bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward Material Parameters for Modeling Devices Made From an Epoxy-Based Shape Memory Polymer
Authors: Erel Veysel , Berry Jessica L. , Srinivasa Arun , Creasy Terry S.
Published: January 2016

Designing devices made from epoxy-based shape memory polymers is difficult because few material behavior parameters are available for these materials in the rubbery/shape changing region. This work examines the rubbery state, greater than 20° C above the glass transition temperature (Tg), as an elastomeric regime suited to characterization with simple tension and planar tension experiments. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show a 70° C Tg, which agrees with prior research. Simple tension experiments at 100° C exhibited nonlinear elastic behavior, and finite element analysis (FEA) agreed with the constitutive behavior exhibited in the experiments. Planar tension experiments exhibited novel results. The stress/strain response was sigmoidal with a significant plateau in stress followed by rising stress to failure. The typical 10:1 gage width/gage length ratio seemed to over constrain the material. The strain to failure is small, and suggests the material behavior is a hybrid of elastic and hyperelastic behavior.
Structural Assessment and Damage Identification Algorithms Using Binary Data
Authors: Salehi Hadi , Das Saptarshi , Chakrabartty Shantanu , Biswas Subir , Burgueño Rigoberto
Published: January 2016

One of the challenges in structural health monitoring (SHM) is the power required for sensors to collect and communicate data. Self-powered sensors are able to harvest power by from their environment, i.e., strain and vibration of the host structure. However, the harvested power with current technology is still limited and improving the system’s efficiency requires reducing the power budget. A way to minimize the communication power demand is to transmit the minimum amount of information, namely one bit. The binary signal can be generated at a sensor node according to a local rule based on physical measurements, but interpretation at the global level requires dealing with discrete binary (1 or 0) data, which implies system information with reduced resolution. This study presents an investigation on approaches for the interpretation of such kind of binary data for use in structural assessment and damage identification. Pattern recognition (PR) methods based on image data analysis were adapted for the study. The methods used were classifiers based on deviation of patterns with respect to each other, two-dimensional principal component analysis, and two-dimensional linear discriminant analysis. The PR methods and the performance of the interpretation algorithms were evaluated by using virtual data from finite element simulations on an aluminum plate. The ability for each of the PR methods to identify service demands, load variations and localized material degradation was evaluated. Results indicate that PR methods can be used as damage identification algorithms for binary data sets in novel wireless self-powered sensor networks.
Design, Development and Evaluation of a Two Way Actuated Steerable Needle
Authors: Konh Bardia , Lee Harold H. , Martin Vincent P. , Zhao Vincent , Han Daehoon , Lee Howon , Hutapea Parsaoran
Published: January 2016

Over the last two decades, researchers have been interested to provide actuation and control for surgical needles. It has been recently suggested to utilize shape memory alloy (SMA) wires to provide bending forces to activate the conventional straight needles. In this paper a design of an active needling system has been proposed where actuation forces of SMAs as well as shape memory polymers (SMPs) were incorporated. SMP elements provide two major additional advantages to the design: (i) recovery of the SMP’s plastic deformation by heating the element above its glass transition temperature, and (ii) achieving a higher needle deflection by having a softer stage of SMP at higher temperatures with less amount of actuation force. The feasibility of providing actuation forces using both SMAs and SMPs for the surgical needle was demonstrated in this study.
Energy Harvesting From Droplet Interface Bilayers
Authors: Kancharala Ashok K. , Freeman Eric , Philen Michael K.
Published: January 2016

Biologically inspired droplet interface bilayers have found applications in the development of hair cell sensors and other mechanotransduction applications. In this research, the flexoelectric capability of the droplet bilayers under external excitation is explored for energy harvesting. Traditionally, membrane capacitance models are being used for inferring the magnitude of the membrane deflection which do not account for the relation between the applied force or deflection and the deflection of the interfacial membrane and time dependent variations. In this work, the dynamic behavior of the droplets under external excitation has been modeled using nonlinear finite element analysis. A flexoelectric model including mechanical, electrical, and chemical sensitivities has been developed and coupled with the calculated bilayer deformations to predict the mechanotransductive response of the droplets under excitation. Using the developed framework, the possibilities of energy harvesting for different droplet configurations have been investigated and reported.
High temperature MBE of graphene on sapphire and hexagonal boron nitride flakes on sapphire
Authors: Cheng Tin S. , Davies Andrew , Summerfield Alex , Cho YongJin , Cebula Izabela , Hill Richard J. A. , Mellor Christopher J. , Khlobystov Andrei N. , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Beton Peter H. , Foxon C. Thomas , Eaves Laurence , Novikov Sergei V.
Published: January 2016

The discovery of graphene and its remarkable electronic properties has provided scientists with a revolutionary material system for electronics and optoelectronics. Here, the authors investigate molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) as a growth method for graphene layers. The standard dual chamber GENxplor has been specially modified by Veeco to achieve growth temperatures of up to 1850 °C in ultrahigh vacuum conditions and is capable of growth on substrates of up to 3 in. in diameter. To calibrate the growth temperatures, the authors have formed graphene on the Si-face of SiC by heating wafers to temperatures up to 1400 °C and above. To demonstrate the scalability, the authors have formed graphene on SiC substrates with sizes ranging from 10 × 10 mm2 up to 3-in. in diameter. The authors have used a carbon sublimation source to grow graphene on sapphire at substrate temperatures between 1000 and 1650 °C (thermocouple temperatures). The quality of the graphene layers is significantly improved by growing on hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) substrates. The authors observed a significant difference in the sticking coefficient of carbon on the surfaces of sapphire and h-BN flakes. Our atomic force microscopy measurements reveal the formation of an extended hexagonal moiré pattern when our MBE layers of graphene on h-BN flakes are grown under optimum conditions. The authors attribute this moiré pattern to the commensurate growth of crystalline graphene on h-BN.
Mass spectrometric profiling of lipids in intestinal tissue from rats fed cereals processed for medical conditions
Authors: Dowlatshahi Pour Masoumeh , Jennische Eva , Lange Stefan , Ewing Andrew G. , Malmberg Per
Published: January 2016

Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was used for lipid profiling of intestine tissue sections from rats fed specially processed cereals and rats fed ordinary feed as a control. This cereal is known to increase the activity of antisecretory factor in plasma and the exact mechanism for the activation process at the cellular level is unclear. ToF-SIMS has been used to track food induced changes in lipid content in intestinal tissue sections to gain insight into the possible mechanisms involved. Data from 20 intestine sections belonging to four different rats from each group of control and specially processed cereals-fed rats were obtained using the stage scan macroraster with a lateral resolution of 5 μm. Data were subsequently subjected to orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. The data clearly show that changes of certain lipids are induced by the specially processed cereal feed. Scores plots show a well-defined separation between the two groups. The corresponding loading plots reveal that the groups separate mainly due to changes of vitamin E, phosphocholine, and phosphosphingolipid fragments, and that for the c18:2 fatty acid. The observed changes in lipids might give insight into the working mechanisms of antisecretory factor in the body, and this has been successfully used to understand the working mechanism of specially processed cereal-induced antisecretory factor activation in intestine.
PprA Protein Is Involved in Chromosome Segregation via Its Physical and Functional Interaction with DNA Gyrase in Irradiated Deinococcus radiodurans Bacteria
Authors: Devigne Alice , Guérin Philippe , Lisboa Johnny , Quevillon-Cheruel Sophie , Armengaud Jean , Sommer Suzanne , Bouthier de la Tour Claire , Servant Pascale
Published: January 2016

D. radiodurans
is one of the most radiation-resistant organisms known. This bacterium is able to cope with high levels of DNA lesions generated by exposure to extreme doses of ionizing radiation and to reconstruct a functional genome from hundreds of radiation-induced chromosomal fragments. Here, we identified partners of PprA, a radiation-induced
Deinococcus
-specific protein, previously shown to be required for radioresistance. Our study leads to three main findings: (i) PprA interacts with DNA gyrase after irradiation, (ii) treatment of cells with novobiocin results in defects in chromosome segregation that are aggravated by the absence of PprA, and (iii) PprA stimulates the decatenation activity of DNA gyrase. Our results extend the knowledge of how
D. radiodurans
cells survive exposure to extreme doses of gamma irradiation and point out the link between DNA repair, chromosome segregation, and DNA gyrase activities in the radioresistant
D. radiodurans
bacterium.
SSTAR, a Stand-Alone Easy-To-Use Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Predictor
Authors: de Man Tom J. B. , Limbago Brandi M.
Published: January 2016

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is quickly becoming a routine method for identifying genes associated with antimicrobial resistance (AR). However, for many microbiologists, the use and analysis of WGS data present a substantial challenge. We developed SSTAR, software with a graphical user interface that enables the identification of known AR genes from WGS and has the unique capacity to easily detect new variants of known AR genes, including truncated protein variants. Current software solutions do not notify the user when genes are truncated and, therefore, likely nonfunctional, which makes phenotype predictions less accurate. SSTAR users can apply any AR database of interest as a reference comparator and can manually add genes that impact resistance, even if such genes are not resistance determinants
per se
(e.g., porins and efflux pumps).
Role of context in care transition interventions for medically complex older adults: a realist synthesis protocol
Authors: Pitzul Kristen B , Lane Natasha E , Voruganti Teja , Khan Anum I , Innis Jennifer , Wodchis Walter P , Baker G Ross
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Approximately 30–50% of older adults have two or more conditions and are referred to as multimorbid or complex patients. These patients often require visits to various healthcare providers in a number of settings and are therefore susceptible to fragmented healthcare delivery while transitioning to receive care. Care transition interventions have been implemented to improve continuity of care, however, current evidence suggests that some interventions or components of interventions are only effective within certain contexts. There is therefore a need to unpack the mechanisms of how and within which contexts care transition interventions and their components are effective. Realist review is a synthesis method that explains how complex programmes work within various contexts. The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of context on the activities and mechanisms of care transition interventions in medically complex older adults using a realist review approach.

Methods and analysis

This synthesis will be guided by Pawson and colleagues’ 2004 and 2005 protocols for conducting realist reviews. The underlying theories of care transition interventions were determined based on an initial literature search using relevant databases. English language peer-reviewed studies published after 1993 will be included. Several relevant databases will be searched using medical subject headings and text terms. A screening form will be piloted and titles, abstracts and full text of potentially relevant articles will be screened in duplicate. Abstracted data will include study characteristics, intervention type, contextual factors, intervention activities and underlying mechanisms. Patterns in Context-Activity-Mechanism-Outcome (CAMO) configurations will be reported.

Ethics and dissemination

Internal knowledge translation activities will occur throughout the review and existing partnerships will be leveraged to disseminate findings to frontline staff, hospital administrators and policymakers. Finalised results will be presented at local, national and international conferences, and disseminated via peer-reviewed publications in relevant journals.
Managing uncertainty in advanced liver disease: a qualitative, multiperspective, serial interview study
Authors: Kimbell Barbara , Boyd Kirsty , Kendall Marilyn , Iredale John , Murray Scott A
Published: January 2016

Objective

To understand the experiences and support needs of people with advanced liver disease and those of their lay and professional carers to inform improvements in the supportive and palliative care of this rapidly growing but currently neglected patient group.

Design

Multiperspective, serial interviews. We conducted up to three qualitative in-depth interviews with each patient and lay carer over 12 months and single interviews with case-linked healthcare professionals. Data were analysed using grounded theory techniques.

Participants

Patients with advanced liver disease of diverse aetiologies recruited from an inpatient hepatology ward, and their lay carers and case-linked healthcare professionals nominated by the patients.

Setting

Primary and secondary care in South-East Scotland.

Results

37 participants (15 patients, 11 lay and 11 professional carers) completed 51 individual and 13 joint patient-carer interviews. Nine patients died during the study. Uncertainty dominated experiences throughout the course of the illness, across patients’ considerable physical, psychological, social and existential needs and affected patients, lay carers and professionals. This related to the nature of the condition, the unpredictability of physical deterioration and prognosis, poor communication and information-sharing, and complexities of care. The pervasive uncertainty also shaped patients’ and lay carers’ strategies for coping and impeded care planning. While patients’ acute medical care was usually well coordinated, their ongoing care lacked structure and focus.

Conclusions

Living, dying and caring in advanced liver disease is dominated by pervasive, enduring and universally shared uncertainty. In the face of high levels of multidimensional patient distress, professionals must acknowledge this uncertainty in constructive ways that value its contribution to the person's coping approach. Pervasive uncertainty makes anticipatory care planning in advanced liver disease challenging, but planning ‘just in case’ is vital to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate supportive and palliative care alongside effective management of this unpredictable illness.
Ancillary molecular analysis in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumours: reassessment of its utility at a specialist centre
Authors: Vroobel Katherine , Gonzalez David , Wren Dorte , Thompson Lisa , Swansbury John , Fisher Cyril , Thway Khin
Published: January 2016

Aims

The histological diagnosis of soft tissue tumours (STTs) can be difficult, sometimes requiring a combination of morphology, immunophenotype and ancillary molecular tests. Many STTs are associated with characteristic genetic aberrations that can be assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) or mutational analysis. We have previously assessed the practicality and sensitivity of using these modalities as part of the routine diagnosis of STT in paraffin-embedded material and now revisit the subject in light of further experience in this field.

Methods

200 consecutive cases from 2013 that had undergone FISH, RT-PCR or mutational analysis were assessed to evaluate their diagnostic utility compared with preliminary histological assessment.

Results

218 FISH, 91 RT-PCR and 43 mutational analysis tests were performed. Compared with the previous study, FISH forMDM2amplification in possible well-differentiated/dedifferentiated liposarcomas, and mutational analysis for assessingKIT,PDGFRandBRAFmutations made up a large proportion of the workload (107 and 43 tests, respectively). As in the previous study, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma showed the best FISH:RT-PCR concordance. Unlike previously, RT-PCR showed marginally higher sensitivity than FISH (78.9% and 76.9%), while continuing to demonstrate higher specificity (90.9% and 84.3%). RT-PCR again showed an increased failure rate (5.5%; 1% for FISH).

Conclusions

We demonstrate the continuing utility of RT-PCR and FISH for STT diagnosis, and that each has advantages in specific contexts. These ancillary molecular tests are important tools in both defining and excluding diagnoses of STT, which is crucial in determining prognosis and guiding appropriate management.
Socioeconomic gradient in work disability in diabetes: evidence from three occupational cohorts
Authors: Ervasti Jenni , Kivimäki Mika , Dray-Spira Rosemary , Head Jenny , Goldberg Marcel , Pentti Jaana , Jokela Markus , Vahtera Jussi , Zins Marie , Virtanen Marianna
Published: January 2016

Background

The role of socioeconomic status in work disability among employees with diabetes is not well known. We examined the association between socioeconomic status and work disability among employees with and without diabetes taking into account comorbid conditions.

Methods

We used individual participant data from three occupational cohorts from Finland, France and the UK (employees with diabetes, n=2170, age-matched and sex-matched controls without diabetes, n=4340). In all cohorts, survey data were linked with register data and the employees were followed up on average for 4.4 years. Socioeconomic status was based on occupational titles. Work disability (sickness absence and disability pension) was indexed as the numbers of disability days and episodes. The study-specific estimates were pooled using meta-analysis and effect modifications were studied with meta-regression.

Results

The average numbers of disability days and episodes per year were 1.5–3.5 times higher for persons with diabetes compared to those without. Among persons with diabetes, the risk of work disability was almost four times higher in the lowest compared to the highest occupational position (relative index of inequality (RII) for days 3.82; 95% CI 2.77 to 5.56; RII for episodes 3.80; 95% CI 3.13 to 4.61). This association was consistent in both sexes and regardless of comorbid conditions. In relative terms, the association of socioeconomic status and work disability was similar among those free of diabetes.

Conclusions

A strong socioeconomic gradient in work disability was observed among people with and without diabetes.
Vessel wall MRI and intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Bhogal Pervinder , Uff Christopher , Makalanda Hegoda Levansri Dilrukshan
Published: January 2016

Vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a novel imaging technique that allows the intracranial vessel walls to be imaged directly. This state-of the art imaging modality may potentially change the way aneurysms are evaluated and managed. In this short review we discuss the current knowledge with illustrative cases.
Responses of Norway spruce seedlings to different night interruption treatments in autumn
Authors: Riikonen Johanna , Lappi Juha
Published: January 2016

Photoperiodic lighting can be used in late summer to prevent height growth cessation and terminal bud formation in nurseries growing forest tree species in Nordic countries. To create guidelines for using the method in container nurseries growing Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and to test the use of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, we exposed first-year, nursery grown seedlings to the following night interruption (NI) treatments from 10 July 2014 onwards (00:00–03:00): (i) no lighting, (ii) 1 min lighting at intervals of 30 min, (iii) 1 min lighting at intervals of 15 min, and (iv) 3 h continuous lighting. Light intensities (LI) of 10, 25, and 70 μmol photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) m−2·s−1 were used. Growth, formation of terminal buds, and winter damage of the seedlings were measured. All NI treatments prevented growth cessation at LI of 25 and 70 μmol PAR·m−2·s−1, but the intermittent treatments were less effective at a LI of 10 μmol PAR·m−2·s−1. The treatments of duration longer than 1 min at intervals of 30 min did not provide any additional increase in shoot growth but predisposed the seedlings to frost injury during autumn and winter. Both seed origins used in this experiment responded similarly to the NI treatments.
Comparing lodgepole pine growth and disease occurrence at six Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) sites in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Reid Anya M. , Chapman William K. , Prescott Cindy E.
Published: January 2016

Recently, the assumption that stands with fast growth will have minor losses to insect and disease attack has been challenged. Although tree growth and health are both critical for long-term forest productivity, standardized forest-health data are rarely collected in conjunction with tree-growth data. Using six Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) installations in British Columbia, Canada, we explore the relationships between lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) growth and disease occurrence. Treatment plots and random groups of 100 trees that had larger trees generally had more disease. These findings suggest that we can no longer assume that fast-growing plantations will be free of disease, which has implications for predicting future timber supply.
Resource Constrained Multi-Project Scheduling Problem with Resource Transfer Times
Authors: Suresh M. , Dutta Pankaj , Jain Karuna
Published: January 2016

Scheduling multi-project is a complex decision making process. It involves the effective and timely allocation of resources to different projects. In the case of multi-project, resources are often transferred between the projects. It consumes both time and cost, when projects are situated in different geographic locations. As a result, the net present value (NPV) of multi-projects is significantly impacted by the resource transfer time. In this paper, a new genetic algorithm (GA) approach to the multi-project scheduling problem with resource transfer times is presented, where the NPV of all projects is maximized subject to renewable resource constraints. The paper also presents a heuristic approach using two phase priority rules for the same problem. We conduct a comprehensive analysis of 60 two-phase priority rules. The proposed GA approach is compared to the heuristic approach using the well-known priority rules. An extensive computational experiment is reported.
Pati–Salam unification from noncommutative geometry and the TeV-scale WR boson
Authors: Aydemir Ufuk , Minic Djordje , Sun Chen , Takeuchi Tatsu
Published: January 2016

We analyze the compatibility of the unified left–right symmetric Pati–Salam models motivated by noncommutative geometry and the TeV-scale right-handed [Formula: see text] boson suggested by recent LHC data. We find that the unification/matching conditions place conflicting demands on the symmetry breaking scales and that generating the required [Formula: see text] mass and coupling is nontrivial.
Representations of 𝔰𝔩3 in characteristic 3
Authors: Wen Xin
Published: January 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be the special linear Lie algebra [Formula: see text] of rank 2 over an algebraically closed field [Formula: see text] of characteristic 3. In this paper, we classify all irreducible representations of [Formula: see text], which completes the classification of the irreducible representations of [Formula: see text] over an algebraically closed field of arbitrary characteristic. Moreover, the multiplicities of baby Verma modules in projective modules and simple modules in baby Verma modules are given. Thus we get the character formulae for simple modules and the Cartan invariants of [Formula: see text].
A survey on sufficient conditions for geodesic completeness of nondegenerate hypersurfaces in Lorentzian geometry
Authors: Erkekog̃lu Fazilet
Published: January 2016

This is a survey of the principal results about the geodesic completeness of nondegenerate hypersurfaces in Lorentzian manifolds from a structural point of view. Some of these results retain their validity in the case of semi-Riemannian submanifolds in semi-Euclidean spaces, as well.
Inhomogeneous early viscous fluid universe: A concrete model for dark energy
Authors: Khadekar G. S.
Published: January 2016

In this paper the dynamical equation of the scale factor of the universe is investigated to describe the effect of bulk viscosity on the early evolution of the universe. We assume the inhomogeneous equation of state of the form [Formula: see text], where the adiabatic parameter [Formula: see text] varies with the scale factor [Formula: see text] proposed by Carvalho [Unified description of early universe, Int. J. Theor. Phys. 35 (1996) 2019] and [Formula: see text] is a time-dependent parameter in the framework of the flat FRW model. From this modified equation of state the exact solution of the field equations is obtained by considering the bulk viscosity is a linear combination of two terms of the form: [Formula: see text] and cosmological constant [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constants, in which an inflationary phase is followed by the radiation dominated phase. For a special choice of the parameter we can explain the dark energy dominant universe and Friedmann equations are solved for two different phases of the universe and obtain the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] relation.
Standard static Finsler spacetimes
Authors: Caponio Erasmo , Stancarone Giuseppe
Published: January 2016

We introduce the notion of a standard static Finsler spacetime [Formula: see text] where the base [Formula: see text] is a Finsler manifold. We prove some results which connect causality with the Finslerian geometry of the base extending analogous ones for static and stationary Lorentzian spacetimes.
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE IPCC
Authors: TOL RICHARD S. J.
Published: January 2016

I assessed five statements in the Summary for Policy Makers (SPM) of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of Working Group II (WG2) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The IPCC’s assessment of the impacts of climate change on agriculture all but ignores human agency and human ingenuity. The statement in the SPM on violent conflict is much stronger than in the chapter and indeed the literature. AR5 ignores the literature on the impacts of climate change on cold-related mortality and morbidity. On poverty traps, WG2 reaches a conclusion that is not supported by the cited papers. The total impacts of climate change were assessed in four subsequent IPCC reports. Although there are no statistically significant differences between the assessment periods in the underlying literature, the subsequent SPMs reach very different conclusions. In sum, the IPCC has yet to reach the quality that one would expect from a gold standard.
Modeling Cache Memory Utilization on Multicore Using Common Pool Resource Game on Cellular Automata
Authors: Tsompanas Michail-Antisthenis I. , Kachris Christoforos , Sirakoulis Georgios Ch.
Published: January 2016

Recent computing architectures are implemented by shared memory technologies to alleviate the high latency experienced by off-chip memory transfers, but the high architectural complexity of modern multicore processors has presented many questions. To tackle the design of efficient algorithms scheduling workloads over available cores, this article presents a parallel bioinspired model that simulates the utilization of shared memory on multicore systems. The proposed model is based on cellular automata (CA) and coupled with game theory principles. CA are selected due to their inherent parallelism and especially their ability to incorporate inhomogeneities. Furthermore, the novelty of the model is realized on the fact that multilevel CA are used to simulate the different levels of cache memory usually found in multicore processors. These characteristics make the model able to cope with the increasing diversity of cache memory hierarchies on modern and future processors. Nonetheless, by acquiring data from hardware performance counters and processing them with the proposed model online, the performance of the system can be calculated and a better scheduling strategy can be adopted in real time. The CA-based model was verified on the behavior of a real multicore system running a multithreaded application, and it successfully simulated the acceleration achieved by an increased number of cores available for the execution of the workload. More specifically, the example of common pool resource from game theory was used with two variations: a static and a variable initial endowment. The static variation of the model approximates slightly better the acceleration of a workload when the number of available processor cores increases, whereas the dynamic variation simulates better the moderate differences due to operation system’s scheduler alternations on the same amount of cores.
Bilingual Semantic Role Labeling Inference via Dual Decomposition
Authors: Yang Haitong , Zhou Yu , Zong Chengqing
Published: January 2016

This article focuses on bilingual Semantic Role Labeling (SRL); its goal is to annotate semantic roles on both sides of the parallel bilingual texts (bi-texts). Since rich bilingual information is encoded, bilingual SRL has been applied in many natural-language processing (NLP) tasks such as machine translation (MT), cross-lingual information retrieval (IR), and the like. A feasible way of performing bilingual SRL is using monolingual SRL systems to perform SRL on each side of bi-texts separately. However, it is difficult to obtain consistent SRL results on both sides of bi-texts in this way. Some works have tried to jointly infer bilingual SRL because there are many complementary language cues on both sides of bi-texts and they reported better performance than monolingual systems. However, there are two limits in the existing methods. First, the existing methods often require high inference costs due to the complex objective function. Second, the existing methods fully adopt the candidates generated by monolingual SRL systems, but many candidates are discarded in the argument pruning or identification stage of monolingual systems. In this article, we propose two strategies to overcome these limits. We utilize a simple but efficient technique: Dual Decomposition to search for consistent results for both sides of bi-texts. On the other hand, we propose a method called Bi-Directional Projection (BDP) to recover arguments discarded in monolingual SRL systems.

We evaluate our method on a standard parallel benchmark: the OntoNotes dataset. The experimental results show that our method yields significant improvements over the state-of-the-art monolingual systems. In addition, our approach is also better and faster than existing methods due to BDP and Dual Decomposition.
Introduction to the special issue: Cultural considerations for communication design
Authors: St. Amant Kirk
Published: January 2016

Culture can be difficult to define, yet it is central to almost everything humans do. Culture shapes how individuals view the world -- what they consider right and wrong or appropriate and inappropriate -- and often provides the lens through which they perceive communication and create messages (Sardi & Flammia, 2011; Varner & Beamer, 2015). As such, culture can be one of the most important aspects communication designers need to consider when developing materials for an audience -- any audience. When extended to broader intercultural or international contexts, the need to understand how culture affects expectations and perceptions becomes even more acute. For this reason, the more communication designers know about researching, considering, and addressing cultural communication expectations, the more effectively they can develop materials that meet the information seeking and usage needs of a greater global audience.
The communication design of WeChat
Authors: Wang Xiaobo , Gu Baotong
Published: January 2016

In this paper, the authors discuss how the technical and ideological design of WeChat, a social media platform, enables the free flow of information within the context of heavy Internet policing and surveillance in the People's Republic of China. Through a case study of two instances of grassroots and social activism, the authors highlight how three unique features of WeChat---Moments, Friends' Circle, and Share to---enhance privacy and security issues related to information dissemination. In both cases examined here, the unique design of certain WeChat features enhanced privacy and security in ways that allowed for the free dissemination of information and public involvement through social media. In examining these cases, this study represents one of the first attempts to use a Chinese social media app to examine technology design within a particular political and social context. The authors hope the results of this study will further our understanding of the reciprocal relationship between technology, design, and the social context in which technologies are used.
The digital divide at the margins
Authors: Dutta Uttaran , Das Swayang
Published: January 2016

This paper presents the results of a case study focusing on information and communication design in indigenous villages of rural India. The villages examined for this study were geographically remote and socio-economically underdeveloped, and their populations represented individuals who possessed low levels of literacy, limited language proficiency in English and mainstream Indic languages (e.g., Hindi and Bengali), and limited familiarity with computer us and computing practices. The authors sought to examine this context by conducting ethnographic field research involving a variety of methods. Through these approaches, the authors found a range of cultural and contextual factors are instrumental in shaping and co-creating communication design solutions for underserved international audiences. (Such factors include such as long-term research engagements, in-situ design development, and embracing dialogic and reflexive praxis when designing for local audiences.)
Cross-cultural cinematic communication
Authors: McDaniel Rudy , Kuang Lanlan
Published: January 2016

This article examines the 2014 Sino-American University Student Digital Micro Film Competition, a collaboration developed and administered between the University of Central Florida in the United States and Shanghai University in the People's Republic of China (PRC). By using qualitative text analysis and visual content analysis to review key materials and events from this case, the researchers studied information design and cross-cultural communication practices of various aspects of the partnership. The resulting analysis reveals unique information design challenges associated with cultural differences in communication practices, visual design, and administrative style. The summary of the case and the results of the related research presented here also provide readers with information design strategies that can facilitate design practices---and the associated coordination of event planning---across different cultural groups.
Treatment of Ipilimumab Induced Graves’ Disease in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Azmat Umal , Liebner David , Joehlin-Price Amy , Agrawal Amit , Nabhan Fadi
Published: January 2016

Objective. Thyroid disease has been reported among the endocrinopathies that can occur after treatment with ipilimumab. Graves’ disease, however, has been rarely reported with this medication. Here we report a case of Graves’ disease diagnosed after initiation of ipilimumab in a patient with melanoma.Methods. We present the clinical presentation and management course of this patient followed by a related literature review.Results. A 67-year-old male with metastatic melanoma was started on ipilimumab. He developed hyperthyroidism after two doses of ipilimumab. The cause of hyperthyroidism was determined to be Graves’ disease. Ipilimumab was held and the patient was started on methimazole with return to euthyroid status. Ipilimumab was resumed and the patient continued methimazole during the course of ipilimumab therapy, with controlled hyperthyroidism. Restaging studies following four cycles of ipilimumab showed complete response in the lungs, with residual melanoma in the neck. The patient then underwent total thyroidectomy and left neck dissection as a definitive treatment for both hyperthyroidism and residual melanoma.Conclusion. Graves’ disease can develop after starting ipilimumab and methimazole can be an effective treatment. For patients whose hyperthyroidism is well-controlled on methimazole, ipilimumab may be resumed with close monitoring.
Control of the Electric Load Simulator Using Fuzzy Multiresolution Wavelet Neural Network with Dynamic Compensation
Authors: Wang Chao , Hou Yuanlong , Liu Rongzhong , Gao Qiang , Hou Runmin
Published: January 2016

A fuzzy multiresolution wavelet neural network (FMWNN) controller with dynamic compensation (DC) is proposed to address the complexities of the electric load simulator (ELS). The FMWNN acts as a main torque tracking controller, which takes full advantage of the merits of an ideal sliding mode, fuzzy rules, and multiresolution WNN. The fuzzy algorithm is used to dynamically adjust the weights of the WNN and effectively accelerate the convergence rate. In addition, the DC controller is designed to greatly decrease the effect of the approximation error and guarantee the system stability in the sense of the Lyapunov theory. Finally, the proposed algorithms are carried out on the semiphysical simulation platform, the precision and superiority of which are comparatively verified based on the simulation results.
The Current Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy: Review of the Literature
Authors: Bennett Courtney E. , Freudenberger Ronald
Published: January 2016

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent ventricular trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses, or sinusoids, in communication with the left ventricular cavity. The low prevalence of patients with this cardiomyopathy presents a unique challenge for large, prospective trials to assess its pathogenesis, management, and outcomes. In this paper we review the embryology and genetics of LVNC, the diagnostic approach, and propose a management approach based on the current literature available.
Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction of Bismuth in Various Samples and Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Authors: Daşbaşı Teslima , Kartal Şenol , Saçmacı Şerife , Ülgen Ahmet
Published: January 2016

A dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method for the determination of bismuth in various samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry is described. In this method, crystal violet was used as counter positive ion forBiCl4-complex ion, chloroform as extraction solvent, and ethanol as disperser solvent. The analytical parameters that may affect the extraction efficiency like acidity of sample, type and amount of extraction and disperser solvents, amount of ligand, and extraction time were studied in detail. The effect of interfering ions on the analyte recovery was also investigated. The calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.040–1.00 mg L−1with detection limit of 4.0 μg L−1(n=13). The precision as relative standard deviation was 3% (n=11, 0.20 mg L−1) and the enrichment factor was 74. The developed method was applied successfully for the determination of bismuth in various water, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic samples and the certified reference material (TMDA-64 lake water).
Nasal Septal Deviations: A Systematic Review of Classification Systems
Authors: Teixeira Jeffrey , Certal Victor , Chang Edward T. , Camacho Macario
Published: January 2016

Objective.To systematically review the international literature for internal nasal septal deviation classification systems and summarize them for clinical and research purposes.Data Sources.Four databases (including PubMed/MEDLINE) were systematically searched through December 16, 2015.Methods.Systematic review, adhering to PRISMA.Results.After removal of duplicates, this study screened 952 articles for relevance. A final comprehensive review of 50 articles identified that 15 of these articles met the eligibility criteria. The classification systems defined in these articles included C-shaped, S-shaped, reverse C-shaped, and reverse S-shaped descriptions of the septal deviation in both the cephalocaudal and anteroposterior dimensions. Additional studies reported use of computed tomography and categorized deviation based on predefined locations. Three studies graded the severity of septal deviations based on the amount of deflection. The systems defined in the literature also included an evaluation of nasal septal spurs and perforations.Conclusion.This systematic review ascertained that the majority of the currently published classification systems for internal nasal septal deviations can be summarized by C-shaped or reverse C-shaped, as well as S-shaped or reverse S-shaped deviations in the anteroposterior and cephalocaudal dimensions. For imaging studies, predefined points have been defined along the septum. Common terminology can facilitate future research.
Efficacy of Tenofovir-Based Combination Therapy versus Tenofovir Monotherapy in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Presenting with Suboptimal Responses to Pretreatment: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Ling , Wang Xiwei , Zhang Qiongfang , Gong Jiaojiao , Shen Shasha , Yin Wenwei , Hu Huaidong
Published: January 2016

Background/Aims. It remains unclear whether tenofovir disoproxil fumarate- (TDF-) based combination therapy produces better outcomes than TDF monotherapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the two regimens by performing a meta-analysis.Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed on the comparison of TDF-based combination therapy and monotherapy for CHB patients in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Libraries. Both dichotomous and continuous variables were extracted and pooled outcomes were expressed as risk ratio (RR) or standard mean difference (SMD).Results. Nine eligible studies (1089 subjects in total) were included in our analysis. The proportion of patients with undetectable HBV DNA at 24, 48, and 96 weeks were similar between the two comparable groups (62.5% versus 70.9%,P=0.086; 78.1% versus 83.7%,P=0.118; 86.4% versus 87.9%,P=0.626, resp.). HBV DNA reduction, rates of ALT normalization, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss, and HBeAg seroconversion were also similar between the two groups.Conclusions. On the current data, TDF-based combination therapy seemed to be no better than those achieved by monotherapy. Further studies are needed to verify this comparison.
Choroidal Thickness in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Type Dementia
Authors: Bulut Mehmet , Yaman Aylin , Erol Muhammet Kazim , Kurtuluş Fatma , Toslak Devrim , Doğan Berna , Turgut Çoban Deniz , Kaya Başar Ebru
Published: January 2016

Aim. To asses both choroidal thickness differences among Alzheimer’s type dementia (ATD) patients, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, and healthy control (C) subjects and choroidal thickness relationships with cognitive performance.Methods. A total of 246 eyes of 123 people (41 ATD, 38 MCI, and 44 healthy C subjects) were included in this study. Complete ophthalmological and neurological examination was performed in all subjects. Choroidal thicknesses (CT) were measured at seven locations: the fovea, 500-1500-3000 μm temporal and 500-1500-3000 μm nasal to the fovea by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Detailed neurological examination including mini mental state examination (MMSE) test which evaluates the cognitive function was applied to all participants.Results. The ages and genders of all participants were similar in all groups. Compared with healthy C subjects, the CT measurements at all regions were significantly thinner both in patients with ATD and in patients with MCI than in healthy C subjects (p<0.05). The MMSE scores were significantly different among ATD patients, MCI patients, and healthy C subjects. They were19.3±1.8,24.8±0.9, and27.6±1.2in ATD, MCI, and healthy controls, respectively (p<0.001). There were also significant correlation between MMSE score and choroidal thickness at each location (p<0.05).Conclusions. CT was reduced in ATD patients and MCI patients. Since vascular structures were affected in ATD patients and MCI patients, they had thin CT. Besides CT was correlated with degree of cognitive impairment. Therefore CT may be a new biomarker in diagnosis and follow-up of MCI and ATD patients.
Five-Minute Awake Snoring Test for Determining CPAP Pressures (Five-Minute CPAP Test): A Pilot Study
Authors: Camacho Macario , Ruoff Chad M. , Kawai Makoto , Modi Rahul , Arbee Jabri , Hekmat Anahid , Robertson Matthew , Zaghi Soroush , Certal Victor , Capasso Robson , Kushida Clete A.
Published: January 2016

Objective. To develop a quick, simple, bedside test for determining continuous positive airway pressures (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.Study Design. Prospective case series at a tertiary medical center.Methods. The Five-Minute Awake Snoring Test for Determining CPAP (Five-Minute CPAP Test) was developed and tested. Patients wear a soft-gel nasal triangle mask while holding a tongue depressor with the wide section (1.75 cm) between the teeth. Fixed pressure nasal CPAP is applied while the patient simulates snoring at 4 centimeters of water pressure. The pressure is incrementally titrated up and then down to determine the lowest pressure at which the patient cannot snore (Quiet Pressure).Results. Overall, thirty-eight patients participated. All could simulate snoring. Correlation coefficients were statistically significant between Quiet Pressures and body mass index (rs=0.60[strong positive relationship],p=0.0088), apnea-hypopnea index (rs=0.49[moderate positive relationship],p=0.039), lowest oxygen saturation (rs=-0.47[moderate negative relationship],p=0.048), and oxygen desaturation index (rs=0.62[strong positive relationship],p=0.0057).Conclusion. This pilot study introduces a new concept, which is the final product of over one year of exploration, development, and testing. Five-Minute CPAP Test is a quick, inexpensive, and safe bedside test based on supine awake simulated snoring with nasal CPAP.