treatment. Renal injury biomarker KIM-1 was upregulated in HG conditions and normalized following H2S treatment. Inhibition of NMDA-R1 by pharmacological blocker MK-801 revealed similar results. We conclude that NMDA-R1-mediated Ca2+influx in diabetes induces MPTP opening via CypD activation leading to increased oxidative stress and renal injury, and H2S protects diabetic kidney from injury by blocking mitochondrial Ca2+permeability through NMDA-R1 pathway.
IL-21 Expands HIV-1-Specific CD8+ T Memory Stem Cells to Suppress HIV-1 Replication In Vitro
Authors: Wu Kang , Zhang Shaoying , Zhang Xu , Li Xinghua , Hong Zhongsi , Yu Fei , Liu Bingfeng , Pan Ting , Huang Zhaofeng , Tang Xiao-ping , Cai Weiping , Xia Jinyu , Li Xuefeng , Zhang Hui , Zhang Yiwen , Li Linghua
Published: April 2019

Due to the existence of viral reservoirs, the rebound of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viremia can occur within weeks after discontinuing combined antiretroviral therapy. Immunotherapy could potentially be applied to eradicate reactivated HIV-1 in latently infected CD4+ T lymphocytes. Although the existence of HIV-1-specific CD8+ T memory stem cells (TSCMs) is well established, there are currently no reports regarding methods using CD8+ TSCMs to treat HIV-1 infection. In this study, we quantified peripheral blood antigen-specific CD8+ TSCMs and then expanded HIV-1-specific TSCMs that targeted optimal antigen epitopes (SL9, IL9, and TL9) in the presence of interleukin- (IL-) 21 or IL-15. The suppressive capacity of the expanded CD8+ TSCMs on HIV-1 production was measured by assessing cell-associated viral RNA and performing viral outgrowth assays. We found that the number of unmutated TL9-specific CD8+ TSCMs positively correlated with the abundance of CD4+ T cells and that the expression of IFN-γ was higher in TL9-specific CD8+ TSCMs than that in non-TL9-specific CD8+ TSCMs. Moreover, the antiviral capacities of IL-21-stimulated CD8+ TSCMs exceeded those of conventional CD8+ memory T cells and IL-15-stimulated CD8+ TSCMs. Thus, we demonstrated that IL-21 could efficiently expand HIV-1-specific CD8+ TSCMs to suppress HIV-1 replication. Our study provides new insight into the function of IL-21 in the in vitro suppression of HIV-1 replication.
A Simple and Practical Scheme Using Multiple Channels for Improving System Spectral Efficiency of Highly Dense Wireless LANs
Authors: So Jungmin , Lee Joosang
Published: April 2019

As the density of wireless LANs increases, performance degradation caused by hidden terminals and exposed terminals becomes significant. These problems come from carrier sensing based medium access control used in current wireless LANs. Hidden terminals are created if carrier sense threshold is too high, whereas exposed terminals are created if carrier sense threshold is too low. A good threshold depends on how far nodes are placed from their destinations, but that cannot be controlled by the system. In this paper, we propose a simple scheme that makes use of multiple channels. Multiple channels could be utilized by equipping multiple radios or using advanced hardware such as SDR to divide a single channel into multiple channels. Nodes are assigned channels based on their estimated distance from the AP. Once the assignment is done, carrier sense threshold for the channel is selected so that as many concurrent transmissions take place as possible, while preventing hidden terminals. Simulation results show that the proposed mechanism achieves significantly higher throughput without causing starvation at the edge nodes.
Curcumin and α/β-Adrenergic Antagonists Cotreatment Reverse Liver Cirrhosis in Hamsters: Participation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB
Authors: Macías-Pérez José Roberto , Vázquez-López Bruno Jesús , Muñoz-Ortega Martin Humberto , Aldaba-Muruato Liseth Rubí , Martínez-Hernández Sandra Luz , Sánchez-Alemán Esperanza , Ventura-Juárez Javier
Published: April 2019

Liver cirrhosis is the result of an uncontrolled fibrogenetic process, due to the activation and subsequent differentiation into myofibroblasts of the hepatic stellate cells (HSC). It is known that HSC express adrenoreceptors (AR), and the use of AR antagonists protects experimental animals from cirrhosis. However, several studies suggest that the toxicity generated by metabolism of these antagonists would hinder its use in cirrhotic patients. In addition, liver fibrosis may be associated with a decrease of the antioxidant response of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and the overregulation of the proinflammatory pathway of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Therefore, in the present work, the capacity of doxazosin (α1 antagonist), carvedilol (nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blocker with alpha 1-blocking properties), and curcumin (antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound) to reverse liver cirrhosis and studying the possible modulation of Nrf-2 and NF-κB were evaluated. Hamsters received CCl4 for 20 weeks, and then treatments were immediately administered for 4 weeks more. The individual administration of doxazosin or carvedilol showed less ability to reverse cirrhosis in relation to concomitantly curcumin administration. However, the best effect was the combined effect of doxazosin, carvedilol, and curcumin, reversing liver fibrosis and decreasing the amount of collagen I (Sirius red stain) without affecting the morphology of hepatocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain), showing normal hepatic function (glucose, albumin, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, and total proteins). In addition, carvedilol treatment and the combination of doxazosin with curcumin increased Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio and its protein expression in the inflammatory cells in the livers, possibly as another mechanism of hepatoprotection. Therefore, these results suggest for the first time that α/β adrenergic blockers with curcumin completely reverse hepatic damage, possibly as a result of adrenergic antagonism on HSC and conceivably by the increase of Nrf-2/NF-κB mRNA ratio.
Prediction of Sensory Crispness of Potato Chips Using a Reference-Calibration Method
Authors: Kwak Han Sub , Kim Sang Sook , Chang Yoon Hyuk , Saleh Mohammed , Lee Youngseung
Published: April 2019

Reference calibration is a useful technique when sensory evaluation is not feasible or practical. This study was conducted to predict the crispness perception of potato chips evaluated by instrumental means through the reference-calibrated method. To investigate the relationship between sensory evaluation and instrumental measurement data, six different standard references for crispness were used. Instrumental crispness was predicted by measuring the total area of the chip with a texture analyzer. The samples were also evaluated by six trained panelists. Nine chips with various textures were tested by a mechanical test. The Fechner, Stevens, and Beidler models were applied to investigate the correlation across the reference scores with the total area then predicting the sensory crispness for the nine chips. The relationship between the instrumental total area and the sensory crispness of the standard references was found to be nonlinear over the standard crispness scale. The Fechner model seemed to be the best predictive model (R2 = 0.8; RMSEC = 1.3; robustness = 2.4; model discrimination index = 3.3) for predicting the sensory crispness of chips. This study suggests that standard references with a reference-calibration method can be used to calibrate the crispness of potato chips. It is the first study to demonstrate that sensory crispness of potato chips could be predicted using comprehensive references for crispness. Based on the results in this study, an equation established by the Fechner model could be utilized to estimate the various crispness of potato chips under circumstances in which sensory evaluation is not practical or available.
The Role of TLR4 Asp299Gly and TLR4 Thr399Ile Polymorphisms in the Pathogenesis of Urinary Tract Infections: First Evaluation in Infants and Children of Greek Origin
Authors: Karananou Panagiota , Tramma Despoina , Katafigiotis Socrates , Alataki Anastasia , Lambropoulos Alexandros , Papadopoulou-Alataki Efimia
Published: April 2019

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common and serious bacterial infections in a pediatric population. So far, they have mainly been related to age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, and the presence of underlying anatomical or functional, congenital, or acquired abnormalities. Recently, both innate and adaptive immunities and their interaction in the pathogenesis and the development of UTIs have been studied. The aim of this study was to assess the role and the effect of the two most frequent polymorphisms of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile on the development of UTIs in infants and children of Greek origin. We studied 51 infants and children with at least one episode of acute urinary tract infection and 109 healthy infants and children. We found that 27.5% of patients and 8.26% of healthy children carried the heterozygote genotype for TLR4 Asp299Gly. TLR4 Thr399Ile polymorphism was found to be higher in healthy children and lower in the patient group. No homozygosity for both studied polymorphisms was detected in our patients. In the group of healthy children, a homozygote genotype for TLR4 Asp299Gly (G/G) as well as for TLR4 Thr399Ile (T/T) was showed (1.84% and 0.92 respectively). These results indicate the role of TLR4 polymorphism as a genetic risk for the development of UTIs in infants and children of Greek origin.