bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dyke emplacement and crustal structure within a continental large igneous province, northern Barents Sea
Authors: Minakov Alexander , Yarushina Viktoriya , Faleide Jan Inge , Krupnova Nataliya , Sakoulina Tamara , Dergunov Nikolay , Glebovsky Vladimir
Published: May 2017

We perform an integrated analysis of magnetic anomalies, multichannel seismic and wide-angle seismic data across an Early Cretaceous continental large igneous province in the northern Barents Sea region. Our data show that the high-frequency and high-amplitude magnetic anomalies in this region are spatially correlated with dykes and sills observed onshore. The dykes are grouped into two conjugate swarms striking oblique to the northern Barents Sea passive margin in the regions of eastern Svalbard and Franz Josef Land, respectively. The multichannel seismic data east of Svalbard and south of Franz Josef Land indicate the presence of sills at different stratigraphic levels. The most abundant population of sills is observed in the Triassic successions of the East Barents Sea Basin. We observe near-vertical seismic column-like anomalies that cut across the entire sedimentary cover. We interpret these structures as magmatic feeder channels or dykes. In addition, the compressional seismic velocity model locally indicates near-vertical, positive finger-shaped velocity anomalies (10–15 km wide) that extend to mid-crustal depths (15–20 km) and possibly deeper. The crustal structure does not include magmatic underplating and shows no regional crustal thinning, suggesting a localized (dyking, channelized flow) rather than a pervasive mode of magma emplacement. We suggest that most of the crustal extension was taken up by brittle–plastic dilatation in shear bands. We interpret the geometry of dykes in the horizontal plane in terms of the palaeo-stress regime using a model of a thick elastoplastic plate containing a circular hole (at the plume location) and subject to combined pure shear and pressure loads. The geometry of dykes in the northern Barents Sea and Arctic Canada can be predicted by the pattern of dilatant plastic shear bands obtained in our numerical experiments assuming boundary conditions consistent with a combination of extension in the Amerasia Basin sub-parallel to the northern Barents Sea margin and a mild compression nearly orthogonal to the margin. The approach has implications for palaeo-stress analysis using the geometry of dyke swarms.
On Service Migrations in the Cloud for Mobile Accesses
Authors: Wang Yang , Veeravalli Bharadwaj , Tham Chen-Khong , He Shuibing , Xu Chengzhong
Published: May 2017

We study the problem of dynamically migrating a service in the cloud to satisfy an online sequence of mobile batch-request demands in a cost-effective way. The service may have single or multiple replicas, each running on a virtual machine. As the origin of mobile accesses frequently changes over time, this problem is particularly important for time-bounded services to achieve enhanced Quality of Service and cost effectiveness. Moving the service closer to the client locations not only reduces the service access latency but also minimizes the network costs for service providers. However, these benefits are not free. The migration comes at a cost of bulk-data transfer and service disruption, and hence, increasing the overall service costs. To gain the benefits of service migration while minimizing the caused monetary costs, we propose an efficient search-based algorithm
Dmig
to migrate a single server, and then extend it as a scalable algorithm, called
mDmig
, to the multi-server situation, a more general case in the cloud. Both algorithms are fully distributed, symmetric, and characterized by the effective use of historical access information to conduct virtual migration so that the limitations of local search in the cost reduction can be overcome. To evaluate the algorithms, we compared them with some existing algorithms and an off-line algorithm. Our simulation results showed that the proposed algorithms exhibit better performance in service migration by adapting to the changes of mobile access patterns in a cost-effective way.
High-Rate Locally Correctable and Locally Testable Codes with Sub-Polynomial Query Complexity
Authors: Kopparty Swastik , Meir Or , Ron-Zewi Noga , Saraf Shubhangi
Published: May 2017

Locally correctable codes (LCCs) and locally testable codes (LTCs) are error-correcting codes that admit
local
algorithms for correction and detection of errors. Those algorithms are local in the sense that they only query a small number of entries of the corrupted codeword. The fundamental question about LCCs and LTCs is to determine the optimal tradeoff among their rate, distance, and query complexity.

In this work, we construct the first LCCs and LTCs with constant rate, constant relative distance, and sub-polynomial query complexity. Specifically, we show that there exist LCCs and LTCs with block length
n
, constant rate (which can even be taken arbitrarily close to 1), and constant relative distance, whose query complexity is exp(Õ(√log
n
)) (for LCCs) and (log
n
)

O
(log log
n
)

(for LTCs).

In addition to having small query complexity, our codes also achieve better tradeoffs between the rate and the relative distance than were previously known to be achievable by LCCs or LTCs. Specifically, over large (but constant size) alphabet, our codes approach the Singleton bound, that is, they have almost the best-possible relationship between their rate and distance. Over the binary alphabet, our codes meet the Zyablov bound. Such tradeoffs between the rate and the relative distance were previously not known for any
o
(
n
) query complexity. Our results on LCCs also immediately give locally decodable codes with the same parameters.
Too big NOT to fail
Authors: Helland Pat , Weaver Simon , Harris Ed
Published: May 2017

Embrace failure so it does not embrace you.
Evolutionary online learning in multirobot systems
Authors: Silva Fernando , Correia Luís , Christensen Anders Lyhne
Published: May 2017

Robots have the potential to replace manned machines and to carry out tasks in environments that are either remote or hazardous, such as space, deep sea, or underground. However, to create intelligent, reliable, mobile robots, capable of operating effectively in a wide variety of environments, the
limited learning ability
of robots needs to be addressed (Brooks & Matarić, 1993). Mobile robots are typically brittle: they are unable to adapt to changing environmental conditions (e.g., changes in terrain or lighting) or internal conditions (e.g., drift or permanent failure in sensors and/or actuators), and to learn new tasks as they execute.
Effective Regression Test Case Selection
Authors: Kazmi Rafaqut , Jawawi Dayang N. A. , Mohamad Radziah , Ghani Imran
Published: May 2017

Regression test case selection techniques attempt to increase the testing effectiveness based on the measurement capabilities, such as cost, coverage, and fault detection. This systematic literature review presents state-of-the-art research in effective regression test case selection techniques. We examined 47 empirical studies published between 2007 and 2015. The selected studies are categorized according to the selection procedure, empirical study design, and adequacy criteria with respect to their effectiveness measurement capability and methods used to measure the validity of these results.

The results showed that mining and learning-based regression test case selection was reported in 39% of the studies, unit level testing was reported in 18% of the studies, and object-oriented environment (Java) was used in 26% of the studies. Structural faults, the most common target, was used in 55% of the studies. Overall, only 39% of the studies conducted followed experimental guidelines and are reproducible.

There are 7 different cost measures, 13 different coverage types, and 5 fault-detection metrics reported in these studies. It is also observed that 70% of the studies being analyzed used cost as the effectiveness measure compared to 31% that used fault-detection capability and 16% that used coverage.
Prediction-Based Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning in Inherently Non-Stationary Environments
Authors: Marinescu Andrei , Dusparic Ivana , Clarke Siobhán
Published: May 2017

Multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) is a widely researched technique for decentralised control in complex large-scale autonomous systems. Such systems often operate in environments that are continuously evolving and where agents’ actions are non-deterministic, so called inherently non-stationary environments. When there are inconsistent results for agents acting on such an environment, learning and adapting is challenging. In this article, we propose P-MARL, an approach that integrates prediction and pattern change detection abilities into MARL and thus minimises the effect of non-stationarity in the environment. The environment is modelled as a time-series, with future estimates provided using prediction techniques. Learning is based on the predicted environment behaviour, with agents employing this knowledge to improve their performance in realtime. We illustrate P-MARL’s performance in a real-world smart grid scenario, where the environment is heavily influenced by non-stationary power demand patterns from residential consumers. We evaluate P-MARL in three different situations, where agents’ action decisions are independent, simultaneous, and sequential. Results show that all methods outperform traditional MARL, with sequential P-MARL achieving best results.
Deep learning takes on translation
Authors: Monroe Don
Published: May 2017

Improvements in hardware, the availability of massive amounts of data, and algorithmic upgrades are among the factors supporting better machine translation.
The influence and promise of alliances
Authors: Goodyear Leslie , Silverstein Gary , Thurston Linda P.
Published: May 2017

Evaluating the influence of broadening participation efforts on students, faculty, organizations, and the computing education infrastructure.
Forced exception handling
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: May 2017

You can never discount the human element in programming.
CRF and urocortin 3 protect the heart from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in zebrafish
Authors: Williams Tegan A. , Bergstrome Jillian C. , Scott Juliana , Bernier Nicholas J.
Published: May 2017

Fish routinely experience environmental hypoxia and have evolved various strategies to tolerate this challenge. Given the key role of the CRF system in coordinating the response to stressors and its cardioprotective actions against ischemia in mammals, we sought to characterize the cardiac CRF system in zebrafish and its role in hypoxia tolerance. We established that all genes of the CRF system, the ligands CRFa, CRFb, urotensin 1 (UTS1), and urocortin 3 (UCN3); the two receptor subtypes (CRFR1 and CRFR2); and the binding protein (CRFBP) are expressed in the heart of zebrafish: crfr1 > crfr2 = crfbp > crfa > ucn3 > crfb > uts1. In vivo, exposure to 5% O2saturation for 15 min and 90 min of recovery resulted in four- to five-fold increases in whole heart crfb and ucn3 mRNA levels but did not affect the gene expression of other CRF system components. In vitro, as assessed by monitoring caspase 3 activity and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells, pretreatment of excised whole hearts with CRF or UCN3 for 30 min prevented the increase in apoptosis associated with exposure to 1% O2saturation for 30 min with a 24-h recovery. Lastly, the addition of the nonselective CRF receptor antagonist αh-CRF(9–41)prevented the cytoprotective effects of CRF. We show that the CRF system is expressed in fish heart, is upregulated by hypoxia, and is cytoprotective. These findings identify a novel role for the CRF system in fish and a new strategy to tolerate hypoxia.
Xanthine oxidase inhibition protects against Western diet-induced aortic stiffness and impaired vasorelaxation in female mice
Authors: Lastra Guido , Manrique Camila , Jia Guanghong , Aroor Annayya R. , Hayden Melvin R. , Barron Brady J. , Niles Brett , Padilla Jaume , Sowers James R.
Published: May 2017

Consumption of a high-fat, high-fructose diet [Western diet (WD)] promotes vascular stiffness, a critical factor in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obese and diabetic women exhibit greater arterial stiffness than men, which contributes to the increased incidence of CVD in these women. Furthermore, high-fructose diets result in elevated plasma concentrations of uric acid via xanthine oxidase (XO) activation, and uric acid elevation is also associated with increased vascular stiffness. However, the mechanisms by which increased xanthine oxidase activity and uric acid contribute to vascular stiffness in obese females remain to be fully uncovered. Accordingly, we examined the impact of XO inhibition on endothelial function and vascular stiffness in female C57BL/6J mice fed a WD or regular chow for 16 wk. WD feeding resulted in increased arterial stiffness, measured by atomic force microscopy in aortic explants (16.19 ± 1.72 vs. 5.21 ± 0.54 kPa, P < 0.05), as well as abnormal aortic endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation. XO inhibition with allopurinol (widely utilized in the clinical setting) substantially improved vascular relaxation and attenuated stiffness (16.9 ± 0.50 vs. 3.44 ± 0.50 kPa, P < 0.05) while simultaneously lowering serum uric acid levels (0.55 ± 0.98 vs. 0.21 ± 0.04 mg/dL, P < 0.05). In addition, allopurinol improved WD-induced markers of fibrosis and oxidative stress in aortic tissue, as analyzed by immunohistochemistry and transmission electronic microscopy. Collectively, these results demonstrate that XO inhibition protects against WD-induced vascular oxidative stress, fibrosis, impaired vasorelaxation, and aortic stiffness in females. Furthermore, excessive oxidative stress resulting from XO activation appears to play a key role in mediating vascular dysfunction induced by chronic exposure to WD consumption in females.
Expression of transcellular and paracellular calcium and magnesium transport proteins in renal and intestinal epithelia during lactation
Authors: Beggs Megan R. , Appel Ida , Svenningsen Per , Skjødt Karsten , Alexander R. Todd , Dimke Henrik
Published: May 2017

Significant alterations in maternal calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) balance occur during lactation. Ca2+is the primary divalent cation mobilized into breast milk by demineralization of the skeleton and alterations in intestinal and renal Ca2+transport. Mg2+is also concentrated in breast milk, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. To determine the molecular alterations in Ca2+and Mg2+transport in the intestine and kidney during lactation, three groups of female mice consisting of either nonpregnant controls, lactating mice, or mice undergoing involution were examined. The fractional excretion of Ca2+, but not Mg2+, rose significantly during lactation. Renal 1-α hydroxylase and 24-OHase mRNA levels increased markedly, as did plasma 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D levels. This was accompanied by significant increases in intestinal expression of Trpv6 and S100g in lactating mice. However, no alterations in the expression of cation-permeable claudin-2, claudin-12, or claudins-15 were found in the intestine. In the kidney, increased expression of Trpv5 and Calb1 was observed during lactation, while no changes in claudins involved in Ca2+and Mg2+transport (claudin-2, claudin-14, claudin-16, or claudin-19) were found. Consistent with the mRNA expression, expression of both calbindin-D28Kand transient receptor potential vanilloid 5 (TRPV5) proteins increased. Colonic Trpm6 expression increased during lactation, while renal Trpm6 remained unaltered. In conclusion, proteins involved in transcellular Ca2+and Mg2+transport pathways increase during lactation, while expression of paracellular transport proteins remained unchanged. Increased fractional Ca2+excretion can be explained by vitamin D-dependent intestinal hyperabsorption and bone demineralization, despite enhanced transcellular Ca2+uptake by the kidney.
MIF-2/D-DT enhances proximal tubular cell regeneration through SLPI- and ATF4-dependent mechanisms
Authors: Ochi Akinobu , Chen Dong , Schulte Wibke , Leng Lin , Moeckel Nickolas , Piecychna Marta , Averdunk Luisa , Stoppe Christian , Bucala Richard , Moeckel Gilbert
Published: May 2017

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine with pleiotropic actions that is produced by several organs and cell types. Depending on the target cell and the inflammatory context, MIF can engage its two component receptor complex CD74 and CD44 and the chemokine receptors CXCR2/4. MIF is constitutively expressed in renal proximal tubular cells, stored in intracellular preformed pools, and released at a low rate. Recently, a second MIF-like protein (i.e., MIF-2/D-DT) has been characterized in mammals. Our study was aimed at examining the role of MIF-2/D-DT, which mediates tissue protection in the heart, in tubular cell regeneration from ischemia-reperfusion injury. We found that Mif−/−, Mif-2−/−, and Cd74−/− mice had significantly worse tubular injury compared with wild-type (WT) control mice and that treatment with MIF-2/D-DT significantly improved recovery of injured epithelial cells. RNAseq analysis of kidney tissue from the ischemia-reperfusion injury model revealed that MIF-2/D-DT treatment stimulates secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor (SLPI) and cyclin D1 expression. MIF-2/D-DT additionally activates of eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF) 2α and activating transcription factor (ATF) 4, two transcription factors involved in the integrated stress response (ISR), which is a cellular stress response activated by hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and oxygen radicals. MIF-2/D-DT also inhibited apoptosis and induced autophagy in hypoxia-treated mouse proximal tubular (MPT) cells. These results indicate that MIF-2/D-DT is an important factor in tubular cell regeneration and may be of therapeutic utility as a regenerative agent in the clinical setting of ischemic acute kidney injury.
Postexercise cold water immersion modulates skeletal muscle PGC-1α mRNA expression in immersed and nonimmersed limbs: evidence of systemic regulation
Authors: Allan Robert , Sharples Adam P. , Close Graeme L. , Drust Barry , Shepherd Sam O. , Dutton John , Morton James P. , Gregson Warren
Published: May 2017

Mechanisms mediating postexercise cold-induced increases in PGC-1α gene expression in human skeletal muscle are yet to be fully elucidated but may involve local cooling effects on AMPK and p38 MAPK-related signaling and/or increased systemic β-adrenergic stimulation. Therefore, we aimed to examine whether postexercise cold water immersion enhancement of PGC-1α mRNA is mediated through local or systemic mechanisms. Ten subjects completed acute cycling (8 × 5 min at ~80% peak power output) followed by seated-rest (CON) or single-leg cold water immersion (CWI; 10 min, 8°C). Muscle biopsies were obtained preexercise, postexercise, and 3 h postexercise from a single limb in the CON condition but from both limbs in CWI [thereby providing tissue from a CWI and nonimmersed limb (NOT)]. Muscle temperature decreased up to 2 h postexercise following CWI (−5°C) in the immersed limb, with lesser changes observed in CON and NOT (−3°C, P < 0.05). No differences between limbs were observed in p38 MAPK phosphorylation at any time point ( P < 0.05), whereas a significant interaction effect was present for AMPK phosphorylation ( P = 0.031). Exercise (CON) increased gene expression of PGC-1α 3 h postexercise (~5-fold, P < 0.001). CWI augmented PGC-1α expression above CON in both the immersed (CWI; ~9-fold, P = 0.003) and NOT limbs (~12-fold, P = 0.001). Plasma normetanephrine concentration was higher in CWI vs. CON immediately postimmersion (860 vs. 665 pmol/l, P = 0.034). We report for the first time that local cooling of the immersed limb evokes transcriptional control of PGC-1α in the nonimmersed limb, suggesting increased systemic β-adrenergic activation of AMPK may mediate, in part, postexercise cold induction of PGC-1α mRNA.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report for the first time that postexercise cold water immersion of one limb also enhances PGC-1α expression in a contralateral, nonimmersed limb. We suggest that increased systemic β-adrenergic stimulation, and not localized cooling per se, exerts regulatory effects on local signaling cascades, thereby modulating PGC-1α expression. Therefore, these data have important implications for research designs that adopt contralateral, nonimmersed limbs as a control condition while also increasing our understanding of the potential mechanisms underpinning cold-mediated PGC-1α responses.
Sodium pump regulation of locomotor control circuits
Authors: Picton Laurence D. , Zhang HongYan , Sillar Keith T.
Published: May 2017

Sodium pumps are ubiquitously expressed membrane proteins that extrude three Na+ions in exchange for two K+ions, using ATP as an energy source. Recent studies have illuminated additional, dynamic roles for sodium pumps in regulating the excitability of neuronal networks in an activity-dependent fashion. We review their role in a novel form of short-term memory within rhythmic locomotor networks. The data we review derives mainly from recent studies on Xenopus tadpoles and neonatal mice. The role and underlying mechanisms of pump action broadly match previously published data from an invertebrate, the Drosophila larva. We therefore propose a highly conserved mechanism by which sodium pump activity increases following a bout of locomotion. This results in an ultraslow afterhyperpolarization (usAHP) of the membrane potential that lasts around 1 min, but which only occurs in around half the network neurons. This usAHP in turn alters network excitability so that network output is reduced in a locomotor interval-dependent manner. The pumps therefore confer on spinal locomotor networks a temporary memory trace of recent network performance.
Spinal control of motor outputs by intrinsic and externally induced electric field potentials
Authors: Jankowska Elzbieta
Published: May 2017

Despite numerous studies on spinal neuronal systems, several issues regarding their role in motor behavior remain unresolved. One of these issues is how electric fields associated with the activity of spinal neurons influence the operation of spinal neuronal networks and how effects of these field potentials are combined with other means of modulating neuronal activity. Another closely related issue is how external electric field potentials affect spinal neurons and how they can be used for therapeutic purposes such as pain relief or recovery of motor functions by transspinal direct current stimulation. Nevertheless, progress in our understanding of the spinal effects of electric fields and their mechanisms has been made over the last years, and the aim of the present review is to summarize the recent findings in this field.
Estrogens in Male Physiology
Authors: Cooke Paul S. , Nanjappa Manjunatha K. , Ko CheMyong , Prins Gail S. , Hess Rex A.
Published: May 2017

Estrogens have historically been associated with female reproduction, but work over the last two decades established that estrogens and their main nuclear receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) also regulate male reproductive and nonreproductive organs. 17β-Estradiol (E2) is measureable in blood of men and males of other species, but in rete testis fluids, E2 reaches concentrations normally found only in females and in some species nanomolar concentrations of estrone sulfate are found in semen. Aromatase, which converts androgens to estrogens, is expressed in Leydig cells, seminiferous epithelium, and other male organs. Early studies showed E2 binding in numerous male tissues, and ESR1 and ESR2 each show unique distributions and actions in males. Exogenous estrogen treatment produced male reproductive pathologies in laboratory animals and men, especially during development, and studies with transgenic mice with compromised estrogen signaling demonstrated an E2 role in normal male physiology. Efferent ductules and epididymal functions are dependent on estrogen signaling through ESR1, whose loss impaired ion transport and water reabsorption, resulting in abnormal sperm. Loss of ESR1 or aromatase also produces effects on nonreproductive targets such as brain, adipose, skeletal muscle, bone, cardiovascular, and immune tissues. Expression of GPER is extensive in male tracts, suggesting a possible role for E2 signaling through this receptor in male reproduction. Recent evidence also indicates that membrane ESR1 has critical roles in male reproduction. Thus estrogens are important physiological regulators in males, and future studies may reveal additional roles for estrogen signaling in various target tissues.
Membrane and Nuclear Estrogen Receptor Alpha Actions: From Tissue Specificity to Medical Implications
Authors: Arnal Jean-Francois , Lenfant Françoise , Metivier Raphaël , Flouriot Gilles , Henrion Daniel , Adlanmerini Marine , Fontaine Coralie , Gourdy Pierre , Chambon Pierre , Katzenellenbogen Benita , Katzenellenbogen John
Published: May 2017

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) has been recognized now for several decades as playing a key role in reproduction and exerting functions in numerous nonreproductive tissues. In this review, we attempt to summarize the in vitro studies that are the basis of our current understanding of the mechanisms of action of ERα as a nuclear receptor and the key roles played by its two activation functions (AFs) in its transcriptional activities. We then depict the consequences of the selective inactivation of these AFs in mouse models, focusing on the prominent roles played by ERα in the reproductive tract and in the vascular system. Evidence has accumulated over the two last decades that ERα is also associated with the plasma membrane and activates non-nuclear signaling from this site. These rapid/nongenomic/membrane-initiated steroid signals (MISS) have been characterized in a variety of cell lines, and in particular in endothelial cells. The development of selective pharmacological tools that specifically activate MISS and the generation of mice expressing an ERα protein impeded for membrane localization have begun to unravel the physiological role of MISS in vivo. Finally, we discuss novel perspectives for the design of tissue-selective ER modulators based on the integration of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of MISS actions of estrogens.
CathROB: A Highly Compact and Versatile Remote Catheter Navigation System
Authors: Cercenelli Laura , Bortolani Barbara , Marcelli Emanuela
Published: May 2017

Several remote catheter navigation systems have been developed and are now commercially available. However, these systems typically require specialized catheters or equipment, as well as time-consuming operations for the system set-up. In this paper, we present CathROB, a highly compact and versatile robotic system for remote navigation of standard tip-steerable electrophysiology (EP) catheters. Key features of CathROB include an extremely compact design that minimizes encumbrance and time for system set-up in a standard cath lab, a force-sensing mechanism, an intuitive command interface, and functions for automatic catheter navigation and repositioning. We report in vitro and in vivo animal evaluation of CathROB. In vitro results showed good accuracy in remote catheter navigation and automatic repositioning (1.5 ± 0.6 mm for the left-side targets, 1.7 ± 0.4 mm for the right-side targets). Adequate tissue contact was achieved with remote navigation in vivo. There were no adverse events, including absence of cardiac perforation or cardiac damage, indicative of the safety profile of CathROB. Although further preclinical and clinical studies are required, the presented CathROB system seems to be a promising solution for an affordable and easy-to-use remote catheter navigation.
A Swarm Optimization Genetic Algorithm Based on Quantum-Behaved Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Sun Tao , Xu Ming-hai
Published: May 2017

Quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) algorithm is a variant of the traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO). The QPSO that was originally developed for continuous search spaces outperforms the traditional PSO in search ability. This paper analyzes the main factors that impact the search ability of QPSO and converts the particle movement formula to the mutation condition by introducing the rejection region, thus proposing a new binary algorithm, named swarm optimization genetic algorithm (SOGA), because it is more like genetic algorithm (GA) than PSO in form. SOGA has crossover and mutation operator as GA but does not need to set the crossover and mutation probability, so it has fewer parameters to control. The proposed algorithm was tested with several nonlinear high-dimension functions in the binary search space, and the results were compared with those from BPSO, BQPSO, and GA. The experimental results show that SOGA is distinctly superior to the other three algorithms in terms of solution accuracy and convergence.
Impact of Sucrose Addition on the Physiochemical Properties and Volatile Compounds of “Shuangyou” Red Wines
Authors: Liu Huan , Bao Mei-Ling , Chen Hong-Ling , Li Qiao
Published: May 2017

“Shuangyou,” a Vitis amurensis Rupr. variety, is widely cultivated in northeastern and western China. Its berries have high acidity and low sugar content. In this study, different proportions of sucrose were added to the must samples during fermentation to investigate the effect of sugar on the physicochemical properties and volatile compounds of “Shuangyou” wines. The addition of sucrose significantly improved yeast growth and alcohol production, altered the color qualities, and slightly decreased titratable acidity during fermentation. The highest tested proportion of added sucrose resulted in the highest maximum yeast counts and final ethanol concentrations. Moreover, 37 volatile compounds (esters, alcohols, fatty acids, ketones, and aldehydes) were identified and quantified by solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of these compounds were correlated with the addition of sucrose. Furthermore, the addition of 100 g/L sucrose was sufficient for improving the concentrations of the aromatic compounds. The increase in ester, alcohol, and fatty acid concentration led to a positive OAVs impact (odor activity value > 1) at the end of fermentation.
Observations of Unexpected Short-Term Heating in the Uppermost Layer of the Dead Sea after a Sharp Decrease in Solar Radiation
Authors: Kishcha Pavel , Starobinets Boris , Gertman Isaac , Ozer Tal , Alpert Pinhas
Published: May 2017

The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Observational evidence has been obtained of unexpected short-term water heating in the 2 m uppermost layer of this hypersaline lake, following a sharp drop in solar radiation under weak winds. This was carried out using Dead Sea buoy measurements. Passing frontal cloudiness mixed with significant dust pollution over the Judean Mountains and the Dead Sea, which occurred on March 22, 2013, led to a dramatic drop in noon solar radiation from 860 W m−2 to 50 W m−2. This drop in solar radiation caused a short-term (1-hour) pronounced temperature rise in the uppermost layer of the sea down to 2 m depth. After the sharp drop in noon solar radiation, in the absence of water mixing, buoy measurements showed that the temperature rise in the uppermost layer of the Dead Sea took place for a shorter time and was more pronounced than the temperature rise under the regular diurnal solar cycle. The water heating could be explained by gravitational instability in the skin-surface layer, when the warm surface water with the increased salinity and density submerged, thereby increasing temperature in the layers below.
Effects of Active and Passive Control Techniques on Mach 1.5 Cavity Flow Dynamics
Authors: Aradag Selin , Gelisli Kubra Asena , Yaldir Elcin Ceren
Published: May 2017

Supersonic flow over cavities has been of interest since 1960s because cavities represent the bomb bays of aircraft. The flow is transient, turbulent, and complicated. Pressure fluctuations inside the cavity can impede successful weapon release. The objective of this study is to use active and passive control methods on supersonic cavity flow numerically to decrease or eliminate pressure oscillations. Jet blowing at several locations on the front and aft walls of the cavity configuration is used as an active control method. Several techniques are used for passive control including using a cover plate to separate the flow dynamics inside and outside of the cavity, trailing edge wall modifications, such as inclination of the trailing edge, and providing curvature to the trailing edge wall. The results of active and passive control techniques are compared with the baseline case in terms of pressure fluctuations, sound pressure levels at the leading edge, trailing edge walls, and cavity floor and in terms of formation of the flow structures and the results are presented. It is observed from the results that modification of the trailing edge wall is the most effective of the control methods tested leading to up to 40 dB reductions in cavity tones.
Cross Section Prediction for Inclusive Production of Z Boson in pp Collisions at s=14 TeV: A Study of Systematic Uncertainty due to Scale Dependence
Authors: Ogul Hasan , Dilsiz Kamuran
Published: May 2017

Prediction of Z→l+l- production cross section (where l±=e±,μ±) in proton-proton collisions at s=14 TeV is estimated up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD including next-to-leading order (NLO) electroweak (EW) corrections. The total inclusive Z boson production cross section times leptonic branching ratio, within the invariant mass window 66<mll<116 GeV, is predicted using NNLO HERAPDF2.0 at NNLO QCD and NLO EW as σZTot=2111.69-26.92+26.31 (PDF) ±11 (αs) ±17 (scale) -30.98+57.41 (parameterization and model). Theoretical prediction of the fiducial cross section is further computed with the latest modern PDF models (CT14, MMHT2014, NNPDF3.0, HERAPDF2.0, and ABM12) at NNLO for QCD and NLO for EW. The central values of the predictions are based on DYNNLO 1.5 program and the uncertainties are extracted using FEWZ 3.1 program. In addition, the cross section is also calculated as functions of μR and μF scales. The choice of μR and μF for scale variation uncertainty is further discussed in detail.
A Novel Computer Virus Propagation Model under Security Classification
Authors: Zhu Qingyi , Cen Chen
Published: May 2017

In reality, some computers have specific security classification. For the sake of safety and cost, the security level of computers will be upgraded with increasing of threats in networks. Here we assume that there exists a threshold value which determines when countermeasures should be taken to level up the security of a fraction of computers with low security level. And in some specific realistic environments the propagation network can be regarded as fully interconnected. Inspired by these facts, this paper presents a novel computer virus dynamics model considering the impact brought by security classification in full interconnection network. By using the theory of dynamic stability, the existence of equilibria and stability conditions is analysed and proved. And the above optimal threshold value is given analytically. Then, some numerical experiments are made to justify the model. Besides, some discussions and antivirus measures are given.
Hydrogen Gas Sensing Using Palladium-Graphene Nanocomposite Material Based on Surface Acoustic Wave
Authors: Ha Nguyen Hai , Nam Nguyen Hoang , Dung Dang Duc , Phuong Nguyen Huy , Thach Phan Duy , Hong Hoang Si
Published: May 2017

We report the fabrication and characterization of surface acoustic wave (SAW) hydrogen sensors using palladium-graphene (Pd-Gr) nanocomposite as sensing material. The Pd-Gr nanocomposite as sensing layer was deposited onto SAW delay line sensor-based interdigitated electrodes (IDTs)/aluminum nitride (AlN)/silicon (Si) structure. The Pd-Gr nanocomposite was synthesized by a chemical route and deposited onto SAW sensors by air-brush spraying. The SAW H2 sensor using Pd-Gr nanocomposite as a sensing layer shows a frequency shift of 25 kHz in 0.5% H2 concentration at room temperature with good repeatability and stability. Moreover, the sensor showed good linearity and fast response/recovery within ten seconds with various H2 concentrations from 0.25 to 1%. The specific interaction between graphene and SAW transfer inside AlN/Si structures yields a high sensitivity and fast response/recovery of SAW H2 sensor based on Pd-Gr/AlN/Si structure.
The Minimal Geometric Deformation Approach: A Brief Introduction
Authors: Ovalle J. , Casadio R. , Sotomayor A.
Published: May 2017

We review the basic elements of the Minimal Geometric Deformation approach in detail. This method has been successfully used to generate brane-world configurations from general relativistic perfect fluid solutions.
ETV1-Positive Cells Give Rise to BRAFV600E-Mutant Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors
Authors: Ran Leili , Murphy Devan , Sher Jessica , Cao Zhen , Wang Shangqian , Walczak Edward , Guan Youxin , Xie Yuanyuan , Shukla Shipra , Zhan Yu , Antonescu Cristina R. , Chen Yu , Chi Ping
Published: May 2017

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common subtype of sarcoma. Despite clinical advances in the treatment of KIT/PDGFRA–mutant GIST, similar progress against KIT/PDGFRA wild-type GIST, including mutant BRAF-driven tumors, has been limited by a lack of model systems. ETV1 is a master regulator in the intestinal cells of Cajal (ICC), thought to be the cells of origin of GIST. Here, we present a model in which the ETV1 promoter is used to specifically and inducibly drive Cre recombinase in ICC as a strategy to study GIST pathogenesis. Using a conditional allele for BrafV600E, a mutation observed in clinical cases of GIST, we observed that BrafV600E activation was sufficient to drive ICC hyperplasia but not GIST tumorigenesis. In contrast, combining BrafV600E activation with Trp53 loss was sufficient to drive both ICC hyperplasia and formation of multifocal GIST-like tumors in the mouse gastrointestinal tract with 100% penetrance. This mouse model of sporadic GIST model was amenable to therapeutic intervention, and it recapitulated clinical responses to RAF inhibition seen in human GIST. Our work offers a useful in vivo model of human sporadic forms of BRAF-mutant GIST to help unravel its pathogenesis and therapeutic response to novel experimental agents. Cancer Res; 77(14); 3758–65. ©2017 AACR.
Utility of Genomic Assessment of Blood-Derived Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA) in Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Schwaederlé Maria C. , Patel Sandip P. , Husain Hatim , Ikeda Megumi , Lanman Richard B. , Banks Kimberly C. , Talasaz AmirAli , Bazhenova Lyudmila , Kurzrock Razelle
Published: May 2017

Purpose: Genomic alterations in blood-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) from patients with non–small cell lung adenocarcinoma (NSCLC) were ascertained and correlated with clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes.

Experimental Design: Comprehensive plasma ctDNA testing was performed in 88 consecutive patients; 34 also had tissue next-generation sequencing; 29, other forms of genotyping; and 25 (28.4%) had no tissue molecular tests because of inadequate tissue or biopsy contraindications.

Results: Seventy-two patients (82%) had ≥1 ctDNA alteration(s); among these, 75% carried alteration(s) potentially actionable by FDA-approved (61.1%) or experimental drug(s) in clinical trials (additional 13.9%). The most frequent alterations were in the TP53 (44.3% of patients), EGFR (27.3%), MET (14.8%), KRAS (13.6%), and ALK (6.8%) genes. The concordance rate for EGFR alterations was 80.8% (100% vs. 61.5%; ≤1 vs. >1 month between ctDNA and tissue tests; P = 0.04) for patients with any detectable ctDNA alterations. Twenty-five patients (28.4%) received therapy matching ≥1 ctDNA alteration(s); 72.3% (N = 16/22) of the evaluable matched patients achieved stable disease ≥6 months (SD) or partial response (PR). Five patients with ctDNA-detected EGFR T790M were subsequently treated with a third generation EGFR inhibitor; all five achieved SD ≥ 6 months/PR. Patients with ≥1 alteration with ≥5% variant allele fraction (vs. < 5%) had a significantly shorter median survival (P = 0.012).

Conclusions: ctDNA analysis detected alterations in the majority of patients, with potentially targetable aberrations found at expected frequencies. Therapy matched to ctDNA alterations demonstrated appreciable therapeutic efficacy, suggesting clinical utility that warrants future prospective studies. Clin Cancer Res; 23(17); 5101–11. ©2017 AACR.
Modeling the Cellular Response of Lung Cancer to Radiation Therapy for a Broad Range of Fractionation Schedules
Authors: Jeong Jeho , Oh Jung Hun , Sonke Jan-Jakob , Belderbos Jose , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Fontanella Andrew N. , Rao Shyam S. , Deasy Joseph O.
Published: May 2017

Purpose: To demonstrate that a mathematical model can be used to quantitatively understand tumor cellular dynamics during a course of radiotherapy and to predict the likelihood of local control as a function of dose and treatment fractions.

Experimental Design: We model outcomes for early-stage, localized non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), by fitting a mechanistic, cellular dynamics-based tumor control probability that assumes a constant local supply of oxygen and glucose. In addition to standard radiobiological effects such as repair of sub-lethal damage and the impact of hypoxia, we also accounted for proliferation as well as radiosensitivity variability within the cell cycle. We applied the model to 36 published and two unpublished early-stage patient cohorts, totaling 2,701 patients.

Results: Precise likelihood best-fit values were derived for the radiobiological parameters: α [0.305 Gy−1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.120–0.365], the α/β ratio (2.80 Gy; 95% CI, 0.40–4.40), and the oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) value for intermediately hypoxic cells receiving glucose but not oxygen (1.70; 95% CI, 1.55–2.25). All fractionation groups are well fitted by a single dose–response curve with a high χ2 P value, indicating consistency with the fitted model. The analysis was further validated with an additional 23 patient cohorts (n = 1,628). The model indicates that hypofractionation regimens overcome hypoxia (and cell-cycle radiosensitivity variations) by the sheer impact of high doses per fraction, whereas lower dose-per-fraction regimens allow for reoxygenation and corresponding sensitization, but lose effectiveness for prolonged treatments due to proliferation.

Conclusions: This proposed mechanistic tumor-response model can accurately predict overtreatment or undertreatment for various treatment regimens. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5469–79. ©2017 AACR.
Aberrant Methylation-Mediated Silencing of lncRNA MEG3 Functions as a ceRNA in Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Dong Zhiming , Zhang Aili , Liu Shengnan , Lu Fan , Guo Yanli , Zhang Guoqiang , Xu Fenglou , Shi Yabin , Shen Supeng , Liang Jia , Guo Wei
Published: May 2017

Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3), a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has tumor-suppressor properties and its expression is lost in several human tumors. However, its biological role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tumorigenesis is poorly defined. The present study determined the role and methylation status of MEG3 in esophageal cancer cells and ESCC clinical specimens, and further observed the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) activity of MEG3 in the pathogenesis and development of ESCC. Significant downregulation of MEG3 was detected in esophageal cancer cells and ESCC tissues and the expression level of MEG3 was significantly increased in cancer cells after treated with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-Aza-dC. Upregulation of MEG3 led to the inhibition of proliferation and invasiveness of the cancer cells. The aberrant promoter hypermethylation of MEG3 indicates silencing of its expression. Furthermore, MEG3 acts as a ceRNA to regulate the expression of E-cadherin and FOXO1 by binding hsa-miR-9. Upregulation of miR-9 was detected in esophageal cancer cell lines and ESCC tissues, and miR-9 promoted esophageal cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Finally, downregulation and hypermethylation of MEG3 was associated with ESCC patients' survival.

Implications: MEG3 functions as a tumor-suppressive lncRNA and aberrant promoter hypermethylation is critical for MEG3 gene silencing in ESCC. In addition, MEG3 acts as a ceRNA to regulate expression of E-cadherin and FOXO1 by competitively binding miR-9 and may be used as a potential biomarker in predicting ESCC patients' progression and prognosis. Mol Cancer Res; 15(7); 800–10. ©2017 AACR.
Measuring of False Peaks Occurring via Planar Antenna Arrays DOA Estimation
Authors: Nechaev Yuri B. , Peshkov Ilia W.
Published: May 2017

Direction-of-arrival (DOA) of radio signals takes a great scientific interest for radar, sonar and wireless communication tasks. In this paper the problem of DOA estimation methods for circular and concentric circular antenna arrays is considered. The super-resolution method MUSIC is researched. The performances are estimated in various noise environments and for various geometries of antenna arrays. Additionally, the problem of false peaks occurring in spatial spectrum is closely considered. Probability of occurring false peaks after computer simulations is presented.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Salt Ian P. , Hardie D. Grahame
Published: May 2017

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular and whole-body energy homeostasis, which acts to restore energy homoeostasis whenever cellular energy charge is depleted. Over the last 2 decades, it has become apparent that AMPK regulates several other cellular functions and has specific roles in cardiovascular tissues, acting to regulate cardiac metabolism and contractile function, as well as promoting anticontractile, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic actions in blood vessels. In this review, we discuss the role of AMPK in the cardiovascular system, including the molecular basis of mutations in AMPK that alter cardiac physiology and the proposed mechanisms by which AMPK regulates vascular function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Visualization of Large-Scale Narrative Data Describing Human Error
Authors: Irwin William J. , Robinson Saul D. , Belt Stephen M.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Introduced is a visual data exploration technique for compiling, reducing, organizing, visually rendering, and filtering text-based narratives for detailed analysis.

Background

The analysis of data sets provides an increasingly difficult problem. The method of visual representation is considered an effective tool in many applications. The focus of this study was to determine if a latent semantic analysis–based projection of narrative data into a geographic information systems software program provided a useful tool for reducing and organizing large sums of narrative data for analysis.

Method

This approach utilizes latent semantic analysis to reduce narratives to a high-dimensional vector, truncates the vector to a two-dimensional projection through application of isometric mapping, and then visually renders the result with geographic information systems software. This method is demonstrated on aviation self-reported safety narratives sourced from the Aviation Safety Reporting System.

Results

Thematic regions from the corpus are illustrated along with the first five topics identified.

Conclusion

Shown is the ability to assimilate a large number of narratives, identify contextual themes, recognize common events and outliers, and organize resultant topics.

Application

Large narrative-based data sets present in aviation and other domains may be visualized to facilitate efficient analysis, enhance comprehension, and improve safety.