bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmological models with a hybrid scale factor in an extended gravity theory
Authors: Mishra B. , Tripathy S. K. , Tarai Sankarsan
Published: March 2018

A general formalism to investigate Bianchi type [Formula: see text] universes is developed in an extended theory of gravity. A minimally coupled geometry and matter field is considered with a rescaled function of [Formula: see text] substituted in place of the Ricci scalar R in the geometrical action. Dynamical aspects of the models are discussed by using a hybrid scale factor (HSF) that behaves as power law in an initial epoch and as an exponential form at late epoch. The power law behavior and the exponential behavior appear as two extreme cases of the present model.
Electrospun 3,5-dithienylvinyleneBODIPY embedded polystyrene nanofibers for the photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes in industrial wastewaters
Authors: Lebechi Augustus K. , Gai Lizhi , Shen Zhen , Nyokong Tebello , Mack John
Published: March 2018

The potential utility of electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofibers embedded with 2,6-diiodo-8-phenyl-1,7-dimethyl-3,5-di-2-thienylvinyleneBODIPY for the photocatalytic degradation of azo dyes is investigated. A comparison of the singlet oxygen quantum yield of the [Formula: see text]-extended BODIPY dye in solution and in the PS nanofibers demonstrates that its photosensitizer properties are retained when it is embedded in the solid phase. The photocatalytic degradation properties of the PS nanofibers for Methyl Orange and Orange G were determined by using a Thorlabs 625 nm light emitting diode. The rate of photodegradation increases with the Orange G and Methyl Orange concentration and follows pseudo-first order kinetics at pH 6.7.
INTRODUCTION TO THE EMF 32 STUDY ON U.S. CARBON TAX SCENARIOS
Authors: FAWCETT ALLEN A. , MCFARLAND JAMES R. , MORRIS ADELE C. , WEYANT JOHN P.
Published: March 2018

This paper is an introduction to, “The EMF 32 Study on U.S. Carbon Tax Scenarios,” part of the Stanford Energy Modeling Forum (EMF) Model Inter-comparison Project (MIP) number 32. Eleven modeling teams participated in this study examining the economic and environmental impacts of various carbon tax trajectories and differing uses of carbon tax revenues. This special issue of Climate Change Economics documents the results of this study with four cross-cutting papers that summarize results across models, and ten papers from individual modeling teams.
REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF NATIONAL CARBON TAXES
Authors: ROSS MARTIN T.
Published: March 2018

This paper examines impacts of nationally-imposed carbon taxes on different regions of the United States. The goal is to see what can be learned about the drivers of regional political support for and opposition to such measures. Whether at the state, regional or national levels, carbon taxes are one option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; several state and regional programs are already under way and lowering emissions. This analysis uses a U.S. regional version of the DIEM computable general equilibrium model to explore relationships between carbon taxes, emissions, and economic growth. One area of emphasis is how the distribution of impacts may be affected by differences in regional household spending patterns, the types of industries and electricity generation situated in those regions, and the locations of energy production and energy-intensive manufacturing. The modeling also explores how carbon tax revenues can be used to offset impacts on regional factor earnings.
THE SENSITIVITY OF CO2 EMISSIONS UNDER A CARBON TAX TO ALTERNATIVE BASELINE FORECASTS
Authors: CHEN YUNGUANG , GOULDER LAWRENCE H. , HAFSTEAD MARC A. C.
Published: March 2018

Future carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions under a carbon tax depend on the time-path of the economy under baseline (business-as-usual) conditions as well as the extent to which the policy reduces emissions relative to the baseline. Considerable uncertainties surround the baseline forecasts for fuel prices, energy efficiency (energy-GDP ratios), and GDP, as evidenced by the significant ranges in the forecasts by government agencies and research institutions in the U.S. This paper assesses the significance of these uncertainties to the path of CO2 emissions under a carbon tax. We do this by examining the emissions levels and quantities of abatement that result from the E3 general equilibrium model under a range of alternative baseline forecasts for fuel prices, energy efficiency, and GDP, where the different baselines are produced through suitable changes to key model parameters. In addition, we consider how the time-profile of the carbon tax needed to achieve specified CO2 abatement targets is affected by such forecast-linked changes in parameters.

We find that the sensitivity of baseline emissions to alternative forecasts depends on the particular forecasted variable under consideration. Baseline CO2 emissions are highly sensitive to alternative scenarios related to the rate of energy efficiency improvements in the nonenergy sector and the rate of general economic growth. In contrast, such emissions are much less sensitive to alternative scenarios related to the productivity of fossil fuel production. The extent of abatement from the baseline is generally fairly insensitive to changes in the scenarios for time-paths of fuel prices, energy-efficiency and GDP. We also find that short-term emissions targets can be achieved with relatively moderate carbon taxes under all of the baseline scenarios considered.
Developing an Open Source 'Big Data' Cognitive Computing Platform
Authors: Kowolenko Michael , Vouk Mladen A.
Published: March 2018

The ability to leverage diverse data types requires a robust and dynamic approach to systems design. The needs of a data scientist are as varied as the questions being explored. Compute systems have focused on the management and analysis of structured data as the driving force of analytics in business. As open source platforms have evolved, the ability to apply compute to unstructured information has exposed an array of platforms and tools available to the business and technical community. We have developed a platform that meets the needs of the analytics user requirements of both structured and unstructured data. This analytics workbench is based on acquisition, transformation, and analysis using open source tools such as Nutch, Tika, Elastic, Python, PostgreSQL, and Django to implement a cognitive compute environment that can handle widely diverse data, and can leverage the ever-expanding capabilities of infrastructure in order to provide intelligence augmentation.
Synergy via Redundancy
Authors: Joshi Gauri
Published: March 2018

The maximum possible throughput (rate of task completion) of a multi-server system is typically the sum of the service rates of individual servers. Recent works show that task replication can boost the throughput, in particular if the service time has high variability (Cv > 1). Thus, redundancy can be used to create synergy among servers such that their overall throughput is greater than sum of individual servers. This paper seeks to find the fundamental limit of this capacity boost achieved by task replication. The optimal adaptive replication policy can be found using a Markov Decision Process (MDP) framework, but the MDP is hard to solve in general. We propose two replication policies, MaxRate and AdaRep that gradually add replicas only when needed. To quantify the optimality gap of these policies, we also derive an a upper bound on the service capacity for the two-server case.
Epidemic-Like Stochastic Processes with Time-Varying Behavior
Authors: Lu Yingdong , Squillante Mark S. , Wah Wu Chai
Published: March 2018

The mathematical analysis of epidemic-like behavior has a rich history, going all the way back to the seminal work of Bernoulli in 1766 [5]. More recently, mathematical models of epidemic-like behavior have received considerable attention in the research literature based on additional motivation from areas such as communication and social networks, cybersecurity systems, and financial markets; see, e.g., [6]. The types of viral behaviors exhibited in many of these applications tend to be characterized by epidemic-like stochastic processes with time-varying parameters [12, 13]. In this paper we consider variants of the classical mathematical model of epidemic-like behavior analyzed by Kurtz [8],[7, Chapter 11], extending the analysis and results to first incorporate time-varying behavior for the infection and cure rates of the model and to then investigate structural properties of the interactions between local (micro) and global (macro) behaviors within the process. Specifically, we start by formally presenting an epidemic-like continuous-time, discretestate stochastic process in which each individual comprising the population can be either in a non-infected state or in an infected state, and where the rate at which the noninfected population is infected and the rate at which the infected population is cured are both functions of time. We established that, under general assumptions on the timevarying processes and under a mean-field scaling with respect to population size n, the stochastic processes converge to a continuous-time, continuous-state time-varying dynamical system. Then we study the stationary behavior of both the original stochastic process and the mean-field limiting dynamical system, and verify that they, in fact, have similar asymptotic behavior with respect to time. In other words, we establish that the following diagram is commutative.
Fluid flow model for energy-aware server performance evaluation
Authors: Deiana Eleonora , Latouche Guy , Remiche Marie-Ange
Published: March 2018

We use a fluid flow model with reactive bounds to analyse a data processing center with energy-aware servers. The servers switch between four energy states depending on the level of the buffer content and on three reactive bounds. Every state consumes different amounts of energy. We use a regenerative approach to calculate the stationary distribution of the system and the expected energy consumption.
Performance Evaluation with Java Modelling Tools:
Authors: Casale Giuliano , Serazzi Giuseppe , Zhu Lulai
Published: March 2018

The goal of this tutorial is to introduce Java Modelling Tools (JMT), an open source framework for discrete-event simulation and analysis of queueing networks, both product-form and extended, generalized stochastic Petri nets (GSPNs), and queueing Petri nets (QPNs). Thanks to a user-friendly graphical interface, JMT is well-suited to teach performance modeling in academia and to help research students familiarize with classic modeling formalisms used in performance evaluation. The tutorial introduces established and novel features of the JMT suite and illustrates them on case studies.
Stein's Method for Steady-State Approximations: Error Bounds and Engineering Solutions
Authors: Braverman Anton , Dai Jim
Published: March 2018

Heavy traffic limits of queueing systems have been studied in the literature using fluid and diffusion limits. Recently, a new method called the 'Drift Method' has been developed to study these limits. In the drift method, a function of the queue lengths is picked and its drift is set to zero in steady-state, to obtain bounds on the steady-state queue lengths that are tight in the heavy-traffic limit. The key is to establish an appropriate notion of state-space collapse in terms of steady-state moments of weighted queue length differences, and use this state-space collapse result when setting the drift equal to zero. These moment bounds involved in state space collapse are also obtained by drift arguments similar to the well-known Foster-Lyapunov theorem. We will apply the methodology to study routing, scheduling, and other resource allocation problems that arise in data centers and cloud computing systems.
Task-set generator for schedulability analysis using the TACLebench benchmark suite
Authors: De Bock Yorick , Altmeyer Sebastian , Huybrechts Thomas , Broeckhove Jan , Hellinckx Peter
Published: March 2018

Currently, real-time embedded systems evolve towards complex systems using new state of the art technologies such as multi-core processors and virtualization techniques. Both technologies require new real-time scheduling algorithms. For uniprocessor scheduling, utilization-based evaluation methodologies are well-established. For multi-core systems and virtualization, evaluating and comparing scheduling techniques using the tasks' parameters is more realistic. Evaluating such scheduling techniques requires relevant and standardised task sets. Scheduling algorithms can be evaluated at three levels: 1) using a mathematical model of the algorithm, 2) simulating the algorithm and 3) implementing the algorithm on the target platform. Generating task sets is straightforward in the case of the first two levels; only the parameters of the tasks are required. Evaluating and comparing scheduling algorithms on the target platform itself, however, requires executable tasks matching the predefined standardised task sets. Generating those executable tasks is not standardized yet.

Therefore, we developed a task-set generator that generates reproducible, standardised task sets that are suitable at all levels. Besides generating the tasks' parameters, it includes a method that generates executables by combining publicly available benchmarks with known execution times. This paper presents and evaluates this task-set generator.
Enabling power-awareness for the Xen hypervisor
Authors: Ferroni Matteo , Colmenares Juan A. , Hofmeyr Steven , Kubiatowicz John D. , Santambrogio Marco D.
Published: March 2018

Virtualization allows simultaneous execution of multi-tenant workloads on the same platform, either a server or an embedded system. Unfortunately, it is non-trivial to attribute hardware events to multiple virtual tenants, as some system's metrics relate to the whole system (e.g., RAPL energy counters). Virtualized environments have then a rather incomplete picture of how tenants use the hardware, limiting their optimization capabilities. Thus, we propose XeM-Power, a lightweight monitoring solution for Xen that precisely accounts hardware events to guest workloads. It also enables attribution of CPU power consumption to individual tenants. We show that XeMPower introduces negligible overhead in power consumption, aiming to be a reference design for power-aware virtualized environments.
Lightweight IO virtualization on MPU enabled microcontrollers
Authors: Paci Francesco , Brunelli Davide , Benini Luca
Published: March 2018

In the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), millions of devices and embedded platforms based on low-cost and limited resources microcontroller units (MCUs) will be used in continuous operation. Even if over-the-air firmware update is today a common feature, many applications might require not to reboot or to support hardware resource sharing. In such a context
stop, update
and
reboot
the platform is unpractical and dynamic loading of new user code is required. This in turn requires mechanisms to protect the MCU hardware resources and the continuously executing system tasks from uncontrolled perturbation caused by new user code being dynamically loaded. In this paper, we present a framework which provides a lightweight virtualization of the IO and platform peripherals and permits the dynamic loading of new user code. The aim of this work is to support critical isolation features typical of virtualization-ready CPUs on low-cost low-power microcontrollers with no MMU (Memory Management Unit), IOMMU or dedicated instruction extensions. Our approach only leverages the Memory Protection Unit (MPU), which is generally available in all ARM Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M4 microcontrollers. Experimental evaluations demonstrate not only the feasibility, but also the really low impact of the proposed framework in terms of memory requirements and runtime overhead.
Similarity between carotid and coronary artery responses to sympathetic stimulation and the role of α1-receptors in humans
Authors: van Mil Anke C.C.M. , Tymko Michael M. , Kerstens Thijs P. , Stembridge Mike , Green Daniel J. , Ainslie Philip N. , Thijssen Dick H. J.
Published: March 2018

Carotid artery (CCA) dilation occurs in healthy subjects during cold pressor test (CPT), while the magnitude of dilation relates to cardiovascular risk. To further explore this phenomenon and mechanism, we examined carotid artery responses to different sympathetic tests, with and without α1-receptor blockade and assessed similarity to these responses between carotid and coronary arteries. In randomized order, 10 healthy participants (25 ± 3 yr) underwent sympathetic stimulation using the CPT (3-min left-hand immersion in ice-slush) and lower-body negative pressure (LBNP). Before and during sympathetic tests, CCA diameter and velocity (Doppler ultrasound) and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery velocity (echocardiography) were recorded across 3 min. Measures were repeated 90 min following selective α1-receptor blockade via oral prazosin (0.05 mg/kg body wt). CPT significantly increased CCA diameter, LAD maximal velocity, and velocity-time integral area-under-the-curve (all P < 0.05). In contrast, LBNP resulted in a decrease in CCA diameter, LAD maximal velocity, and velocity time integral (VTI; all P < 0.05). Following α1-receptor blockade, CCA and LAD velocity responses to CPT were diminished. In contrast, during LBNP (−30 mmHg), α1-receptor blockade did not alter CCA or LAD responses. Finally, changes in CCA diameter and LAD VTI responses to sympathetic stimulation were positively correlated ( r = 0.66, P < 0.01). We found distinct carotid artery responses to different tests of sympathetic stimulation, where α1 receptors partly contribute to CPT-induced responses. Finally, we found agreement between carotid and coronary artery responses. These data indicate similarity between carotid and coronary responses to sympathetic tests and the role of α1 receptors that is dependent on the nature of the sympathetic challenge.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We showed distinct carotid artery responses to cold pressor test (CPT; i.e., dilation) and lower-body negative pressure (LBNP; i.e., constriction). Blockade of α1-receptors significantly attenuated dilator responses in carotid and coronary arteries during CPT, while no changes were found during LBNP. Our findings indicate strong similarity between carotid and coronary artery responses to distinct sympathetic stimuli, and for the role of α-receptors.
A novel partial gravity ground-based analog for rats via quadrupedal unloading
Authors: Mortreux Marie , Nagy Janice A. , Ko Frank C. , Bouxsein Mary L. , Rutkove Seward B.
Published: March 2018

Musculoskeletal deconditioning is a well-known consequence of microgravity. However, the effects of partial gravity, such as that experienced on the moon (0.16 g) or Mars (0.38 g), on musculoskeletal health remain relatively unexplored. Because Mars is being increasingly viewed as the likely next extraterrestrial site for human exploration, there is an increasing need for Earth-based models that can replicate the long-term physiological effects of microgravity. These models would also offer the opportunity to explore the potential impact of partial artificial gravity (as would be achieved by centrifugation). In this study, we describe a novel partial gravity model that can be employed in rats over extended periods of time. We demonstrate that 2 wk of partial weight bearing at 20, 40, or 70% of normal loading affects the musculoskeletal health of the animals, as evidenced by decreased trabecular bone density (ranging from −7.5 ± 2.7% at 70% of normal loading to −27.9 ± 2.9% at 20%), hindlimb muscle mass, and impaired muscle function as characterized by grip force. This new model will facilitate studies of the physiological changes occurring in partial gravity and allow for the design of potential countermeasures to mitigate these changes.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research article describes the first quadrupedal unloading model in rats that is sustainable for investigating the physiological alterations occurring in partial gravity environments, providing a new and adaptable model for ground-based research for future space exploration.
Effect of Aging Process in Different Solutions on Kenaf Fibre Structure and Its Interfacial Adhesion in Epoxy Composites
Authors: Shalwan A. , Alajmi M. , Alajmi A.
Published: March 2018

Interfacial adhesion of kenaf fibres in epoxy composites was investigated using single fibre pull-out test. Several aged kenaf fibres were tested in this work. Two types of kenaf fibres were used in the work, those treated with 6% NaOH and those untreated kenaf fibres. Kenaf fibres were aged in engine oil, water, salt water, and diesel. The pull-out tests were performed using microtensile tests. The tests were performed at 1 mm/min loading rate. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the damage on the fibres and the effect of the treatment. The general results revealed that aging of the fibres reduced their strength and interfacial adhesion. Salt water showed the least effect on the strength of the fibres. At most cases, the breakage in the fibres is the main failure. In other words, there is no remarkable effect of aging on the interfacial adhesion since the most impact was on the structure of the fibres.
Tourism-Related CO2 Emission and Its Decoupling Effects in China: A Spatiotemporal Perspective
Authors: Tang Zi , Bai Shizhen , Shi Changbo , Liu Lin , Li Xiaohong
Published: March 2018

The rapid development of the tourism industry has been accompanied by an increase in CO2 emissions and has a certain degree of impact on climate change. This study adopted the bottom-up approach to estimate the spatiotemporal change of CO2 emissions of the tourism industry in China and its 31 provinces over the period 2000–2015. In addition, the decoupling index was applied to analyze the decoupling effects between tourism-related CO2 emissions and tourism economy from 2000 to 2015. The results showed that the total CO2 emissions of the tourism industry rose from 37.95 Mt in 2000 to 100.98 Mt in 2015 with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest CO2 emissions from the tourism industry occurred in eastern coastal China, whereas the least CO2 emissions were in the west of China. Additionally, the decoupling of CO2 emissions from economic growth in China’s tourism industry had mainly gone through the alternations of negative decoupling and weak decoupling. The decoupling states in most of the Chinese provinces were desirable during the study period. This study may serve as a scientific reference regarding decision-making in the sustainable development of the tourism industry in China.
Development of a New Intelligent Joystick for People with Reduced Mobility
Authors: Mrabet Makrem , Rabhi Yassine , Fnaiech Farhat
Published: March 2018

Despite the diversity of electric wheelchairs, many people with physical limitations and seniors have difficulty using their standard joystick. As a result, they cannot meet their needs or ensure safe travel. Recent assistive technologies can help to give them autonomy and independence. This work deals with the real-time implementation of an artificial intelligence device to overcome these problems. Following a review of the literature from previous work, we present the methodology and process for implementing our intelligent control system on an electric wheelchair. The system is based on a neural algorithm that overcomes problems with standard joystick maneuvers such as the inability to move correctly in one direction. However, this implies the need for an appropriate methodology to map the position of the joystick handle. Experiments on a real wheelchair are carried out with real patients of the Mohamed Kassab National Institute Orthopedic, Physical and Functional Rehabilitation Hospital of Tunis. The proposed intelligent system gives good results compared to the use of a standard joystick.
A Study of the Effects of Daily Physical Activity on Memory and Attention Capacities in College Students
Authors: Phan Dinh-Van , Chan Chien-Lung , Pan Ren-Hao , Yang Nan-Ping , Hsu Hsiu-Chen , Ting Hsien-Wei , Lai K. Robert
Published: March 2018

This study evaluated the relationship between daily physical activity (DPA) and memory capacity, as well as the association between daily activity and attention capacity, in college students in Taiwan. Participants (mean age = 20.79) wore wearable trackers for 106 days in order to collect DPA. These data were analyzed in association with their memory and attention capacities, as assessed using the spatial span test (SST) and the trail making test (TMT). The study showed significant negative correlations between memory capacity, time spent on the attention test (TSAT), calories burnt, and very active time duration (VATD) on the day before testing (r=−0.272, r=−0.176, r=0.289, r=0.254, resp.) and during the week prior to testing (r=−0.364, r=−0.395, r=0.268, r=0.241, resp.). The calories burnt and the VATD per day thresholds, which at best discriminated between normal-to-good and low attention capacity, were ≥2283 calories day−1, ≥20 minutes day−1 of very high activity (VHA) on the day before testing, or ≥13,640 calories week−1, ≥76 minutes week−1 of VHA during the week prior to testing. Findings indicated the short-term effects that VATD and calories burnt on the day before or during the week before testing significantly and negatively associated with memory and attention capacities of college students.
New Geological and Structural Facts under the Lateritic Cover in Garga Sarali, Ndokayo (East Cameroon) Area, from Audiomagnetotellurics Soundings
Authors: Augustin Didier Pepogo Man-mvele , Théophile Ndougsa-Mbarga , Arsène Meying , Daniel Ngoh Jean , Joseph Mvondo-Ondoua , Paul Claude Ngoumou
Published: March 2018

New geological and structural facts have been identified under the auriferous lateritic cover in Garga Sarali, Ndokayo area. Data were collected using AMT receiver system with frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 50000 Hz. It consists of 16 AMT stations along 03 profiles, over Pan-African formations of East Cameroon. The wide frequency range enabled us to probe deep into the subsurface to obtain necessary information. Using Imagem software, coherency of data has been evaluated and only the data with a coherency below or equal to 0.7 have been considered. Two programs were used to map the subsurface. The pseudosections were obtained using IPI2WIN-MT, while geoelectrical sections were obtained using Stratagem Resistivity Plotter. Analysis of the curves of dimensionality tests shows that there is not always a complete superposition between the two telluric directions, translating the fact that the variation of the resistivity is not 1D, but rather 2D or 3D. Major features of 2D resistivity model from the respective profiles were identified. These features include a set of lower resistive formations going from the surface to 1000 m depth, lying on a set of resistive formations that appears at the surface and below the lower resistive formations. However, a very conductive layer was observed in depth in the three profiles. These facts show that the study area is made up of mixture of both conductive and resistive materials, suggesting a prolongation of the overlap between the Congo Craton and the Pan-African in depth to the north and the location of the CC/Pan-African limit above 4°N parallel accordingly. Deeper electrical discontinuities, interpreted as faults following a NE-SW trend, were highlighted. All these new data suggest that the study area underwent an intense tectonic activity with ductile to brittle deformations due to the presence of the BOSZ.
Embedded FPGA Design for Optimal Pixel Adjustment Process of Image Steganography
Authors: Huang Chiung-Wei , Chou Changmin , Chiu Yu-Che , Chang Cheng-Yuan
Published: March 2018

We propose a prototype of field programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation for optimal pixel adjustment process (OPAP) algorithm of image steganography. In the proposed scheme, the cover image and the secret message are transmitted from a personal computer (PC) to an FPGA board using RS232 interface for hardware processing. We firstly embed k-bit secret message into each pixel of the cover image by the last-significant-bit (LSB) substitution method, followed by executing associated OPAP calculations to construct a stego pixel. After all pixels of the cover image have been embedded, a stego image is created and transmitted from FPGA back to the PC and stored in the PC. Moreover, we have extended the basic pixel-wise structure to a parallel structure which can fully use the hardware devices to speed up the embedding process and embed several bits of secret message at the same time. Through parallel mechanism of the hardware based design, the data hiding process can be completed in few clock cycles to produce steganography outcome. Experimental results show the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed scheme.
Edaravone Improves Septic Cardiac Function by Inducing an HIF‐1α/HO‐1 Pathway
Authors: He Chao , Zhang Wei , Li Suobei , Ruan Wei , Xu Junmei , Xiao Feng
Published: March 2018

Septic myocardial dysfunction remains prevalent and raises mortality rate in patients with sepsis. During sepsis, tissues undergo tremendous oxidative stress which contributes critically to organ dysfunction. Edaravone, a potent radical scavenger, has been proved beneficial in ischemic injuries involving hypoxia‐inducible factor‐ (HIF‐) 1, a key regulator of a prominent antioxidative protein heme oxygenase‐ (HO‐) 1. However, its effect in septic myocardial dysfunction remains unclarified. We hypothesized that edaravone may prevent septic myocardial dysfunction by inducing the HIF‐1/HO‐1 pathway. Rats were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with or without edaravone infusion at three doses (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg, resp.) before CLP and intraperitoneal injection of the HIF‐1α antagonist, ME (15 mg/kg), after CLP. After CLP, rats had cardiac dysfunction, which was associated with deformed myocardium, augmented lipid peroxidation, and increased myocardial apoptosis and inflammation, along with decreased activities of catalase, HIF‐1α, and HO‐1 in the myocardium. Edaravone pretreatment dose‐dependently reversed the changes, of which high dose most effectively improved cardiac function and survival rate of septic rats. However, inhibition of HIF‐1α by ME demolished the beneficial effects of edaravone at high dose, reducing the survival rate of the septic rats without treatments. Taken together, edaravone, by inducing the HIF‐1α/HO‐1 pathway, suppressed oxidative stress and protected the heart against septic myocardial injury and dysfunction.
Effects of Single and Hybrid Steel Fiber Lengths and Fiber Contents on the Mechanical Properties of High‐Strength Fiber‐Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Chul , Yang In-Hwan , Joh Changbin
Published: March 2018

This paper describes an experimental study on the mechanical properties of high‐strength fiber‐reinforced concrete (HSFRC). The experimental parameters included the content and length of the steel fiber as well as the use of either a single‐type fiber or hybrid steel fibers. The steel fiber contents were 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0% based on the volume of HSFRC, and the steel fiber lengths were 13, 16.5, and 19.5 mm. In addition, hybrid steel fibers incorporating steel fibers of different lengths were used. Compression tests and crack mouth opening displacement tests were performed for each HSFRC mixture with different experimental parameters. The mechanical properties of the HSFRC, such as compressive strength, elastic modulus, and tensile strength, increased with the steel fiber content. The mechanical property results of the HSFRC mixture using a single fiber length of 13 mm were greater than the results of the other mixtures. The compressive strength, elastic modulus, and tensile strength of the HSFRC mixture with hybrid steel fibers were similar to those of the mixtures with a single length of steel fiber. Additionally, based on the test results of the material properties, equations for predicting the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the HSFRC were suggested; the predictions using the proposed formula closely agreed with the experimental results.
On the Interpretation of 3D Gyroscope Measurements
Authors: Stančin Sara , Tomažič Sašo
Published: March 2018

We demonstrate that the common interpretation of angular velocities measured by a 3D gyroscope as being sequential Euler rotations introduces a systematic error in the sensor orientation calculated during motion tracking. For small rotation angles, this systematic error is relatively small and can be mistakenly attributed to different sources of sensor inaccuracies, including output bias drift, inaccurate sensitivities, and alignments of the sensor sensitivity axes as well as measurement noise. However, even for such small angles, due to accumulation over time, the erroneous rotation interpretation can have a significant negative impact on the accuracy of the computed angular orientation. We confirm our findings using real-case measurements in which the described systematic error just worsens the deleterious effects typically attributed to an inaccurate sensor and random measurement noise. We demonstrate that, in general, significant improvement in the angular orientation accuracy can be achieved if the measured angular velocities are correctly interpreted as simultaneous and not as sequential rotations.
The Pancreatic Cancer Microbiome Promotes Oncogenesis by Induction of Innate and Adaptive Immune Suppression
Authors: Pushalkar Smruti , Hundeyin Mautin , Daley Donnele , Zambirinis Constantinos P. , Kurz Emma , Mishra Ankita , Mohan Navyatha , Aykut Berk , Usyk Mykhaylo , Torres Luisana E. , Werba Gregor , Zhang Kevin , Guo Yuqi , Li Qianhao , Akkad Neha , Lall Sarah , Wadowski Benjamin , Gutierrez Johana , Kochen Rossi Juan Andres , Herzog Jeremy W. , Diskin Brian , Torres-Hernandez Alejandro , Leinwand Josh , Wang Wei , Taunk Pardeep S. , Savadkar Shivraj , Janal Malvin , Saxena Anjana , Li Xin , Cohen Deirdre , Sartor R. Balfour , Saxena Deepak , Miller George
Published: March 2018

We found that the cancerous pancreas harbors a markedly more abundant microbiome compared with normal pancreas in both mice and humans, and select bacteria are differentially increased in the tumorous pancreas compared with gut. Ablation of the microbiome protects against preinvasive and invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), whereas transfer of bacteria from PDA-bearing hosts, but not controls, reverses tumor protection. Bacterial ablation was associated with immunogenic reprogramming of the PDA tumor microenvironment, including a reduction in myeloid-derived suppressor cells and an increase in M1 macrophage differentiation, promoting TH1 differentiation of CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T-cell activation. Bacterial ablation also enabled efficacy for checkpoint-targeted immunotherapy by upregulating PD-1 expression. Mechanistically, the PDA microbiome generated a tolerogenic immune program by differentially activating select Toll-like receptors in monocytic cells. These data suggest that endogenous microbiota promote the crippling immune-suppression characteristic of PDA and that the microbiome has potential as a therapeutic target in the modulation of disease progression.

Significance: We found that a distinct and abundant microbiome drives suppressive monocytic cellular differentiation in pancreatic cancer via selective Toll-like receptor ligation leading to T-cell anergy. Targeting the microbiome protects against oncogenesis, reverses intratumoral immune tolerance, and enables efficacy for checkpoint-based immunotherapy. These data have implications for understanding immune suppression in pancreatic cancer and its reversal in the clinic. Cancer Discov; 8(4); 403–16. ©2018 AACR.

See related commentary by Riquelme et al., p. 386.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 371
Angiographic and Tomographic Prognostic Factors of Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Treated with Half-Dose Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Chung Chung Yee , Chan Yee Yan , Li Kenneth K.W.
Published: March 2018

Aims: To identify the angiographic and tomographic prognostic factors of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) treated with half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods: This is a consecutive series of 61 eyes with chronic CSC treated with half-dose PDT from January 1, 2009 to October 31, 2016. Results: The mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.47 to 0.31 at 3 months (p < 0.001). From multivariate regression, the final BCVA was significantly associated with the baseline BCVA (p = 0.003), a diffuse hyperfluorescence pattern on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) (p = 0.024), posttreatment shallow irregular pigment epithelium detachment (PED) (p = 0.022), and disruption of the ellipsoid zone (p = 0.007). A diffuse hyperfluorescence pattern on ICGA was associated with a 77.4 times risk of subretinal fluid persistence after treatment (p = 0.009). Conclusion: A poor baseline BCVA, diffuse hyperfluorescence ICGA pattern, shallow irregular PED, and disruption of the ellipsoid zone indicate poor prognosis.
Influence of Visceral Fat in the Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Goulart André , Malheiro Nuno , Rios Hugo , Sousa Nuno , Leão Pedro
Published: March 2018

Aim: To determine the relationship of visceral fat (VF) with the surgical outcome of the patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) submitted to curative surgery. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all patients submitted to CRC surgery during 3 years with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up. We assessed the length of hospital stay, complications, pathologic reports, surgical re-interventions and hospital re-admissions, relapses, survival time and disease-free time. VF was calculated based on patients’ pre-operative CT-scan. The patients were divided into quartiles according to the VF area. Linear regression models and logistic regression models were used to establish a relationship between VF and all data collected. Results: The study included 199 patients (129 with colon cancer [CC] and 70 with rectal cancer). The average area of VF was 115.7 cm2. Patients with CRC revealed a direct relationship between VF and postoperative complications (p = 0.043), anastomotic leakage (p = 0.009) and re-operation (p = 0.005). The subgroup of patients with CC had an inverse association between VF and lymph nodes harvested (p = 0.027). Survival analyses did not reveal significant differences. Conclusion: VF has an influence on postoperative complications, anastomotic leakage and re-operation. A negative influence of VF on lymph nodes harvested was observed on CC patients.
Ethnopharmacological Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Treating Dysuria: A Collection from Traditional Markets in Shiraz
Authors: Zia-Behbahani Majid , Barzegar Alireza , Moradi Omid , Faghihi Milad , Khamooshi Mohammad , Khademian Sedigheh , Zarshenas Mohammad M. , Mohagheghzadeh Abdolali
Published: March 2018

Background: Data from the ethnopharmacological field on the treatment of dysuria are provided and analyzed with regard to traditional healers from Shiraz and in comparison to previous studies. Material and Methods: From April 21 to June 25, 2014, we visited traditional markets called Attari in Shiraz, and plants used in dysuria were collected. Questionnaires asking for general information on the traditional healers named Attars, local names of plant species, plant parts, preparation methods, etc. were prepared in order to gather data from Attars. Results: We visited 40 Attari, and 29 questionnaires were filled in by male Attars. Evaluation of our investigation revealed that Tribulus terrestris, Zea mays, and Cerasus avium were the most common plants suggested by Attars (24, 23, and 23, respectively). Infusion (37%) and decoction (34%) were the most common preparation methods for these plants. 50% of the main effects intended by the Attars were antimicrobial effects, while diuretic effects were reported at 35.7%. The temperament of the plants, as one aspect of the questionnaires, showed that more plants have a hot and dry temperament (47.9%). According to available studies about the plants, we found that flavonoids (78.3%), higher terpenoids (43.5%), and essential oils (39.1%) exist in higher amounts than other components in the plants. Conclusions: We analyzed the information gathered from the questionnaires and from previous studies and found that flavonoids are the most important constituents among the plants, especially those that exist in T. terrestris, Z. mays, and C. avium. Due to the useful effects of flavonoids in urological diseases, we suggest to evaluate and concentrate on the effects of flavonoids in dysuria treatments.
Secondary Angle Closure due to Crystalline Lens Dislocation in a Patient with Atopic Dermatitis and Chronic Eye Rubbing
Authors: Kuiper Justin , Slabaugh Mark
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To report an unusual case of ectopia lentis and angle closure in a patient with chronic eye rubbing. Methods: A 57-year-old male with a history of poorly controlled atopic dermatitis presented with right eye pain, decreased vision, and an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 55 mm Hg. He had no past history of ocular disease and no reported history of trauma. He did report a history of chronic eye rubbing. Results: Best corrected visual acuity was hand motions. The examination revealed severe atopic keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes, microcystic corneal edema of the right eye, and 2+ nuclear sclerosis in both eyes. Gonioscopy showed no visible angle structures OD and an open angle OS. Topical and oral IOP-lowering medications and a laser iridotomy were unsuccessful at lowering IOP. He was taken to the operating room for a lensectomy and was found to have 9 clock hours of zonular dehiscence and a dislocated lens. After lensectomy, the IOP improved to 9 mm Hg on postoperative day 1. A follow-up examination at 2 weeks showed improved acuity to 20/150 with a pinhole and an IOP of 10 mm Hg. A dilated examination OS did not reveal significant phacodonesis, and the patient was referred for a possible sutured sulcus lens or anterior chamber intraocular lens. Conclusions: It is important for the provider to consider ectopia lentis in the differential for patients with pupillary block angle closure. For patients with atopic disease, one should be aware that eye rubbing may be a cause of zonular dehiscence, even in the absence of reported trauma or prior intraocular surgery.
Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies in Borderline Personality Disorder: Diagnostic Comparisons and Associations with Potentially Harmful Behaviors
Authors: Daros Alexander R. , Guevara Mylann A. , Uliaszek Amanda A. , McMain Shelley F. , Ruocco Anthony C.
Published: March 2018

Background: Although difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) are considered a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD), the specific strategies that individuals with BPD most commonly use, their diagnostic specificity, and their associations with harmful behaviors have not been firmly established. Sampling and Methods: Individuals with BPD (n = 30), mixed anxiety and/or depressive disorders (MAD; n = 30), and healthy controls (HC; n = 32) completed questionnaires assessing both cognitive ER strategies (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) and potentially harmful behaviors that individuals might use to regulate their emotions (e.g., self-injury). Results: BPD subjects endorsed more maladaptive cognitive ER strategies and fewer adaptive strategies compared to HC. Compared to MAD subjects, BPD individuals endorsed more maladaptive cognitive ER strategies, but only when those with subthreshold symptoms in the MAD group were excluded. BPD also endorsed engaging in potentially harmful behaviors more often than both HC and MAD. Discriminant analysis revealed that MAD endorsed lower rates of problem-solving and cognitive reappraisal compared to both HC and BPD. Higher maladaptive and lower adaptive ER strategies were associated with higher rates of potentially harmful behaviors, although the specific strategies differed for MAD versus BPD. Conclusions: BPD and MAD endorse cognitive ER strategies with a comparable frequency, although BPD subjects engage in potentially harmful behaviors more often. Subthreshold BPD symptoms may also affect rates of ER strategy use in individuals with other mental disorders.
Testosterone Deprivation Aggravates Left-Ventricular Dysfunction in Male Obese Insulin-Resistant Rats via Impairing Cardiac Mitochondrial Function and Dynamics Proteins
Authors: Apaiajai Nattayaporn , Chunchai Titikorn , Jaiwongkam Thidarat , Kerdphoo Sasiwan  , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: March 2018

Background: We have previously reported that testosterone deprivation at a very young age accelerated, but did not aggravate, left-ventricular (LV) dysfunction in obese insulin-resistant rats. However, the effects of testosterone deprivation during adulthood on LV function in obese insulin-resistant rats remains unclear. We hypothesized that testosterone deprivation aggravates LV dysfunction and cardiac autonomic imbalance via the impairment of cardiac mitochondrial function and dynamics proteins, a reduction in insulin receptor function, and an increase in apoptosis in obese insulin-resistant rats. Methods: Male rats were fed on either a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. They were then subdivided into 2 groups: sham operation (NDS, HFS) and orchiectomy (NDO, HFO). Metabolic parameters, blood pressure, heart rate variability (HRV), and LV function were determined at baseline and before and after orchiectomy. Mitochondrial function and dynamics proteins, insulin signaling, and apoptosis were determined 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: HFS rats exhibited obese insulin resistance, depressed HRV, and LV dysfunction. In HFO rats, systolic blood pressure was increased with more excessive depression of HRV and increased LV dysfunction, compared with HFS rats. These adverse cardiac effects were consistent with markedly increased mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced mitochondrial complex I and III proteins, reduced mitochondrial fusion proteins, and increased apoptosis, compared with HFS rats. However, testosterone deprivation did not lead to any alteration in the insulin-resistant condition in HFO rats, compared with HFS rats. Conclusion: We concluded that testosterone deprivation during adulthood aggravated the impairment of mitochondrial function, mitochondrial respiratory complex, mitochondrial dynamics proteins, and apoptosis, leading to LV dysfunction in obese insulin-resistant rats.
Psychopathological Symptoms and Satisfaction with Mental Health in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: McGranahan Rose , Hansson Lars , Priebe Stefan
Published: March 2018

Background: The patient’s view of their mental health is a central aspect in research and practice. Yet, little is known about which psychopathological symptoms are linked with patients’ satisfaction with their mental health. We aimed to identify these symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: An individual patient data meta-analysis was conducted with data from 2,488 patients from 8 independent studies. Satisfaction with mental health was rated on a 7-point scale, and symptoms were observer-rated using identical items from the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale. Mixed multilevel univariate followed by multivariate regression models were used to identify symptoms associated with satisfaction with mental health. Results: In univariate regressions, all subscales – not age and gender – were associated with mental health satisfaction. In the multivariate regression, only affective and negative symptoms were significantly associated with a lower satisfaction with mental health, explaining 22.5% of the variance. Conclusions: Observer-rated psychopathological symptoms are linked to patients’ mental health satisfaction. In addition to affective symptoms – which are commonly negatively linked with satisfaction ratings – a higher level of negative symptoms makes patients less satisfied with their mental health, whilst positive and other symptoms do not influence mental health satisfaction.