bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for worsening renal function and their association with long-term mortality following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: data from the SWEDEHEART registry
Authors: Vavilis Georgios , Evans Marie , Jernberg Tomas , Rück Andreas , Szummer Karolina
Published: June 2017

Background

The occurrence of persistent acute kidney injury (pAKI) following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has serious implications.

Methods

There were 1540 patients undergoing and surviving TAVI included in the nationwide SWEDEHEART registry between 2008 and 2015. Creatinine was measured at baseline and discharge, and those with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <15 mL/min/1.73 m2or dialysis were excluded. pAKI was defined by and encompassing theValve Academic Research Consortium-2 (VARC-2) criteria: increase in serum creatinine concentration ≥26.5 μmol/L or increase by ≥50% (1.5×), or start of in-hospital dialysis until hospital discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to find baseline factors associated with pAKI. Adjusted Cox regression analysis was used to assess the association of pAKI with mortality. Median follow-up was 1.8 years (IQR 0.7–3.0).

Results

pAKI occurred in 6.1% (n=94) of the patients (71.3% male). These patients had higher creatinine level (117±50 vs 100±35 mmol/L, p<0.001), but similar baseline eGFR (59±21 vs 56±23 mL/min/1.73 m2, p=0.18) and received higher contrast volume (129 mL ±89 vs 110 mL ±78, p=0.027). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, pAKI was predicted by eGFR (OR 0.88, 95% CI (0.79 to 0.98), p=0.019), male gender (OR 2.68, 95% CI (1.63 to 4.38), p<0.001) and apical access (OR 2.23, 95% CI (1.35 to 3.69), p=0.002), whereas contrast volume/10 mL (OR 1.02, 95% CI (1.00 to 1.05), p=0.052) did not reach statistical significance. Mortality at 1 year/end of follow-up was 10.4%/26.9%. pAKI was associated with a doubled risk of death (HR 2.04, 95% CI (1.49 to 2.81), p<0.001).

Conclusion

Persistent AKI after TAVI occurs in 6.1% and is associated with a doubled long-term mortality. Special efforts to avoid AKI should be taken, especially among vulnerable patients.
Construction of thin shell wormholes from metric f(R) gravity
Authors: Bhatti M. Zaeem-ul-Haq , Anwar A. , Ashraf S.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we have constructed spherically symmetric thin-shell wormholes (WHs) by surgically grafting two geometries of charged black hole in the framework of f(R) higher curvature invariants (threaded by exotic matter). We have investigated the stable/unstable regimes for couple of f(R) models using the potential approach formulated by Eiroa with radial perturbation. We have categorized our analysis for different values of charge as well as the parameters involved in the particular mode of f(R) gravity. We have found both stable and unstable regions using modified Chaplygin gas in this scenario and the results are shown through plots. We found that there exists a parametric space for equation of state and quadratic as well as cubic gravities in which one can accommodate more stable thin-shell WHs.
Exact solutions to Einstein–Maxwell theory on Eguchi–Hanson space
Authors: Ghezelbash A. M. , Kumar V.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we construct explicit analytical exact solutions to the six and higher-dimensional Einstein–Maxwell theory. In all solutions, a subspace of the metric is the Eguchi–Hanson space where the metric functions are completely determined in terms of known analytical functions. Moreover, we find the solutions can be extended from nonstationary exact solutions to Einstein–Maxwell theory with cosmological constant. We show that the solutions are asymptotically expanding patches of de Sitter space–time.
Strong interaction model in DFR noncommutative space–time
Authors: Abreu Everton M. C. , Neves Mario Junior
Published: June 2017

The Doplicher–Fredenhagen–Roberts (DFR) framework for noncommutative (NC) space–times is considered as an alternative approach to describe the physics of quantum gravity, for instance. In this formalism, the NC parameter, i.e. [Formula: see text], is promoted to a coordinate of a new extended space–time. Consequently, we have field theory in a space–time with spatial extra-dimensions. This new coordinate has a canonical momentum associated, where the effects of a new physics can emerge in the fields propagation along the extra-dimension. In this paper, we introduce the gauge invariance in the DFR NC space–time by the composite symmetry [Formula: see text]. We present the non-Abelian gauge symmetry in DFR formalism and the consequences of this symmetry in the presence of such extra-dimension. The gauge symmetry in this DFR scenario can reveal new gauge fields attached to [Formula: see text]-extra-dimension. As application, we construct a unification of Strong Interaction with the electromagnetism and a Higgs model to give masses to the NC bosons. We estimate their masses by using some experimental constraints of QCD.
Stochastic resonance in the majority vote model on regular and small-world lattices
Authors: Krawiecki A.
Published: June 2017

The majority vote model with two states on regular and small-world networks is considered under the influence of periodic driving. Monte Carlo simulations show that the time-dependent magnetization, playing the role of the output signal, exhibits maximum periodicity at nonzero values of the internal noise parameter [Formula: see text], which is manifested as the occurrence of the maximum of the spectral power amplification; the location of the maximum depends in a nontrivial way on the amplitude and frequency of the periodic driving as well as on the network topology. This indicates the appearance of stochastic resonance in the system as a function of the intensity of the internal noise. Besides, for low frequencies and for certain narrow ranges of the amplitudes of the periodic driving double maxima of the spectral power amplification as a function of [Formula: see text] occur, i.e., stochastic multiresonance appears. The above-mentioned results quantitatively agree with those obtained from numerical simulations of the mean-field equations for the time-dependent magnetization. In contrast, analytic solutions for the spectral power amplification obtained from the latter equations using the linear response approximation deviate significanlty from the numerical results since the effect of the periodic driving on the system is not small even for vanishing amplitude.
Simulation of n-β-FeSi2/p-Si heterojunction solar cells based on AFORS-HET
Authors: Zou Xin-Yao
Published: June 2017

Semiconducting thin [Formula: see text]-FeSi2 film has been recognized as a novel solar cell material due to its high absorption coefficient. In this study, the effects of emitter on the photovoltaic properties of n-[Formula: see text]-FeSi2/p-Si were analyzed using AFORS-HET program. The simulation results show that the thickness of emitter affects the conversion efficiency of solar cell, and the short-current density decreases sharply with increasing thickness of emitter. Interface state is another key factor influencing the conversion efficiency of solar cell, which degrades solar cell performance. In order to obtain high efficiency battery, interface state density should be less than 10[Formula: see text] cm[Formula: see text] eV.
Prediction study on the degeneration of lithium-ion battery based on fuzzy inference system
Authors: Shi Jian Ping
Published: June 2017

The degradation degree prediction of lithium-ion battery has been studied through experimental data. Characterization parameters on the degradation degree of lithium-ion battery were deduced under consideration of the internal and external factors. The analysis of discrete degree was proposed to depict the degradation degree for lithium-ion battery. Furthermore, based on fuzzy inference system (FIS), the predicted model of the degradation degree for lithium-ion battery was built and its output was defined as the degenerate coefficient [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Finally, by learning, training and simulating, the FIS model has been validated to be reliable and applicable in prediction on the degradation degree of lithium-ion battery. The simulation results show that the degradation degree of lithium-ion battery is more serious when [Formula: see text] is closer to 1, and the degradation degree is lighter when [Formula: see text] is closer to 0.
CH-Marker: A Color Marker Robust to Occlusion for Augmented Reality
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Jingjing , Mei Jianhui , Zhang Xiaorui
Published: June 2017

Fiducial marker systems are composed of a number of patterns that are mounted in the environment and automatically detected by computer vision algorithms using digital techniques. Thus, these systems are valuable in augmented reality (AR), robot navigation, and other applications. This paper proposes a new AR marker called CH-marker, which uses Hamming check codes to encode multiple kinds of colors and restore binary codes in the squares occluded in the markers. The marker solves the registration failure, which occurs when the markers are partially occluded in dynamic scenes. Experiments showed that the proposed marker is effective, reliable, and can meet the application demand of AR.
Momentum distribution and correlation due to mass difference caused by power-like distribution
Authors: Ishihara Masamichi
Published: June 2017

The momentum distribution and the correlation due to the mass difference were studied both in the case of the conventional expectation value and in the case of [Formula: see text]-expectation value, when the momentum distribution is described by a Tsallis distribution with the entropic parameter [Formula: see text]. The magnitude of the momentum distribution for hard modes increases as [Formula: see text] increases, and the [Formula: see text]-dependence of the momentum distribution is quite weak for soft modes. The correlation at [Formula: see text] is larger than that at [Formula: see text] for soft modes, while the correlation at [Formula: see text] is smaller than that at [Formula: see text] for hard modes. The [Formula: see text]-dependences of these quantities in the case of [Formula: see text]-expectation value are weaker than those in the case of the conventional expectation value, respectively.
Local estimate on convexity radius and decay of injectivity radius in a Riemannian manifold
Authors: Xu Shicheng
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we prove the following pointwise and curvature-free estimates on convexity radius, injectivity radius and local behavior of geodesics in a complete Riemannian manifold [Formula: see text]:

(1) the convexity radius of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the injectivity radius of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the focal radius of open ball centered at [Formula: see text] with radius [Formula: see text]; (2) for any two points [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the conjugate radius of [Formula: see text]; (3) for any [Formula: see text], any (not necessarily minimizing) geodesic in [Formula: see text] has length [Formula: see text].

We also clarify two different concepts on convexity radius and give examples to illustrate that the one more frequently used in literature is not continuous.
Sylow towers in groups where the index of every non-nilpotent maximal subgroup is prime
Authors: Shi Jiangtao
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we prove that if every non-nilpotent maximal subgroup of a finite group [Formula: see text] has prime index then [Formula: see text] has a Sylow tower.
The asymptotic behavior of bouncing cosmological models in F(𝒢) gravity theory
Authors: Makarenko Andrey N. , Myagky Alexander N.
Published: June 2017

We reconstruct [Formula: see text] gravity theory with an exponential scale factor to realize the bouncing behavior in the early universe and examine the asymptotic behavior of late-time solutions in this model. We propose an approach for the construction of asymptotic expansions of solutions of the Friedmann equations on the basis of Puiseux series.
Geometric description of the Schrödinger equation in (3n+1)-dimensional configuration space
Authors: Abdul Wasay M. , Bashir Asma , Koch Benjamin , Ghaffar Abdul
Published: June 2017

We show that for non-relativistic free particles, the (bosonic) many particle equations can be rewritten in geometric fashion in terms of a classical theory of conformally stretched spacetime. We further generalize the results for the particles subject to a potential.
Synthesis of Superconductor-Topological Insulator Hybrid Nanoribbon Structures
Authors: Schönherr Piet , Zhang Fengyu , Srot Vesna , van Aken Peter , Hesjedal Thorsten
Published: June 2017

Superconductors in proximity to topological insulators (TIs) have the potential to unlock exotic quantum phenomena, such as Majorana fermions. Quasi-one-dimensional structures are particularly suited to host these quantum states. Despite the growth of TI nanostructures being relatively straightforward, the in situ synthesis of superconductor-TI structures has been challenging. Here, we present a systematic study of the growth of the s-wave superconductor Sn on the TI Bi2Te3 by physical vapor transport. If Sn does not enter the Bi2Te3 lattice as a dopant, two types of structures are formed: Sn nanoparticles, that cover Bi2Te3 plates and belts in a cloud-like shape, and thin Sn layers on Bi2Te3 plates, that appear in puddle-like recessions. These heterostructures have potential applications as novel quantum devices.
Control strategies of avian influenza pandemic model with time delay
Authors: Roman U. , Gul Z. , Saeed I. , Hakeem U. , Shafie S.
Published: June 2017

A mathematical model for avian influenza with optimal control strategies is presented as a system of discrete time delay differential equations (DDEs) and its important mathematical features are analyzed. In alignment to manage this, we develop an optimally controlled pandemic model of avian influenza and insert a time delay with exponential factor. Then we apply two controlled functions in the form of biosecurity of poultry and the education campaign against avian influenza to control the disperse of the disease. Our optimal control strategies will minimize the number of contaminated humans and contaminated birds. We also derive the basic reproduction number to examine the dynamical behavior of the model and demonstrate the existence of the controlled system. For the justification of our work, we present numerical simulations.
Sensitivity analysis for stochastic and deterministic models of nascent focal adhesion dynamics
Authors: Biegel Hannah R. , Quackenbush Alex , Highlander Hannah Callender
Published: June 2017

Sensitivity analysis (SA) is a critical part of modeling any biological system due to the inherent uncertainty in model output, as introduced by parameter values that have not been experimentally determined. SA therefore provides deeper understanding of the system by painting a picture of the extent to which certain model outputs vary in relationship to changes in model parameters. Here we explore two types of global SA for recently developed models of nascent focal adhesion formation, a key step in cellular movement. While many SA methods have been used for deterministic methods, we utilize methods for both stochastic and deterministic models, providing a more complete description of the parameters to which the focal adhesion model is most sensitive. Specific recommendations for further experimentation in the process of cellular motility are proposed in response to the SA.
Fluorescence lifetime imaging of fluorescent proteins as an effective quantitative tool for noninvasive study of intracellular processes
Authors: Levchenko Svitlana M. , Pliss Artem , Qu Junle
Published: June 2017

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is an effective noninvasive bioanalytical tool based on measuring fluorescent lifetime of fluorophores. A growing number of FLIM studies utilizes genetically engineered fluorescent proteins targeted to specific subcellular structures to probe local molecular environment, which opens new directions in cell science. This paper highlights the unconventional applications of FLIM for studies of molecular processes in diverse organelles of live cultured cells.
Regional crustal architecture of Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada
Authors: Schiffer Christian , Stephenson Randell
Published: June 2017

New deep seismological data from Ellesmere Island and the adjacent Arctic continental margin provide new information about the crustal structure of the region. These data were not available for previous regional crustal models. This paper combines and redisplays previously published results – a gravity-derived Moho map and seismological results –to produce new maps of the Moho depth, the depth to basement and the crystalline crustal thickness of Ellesmere Island and contiguous parts of the Arctic Ocean, Greenland and Axel Heiberg Island. Northern Ellesmere Island is underlain by a thick crustal block (Moho at 41 km,
c.
35 km crust). This block is separated from the Canada–Greenland craton in the south by a WSW–ENE-trending channel of thinned crystalline crust (Moho at 30–35 km, <20 km thick crust), which is overlain by a thick succession of metasedimentary and younger sedimentary rocks (15–20 km). The Sverdrup Basin in the west and the Lincoln Sea in the east interrupt the crustal architecture of central Ellesmere Island, which is interpreted to be more representative of its initial post-Ellesmerian Orogen structure, but with a later Sverdrup Basin and Eurekan overprint.
Noc-HMP
Authors: Salcic Zoran , Park Heejong , Teich Jürgen , Malik Avinash , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: June 2017

Scalability and performance in multicore processors for embedded and real-time systems usually don't go well each with the other. Networks on Chip (NoCs) provide scalable execution platforms suitable for such kind of embedded systems. This article presents a NoC-based Heterogeneous Multi-Processor system, called NoC-HMP, which is a scalable platform for embedded systems developed in the GALS language SystemJ. NoC-HMP uses a time-predictable TDMA-MIN NoC to guarantee latencies and communication time between the two types of time-predictable cores and can be customized for a specific performance goal through the execution strategy and scheduling of SystemJ program deployed across multiple cores. Examples of different execution strategies are introduced, explored and analyzed via measurements. The number of used cores can be minimized to achieve the target performance of the application. TDMA-MIN allows easy extensions of NoC-HMP with other cores or IP blocks. Experiments show a significant improvement of performance over a single core system and demonstrate how the addition of cores affects the performance of the designed system.
Algorithmic Foundations of Programmable Matter Dagstuhl Seminar 16271
Authors: Fekete Sándor P. , Richa Andréa , Römer Kay , Scheideler Christian
Published: June 2017

In July 2016, the Dagstuhl Seminar 16271 considered "Algorithmic Foundations of Programmable Matter", a new and emerging field that combines theoretical work on algorithms with a wide spectrum of practical applications that reach all the way from small-scale embedded systems to cyber-physical structures at nano-scale.

The aim of the Dagstuhl seminar was to bring together researchers from the algorithms community with selected experts from robotics and distributed systems in order to set a solid base for the development of models, technical solutions, and algorithms that can control programmable matter. Both communities benefited from such a meeting for the following reasons:

Meeting experts from other fields provided additional insights, challenges and focus when considering work on programmable matter.

Interacting with colleagues in a close and social manner gave many starting points for continuing collaboration.

Getting together in a strong, large and enthusiastic group provided the opportunity to plan a number of followup activities.

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A Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Using a Composite of PEDOT:PSS and Carbon Derived from Human Hair for a Counter Electrode
Authors: Moolsarn Klitsada , Tangtrakarn Apishok , Pimsawat Adulphan , Duangsa Kornrawit , Mongkolkachit Charusporn , Maiaugree Wasan , Amornkitbamrung Vittaya
Published: June 2017

Carbon derived from hair is interesting because it has good electrocatalytic activity due to the existence of innate heteroatom dopants especially nitrogen and sulfur. In this study, a carbon catalyst containing high nitrogen contents (9.47 at.%) was fabricated without using any harsh chemicals. Moreover, the carbonization temperature was only 700°C. Carbonized hair/PEDOT:PSS composites (CxP) with varied carbon contents from x = 0.2 to 0.8 g were tested as a counter electrode (CE) for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). This type of DSSC CE has scarcely been investigated. A DSSC with a C0.6P CE provides the best efficiency (6.54 ± 0.11%) among all composite CEs because it has a high fill factor (FF) and a high short-circuit current density (Jsc). The efficiency of DSSC with C0.6P CE is lower than Pt’s (7.29 ± 0.01%) since the Pt-based DSSC has higher FF and Jsc values. However, C0.6P is still promising as a DSSC CE since it is more cost-effective than Pt.
Weather Conditions Associated with the Release and Dispersal of Zymoseptoria tritici Spores in the Argentine Pampas Region
Authors: Cordo C. A. , Mónaco C. I. , Altamirano R. , Perelló A. E. , Larrán S. , Kripelz N. I. , Simón M. R.
Published: June 2017

The abundance of Zymoseptoria tritici ascospores and conidia in a field was examined throughout two one-year periods (1998-1999 and 1999-2000) establishing the relationship between spore release and weather variables. Radiation, temperature, intensity of rainfall, and relative humidity significantly affected the dispersal of ascospores and pycnidiospores of this pathogen. Spore traps collected both types of spores, at weekly intervals, at two different stages of the wheat crop (vegetative and wheat stubble stages) and different distances from the sources. Ascospores were the predominant sources of inoculum in the field. The numbers of ascospores and pycnidiospores declined with the increase of distance from the sources. The release of pycnidiospores was associated with the increase in rainfall intensity 7 days before the released event and the increase in radiation 60 days before the same event. Relative humidity 3 and 15 days before the release event was positively correlated with ascospores release and negatively correlated with radiation and temperature in all the sampling interval. Also for the first time, a positive correlation between radiation and pycnidiospores dispersal is reported. Understanding the relationship between environment conditions and spores dispersal event could improve the control strategies of the disease.
A Revised Model of the Neutral DEA Model and Its Extension
Authors: Liu Peng , Wang Li-Fang , Chang Jian
Published: June 2017

The neutral data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is an alternative way to determine the weights in DEA cross‐efficiency evaluation, while avoiding the difficulty in making a choice between the aggressive and benevolent formulations. However, the weights determined by the neutral model merely make the efficiency of part output bigger than other sets of weights. The neutral model is not able to make the efficiency of each output of the DMU biggest among the favorable weights. This neutral model is not purely “neutral” and not most favorable to the DMU. We proposed a revised model for the neutral model. Based on the idea that the DMU should choose a set of weights to maximize its own efficiency, this paper proposes a new cross‐efficiency model. The weights determined by the two models are neutral, neither aggressive nor benevolent.
Analysis of Seismic Soil-Structure Interaction for a Nuclear Power Plant (HTR-10)
Authors: Wang Xiaoxin , Zhou Qin , Zhu Kaixin , Shi Li , Li Xiaotian , Wang Haitao
Published: June 2017

The response of nuclear power plants (NPPs) to seismic events is affected by soil-structure interactions (SSI). In the present paper, a finite element (FE) model with transmitting boundaries is used to analyse the SSI effect on the response of NPP buildings subjected to vertically incident seismic excitation. Analysis parameters that affect the accuracy of the calculations, including the dimension of the domain and artificial boundary types, are investigated through a set of models. A numerical SSI analysis for the 10 MW High Temperature Gas Cooled Test Reactor (HTR-10) under seismic excitation was carried out using the developed model. The floor response spectra (FRS) produced by the SSI analysis are compared with a fixed-base model to investigate the SSI effect on the dynamic response of the reactor building. The results show that the FRS at foundation level are reduced and those at higher floor levels are altered significantly when taking SSI into account. The peak frequencies of the FRS are reduced due to the SSI, whereas the acceleration at high floor levels is increased at a certain frequency range. The seismic response of the primary system components, however, is reduced by the analysed SSI for the HTR-10 on the current soil site.
Target Organ Damage and the Long Term Effect of Nonadherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines in Patients with Hypertension: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Abegaz Tadesse Melaku , Tefera Yonas Getaye , Befekadu Abebe Tamrat
Published: June 2017

Background. There was limited published data on target organ damage (TOD) and the effect of nonadherence to practice guidelines in Ethiopia. This study determined TOD and the long term effect of nonadherence to clinical guidelines on hypertensive patients. Methods. An open level retrospective cohort study has been employed at cardiac clinic of Gondar university hospital for a mean follow-up period of 78 months. Multivariate Cox regression was conducted to test associating factors of TOD. Results. Of the total number of 612 patients examined, the overall prevalence of hypertensive TOD was 40.3%. The presence of comorbidities, COR = 1.073 [1.01–1.437], AOR = 1.196 [1.174–1.637], and nonadherence to clinical practice guidelines, COR = 1.537 [1.167–2.024], AOR = 1.636 [1.189–2.251], were found to be predicting factors for TOD. According to Kaplan-Meier analysis patients who were initiated on appropriate medication tended to develop TOD very late: Log Rank [11.975 (p=0.01)]. Conclusion. More than forty percent of patients acquired TOD which is more significant. Presence of comorbidities and nonadherence to practice guidelines were correlated with the incidence of TOD. Appropriate management of hypertension and modification of triggering factors are essential to prevent complications.
miR-200c Accelerates Hepatic Stellate Cell-Induced Liver Fibrosis via Targeting the FOG2/PI3K Pathway
Authors: Ma Tengfei , Cai Xiuqin , Wang Zifeng , Huang Li , Wang Chang , Jiang Songshan , Hua Yunpeng , Liu Quentin
Published: June 2017

Background. Although expression of miR-200s is aberrant in liver fibrosis, its role in liver fibrogenesis still remains unknown. Here, we investigated the role of miR-200c in the activation of human hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and induction of liver fibrosis. Methods. We engineered human HSCs (LX2 cell line) to stably express miR-200c (LX2-200c) or empty vector control (LX2-nc). Results. miR-200c expression upregulated α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and vimentin, enhanced HSCs growth and migration, increased expression of collagen type I (a main component of ECM) gene and secretion of epidermal growth factor (EGF), and upregulated the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector of the PI3K pathway. As a target of miR-200s and inhibitor of PI3K pathway, FOG2 protein expression was significantly suppressed in LX2-200c cells. Moreover, LY294002, a highly selective inhibitor of PI3K, blocked phosphorylation of Akt and the effects of miR-200c. Conclusions. These data suggest that miR-200c activates HSCs in liver fibrosis possibly by downregulating FOG2 protein expression and upregulating PI3K/Akt signaling. Autocrine activation of EGF signaling may also be a mechanism of miR-200c-mediated HSCs activation. So miR-200c can be a potential marker for HSCs activation and liver fibrosis progression, as well as a potential target to attenuate liver fibrosis.
Enhancing LVRT Capability of DFIG-Based Wind Turbine Systems with SMES Series in the Rotor Side
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Tang Yuejin , Shi Jing
Published: June 2017

The necessary Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) capability is very important to wind turbines. This paper presents a method to enhance LVRT capability of doubly fed induction generators- (DFIGs-) based wind turbine systems with series superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) in the rotor side. When grid fault occurs, series SMES in the rotor side is utilized to produce a desired output voltage and absorbs energy. Compared with other methods which enhance LVRT capability with Superconducting Fault-Current Limiter-Magnetic Energy Storage System (SFCL-MESS), this strategy can control the output voltage of SMES to suppress the transient AC voltage component in the rotor directly, which is more effective and rapid. Theoretical study of the DFIG under low voltage fault is developed; the simulation results are operated by MATLAB/Simulink.
Effect of Glyphosate and Mancozeb on the Rhizobia Isolated from Nodules of Vicia faba L. and on Their N2-Fixation, North Showa, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Aynalem Birhan , Assefa Fassil
Published: June 2017

This study was designed to assess the effect of glyphosate and mancozeb on growth of Vicia faba rhizobia isolates in vitro and on their N2-fixation performance. Hence, ten isolates were isolated using plant-soil trap method from soil samples collected from farm lands. Those isolates were morphologically characterized using YEMA medium and authenticated as nodulating rhizobia using sand culture. These isolates were treated with 100, 150, and 200 μg a.e. L−1 glyphosate, 100, 150, and 200 mg L−1 mancozeb, and their combinations. The result showed that almost all isolates were affected (only 4–10% survival) at lower (100 mg L−1) concentration of mancozeb. However, 80% of isolates treated with higher concentration (200 μg a.e. L−1) of glyphosate for 72 h formed colonies on YEMA medium. Moderate (40%) isolates also showed better (31–50% and 17–45%) survival within 100 : 100 and 150 : 150 combinations of glyphosate and mancozeb, respectively. For in vivo experiment, faba bean seedlings in sand culture were inoculated with four relatively in vitro test resistant and one sensitive isolates. The inoculated isolates were treated with field recommended concentration of glyphosate, mancozeb, and combinations. Thus, experimental plants almost all showed normal (61–124 nodule plant−1) nodulation and N2-fixation (90–109%) performance as compared to the control.
Exploring Shared SRAM Tables in FPGAs for Larger LUTs and Higher Degree of Sharing
Authors: Asghar Ali , Iqbal Muhammad Mazher , Ahmed Waqar , Ali Mujahid , Parvez Husain , Rashid Muhammad
Published: June 2017

In modern SRAM based Field Programmable Gate Arrays, a Look-Up Table (LUT) is the principal constituent logic element which can realize every possible Boolean function. However, this flexibility of LUTs comes with a heavy area penalty. A part of this area overhead comes from the increased amount of configuration memory which rises exponentially as the LUT size increases. In this paper, we first present a detailed analysis of a previously proposed FPGA architecture which allows sharing of LUTs memory (SRAM) tables among NPN-equivalent functions, to reduce the area as well as the number of configuration bits. We then propose several methods to improve the existing architecture. A new clustering technique has been proposed which packs NPN-equivalent functions together inside a Configurable Logic Block (CLB). We also make use of a recently proposed high performance Boolean matching algorithm to perform NPN classification. To enhance area savings further, we evaluate the feasibility of more than two LUTs sharing the same SRAM table. Consequently, this work explores the SRAM table sharing approach for a range of LUT sizes (4–7), while varying the cluster sizes (4–16). Experimental results on MCNC benchmark circuits set show an overall area reduction of ~7% while maintaining the same critical path delay.
Novel Therapeutic Effects of Leonurine On Ischemic Stroke: New Mechanisms of BBB Integrity
Authors: Zhang Qiu-Yan , Wang Zhi-Jun , Sun De-Miao , Wang Ying , Xu Peng , Wu Wei-Jun , Liu Xin-Hua , Zhu Yi-Zhun
Published: June 2017

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Leonurine (also named SCM‐198), a compound extracted from Herba leonuri, was effective on the prevention of various cardiovascular and brain diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the possible therapeutic potential of SCM‐198 against ischemia reperfusion injury and underlying mechanisms. In the in vivo transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model, we found that treatment with SCM‐198 could decrease infarct volume and improve neurological deficit by protecting against blood‐brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. In the in vitro model of cell oxygen‐glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R), consistent results were obtained with decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and maintained the BBB integrity. Further study demonstrated that SCM‐198 increased the expression of histone deacetylase‐ (HDAC‐) 4 which could inhibit NADPH oxidase‐ (NOX‐) 4 and matrix metalloproteinase‐ (MMP‐) 9 expression, resulting in the elevation of tight junction proteins, including claudin‐5, occludin, and zonula occluden‐ (ZO‐) 1. These results indicated SCM‐198 protected BBB integrity by regulating the HDAC4/NOX4/MMP‐9 tight junction pathway. Our findings provided novel insights into the protective effects and mechanisms of SCM‐198 on ischemic stroke, indicating SCM‐198 as a new class of potential drug against acute onset of ischemic stroke.
Recent Progress in Stability and Stabilization of Systems with Time‐Delays
Authors: Mahmoud Magdi S.
Published: June 2017

This paper overviews the research investigations pertaining to stability and stabilization of control systems with time‐delays. The prime focus is the fundamental results and recent progress in theory and applications. The overview sheds light on the contemporary development on the linear matrix inequality (LMI) techniques in deriving both delay‐independent and delay‐dependent stability results for time‐delay systems. Particular emphases will be placed on issues concerned with the conservatism and the computational complexity of the results. Key technical bounding lemmas and slack variable introduction approaches will be presented. The results will be compared and connections of certain delay‐dependent stability results are also discussed.
Prevalence ofToxoplasma gondiiand Other Gastrointestinal Parasites in Domestic Cats from Households in Thika Region, Kenya
Authors: Nyambura Njuguna Adele , Kagira John Maina , Muturi Karanja Simon , Ngotho Maina , Mutharia Lucy , Wangari Maina Naomi
Published: June 2017

Gastrointestinal (GIT) parasites of domestic cats (Felis catus) not only cause morbidity but are also potential zoonotic agents. The current study aimed at establishing the prevalence of GIT parasites in cats kept by households in Thika region, Kenya. Fecal samples were collected randomly from 103 cats and analyzed for presence of parasites using standard parasitological methods. In descending order, the prevalence of the detected protozoa parasites wasIsosporaspp. 43.7% (95% CI: 40.4–47%),Cryptosporidiumspp. 40.8% (95% CI: 37.5–44.1%),Toxoplasma gondii7.8% (95% CI: 4.5–11.1%), andEntamoebaspp. 2.9% (95% CI: 1.6–6.2%). The prevalence of the observed helminths wasStrongyloides stercoralis43.7% (95% CI: 40.4–47%),Toxocara cati23.3% (95% CI: 20–26.6%),Ancylostomaspp. 9.7% (95% CI: 6.4–13%),Dipylidium caninum8.7% (95% CI: 5.4–12.0%), andAcanthocephalaspp. 1.9% (95% CI: 1–4.2%). The percentage of cats excreting at least one species of parasite was 73.2% (95% CI = 69.9–76.5%). The study shows that the cats have high spectrum (9) of parasites which are known to affect the cat’s health and some are of zoonotic significance.
WDR62 Regulates Early Neural and Glial Progenitor Specification of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Alshawaf Abdullah J. , Antonic Ana , Skafidas Efstratios , Ng Dominic Chi-Hung , Dottori Mirella
Published: June 2017

Mutations in WD40-repeat protein 62 (WDR62) are commonly associated with primary microcephaly and other developmental cortical malformations. We used human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) to examine WDR62 function during human neural differentiation and model early stages of human corticogenesis. Neurospheres lacking WDR62 expression showed decreased expression of intermediate progenitor marker, TBR2, and also glial marker, S100β. In contrast, inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling during hPSC neural differentiation induced upregulation of WDR62 with a corresponding increase in neural and glial progenitor markers, PAX6 and EAAT1, respectively. These findings may signify a role of WDR62 in specifying intermediate neural and glial progenitors during human pluripotent stem cell differentiation.
The Effects of Time Lag and Cure Rate on the Global Dynamics of HIV-1 Model
Authors: Ali Nigar , Zaman Gul , Abdullah  , Alqahtani Aisha M. , Alshomrani Ali Saleh
Published: June 2017

In this research article, a new mathematical model of delayed differential equations is developed which discusses the interaction among CD4T cells, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and recombinant virus with cure rate. The model has two distributed intracellular delays. These delays denote the time needed for the infection of a cell. The dynamics of the model are completely described by the basic reproduction numbers represented byR0,R1, andR2. It is shown that ifR0<1, then the infection-free equilibrium is locally as well as globally stable. Similarly, it is proved that the recombinant absent equilibrium is locally as well as globally asymptotically stable if1<R0<R1. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to illustrate our theoretical results. Our obtained results show that intracellular delay and cure rate have a positive role in the reduction of infected cells and the increasing of uninfected cells due to which the infection is reduced.
Systemic Amyloidosis and Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy Associated with Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Authors: Jacob Aasems , Raj Rishi , Walkow Warren
Published: June 2017

A 73-year-old male with long-standing Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia complicated with systemic amyloidosis presented with a witnessed syncopal episode. He had complaints of orthostatic dizziness and palpitations for few months. Orthostatic hypotension and peripheral neuropathy were demonstrated on physical examination. EKG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, and 2D echocardiogram were unremarkable. MRI of the brain ruled out stroke. Patients with amyloidosis can develop cardiovascular disease through amyloid cardiomyopathy, small vessel disease, conduction defects, pericardial effusion, or autonomic denervation. After ruling out other life-threatening causes, Ewing’s battery of tests was done to rule out cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Two heart rate tests and one blood pressure test were abnormal which indicated severe cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Cardiac autonomic neuropathy can mask symptoms of acute coronary syndrome and hence early diagnosis using the simple bedside maneuver is beneficial. The test is also important for prognostication. Absence of augmentation of cardiac output from inadequate autonomic stimulation will lead to postural hypotension, exercise intolerance, and tachycardia. There may be no change in heart rate with Valsalva or deep breathing both of which increase parasympathetic tone. As the condition progresses, it may result in cardiac denervation which can result in silent myocardial infarction, syncope, and sudden death.
TLS-Based Feature Extraction and 3D Modeling for Arch Structures
Authors: Xu Xiangyang , Zhao Xin , Yang Hao , Neumann Ingo
Published: June 2017

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) technology is one of the most efficient and accurate tools for 3D measurement which can reveal surface-based characteristics of objects with the aid of computer vision and programming. Thus, it plays an increasingly important role in deformation monitoring and analysis. Automatic data extraction and high efficiency and accuracy modeling from scattered point clouds are challenging issues during the TLS data processing. This paper presents a data extraction method considering the partial and statistical distribution of the point clouds scanned, called the window-neighborhood method. Based on the point clouds extracted, 3D modeling of the boundary of an arched structure was carried out. The ideal modeling strategy should be fast, accurate, and less complex regarding its application to large amounts of data. The paper discusses the accuracy of fittings in four cases between whole curve, segmentation, polynomial, and B-spline. A similar number of parameters was set for polynomial and B-spline because the number of unknown parameters is essential for the accuracy of the fittings. The uncertainties of the scanned raw point clouds and the modeling are discussed. This process is considered a prerequisite step for 3D deformation analysis with TLS.
Low-Grade Glioma Segmentation Based on CNN with Fully Connected CRF
Authors: Li Zeju , Wang Yuanyuan , Yu Jinhua , Shi Zhifeng , Guo Yi , Chen Liang , Mao Ying
Published: June 2017

This work proposed a novel automatic three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation method which would be widely used in the clinical diagnosis of the most common and aggressive brain tumor, namely, glioma. The method combined a multipathway convolutional neural network (CNN) and fully connected conditional random field (CRF). Firstly, 3D information was introduced into the CNN which makes more accurate recognition of glioma with low contrast. Then, fully connected CRF was added as a postprocessing step which purposed more delicate delineation of glioma boundary. The method was applied to T2flair MRI images of 160 low-grade glioma patients. With 59 cases of data training and manual segmentation as the ground truth, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of our method was 0.85 for the test set of 101 MRI images. The results of our method were better than those of another state-of-the-art CNN method, which gained the DSC of 0.76 for the same dataset. It proved that our method could produce better results for the segmentation of low-grade gliomas.
Incorporation of Boron Atoms on Graphene Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition Using Triisopropyl Borate as a Single Precursor
Authors: Romani E. C. , Larrude D. G. , da Costa M. E. H. Maia , Mariotto G. , Freire F. L.
Published: June 2017

We synthesized single-layer graphene from a liquid precursor (triisopropyl borate) using a chemical vapor deposition. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements were used for the characterization of the samples. We investigated the effects of the processing temperature and time, as well as the vapor pressure of the precursor. The B1s core-level XPS spectra revealed the presence of boron atoms incorporated into substitutional sites. This result, corroborated by the observed upshift of both G and 2D bands in the Raman spectra, suggests the p-doping of single-layer graphene for the samples prepared at 1000°C and pressures in the range of 75 to 25 mTorr of the precursor vapor. Our results show that, in optimum conditions for single-layer graphene growth, that is, 1000°C and 75 mTorr for 5 minutes, we obtained samples presenting the coexistence of pristine graphene with regions of boron-doped graphene.
Implications for Firms with Limited Information to Take Advantage of Reference Price Effect in Competitive Settings
Authors: Ma Junhai , Guo Zhanbing
Published: June 2017

This paper studies internal reference price effects when competitive firms face reference price effects and make decisions based on partial information, where their decision-making mechanism is modeled by a dynamic adjustment process. It is shown that the evolution of this dynamic adjustment goes to stabilization if both adjustment speeds are small and the complexity of this evolution increases in adjustment speeds. It is proved that the necessary condition for flip bifurcation or Neimark-Sacker bifurcation will occur with the increase of adjustment speed in two special cases. What is more, numerical simulations show that these bifurcations do occur. Then, the impacts of parameters on stability and profits are investigated and some management insights for firms with limited information to take advantage of reference price effects are provided.
NR4A2 Promotes DNA Double-strand Break Repair Upon Exposure to UVR
Authors: Yin Kelvin , Chhabra Yash , Tropée Romain , Lim Yi Chieh , Fane Mitchell , Dray Eloise , Sturm Richard A. , Smith Aaron G.
Published: June 2017

Exposure of melanocytes to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces the formation of UV lesions that can produce deleterious effects in genomic DNA. Encounters of replication forks with unrepaired UV lesions can lead to several complex phenomena, such as the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). The NR4A family of nuclear receptors are transcription factors that have been associated with mediating DNA repair functions downstream of the MC1R signaling pathway in melanocytes. In particular, emerging evidence shows that upon DNA damage, the NR4A2 receptor can translocate to sites of UV lesion by mechanisms requiring post-translational modifications within the N-terminal domain and at a serine residue in the DNA-binding domain at position 337. Following this, NR4A2 aids in DNA repair by facilitating chromatin relaxation, allowing accessibility for DNA repair machinery. Using A2058 and HT144 melanoma cells engineered to stably express wild-type or mutant forms of the NR4A2 proteins, we reveal that the expression of functional NR4A2 is associated with elevated cytoprotection against UVR. Conversely, knockdown of NR4A2 expression by siRNA results in a significant loss of cell viability after UV insult. By analyzing the kinetics of the ensuing 53BP1 and RAD51 foci following UV irradiation, we also reveal that the expression of mutant NR4A2 isoforms, lacking the ability to translocate, transactivate, or undergo phosphorylation, display compromised repair capacity.

Implications: These data expand the understanding of the mechanism by which the NR4A2 nuclear receptor can facilitate DNA DSB repair. Mol Cancer Res; 15(9); 1184–96. ©2017 AACR.