bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Who Scared the Cat? A Molecular Crime Scene Investigation Laboratory Exercise
Authors: Ott Laura E. , Carson Susan D.
Published: January 2017

This introductory laboratory exercise gives first-year life science majors or nonmajors an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in basic bioinformatics and molecular biology laboratory techniques and analysis in the context of a mock crime scene investigation. In this laboratory, students determine if a human (Lady) or dog (Kona) committed the fictional crime of scaring a cat. Students begin by performing
in silico
PCR using provided dog- and human-specific PCR primers to determine the sequences to be amplified and predict PCR amplicon sizes. They then BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) the
in silico
PCR results to confirm that the PCR primers are designed to amplify genomic fragments of the cardiac actin gene in both dogs and humans. Finally, they use DNA quantification techniques, PCR, and agarose gel electrophoresis to identify the culprit and they confirm results by analyzing Sanger sequencing. Student learning gains were demonstrated by successful execution of the lab and by analysis and interpretation of data in the completion of laboratory reports. The student learning gains were also demonstrated by increased performance on a post-laboratory assessment compared to the pre-assessment. A post-activity assessment also revealed that students perceived gains in the skills and conceptual knowledge associated with the student learning outcomes. Finally, assessment of this introductory molecular biology and bio-informatics activity reveals that it allows first-year students to develop higher-order data analysis and interpretation skills.
Publishing, Objectivity, and Prestige
Authors: Moustafa Khaled
Published: January 2017

Some journals reject up to 80-90 % of the received manuscripts as they claim in their information to authors. Here, I propose a piece of tongue-in-cheek Instructions for Authors that would reflect some unspoken policies behind such high rejection rates in some 'snobbish' journals.
Twitter as a Tool for Teaching and Communicating Microbiology: The #microMOOCSEM Initiative
Authors: López-Goñi Ignacio , Martínez-Viñas Ma José , Antón Josefa , Cid Víctor J. , González Ana Martín , Brown-Jaque Maryury , García-Lobo Juan M. , Sánchez Manuel , Vilchez Juan Ignacio , Robledo-Mahón Tatiana , Seder-Colomina Marina , Tapia-Paniagua Silvana Teresa , de Rojas Alma Hernández , Mira Alejandro , Gallego-Parrilla José Jesús , Díaz Teresa María López , Prieto Sergi Maicas i , Villalobo Eduardo , Quindós Guillermo , Balboa Sabela , Romalde Jesús L. , Aguilar-Pérez Clara , Tomás Anna , Linares María , Zaragoza Óscar , Gil-Serna Jéssica , Ferrer-Espada Raquel , Camacho Ana I. , Vinué Laura , García-Lara Jorge
Published: January 2017

Online social networks are increasingly used by the population on a daily basis. They are considered a powerful tool for science communication and their potential as educational tools is emerging. However, their usefulness in academic practice is still a matter of debate. Here, we present the results of our pioneering experience teaching a full Basic Microbiology course via Twitter (#microMOOCSEM), consisting of 28 lessons of 40-45 minutes duration each, at a tweet per minute rate during 10 weeks. Lessons were prepared by 30 different lecturers, covering most basic areas in Microbiology and some monographic topics of general interest (malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.). Data analysis on the impact and acceptance of the course were largely affirmative, promoting a 330% enhancement in the followers and a >350-fold increase of the number of visits per month to the Twitter account of the host institution, the Spanish Society for Microbiology. Almost one third of the course followers were located overseas. Our study indicates that Massive Online Open Courses (MOOC) via Twitter are highly dynamic, interactive, and accessible to great audiences, providing a valuable tool for social learning and communicating science. This strategy attracts the interest of students towards particular topics in the field, efficiently complementing customary academic activities, especially in multidisciplinary areas like Microbiology.
The Microbiology Effect: A Call for Education Research
Authors: Elliott Samantha L.
Published: January 2017

In this letter from the Editor, Dr. Samantha Elliott calls for more research into the ways in which microbiology courses impact the behaviors of pre-nursing students.
Manual Acupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Rong , Li Xiuxia , Zhou Shenghu , Zhang Xiaogang , Yang Kehu , Li Xusheng
Published: January 2017

Objective

To assess the efficacy of manual acupuncture (MA) in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).

Methods

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing MA versus sham/placebo or no intervention in patients with MPS in the following databases from inception to January 2016: PubMed; Cochrane Library; Embase; Web of Science; and China Biology Medicine. Two reviewers independently screened the literature extracted data and assessed the quality of the included studies according to the risk of bias tool recommended by the Cochrane Handbook (V.5.1.0). Then, a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

Ten RCTs were combined in a meta-analysis of MA versus sham, which showed a favourable effect of MA on pain intensity after stimulation of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs; standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.90, 95% CI −1.48 to −0.32; p=0.002) but not traditional acupuncture points (p>0.05). Benefit was seen both after a single treatment (SMD −1.05, 95% CI −1.84 to −0.27; p=0.009) and course of eight sessions (weighted mean difference (WMD) −1.96, 95% CI −2.72 to −1.20; p<0.001). We also found a significant increase in pressure pain threshold following MA stimulation of MTrPs (WMD 1.00, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.67; p=0.004). Two of the included studies reported mild adverse events (soreness/haemorrhage) secondary to MA.

Conclusions

Through stimulation of MTrPs, MA might be efficacious in terms of pain relief and reduction of muscle irritability in MPS patients. Additional well-designed/reported studies are required to determine the optimal number of sessions for the treatment of MPS.
Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus infection
Authors: Barnwell Jessica , Deol Paramjeet Singh
Published: January 2017

We present a case report of atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. A woman aged 36 years presented to a London teaching hospital's Accident and Emergency department with severe abdominal pain following a 6-day history of diarrhoea and vomiting, which had been under review by her GP. A CT scan demonstrated free intraperitoneal fluid and abnormal appearance of her spleen. Blood tests demonstrated EBV infection with positive serology and leucocytosis. She underwent a laparoscopic washout, which confirmed a subcapsular splenic haematoma that was initially managed conservatively. However, she subsequently re-presented with increasing pain and required an elective splenectomy. This case demonstrates the risk of splenic rupture following EBV infection, even in the absence of trauma, and highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and appropriate counselling in patients with infectious mononucleosis.
Lymphoma presenting as a toothache: a wolf in sheep's clothing
Authors: Hassona Yazan , Almuhaisen Ghadeer , Almansour Ahmed , Scully Crispian
Published: January 2017

Although rare in the oral cavity, oral non-Hodgkin lymphoma frequently mimics odontogenic and other oral pathologies. The purpose of this report is to discuss the diagnostic difficulty in a case of a 75-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting initially as a toothache.
Modelling the cost-effectiveness of introducing the RTS,S malaria vaccine relative to scaling up other malaria interventions in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Winskill Peter , Walker Patrick GT , Griffin Jamie T , Ghani Azra C
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the relative cost-effectiveness of introducing the RTS,S malaria vaccine in sub-Saharan Africa compared with further scale-up of existing interventions.

Design

A mathematical modelling and cost-effectiveness study.

Setting

Sub-Saharan Africa.

Participants

People of all ages.

Interventions

The analysis considers the introduction and scale-up of the RTS,S malaria vaccine and the scale-up of long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets (LLINs), indoor residual spraying (IRS) and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC).

Main outcome measure

The number ofPlasmodium falciparumcases averted in all age groups over a 10-year period.

Results

Assuming access to treatment remains constant, increasing coverage of LLINs was consistently the most cost-effective intervention across a range of transmission settings and was found to occur early in the cost-effectiveness scale-up pathway. IRS, RTS,S and SMC entered the cost-effective pathway once LLIN coverage had been maximised. If non-linear production functions are included to capture the cost of reaching very high coverage, the resulting pathways become more complex and result in selection of multiple interventions.

Conclusions

RTS,S was consistently implemented later in the cost-effectiveness pathway than the LLINs, IRS and SMC but was still of value as a fourth intervention in many settings to reduce burden to the levels set out in the international goals.
Are rural places less safe for motorists? Definitions of urban and rural to understand road safety disparities
Authors: McAndrews Carolyn , Beyer Kirsten , Guse Clare E , Layde Peter
Published: January 2017

The objectives of the study are to understand road safety within the context of regional development processes and to assess how urban–rural categories represent differences in motor vehicle occupant fatality risk. We analysed 2015 motor vehicle occupant deaths in Wisconsin from 2010 to 2014, using three definitions of urban–rural continua and negative binomial regression to adjust for population density, travel exposure and the proportion of teen residents. Rural–Urban Commuting Area codes, Beale codes and the Census definition of urban and rural places do not explain differences in urban and rural transportation fatality rates when controlling for population density. Although it is widely believed that rural places are uniquely dangerous for motorised travel, this understanding may be an artefact of inaccurate constructs. Instead, population density is a more helpful way to represent transportation hazards across different types of settlement patterns, including commuter suburbs and exurbs.
Effects of resistance training and estrogen replacement on adipose tissue inflammation in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Rodrigues Maria Fernanda Cury , Ferreira Fabiano Candido , Silva-Magosso Natália Santanielo , Barbosa Marina Rodrigues , Souza Markus Vinicius Campos , Domingos Mateus Moraes , Canevazzi Gustavo Henrique Rigo , Stotzer Uliana Sbeguen , Peviani Sabrina Messa , de Lira Fábio Santos , Selistre de Araújo Heloísa Sobreiro , Perez Sérgio Eduardo de Andrade
Published: January 2017

Estrogen deficiency is directly related to central obesity and low-grade inflammation. Hormonal replacement and exercise training are both able to decrease fat accumulation and inflammation in postmenopausal women. However, the efficiency of resistance training (RT) and estrogen replacement (ER) in minimizing adiposity and inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of ovariectomized (OVX) rats has not yet been elucidated. In this study, Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into the following 6 groups: sham-operated sedentary (Sham-Sed), OVX-Sed, Sham-RT, OVX-RT, OVX-Sed-ER, and OVX-RT-ER groups. ER was performed by implanting silastic capsules containing 17β-estradiol. For RT, the animals were required to climb a 1.1-m vertical ladder with conical flasks containing weights attached to their tails for 12 weeks. Histological analyses were used to evaluate morphological changes. Gene expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and protein concentrations were determined using Multiplex/Luminex assays. Ovariectomy increased the body mass (BM), adipocyte area, and inflammation in the VAT, the latter of which was indicated by reduced interleukin-10 (48%) and increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentration (∼3%). RT efficiently decreased BM, adipocyte area, and inflammation in the OVX groups. The combination of RT and ER decreased BM (19%) and the TNF-α concentration (18%) and increased the gene and protein expression levels of adiponectin (173% and 18%). These results indicate that RT and the combination of RT and ER are efficient strategies for reducing the BM and improving the inflammatory status of OVX rats.
The combination of bivariate and multivariate methods to analyze character synchronization and early allometric growth patterns in the stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) as tools for better understanding larval behavior
Authors: Eshaghzadeh Hamid , Alcaraz Carles , Akbarzadeh Arash , Gisbert Enric
Published: January 2017

Multivariate allometry patterns and length at metamorphosis (Lm) were determined in Acipenser stellatus by means of principal component analysis from 12 morphometric characters. The multivariate analysis differentiated three growth stanzas: the prelarval, larval, and early juvenile stages. The prelarval stage comprised the period from hatching (9.7 mm in total length, TL) to the transition to exogenous feeding (17.7 mm TL, Lm1), a period characterized by yolk sac depletion and fast growth of the anterior and posterior body regions. These changes coincided with the development of sensory, feeding, respiratory, and swimming systems to improve foraging behavior and predator avoidance. During the larval period (17.7–52.8 mm, Lm1–Lm2), specimens reached a juvenile phenotype characterized by the development of median fins, elongation and flattening of the snout and formation of bony scutes, and the improvement of their swimming capacities, allowing larvae to regulate their dispersal distance from the spawning grounds. The end of the larval period and acquisition of the juvenile phenotype were found after Lm2when some variables reached isometry or even displayed a negative allometric growth.
Relationship between PDK1 and contraction in carotid arteries in Goto-Kakizaki rat, a spontaneous type 2 diabetic animal model
Authors: Watanabe Shun , Matsumoto Takayuki , Taguchi Kumiko , Kobayashi Tsuneo
Published: January 2017

We studied the relationship between 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) and contractions induced by serotonin, phenylephrine, and thromboxane A2 mimetic (U46619) in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the carotid arteries of Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a spontaneous type 2 diabetic model, in the chronic stage of disease. Serotonin-induced contraction was greater in the GK rats than in the control Wistar rats. A specific PDK1 inhibitor (GSK2334470) decreased the serotonin-induced contraction in the GK rats but not in the Wistar rats, and the difference in such contraction was abolished with this treatment. In GK rats, phenylephrine-induced contraction exhibited a leftward shift and U46619-induced contraction was greater still. Phenylephrine- and U46619-induced contractions were reduced by GSK2334470 in both groups. These results suggest, for the first time, that the contribution of PDK1 is different among 3 vasoconstrictors and that PDK1 contributed to increased serotonin-induced contraction in the carotid arteries of GK rats.
On Succinct Description of Certain Context-Free Languages by Ins-Del and Matrix Ins-Del Systems
Authors: Kuppusamy Lakshmanan , Raman Indhumathi , Krithivasan Kamala
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we introduce some basic measures for insertion-deletion system and matrix insertion-deletion system. These measures are based on the number of variables, the number of productions and the number of symbols in a grammar. We show that with respect to these measures, both the systems are more succinct over context-free grammars in representing certain families of context-free languages.
Exploration of Faulty Hamiltonian Graphs
Authors: Caissy David , Pelc Andrzej
Published: January 2017

We consider the problem of exploration of networks, some of whose edges are faulty. A mobile agent, situated at a starting node and unaware of which edges are faulty, has to explore the connected fault-free component of this node by visiting all of its nodes. The cost of the exploration is the number of edge traversals. For a given network and given starting node, the overhead of an exploration algorithm is the worst-case ratio (taken over all fault configurations) of its cost to the cost of an optimal algorithm which knows where faults are situated. An exploration algorithm, for a given network and given starting node, is called perfectly competitive if its overhead is the smallest among all exploration algorithms not knowing the location of faults. We design a perfectly competitive exploration algorithm for any ring, and show that, for networks modeled by hamiltonian graphs, the overhead of any DFS exploration is at most 10/9 times larger than that of a perfectly competitive algorithm. Moreover, for hamiltonian graphs of size at least 24, this overhead is less than 6% larger than that of a perfectly competitive algorithm.
On the Power of Lookahead in Greedy Scheme for Finding a Minimum CDS for Unit Disk Graphs
Authors: Fujita Satoshi
Published: January 2017

A connected dominating set (CDS, for short) for graph G is a dominating set which induces a connected subgraph of G. In this paper, we consider the problem of finding a minimum CDS for unit disk graphs, which have recently attracted considerable attention as a model of virtual backbone in multi-hop wireless networks. This optimization problem is known to be NP-hard and many approximation algorithms have been proposed in the literature. This paper proves a lower bound on the performance ratio of a greedy algorithm of Guha and Khuller which was originally proposed for general graphs and is known to be a representative in which the lookahead plays a crucial role in selecting a vertex to be contained in the CDS. More specifically, we show that for any fixed ε>0 and integer n0≥1, there is a unit disk graph with bounded degree consisting of at least n0 vertices for which the output of the greedy algorithm is no better than 3−ε times of an optimum solution to the same graph.
State Complexity of Insertion
Authors: Han Yo-Sub , Ko Sang-Ki , Ng Timothy , Salomaa Kai
Published: January 2017

It is well known that the resulting language obtained by inserting a regular language to a regular language is regular. We study the nondeterministic and deterministic state complexity of the insertion operation. Given two incomplete DFAs of sizes m and n, we give an upper bound (m+2)·2mn−m−1·3m and find a lower bound for an asymp-totically tight bound. We also present the tight nondeterministic state complexity by a fooling set technique. The deterministic state complexity of insertion is 2Θ(mn) and the nondeterministic state complexity of insertion is precisely mn+2m, where m and n are the size of input finite automata. We also consider the state complexity of insertion in the case where the inserted language is bifix-free or non-returning.
Decay of heavy particles from Z = 125 superheavy nuclei in the region A = 295–325 using different versions of proximity potential
Authors: Santhosh K. P. , Sukumaran Indu
Published: January 2017

Within the framework of Coulomb and proximity potential model (CPPM), the probable heavy particle decays from various isotopes of superheavy nuclei (SHN), [Formula: see text], within the range [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] have been studied using two versions of proximity potential; proximity 1977 and proximity 2000. The decay half lives evaluated using proximity 2000 is observed to be higher than the values obtained using proximity 1977. The effect of surface deformation on the decay half lives is studied using Coulomb and proximity potential for deformed nuclei (CPPMDN). As a result of the inclusion of deformation [Formula: see text], the penetrability of the decays are observed to be increased and accordingly the decay half lives are reduced. The estimated values are compared with other theoretical models, Universal curve (UNIV), Universal Decay law (UDL) and the scaling law of Horoi. The odd–even staggering (OES) effect is observed in the emission of odd mass clusters. An intriguing aspect of the study is the effect of the magicity at [Formula: see text] which is confirmed from the plot of [Formula: see text] against the neutron number of the daughter nuclei. Almost all the predicted half lives are favorable for experimental measurements. The Geiger–Nuttall (GN) plots and the Universal curve have been studied for various cluster emissions from various superheavy isotopes with [Formula: see text]. Finally, the linearity of the GN plot and the Universal curve of the heavy particle emissions very well established the strength of CPPM.
Hike in Royalty Payments by ACC
Authors: Mohanty Pitabas , Mishra Supriti
Published: January 2017

During the period of 2010–2013, many MNCs in India were in a hurry to increase royalties to their parent companies as a proposed regulation in India was going to make it difficult after October 2014. In December 2012, the Board of ACC decided to increase the royalty payments from 0.6% to 1% of net sales to Holcim, the parent company of ACC. The market reacted negatively and the stock price of ACC fell by 2% on the date of announcement and around 10% in the two-month period following the announcement. There was widespread resentment among investors. Many questioned the corporate governance practices followed by MNCs in India.

By 15 February 2013, the shareholders of ACC had to decide whether to vote in favor of the proposal. If Holcim, which controlled more than 50% stake in ACC, decided to participate in the voting, then the proposal would automatically be approved. The case explores the different options available to the shareholders of ACC and presents material to enable the shareholders to evaluate the merits of each of these alternatives. The case gives the readers an opportunity to value the stock of ACC and decide whether the market overreacted. The case also gives an opportunity to discuss the merits of the decision taken by ACC and to critically assess the corporate governance practices followed by ACC.
G-Auto Business Model: Diversifying and Sustaining Under Duress
Authors: Basu Shubhabrata
Published: January 2017

This case traces the evolutionary and competitive challenges faced by Nirmal Kumar (Kumar), a social entrepreneur, in the process of diversifying and sustaining a fledgling corporation. Kumar, an MBA graduate from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was severely ill-treated by an auto rickshaw driver when he refused to yield to unfair price demand. That traumatic experience and the risk it posed to the vulnerable section of the society, motivated him to search for a solution. He found that overcharging was not endemic to all auto drivers. With his own limited resources, he started organizing the good auto drivers, leveraging his prior experience in procuring external unencumbered funding. He articulated well-defined value propositions to the stakeholders and created G-Auto.

G-Auto proved to be a safe and efficient para-transit alternative. He obtained politico-regulatory and financial support to expand and standardize the operating model across other cities of Gujarat. Within a couple of years, he had organized around 10,000 auto drivers under the G-Auto banner. He further differentiated the service according to specific needs. He arranged training for the drivers and designated them as G-Auto Pilots to enhance their dignity. He further leveraged the auto network to diversify into the under-skilled job market and the fruit and vegetable supply chain and attempted to give a corporate form to his diversified ventures.

In the process, the basic stewardship character of his initiative appeared to be compromised, besides drawing unwanted attention from competitors coupled with threats and violence to him and his auto-pilots. With waning stewardship characteristics, would Kumar be able to grow and sustain his initiatives? Would he be able to command the same goodwill trust from his old and new stakeholders? If not, how would he sustain his existing and new initiatives all on his own?
Micro-Innovation Strategy: The Case of WeChat
Authors: Yang Xiaoming , Sun Sunny Li , Lee Ruby P.
Published: January 2017

Tencent was the third-largest Internet company in the world, behind Google and Amazon. Tencent’s primary product, WeChat, was the world’s four-largest mobile messaging apps. This case discusses how Tencent used micro-innovation strategy to develop and improve its product, WeChat, as well as manage its powerful competition. It also discusses Tencent’s innovative strategies such as functional additions through micro-innovation, reverse micro-innovation by subtraction, and strategic alliances for internationalization, among others.
Build to Last, Discount, or Defer?: Examining Lotte’s Entry into the Beer Industry
Authors: Yi Young-Sang , Kang Hyoung-Goo , Jun Hannah
Published: January 2017

This case represents the first part of a two-part case that analyzed the entry of LotteChilsung (“Lotte”) into the Korean beer industry. With regards to market structure, the market was characterized by a duopoly that was commanded by Oriental Brewery Co. (“OBC”) and HiteJinro (“HJ”). Lotte would be up against stiff competition should it go through with its intended plans to enter the beer industry.

On the one hand, Lotte announced a two-step entry plan that began with a small plant. This case highlights the small plant as a real option since the two-step plan was not financially justifiable under classical NPV analysis. With the real option, Lotte could either expect to buy OBC or HJ at a much cheaper price, or wait for better timing to minimize potential losses from investment in a large plant while remaining a minor player in the beer market. Rather than highlighting a typical success or failure study, this case places participants in the driver’s seat of current events and asks them to critically analyze costs, benefits, and strategy.
Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Supported Palladium Electro-Catalysts
Authors: Acosta J. J. , Favilla P. C. , Collet-Lacoste J. R.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this work is to present the results obtained for the synthesis of Pd NPs by the modified-polyol method with Vulcan XC-72R as support. Two different ways were used to synthesize catalysts: (a) Maintaining the initial pH of the synthesis equal to 12 and changing the initial concentration of the precursor to obtain an overall 10 wt.% nominal Pd load; (b) Fixing the initial concentration of the precursor at 2[Formula: see text]mM whilst changing the initial pH of the synthesis at different values to obtain an overall 10[Formula: see text]wt.% nominal Pd load. Catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM, TEM, STEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This work shows that the density of NPs generated during the nucleation process is a consequence of the fluctuation of the concentration. The standard deviation of the diameters varied linearly with the mean volume for values between 0.5[Formula: see text]mM and 6[Formula: see text]mM, demonstrating that there was a clear separation between nucleation and growth processes. The final mean diameter strongly depends on the initial pH of the synthesis for the same initial concentration of the precursor; mean diameters are smaller for basic media. The analysis of the voltammograms allowed the determination of the coverage fraction of oxygen on Pd, obtaining a value of 0.51 with a structure type [Formula: see text]. The coverage value found for CO is 0.71 with a structure type [Formula: see text]CO.
Energy Near‐Optimal Control Strategies for Industrial and Traction Drives with a.c. Motors
Authors: Vittek Ján , Butko Peter , Ftorek Branislav , Makyš Pavol , Gorel Lukáš
Published: January 2017

The main contribution of this paper is a new rest‐to‐rest position control system for use with electric drives employing a.c. motors that is near‐optimal with respect to combined electrical and frictional energy waste minimization. The friction has constant, linear, and quadratic components with respect to the rotor speed. The closeness to optimality is assessed by simulation, comparing the energy loss of the new control system with that predicted by computed optimal controls. The application of the near‐optimal control system is rendered straightforward by using a symmetrical trapezoidal speed‐time profile. This is provided by an energy saving reference position generator whose output is faithfully followed by means of a feedback control law based on forced dynamics control yielding prescribed closed loop dynamics, together with a matched zero dynamic lag precompensator. For load torque consisting of constant, linear, and quadratic components also maneuver time is optimized if it can be chosen arbitrary. Two case studies, one applied to position control of rotational drive and second one applied to train movement, confirm the possibilities of achieving energy savings.
Unsteady Bioconvection Squeezing Flow in a Horizontal Channel with Chemical Reaction and Magnetic Field Effects
Authors: Zhao Qingkai , Xu Hang , Tao Longbin
Published: January 2017

The time‐dependent mixed bioconvection flow of an electrically conducting fluid between two infinite parallel plates in the presence of a magnetic field and a first‐order chemical reaction is investigated. The fully coupled nonlinear systems describing the total mass, momentum, thermal energy, mass diffusion, and microorganisms equations are reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations via a set of new similarity transformations. The detailed analysis illustrating the influences of various physical parameters such as the magnetic, squeezing, and chemical reaction parameters and the Schmidt and Prandtl numbers on the distributions of temperature and microorganisms as well as the skin friction and the Nusselt number is presented. The conclusion is drawn that the flow field, temperature, and chemical reaction profiles are significantly influenced by magnetic parameter, heat generation/absorption parameter, and chemical parameter. Some examples of potential applications of such bioconvection could be found in pharmaceutical industry, microfluidic devices, microbial enhanced oil recovery, modeling oil, and gas‐bearing sedimentary basins.
Design Impedance Mismatch Physical Unclonable Functions for IoT Security
Authors: Zheng Xiaomin , Zhang Yuejun , Zhang Jiaweng , Hu Wenqi
Published: January 2017

We propose a new design, Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) scheme, for the Internet of Things (IoT), which has been suffering from multiple-level security threats. As more and more objects interconnect on IoT networks, the identity of each thing is very important. To authenticate each object, we design an impedance mismatch PUF, which exploits random physical factors of the transmission line to generate a security unique private key. The characteristic impedance of the transmission line and signal transmission theory of the printed circuit board (PCB) are also analyzed in detail. To improve the reliability, current feedback amplifier (CFA) method is applied on the PUF. Finally, the proposed scheme is implemented and tested. The measure results show that impedance mismatch PUF provides better unpredictability and randomness.
A Banded Preconditioning Iteration Method for Time‐Space Fractional Advection‐Diffusion Equations
Authors: Zeng Min-Li , Zhang Guo-Feng
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we concentrate on the efficient solvers for the time‐space fractional advection‐diffusion equations. Firstly, the implicit finite difference schemes with the shifted Grünwald‐Letnikov approximations for spatial fractional derivative and unshifted Grünwald‐Letnikov approximations for time fractional derivative are employed to discretize time‐space fractional advection‐diffusion equations. The discretization results in a series of large dense linear systems. Then, a banded preconditioner is proposed and some theoretical properties for the preconditioning matrix are studied. Numerical implementations show that the banded preconditioner may lead to satisfactory experimental results when we choose appropriate bandwidth in the preconditioner.
Characterization of NADPH Diaphorase- and Doublecortin-Positive Neurons in the Lizard Hippocampal Formation
Authors: Macedo-Lima Matheus , Freire Marco Aurélio M. , de Carvalho Pimentel Hugo , Rodrigues Ferreira Lins Lívia Cristina , Amador de Lucena Medeiros Katty Anne , Viola Giordano Gubert , dos Santos José Ronaldo , Marchioro Murilo
Published: January 2017

The lizard cortex has remarkable similarities with the mammalian hippocampus. Both regions process memories, have similar cytoarchitectural properties, and are important neurogenic foci in adults. Lizards show striking levels of widespread neurogenesis in adulthood and can regenerate entire cortical areas after injury. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulatory factor of mammalian neurogenesis and hippocampal function. However, little is known about its role in nonmammalian neurogenesis. Here, we analyzed the distribution, morphology, and dendritic complexity (Neurolucida reconstructions) of NO-producing neurons through NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) activity, and how they compare with the distribution of doublecortin-positive (DCX+) neurons in the hippocampal formation of the neotropical lizard Tropidurus hispidus. NADPHd-positive (NADPHd+) neurons in the dorsomedial cortex (DMC; putatively homologous to mammalian CA3) were more numerous and complex than the ones in the medial cortex (MC; putatively homologous to the dentate gyrus). We found that NADPHd+ DMC neurons send long projections into the MC. Interestingly, in the MC, NADPHd+ neurons existed in 2 patterns: small somata with low intensity of staining in the outer layer and large somata with high intensity of staining in the deep layer, a pattern similar to the mammalian cortex. Additionally, NADPHd+ neurons were absent in the granular cell layer of the MC. In contrast, DCX+ neurons were scarce in the DMC but highly numerous in the MC, particularly in the granular cell layer. We hypothesize that NO-producing neurons in the DMC provide important input to proliferating/migrating neurons in the highly neurogenic MC.
The Gender Association of the SIRT1 rs7895833 Polymorphism with Pediatric Obesity: A 3-Year Panel Study
Authors: Lee Myoungsook , Choi Serim , Lee Yunkyoung , Oh Hyun-hee
Published: January 2017

Objectives: Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a longevity-associated gene, has pleiotropic functions. We investigated whether SIRT1 variation is associated with pediatric obesity. Methods: During 3 years of follow-up of 219 children (101 boys, 118 girls) aged 8 or 9 years at baseline, obesity parameters such as anthropometrics, plasma lipid and insulin resistance profiles, and nutrient intakes were analyzed with regard to 3 genotypes of SIRT1 rs7895833 (GG, GA, and AA). Results: The prevalence of obesity including overweight had increased from 18.3% (in 2007) to 25.1% (in 2010), and the incidence of obesity over 3 years from nonobesity at the baseline was 11.7%. In the obesity group (BMI >85th percentile) that had been nonobese 3 years before, the frequency of the GA+AA genotypes was higher than that of the GG genotype. Among the total number of subjects, the values for criteria for obesity such as BMI and waist circumference were higher in the GA+AA group than in the GG group. In boys, the reductions in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the GG group were considerably greater than those in the GA+AA group, even though the changes in carbohydrate, fat, and protein intake in the GG group were higher than in the GA+AA group. In girls, the reductions in fasting blood sugar and homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were greater in the GA+AA group than in the GG group, despite unchanged energy intakes over 3 years. Conclusions: We identified an association between SIRT1 variation and pediatric obesity in Korean children with a gender difference.
Comparison of Dolphins' Body and Brain Measurements with Four Other Groups of Cetaceans Reveals Great Diversity
Authors: Ridgway Sam H. , Carlin Kevin P. , Van Alstyne Kaitlin R. , Hanson Alicia C. , Tarpley Raymond J.
Published: January 2017

We compared mature dolphins with 4 other groupings of mature cetaceans. With a large data set, we found great brain diversity among 5 different taxonomic groupings. The dolphins in our data set ranged in body mass from about 40 to 6,750 kg and in brain mass from 0.4 to 9.3 kg. Dolphin body length ranged from 1.3 to 7.6 m. In our combined data set from the 4 other groups of cetaceans, body mass ranged from about 20 to 120,000 kg and brain mass from about 0.2 to 9.2 kg, while body length varied from 1.21 to 26.8 m. Not all cetaceans have large brains relative to their body size. A few dolphins near human body size have human-sized brains. On the other hand, the absolute brain mass of some other cetaceans is only one-sixth as large. We found that brain volume relative to body mass decreases from Delphinidae to a group of Phocoenidae and Monodontidae, to a group of other odontocetes, to Balaenopteroidea, and finally to Balaenidae. We also found the same general trend when we compared brain volume relative to body length, except that the Delphinidae and Phocoenidae-Monodontidae groups do not differ significantly. The Balaenidae have the smallest relative brain mass and the lowest cerebral cortex surface area. Brain parts also vary. Relative to body mass and to body length, dolphins also have the largest cerebellums. Cortex surface area is isometric with brain size when we exclude the Balaenidae. Our data show that the brains of Balaenidae are less convoluted than those of the other cetaceans measured. Large vascular networks inside the cranial vault may help to maintain brain temperature, and these nonbrain tissues increase in volume with body mass and with body length ranging from 8 to 65% of the endocranial volume. Because endocranial vascular networks and other adnexa, such as the tentorium cerebelli, vary so much in different species, brain size measures from endocasts of some extinct cetaceans may be overestimates. Our regression of body length on endocranial adnexa might be used for better estimates of brain volume from endocasts or from endocranial volume of living species or extinct cetaceans.
Genetic Insurance Discrimination in Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes
Authors: Mohammed Saira , Lim Zaneta , Dean Paige H. , Potts James E. , Tang Jessica N.C. , Etheridge Susan P. , Lara Alice , Husband Pam , Sherwin Elizabeth D. , Ackerman Michael J. , Sanatani Shubhayan
Published: January 2017

Background—

There is virtually no information assessing the insurability of families affected with Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) for the determination of the nonclinical implications of genetic screening. It is important to identify the barriers and challenges faced by families as a result of genetic screening for SADS to enable equitable access to insurance coverage.

Methods and Results—

To explore the insurance coverage experiences of SADS-affected families, we administered a cross-sectional online survey across North America from April 28, 2012 to November 13, 2013. Participants included individuals with a SADS diagnosis and their relatives who have applied for insurance (health, life, travel, and disability) or have existing insurance coverage. Of 202 participants, 92% had a SADS diagnosis (92%) as either a proband (50%) or an affected relative (42%); 8% of participants were unaffected family members of a proband; and genetic confirmation was reported by 73%. Of the 54% of SADS respondents who applied for insurance, 60% were rejected by insurers. The preexisting SADS diagnosis was the major reason reported for rejection (57%). Most respondents (80%) had insurance coverage through a spouse/parent plan at the time of diagnosis; 14% experienced a subsequent negative effect on coverage. Thirty-nine percent of affected SADS respondents reported an increase in insurance premium rates.

Conclusions—

Increased genetic testing has negatively impacted insurability for SADS patients and affected family members. The challenges in obtaining life and health insurance are mainly because of the preexisting condition, even in the presence of protective laws in the United States.
Functional Validation of a Common Nonsynonymous Coding Variant in
ZC3HC1
Associated With Protection From Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Linseman Tara , Soubeyrand Sébastien , Martinuk Amy , Nikpay Majid , Lau Paulina , McPherson Ruth
Published: January 2017

Background—

Although virtually all coronary artery disease associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are in noncoding regions of the genome, a common polymorphism in
ZC3HC1
(rs11556924), resulting in an arginine (Arg) to histidine (His) substitution in its encoded protein, NIPA (Nuclear Interacting Partner of Anaplastic Lyphoma Kinase) is linked to a protection from coronary artery disease. NIPA plays a role in cell cycle progression, but the functional consequences of this polymorphism have not been established.

Methods and Results—

Here we demonstrate that total
ZC3HC1
expression in whole blood is similar across genotypes, despite expression being slightly biased toward the risk allele in heterozygotes. At the protein level, the protective His363 NIPA variant exhibits increased phosphorylation of a critical serine residue (Ser354) and higher protein expression as compared with the Arg363 variant. Binding experiments indicate that neither SKP1 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 1) nor CCNB1 binding were affected by the polymorphism. Despite similar nuclear distribution, NIPA His363 exhibits greater nuclear mobility. NIPA suppression results in a modest reduction of proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells, but given low proliferative capacity, a significant effect of the variant was not noted. By contrast, we demonstrate that the protective variant reduces cell proliferation in HeLa cells.

Conclusions—

These findings extend the genetic association between rs11556924 and coronary artery disease risk by characterizing its effects on the encoded protein, NIPA. The resulting amino acid change Arg363His is associated with increased expression and nuclear mobility, as well as lower rates of cell growth in HeLa cells, further supporting a role for cell proliferation in atherosclerosis and its clinical consequences.
Two Countries, Five Years: Islam in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through the Lens of Public Opinion Surveys
Authors: Junisbai Barbara , Junisbai Azamat , Zhussupov Baurzhan
Published: January 2017

Drawing on two waves of public opinion surveys conducted in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, we investigate the rise in religiosity and orthodoxy among Central Asian Muslims. We confirm that a religious revival is underway, with nearly 100 percent of Kazakhstani and Kyrgyzstani Muslims self-identifying as such in 2012—up from 80 percent in Kazakhstan in 2007. If we dig a bit deeper, however, we observe cross-national variations. Religious practice, as measured by daily prayer and weekly mosque attendance, is up in Kyrgyzstan, but has fallen in Kazakhstan. While the share of those who express preferences associated with religious orthodoxy has grown in both, this group has more than doubled in Kazakhstan. We attribute these differences to political context, both in terms of cross-national political variation and, within each country, variation based on regional differences.
Rhynchospora caduciglumis a new species of Rhynchospora section Glaucae and neotypification of Rhynchospora gollmeri (Cyperaceae)
Authors: WEBER PHILIPY , TREVISAN RAFAEL
Published: January 2017

Rhynchospora caduciglumis, a new species of Rhynchospora sect. Glaucae C.B. Clarke is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to R. polyantha Steud., but it has shorter spikelets (2.8–4.0 vs. 4.0–5.0 mm), fascicles with fewer spikelets, deciduous scales when the achenes are mature and narrower leaves (1.6–2.0 (–3) vs. 2.0–4.0 (–4.5) mm). Rhynchospora gollmeri Boeckeler is neotypified and its disjunct distribution between Venezuela and southeastern Brazil discussed.
Trends in India's External Trade in Rubber and Rubber Products
Authors: Joseph Joby , George K. Tharian , Joseph Toms
Published: January 2017

In a relative term, the assessment on the consequences of global trading regime governed by WTO in a significant way has been concerned with macro level issues compared to product specific studies from a national or global perspective. Several factors such as trade policy reforms initiated in a large number of countries or country groupings, rules of the WTO agreement, overriding importance of today's regional trade agreements and broad sectoral issues are influencing the behavioural patterns and equations of international trade. The popular academic and policy perspectives tend to treat product specific issues as an ensemble of broad sectoral issues. As a result, there exists a substantial paucity of product specific studies across countries. Attempts are made only when the issues surface beyond the scope of sectoral level survival or revival strategies. The long term implications of such a policy paradigm exposes the relevance of studies pertaining to the performance of individual product groups in the context of trade policy reforms.

In the light of this development, the paper makes an attempt to provide a detailed analysis of the trends in India's external trade in rubber and rubber products.