bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oligonucleotide-Lipid Conjugates Forming G-Quadruplex Structures Are Potent and Pangenotypic Hepatitis C Virus Entry Inhibitors
In Vitro
and
Ex Vivo
Authors: Koutsoudakis George , Paris de León Alexia , Herrera Carolina , Dorner Marcus , Pérez-Vilaró Gemma , Lyonnais Sébastien , Grijalvo Santiago , Eritja Ramon , Meyerhans Andreas , Mirambeau Gilles , Díez Juana
Published: February 2017

A hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic affecting HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) is expanding worldwide. In spite of the improved cure rates obtained with the new direct-acting antiviral drug (DAA) combinations, the high rate of reinfection within this population calls urgently for novel preventive interventions. In this study, we determined in cell culture and
ex vivo
experiments with human colorectal tissue that lipoquads, G-quadruplex DNA structures fused to cholesterol, are efficient HCV pangenotypic entry and cell-to-cell transmission inhibitors. Thus, lipoquads may be promising candidates for the development of rectally applied gels to prevent HCV transmission.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Isolate of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
melongenae
, the Causal Agent of
Fusarium
Wilt of Eggplant
Authors: Dong Zhangyong , Hsiang Tom , Luo Mei , Xiang Meimei
Published: February 2017

Here, we present the genome sequence of an isolate (14004) of
Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp.
melongenae
, an eggplant pathogen. The final assembly consists of 1,631 scaffolds with 53,986,354 bp (G+C content, 46.4%) and 16,485 predicted genes.
First Complete Genome Sequence of Marinilactibacillus piezotolerans Strain 15R, a Marine Lactobacillus Isolated from Coal-Bearing Sediment 2.0 Kilometers below the Seafloor, Determined by PacBio Single-Molecule Real-Time Technology
Authors: Wei Yuli , Cao Junwei , Fang Jiasong , Kato Chiaki , Cui Weicheng
Published: February 2017

Marinilactibacillus piezotolerans
strain 15R is a facultatively anaerobic heterotrophic lactobacillus isolated from deep marine subsurface sediment nearly 2 km below the seafloor in the northwestern Pacific. We report here the first whole-genome sequence of strain 15R. The identified genome sequence has 2,767,908 bp, 35.4% G+C content, and predicted 2,552 candidate protein-coding sequences, with no identified plasmids.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus cohnii subsp.
urealyticus
Isolated from a Healthy Dog
Authors: Bean David C. , Wigmore Sarah M. , Wareham David W.
Published: February 2017

Staphylococcus cohnii
subsp.
urealyticus
strain SW120 was isolated from the ear swab of a healthy dog. The isolate is resistant to methicillin and fusidic acid. The SW120 draft genome is 2,805,064 bp and contains 2,667 coding sequences, including 58 tRNAs and nine complete rRNA coding regions.
Complete Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa FA-HZ1, an Efficient Dibenzofuran-Degrading Bacterium
Authors: Ali Fawad , Hu Haiyang , Xu Ping , Tang Hongzhi
Published: February 2017

Pseudomonas
sp. FA-HZ1, an efficient dibenzofuran-degrading bacterium, was isolated from landfill leachate. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of strain FA-HZ1, which contains only one circular chromosome. The complete genome sequence will be essential for revealing the molecular mechanisms of dibenzofuran degradation.
Impact of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis on mental health, quality of life, and social contacts: a longitudinal study
Authors: Feng Xiaoqi , Astell-Burt Thomas
Published: February 2017

Aims

The aim was to examine whether a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis increases the odds of psychological distress, a worsening in overall quality of life, and a potential reduction in social contacts.

Method

Longitudinal data were obtained from the 45 and Up Study (baseline 2006–2008; 3.4±0.95 years follow-up time). Fixed effects logistic and negative binomial regression models were fitted on a complete case on outcome sample that did not report T2DM at baseline (N=26 344), adjusted for time-varying confounders. The key exposure was doctor-diagnosed T2DM at follow-up. Outcome variables examined included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, self-rated quality of life, and four indicators of social contacts.

Results

A modest increase in the odds of psychological distress associated with T2DM diagnosis (OR=1.30) was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.75 to 2.25). A T2DM diagnosis was associated with a fivefold increase in the odds of a participant reporting that their quality of life had become significantly poorer (OR 5.49, 95% CI 1.26 to 23.88). T2DM diagnosis was also associated with a reduction in times spent with friends and family (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.95), contacts by telephone (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.02), attendance at social clubs or religious groups (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.91), and the number of people nearby but outside the home that participants felt they could rely on (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.98).

Conclusions

A T2DM diagnosis can have important impacts on quality of life and on social contacts, which may have negative impacts on mental health and T2DM management in the longer term.
Using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy to identify diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy risk profiles in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Lewis Evan J H , Perkins Bruce A , Lovblom Lief E , Bazinet Richard P , Wolever Thomas M S , Bril Vera
Published: February 2017

Objective

Diabetic sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy (DSP) is the most prevalent complication in diabetes mellitus. Identifying DSP risk is essential for intervening early in the natural history of the disease. Small nerve fibers are affected earliest in the disease progression and evidence of this damage can be identified using in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM).

Research design and methods

We applied IVCCM to a cohort of 40 patients with type 1 diabetes to identify their DSP risk profile. We measured standard IVCCM parameters including corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), and performed nerve conduction studies and quantitative sensory testing.

Results

40 patients (53% female), with a mean age of 48±14, BMI 28.1±5.8, and diabetes duration of 27±18 years were enrolled between March 2014 and June 2015. Mean IVCCM CNFL was 12.0±5.2 mm/mm2(normal ≥15 mm/mm2). Ten patients (26%) without DSP were identified as being at risk of future DSP with mean CNFL 11.0±2.1 mm/mm2. Six patients (15%) were at low risk of future DSP with mean CNFL 19.0±4.6 mm/mm2, while 23 (59%) had established DSP with mean CNFL 10.5±4.5 mm/mm2.

Conclusions

IVCCM can be used successfully to identify the risk profile for DSP in patients with type 1 diabetes. This methodology may prove useful to classify patients for DSP intervention clinical trials.
Development, implementation and evaluation of a terminal and hospice care educational online module for preclinical students
Authors: Tse Chung Sang , Ellman Matthew S
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To explore the application of an online learning tool to teach preclinical medical students terminal and hospice care in a blended curricula.

Methods

We created and evaluated a 30 min interactive online module at the Yale School of Medicine. Second-year medical students were randomly assigned to complete the online module or not (control group) prior to attending a required half-day hospice clinical experience. We assessed the students' knowledge and attitudes with a 23-item survey.

Results

152 students (response rate 51%) participated in this study from 2012 to 2014. 56% (n=85) completed the online module, 37% (n=56) did not and 7% (n=11) did not indicate whether they had completed the module or not. Students who completed the online module prior to the hospice experience scored higher (p<0.05, two-way analysis of variance) on 5 out of 8 of the multiple choice questions pertaining to hospice and palliative care, but their attitudes were similar to those who did not complete the online module. Overall, the students felt somewhat uncomfortable caring for dying patients although they regarded it as a physician's duty and felt that palliative/hospice care education is important in medical school.

Conclusions

When combined with a mentored clinical hospice experience, an online module appears to enhance the teaching of the dying process and terminal care for preclinical medical students. This online module may prove useful for other institutions.
Association between bariatric surgery and rate of hospitalisations for stable angina pectoris in obese adults
Authors: Shimada Yuichi J , Tsugawa Yusuke , Iso Hiroyasu , Brown David FM , Hasegawa Kohei
Published: February 2017

Objective

Obesity and stable angina pectoris (SAP) are important public health problems in the USA. However, little is known about whether weight reduction affects the rate of SAP-related morbidities. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that bariatric surgery is associated with a lower rate of hospitalisations for SAP in obese adults.

Methods

We performed a self-controlled case series study of obese adults with SAP who underwent bariatric surgery using a population-based inpatient database in three states (California, Florida and Nebraska) from 2005 to 2011. The primary outcome was hospitalisation for SAP. We used conditional logistic regression to compare the rate of the outcome event during sequential 12-month periods, using presurgery months 13–24 as a reference period.

Results

Our sample consisted of 953 patients with SAP who underwent bariatric surgery. The median age was 57 years, 51% were women, and 78% were non-Hispanic white. During the reference period, 25.3% (95%CI, 22.5% to 28.1%) had a hospitalisation for SAP. The rate remained stable in the subsequent 12-month presurgery period (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.84 (95% CI, 0.69 to 1.02); p=0.07). In the first 12-month period after bariatric surgery, we observed a significantly lower rate (9.1% (95% CI, 7.3% to 11.0%); aOR 0.33 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.43); p<0.0001). Similarly, the rate remained significantly lower in the subsequent 13–24 months after bariatric surgery (8.7% (95% CI, 6.9% to 10.5%); aOR 0.31 (95% CI, 0.24 to 0.41); p<0.0001).

Conclusion

In this population-based study of obese adults with SAP, we found that the rate of hospitalisations for SAP was lower by two-thirds after bariatric surgery.
The impact of between analytical platform variability on the classification of pleural effusions into exudate or transudate using Light's criteria
Authors: Cornes Michael P , Chadburn Andrew J , Thomas Claire , Darby Catherine , Webster Rachel , Ford Clare , Gama Rousseau
Published: February 2017

Background

Light's criteria are ratios of pleural fluid to serum total protein (TP), pleural fluid to serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pleural fluid LDH to the upper reference limit for serum LDH. They are used to classify pleural effusions into an exudate or transudate when pleural fluid protein is 25–35 g/L. We evaluated the impact of between analytical platforms on the classification of pleural effusions using Light's criteria.

Methods

Light's criteria were used to classify pleural effusions with fluid TP between 25 and 35 g/L into exudate and transudate. LDH and TP were analysed using an Abbott ARCHITECT c16000 analyser using a lactate to pyruvate method for LDH and two Roche Cobas 800 c702 analysers, one using a lactate to pyruvate method (laboratory B) and one a lactate to pyruvate method (laboratory C).

Results

Eighty-three paired serum and pleural fluid samples were analysed. Of these, 44 samples had a pleural fluid TP between 25 and 35 g/L and were classified according to Light's criteria. Classification of pleural fluid into transudate or exudate using different analytical platforms was 82% concordant. The LDH ratio and TP ratio were similar in laboratory B and laboratory C, but these were respectively lower (p<0.001) and higher (p<0.001) than those at laboratory A.

Conclusions

Although Light's criteria are ratios, which should minimise interassay variability, we report 18% discordance between different analytical platforms. The discordance was largely due to the performance of LDH and to a lesser extent protein assays in pleural fluid. Laboratories should be aware that assays may perform differently in serum and pleural fluid.
Bovine TB infection status in cattle in Great Britain in 2015
Authors: Harris K. A. , Brunton L. , Brouwer A. , Garcia M. P. Romero , Gibbens J. C. , Smith N. H. , Upton P. A.
Published: February 2017

This report, provided by the APHA, presents the key descriptive epidemiological parameters of bovine TB in cattle in Great Britain from January 1 to December 31, 2015, providing summary information on the epidemic, including key statistics and epidemiological parameters as presented in the annual surveillance report for Great Britain, with supporting detail from specific reports for England and Wales. It updates the previous annual summaries for 2012 to 2014, also published in Veterinary Record.
Chemical effects on K shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios of 3d transition metal compounds
Authors: Küçükönder Adnan , Saka Emine Kübra
Published: February 2017

The chemical effects on the K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios for 3d elements were investigated. We used the fluorescence parameters, such as σt(E) the total atomic cross section, σts(E) the total atomic scattering cross sections, Kα production cross sections, Kβ/Kα X-rays intensity ratios, and ωK the K shell fluorescence yields. The theoretical total attenuation and scattering cross sections were computed from the XCOM data program. Kα X-ray production cross sections were calculated using the experimental values for 3d elements and compounds. We used the experimental Kβ/Kα intensity ratios and K shell fluorescence yields ωK. K-shell absorption jump factors and jump ratios are changed by chemical effect for different 3d compounds. The obtained values were compared with the theoretical and experimental ones for the pure elements.
Optimization of Selective Growth of SiGe for Source/Drain in 14nm and Beyond Nodes FinFETs
Authors: Radamson Henry H. , Luo Jun , Qin Changliang , Yin Huaxiang , Zhu Huilong , Zhao Chao , Wang Guilei
Published: February 2017

In this work, optimization of selective epitaxy growth (SEG) of SiGe layers on source/drain (S/D) areas in 14nm node FinFETs with high-k & metal gate has been presented. The Ge content in epilayers was in range of 30%-40% with boron concentration of 1-3 × 1020 cm−3. The strain distribution in the transistor structure due to SiGe as stressor material in S/D was simulated and these results were used as feedback to design the layer profile. The epitaxy parameters were optimized to improve the layer quality and strain amount of SiGe layers. The in-situ cleaning of Si fins was crucial to grow high quality layers and a series of experiments were performed in range of 760-825 °C. The results demonstrated that the thermal budget has to be within 780-800 °C in order to remove the native oxide but also to avoid any harm to the shape of Si fins. The Ge content in SiGe layers was directly determined from the misfit parameters obtained from reciprocal space mappings using synchrotron radiation. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique was used to deposit HfO2 as high-k dielectric and B-doped W layer as metal gate to fill the gate trench. This type of ALD metal gate has decent growth rate, low resistivity and excellent capability to fill the gate trench with high aspect-ratio. Finally, the electrical characteristics of fabricated FinFETs were demonstrated and discussed.
Model-Based Hybrid Cooperative Control of Hip-Knee Exoskeleton and FES Induced Ankle Muscles for Gait Rehabilitation
Authors: Tu Xikai , Li Jiaxin , Li Jian , Su Chen , Zhang Shali , Li Haoran , Cao Jingyan , He Jiping
Published: February 2017

To regain mobility, stroke patients need to receive repetitive and intensive therapy. Robot-assisted rehabilitation is an active area of research. Cheap robotic leg rehabilitation devices should be developed to meet the demands and assist most patients. A low cost hip-knee exoskeleton prototype powered by pneumatic muscles was developed. On this basis, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) induced paralyzed muscles to realize ankle joint rehabilitation training. These three ankle muscles: the tibialis anterior, the soleus, and the gastrocnemius under electrical stimulation cooperated together to realize optimally coordinated control of dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion movement. As both of pneumatic muscle and FES induced muscle possess highly nonlinear characteristics, a sliding control algorithm called Chattering mitigation Robust Variable Control (CRVC) was applied to leg hybrid rehabilitation. The combination of exoskeleton and FES is a promising way to reduce the cost and the complexity of designing hip-knee-ankle exoskeleton. The proposed hybrid method was verified by treadmill-based gait training experiments.
Public Sentiments Analysis Based on Fuzzy Logic for Text
Authors: Wang Xinzhi , Zhang Hui , Xu Zheng
Published: February 2017

Sentiment analysis from microblog platform has received an increasing interest from web mining community in recent years. Current sentiment analysis methods are mainly based on the hypothesis that each word expresses only one sentiment. However, human sentiment are prototyped and fuzzy-confined as declared in social psychology, which is conflicting with the hypothesis. This is one of the barriers that impede the computation of complex public sentiment of web events in microblog. Therefore, how to find a reasonable computational model, combining learning technology and human sentiment cognition theory, is a novel idea in event sentiment analysis of microblog. In this paper, a new sentiment computation approach, which is defined as public sentiments discriminator (PSD), considering both fuzzy logic and sentiment complexity, is proposed. Unlike traditional machine learning methods, PSD is based on the rational hypothesis that sentiments are correlated with each other. A three-level computing structure, sentiment-term level, microblog level and public sentiment level, is employed. Experiments show that the proposed approach, PSD, can achieve similar accuracy and [Formula: see text]1-measure but more cognitive results when compared with traditional well-known machine learning methods. These experimental studies have confirmed that PSD can generate an interpretable result with no restriction among sentiments.
Exploring and Enabling DevOps for Data Analytical System with Essential Demands Elicitation
Authors: Zheng Jiabin , Liu Yan , Lin Jin
Published: February 2017

DevOps is an emerging concept and methodology for bridging the gap in the process of software development. At present, applying DevOps to data analytical system (DAS) is increasingly embraced. But the characteristics of this system, such as data protection, always leads to a series of constrains. It results in more difficulty of conducting DevOps on DAS. Moreover, there are no DevOps solutions for reference. Therefore, exploring DevOps for DAS is valuable. In this paper, we illustrate DevOps demands of DAS from different perspectives, and constantly emphasize the importance of automation toolchain. Based on them, a process model for DAS DevOps (D2Ops) is proposed to clarify participants activities. In order to improve the efficiency, we attempt to integrate the automation toolchain. With the consideration of stability, six generic process components are designed to support this model. They can be the selection criteria for specific automation tools. We also present a reference facility based on these generic process components, and illustrate its implementation combining with a practical case. Furthermore, for a better D2Ops practice, the cross-cutting concerns are considered from the perspective of its data intensive trait.
On the atoms of algebraic lattices arising in 𝔮-theory
Authors: Egri-Nagy Attila , Jackson Marcel , Rhodes John , Steinberg Benjamin
Published: February 2017

We determine many of the atoms of the algebraic lattices arising in [Formula: see text]-theory of finite semigroups.
Complete κ-reducibility of pseudovarieties of the form DRH
Authors: Almeida Jorge , Borlido Célia
Published: February 2017

We denote by [Formula: see text] the implicit signature that contains the multiplication and the [Formula: see text]-power. It is proved that for any completely [Formula: see text]-reducible pseudovariety of groups [Formula: see text], the pseudovariety [Formula: see text] of all finite semigroups whose regular [Formula: see text]-classes are groups in [Formula: see text] is completely [Formula: see text]-reducible as well. The converse also holds. The tools used by Almeida, Costa, and Zeitoun for proving that the pseudovariety of all finite [Formula: see text]-trivial monoids is completely [Formula: see text]-reducible are adapted for the general setting of a pseudovariety of the form [Formula: see text].
Representation of virtual braid groups to rook algebras and virtual links invariants
Authors: Gotin Konstantin
Published: February 2017

In 2011, Bigelow, Ramos and Yi constructed a representation of the group [Formula: see text] to subalgebra of planar diagrams [Formula: see text] of the rook algebra [Formula: see text]. We show that this representation of classical braid groups to the rook algebras can be extended to a representation of the virtual braid groups. This representation is used for constructing invariants of virtual links.
EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR AVERAGE TRAPPING TIME OF RANDOM WALKS ON WEIGHTED SCALE-FREE NETWORKS
Authors: XING CHANGMING , ZHANG YIGONG , MA JUN , YANG LIN , GUO LEI
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we present two deterministic weighted scale-free networks controlled by a weight parameter [Formula: see text]. One is fractal network, the other one is non-fractal network, while they have the same weight distribution when the parameter [Formula: see text] is identical. Based on their special network structure, we study random walks on network with a trap located at a fixed node. For each network, we calculate exact solutions for average trapping time (ATT). Analyzing and comparing the obtained solutions, we find that their ATT all grow asymptotically as a power-law function of network order (number of nodes) with the exponent [Formula: see text] dependent on the weight parameter, but their exponent [Formula: see text] are obviously different, one is an increasing function of [Formula: see text], while the other is opposite. Collectively, all the obtained results show that the efficiency of trapping on weighted Scale-free networks has close relation to the weight distribution, but there is no stable positive or negative correlation between the weight distribution and the trapping time on different networks. We hope these results given in this paper could help us get deeper understanding about the weight distribution on the property and dynamics of scale-free networks.
STUDYING STRUCTURAL, OPTICAL, ELECTRICAL, AND SENSING PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE SnO2:Cu FILMS PREPARED BY SOL–GEL METHOD FOR CO GAS SENSOR APPLICATION AT LOW TEMPERATURE
Authors: AL-JAWAD SELMA M. H. , ELTTAYF ABDULHUSSAIN K. , SABER AMEL S.
Published: February 2017

Nanocrystalline SnO2 and SnO2:Cu thin films derived from SnCl[Formula: see text]H2O precursors have been prepared on glass substrates using sol–gel dip-coating technique. The deposited film was [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm thick and the films were annealed in air at 500[Formula: see text]C for 1[Formula: see text]h. Structural, optical and sensing properties of the films were studied under different preparation conditions, such as Cu-doping concentration of 2%, 4% and 6[Formula: see text]wt.%. X-ray diffraction studies show the polycrystalline nature with tetragonal rutile structure of SnO2 and Cu:SnO2 thin films. The films have highly preferred orientation along (110). The crystallite size of the prepared samples reduced with increasing Cu-doping concentrations and the addition of Cu as dopants changed the structural properties of the thin films. Surface morphology was determined through scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Results show that the particle size decreased as doping concentration increased. The films have moderate optical transmission (up to 82.4% at 800[Formula: see text]nm), and the transmittance, absorption coefficient and energy gap at different Cu-doping concentration were measured and calculated. Results show that Cu-doping decreased the transmittance and energy gap whereas it increased the absorption coefficient. Two peaks were noted with Cu-doping concentration of 0–6[Formula: see text]wt.%; the first peak was positioned exactly at 320[Formula: see text]nm ultraviolet emission and the second was positioned at 430–480[Formula: see text]nm. Moreover, emission bands were noticed in the photoluminescence spectra of Cu:SnO2. The electrical properties of SnO2 films include DC electrical conductivity, showing that the films have two activation energies, namely, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], which increase as Cu-doping concentration increases. Cudoped nanocrystalline SnO2 gas-sensing material has better sensitivity to CO gas compared with pure SnO2.
B4C-MODIFIED SiO2-PHENOLIC COMPOSITES FOR ENHANCED ABLATION RESISTANCE
Authors: LI MAOYUAN , LU LIN , DAI ZHEN , HONG YIQIANG , CHEN WEIWEI , ZHANG YUPING , QIAO YINGJIE
Published: February 2017

In the present paper, the silica-phenolic composite (S-Ph) composites with different amount of B4C were prepared, and the ablation tests of these composites were carried out using oxygen–acetylene jet. The ablation process was systematically investigated. The addition of B4C with appropriate amount can efficiently improve the ablation resistance of S-Ph. The results showed that S-Ph containing B4C powder of 2[Formula: see text]wt.% exhibited the lowest linear and mass ablation rate. The influence mechanism for the results was analyzed deeply. The surface morphologies, phase composition, density and thermal conductivity of composites were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Archimedes method, and thermal conductivity meter, respectively. The present investigation will provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of the ablation resistant material.
Bilinear decompositions of products of local Hardy and Lipschitz or BMO spaces through wavelets
Authors: Cao Jun , Ky Luong Dang , Yang Dachun
Published: February 2017

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the local Hardy space in the sense of D. Goldberg. In this paper, the authors establish two bilinear decompositions of the product spaces of [Formula: see text] and their dual spaces. More precisely, the authors prove that [Formula: see text] and, for any [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the local BMO space, [Formula: see text], for any [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the inhomogeneous Lipschitz space and [Formula: see text] a variant of the local Orlicz–Hardy space related to the Orlicz function [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text] which was introduced by Bonami and Feuto. As an application, the authors establish a div-curl lemma at the endpoint case.
Transformations preserving the Lyapunov exponents
Authors: Barreira Luis , Valls Claudia
Published: February 2017

We give a complete characterization of the existence of Lyapunov coordinate changes bringing an invertible sequence of matrices to one in block form. In other words, we give a criterion for the block-trivialization of a nonautonomous dynamics with discrete time while preserving the asymptotic properties of the dynamics. We provide two nontrivial applications of this criterion: we show that any Lyapunov regular sequence of invertible matrices can be transformed by a Lyapunov coordinate change into a constant diagonal sequence; and we show that the family of all coordinate changes preserving simultaneously the Lyapunov exponents of all sequences of invertible matrices (with finite exponent) coincides with the family of Lyapunov coordinate changes.
Matrix regularizing effects of Gaussian perturbations
Authors: Aizenman Michael , Peled Ron , Schenker Jeffrey , Shamis Mira , Sodin Sasha
Published: February 2017

The addition of noise has a regularizing effect on Hermitian matrices. This effect is studied here for [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the base matrix and [Formula: see text] is sampled from the GOE or the GUE random matrix ensembles. We bound the mean number of eigenvalues of [Formula: see text] in an interval, and present tail bounds for the distribution of the Frobenius and operator norms of [Formula: see text] and for the distribution of the norm of [Formula: see text] applied to a fixed vector. The bounds are uniform in [Formula: see text] and exceed the actual suprema by no more than multiplicative constants. The probability of multiple eigenvalues in an interval is also estimated.
Towards sharp Bohnenblust–Hille constants
Authors: Pellegrino Daniel , Teixeira Eduardo V.
Published: February 2017

We investigate the optimality problem associated with the best constants in a class of Bohnenblust–Hille-type inequalities for [Formula: see text]-linear forms. While germinal estimates indicated an exponential growth, in this work we provide strong evidences to the conjecture that the sharp constants in the classical Bohnenblust–Hille inequality are universally bounded, irrespectively of the value of [Formula: see text]; hereafter referred as the Universality Conjecture. In our approach, we introduce the notions of entropy and complexity, designed to measure, to some extent, the complexity of such optimization problems. We show that the notion of entropy is critically connected to the Universality Conjecture; for instance, that if the entropy grows at most exponentially with respect to [Formula: see text], then the optimal constants of the [Formula: see text]-linear Bohnenblust–Hille inequality for real scalars are indeed bounded universally with respect to [Formula: see text]. It is likely that indeed the entropy grows as [Formula: see text], and in this scenario, we show that the optimal constants are precisely [Formula: see text]. In the bilinear case, [Formula: see text], we show that any extremum of the Littlewood’s [Formula: see text] inequality has entropy [Formula: see text] and complexity [Formula: see text], and thus we are able to classify all extrema of the problem. We also prove that, for any mixed [Formula: see text]-Littlewood inequality, the entropy do grow exponentially and the sharp constants for such a class of inequalities are precisely [Formula: see text]. In addition to the notions of entropy and complexity, the approach we develop in this work makes decisive use of a family of strongly non-symmetric [Formula: see text]-linear forms, which has further consequences to the theory, as we explain herein.
Quadratic systems with an invariant conic having Darboux invariants
Authors: Llibre Jaume , Oliveira Regilene
Published: February 2017

The complete characterization of the phase portraits of real planar quadratic vector fields is very far from being accomplished. As it is almost impossible to work directly with the whole class of quadratic vector fields because it depends on twelve parameters, we reduce the number of parameters to five by using the action of the group of real affine transformations and time rescaling on the class of real quadratic differential systems. Using this group action, we obtain normal forms for the class of quadratic systems that we want to study with at most five parameters. Then working with these normal forms, we complete the characterization of the phase portraits in the Poincaré disc of all planar quadratic polynomial differential systems having an invariant conic [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text], and a Darboux invariant of the form [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
An improved Leray–Trudinger inequality
Authors: Mallick Arka , Tintarev Cyril
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we derive the following Leray–Trudinger type inequality on a bounded domain [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] containing the origin. [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] Here, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] This improves an earlier result by Psaradakis and Spector. Also, we prove that for any [Formula: see text] in the place of [Formula: see text], the above inequality is false if we take [Formula: see text].
Gröbner–Shirshov pair of irreducible modules over quantized enveloping algebra of type An
Authors: Tunyaz Rabigul , Obul Abdukadir
Published: February 2017

In this paper, first, we give a Gröbner–Shirshov pair of finite-dimensional irreducible module [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] the quantized enveloping algebra of type [Formula: see text] by using the double free module method and the known Gröbner–Shirshov basis of [Formula: see text] Then, by specializing a suitable version of [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] we get a Gröbner–Shirshov basis of [Formula: see text] and get a Gröbner–Shirshov pair for the finite-dimensional irreducible module [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text].
An integer sequence and standard monomials
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Kumar Chanchal
Published: February 2017

For an (oriented) graph [Formula: see text] on the vertex set [Formula: see text] (rooted at [Formula: see text]), Postnikov and Shapiro (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 356 (2004) 3109–3142) associated a monomial ideal [Formula: see text] in the polynomial ring [Formula: see text] over a field [Formula: see text] such that the number of standard monomials of [Formula: see text] equals the number of (oriented) spanning trees of [Formula: see text] and hence, [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the truncated Laplace matrix of [Formula: see text]. The standard monomials of [Formula: see text] correspond bijectively to the [Formula: see text]-parking functions. In this paper, we study a monomial ideal [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] having rich combinatorial properties. We show that the minimal free resolution of the monomial ideal [Formula: see text] is the cellular resolution supported on a subcomplex of the first barycentric subdivision [Formula: see text] of an [Formula: see text] simplex [Formula: see text]. The integer sequence [Formula: see text] has many interesting properties. In particular, we obtain a formula, [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], similar to [Formula: see text].
Totally acyclic complexes and locally Gorenstein rings
Authors: Christensen Lars Winther , Kato Kiriko
Published: February 2017

A commutative noetherian ring with a dualizing complex is Gorenstein if and only if every acyclic complex of injective modules is totally acyclic. We extend this characterization, which is due to Iyengar and Krause, to arbitrary commutative noetherian rings, i.e. we remove the assumption about a dualizing complex. In this context Gorenstein, of course, means locally Gorenstein at every prime.
Sparse Bayesian linear regression using generalized normal priors
Authors: Zhang Hai , Wang Puyu , Dong Qing , Wang Pu
Published: February 2017

A sparse Bayesian linear regression model is proposed that generalizes the Bayesian Lasso to a class of Bayesian models with scale mixtures of normal distributions as priors for the regression coefficients. We assume a hierarchical Bayesian model with a binary indicator for whether a predictor variable is included in the model, a generalized normal prior distribution for the coefficients of the included variables, and a Student-t error model for robustness to heavy tailed noise. Our model out-performs other popular sparse regression estimators on synthetic and real data.
k-essence for warm inflation on the brane
Authors: Sebastiani Lorenzo , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: February 2017

In this paper, [Formula: see text]-inflation is analyzed in warm braneworld scenario. A general class of [Formula: see text]-essence models with power-law kinetic term is investigated and weak and strong dissipation regimes are studied. Scalar perturbations and spectral index are derived. The results are discussed and applied to specific examples.
Unified Space–Time Finite Element Methods for Dissipative Continua Dynamics
Authors: Kim Jinkyu , Dargush Gary F. , Roh Hwasung , Ryu Jaeho , Kim Dongkeon
Published: February 2017

Based upon the extended framework of Hamilton’s principle, unified space–time finite element methods for viscoelastic and viscoplastic continuum dynamics are presented, respectively. For numerical efficiency, mixed time-step algorithm in time- and displacement-based algorithm in space are adopted. Through analytical investigation, we demonstrate that the Newmark’s constant average acceleration method and the present method are the same for viscoelasticity. With spatial eight-node brick elements, some numerical simulations are undertaken to validate and investigate the performance of the present non-iterative space–time finite element method for viscoplasticity.
Wave Tank Testing of a Pendulum Wave Energy Converter 1:12 Scale Model
Authors: Nicola Pozzi , Giovanni Bracco , Biagio Passione , Antonello Sirigu Sergej , Giacomo Vissio , Giuliana Mattiazzo , Gianmaria Sannino
Published: February 2017

Wave Energy is a widespread, reliable renewable energy source. The early study on Wave Energy dates back in the 70’s, with a particular effort in the last and present decade to make Wave Energy Converters (WECs) more profitable and predictable. The PeWEC (Pendulum Wave Energy Converter) is a pendulum-based WEC. The research activities described in the present work aim to develop a pendulum converter for the Mediterranean Sea, where waves are shorter, thus with a higher frequency compared to the ocean waves, a characteristic well agreeing with the PeWEC frequency response. The mechanical equations of the device are developed and coupled with the hydrodynamic Cummins equation. The work deals with the design and experimental tank test of a 1:12 scale prototype. The experimental data recorded during the testing campaign are used to validate the numerical model previously described. The numerical model proved to be in good agreement with the experiments.
Plastic Limit Analysis of Modified 9Cr-1Mo Steel Pressure Vessel Containing Volume Defect with Creep Damage Law
Authors: Du Xianhe , Zhang Jie , Peng Heng , Liu Yinghua
Published: February 2017

A numerical method for evaluating the plastic limit load of modified 9Cr-1Mo steel pressure vessel structures containing volume defect at [Formula: see text]C is proposed based on the plastic limit load concept under high temperature. Firstly, the creep analysis of the defected pressure vessel is conducted with the Liu–Murakami creep model to obtain the creep damage after a prescribed service time. Secondly, the obtained creep damage is introduced into Ramberg–Osgood model through the hardness ratio to characterize the material deterioration during the creep process. Thirdly, the plastic limit load of the defected pressure vessel under high temperature is obtained through the classic zero curvature criterion with the modified Ramberg–Osgood model. The numerical examples for the pressure vessels with different sizes of volume defects are performed, and the failure modes of pressure vessel structures at the limit state are revealed and the fitting formulae between the plastic limit load ratio and the dimensionless defect factor are established based on the numerical results. Results show that the plastic limit load and the service time of pressure vessel structures under high temperature are sensitive to the volume defect ratio and can be determined easily through the fitting formulae which are convenient for engineering applications.
The Mechanical Properties of Hierarchical Truss-Walled Lattice Materials
Authors: Sun Fangfang , Zheng Qing , Fan Hualin , Fang Daining
Published: February 2017

To construct a hierarchical lattice structure (HLS), truss wall is introduced into ordinary lattice structure (OLS). Young’s modulus, yield strength and buckling stress of HLSs were evaluated theoretically. Failure maps of different HLSs were plotted and compared based on the theoretical analyses. It is indicated that mechanical behaviors of hexagonal HLSs made of triangular lattice walls can be greatly enhanced by the hierarchical wall structure, while properties of triangular HLSs are weakened, except the anti-buckling resistance. When HLSs are made of bending-dominated honeycomb walls, their properties will be reduced, indicating that hierarchical structure should be appropriately designed to make ultra-light structures benefit from this construction. This viewpoint is strengthened by the discussions on the performances of high order lattice structures, where only bending-dominated HLSs with stretching-dominated lattice wall benefit from the hierarchy.
Core–shell Si/Cu nanocomposites synthesized by self-limiting surface reaction as anodes for lithium ion batteries
Authors: Xu Kaiqi , Zhang Zhizhen , Su Wei , Huang Xuejie
Published: February 2017

Core–shell Si/Cu nanocomposites were synthesized via a flexible self-limiting surface reaction without extra reductant for the first time. The nano Si was uniformly coated with Cu nanoparticles with a diameter of 5–10[Formula: see text]nm, which can enhance the electronic conductivity of the nanocomposites and buffer the huge volume change during charge/discharge owing to its high ductility. Benefited from the unique structure, the Si/Cu nanocomposites exhibited a good electrochemical performance as anodes for lithium ion batteries, which exhibited a capacity retention of 656[Formula: see text]mAh/g after 50 cycles and a coulombic efficiency of more than 99%.
Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber
Authors: Mensah Kwesi , Choi Jong Min
Published: February 2017

Temperature and humidity chambers are used to simulate many thermal-environmental conditions, as well as to observe the effects that a range of temperature and humidity have on a product or material at the manufacturing stage. The energy consumption and accuracy of these test chambers over the last decades have raised concerns for recent researchers. In this study, the energy consumption and stability of a temperature and humidity chamber was investigated under various operating and environmental conditions by adopting a variable speed compressor to the refrigeration unit. The accuracy of temperature and humidity was also investigated. It is found that, for a given surrounding environmental condition, as the dry bulb temperature conditions of the temperature and humidity chambers increased, the cooling capacity of the system increased while the refrigerating unit’s power decreased for all operating conditions. However, the total energy consumption of the test unit increased due to an increment in the electric heater output. In maintaining effective stability of temperature and humidity test chambers, it is observed that, varying the refrigeration unit capacity by adjusting compressor speed has the potential for reducing the temperature and relative humidity fluctuations within the chamber for a given operating condition. Adopting a variable speed compressor to the refrigerating unit, have the potential for reducing the energy consumption significantly according to increment of setting temperature of the chamber as well as ensuring system stability for temperature and humidity chambers.
Deconstructing metabolic inflammation using cellular systems
Authors: Chan Kenny L. , Boroumand Parastoo , Milanski Marciane , Pillon Nicolas J. , Bilan Philip J. , Klip Amira
Published: February 2017

Over the past years, we have embarked in a systematic analysis of the effect of obesity or fatty acids on circulating monocytes, microvascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and skeletal muscle cells. With the use of cell culture strategies, we have deconstructed complex physiological systems and then reconstructed “partial equations” to better understand cell-to-cell communication. Through these approaches, we identified that in high saturated fat environments, cell-autonomous proinflammatory pathways are activated in monocytes and endothelial cells, promoting monocyte adhesion and transmigration. We think of this as a paradigm of the conditions promoting immune cell infiltration into tissues during obesity. In concert, it is possible that muscle and adipose tissue secrete immune cell chemoattractants, and indeed, our tissue culture reconstructions reveal that myotubes treated with the saturated fatty acid palmitate, but not the unsaturated fatty acid palmitoleate, release nucleotides that attract monocytes and other compounds that promote proinflammatory classically activated “(M1)-like” polarization in macrophages. In addition, palmitate directly triggers an M1-like macrophage phenotype, and secretions from these activated macrophages confer insulin resistance to target muscle cells. Together, these studies suggest that in pathophysiological conditions of excess fat, the muscle, endothelial and immune cells engage in a synergistic crosstalk that exacerbates tissue inflammation, leukocyte infiltration, polarization, and consequent insulin resistance.
Cell therapy for GI motility disorders: comparison of cell sources and proposed steps for treating Hirschsprung disease
Authors: Stamp Lincon A.
Published: February 2017

Cell therapeutic approaches to treat a range of congenital and degenerative neuropathies are under intense investigation. There have been recent significant advancements in the development of cell therapy to treat disorders of the enteric nervous system (ENS), enteric neuropathies. These advances include the efficient generation of enteric neural progenitors from pluripotent stem cells and the rescue of a Hirschsprung disease model mouse following their transplantation into the bowel. Furthermore, a recent study provides evidence of functional innervation of the bowel muscle by neurons derived from transplanted ENS-derived neural progenitors. This mini-review discusses these recent findings, compares endogenous ENS-derived progenitors and pluripotent stem cell-derived progenitors as a cell source for therapy, and proposes the key steps for cell therapy to treat Hirschsprung disease.