bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CDC5L Promotes hTERT Expression and Colorectal Tumor Growth
Authors: Li Jia , Zhang Ningning , Zhang Rui , Sun Longmei , Yu Wendan , Guo Wei , Gao Yingying , Li Mei , Liu Wei , Liang Pin , Deng Wuguo , Cui Xiaonan
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide because the survival rate remains low. Cell division cycle 5-like (CDC5L) is highly expressed in some cancer cells, but the mechanism requires clarification. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) plays important roles in CRC. Methods: This study aimed to identify a link between CDC5L and hTERT and to determine their effects on the signaling pathways, migration and prognosis of CRC cells. We first treated LoVo cells with biotin-labeled hTERT and identified CDC5L. Then, pulldown and ChIP assays were used to verify whether CDC5L was a promoter of hTERT. The roles of CDC5L and hTERT in cell growth and migration were studied using siRNA in vivo and in vitro. 130 human CRC specimens were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Western blot and wound scratch analyses were used to determine the signaling pathway for CDC5L-mediated activation of CRC growth and migration. Results: We identified CDC5L as a new hTERT promoter-binding protein. Clinically, CDC5L and hTERT expression levels were key factors in the prognosis of CRC patients. CDC5L knockdown inhibited tumor growth by down-regulating hTERT expression, and CDC5L was shown to be a transcriptional activator of hTERT in a luciferase reporter assay. Conclusion: Altogether, the above results demonstrated that CDC5L was positively correlated with hTERT as a key promoter of CRC cells. To some extent, our findings suggest that CDC5L may serve as a novel therapeutic target for human colorectal cancer.
The Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, Protects against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Inhibition of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway
Authors: Zhou Yang , Wu Wei
Published: May 2017

Background/Aims: This study aimed to determine whether or not the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, empagliflozin (EMPA), can protect against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) and to elucidate the related mechanism. Methods: Rats were divided into the following four groups: a non-diabetic group; diabetic cardiomyopathy rats without EMPA treatment; and diabetic cardiomyopathy rats with EMPA treatment (low- and high-dose EMPA). Hemodynamic measurements were performed to evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. The histopathology of the heart was examined with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP)78, enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase-12 was detected by Western blot, and the mRNA levels of XBP1, ATF4, and TRAF2 were analysed by real-time PCR. Results: EMPA significantly decreased the blood glucose level when compared with vehicle. EMPA strongly improved cardiac function based on hemodynamic and histopathologic analyses. Moreover, EMPA can significantly down-regulate the expression of GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-12 (P < 0.01). Additionally, the mRNA levels of XBP1, ATF4, and TRAF2 were markedly decreased by administration of EMPA (P < 0.01). Conclusion: EMPA protects against DCM by inactivating the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.
Spatial Modeling in Landslide Susceptibility
Authors: Gunadi Dwi Shanty Apriliani , Jaya I Nengah Surati , Tjahjono Boedi
Published: May 2017

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping is one of the mitigation effort to detect vulnerable areas for minimizing the risk of landslide disasters. This paper describes spatial model development for assessing landslide susceptibility by considering human and biophysical factors. The main objective of this research is to develop a spatial modeling of landslide susceptibility, particularly in several regencies of West Java Province. The data analysis include data pre-processing, regression analysis, correlation analysis, score development, and weight determination using Principal Component Analysis (PCA).  The study found that  the most important factors that contributed to landslide susceptibility within the research area is the Landuse/Landcover, then  followed by Slope, Distance to River, Soil Type, Annual Rainfall, Population Density, Geology Age, Climate Type, and Geomorphology. The first three highest factors occupied almost 53% of the total weight. The model successfully estimated the spatial distribution and degree of landslide susceptibility into 3 classes having overall accuracy of about 68%.
Fire Tracking and Suppression Mobile Robot - Design and Construction
Authors: ÇAKIR Abdülkadir , BADRI Aqeel bahaa
Published: May 2017

Robots is one of the most important devices in the world that work automatically without human intervention. Robot can work for long hours without feeling tired and can be performed work that can be dangerous to human life. Autonomous robots are used today in many areas in our daily lives, for example, industry, Agriculture, Health, Education, scientific explorations and many other fields. Therefore in this research we will going to design autonomous robot that able to find and extinguish fires. In some cases, the dense flames very dangerous to humans live and therefore require intervention of robot. Fire tracking and suppression robot is a robot can automatically find and fighting fire. In this project a camera and flame sensor based on an rotary base was used. It can detect fire in an angle of rotation of 1600. ATmega328 microcontroller based on Arduino Uno board have been used,  to control the robot to do the right work without mistakes, ATmega328 based on Arduini Uno board have been used, and it can be programmed using C language by using arduino IDE.
Android-Based 3D Visualization of Indonesia Medicinal Plants
Authors: Karlitasari Lita , Ismanto Ismanto , Putra Agung Prajuhana
Published: May 2017

3D visualization of medicinal plants is the result of the transformation that resembles the original image and are dynamic, so it can be viewed in detail from all sides. Image capture is performed with a level of clarity must be at least 70% so it would be easy when designing a 3D visualization. The medicinal plants collected came from Bogor Botanical Gardens of 11 plants, Ciapus - Bogor of 16 plants, and Cibodas Botanical Gardens of 37 plants. The image capture was done by using the comparison scale of human height, stem, flowers, fruits, and leaves both look forward and backward. Application development was done through the objects collection, object segmentation, object texture creation and 3D object creation. The application of 3D visualization medicinal plants can be enlarged and reduced, and rotated well to the right, left, up, and down. The medicinal plants that appears in the application was in Indonesian and Latin names, taxon and the descriptions. Therefore the general public, students, and researchers can utilize the plant objects much better.
Performance Analysis of Non-Renewable Energy in Bangladesh
Authors: Rabbani M. G. , Sattary C. T. , Mamun M. R. A. , Rahman M. M. , Khan M. N. H.
Published: May 2017

The demand of energy is dramatically increased nowadays and the demand either can renewable or non renewable depends on the drawbacks. Hence, non renewable energies show the better performance where the limitations are comprisable very few and environmental friendly. Already developed countries are being used renewable energies as the main sources of energy to produce electricity where it proved the less easy and more benefits. However, non renewable energies such as natural gas, gas generator and so on  still have been  producing more and more electricity and this amount is around 10 times more than renewable energies especially developing countries like Bangladesh. This paper is being discussed the importance of renewable energies and non renewable energies to produce electricity, comparing the different countries electricity production and the using sources. Here analysis the data of different power plants in Bangladesh and the types of fuel, CO2 emission and electricity production. In additionally, Gazipur district has been selected to show the power consumption factories with the cost analysis in selected fuel types.
Hardware Simulation of Active Lane Keeping Assist Based on Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Basjaruddin Noor Cholis , Kuspriyanto Kuspriyanto , Saefudin Didin , Rachman Alditama
Published: May 2017

Accidents due to cross the lane (lane departure crash) of achieving 19% of all accidents. These accidents mostly caused because the driver is not concentrating or dozing. A device that can help the driver so that the vehicle does not exit lanes known as Active Lane Keeping Assist (ALKA). ALKA is a subsystem of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and is now used in several brands of cars namely Audi, BMW, and Ford. ALKA useful to help the driver, especially on roads with monotonous situations such as toll roads. This paper presents the development of fuzzy logic-based algorithm for ALKA. A battery toy car is used as a hardware simulation to test the algorithm in real time situation. The test results at three different speeds are slow, medium,   and   high   indicate   that   the   algorithm   can   work according to design.
Prioritized Sweeping Reinforcement Learning Based Routing for MANETs
Authors: Desai Rahul M , Patil B P
Published: May 2017

In this paper, prioritized sweeping confidence based dual reinforcement learning based adaptive network routing is investigated. Shortest Path routing is always not suitable for any wireless mobile network as in high traffic conditions, shortest path will always select the shortest path which is in terms of number of hops, between source and destination thus generating more congestion. In prioritized sweeping reinforcement learning method, optimization is carried out over confidence based dual reinforcement routing on mobile ad hoc network and path is selected based on the actual traffic present on the network at real time. Thus they guarantee the least delivery time to reach the packets to the destination. Analysis is done on 50 Nodes Mobile ad hoc networks with random mobility. Various performance parameters such as Interval and number of nodes are used for judging the network. Packet delivery ratio, dropping ratio and delay shows optimum results using the prioritized sweeping reinforcement learning method.
Analysis of Fingerprint Image Enhancement using Gabor Filtering with Different Orientation Field Values
Authors: P Pakutharivu , M. V Srinath
Published: May 2017

Fingerprint image enhancement is the key process in IAFIS systems.  In order to reduce false identification ratio and to supply good fingerprint images to IAFIS systems for exact identification, fingerprint images are generally enhanced.  A filtering process tries to filter out the noise from the input image, and emphasize on low, high and directional spatial frequency components of an image.  This paper presents an experimental summary of enhancing fingerprint images using Gabor filters.  Frequency, width and window domain filter ranges are fixed. The orientation angle alone is modified by 0 radians, ,   and  radians. The experimental results show that Gabor filter enhances the fingerprint image in a better way than other filtering methods and extracts features. 
Between Two Line Follower Stand Before the Barrier Mobile Robot-Design and Implementation
Authors: Çakir Abdülkadir , Sreawi Amal Ali
Published: May 2017

A Between two line follower stand before the barrier mobile robot is a mobile machine that can detect and follow between two line drawn on the floor. Generally, the path can be white lines on a black surface or it can be black lines on a white surface. Today robot is very important in our life because it can do everything without human intervention, especially for difficult or danger works. Therefore in this research we will going to design robot that able to walk between two lines, and at the same time, this robot can pass the barriers that facing it. We conclude from this that this robot can help in many areas, such as to be a helper in hazardous work or in the transport of materials that are dangerous to human life, Or that this robot be helpful for people with disabilities where carts industry able to navigate seamlessly, also can use this robot in military actions.
Lighting Retrofit Scheme Economic Evaluation
Authors: Firdaus Mohd Ab Halim Mohd , Al-Amani Azlan Umar , Haniff Harun M. , Azha M. Annuar Khalil , Halma Johari S. , Rahim Abdulla A. , Faisal Hushim M.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, two lighting retrofit scheme is simulated to evaluate the amount of saving that the commercial building owner would benefits. Simple payback period and net present value are the method used to qualify the retrofit scheme to be profitable or otherwise. The analysis include the effect of electricity price, energy saving percentage, technology price and efficacy future values towards the economic return. The retrofit scheme presented only covers for the building that already has existing lighting equipment and comply towards the standard set by the international technical society. All variables and assumption are based on latest report by the world governing bodies and regulation.
An Improved Approach to Design A Photovoltaic Panel
Authors: Azad Murari Lal , Sadhu Pradip Kumar , Das Soumya , Satpati Biplab , Gupta Anagh , Arvind P , Biswas Riya
Published: May 2017

In this paper, modeling and simulation of the solar photo-voltaic (PV) power generator is observed using Matlab-Simulink environment. The study the fore-mentioned photovoltaic systems in an efficient manner the knowledge of I-V and P-V characteristics is a prerequisite. Effect of environmental parameters of temperature and irradiance variations could also be observed from simulated characteristics.
Evaluation of PCB Shielding Characteristic in Near Field
Authors: Jian Chuah Yih , Tafir Mustaffa Mohd
Published: May 2017

Wireless electronic devices nowadays always operate in high frequency while having small and compact form factor which led to electromagnetic interference among traces and components. PCB shielding is the common solution applied in electronic industry to mitigate electromagnetic interference. In this paper, PCB shielding characteristics such as shield’s thickness, height, and ground via spacing in PCB boards were evaluated in near field. Test boards with various ground via spacing were fabricated and evaluated by using 3D Electromagnetic scanner. On the other hand, shields with various thickness and height were modeled and evaluated through simulation. Results suggested that shielding effectiveness could be improved by having greater shield’s height with smaller ground via spacing in shielding ground tracks. Shielding effectiveness can be improved by 1 dB with every step of 0.5 mm increase in shield’s height. Besides that, approximately 0.5 dB improvement in shielding effectiveness with every step of 1 mm decrease in ground via spacing. Furthermore, greater shield’s thickness can contribute better shielding effectiveness for operating frequency below 300 MHz.
An Adaptive Controller for Photovoltaic Emulator using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ayop Razman , Wei Tan Chee
Published: May 2017

The photovoltaic (PV) emulator is a nonlinear power supply that features the similar characteristic of the PV module. However, the nonlinear characteristic of the PV module causes instability of the PV emulator output. The conventional solution is to operate the PV emulator in the overdamped condition which results in a poor dynamic performance. This drawback is solved by manipulating the proportional and integral gains of the proportional-integral (PI) controller. In this paper, the artificial neural network is used in the adaptive PI controller to maintain a stable and fast dynamic response of the PV emulator. This has been simulated with varied output resistance and irradiance. By comparing the proposed control strategy with the conventional method during start-up response of the photovoltaic emulator, the dynamic performance of the output current has shown an improvement of up to 80 % faster than the conventional method.
An Automated Feeding System for Soft Shell Crab
Authors: Niswar Muhammad , Zainuddin Zahir , Fujaya Yushinta , Marna Putra Zagita
Published: May 2017

Soft shell crab farming has been practiced in south-east Asian countries such as Indonesia. Soft shell crabs are harvested when they have just molted to prevent their shells from being hardened. An issue arises when feeding the crabs. Farmers need to feed the crabs 5% food of their body weight. However, farmers sometimes provide incorrect amounts of food to the crabs. If farmers feed the crab exceeding the required amounts of food, it causes food wastage and dirty water in the crabs’ cage. On the other hand, less amounts of food causes slow growth and molting of the crabs. In this study, we developed an automated feeding system for properly feeding of soft-shell crabs. The automated feeding system schedules the feeding time and controls the portion of food using a microcontroller. We also developed a web-based monitoring system to monitor and generate alert message to farmers to make sure that feeding process runs properly.
Higher-order Mode Rectangular Dielectric Resonator Antenna for 5G Applications
Authors: Hidayu Shahadan Nor , Ramlee Kamarudin Muhammad , Haizal Jamaluddin Mohd , Yamada Yoshihide
Published: May 2017

The excitation of the higher-order mode, in rectangular dielectric resonator designed was explored to enhance the antenna gain and detailed elaboration is presented in this paper. The antenna was fed by a 50Ω microstrip line through an aperture cut in the ground plane. Besides avoiding spurious radiation, this feeding technique gives flexibility in controlling the amount of coupling in order to reduce the Q-factor in the higher-order mode RDRA. A design was developed and subsequently simulated using Ansoft HFSS ver 16.0 by utilizing Duroid 5880 dielectric substrate with a thickness (ts) of 0.254 mm, a permittivity (εs) of 2.2 and a loss tangent (δ) of 0.001 at 15 GHz. The higher-order mode, RDRA achieved the measured gain at 9.76 dBi and the measured impedance bandwidth as much 2.5 GHz which is 4.7% more compared to the fundamental mode. The result should be considered suitable for 5G applications.
Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility Challenges in 5G Wireless Network Deployments
Authors: Abubakar Idrissa , Din Jafri , Alhilali Manhal , Yin Lam Hong
Published: May 2017

5G wireless network technology is going operate within the environment of other electrical, electronic and electromagnetic devices, components and systems, with capability of high speed data connectivity acting as network transceiver stations with Massive MIMO for Internet of Things (IoT). Considering the level of interoperability, electromagnetic Interference and electromagnetic compatibility to avoid electromagnetic pulse effects (EMP) which is capable of not only causing network malfunctions but total devices and equipments failure in mission critical operations, like hospital MRI scan machines, security profiling and data handling or even personal healthcare devices like heart pacemaker. Electromagnetic energy coupling in PCB due to: radiation, reflection and Crosstalk generates reliability challenges affecting Signal Integrity between traces of multilayer boards stalks, power bus and packaging creating Electromagnetic interference (EMI) in PCB leading false clock response to system failure. Above were considered very essential when deploying 5G wireless network facility as presented in this paper. 
Validity Testing of Technology Acceptance Model Based on Factor Analysis Approach
Authors: Napitupulu Darmawan , Abdel Kadar Jimmy , Kartika Jati Rahmi
Published: May 2017

Successful implementation of Information Technology can be judged or predicted from the user acceptance. Technology acceptance model (TAM) is a model that is built to analyze and understand the factors that influence the acceptance of the use of technologies based on the users perspective. In other words, TAM offers a powerful explanation related to acceptance of the technology and its behavior. TAM model has been applied widely to evaluate various information systems (IS) or information technology (IT), but it is the lack of research related to the evaluation of the TAM model itself. This study aims to determine whether the model used TAM is still relevant today considering rapid development of information communication technology (ICT). In other words, this study would like to test whether the TAM measurement indicators are valid and can represent each dimension of the model. The method used is quantitative method with factor analysis approach. The results showed that all indicators valid and can represent each dimension of TAM, those are perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioral intention to use. Thus the TAM model is still relevant used to measure the user acceptance of technology.
Comparison of Expert Adjudicated Coronary Heart Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality With the National Death Index: Results From the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study
Authors: Olubowale Olusola Tope , Safford Monika M. , Brown Todd M. , Durant Raegan W. , Howard Virginia J. , Gamboa Christopher , Glasser Stephen P. , Rhodes J. David , Levitan Emily B.
Published: May 2017

Background

The National Death Index (
NDI
) is widely used to detect coronary heart disease (
CHD
) and cardiovascular disease (
CVD
) deaths, but its reliability has not been examined recently.

Methods and Results

We compared
CHD
and
CVD
deaths detected by
NDI
with expert adjudication of 4010 deaths that occurred between 2003 and 2013 among participants in the REGARDS (
RE
asons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke) cohort of black and white adults in the United States.
NDI
derived
CHD
mortality had sensitivity 53.6%, specificity 90.3%, positive predictive value 54.2%, and negative predictive value 90.1%.
NDI
‐derived
CVD
mortality had sensitivity 73.4%, specificity 84.5%, positive predictive value 70.6%, and negative predictive value 86.2%. Among
NDI‐
derived
CHD
and
CVD
deaths, older age (odds ratios, 1.06 and 1.04 per 1‐year increase) was associated with a higher probability of disagreement with the adjudicated cause of death, whereas among
REGARDS
adjudicated
CHD
and
CVD
deaths a history of
CHD
or
CVD
was associated with a lower probability of disagreement with the
NDI
‐derived causes of death (odds ratios, 0.59 and 0.67, respectively).

Conclusions

The modest accuracy and differential performance of
NDI
‐derived cause of death may impact
CHD
and
CVD
mortality statistics.
Association Between Self‐Reported Potentially Modifiable Cardiac Risk Factors and Perceived Need to Improve Physical Health: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Ramirez F. Daniel , Chen Yue , Di Santo Pietro , Simard Trevor , Motazedian Pouya , Hibbert Benjamin
Published: May 2017

Background

An individual's perceived need to improve their physical health (
PNIPH
) is an essential precursor to adopting healthy behaviors. Nine potentially modifiable risk factors (
PMRF
s) for myocardial infarction collectively account for ≥90% of the population attributable risk. Though widely recognized, their impact on individuals’ health perceptions is unclear.

Methods and Results

Residents from 6 provinces were administered a module on changes to improve health as part of the 2011–2012 Canadian Community Health Survey, yielding relevant data for 8 of the 9
PMRF
s sought. The potential effects of
PMRF
s individually and cumulatively on
PNIPH
were examined using modified Poisson regression. In total, 45 443 respondents were included, representing 11 006 123 individuals and corresponding to 96.8% of the adult population of the sampled provinces. The sum of
PMRF
s was positively associated with
PNIPH
(adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.08; 95%
CI,
1.07–1.09 per additional
PMRF
) with 82.3% of individuals with ≥5
PMRF
s reporting this perception. Smoking, obesity, and low physical activity were most strongly associated with
PNIPH,
whereas hypertension and diabetes mellitus exhibited no association with this outcome after adjusting for potential confounders. Barriers to adopting healthy behaviors were reported by 55.9% of individuals endorsing
PNIPH
.

Conclusions

The cumulative burden of
PMRF
s is positively associated with
PNIPH
; however, individual
PMRF
s differentially contribute to this perception. Among those at highest cardiac risk, ≈1 in 5 denied
PNIPH
. A better understanding of factors underlying health perceptions and behaviors is needed to capitalize on cardiovascular preventive efforts.
Refining 3 Measures to Construct an Efficient Functional Assessment of Stroke
Authors: Wang Yu-Lin , Lin Gong-Hong , Huang Yi-Jing , Chen Mei-Hsiang , Hsieh Ching-Lin
Published: May 2017

Background and Purpose—

The Fugl-Meyer Assessment motor scale, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients, and Barthel Index are widely used to assess patients’ upper extremity and lower extremity motor function, balance, and basic activities of daily living after stroke, respectively. However, these 3 measures (72 items) require a great amount of time for assessment. Therefore, we aimed to develop an efficient test, the Functional Assessment of Stroke (FAS).

Methods—

The FAS was constructed from 4 short-form tests of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-upper extremity, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-lower extremity, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke patients, and Barthel Index based on the results of Rasch analyses and the items’ content. We examined the psychometric properties of the FAS, including Rasch reliability, concurrent validity, convergent validity, known-group validity, and responsiveness.

Results—

The FAS contained 29 items (10, 6, 8, and 5 items for the 4 short-form tests, respectively). The FAS demonstrated high Rasch reliability (0.92–0.94), concurrent validity (
r
=0.90–0.97 with the original tests), convergent validity (
r
=0.62–0.94 with the 5-scale Fugl-Meyer Assessment), and known-group validity (significant difference in the FAS scores among 3 groups of disability levels;
P
<0.001). In addition, the responsiveness of the FAS (standardized response mean=0.55–1.93) was similar or significantly superior to those of the original tests (standardized response mean=0.46–1.39).

Conclusions—

The FAS contains 29 items and has sufficient Rasch reliability, validities, and responsiveness. These findings support that the FAS is efficient for reliably and validly assessing upper extremity/lower extremity motor function, balance, and basic activities of daily living and for sensitively detecting change in those functions in patients with stroke.
Distinct Hippocampal versus Frontoparietal Network Contributions to Retrieval and Memory-guided Exploration
Authors: Bridge Donna J. , Cohen Neal J. , Voss Joel L.
Published: May 2017

Memory can profoundly influence new learning, presumably because memory optimizes exploration of to-be-learned material. Although hippocampus and frontoparietal networks have been implicated in memory-guided exploration, their specific and interactive roles have not been identified. We examined eye movements during fMRI scanning to identify neural correlates of the influences of memory retrieval on exploration and learning. After retrieval of one object in a multiobject array, viewing was strategically directed away from the retrieved object toward nonretrieved objects, such that exploration was directed toward to-be-learned content. Retrieved objects later served as optimal reminder cues, indicating that exploration caused memory to become structured around the retrieved content. Hippocampal activity was associated with memory retrieval, whereas frontoparietal activity varied with strategic viewing patterns deployed after retrieval, thus providing spatiotemporal dissociation of memory retrieval from memory-guided learning strategies. Time-lagged fMRI connectivity analyses indicated that hippocampal activity predicted frontoparietal activity to a greater extent for a condition in which retrieval guided exploration occurred than for a passive control condition in which exploration was not influenced by retrieval. This demonstrates network-level interaction effects specific to influences of memory on strategic exploration. These findings show how memory guides behavior during learning and demonstrate distinct yet interactive hippocampal–frontoparietal roles in implementing strategic exploration behaviors that determine the fate of evolving memory representations.
Visibility graphs for fMRI data: Multiplex temporal graphs and their modulations across resting-state networks
Authors: Sannino Speranza , Stramaglia Sebastiano , Lacasa Lucas , Marinazzo Daniele
Published: May 2017

Visibility algorithms are a family of methods that map time series into graphs, such that the tools of graph theory and network science can be used for the characterization of time series. This approach has proved a convenient tool, and visibility graphs have found applications across several disciplines. Recently, an approach has been proposed to extend this framework to multivariate time series, allowing a novel way to describe collective dynamics. Here we test their application to fMRI time series, following two main motivations, namely that (a) this approach allows vs to simultaneously capture and process relevant aspects of both local and global dynamics in an easy and intuitive way, and (b) this provides a suggestive bridge between time series and network theory that nicely fits the consolidating field of network neuroscience. Our application to a large open dataset reveals differences in the similarities of temporal networks (and thus in correlated dynamics) across resting-state networks, and gives indications that some differences in brain activity connected to psychiatric disorders could be picked up by this approach.
Functional coupling networks inferred from prefrontal cortex activity show experience-related effective plasticity
Authors: Tavoni Gaia , Ferrari Ulisse , Battaglia Francesco P. , Cocco Simona , Monasson Rémi
Published: May 2017

Functional coupling networks are widely used to characterize collective patterns of activity in neural populations. Here, we ask whether functional couplings reflect the subtle changes, such as in physiological interactions, believed to take place during learning. We infer functional network models reproducing the spiking activity of simultaneously recorded neurons in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats, during the performance of a cross-modal rule shift task (task epoch), and during preceding and following sleep epochs. A large-scale study of the 96 recorded sessions allows us to detect, in about 20% of sessions, effective plasticity between the sleep epochs. These coupling modifications are correlated with the coupling values in the task epoch, and are supported by a small subset of the recorded neurons, which we identify by means of an automatized procedure. These potentiated groups increase their coativation frequency in the spiking data between the two sleep epochs, and, hence, participate to putative experience-related cell assemblies. Study of the reactivation dynamics of the potentiated groups suggests a possible connection with behavioral learning. Reactivation is largely driven by hippocampal ripple events when the rule is not yet learned, and may be much more autonomous, and presumably sustained by the potentiated PFC network, when learning is consolidated.
South Korea’s Aid to Africa and Compliance with International Norms
Authors: Kim Hyo-sook
Published: May 2017

Previous literature on Korea’s official development assistance (oda) has tended to focus on Korea’s national interest in providing oda, in a way that is biased toward accepting the assumption of a realist paradigm and ignoring the aspect of international cooperation observed in Korea’s aid behavior. To fill this gap in the literature, I examine the impact of the poverty reduction norm in determining Korea’s aid behavior. I adopt qualitative research methods and examine two aspects of the impact of the norm of poverty reduction in Korea’s oda: the incorporation of this norm into oda policy and transformations in aid allocation to African countries. I also conduct an analysis at the level of the system and the unit to identify the factors that encourage Korea to sensitively respond to the poverty reduction norm. I argue that norm internalization has led Korea to increase aid to Africa.
The Omoluabi Essence
Authors: Mimiko N. Oluwafemi
Published: May 2017

The Yoruba, predominantly of southwest Nigeria, comes with a long history of deep cultural consciousness and identity defined by the omoluabi essence – a sense of, commitment to, and pride in pristine and honorable conduct, individually and corporately. This paper interrogates the different, yet intricately linked perspectives articulated in Encyclopedia of the Yoruba on the cosmology, culture, and sociology of the Yoruba; the impact of modernity on its being; and the basis of the resilience of much of its wider cultural forms in different spatial and temporal contexts. It notes that the basic outline of the Yoruba culture predates its contact with the West, and is indeed comparable to the best of the latter in significant respects. A more autochthonous existence for the Yoruba, predicated upon this uniquely profound and composite cultural essence, within the Nigerian federation, has limitless possibilities for social cohesion and advancement of the development agenda.
Sounds Are Perceived as Louder When Accompanied by Visual Movement
Authors: Maniglia Marcello , Grassi Massimo , Ward Jamie
Published: May 2017

In this study, we present three experiments investigating the influence of visual movement on auditory judgements. In Experiments 1 and 2, two bursts of noise were presented and participants were required to judge which was louder using a forced-choice task. One of the two bursts was accompanied by a moving disc. The other burst either was accompanied by no visual stimulus (Experiment 1) or by a static disc (Experiment 2). When the two sounds were of identical intensity participants judged the sound accompanied by the moving disc as louder. The effect was greater when auditory stimuli were of the same intensity but it was still present for mid-to-high intensities. In a third, control, experiment participants judged the pitch (and not the loudness) of a pair of tones. Here the pattern was different: there was no effect of visual motion for sounds of the same pitch, with a reversed effect for mid-to-high pitch differences (the effect of motion lowered the pitch). This showed no shift of response towards the interval accompanied by the moving disc. In contrast, the effect on pitch was reversed in comparison to what observed for loudness, with mid-to-high frequency sound accompanied by motion rated as lower in pitch respect to the static intervals.

The natural tendency for moving objects to elicit sounds may lead to an automatic perceptual influence of vision over sound particularly when the latter is ambiguous. This is the first account of this novel audio-visual interaction.
Simulations of Polarimetric, X-Band Radar Signatures in Supercells. Part I: Description of Experiment and Simulated ρhv Rings
Authors: Snyder Jeffrey C. , Bluestein Howard B. , Dawson II Daniel T. , Jung Youngsun
Published: May 2017

With the development of multimoment bulk microphysical schemes and polarimetric radar forward operators, one can better examine convective storms simulated in high-resolution numerical models from a simulated polarimetric radar perspective. Subsequently, relationships between observable and unobservable quantities can be examined that may provide useful information about storm intensity and organization that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. This paper, Part I of a two-part sequence, describes the bulk microphysics scheme, polarimetric radar forward operator, and numerical model configuration used to simulate supercells in eight idealized, horizontally homogenous environments with different wind profiles. The microphysical structure and evolution of copolar cross-correlation coefficient (ρhv) rings associated with simulated supercells are examined in Part I, whereas Part II examines ZDR columns, ZDR rings, and KDP columns. In both papers, some systematic differences between the signature seen at X and S bands are discussed. The presence of hail is found to affect ρhv much more at X band than at S band (and is found to affect ZDR more at S band than at X band), which corroborates observations. The ρhv half ring is found to be associated with the presence of large, sometimes wet, hail aloft, with an ~20-min time lag between increases in the size of the ρhv ring aloft and the occurrence of a large amount of hail near the ground in some simulations.
The Gulf Stream Convergence Zone in the Time-Mean Winds
Authors: O’Neill Larry W. , Haack Tracy , Chelton Dudley B. , Skyllingstad Eric
Published: May 2017

The distribution of surface divergence in the northwest Atlantic is investigated using 10 years of satellite wind observations from QuikSCAT and a 1-yr simulation from the COAMPS atmospheric model. A band of time-mean surface convergence overlies the Gulf Stream [called here the Gulf Stream convergence zone (GSCZ)] and has been attributed previously to a local boundary layer response to Gulf Stream SST gradients. However, this analysis shows that the GSCZ results mainly from the aggregate impacts of strong convergence anomalies associated with storms propagating along the storm track, which approximately overlies the Gulf Stream. Storm surface convergence anomalies are one to two orders of magnitude greater than the time-mean convergence and produce a highly asymmetric divergence distribution skewed toward convergent winds. The sensitivity of the sign and magnitude of the time-mean divergence to extreme weather events is demonstrated through analysis using an extreme-value filter, conditional sampling based on rain occurrence, and comparison to its median and mode. Vertical velocity and surface pressure are likewise affected by strong storms, which are characterized by upward velocity and low surface pressure. Storms are thus an important process in shaping the mean state of the atmosphere in the northwest Atlantic. These results are difficult to reconcile with the prevailing view that SST “anchors” surface convergence, upward vertical velocity, and increased rain over the Gulf Stream through a local boundary layer adjustment mechanism.
Coupled Dynamic–Thermodynamic Forcings during Tropical Cyclogenesis. Part II: Axisymmetric Experiments
Authors: Tang Brian H.
Published: May 2017

An ensemble of axisymmetric model experiments with simplified physics is used to evaluate the diagnostic framework presented in Part I. The central piece of the framework is understanding what causes decreases in the ratio of bulk differences of moist entropy over differences of angular momentum between two defined regions, the boundary between the two demarcating the approximate location of the emergence of the radius of maximum wind of the developing meso-beta-scale protovortex. Within a day before tropical cyclogenesis, the moist entropy forcing results in a decrease of this ratio. Net advective fluxes act to export moist entropy from the outer region and import moist entropy into the inner region, resulting in a positive radial gradient in gross moist stability that is maximized around the time of genesis. While surface moist entropy fluxes are needed for genesis to occur, they act synergistically with the net advective fluxes to decrease the ratio before and during genesis. Within a day after tropical cyclogenesis, surface moist entropy fluxes directly amplify the positive difference in moist entropy between the inner and outer regions, and radial fluxes of angular momentum reduce the magnitude of the negative difference in angular momentum between the inner and outer regions. Both of these processes act to reduce the ratio further. The framework highlights differences in processes occurring before, during, and after genesis as the meso-beta-scale protovortex develops and intensifies.
Using Gottfredson and Hirschi’s A General Theory of Crime to Explain Problematic Alcohol Consumption by Police Officers: A Test of Self-Control as Self-Regulation
Authors: Zavala Egbert , Kurtz Don L.
Published: May 2017

Problematic alcohol consumption by police officers is well documented in the literature. However, no study has utilized Gottfredson and Hirschi’s A General Theory of Crime to determine what role, if any, self-control (i.e., self-regulation) plays in predicting this behavior. Therefore, data from the Police Stress and Domestic Violence in Police Families in Baltimore, Maryland, 1997-1999 are analyzed to test the influence of work-related stress on officers’ self-control and problem drinking. Results indicated that self-control is significant in predicting problematic alcohol consumption by police officers. Two control variables (burnout and peer drinking) also predicted the dependent variable. The current study provides further evidence that self-control continues to be one of the most consistent factors most likely to lead to criminal behavior, including those committed by police officers.
An Exploration of Professional Knowledge Needed for Reading and Responding to Student Writing
Authors: Ballock Ellen , McQuitty Vicki , McNary Scot
Published: May 2017

This study explored the knowledge elementary teachers need for one core practice: reading and responding to students’ writing. Forty-five preservice teachers read and responded to an elementary student’s narrative writing sample. Using teacher noticing as a framework, we first decomposed the practice into five components indicative of differences in teachers’ attention to writing features, reasoning about those features, and suggested responses. We used multiple correspondence analyses to investigate potential underlying relationships among components and developed cases to highlight one underlying relationship that was found. The findings indicate reading and responding draws upon teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. More specifically, it draws on both knowledge of content and students and knowledge of content and teaching.
Humor Use Moderates the Relation of Stressful Life Events With Psychological Distress
Authors: Fritz Heidi L. , Russek Leslie N. , Dillon Melissa M.
Published: May 2017

Three studies examined humor and adjustment to stressful events. In Study 1, patients with fibromyalgia syndrome ( N = 22) reported on mental and physical adjustment, social interaction, and reappraisal of their illness. Dispositional humor was associated with reduced distress and fewer physical symptoms. Study 2 ( N = 109) examined undergraduates’ reports of stressful events. Dispositional, self-enhancing, affiliative, and self-defeating humor showed direct effects on distress, which were mediated by social interaction and reappraisal. Moreover, dispositional and aggressive humor showed stress-buffering effects. Study 3 ( N = 105) examined undergraduates’ adjustment to the September 11, 2001, attacks at 1 and 3 months postattack. At T1, affiliative humor showed a stress-buffering effect on distress. Social interaction mediated the relation of self-enhancing humor with reduced T1 distress, and mediated relations of aggressive and self-defeating humor with greater distress. Relations of T1 dispositional and self-defeating humor to changes in T2 distress were mediated by reappraisal.
Collegiate Women’s Definitions of Responsible Sexual Behavior
Authors: Loew Nicole , Lehan Mackin Melissa , Ayres Lioness
Published: May 2017

Promoting responsible sexual behavior (RSB) is a public health strategy to decrease unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Current definitions of RSB in the literature have been developed by providers and policy makers; little is known about adult women’s perspectives. Interventions inconsistent with women’s definitions of RSB may be less effective; therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how a sample of college women defined RSB. Data was collected from interviews as part of a mixed methods study of college women and unintended pregnancy. Women defined beingsexually responsible as self-advocating through actions that are consistent with personal goals and values while being aware of consequences that could threaten those goals or values. Actions included mindful partner selection, communicating boundaries, and preventing pregnancy. Study findings were consistent with prior research that identified managing risk and purposeful decision making as crucial to acting responsibly.
Geopolitical Structuring in the Age of Information
Authors: Kalantzis-Cope Phillip
Published: May 2017

Ordering principles, both explicit and implicit, have provided some of the central threads for theoretical contestation in the discipline of international relations. The protagonists predominantly coalesce around principles of survival, a state of nature, or a fundamental economic logic. Through an analysis of the globalization of a logic of the private right to intellectual property, this article attempts to expose a powerful, and at times under recognized, structuring movement within a global geopolitical space that is ever increasingly shaped by the “information age.” In doing so, the aim is to problematize and suggest an alternative way of approaching ordering principles as theoretical prisms for interpreting action and actors in global politics.
Impact of Low-Dose Ketamine on the Usage of Continuous Opioid Infusion for the Treatment of Pain in Adult Mechanically Ventilated Patients in Surgical Intensive Care Units
Authors: Buchheit Jessica L. , Yeh Daniel Dante , Eikermann Matthias , Lin Hsin
Published: May 2017

Background:

Ketamine at subanesthetic doses has been shown to provide analgesic effects without causing respiratory depression and may be a viable option in mechanically ventilated patients to assist with extubation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-dose ketamine on opioid consumption in mechanically ventilated adult surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods:

A retrospective review of mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving low-dose ketamine continuous infusion (1-5 µcg/kg/min) for adjunctive pain control admitted to surgical ICUs was conducted. Patients were included if they met an ICU safety screen for a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) implying extubation readiness pending SBT results. The primary end point was the slope of change in morphine equivalents (MEs) 12 hours pre- and postketamine infusion. We hypothesized that low-dose ketamine would increase the slope of opioid dose reduction.

Results:

Forty patients were analyzed. The median dose of ketamine was 5 µg/kg/min (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.5-5) and the treatment duration was 1.89 days (IQR: 0.96-3.06). Prior to ketamine, the majority of patients received volume-controlled or pressure-supported ventilation with a median duration of 2.05 days (IQR: 1.38-3.61). The median time from the initiation of ketamine to extubation was 1.44 days (IQR: 0.58-2.66). For the primary outcome, there was a significant difference in the slope of ME changes from 1 to −0.265 mg/h 12 hours pre- and postketamine initiation ( P < .001). For the secondary outcomes, ketamine was associated with a decrease in vasopressor requirements (phenylephrine equivalent 70 vs 40 mg/h; P = .019).

Conclusion:

Low-dose continuous infusion ketamine in mechanically ventilated adult patients was associated with a significant increase in the rate of opioid dose reduction without adverse effects on hemodynamic stability.