bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are Black Robots Like Black People? Examining How Negative Stigmas about Race Are Applied to Colored Robots
Authors: Louine Jeannice , May David C. , Carruth Daniel W. , Bethel Cindy L. , Strawderman Lesley , Usher John M.
Published: May 2018

Recent scholarly research has begun to examine human perceptions toward robots. Researchers have also demonstrated that humans make decisions about individuals based on skin color. However, scant research examines the perceptions that individuals have toward robots of certain colors or whether these perceptions, both negative and positive, are predicted by demographic and contextual factors of either humans or robots. Using data from 504 adults responding to robots in separate scenarios across two surveys, we explore whether robot color has an impact on the human's perception of that robot. Respondents were presented with pictures of black, yellow, and neutral‐colored robots and were asked to indicate their perceptions of the robots along a number of dimensions or were asked to indicate how they would react to the robot were they to encounter the robots in their daily activities. Findings suggest that (1) black robots were viewed as significantly stronger than yellow robots; (2) yellow robots were viewed as significantly more affable than black and neutral robots; and (3) respondents were more likely to move away from black robots (and less likely to stop when encountering black robots) than robots of other colors. Possible explanations and implications for these findings are also discussed.
Changes in C and N fractions with composted manure plus chemical fertilizers applied in apple orchard soil: an in‐situ field incubation study on the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Li Z. H. , Ji Q. , Zhao S. X. , Wei B. M. , Wang X. D. , Hussain Q.
Published: May 2018

We investigated the effects of compost (CM), made from poultry and cattle manure with spent mushroom substrate, plus chemical fertilizers (CFs) on soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions in silty loam soil of the Loess Plateau. Eight fertilizer practices were applied in a 7‐year‐old ‘Red Fuji’ apple (Malus domesticaBorkh.) orchard for 360 days. Compared toCMalone,CM–CFs decreased slightly soil total organic C but increased total N by 4.3–11.6%. Notably,CM–CFs increased soil microbial biomass C (MBC) by 2.7–26.5% and microbial biomass N (MBN) by 7–13.7%. Soil water‐soluble carbon (WSC) was increased by 20.7% and 19.2% when 2%CMplus N and phosphorus (P) (2%M–NP) and 4%CMplus N and P (4%M–NP) were applied, respectively. Whereas 0.5%CMplus N and P (0.5%M–NP) increasedWSCby 9.3% on day 30 but decreased it by 7.2% from 30–360 days. Hot water‐soluble C increased by 13.1–14.6% from 0–180 day, but thereafter, the effect disappeared. Compared toCFs,CM–CFs increasedMBNby 35.1–115.6%, and increased alkali‐hydrolyzable‐N by 3.5–55.8% over 180–360 days of incubation. Additionally,CM–CFs promoted N mineralization, increasingNH4‐N andNO3‐N contents. Based on the changes in C and N fractions and available nutrients, 2%M–NP(45 t/ha ofCMplus 450 kg/ha of N and 157.5 kg/ha of P) may be the optimal fertilizer strategy for stimulating soil microbial growth and activity, and enhancing nutrient cycling for apple growth.
Regularity Extraction Across Species: Associative Learning Mechanisms Shared by Human and Non‐Human Primates
Authors: Rey Arnaud , Minier Laure , Malassis Raphaëlle , Bogaerts Louisa , Fagot Joël
Published: May 2018

Extracting the regularities of our environment is a core cognitive ability in human and non‐human primates. Comparative studies may provide information of strong heuristic value to constrain the elaboration of computational models of regularity learning. This study illustrates this point by testing human and non‐human primates (Guinea baboons, Papio papio) with the same experimental paradigm, using a novel online learning measure. For local co‐occurrence regularities, we found similar patterns of regularity extraction in baboons and humans. However, only humans extracted the more global sequence structure. It is proposed that only the first result that is common to both species should be used to constrain models of regularity learning. The second result indicates that the extraction of global regularities cannot be accounted for by mere associative learning mechanisms and suggests that humans probably benefit from their language recoding abilities for extracting these regularities. We propose to use a comparative approach to address a series of remaining theoretical questions, which will contribute to the development of a general theory of regularity learning.
Do commodity price shocks weaken the financial sector?
Authors: Kinda Tidiane , Mlachila Montfort , Ouedraogo Rasmane
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates the impact of commodity price shocks on financial sector fragility. Using a large sample of 71 commodity exporters among emerging and developing economies, it shows that negative shocks to commodity prices tend to weaken the financial sector, with larger shocks having more pronounced impacts. More specifically, negative commodity price shocks are associated with higher non‐performing loans, bank costs and banking crises, while they reduce bank profits, liquidity and provisions to non‐performing loans. These adverse effects tend to occur in countries with poor quality of governance, weak fiscal space, as well as those that do not have a sovereign wealth fund, do not implement macroprudential policies and do not have a diversified export base. These findings are robust to a battery of robustness checks.
Review of the biotechnological applications of rice allelopathy in agricultural production
Authors: Chung Ill‐Min , Park Sung‐Kyu , Thiruvengadam Muthu , Lee Ji‐Hee , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Rajakumar Govindasamy
Published: May 2018

An improvement in the allelopathic potential of rice will have a great impact on both low‐input and high‐input management systems. Allelopathy alone is not likely to replace other weed control practices, but it surely functions as a component of integrated weed management technology. Allеlораthу is thе рrосеѕѕ whеrеbу аn organic сhеmісаl (аllеlосhеmісаl) that is rеlеаѕеd from one рlаnt influences the growth and dеvеlорmеnt of other plants. Allelochemical biosynthesis, release, environmental fate and action on other plant species can depend on genetic factors or on the environment and their interaction. As a result of these interactions, allelopathy is a complex phenomenon with limited repeatability. The term “allelopathy” has undergone several changes and it has been defined as any direct or indirect harmful or beneficial effect of a plant on another through the production of chemical compounds that it releases into the environment. Rice allelopathy is one of the modes of interaction between receptor and donor plants and could exert either positive effects or negative effects. The development of genetic modification by enhancing crops with allelopathic traits should be done cautiously, given the ecological risk (untoxic and safe for humans and the ecosystem, crop productivity, the ratio of benefit and cost etc.). Finally, this article reviews the agricultural production system allelopathy of novel applications, including the role of allelochemical consortia and their potential use in no‐tillage cropping systems, cover crops or mulches.
Group and individual variability in speech production networks during delayed auditory feedback
Authors: Agnew Z. K. , McGettigan C. , Banks B. , Scott S. K.
Published: May 2018

Altering reafferent sensory information can have a profound effect on motor output. Introducing a short delay [delayed auditory feedback (DAF)] during speech production results in modulations of voice and loudness, and produces a range of speech dysfluencies. The ability of speakers to resist the effects of delayed feedback is variable yet it is unclear what neural processes underlie differences in susceptibility to DAF. Here, susceptibility to DAF is investigated by looking at the neural basis of within and between subject changes in speech fluency under 50 and 200 ms delay conditions. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, networks involved in producing speech under two levels of DAF were identified, lying largely within networks active during normal speech production. Independent of condition, fluency ratings were associated with midbrain activity corresponding to periaqueductal grey matter. Across subject variability in ability to produce normal sounding speech under a 200 ms delay was associated with activity in ventral sensorimotor cortices, whereas ability to produce normal sounding speech under a 50 ms delay was associated with left inferior frontal gyrus activity. These data indicate whilst overlapping cortical mechanisms are engaged for speaking under different delay conditions, susceptibility to different temporal delays in speech feedback may involve different processes.
Observation and modeling of acoustic scattering from a rubber spherical shell
Authors: Gunderson Aaron M. , Daniel Timothy D. , Marston Philip L. , Isakson Marcia J.
Published: May 2018

Acoustic backscattering from a rubber spherical shell in water is observed to contain a delayed enhancement, demonstrated to be associated with a waveguide path along the shell. This path is somewhat analogous to that of the Lamb wave observed on metallic shells. Rubber is a unique material because of its subsonic sound speed relative to water, and because shear coupling is often small enough to be neglected in typical models, making it fluid-like. This makes rubber a material of interest for coating and cloaking underwater devices and vehicles. Both fluid and elastic rubber partial wave series models are tested, using experimentally measured longitudinal and shear speeds, attenuation, and rubber density. A finite element model for the shell is also developed. Comparison of the models and experiments highlights the importance of the waveguide path to the overall scattering. Estimates for the group and phase velocities of the lowest order propagating mode in the shell are determined through waveguide normal mode analysis and Sommerfeld−Watson theory, and are shown to give good agreement with experiments in predicting the time of arrival of the waveguide path.
The DUF1669 domain of FAM83 family proteins anchor casein kinase 1 isoforms
Authors: Fulcher Luke J. , Bozatzi Polyxeni , Tachie-Menson Theresa , Wu Kevin Z. L. , Cummins Timothy D. , Bufton Joshua C. , Pinkas Daniel M. , Dunbar Karen , Shrestha Sabin , Wood Nicola T. , Weidlich Simone , Macartney Thomas J. , Varghese Joby , Gourlay Robert , Campbell David G. , Dingwell Kevin S. , Smith James C. , Bullock Alex N. , Sapkota Gopal P.
Published: May 2018

The FAM83 proteins anchor various isoforms of the constitutively active kinase CK1 to specific subcellular locations.
Integration of protein phosphorylation, acetylation, and methylation data sets to outline lung cancer signaling networks
Authors: Grimes Mark , Hall Benjamin , Foltz Lauren , Levy Tyler , Rikova Klarisa , Gaiser Jeremiah , Cook William , Smirnova Ekaterina , Wheeler Travis , Clark Neil R. , Lachmann Alexander , Zhang Bin , Hornbeck Peter , Ma’ayan Avi , Comb Michael
Published: May 2018

Integrated multiomics network analysis reveals signaling profiles in lung cancer.
Antibodies to Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1-Binding Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1-DBLβ Are Biomarkers of Protective Immunity to Malaria in a Cohort of Young Children from Papua New Guinea
Authors: Tessema Sofonias K. , Utama Digjaya , Chesnokov Olga , Hodder Anthony N. , Lin Clara S. , Harrison G. L. Abby , Jespersen Jakob S. , Petersen Bent , Tavul Livingstone , Siba Peter , Kwiatkowski Dominic , Lavstsen Thomas , Hansen Diana S. , Oleinikov Andrew V. , Mueller Ivo , Barry Alyssa E.
Published: May 2018

Plasmodium falciparum
erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) mediates parasite sequestration to the cerebral microvasculature via binding of DBLβ domains to intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) and is associated with severe cerebral malaria. In a cohort of 187 young children from Papua New Guinea (PNG), we examined baseline levels of antibody to the ICAM1-binding PfEMP1 domain, DBLβ3
PF11_0521
, in comparison to four control antigens, including NTS-DBLα and CIDR1 domains from another group A variant and a group B/C variant.
The Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Transamidase Complex Subunit PbGPI16 of Plasmodium berghei Is Important for Inducing Experimental Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Liu Qingyang , Zhao Yan , Zheng Li , Zhu Xiaotong , Cui Liwang , Cao Yaming
Published: May 2018

In animal models of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), the glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) and GPI anchors are the major factors that induce nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and proinflammatory responses, which contribute to malaria pathogenesis. GPIs and GPI anchors are transported to the cell surface via a process called GPI transamidation, which involves the GPI transamidase (GPI-T) complex.
Control of Heterologous Simian Immunodeficiency Virus SIV
smE660
Infection by DNA and Protein Coimmunization Regimens Combined with Different Toll-Like-Receptor-4-Based Adjuvants in Macaques
Authors: Singh Shakti , Ramírez-Salazar Eric G. , Doueiri Rami , Valentin Antonio , Rosati Margherita , Hu Xintao , Keele Brandon F. , Shen Xiaoying , Tomaras Georgia D. , Ferrari Guido , LaBranche Celia , Montefiori David C. , Das Jishnu , Alter Galit , Trinh Hung V. , Hamlin Christopher , Rao Mangala , Dayton Frances , Bear Jenifer , Chowdhury Bhabadeb , Alicea Candido , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Broderick Kate E. , Sardesai Niranjan Y. , Sivananthan Sandra J. , Fox Christopher B. , Reed Steven G. , Venzon David J. , Hirsch Vanessa M. , Pavlakis George N. , Felber Barbara K.
Published: May 2018

An effective AIDS vaccine continues to be of paramount importance for the control of the pandemic, and it has been proven to be an elusive target. Vaccine efficacy trials and macaque challenge studies indicate that protection may be the result of combinations of many parameters. We show that a combination of DNA and protein vaccinations applied at the same time provides rapid and robust cellular and humoral immune responses and evidence for a reduced risk of infection. Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies and Env V2-specific antibodies at mucosal sites contribute to the delay of SIV
smE660
acquisition, and genetic makeup (TRIM-5α) affects the effectiveness of the vaccine. These data are important for the design of better vaccines and may also affect other vaccine platforms.
N-Linked Glycosylation Is Not Essential for Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide To Mediate Hepatitis B Virus Infection
In Vitro
Authors: Lee Jiwon , Zong Li , Krotow Alexander , Qin Yanli , Jia Lucy , Zhang Jiming , Tong Shuping , Li Jisu
Published: May 2018

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been identified as a hepatitis B virus (HBV) receptor, and its overexpression in HepG2 cell lines leads to efficient secretion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) following challenge with a large dose of cell culture-derived HBV (cHBV) particles. However, NTCP-reconstituted HepG2 cells are inefficiently infected by patient serum-derived HBV (sHBV) and release very little hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) following cHBV infection, unlike differentiated HepaRG cells, which are naturally susceptible to both cHBV and sHBV particles. Here, we investigated whether NTCP could explain the different behaviors of the two cell types. Endogenous NTCP protein from differentiated HepaRG cells was unglycosylated despite wild-type coding sequence. HepaRG cells stably transfected with an epitope-tagged NTCP expression construct displayed higher sHBV but not cHBV susceptibility than cells transfected with the null mutant. Tagged NTCP introduced to both HepG2 and HepaRG cells was glycosylated, with N5 and N11 being sites of N-linked glycosylation. Mutating N5, N11, or both did not alter cell surface availability of NTCP or its subcellular localization, with both the singly glycosylated and nonglycosylated forms still capable of mediating cHBV infection in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, nonglycosylated NTCP is expressed by differentiated HepaRG cells and capable of mediating cHBV infection in HepG2 cells, but it cannot explain differential susceptibility of HepaRG and HepG2/NTCP cells to cHBV versus sHBV infection and different HBsAg/HBeAg ratios following cHBV infection. The responsible host factor(s) remains to be identified.

IMPORTANCE
HBV can infect differentiated HepaRG cells and also HepG2 cells overexpressing NTCP, the currently accepted HBV receptor. However, HepG2/NTCP cells remain poorly susceptible to patient serum-derived HBV particles and release very little hepatitis B surface antigen following infection by cell culture-derived HBV. We found differentiated HepaRG cells expressed nonglycosylated NTCP despite a wild-type coding sequence. NTCP introduced to HepG2 cells was glycosylated at two N-linked glycosylation sites, but mutating either or both sites failed to prevent infection by cell culture-derived HBV or to confer susceptibility to serum-derived HBV. Overexpressing NTCP in HepRG cells did not increase infection by cell culture-derived HBV or distort the ratio between the two viral antigens. These findings suggest that host factors unique to HepaRG cells are required for efficient infection by serum-derived HBV, and factors other than NTCP contribute to balanced viral antigen production following infection by cell culture-derived HBV.
Peptide-Like Nylon-3 Polymers with Activity against Phylogenetically Diverse, Intrinsically Drug-Resistant Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Rank Leslie A. , Walsh Naomi M. , Lim Fang Yun , Gellman Samuel H. , Keller Nancy P. , Hull Christina M.
Published: May 2018

Fungi reside in all ecosystems on earth and impart both positive and negative effects on human, plant, and animal health. Fungal disease is on the rise worldwide, and there is a critical need for more effective and less toxic antifungal agents. Nylon-3 polymers are short, sequence random, poly-β-amino acid materials that can be designed to manifest antimicrobial properties. Here, we describe three nylon-3 polymers with potent activity against the most phylogenetically diverse set of fungi evaluated thus far in a single study. In contrast to traditional peptides, nylon-3 polymers are highly stable to proteolytic degradation and can be produced efficiently in large quantities at low cost. The ability to modify nylon-3 polymer composition easily creates an opportunity to tailor efficacy and toxicity, which makes these materials attractive as potential broad-spectrum antifungal therapeutics.
Identification of new risk factors for rolandic epilepsy: CNV at Xp22.31 and alterations at cholinergic synapses
Authors: Addis Laura , Sproviero William , Thomas Sanjeev V , Caraballo Roberto H , Newhouse Stephen J , Gomez Kumudini , Hughes Elaine , Kinali Maria , McCormick David , Hannan Siobhan , Cossu Silvia , Taylor Jacqueline , Akman Cigdem I , Wolf Steven M , Mandelbaum David E , Gupta Rajesh , van der Spek Rick A , Pruna Dario , Pal Deb K
Published: May 2018

Background

Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is the most common genetic childhood epilepsy, consisting of focal, nocturnal seizures and frequent neurodevelopmental impairments in speech, language, literacy and attention. A complex genetic aetiology is presumed in most, with monogenic mutations inGRIN2Aaccounting for >5% of cases.

Objective

To identify rare, causal CNV in patients with RE.

Methods

We used high-density SNP arrays to analyse the presence of rare CNVs in 186 patients with RE from the UK, the USA, Sardinia, Argentina and Kerala, India.

Results

We identified 84 patients with one or more rare CNVs, and, within this group, 14 (7.5%) with recurrent risk factor CNVs and 15 (8.0%) with likely pathogenic CNVs. Nine patients carried recurrent hotspot CNVs including at 16p13.11 and 1p36, with the most striking finding that four individuals (three from Sardinia) carried a duplication, and one a deletion, at Xp22.31. Five patients with RE carried a rare CNV that disrupted genes associated with other epilepsies (KCTD7,ARHGEF15,CACNA2D1, GRIN2AandARHGEF4), and 17 cases carried CNVs that disrupted genes associated with other neurological conditions or that are involved in neuronal signalling/development. Network analysis of disrupted genes with high brain expression identified significant enrichment in pathways of the cholinergic synapse, guanine-exchange factor activation and the mammalian target of rapamycin.

Conclusion

Our results provide a CNV profile of an ethnically diverse cohort of patients with RE, uncovering new areas of research focus, and emphasise the importance of studying non-western European populations in oligogenic disorders to uncover a full picture of risk variation.
Visible-light degradation of Orange II using an Fe(II)–terpyridine complex grafted onto TiO2 surface
Authors: Stewart Benjamin , Huang Peipei , He He , Fenton Thomas , Li Gonghu
Published: May 2018

The photo-Fenton process employs light, iron species, and H2O2 to oxidize organic pollutants. In this study, a coordination complex, Fe(II)–terpyridine, was covalently grafted onto TiO2 surfaces via a light-harvesting linkage for use in the photo-Fenton reaction. The surface Fe(II)–terpyridine complex was characterized with techniques, including microscopy and spectroscopy, and was investigated in the degradation of Orange II in the presence of H2O2. Under visible-light irradiation, slightly higher activity was obtained using the surface Fe(II)–terpyridine catalyst than using photoactivated TiO2 nanoparticles under UV light. Furthermore, the Fe(II)–terpyridine complex grafted on TiO2 showed significantly greater activity than the same complex grafted on ZrO2 in the degradation of Orange II. A possible explanation for this observation was discussed that involves the formation of high valent oxoiron species on TiO2 in the photo-Fenton process.
Higher anthocyanin accumulation associated with higher transcription levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in spinach
Authors: Cai Xiaofeng , Lin Lihao , Wang Xiaoli , Xu Chenxi , Wang Quanhua
Published: May 2018

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is widely cultivated as an economically important green leafy vegetable crop for fresh and processing consumption. The red–purple spinach shows abundant anthocyanin accumulation in the leaf and leaf petiole. However, the molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin synthesis in this species are still undetermined. In the present study, we investigated pigment formation and identified anthocyanin biosynthetic genes in spinach. We also analyzed the expression of these genes in purple and green cultivars by quantitative PCR. The accumulation of anthocyanin showed that it was the dominant pigment resulting in the red coloration in spinach. In total, 22 biosynthesis genes and 25 regulatory genes were identified in spinach, based on the spinach genomic and transcriptomic database. Furthermore, the expression patterns of genes encoding enzymes indicated that SoPAL, SoUFGT3, and SoUFGT4 were possible candidate genes for anthocyanin biosynthesis in red–purple spinach. The expression patterns of transcription factors indicated that two SoMYB genes, three SobHLH genes, and one SoWD40 gene were drastically up-regulated and co-expression in red–purple spinach, suggesting an essential role of regulatory genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis of spinach. These results will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of anthocyanin biosynthesis in purple spinach.
Photoproduction of vector mesons in proton–proton ultraperipheral collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider
Authors: Xie Ya-Ping , Chen Xurong
Published: May 2018

Photoproduction of vector mesons is computed with dipole model in proton–proton ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The dipole model framework is employed in the calculations of vector mesons production in diffractive processes. Parameters of the bCGC model are refitted with the latest inclusive deep inelastic scattering experimental data. Employing the bCGC model and boosted Gaussian light-cone wave function for vector mesons, we obtain the prediction of rapidity distributions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons in proton–proton ultraperipheral collisions at the LHC. The predictions give a good description of the experimental data of LHCb. Predictions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mesons are also evaluated in this paper.
On a gauge action on sigma model solitons
Authors: Lee Hyun Ho
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider a gauge action on sigma model solitons over noncommutative tori as source spaces, with a target space made of two points introduced in [L. Dabrowski, T. Krajewski and G. Landi, Some properties of non-linear [Formula: see text]-models in noncommutative geometry, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B 14 (2000) 2367–2382]. Using new classes of solitons from Gabor frames, we quantify the condition about how to gauge a Gaussian to a prescribed Gabor frame.
Feynman averaging of semigroups generated by Schrödinger operators
Authors: Borisov Leonid A. , Orlov Yuriy N. , Sakbaev Vsevolod Zh.
Published: May 2018

The extension of averaging procedure for operator-valued function is defined by means of the integration of measurable map with respect to complex-valued measure or pseudomeasure. The averaging procedure of one-parametric semigroups of linear operators based on Chernoff equivalence for operator-valued functions is constructed. The initial value problem solutions are investigated for fractional diffusion equation and for Schrödinger equation with relativistic Hamiltonian of free motion. It is established that in these examples the solution of evolutionary equation can be obtained by applying the constructed averaging procedure to the random translation operators in classical coordinate space.
Low-resolution and open-set face recognition via recursive label propagation based on statistical classification
Authors: Xue Shan , Zhu Hong
Published: May 2018

In video surveillance, the captured face images are usually suffered from low-resolution (LR), besides, not all the probe images have mates in the gallery under the premise that only a single frontal high-resolution (HR) face image per subject. To address this problem, a novel face recognition framework called recursive label propagation based on statistical classification (ReLPBSC) has been proposed in this paper. Firstly, we employ VGG to extract robust discriminative feature vectors to represent each face. Then we select the corresponding LR face in the probe for each HR gallery face by similarity. Based on the picked HR–LR pairs, ReLPBSC is implemented for recognition. The main contributions of the proposed approach are as follows: (i) Inspired by substantial achievements of deep learning methods, VGG is adopted to achieve discriminative representation for LR faces to avoid the super-resolution steps; (ii) the accepted and rejected threshold parameters, which are not fixed in face recognition, can be achieved with ReLPBSC adaptively; (iii) the unreliable subjects never enrolled in the gallery can be rejected automatically with designed methods. Experimental results in [Formula: see text] pixels resolution show that the proposed method can achieve 86.64% recall rate while keeping 100% precision.
Enhanced biologically inspired model for image recognition based on a novel patch selection method with moment
Authors: Lu Yanfeng , Jia Lihao , Qiao Hong , Li Yi , Qi Zongshuai
Published: May 2018

Biologically inspired model (BIM) for image recognition is a robust computational architecture, which has attracted widespread attention. BIM can be described as a four-layer structure based on the mechanisms of the visual cortex. Although the performance of BIM for image recognition is robust, it takes the randomly selected ways for the patch selection, which is sightless, and results in heavy computing burden. To address this issue, we propose a novel patch selection method with oriented Gaussian–Hermite moment (PSGHM), and we enhanced the BIM based on the proposed PSGHM, named as PBIM. In contrast to the conventional BIM which adopts the random method to select patches within the feature representation layers processed by multi-scale Gabor filter banks, the proposed PBIM takes the PSGHM way to extract a small number of representation features while offering promising distinctiveness. To show the effectiveness of the proposed PBIM, experimental studies on object categorization are conducted on the CalTech05, TU Darmstadt (TUD) and GRAZ01 databases. Experimental results demonstrate that the performance of PBIM is a significant improvement on that of the conventional BIM.
A new spatial-temporal histograms of gradients descriptor and HOD-VLAD encoding for human action recognition
Authors: Lin Bo , Fang Bin
Published: May 2018

Automatic human action recognition is a core functionality of systems for video surveillance and human object interaction. In the whole recognition system, feature description and encoding represent two crucial key steps. In order to construct a powerful action recognition framework, it is important that the two steps must provide reliable performance. In this paper, we proposed a new human action feature descriptor which is called spatio-temporal histograms of gradients (SPHOG). SPHOG is based on the spatial and temporal derivation signal, which extracts the gradient changes between consecutive frames. Compared to the traditional descriptors histograms of optical flow, our proposed SPHOG costs less computation resource. In order to incorporate the distribution information of local descriptors into Vector of Locally Aggregated Descriptors (VLAD), which is a popular encoding approach for Bag-of-Feature representation, a Gaussian kernel is implanted to compute the weighted distance histograms of local descriptors. By doing this, the encoding schema for bag-of-feature (BOF) representation is more effective. We validated our proposed algorithm for human action recognition on three public available datasets KTH, UCF Sports and HMDB51. The evaluation experiment results indicate that the proposed descriptor and encoding method can improve the efficiency of human action recognition and the recognition accuracy.
Numerical Optimization Method for Determination of Bifurcation Points and its Application in Stability Analysis of Power System
Authors: Wei Junqiang
Published: May 2018

Nonlinear bifurcation theory is very powerful and efficient to deal with multifarious nonlinear phenomena emerging from physics, biology, engineering, and economics. However, the execution of augmented system for bifurcation points will be very complicated for a system with too many variables. The purpose of this paper is to give a new optimization based method for computation of fold and Hopf bifurcation points and discuss their applications in stability analysis of power system. The validity of the proposed method has been testified by a WSCC9-bus power system in which the load increment at any bus was taken as a parameter.
Gender Differences in User Satisfaction of Mobile Touch Screen Interfaces: University Students’ Service Sites
Authors: Alkhaldi Ayman N. , Al-Sa’di Ahmed
Published: May 2018

The rapid development of mobile user interfaces for students’ websites and the constant utilization of such interfaces by students have witnessed a significant upsurge in growth. However, mobile service providers may lack valuable feedback on user satisfaction, particularly for Arabic users, because the sites are designed and implemented without students’ participation. This paper empirically investigates the user satisfaction of a mobile banner system for the University of Ha’il in Saudi Arabia. Users’ satisfaction was evaluated across six scales: overall reactions, screens, terminology and system information, learning, system capabilities, and technical manuals and online help. A quantitative research method was utilized, involving a questionnaire survey of 235 students. We found that female students have significant concerns about user satisfaction. The paper proposes theoretical and practical implications for future work.
On Boolean Lattices of Module Classes
Authors: Alvarado-García Alejandro , Cejudo-Castilla César , Rincón-Mejía Hugo Alberto , Vilchis-Montalvo Ivan Fernando , Zorrilla-Noriega Manuel Gerardo
Published: May 2018

Some properties of and relations between several (big) lattices of module classes are used in this paper to obtain information about the ring over which modules are taken. The authors reach characterizations of trivial rings, semisimple rings and certain rings over which every torsion theory is hereditary.
FPn-Injective, FPn-Flat Covers and Preenvelopes, and Gorenstein AC-Flat Covers
Authors: Bravo Daniel , Estrada Sergio , Iacob Alina
Published: May 2018

We prove that, for any n ≥ 2, the classes of FPn-injective modules and of FPn-flat modules are both covering and preenveloping over any ring R. This includes the case of FP∞-injective and FP∞-flat modules (i.e., absolutely clean and, respectively, level modules). Then we consider a generalization of the class of (strongly) Gorenstein flat modules, i.e., the (strongly) Gorenstein AC-flat modules (cycles of exact complexes of flat modules that remain exact when tensored with any absolutely clean module). We prove that some of the properties of Gorenstein flat modules extend to the class of Gorenstein AC-flat modules; for example, we show that this class is precovering over any ring R. We also show that (as in the case of Gorenstein flat modules) every Gorenstein AC-flat module is a direct summand of a strongly Gorenstein AC-flat module. When R is such that the class of Gorenstein AC-flat modules is closed under extensions, the converse is also true. Moreover, we prove that if the class of Gorenstein AC-flat modules is closed under extensions, then it is covering.
A Continuum-Discrete Multiscale Model for In-Plane Mechanical Modeling of Masonry Panels
Authors: Salvatori Luca , Spinelli Paolo
Published: May 2018

A multiscale numerical model for the in-plane mechanical behavior of masonry panels is presented. At the microscale, masonry is modeled by rigid blocks interacting through plane, deformable interfaces. These may represent actual mortar joints or virtual preferential fracture surfaces of the blocks (e.g., vertical surfaces crossing a block and connecting vertical joints in the brick rows above and below the considered one). Damage parameters control the interface transitions from a cohesive linear-elastic phase to an elastic-plastic one (modeling frictional sliding and contact) and, eventually, to a completely damaged one. At the panel scale, the material is treated as a finite-element discretized Cauchy continuum, homogenizing the periodic microstructure. The model allows reproducing the main anisotropic nonlinear behaviors of masonry by finite element simulations at a reasonable computational cost. With respect to more traditional phenomenological continuum nonlinear models, a more direct use of experimental data for the quantification of the model parameters is possible. Moreover, these parameters are fewer in number, since part of the complexity of the material is represented by the explicitly modeled microstructural geometry.
Petersson products of bases of spaces of cusp forms and estimates for Fourier coefficients
Authors: Schulze-Pillot Rainer , Yenirce Abdullah
Published: May 2018

We prove a bound for the Fourier coefficients of a cusp form of integral weight which is not a newform by computing an explicit orthogonal basis for the space of cusp forms of given integral weight and level.
Natural boundaries for Euler products of Igusa zeta functions of elliptic curves
Authors: du Sautoy Marcus
Published: May 2018

We study the analytic behavior of adelic versions of Igusa integrals given by integer polynomials defining elliptic curves. By applying results on the meromorphic continuation of symmetric power L-functions and the Sato–Tate conjectures, we prove that these global Igusa zeta functions have some meromorphic continuation until a natural boundary beyond which no continuation is possible.
Number fields with large minimal index containing quadratic subfields
Authors: Kim Henry H. , Wolske Zack
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider number fields containing quadratic subfields with minimal index that is large relative to the discriminant of the number field. We give new upper bounds on the minimal index, and construct families with the largest possible minimal index.
Algebraic independence of the values of the Hecke–Mahler series and its derivatives at algebraic numbers
Authors: Tanaka Taka-aki , Tanuma Yusuke
Published: May 2018

We show that the Hecke–Mahler series, the generating function of the sequence [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] real, has the following property: Its values and its derivatives of any order, at any nonzero distinct algebraic numbers inside the unit circle, are algebraically independent if [Formula: see text] is a quadratic irrational number satisfying a suitable condition.
The Hecke algebras for the orthogonal group SO(2,3) and the paramodular group of degree 2
Authors: Gallenkämper Jonas , Krieg Aloys
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider the integral orthogonal group with respect to the quadratic form of signature [Formula: see text] given by [Formula: see text] for square-free [Formula: see text]. The associated Hecke algebra is commutative and also the tensor product of its primary components, which turn out to be polynomial rings over [Formula: see text] in two algebraically independent elements. The integral orthogonal group is isomorphic to the paramodular group of degree [Formula: see text] and level [Formula: see text], more precisely to its maximal discrete normal extension. The results can be reformulated in the paramodular setting by virtue of an explicit isomorphism. The Hecke algebra of the non-maximal paramodular group inside [Formula: see text] fails to be commutative if [Formula: see text].
On the Waring–Goldbach problem for one square and five cubes
Authors: Li Jinjiang , Zhang Min
Published: May 2018

Let [Formula: see text] denote an almost-prime with at most [Formula: see text] prime factors, counted according to multiplicity. In this paper, it is proved that for every sufficiently large even integer [Formula: see text], the equation [Formula: see text] is solvable with [Formula: see text] being an almost-prime [Formula: see text] and the other variables primes. This result constitutes an improvement upon that of Cai, who obtained the same conclusion, but with [Formula: see text] in place of [Formula: see text].
Estimating the greatest common divisor of the value of two polynomials
Authors: Frenkel Péter E. , Zábrádi Gergely
Published: May 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a fixed prime, and let [Formula: see text] stand for the exponent of [Formula: see text] in the prime factorization of the integer [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two monic polynomials with integer coefficients and nonzero resultant [Formula: see text]. Write [Formula: see text] for the maximum of [Formula: see text] over all integers [Formula: see text]. It is known that [Formula: see text]. We give various lower and upper bounds for the least possible value of [Formula: see text] provided that a given power [Formula: see text] divides both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text]. In particular, the least possible value is [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and is asymptotically [Formula: see text] for large [Formula: see text].
Asymptotic distribution of Beurling integers
Authors: Garunkštis Ramūnas , Kaziulytė Laima
Published: May 2018

We study generalized prime systems [Formula: see text] and generalized integer systems [Formula: see text] obtained from them. The asymptotic distribution of generalized integers is deduced assuming that the generalized prime counting function [Formula: see text] behaves as [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
A proof of a conjecture of Lev
Authors: Huicochea Mario
Published: May 2018

We say that a set of the form [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] is an interval. For a nonempty finite subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], Vsevolod Lev proved in [Optimal representations by sumsets and subset sums, J. Number Theory 62(1) (1997) 127–143] some results about the existence of long intervals contained in the [Formula: see text]-fold iterated sumset of [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, in the same paper, he proposed a conjecture [Optimal representations by sumsets and subset sums, J. Number Theory 62(1) (1997) 127–143, Conjecture 1], see also [V. Lev, Consecutive integers in high-multiplicity sumsets, Acta Math. Hungar. 129(3) (2010) 245–253, Conjecture 1]. Lev proved some particular cases of his conjecture, and he showed that these few cases have important applications. In this paper, we prove his conjecture.
On the Atkin Ut-operator for Γ1(t)-invariant Drinfeld cusp forms
Authors: Bandini Andrea , Valentino Maria
Published: May 2018

We study the action of Atkin [Formula: see text]-operator on Drinfeld cusp forms for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] using Teitelbaum’s interpretation as harmonic cocycles. For small weights [Formula: see text], we provide eigenvalues and eigenforms and prove [Formula: see text] is diagonalizable in odd characteristic, pointing out that non-diagonalizability in even characteristic depends on antidiagonal blocks.
A generalization of Menon’s identity with Dirichlet characters
Authors: Li Yan , Hu Xiaoyu , Kim Daeyeoul
Published: May 2018

The classical Menon’s identity [P. K. Menon, On the sum [Formula: see text], J. Indian Math. Soc.[Formula: see text]N.S.[Formula: see text] 29 (1965) 155–163] states that [Formula: see text] where for a positive integer [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the group of units of the ring [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] represents the greatest common divisor, [Formula: see text] is the Euler’s totient function and [Formula: see text] is the divisor function. In this paper, we generalize Menon’s identity with Dirichlet characters in the following way: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a non-negative integer and [Formula: see text] is a Dirichlet character modulo [Formula: see text] whose conductor is [Formula: see text]. Our result can be viewed as an extension of Zhao and Cao’s result [Another generalization of Menon’s identity, Int. J. Number Theory 13(9) (2017) 2373–2379] to [Formula: see text]. It can also be viewed as an extension of Sury’s result [Some number-theoretic identities from group actions, Rend. Circ. Mat. Palermo 58 (2009) 99–108] to Dirichlet characters.
Rooted tree maps and the derivation relation for multiple zeta values
Authors: Bachmann Henrik , Tanaka Tatsushi
Published: May 2018

Rooted tree maps assign to an element of the Connes–Kreimer Hopf algebra of rooted trees a linear map on the noncommutative polynomial algebra in two letters. Evaluated at any admissible word, these maps induce linear relations between multiple zeta values. In this note, we show that the derivation relations for multiple zeta values are contained in this class of linear relations.
Tuning SnSe/SnS hetero-interfaces to enhance thermoelectric performance
Authors: Liu Xuerui , Li Shuankui , Liu Tinyang , Zhu Weiming , Wang Rui , Xiao Yinguo , Pan Feng
Published: May 2018

With the development of nanotechnology, thermoelectric materials with complex heterogeneous nanostructure offer a promising approach to improve the thermoelectric performance. In this work, SnSe/SnS hetero-nanosheet was tuned by the epitaxial growth of SnSe on the few layers of SnS nanosheets. The heterojunction interface can optimize the carrier/phonon transport behavior by energy filtering effect and scattering the phonon in multiple scales. Compared with pristine SnSe, the power factor of SnSe/SnS hetero-nanosheet increases from 2.2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V/cmK2 to 3.21[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V/cmK2 at 773[Formula: see text]K, whereas the thermal conductivity decreases significantly from 0.65[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text] to 0.48[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m[Formula: see text] at 773[Formula: see text]K. The maximum ZT of 0.5 is obtained at 773[Formula: see text]K in the SnSe/SnS hetero-nanosheets, which is 89% higher than pristine SnSe. This approach is proved to be a promising strategy to design high performance thermoelectric materials.
A study to correlate LCPC rock abrasivity test results with petrographic and geomechanical rock properties
Authors: Majeed Y. , Abu Bakar M. Z.
Published: May 2018

Rock abrasivity is very much influenced by the petrographic and physico-mechanical properties of rock and hence its assessment from common geomechanical rock properties is helpful for rock engineers in estimating excavation costs. In this paper LCPC and CERCHAR abrasivity tests, as well as a complete suite of mechanical and physical rock properties tests, were conducted on 51 rock samples collected from different locations in Pakistan. Moreover, petrographical studies of 48 rock specimens were performed along with the computation of Schimazek's F-value (F-value) and Rock Abrasivity Index (RAI). For the analysis of test results least square regression was employed. Initially the LCPC abrasivity coefficient (ABR) values were correlated with CERCHAR abrasivity index tests and reasonable relationships were observed. Statistically meaningful relationships were found between ABR and geotechnical wear indices (F-value and RAI). Possible correlations of LCPC test results with rock properties are also discussed. Finally multiple regression analysis was applied to find statistically significant correlation of ABR with petrographical and physico-mechanical rock properties. Test results show that RAI, Brazilian tensile strength and mean quartz grain size (Ø-qtz) prove to be the statistically best predictors of ABR from the rock properties determined. The developed correlations are specifically intended for rock engineers involved in designing excavation projects.
Early Childhood Caries: Epidemiology, Aetiology, and Prevention
Authors: Meyer F. , Enax J.
Published: May 2018

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent diseases in children worldwide. ECC is driven by a dysbiotic state of oral microorganisms mainly caused by a sugar-rich diet. Additionally, poor oral hygiene or insufficient dental plaque removal leads to the rapid progression of ECC. ECC leads not only to dental destruction and pain with children, but also affects the quality of life of the caregivers. Children with extensive ECC are at high risk to develop caries with the permanent dentition or will have other problems with speaking and/or eating. To prevent ECC, several strategies should be taken into account. Children should brush their teeth with toothpastes containing gentle ingredients, such as mild surfactants and agents showing antiadherent properties regarding oral microorganisms. Parents/caregivers have to help their children with brushing the teeth. Furthermore, remineralizing and nontoxic agents should be included into the toothpaste formulation. Two promising biomimetic agents for children’s oral care are amorphous calcium phosphate [Cax(PO4)ynH2O] and hydroxyapatite [Ca5(PO4)3(OH)].