bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography based on the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region of native Miscanthus sinensis (Poaceae) populations in Japan
Authors: Hayakawa Hiroshi , Akasaka Maiko , Shimono Yoshiko , Kurokawa Shunji , Nishida Tomoko , Ikeda Hiroaki , Wakamatsu Toru
Published: October 2014

Nucleotide sequence variations were investigated with respect to the geographical distribution patterns of Miscanthus sinensis populations that were sampled from 26 Japanese national parks and three populations of the Ryukyu Islands. Twelve homozygous sequences in the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region were detected. The populations of M. sinensis in mainland Japan mainly were composed of a monophyletic group with a symapomorphic character, whereas those in the Ryukyu Islands included a polyphyletic group. Only an internal transcribed spacer haplotype with a plesiomorphic character was found in both mainland Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. Thus, no clear geographical isolation was observed in this species. These facts might be caused by the ability of M. sinensis as a pioneer plant to have a high migration potential and high gene flow by outcrossing. On the basis of the results of this study (nuclear ribosomal DNA) and the previous study (chloroplast DNA), a phylogeographical history of M. sinensis was presumed where the ancestral and derived lineages were distributed in the southern and northern regions of Japan, respectively, without strict geographical isolation.
Normal incidence measurement in a subaqueous sand dune field in the South China Sea
Authors: Chiu Linus Y. S. , Chang Andrea Y. Y.
Published: October 2014

Regions with subaqueous sand dunes have been discovered on the upper continental slope of the northern South China Sea. These large subaqueous sand dunes are expected to cause errors in the measurement of normal incidence reflection. This letter presents experiment results of two normal incidence survey tracks conducted in 2013, and the errors in reflection coefficient estimation and the resulting sediment properties induced by sand dune bedforms. The results demonstrate that the reflected energy is focused and scattered by different parts of sand dune bedforms and that they produce significant variation in the estimated reflection coefficients and the inverted geoacoustic properties.
Notch signaling acts before cell division to promote asymmetric cleavage and cell fate of neural precursor cells
Authors: Bhat Krishna Moorthi
Published: October 2014

Signaling by Notch is involved early in the precursor cell to regulate asymmetric cell division and cleavage.
Getting to the Root of a Root Problem
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: October 2014

Nitrogen-starved rootlets send small peptides to the shoot to initiate compensatory uptake in other rootlets.
In Search of a Young and Supple Brain
Authors: Kelner Katrina L.
Published: October 2014

Inhibition of a cell surface, Ig-like receptor in the adult mouse visual cortex increases neural plasticity and facilitates recovery from amblyopia.
Bacteria May Mess with Your Mind
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: October 2014

Two studies reveal that bacteria release metabolites that can influence neuronal activity.
Insight into a Retinal Degeneration Disease
Authors: Vinson Valda
Published: October 2014

A bacterial homolog structure gives insights into ion permeation, gating, and mutations that cause retinal degeneration.
Importance of Branched-Chain Amino Acid Utilization in Francisella Intracellular Adaptation
Authors: Gesbert Gael , Ramond Elodie , Tros Fabiola , Dairou Julien , Frapy Eric , Barel Monique , Charbit Alain
Published: October 2014

Intracellular bacterial pathogens have adapted their metabolism to optimally utilize the nutrients available in infected host cells. We recently reported the identification of an asparagine transporter required specifically for cytosolic multiplication of
Francisella
. In the present work, we characterized a new member of the major super family (MSF) of transporters, involved in isoleucine uptake. We show that this transporter (here designated IleP) plays a critical role in intracellular metabolic adaptation of
Francisella
. Inactivation of IleP severely impaired intracellular
F. tularensis
subsp.
novicida
multiplication in all cell types tested and reduced bacterial virulence in the mouse model. To further establish the importance of the
ileP
gene in
F. tularensis
pathogenesis, we constructed a chromosomal deletion mutant of
ileP
(Δ
FTL
_
1803
) in the
F. tularensis
subsp.
holarctica
live vaccine strain (LVS). Inactivation of IleP in the
F. tularensis
LVS provoked comparable intracellular growth defects, confirming the critical role of this transporter in isoleucine uptake. The data presented establish, for the first time, the importance of isoleucine utilization for efficient phagosomal escape and cytosolic multiplication of
Francisella
and suggest that virulent
F. tularensis
subspecies have lost their branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathways and rely exclusively on dedicated uptake systems. This loss of function is likely to reflect an evolution toward a predominantly intracellular life style of the pathogen. Amino acid transporters should be thus considered major players in the adaptation of intracellular pathogens.
Increasing the response rate of text messaging data collection: a delayed randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Ye , Wang Wei , Wu Qiong , van Velthoven Michelle Helena , Chen Li , Du Xiaozhen , Zhang Yanfeng , Rudan Igor , Car Josip
Published: October 2014

Objective To test the effectiveness of multiple interventions on increasing the response rate of text messaging for longitudinal data collection.

Methods Our cohort included 283 caregivers of children aged 6–12 months who were participating in an anemia program in rural China. Using text messages to collect data on anemia medication adherence, we conducted a delayed randomized controlled trial to test multiple interventions (an additional four reminders; a ¥5.0 (US$0.79) credit reward for replying; and a feedback text message). After a 6-week pilot study with week 7 as the baseline measurement, we randomly allocated all participants into two groups: group 1 (n = 142) and group 2 (n = 141). During weeks 8–11, we introduced the interventions to group 1, and in weeks 12–15 the intervention was introduced to both groups. We compared the response rates between groups and explored factors affecting the response rate.

Results During weeks 8–11, the response rates in group 1 increased and were significantly higher than in group 2 (p<0.05). During weeks 12–15, the response rate increased significantly in group 2 (p>0.05) and slightly decreased in group 1. Younger participants or participants who had children with lower hemoglobin concentration were more likely to reply (p = 0.02). Sending four reminders on the second day contributed to only 286 (11.7%) extra text messages.

Discussion Our study showed that multiple interventions were effective in increasing response rate of text messaging data collection in rural China.

Conclusions Larger multi-site studies are needed to find the most effective way of using these interventions to allow usage of text messaging data collection for health research.
Patient safety goals for the proposed Federal Health Information Technology Safety Center
Authors: Sittig Dean F , Classen David C , Singh Hardeep
Published: October 2014

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is expected to oversee creation of a Health Information Technology (HIT) Safety Center. While its functions are still being defined, the center is envisioned as a public–private entity focusing on promotion of HIT related patient safety. We propose that the HIT Safety Center leverages its unique position to work with key administrative and policy stakeholders, healthcare organizations (HCOs), and HIT vendors to achieve four goals: (1) facilitate creation of a nationwide ‘post-marketing’ surveillance system to monitor HIT related safety events; (2) develop methods and governance structures to support investigation of major HIT related safety events; (3) create the infrastructure and methods needed to carry out random assessments of HIT related safety in complex HCOs; and (4) advocate for HIT safety with government and private entities. The convening ability of a federally supported HIT Safety Center could be critically important to our transformation to a safe and effective HIT enabled healthcare system.
Comparison of a semi-automatic annotation tool and a natural language processing application for the generation of clinical statement entries
Authors: Lin Ching-Heng , Wu Nai-Yuan , Lai Wei-Shao , Liou Der-Ming
Published: October 2014

Background and objective Electronic medical records with encoded entries should enhance the semantic interoperability of document exchange. However, it remains a challenge to encode the narrative concept and to transform the coded concepts into a standard entry-level document. This study aimed to use a novel approach for the generation of entry-level interoperable clinical documents.

Methods Using HL7 clinical document architecture (CDA) as the example, we developed three pipelines to generate entry-level CDA documents. The first approach was a semi-automatic annotation pipeline (SAAP), the second was a natural language processing (NLP) pipeline, and the third merged the above two pipelines. We randomly selected 50 test documents from the i2b2 corpora to evaluate the performance of the three pipelines.

Results The 50 randomly selected test documents contained 9365 words, including 588 Observation terms and 123 Procedure terms. For the Observation terms, the merged pipeline had a significantly higher F-measure than the NLP pipeline (0.89 vs 0.80, p<0.0001), but a similar F-measure to that of the SAAP (0.89 vs 0.87). For the Procedure terms, the F-measure was not significantly different among the three pipelines.

Conclusions The combination of a semi-automatic annotation approach and the NLP application seems to be a solution for generating entry-level interoperable clinical documents.
5-Fluorouracil-induced bilateral persistent serpentine supravenous hyperpigmented eruption, bilateral mottling of palms and diffuse hyperpigmentation of soles
Authors: Suvirya Swastika , Agrawal Avinash , Parihar Anit
Published: October 2014

A 42-year-old woman being treated with 5-fluorouracil for carcinoma of the sigmoid colon developed persistent serpentine supravenous hyperpigmented eruption (PSSHE), bilateral mottling of the palms and diffuse hyperpigmentation of the soles. To the best of our knowledge, such a combination of findings has not been reported earlier. Recognition and knowledge of this side effect are important as the dose of the drug need not be altered nor is there a need to replace the drug on worries about a serious adverse effect. However, changing the peripheral venous route to the central line can be useful in management of PSSHE.
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) position statement: interventional musculoskeletal ultrasound in sports medicine
Authors: Finnoff Jonathan T , Hall Mederic M , Adams Erik , Berkoff David , Concoff Andrew L , Dexter William , Smith Jay
Published: October 2014

Background

The use of diagnostic and interventional ultrasound has significantly increased over the past decade. A majority of the increased utilisation is by non-radiologists. In sports medicine, ultrasound is often used to guide interventions such as aspirations, diagnostic or therapeutic injections, tenotomies, releases and hydrodissections.

Objective

Critically review the literature related to the accuracy, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injections (USGIs) in major, intermediate and small joints; and soft tissues.

Design

Systematic review of the literature.

Results

USGIs are more accurate than landmark-guided injections (LMGIs; strength of recommendation taxonomy (SORT) Evidence Rating=A). USGIs are more efficacious than LMGIs (SORT Evidence Rating=B). USGIs are more cost-effective than LMGIs (SORT Evidence Rating=B). Ultrasound guidance is required to perform many new procedures (SORT Evidence Rating=C).

Conclusions

The findings of this position statement indicate there is strong evidence that USGIs are more accurate than LMGI, moderate evidence that they are more efficacious and preliminary evidence that they are more cost-effective. Furthermore, ultrasound-guided (USG) is required to perform many new, advanced procedures and will likely enable the development of innovative USG surgical techniques in the future.
Evaluating inpatient mortality: a new electronic review process that gathers information from front-line providers
Authors: Provenzano Audrey , Rohan Shannon , Trevejo Elmy , Burdick Elisabeth , Lipsitz Stuart , Kachalia Allen
Published: October 2014

Importance

Accurately and routinely identifying factors contributing to inpatient mortality remains challenging.

Objective

To describe the development, implementation and performance of a new electronic mortality review method 1 year after implementation.

Methods

An analysis of data gathered from an electronic instrument that queries front-line providers on their opinions on quality and safety related issues, including potential preventability, immediately after a patient's death. Comparison was also made with chart reviews and administrative data.

Results

In the first 12 months, reviewers responded to 89% of reviews sent (2547 responses from 2869 requests), resulting in at least one review in 99% (1058/1068) of inpatient deaths. Clinicians provided suggestions for improvement in 7.7% (191/2491) of completed reviews, and reported that 4.8% (50/1052) of deaths may have been preventable. Quality and safety issues contributing to potentially preventable inpatient mortality included delays in obtaining or responding to tests (15/50, 30%), communication barriers (10/50, 20%) and healthcare associated infections (9/50, 18%).

Independent, blinded chart review of a sample of clinician reviews detected potential preventability in 10% (2/20) of clinician reported cases as potentially preventable. Comparison with administrative data showed poor agreement on the identification of complications with neither source consistently identifying more complications.

Conclusions

Our early experience supports the feasibility and utility of an electronic tool to collect real-time clinical information related to inpatient deaths directly from front-line providers. Caregivers reported information that was complementary to data available from chart review and administrative sources in identifying potentially preventable deaths and informing quality improvement efforts.
Republished: ‘Warm-up Angina’: harnessing the benefits of exercise and myocardial ischaemia
Authors: Williams Rupert P , Manou-Stathopoulou Vasiliki , Redwood Simon R , Marber Michael S
Published: October 2014

The phenomenon of warm-up angina was first noted over 200 years ago. It describes the curious observation whereby exercise-induced ischaemia on second effort is significantly reduced or even abolished if separated from first effort by a brief rest period. However, the precise mechanism via which this cardio-protection occurs remains uncertain. Three possible explanations for reduced myocardial ischaemia on second effort include: first, an improvement in myocardial perfusion; second, increased myocardial resistance to ischaemia similar to ischaemic preconditioning; and third, reduced cardiac work through better ventricular–vascular coupling. Obtaining accurate coronary physiological measurements in the catheter laboratory throughout exercise demands a complex research protocol. In the 1980s, studies into warm-up angina relied on great cardiac vein thermo-dilution to estimate coronary blood flow. This technique has subsequently been shown to be inaccurate. However exercise physiology in the catheter laboratory has recently been resurrected with the advent of coronary artery wires that allow continuous measurement of distal coronary artery pressure and blood flow velocity. This review summarises the intriguing historical background to warm-up angina, and provides a concise critique of the important studies investigating mechanisms behind this captivating cardio-protective phenomenon.
Randomised prospective study compares efficacy of five different stomach tubes for rumen fluid sampling in dairy cows
Authors: Steiner S. , Neidl A. , Linhart N. , Tichy A. , Gasteiner J. , Gallob K. , Baumgartner W. , Wittek T.
Published: October 2014

The objective of the study was to compare the performance of five types of stomach tubes for rumen fluid sampling. Rumen fluid was sampled in rumen fistulated cows assigned to a 5×5 Latin square study design. The pH values of samples taken by stomach tubes and via fistulas were measured; the results were compared with indwelling sensor measurements. The practicability of the stomach tubes for regular use was tested in the field. Rumen fluid samples were obtained rapidly. Volumes for transfaunation could be obtained. The pH‐values of samples taken with the four out of the five tubes (Dirksen, Geishauser, tube 4 and a simple water hose used with a gag) did not show significant differences to samples taken via rumen fistulas. Mean differences ranged between −0.02 and +0.09. Samples taken with tube 4 and the water hose showed also no significant differences to pH‐sensor measurements. This study demonstrates that stomach tubes are suitable for rumen fluid sampling. Tube 4 seems to be the best probe for work in the field. It was well tolerated by the animals, saliva contamination is negligible. We, therefore, conclude that the evaluation of rumen acid base status in the field is possible.
Combination methods for identifying influential nodes in networks
Authors: Gao Chao , Zhong Lu , Li Xianghua , Zhang Zili , Shi Ning
Published: October 2014

Identifying influential nodes is of theoretical significance in many domains. Although lots of methods have been proposed to solve this problem, their evaluations are under single-source attack in scale-free networks. Meanwhile, some researches have speculated that the combinations of some methods may achieve more optimal results. In order to evaluate this speculation and design a universal strategy suitable for different types of networks under the consideration of multi-source attacks, this paper proposes an attribute fusion method with two independent strategies to reveal the correlation of existing ranking methods and indicators. One is based on feature union (FU) and the other is based on feature ranking (FR). Two different propagation models in the fields of recommendation system and network immunization are used to simulate the efficiency of our proposed method. Experimental results show that our method can enlarge information spreading and restrain virus propagation in the application of recommendation system and network immunization in different types of networks under the condition of multi-source attacks.
Perturbative gravity from gauge theory
Authors: Bern Z.
Published: October 2014

Here, we describe a recently conjectured duality between color and kinematics for gauge-theory amplitudes. Whenever this duality is manifest, the integrands of loop-level gravity scattering amplitudes can be obtained from corresponding gauge-theory amplitudes via a double-copy relation. This duality has been used to enormously simplify a number of explicit multiloop supergravity calculations. The results of these computations is that supergravity theories have a surprisingly tame ultraviolet behavior, and in some cases may even be finite. As an example, we summarize a recent calculation showing that half-maximal [Formula: see text] supergravity in four spacetime dimensions is ultraviolet finite at three loops, contrary to previous expectations.
Evaluating the six-point remainder function near the collinear limit
Authors: Papathanasiou Georgios
Published: October 2014

The simplicity of maximally supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory makes it an ideal theoretical laboratory for developing computational tools, which eventually find their way to QCD applications. In this contribution, we continue the investigation of a recent proposal by Basso, Sever and Vieira, for the nonperturbative description of its planar scattering amplitudes, as an expansion around collinear kinematics. The method of G. Papathanasiou, J. High Energy Phys.1311, 150 (2013), arXiv:1310.5735, for computing the integrals the latter proposal predicts for the leading term in the expansion of the six-point remainder function, is extended to one of the subleading terms. In particular, we focus on the contribution of the two-gluon bound state in the dual flux tube picture, proving its general form at any order in the coupling, and providing explicit expressions up to six loops. These are included in the ancillary file accompanying the version of this paper on the arXiv.
A viable Starobinsky-like inflationary scenario in the light of Planck and BICEP2 results
Authors: Basilakos Spyros , Lima José Ademir Sales , Solà Joan
Published: October 2014

The recent CMB data from Planck and BICEP2 observations have opened a new window for inflationary cosmology. In this paper, we compare three Starobinsky-like inflationary scenarios: (i) The original Starobinsky proposal, (ii) a family of dynamically broken SUGRA models, and (iii) a class of "decaying" vacuum Λ(H) cosmologies. We then focus on the Λ(H) variant, which spans the complete cosmic history of the universe from an early inflationary stage, followed by the "graceful exit" into the standard radiation regime, the matter epoch and, finally, the late-time accelerated expansion. Computing the effective potential we find that the "running" Λ(H) models also provide a prediction for the tensor-to-scalar ratio of the CMB spectrum, r ≃ 0.16, which is compatible to within 1σ with the value [Formula: see text] recently measured by the BICEP2 collaboration.
Perspectives for an Elko phenomenology using monojets at the 14 TeV LHC
Authors: Alves Alexandre , Dias M. , de Campos F.
Published: October 2014

The aim of this work is to explore the possibility to discover a fermionic field with mass dimension one, the Elko field, in the 14 TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC), in processes with missing energy and one jet. We explore the possibility of a triple coupling with the Higgs field, generating also a contribution to the Elko mass term, and suggest some possibilities for future studies in this field.
Subsystem measurement in unitary quantum measurement theory with redundant entanglement
Authors: Herbut Fedor
Published: October 2014

Measurement of a degenerate (or non-degenerate) discrete observable is investigated in the framework of quantum measurement theory short of collapse, i.e. premeasurement theory, based on a unitary evolution operator that includes the measurement interaction between object and measuring instrument. A pointer observable with eigen-projectors of, in general, many (or even infinitely) dimensional ranges is introduced as a new approach. It leads to redundant entanglement in the final state. As the first main result, the basic dynamical relation of the approach is derived. It is shown to be equivalent to the calibration condition, which is known to define general exact measurement. The latter is given a practical form. Complete measurement (premeasurement with objectification or collapse), which is in some sense implied by the premeasurement theory, performed on a subsystem of a bipartite object in a pure state is studied with particular attention to its effect on the opposite, interactionally unaffected subsystem. The change of state of the latter is derived for exact complete subsystem measurement, and it is shown that the change is the same as for the simplest, i.e. ideal measurement (this is the second main result). It is applied to the case of twin observables and thus distant measurement obtains a new, more satisfactory, foundation (the third main result). Distant measurement is a basic concept in the EPR phenomenon. The well-known importance of the latter implies importance of the former.
Engineering decoherence for two-qubit systems interacting with a classical environment
Authors: Rossi Matteo A. C. , Benedetti Claudia , Paris Matteo G. A.
Published: October 2014

We address the dynamics of a two-qubit system interacting with a classical dephasing environment driven by a Gaussian stochastic process. Upon introducing the concept of entanglement-preserving time, we compare the degrading effects of different environments, e.g. those described by Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) or fractional noise. In particular, we consider pure Bell states and mixtures of Bell states and study the typical values of the entanglement-preserving time for both independent and common environments. We found that engineering environments towards fractional Gaussian noise is useful to preserve entanglement as well as to improve its robustness against noise. We also address entanglement sudden death by studying the sudden-death time as a function of the initial negativity. We found that: (i) the sudden-death time is bounded from below by an increasing function of the initial negativity, (ii) the sudden-death time depends only slightly on the process used to describe the environment and exhibits typicality. Overall, our results show that engineering the environment has only a slight influence over the entanglement sudden-death time, while it represents a valuable resource to increase the entanglement-preserving time, i.e. to maintain entanglement closer to the initial level for a longer interaction time.
SHOCK COMPRESSION OF METAL CRYSTALS: A COMPARISON OF EULERIAN AND LAGRANGIAN ELASTIC-PLASTIC THEORIES
Authors: CLAYTON J. D.
Published: October 2014

An unconventional nonlinear elastic theory is advocated for solids undergoing large compression as may occur in shock loading. This theory incorporates an Eulerian strain measure, in locally unstressed material coordinates. Analytical predictions of this theory and conventional Lagrangian theory for elastic shock stress in anisotropic single crystals of aluminum, copper and magnesium are compared. Eulerian solutions demonstrate greater accuracy compared to atomic simulation (aluminum) and faster convergence with increasing order of elastic constants entering the internal energy. A thermomechanical framework incorporating this Eulerian strain and accounting for elastic and plastic deformations is outlined in parallel with equations for Lagrangian finite strain crystal plasticity. For several symmetric crystal orientations, predicted values of volumetric compression at the Hugoniot elastic limit of the two theories begin to differ substantially when octahedral or prismatic slip system strengths exceed about 1% of the shear modulus. Predicted pressures differ substantially for volumetric compression in excess of 5%. Predictions of Eulerian theory are closer to experimental shock data for aluminum, copper, and magnesium polycrystals.
ASYMPTOTIC NUMERICAL METHOD FOR THE DYNAMIC STUDY OF NONLINEAR VIBRATION ABSORBERS
Authors: DJEMAL FATHI , CHAARI FAKHER , DION JEAN LUC , RENAUD FRANCK , TAWFIQ IMAD , HADDAR MOHAMED
Published: October 2014

Vibrations are usually undesired phenomena as they may cause discomfort, disturbance, damage, and sometimes destruction of machines and structures. It must be reduced or controlled or eliminated. One of the most common methods of vibration control is the use of the dynamic absorber. The paper is interested in the study of a nonlinear two degrees of freedom (DOF) model. To solve nonlinear equation of motion a high order implicit algorithm is proposed. It is based on the introduction of a homotopy, an implicit scheme of Newmark and the use of techniques of Asymptotic Numerical method (ANM). We propose also a regularization of the contact force to overcome the difficulty of the singularity in this model. A comparison will be presented between the results obtained by the proposed algorithm and those using the classical Newton–Raphson and Newmark time scheme.
An assessment study of absorption effect: LED vs tungsten halogen lamp for noninvasive glucose detection
Authors: Mohd Aziz Nur Ain , Arsad Norhana , Menon P. Susthitha , Shaari Sahbudin , Md Yusof Zalhan , Laili Abdur Rehman
Published: October 2014

Noninvasive glucose monitoring development is critical for diabetic patient continuous monitoring. However, almost all the available devices are invasive and painful. Noninvasive methods such as using spectroscopy have shown some good results. Unfortunately, the drawback was that the tungsten halogen lamps usage that is impractical if applied on human skin. This paper compared the light emitting diode (LED) to traditional tungsten halogen lamps as light source for glucose detection where the type of light source plays an important role in achieving a good spectrum quality. Glucose concentration measurement has been developed as part of noninvasive technique using optical spectroscopy. Small change and overlapping in tungsten halogen results need to replace it with a more convenient light source such as LED. Based on the result obtained, the performance of LED for absorbance spectrum gives a significantly different and is directly proportional to the glucose concentration. The result shows a linear trend and successfully detects lowest at 60 to 160 mg/dL glucose concentration.
Electrochemical studies on nanometal oxide-activated carbon composite electrodes for aqueous supercapacitors
Authors: Ho Mui Yen , Khiew Poi Sim , Isa Dino , Chiu Wee Siong
Published: October 2014

In present study, the electrochemical performance of eco-friendly and cost-effective titanium oxide ( TiO 2)-based and zinc oxide-based nanocomposite electrodes were studied in neutral aqueous Na 2 SO 3 electrolyte, respectively. The electrochemical properties of these composite electrodes were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (CD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The experimental results reveal that these two nanocomposite electrodes achieve the highest specific capacitance at fairly low oxide loading onto activated carbon (AC) electrodes, respectively. Considerable enhancement of the electrochemical properties of TiO 2/AC and ZnO /AC nanocomposite electrodes is achieved via synergistic effects contributed from the nanostructured metal oxides and the high surface area mesoporous AC. Cations and anions from metal oxides and aqueous electrolyte such as Ti 4+, Zn 2+, Na + and [Formula: see text] can occupy some pores within the high-surface-area AC electrodes, forming the electric double layer at the electrode–electrolyte interface. Additionally, both TiO 2 and ZnO nanoparticles can provide favourable surface adsorption sites for [Formula: see text] anions which subsequently facilitate the faradaic processes for pseudocapacitive effect. These two systems provide the low cost material electrodes and the low environmental impact electrolyte which offer the increased charge storage without compromising charge storage kinetics.
Graphene modified Li-rich cathode material Li[Li0.26Ni0.07Co0.07Mn0.56]O2 for lithium ion battery
Authors: Li Xiangjun , Xin Hongxing , Qin Xiaoying , Yuan Xueqin , Li Di , Zhang Jian , Song Chunjun , Wang Ling , Sun Guolong , Liu Yongfei
Published: October 2014

Lithium and Mn rich solid solution materials Li [ Li 0.26 Ni 0.07 Co 0.07 Mn 0.56] O 2 were synthesized by a carbonate co-precipitation method and modified with a layer of graphene. The graphene-modified cathodes exhibit improved rate capability and cycling performance as compared to the bare cathodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses reveal that the improved electrochemical performances are due to acceleration kinetics of lithium-ion diffusion and the charge transfer reaction of the graphene-modified cathodes.
To err is human, to correct is divine
Authors: Felice Mariano , Yuan Zheng
Published: October 2014

Technology has made language learning a more interactive and enjoyable experience, but it has never been smart enough to replace human tutors. However, the latest advances in automated grammatical error correction open up new horizons. Could software ever replace our language teachers?
Ancient Sumerian online
Authors: Nurmikko-Fuller Terhi
Published: October 2014

Far from its beginnings as symbols pressed into clay tablets, Ancient Sumerian is now being digitized and shared through cutting edge semantic web technologies.
Spoken dialogue systems
Authors: Lison Pierre , Meena Raveesh
Published: October 2014

Wouldn't it be great if we could simply talk to our technical devices instead of relying on cumbersome displays and keyboards to convey what we want?
A hybrid system for code switch point detection in informal Arabic text
Authors: Elfardy Heba , Al-Badrashiny Mohamed , Diab Mona
Published: October 2014

How to detect the switch between a standard and a dialectal form of a language in written text and why this is important for natural language processing tasks.
WebCore
Authors: Zhu Yuhao , Reddi Vijay Janapa
Published: October 2014

The Web browser is undoubtedly the single most impor- tant application in the mobile ecosystem. An average user spends 72 minutes each day using the mobile Web browser. nWeb browser internal engines (e.g., WebKit) are also growing in importance because they provide a common substrate for developing various mobile Web applications. In a user-driven, interactive, and latency-sensitive environment, the browser's performance is crucial. However, the battery-constrained nature of mobile devices limits the performance that we can de- liver for mobile Web browsing. As traditional general-purpose techniques to improve performance and energy efficiency fall short, we must employ domain-specific knowledge while still maintaining general-purpose flexibility

In this paper, we first perform design-space exploration to identify appropriate general-purpose architectures that uniquely fit the characteristics of a popular Web browsing engine. Despite our best effort, we discover sources of energy inefficiency in these customized general-purpose architectures. To mitigate these inefficiencies, we propose, synthesize, and evaluate two new domain-specific specializations, called the Style Resolution Unit and the Browser Engine Cache. Our opti- mizations boost energy efficiency and at the same time improve mobile Web browsing performance. As emerging mobile work- loads increasingly rely more on Web browser technologies, the type of optimizations we propose will become important in the future and are likely to have lasting widespread impact
The Archaeology of Crafts Learning: Becoming a Potter in the Puebloan Southwest
Authors: Crown Patricia L.
Published: October 2014

Individuals learning to make pottery must master knowledge of materials and a complex production sequence. Intergenerational transmission of knowledge and diffusion of knowledge are basic processes in all human societies. How individuals learn, what they learn, and from whom they learn become aspects of their identity. Theoretical perspectives on learning and historical documents describing learning provide background for archaeologists interested in how crafts learning occurred in the past. New methods enable archaeologists to examine learning from skilled potters in childhood and learning from other skilled potters and objects later in life among the Ancestral Pueblos. Differences in learning and teaching frameworks have implications for the archaeological record.
Semiotic Dimensions of Creativity
Authors: Wilf Eitan
Published: October 2014

Recurrent, most recently Romantic, ideologies conceptualize creativity as the solitary, ex nihilo creation of products of self-evident and universal value—most emblematically in the field of art—by highly exceptional individuals. Such ideologies obscure the social dimensions of creativity that come into view via anthropological analysis: (a) the nature and ubiquity of creative processes as communicative and improvisational events, with real-time emergent properties, involving human and nonhuman agents in the context of pre-existing yet malleable genres and constraints; (b) the role of socialization in the making of creative individuals, implicating processes of social reproduction; and (c) the processes by which certain objects and individuals are recognized and constructed as exemplars of creativity and thus acquire their value. This review discusses these dimensions by synthesizing cultural and linguistic/semiotic anthropological research. It concludes by addressing the recent transformation of creativity into the neoliberal philosopher's stone and the potential contribution of anthropology to the demystification of this transformation.
The Ethnography of Prisons and Penal Confinement
Authors: Cunha Manuela
Published: October 2014

Centered on the ethnography of prisons and field research on penal confinement, this review maps out current developments and characterizes them in relation to key themes that shaped earlier approaches. Further internationalizing the ethnographic discussion on prisons by broadening the predominant focus on the United States and the English-speaking world, the review is organized around a main line of discussion: the prison–society relation and the articulation between intramural and extramural worlds. More or less apparent in field research, this articulation is addressed from different perspectives—within and across different scales and analytic frames—whether centered more on the workings of the institution or on prisoners and their social worlds, both within and outside walls. The porosity of prison boundaries, increasingly acknowledged, has also been problematized and ethnographically documented in different ways: from prison-in-context to interface approaches, both more reflexive and attuned to broader theoretical debates.
Transnational Humanitarianism
Authors: Ticktin Miriam
Published: October 2014

This review traces anthropological studies of humanitarianism starting in the late 1980s, when humanitarianism began to take shape as a particular moral and political project through the formation of transnational nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). It follows both the evolving relationship of anthropologists to humanitarianism—initially as allies, then as critics, alternately embracing and challenging their conjoined humanist legacy—and the growing field of the anthropology of humanitarianism.
Variational Level Set Method for Two‐Stage Image Segmentation Based on Morphological Gradients
Authors: Ren Zemin
Published: October 2014

We use variational level set method and transition region extraction techniques to achieve image segmentation task. The proposed scheme is done by two steps. We first develop a novel algorithm to extract transition region based on the morphological gradient. After this, we integrate the transition region into a variational level set framework and develop a novel geometric active contour model, which include an external energy based on transition region and fractional order edge indicator function. The external energy is used to drive the zero level set toward the desired image features, such as object boundaries. Due to this external energy, the proposed model allows for more flexible initialization. The fractional order edge indicator function is incorporated into the length regularization term to diminish the influence of noise. Moreover, internal energy is added into the proposed model to penalize the deviation of the level set function from a signed distance function. The results evolution of the level set function is the gradient flow that minimizes the overall energy functional. The proposed model has been applied to both synthetic and real images with promising results.
MicroRNA-21 Promotes Cell Growth and Migration by Targeting Programmed Cell Death 4 Gene in Kazakh’s Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Tao , Liu Qing , Zheng Shutao , Gao Xiangpeng , Lu Mang , Yang Chenchen , Dai Fang , Sheyhidin Ilyar , Lu Xiaomei
Published: October 2014

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and the sixth most common cause of cancer death. There are two main types of EC—squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC). Although some advances in the exploration of its possible etiological mechanism were made recently including behaviors and environmental risk factors as well as gene alterations, the molecular mechanism underlying ESCC carcinogenesis and progression remains poorly understood. It has been reported that miR-21 was upregulated in most malignant cancers, the proposed mechanism of which was through suppressing expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4). In present study, it is firstly reported that miR-21 was upregulated in Kazakh’s ESCC and that miR-21 played a negative role in regulating PDCD4 using in situ hybridization (ISH) and luciferase reporter approach. Morever, in model of ESCC xenografted nude mice, miR-21 maybe used as an effective target in the treatment. The present results demonstrated that miR-21 may be a potential therapeutic target in management of ESCC.
The Mechanisms of Medial Pedicle Wall Violation: Insertion Method Is as Important as Correct Cannulation of the Pedicle
Authors: Isik Cengiz , Kose Kamil Cagri , Inanmaz Mustafa Erkan , Tagil Suleyman Murat , Sarman Hakan
Published: October 2014

A cadaver study aims to determine the mechanisms of medial pedicle wall violation after a correct cannulation of the pedicle. The study presents finding out the effect of insertion angle and insertion force on medial wall violation. We used 100 lumbar pedicles of cadavers. Special wooden blocks were produced to simulate a fixed angle fault after a correct pedicle cannulation. Pedicles were divided into 4 groups: 10-degree free drive (group 10), 15-degree free drive (group 15), 10-degree push drive (group 10P), and 15-degree push drive (group 15P). After insertion of pedicle screws, laminectomies were done and the pedicles were evaluated from the inside. Pedicle complications were more in group 10P than group 10 (P=0.009). Medial wall fracture (P=0.002) and canal penetration were more in group 15P than group 15 (P=0.001). Groups 10P and 15P were similar regarding medial wall fractures but canal penetration was significantly higher in group 15P (P=0.001). Medial wall breaches can happen after correct cannulation of pedicles. Change in insertion angle is one factor but the most important factor is the use of a pushing force while inserting a screw. The pedicle seems to be extremely tolerant to insertion angulation mistakes up to 10 degrees and tends to lead the screw into the correct path spontaneously.
A Meta-Analysis on the Relations between EGFR R521K Polymorphism and Risk of Cancer
Authors: Wang Yinsheng , Zha Lidan , Liao Dan , Li Xiaozhi
Published: October 2014

The EGFR R521K polymorphism has been shown to reduce the activity of EGFR; however, the association between EGFR R521K polymorphism and the risk of cancer remains inconclusive; therefore we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between EGFR R521K polymorphism and susceptibility to cancer. Our results suggest that the EGFR R521K polymorphism is not associated with risk of cancer, but the different chemosensitivity to anticancer drugs may need further investigation.
Miniopen Oblique Lateral L5-S1 Interbody Fusion: A Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Kanno Keijiro , Ohtori Seiji , Orita Sumihisa , Yamauchi Kazuyo , Eguchi Yawara , Aoki Yasuchika , Nakamura Junichi , Miyagi Masayuki , Suzuki Miyako , Kubota Gou , Inage Kazuhide , Sainoh Takeshi , Sato Jun , Shiga Yasuhiro , Abe Koki , Fujimoto Kazuki , Kanamoto Hiroto , Toyone Tomoaki , Inoue Gen , Hanaoka Eiji , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: October 2014

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) has been widely used for minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), but an approach to L5-S1 is difficult because of the iliac crest. In the current study, we present 2 cases using minimally invasive oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) of L5-S1. The patients showed foraminal stenosis between L5 and S1 and severe low back and leg pain. The patients were placed in a lateral decubitus position and underwent OLIF surgery (using a cage and bone graft from the iliac crest) without posterior decompression. Posterior screws were used in the patients. Pain scores significantly improved after surgery. There was no spinal nerve, major vessel, peritoneal, or urinary injury. OLIF surgery was minimally invasive and produced good surgical results without complications.
On Isometric Extension in the Spacesn(H)
Authors: Fu Xiaohong
Published: October 2014

We study the problem of isometric extension on a sphere of the spacesn(H). We give an affirmative answer to Tingley’s problem in the spacesn(H).
Ratio of the Dead to Wounded (D/W) Indicators and Associated Factors in Major Earthquakes of America from 1960 to 2011
Authors: Ayuso-Alvárez A. , Alva Chavez K. , Martínez de Aragón M. V. , Ugarte C. R. , Donado J. , Rossi M. S. , Culqui Dante R.
Published: October 2014

The paper presented deals with the casualties, mortality, and morbidity occurred during the major earthquakes of America during a period of 51 years. The work provides statistical evidence that the deaths/wounded (D/W) ratio used for many agencies in the planning of the preparation and response activities to earthquakes does not fit the relation 1 : 3. In addition, a model is presented in order to evaluate the possible association between different analysis variables such as the subregion of the American continent affected, population density, HDI, and the time and magnitude of the earthquake and the effects of these on the death toll, the number of the wounded, and the D/W indexes. Although the model generated it is not robust enough for decision making, it could be useful and improvable in order to apply it in the planning and management of these kinds of natural disasters. For these reasons, we think that it would be interesting to do further progress in this line of research by making a more comprehensive study of the variables associated with mortality and morbidity, using a more representative sample of earthquakes that sure will confirm the results presented in this work.
Green Clustering Implementation Based on DPS‐MOPSO
Authors: Lu Yang , Tan Xuezhi , Mo Yun , Ma Lin
Published: October 2014

A green clustering implementation is proposed to be as the first method in the framework of an energy‐efficient strategy for centralized enterprise high‐density WLANs. Traditionally, to maintain the network coverage, all of the APs within the WLAN have to be powered on. Nevertheless, the new algorithm can power off a large proportion of APs while the coverage is maintained as the always‐on counterpart. The proposed algorithm is composed of two parallel and concurrent procedures, which are the faster procedure based on K‐means and the more accurate procedure based on Dynamic Population Size Multiple Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (DPS‐MOPSO). To implement green clustering efficiently and accurately, dynamic population size and mutational operators are introduced as complements for the classical MOPSO. In addition to the function of AP selection, the new green clustering algorithm has another new function as the reference and guidance for AP deployment. This paper also presents simulations in scenarios modeled with ray‐tracing method and FDTD technique, and the results show that about 67% up to 90% of energy consumption can be saved while the original network coverage is maintained during periods when few users are online or when the traffic load is low.