bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the Design of Terahertz Detectors Based on Si CMOS and AlGaN/GaN Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Bauer Maris , Boppel Sebastian , Zhang Jingshui , Rämer Adam , Chevtchenko Serguei , Lisauskas Alvydas , Heinrich Wolfgang , Krozer Viktor , Roskos Hartmut G.
Published: January 2017

TeraFETs are THz power detectors based on field-effect transistors (FETs) integrated with antennas. The first part of this paper discusses the design of Si CMOS TeraFETs leading to an optimized noise-equivalent power close to the room-temperature limit. The impact of the choice of the gate width and gate length, the role of the parasitic effects associated with the technology node, and the conjugate matching of antenna and FET impedance – which is possible over narrow THz frequency bands because of the frequency dependence of the channel impedance resulting from plasmonic effects – are highlighted. Taking these aspects into account, we implement narrow-band detectors of two different designs. Using a 90-nm and a 65-nm CMOS technology, we reach a room-temperature cross-sectional NEP of 10 pW/√Hz at 0.63 THz. We then explore the optimization of AlGaN/GaN TeraFETs equipped with broadband antennae. A room-temperature optical NEP of 26 pW/√Hz is achieved around 0.5 THz despite the fact that the existence of pronounced ungated regions leads to a significant hot-electron thermoelectric DC voltage reducing the rectified signal. AlGaN/GaN TeraFETs become competitive and they have the added advantage that they are extraordinarily robust against electrostatic shock even without inclusion of protection diodes into the design.
Plasma Instability of 2D Electrons in a Field Effect Transistor with a Partly Gated Channel
Authors: Petrov Aleksandr S. , Svintsov D. , Rudenko M. , Ryzhii V. , Shur M. S.
Published: January 2017

We predict the instability of plasma waves excited by a DC current in the field-effect transistors (FETs) with a partly gated channel. The excitation of plasma waves is due to amplified reflection from the boundary of the gated and ungated regions. The boundary also supports the turbulent edge modes whose increment strongly depends on the ratio of the carrier densities in the two FET regions.
Imaging and Gas Spectroscopy for Health Protection in Sub-THz Frequency Range
Authors: Knap W. , But D. B. , Couquillat D. , Dyakonova N. , Sypek M. , Suszek J. , Domracheva E. , Chernyaeva M. , Vaks V. , Maremyanin K. , Gavrilenko V. , Archier C. , Moulin B. , Cywinski G. , Yahniuk I. , Szkudlarek K.
Published: January 2017

An overview of main results concerning THz detection related to plasma nonlinearities in nanometer field effect transistors is presented. In particular the physical limits of the responsivity, speed and the dynamic range of these detectors are discussed. As a conclusion, we will present applications of the FET THz detectors for construction of focal plane arrays. These arrays, together with in purpose developed diffractive 3D printed optics lead to construction of the demonstrators of the fast postal security imagers and nondestructive industrial quality control systems. We will show also first results of FET based imaging that uses for contrast not only usual THz radiation amplitude, but also the degree of its circular polarization. Sub-THz high resolution gas spectroscopy is shown to be a powerful means to diagnose various diseases via exhaled breath analysis.
Sub-Micron Gate Length Field Effect Transistors as Broad Band Detectors of Terahertz Radiation
Authors: Delgado Notario J. A. , Javadi E. , Calvo-Gallego J. , Diez E. , Velázquez J. E. , Meziani Y. M. , Fobelets K.
Published: January 2017

We report on room temperature non-resonant detection of terahertz radiation using strained Silicon MODFETs with nanoscale gate lengths. The devices were excited at room temperature by an electronic source at 150 and 300 GHz. A maximum intensity of the photoresponse signal was observed around the threshold voltage. Results from numerical simulations based on synopsys TCAD are in agreement with experimental ones. The NEP and Responsivity were calculated from the photoreponse signal obtained experimentally. Those values are competitive with the commercial ones. A maximum of photoresponse was obtained (for all devices) when the polarization of the incident terahertz radiations was in parallel with the fingers of the gate pads. For applications, the device was used as a sensor within a terahertz imaging system and its ability for inspection of hidden objects was demonstrated.
Semi-leptonic production of DsJ(3040) and DJ(3000) in Bs and B decays
Authors: Li Si-Chen , Jiang Yue , Wang Tian-Hong , Li Qiang , Wang Zhi-Hui , Wang Guo-Li
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we study the productions of the newly detected states [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] observed by BaBar Collaboration and LHCb Collaboration. We assume these states to be the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] states with the quantum number [Formula: see text] in our work. The results of improved Bethe–Salpeter (BS) method indicate that the semi-leptonic decays via [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] into [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have considerable branching ratios, for example, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which shows that these semi-leptonic decays can be accessible in experiments.
A comparative study on two different approaches of bulk viscosity in the Polyakov–Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model
Authors: Saha Kinkar , Upadhaya Sudipa , Ghosh Sabyasachi
Published: January 2017

We have gone through a comparative study on two different kinds of bulk viscosity expressions by using a common dynamical model. The Polyakov–Nambu–Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model in the realm of mean-field approximation, including up to eight quark interactions for 2+1 flavor quark matter, is treated for this common dynamics. We have probed the numerical equivalence as well as discrepancy of two different expressions for bulk viscosity at vanishing quark chemical potential. Our estimation of bulk viscosity to entropy density ratio follows a decreasing trend with temperature, which is observed in most of the earlier investigations. We have also extended our estimation for finite values of quark chemical potential.
Duality and gauge invariance of non-commutative spacetime Podolsky electromagnetic theory
Authors: Abreu Everton M. C. , Fernandes Rafael L. , Mendes Albert C. R. , Neto Jorge Ananias , Neves Mario Jr.
Published: January 2017

The interest in higher derivative field theories has its origin mainly in their influence concerning the renormalization properties of physical models and to remove ultraviolet divergences. In this paper, we have introduced the non-commutative (NC) version of the Podolsky theory and we investigated the effect of the non-commutativity over its original gauge invariance property. We have demonstrated precisely that the non-commutativity spoiled the primary gauge invariance of the original action under this primary gauge transformation. After that we have used the Noether dualization technique to obtain a dual and gauge invariant action. We have demonstrated that through the introduction of a Stueckelberg field in this NC model, we can also recover the primary gauge invariance. In this way, we have accomplished a comparison between both methods.
Color-kinematic duality in ABJM theory without amplitude relations
Authors: Sivaramakrishnan Allic
Published: January 2017

We explicitly show that the Bern–Carrasco–Johansson color-kinematic duality holds at tree level through at least eight points in Aharony–Bergman–Jafferis–Maldacena theory with gauge group [Formula: see text]. At six points we give the explicit form of numerators in terms of amplitudes, displaying the generalized gauge freedom that leads to amplitude relations. However, at eight points no amplitude relations follow from the duality, so the diagram numerators are fixed unique functions of partial amplitudes. We provide the explicit amplitude-numerator decomposition and the numerator relations for eight-point amplitudes.
The spin Hall effect of light in moving medium
Authors: Li Hehe , Li Xinzhong , Wang Jingge
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we investigate the spin Hall effect of light in moving inhomogeneous medium using the Gordon metric and the Maxwell’s equations in the gravitational field. Light experiences a moving medium as a gravitational field by means of the Gordon metric. It is shown that the spin Hall effect of light is modified by the motion of medium, and the deflection of the ray trajectory is dependent on the polarization and the motion of the medium. It is interesting that there is no coupling of the spin angular momentum of light and the effective gravitational field when the medium is moving along the direction of the gradient [Formula: see text]. The results provide a potential method for controlling the spin Hall effect of light in medium.
Compact Triple-Band Waveguide Bandpass Filter Using Concentric Multiple Complementary Split Ring Resonators
Authors: Bage Amit , Das Sushrut
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a compact tri-band waveguide bandpass filter using concentric multiple complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs). Two symmetrical concentric multiple CSRRs are placed on the transverse plane of a standard WR-90 rectangular waveguide at 8.41[Formula: see text]mm distance to achieve dual-pole, tri-band response. The proposed filter has been simulated using Ansoft High Frequency Simulation Software (version 14). Based on the simulated result the filter has been fabricated and tested. The measured result shows a dual-pole, tri-band, bandpass response with passbands at 8.04–8.2675[Formula: see text]GHz, 9.45–9.84925[Formula: see text]GHz and 11.35–12.005[Formula: see text]GHz, which is in good agreement with the simulated responses. The total length of the filter is 10[Formula: see text]mm, which makes it compact and light weight. An approximate equivalent circuit of the filter also has been provided.
ANTECEDENTS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HYBRID STRATEGY IN A DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT — AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF BUSINESS DECISIONS IN GHANA
Authors: AGYAPONG AHMED , AMANOR KOFI , POKU KOFI
Published: January 2017

This study examines conditions that necessitate the adoption of a hybrid strategy in a dynamic market. The analysis is operationalized on a multisectorial sample of 610 firms in Ghana. The binomial logit regression model was estimated to examine the probability of the sampled firms to adopt hybrid strategy based on an array of competitive-based and firm-specific variables. The results show that generally, firms with superior firm performance, high organizational capabilities in marketing and innovation, strong positions in the implementation of single strategies, low industrial competitiveness and high growth in firm size are more likely to adopt a hybrid strategy to increase competitive advantage. However, we also observed that conditions are not homogenous across industries. We conclude that manufacturing firms apply competitive-based criteria rather than firm-specific factors in their decision to adopt hybrid strategies.
A User Perception--Based Approach to Create Smiling Embodied Conversational Agents
Authors: Ochs Magalie , Pelachaud Catherine , Mckeown Gary
Published: January 2017

In order to improve the social capabilities of embodied conversational agents, we propose a computational model to enable agents to automatically select and display appropriate smiling behavior during human--machine interaction. A smile may convey different communicative intentions depending on subtle characteristics of the facial expression and contextual cues. To construct such a model, as a first step, we explore the morphological and dynamic characteristics of different types of smiles (polite, amused, and embarrassed smiles) that an embodied conversational agent may display. The resulting lexicon of smiles is based on a corpus of virtual agents’ smiles directly created by users and analyzed through a machine-learning technique. Moreover, during an interaction, a smiling expression impacts on the observer’s perception of the interpersonal stance of the speaker. As a second step, we propose a probabilistic model to automatically compute the user’s potential perception of the embodied conversational agent’s social stance depending on its smiling behavior and on its physical appearance. This model, based on a corpus of users’ perceptions of smiling and nonsmiling virtual agents, enables a virtual agent to determine the appropriate smiling behavior to adopt given the interpersonal stance it wants to express. An experiment using real human--virtual agent interaction provided some validation of the proposed model.
Detecting Software Cache Coherence Violations in MPSoC Using Traces Captured on Virtual Platforms
Authors: Cunha Marcos Aurélio Pinto , Matoussi Omayma , Pétrot Frédéric
Published: January 2017

Software cache coherence schemes tend to be the solution of choice in dedicated multi/many core systems on chip, as they make the hardware much simpler and predictable. However, despite the developers’ effort, it is hard to make sure that all preventive measurements are taken to ensure coherence. In this work, we propose a method to identify the potential cache coherence violations using traces obtained from virtual platforms. These traces contain causality relations among events, which allow first to simplify the analysis, and second to avoid relying on timestamps. Our method identifies potential violations that may occur during a given execution for write-through and write-back cache policies. Therefore, it is independent of the software coherence protocol. We conducted experiments on parallel applications running on a lightweight SMP operating system, and we were able to detect coherence issues that we could then solve.
Abuse Reporting and the Fight Against Cybercrime
Authors: Jhaveri Mohammad Hanif , Cetin Orcun , Gañán Carlos , Moore Tyler , Eeten Michel Van
Published: January 2017

Cybercriminal activity has exploded in the past decade, with diverse threats ranging from phishing attacks to botnets and drive-by-downloads afflicting millions of computers worldwide. In response, a volunteer defense has emerged, led by security companies, infrastructure operators, and vigilantes. This reactionary force does not concern itself with making proactive upgrades to the cyber infrastructure. Instead, it operates on the front lines by remediating infections as they appear. We construct a model of the abuse reporting infrastructure in order to explain how voluntary action against cybercrime functions today, in hopes of improving our understanding of what works and how to make remediation more effective in the future. We examine the incentives to participate among data contributors, affected resource owners, and intermediaries. Finally, we present a series of key attributes that differ among voluntary actions to investigate further through experimentation, pointing toward a research agenda that could establish causality between interventions and outcomes.
Parallel Minimum Norm Solution of Sparse Block Diagonal Column Overlapped Underdetermined Systems
Authors: Torun F. Sukru , Manguoglu Murat , Aykanat Cevdet
Published: January 2017

Underdetermined systems of equations in which the minimum norm solution needs to be computed arise in many applications, such as geophysics, signal processing, and biomedical engineering. In this article, we introduce a new parallel algorithm for obtaining the minimum 2-norm solution of an underdetermined system of equations. The proposed algorithm is based on the Balance scheme, which was originally developed for the parallel solution of banded linear systems. The proposed scheme assumes a generalized banded form where the coefficient matrix has column overlapped block structure in which the blocks could be dense or sparse. In this article, we implement the more general sparse case. The blocks can be handled independently by any existing sequential or parallel QR factorization library. A smaller reduced system is formed and solved before obtaining the minimum norm solution of the original system in parallel. We experimentally compare and confirm the error bound of the proposed method against the QR factorization based techniques by using true single-precision arithmetic. We implement the proposed algorithm by using the message passing paradigm. We demonstrate numerical effectiveness as well as parallel scalability of the proposed algorithm on both shared and distributed memory architectures for solving various types of problems.
When Do We Not Need Complex Assume-Guarantee Rules?
Authors: Siirtola Antti , Tripakis Stavros , Heljanko Keijo
Published: January 2017

We study the need for complex circular assume-guarantee (AG) rules in formalisms that already provide the simple precongruence rule. We first investigate the question for two popular formalisms: Labeled Transition Systems (LTSs) with weak simulation and Interface Automata (IA) with alternating simulation. We observe that, in LTSs, complex circular AG rules cannot always be avoided, but, in the IA world, the simple precongruence rule is all we need. Based on these findings, we introduce modal IA with cut states, a novel formalism that not only generalizes IA and LTSs but also allows for compositional reasoning without complex AG rules.
ACE
Authors: Tigwell Garreth W. , Flatla David R. , Archibald Neil D.
Published: January 2017

Colour can convey a mood or elicit a particular emotion and, in terms of web design, colour can influence attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours. However, many websites demonstrate inaccessible colour choices. Numerous online colour palette design tools only focus on assisting designers with either the aesthetics or accessibility of colours. With a user-centered design approach, we developed the Accessible Colour Evaluator (ACE, daprlab.com/ace) which enhances web developers’ and designers’ ability to balance aesthetic and accessibility constraints. We distributed an online questionnaire to 28 web developers and designers to understand their attitudes and utilisation of accessibility guidelines, as well as to gather initial design requirements for ACE. With this information, we created three low-fidelity paper prototypes that were used to create two high-fidelity prototypes. The high-fidelity prototypes were discussed with 4 web developers and designers during a design workshop, and their feedback was used to develop the final version of ACE. A comparative evaluation of ACE and three existing alternative tools was conducted with 10 new web developers and designers. All participants were able to complete a colour palette design task when using ACE and identified ACE as their most preferred tool. The mean scores for the six TLX measures show ACE as providing the best performance and causing the lowest frustration. Finally, we conducted a small focus group with 3 web developers and designers to gather qualitative feedback about ACE. Participants identified a number of ACE’s strengths and made suggestions for future extensions and improvements.
Walking in Virtual Reality
Authors: Janeh Omar , Langbehn Eike , Steinicke Frank , Bruder Gerd , Gulberti Alessandro , Poetter-Nerger Monika
Published: January 2017

Walking constitutes the predominant form of self-propelled movement from one geographic location to another in our real world. Likewise, walking in virtual environments (VEs) is an essential part of a users experience in many application domains requiring a high degree of interactivity. However, researchers and practitioners often observe that basic implementations of virtual walking, in which head-tracked movements are mapped isometrically to a VE are not estimated as entirely natural. Instead, users estimate a virtual walking velocity as more natural when it is slightly increased compared to the users physical body movement.

In this article, we investigate the effects of such nonisometric mappings between physical movements and virtual motions in the VE on walking velocity and biomechanics of the gait cycle. Therefore, we performed an experiment in which we measured and analyzed parameters of the biomechanics of walking under conditions with isometric as well as nonisometric mappings. Our results show significant differences in most gait parameters when walking in the VE in the isometric mapping condition compared to the corresponding parameters in the real world. For nonisometric mappings we found an increased divergence of gait parameters depending on the velocity of visual self-motion feedback. The results revealed a symmetrical effect of gait detriments for up- or down-scaled virtual velocities, which we discuss in the scope of the previous findings.
Analysis of Radial Excitations of Octet Baryons in QCD Sum Rules
Authors: Aliev T. M. , Bilmis S.
Published: January 2017

Using the QCD sum rules method, we estimate the mass and residues of the first radial excitations of octet baryons. The contributions coming from the ground state baryons are eliminated by constructing the linear combinations of the sum rules corresponding to different Lorentz structures. Our predictions of the masses of the first radial excitations of octet baryons are in good agreement with the data.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Attenuates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Related Retinal Pericyte Loss in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Chung Yoo-Ri , Choi Jeong A. , Koh Jae-Young , Yoon Young Hee
Published: January 2017

Loss of pericytes, an early hallmark of diabetic retinopathy (DR), results in breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may be involved in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a known ameliorator of ER stress, on pericyte loss in DR of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. To assess the extent of DR, the integrity of retinal vessels and density of retinal capillaries in STZ-induced diabetic mice were evaluated. Additionally, induction of ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) were assessed in diabetic mice and human retinal pericytes exposed to advanced glycation end products (AGE) or modified low-density lipoprotein (mLDL). Fluorescein dye leakage during angiography and retinal capillary density were improved in UDCA-treated diabetic mice, compared to the nontreated diabetic group. Among the UPR markers, those involved in the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway were increased, while UDCA attenuated UPR in STZ-induced diabetic mice as well as AGE- or mLDL-exposed retinal pericytes in culture. Consequently, vascular integrity was improved and pericyte loss reduced in the retina of STZ-induced diabetic mice. Our findings suggest that UDCA might be effective in protecting against DR.
Mechanical Ventilation during Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Patients with Acute Severe Respiratory Failure
Authors: Zhang Zhongheng , Gu Wan-Jie , Chen Kun , Ni Hongying
Published: January 2017

Conventionally, a substantial number of patients with acute respiratory failure require mechanical ventilation (MV) to avert catastrophe of hypoxemia and hypercapnia. However, mechanical ventilation per se can cause lung injury, accelerating the disease progression. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides an alternative to rescue patients with severe respiratory failure that conventional mechanical ventilation fails to maintain adequate gas exchange. The physiology behind ECMO and its interaction with MV were reviewed. Next, we discussed the timing of ECMO initiation based on the risks and benefits of ECMO. During the running of ECMO, the protective ventilation strategy can be employed without worrying about catastrophic hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention. There is a large body of evidence showing that protective ventilation with low tidal volume, high positive end-expiratory pressure, and prone positioning can provide benefits on mortality outcome. More recently, there is an increasing popularity on the use of awake and spontaneous breathing for patients undergoing ECMO, which is thought to be beneficial in terms of rehabilitation.
Outage Analysis of Partial Relay Selection Schemes with Feedback Delay and Channel Estimation Errors in Nonidentical Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Kim Jung-Bin , Lee In-Ho
Published: January 2017

This paper investigates the impact of the channel estimation error and outdated channel state information (CSI) on the outage performances of partial relay selection (PRS) and efficient partial relay selection (EPRS). Considering imperfect channel estimation and outdated CSI with decode-and-forward (DF) relaying strategy, closed-form expressions for exact outage probabilities and asymptotic outage probabilities for PRS and EPRS are provided assuming independent and nonidentically distributed Rayleigh fading channels. Numerical investigations verify the analytical expression for outage probability and show how much performance is degraded by the channel estimation errors and the feedback delay that causes the outdated CSI.
Advanced Hepatic Fibrosis in Fatty Liver Disease Linked to Hyperplastic Colonic Polyp
Authors: Mahamid Mahmud , Abu-Elhija Omar , Yassin Tarik , Nseir William
Published: January 2017

Aim. Our study aims to determine possible association between biopsy-proven nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hyperplastic polyps (HP) of the colon. Methods. A retrospective cohort observational study. All subjects underwent screening colonoscopy within two years. Data were extracted from the patient charts including demographic, anthropometric measurement, vital signs, underlying diseases, medical therapy, laboratory data, results of the liver biopsy with degree of fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity, the colonoscopy report, and the pathological report of the extracted polyp. Results. A total of 223 patients were included in our study, 123 patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 100 patients without NASH who served as the control group matched for age. 14 colonic adenomas (11% of patients) were found in the NASH group compared with 16 adenomas (16% of patients) found in the control group (P=0.9). 28 HPs were found in the NASH group (22.7%) compared with only 8 HPs in the control group (8%) (P<0.05). 21 from the 28 (75%) HPs diagnosed in the NASH group were observed in the high degree fibrosis patients (Fibrosis Stages 3 and 4), 6 HPs (21%) were associated with Fibrosis Stages 1 and 2, and single HP (4%) was associated with Fibrosis Stage 0. Conclusions. Our study showed an association between biopsy-proven steatohepatitis and the burden of hyperplastic polyp. The severity of hepatic fibrosis may play important role in the increased occurrence of HPs.
Dependency Structures in Differentially Coded Cardiovascular Time Series
Authors: Tasic Tatjana , Jovanovic Sladjana , Mohamoud Omer , Skoric Tamara , Japundzic-Zigon Nina , Bajic Dragana
Published: January 2017

Objectives. This paper analyses temporal dependency in the time series recorded from aging rats, the healthy ones and those with early developed hypertension. The aim is to explore effects of age and hypertension on mutual sample relationship along the time axis.Methods. A copula method is applied to raw and to differentially coded signals. The latter ones were additionally binary encoded for a joint conditional entropy application. The signals were recorded from freely moving male Wistar rats and from spontaneous hypertensive rats, aged 3 months and 12 months.Results. The highest level of comonotonic behavior of pulse interval with respect to systolic blood pressure is observed at time lagsτ=0, 3, and 4, while a strong counter-monotonic behavior occurs at time lagsτ=1and 2.Conclusion. Dynamic range of aging rats is considerably reduced in hypertensive groups. Conditional entropy of systolic blood pressure signal, compared to unconditional, shows an increased level of discrepancy, except for a time lag 1, where the equality is preserved in spite of the memory of differential coder. The antiparallel streams play an important role at single beat time lag.
Renal Dysfunction Is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis: A New Cutoff Value
Authors: Sadeghi-Hokmabadi Elyar , Baş Demet Funda , Farhoudi Mehdi , Taheraghdam Aliakbar , Savadi Oskouei Daryoush , Yazdchi Mohammad , Hashemilar Maziyar , Uzuner Nevzat , Mirnour Reshad , Colak Ertugrul , Özdemir Atilla Özcan
Published: January 2017

Objective. This study was set to assess the effect of renal dysfunction on outcome of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Methods. This multicenter research involved 403 patients from January 2009 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) control group with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and (2) low GFR group with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Outcome measurements were poor outcome (mRS 3–6) and mortality at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) within the first 24–36 hours. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Univariate analyses determined that every decrease of GFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 significantly increased the risk of poor outcome (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09–1.30, p<0.001) and mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06–1.32, p=0.002). In multivariate regression, adjusted for all variables with p value < 0.1, low GFR (GFR < 45 versus GFR equal to or more than 45) was associated with poor outcome (OR adjusted 2.15, 95% CI 1.01–4.56, p=0.045). Conclusion. In IVT for acute stroke, renal dysfunction with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 before treatment determined increased odds for poor outcome compared to GFR of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.
The Histone Modification Code in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Araki Yasuto , Mimura Toshihide
Published: January 2017

Autoimmune diseases are chronic inflammatory disorders caused by a loss of self-tolerance, which is characterized by the appearance of autoantibodies and/or autoreactive lymphocytes and the impaired suppressive function of regulatory T cells. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is extremely complex and remains largely unknown. Recent advances indicate that environmental factors trigger autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals. In addition, accumulating results have indicated a potential role of epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications, in the development of autoimmune diseases. Histone modifications regulate the chromatin states and gene transcription without any change in the DNA sequence, possibly resulting in phenotype alteration in several different cell types. In this paper, we discuss the significant roles of histone modifications involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and type 1 diabetes.
Comparative Metabolome Profile between Tobacco and Soybean Grown under Water-Stressed Conditions
Authors: Rabara Roel C. , Tripathi Prateek , Rushton Paul J.
Published: January 2017

Understanding how plants respond to water deficit is important in order to develop crops tolerant to drought. In this study, we compare two large metabolomics datasets where we employed a nontargeted metabolomics approach to elucidate metabolic pathways perturbed by progressive dehydration in tobacco and soybean plants. The two datasets were created using the same strategy to create water deficit conditions and an identical metabolomics pipeline. Comparisons between the two datasets therefore reveal common responses between the two species, responses specific to one of the species, responses that occur in both root and leaf tissues, and responses that are specific to one tissue. Stomatal closure is the immediate response of the plant and this did not coincide with accumulation of abscisic acid. A total of 116 and 140 metabolites were observed in tobacco leaves and roots, respectively, while 241 and 207 were observed in soybean leaves and roots, respectively. Accumulation of metabolites is significantly correlated with the extent of dehydration in both species. Among the metabolites that show increases that are restricted to just one plant, 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid (KHG) in tobacco roots and coumestrol in soybean roots show the highest tissue-specific accumulation. The comparisons of these two large nontargeted metabolomics datasets provide novel information and suggest that KHG will be a useful marker for drought stress for some members of Solanaceae and coumestrol for some legume species.
Severe Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Child with Brucellosis: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature
Authors: Makis Alexandros , Perogiannaki Aikaterini , Chaliasos Nikolaos
Published: January 2017

Brucellosis is still endemic and a significant public health problem in many Mediterranean countries, including Greece. It is a multisystemic disease with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations including hematological disorders, such as anemia, pancytopenia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is usually moderate and attributed to bone marrow suppression or hypersplenism. Rarely, autoimmune stimulation can cause severe thrombocytopenia with clinically significant hemorrhagic manifestations. We present the case of a girl with severe thrombocytopenic purpura as one of the presenting symptoms ofBrucella melitensisinfection. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and the appropriate antimicrobial agents promptly resolved the thrombocyte counts. A review of similar published cases is also presented.
Burden of Hypertension in the Capital of Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kabul City, 2015
Authors: Saeed Khwaja Mir Islam
Published: January 2017

Background.This study had the objective to assess the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in an urban setting, Kabul city, Afghanistan.Materials and Methods.The World Health Organization’s STEP-wise approach was adopted and used in Kabul in November 2015. The study analyzed a sample of 1172 adults in the age group of 25–70 years. Demographic, socioeconomic, and behavior data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Fasting venous blood sample was collected to assess the lipid profile and fasting blood sugar.Results.The study showed that the prevalence of hypertension among adult Kabul citizens was 32.3%. From this figure, 599 (51.1%) were females and 573 (48.9%) males with a mean age of38.6±12.2years. Illiteracy rate was 49.6% and 77.5% were married. Smoking in adults were 8.1% and mouth snuff users were 9.8%. More than half (57.6%) of the study respondents were overweight and obese and 9.1% were recorded having raised blood sugar. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, general obesity, central obesity, smoking, moderate physical activity, and taking fruits 3 days or less weekly were statistically significant predictors of hypertension.Conclusions.Burden of hypertension is increasing in main urban settings in Afghanistan. Integrated intervention focusing in main modifiable risk factors is needed to detect and prevent hypertension.
Traumatic Foreign Body into the Face: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Melo Maysa Nogueira de Barros , Pantoja Lidyane Nunes , de Vasconcellos Sara Juliana de Abreu , Sarmento Viviane Almeida , Queiroz Christiano Sampaio
Published: January 2017

This paper describes a case of mouth opening limitation, secondary to a facial trauma by cutting-piercing instrument, whose fragments had not been diagnosed in the immediate posttrauma care. Description of an unusual surgical maneuver and a literature review are presented.
An Intelligent and Secure Health Monitoring Scheme Using IoT Sensor Based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Hu Jin-Xin , Chen Chin-Ling , Fan Chun-Long , Wang Kun-hao
Published: January 2017

Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical objects where information and communication technology connect multiple embedded devices to the Internet for collecting and exchanging data. An important advancement is the ability to connect such devices to large resource pools such as cloud. The integration of embedded devices and cloud servers offers wide applicability of IoT to many areas of our life. With the aging population increasing every day, embedded devices with cloud server can provide the elderly with more flexible service without the need to visit hospitals. Despite the advantages of the sensor-cloud model, it still has various security threats. Therefore, the design and integration of security issues, like authentication and data confidentiality for ensuring the elderly’s privacy, need to be taken into consideration. In this paper, an intelligent and secure health monitoring scheme using IoT sensor based on cloud computing and cryptography is proposed. The proposed scheme achieves authentication and provides essential security requirements.
An Extended Technology Acceptance Model for Mobile Social Gaming Service Popularity Analysis
Authors: Chen Hui , Rong Wenge , Ma Xiaoyang , Qu Yue , Xiong Zhang
Published: January 2017

The games industry has been growing prosperously with the development of information technology. Recently, with further advances in social networks and mobile services, playing mobile social gaming has gradually changed our daily life in terms of social connection and leisure time spending. What are the determinant factors which affect users intention to play such games? Therefore in this research we present an empirical study on WeChat, China’s most popular mobile social network, and apply a technology acceptance model (TAM) to study the reasons beneath the popularity of games in mobile social networks. Furthermore, factors from social and mobile perspective are incorporated into the conventional TAM and their influence and relationships are studied. Experimental study on accumulated online survey data reveals several interesting findings and it is believed that this research offers the researchers in the community further insight in analysing the current popularity and future potential of mobile social games.
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Binary Titanium Borides: First-Principles and Experimental Studies
Authors: Wdowik Urszula D. , Twardowska Agnieszka , Rajchel Bogusław
Published: January 2017

Vibrational dynamics of binary titanium borides is studied from first-principles. Polarized and unpolarized Raman spectra of TiB, TiB2, and Ti3B4 are reported along with the experimental spectra of commercial powder and bulk TiB2 containing less than 1 wt.% of impurity phases. The X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, applied for phase composition examination of both bulk and powder materials, identifies only the TiB2 phase. The simulated Raman spectra together with literature data support interpretation and refinement of experimental spectra which reveal components arising from titanium dioxide (TiO2) and amorphous boron carbide (B4C) impurity phases as well as graphitic carbon. These contaminations are the by-products of synthesis, consolidation, and sintering aids employed to fabricate powder and bulk titanium diboride.
Trabecular Bone Score Reflects Trabecular Microarchitecture Deterioration and Fragility Fracture in Female Adult Patients Receiving Glucocorticoid Therapy: A Pre-Post Controlled Study
Authors: Chuang Mei-Hua , Chuang Tzyy-Ling , Koo Malcolm , Wang Yuh-Feng
Published: January 2017

A recently developed diagnostic tool, trabecular bone score (TBS), can provide quality of trabecular microarchitecture based on images obtained from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Since patients receiving glucocorticoid are at a higher risk of developing secondary osteoporosis, assessment of bone microarchitecture may be used to evaluate risk of fragility fractures of osteoporosis. In this pre-post study of female patients, TBS and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) adjusted with TBS (T-FRAX) were evaluated along with bone mineral density (BMD) and FRAX. Medical records of patients with (n=30) and without (n=16) glucocorticoid treatment were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had undergone DXA twice within a 12- to 24-month interval. Analysis of covariance was conducted to compare the outcomes between the two groups of patients, adjusting for age and baseline values. Results showed that a significant lower adjusted mean of TBS (p=0.035) and a significant higher adjusted mean of T-FRAX for major osteoporotic fracture (p=0.006) were observed in the glucocorticoid group. Conversely, no significant differences were observed in the adjusted means for BMD and FRAX. These findings suggested that TBS and T-FRAX could be used as an adjunct in the evaluation of risk of fragility fractures in patients receiving glucocorticoid therapy.
An Experimental Evaluation of the Weathering Effects on Mine Shaft Lining Materials
Authors: Yang W. , Marshall A. M. , Wanatowski D. , Stace L. R.
Published: January 2017

Many shaft collapses are related to the deterioration and failure of the masonry shaft lining materials. In modern mine shaft, concrete is widely used to provide support. To analyse shafts stability, the properties of the lining need to be well defined. The behaviour of masonry and concrete can be considerably affected by long-term exposure to harsh mine water. This paper presents a study which focuses on the weathering effects of mine water on lining materials (brick, mortar, and concrete). To reproduce the weathering process, samples were placed into solutions of potable water, artificial mine water, and a more aggressive mine-water solution for just less than one year. Four phases of laboratory tests were conducted throughout the time period to assess the degradation of mechanical properties of the lining materials. Particular attention is given to the degradation of material strength and stiffness. Results indicate that the harsh acidic mine water has pronounced detrimental effects on the strength and stiffness of mortar. The weathering process is shown to have the most significant effect on the stiffness of concrete and mortar. It is also shown that the use of mass loss as an index for evaluation of mechanical properties may not be appropriate.
Nonlinear Reduced-Order Observer-Based Predictive Control for Diving of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Yao Xuliang , Yang Guangyi , Peng Yu
Published: January 2017

The attitude control and depth tracking issue of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) are addressed in this paper. By introducing a nonsingular coordinate transformation, a novel nonlinear reduced-order observer (NROO) is presented to achieve an accurate estimation of AUV’s state variables. A discrete-time model predictive control with nonlinear model online linearization (MPC-NMOL) is applied to enhance the attitude control and depth tracking performance of AUV considering the wave disturbance near surface. In AUV longitudinal control simulation, the comparisons have been presented between NROO and full-order observer (FOO) and also between MPC-NMOL and traditional NMPC. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Tualang Honey Protects the Rat Midbrain and Lung against Repeated Paraquat Exposure
Authors: Tang Suk Peng , Kuttulebbai Nainamohamed Salam Sirajudeen , Jaafar Hasnan , Gan Siew Hua , Muzaimi Mustapha , Sulaiman Siti Amrah
Published: January 2017

Paraquat (PQ) is a dopaminergic neurotoxin and a well‐known pneumotoxicant that exerts its toxic effect via oxidative stress‐mediated cellular injuries. This study investigated the protective effects of Tualang honey against PQ‐induced toxicity in the midbrain and lungs of rats. The rats were orally treated with distilled water (2 mL/kg/day), Tualang honey (1.0 g/kg/day), or ubiquinol (0.2 g/kg/day) throughout the experimental period. Two weeks after the respective treatments, the rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline (1 mL/kg/week) or PQ (10 mg/kg/week) once per week for four consecutive weeks. After four weekly exposures to PQ, the glutathione peroxidase activity and the number of tyrosine‐hydroxylase immunopositive neurons in the midbrain were significantly decreased in animals from group PQ (p < 0.05). The lungs of animals from group PQ showed significantly decreased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione‐S‐transferase. Treatment with Tualang honey ameliorated the toxic effects observed in the midbrain and lungs. The beneficial effects of Tualang honey were comparable to those of ubiquinol, which was used as a positive control. These findings suggest that treatment with Tualang honey may protect against PQ‐induced toxicity in the rat midbrain and lung.
Study about Doping Ion La3+ onto Surface of Pyrolusite Ore for Removing Simultaneously Both Fluoride and Phosphate from Wastewater
Authors: Thi Hue Nguyen , Hoang Tung Nguyen
Published: January 2017

Lanthanum has been doped onto the surface of the natural Pyrolusite for simultaneous removal of phosphate and fluoride in aqueous solution. The adsorbent characterization of the materials was observed by the SEM, BET, and XRD techniques. The dynamics and isotherms models of fluoride and phosphate adsorption, with respect to pH, pHPZC, adsorbent dose, and effect of coexisting ions, were studied. The results showed that lanthanum doped Pyrolusite ore (LDPO) relatively highly adsorbed amount of phosphate and fluoride from aqueous solution. Phosphate and fluoride removal efficiencies of LDPO are approximately 97% and 95%, respectively. Pseudo-first order for kinetic studies of phosphate and fluoride removal of the LDPO was observed with high correlations for fluoride but weak correlations for phosphate. However, pseudo-second order for kinetic studies was high correlation for both phosphate and fluoride. The phosphate and fluoride adsorption capacities of the LDPO significantly decreased with the existence of coions (sulfate, chloride, and nitrate) in the aqueous solution.
Antibiofilm and Antioxidant Activity of Propolis and Bud Poplar Resins versus Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: De Marco Stefania , Piccioni Miranda , Pagiotti Rita , Pietrella Donatella
Published: January 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common biofilm‐forming bacterial pathogen implicated in lung, skin, and systemic infections. Biofilms are majorly associated with chronic lung infection, which is the most severe complication in cystic fibrosis patients characterized by drug‐resistant biofilms in the bronchial mucus with zones, where reactive oxygen species concentration is increased mainly due to neutrophil activity. Aim of this work is to verify the anti‐Pseudomonas property of propolis or bud poplar resins extracts. The antimicrobial activity of propolis and bud poplar resins extracts was determined by MIC and biofilm quantification. Moreover, we tested the antioxidant activity by DPPH and neutrophil oxidative burst assays. In the end, both propolis and bud poplar resins extracts were able to inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and to influence both swimming and swarming motility. Moreover, the extracts could inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production by human PBMC and showed both direct and indirect antioxidant activity. This work is the first to demonstrate that propolis and bud poplar resins extracts can influence biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa contrasting the inflammation and the oxidation state typical of chronic infection suggesting that propolis or bud poplar resins can be used along with antibiotic as adjuvant in the therapy against P. aeruginosa infections related to biofilm.