bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maximal n-generated subdirect products
Authors: Berman Joel
Published: December 2015

For [Formula: see text] a positive integer and [Formula: see text] a finite set of finite algebras, let [Formula: see text] denote the largest [Formula: see text]-generated subdirect product whose subdirect factors are algebras in [Formula: see text]. When [Formula: see text] is the set of all [Formula: see text]-generated subdirectly irreducible algebras in a locally finite variety [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is the free algebra [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] free generators for [Formula: see text]. For a finite algebra [Formula: see text] the algebra [Formula: see text] is the largest [Formula: see text]-generated subdirect power of [Formula: see text]. For every [Formula: see text] and finite [Formula: see text] we provide an upper bound on the cardinality of [Formula: see text]. This upper bound depends only on [Formula: see text] and these basic parameters: the cardinality of the automorphism group of [Formula: see text], the cardinalities of the subalgebras of [Formula: see text], and the cardinalities of the equivalence classes of certain equivalence relations arising from congruence relations of [Formula: see text]. Using this upper bound on [Formula: see text]-generated subdirect powers of [Formula: see text], as [Formula: see text] ranges over the [Formula: see text]-generated subdirectly irreducible algebras in [Formula: see text], we obtain an upper bound on [Formula: see text]. And if all the [Formula: see text]-generated subdirectly irreducible algebras in [Formula: see text] have congruence lattices that are chains, then we characterize in several ways those [Formula: see text] for which this upper bound is obtained.
FERROMAGNETISM IN SEMICONDUCTOR C–Ni FILMS AT DIFFERENT ANNEALING TEMPERATURE
Authors: DALOUJI VALI , ELAHI SMOHAMMAD
Published: December 2015

In this work, the microstructure and magnetic properties of carbon–nickel (C–Ni) composite films annealed at different temperatures (300–1000[Formula: see text]C) were investigated. The films were grown by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on quartz substrates at room temperature. The nickel concentration in the films are affected by changing of the value of evaporation nickel atoms and measured by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS). Values of coercive field were measured under both increasing and decreasing applied magnetic field. It is shown that the coercive field of films strongly dependent on the annealing temperature and at 500[Formula: see text]C films has maximum value of 93.67[Formula: see text]Oe. The difference in the coercive fields increased for films annealed from 300 to 500[Formula: see text]C and then decreased from 500 to 1000[Formula: see text]C. The ID/IG ratio of Raman spectra would indicate the presence of higher sp2 bonded carbon in the films annealed at 800[Formula: see text]C.
INFLUENCE OF THE SUBSTRATE ON THE CRYSTALLINE PHASE AND MORPHOLOGY OF POLY (VINYLIDENE FLUORIDE) (PVDF) THIN FILM
Authors: ABDULLAH IBTISAM YAHYA , YAHAYA MUHAMMAD , JUMALI MOHAMMAD HAFIZUDDIN HJ , SHANSHOOL HAIDER MOHAMMED
Published: December 2015

The effect of substrate on the crystalline phase and morphology of the poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) thin film has been investigated. The solution of PVDF/Hexamethyl phosphoramide (HMPA) was deposited on four different substrates, namely, silicon (Si), glass (SiO2), indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and silver (Ag) coated glass respectively by using the spin coating technique. The crystalline structure was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. The morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD demonstrated that the structure of PVDF thin films on each substrate is [Formula: see text]-phase with different orientations of the molecular chains. FTIR results confirmed XRD that the samples contain [Formula: see text]-phase. SEM shows spherulites structure, which is rough and porous, besides, the size of spherulites and the porosity are different for each sample. The size of spherulites is in average diameter range (1–6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m) and this range is attributed to the [Formula: see text]-phase. The nucleation process of [Formula: see text]-phase on the various substrates attributed either to the match of polymer-substrate or to the electrostatic interaction. Among the substrates used, the ITO substrate exhibited a greater tendency for [Formula: see text]-phase formation.
Rényi’s parking problem revisited
Authors: Clay Matthew P. , Simányi Nándor J.
Published: December 2015

Rényi’s parking problem (or 1D sequential interval packing problem) dates back to 1958, when Rényi studied the following random process: Consider an interval [Formula: see text] of length [Formula: see text], and sequentially and randomly pack disjoint unit intervals in [Formula: see text] until the remaining space prevents placing any new segment. The expected value of the measure of the covered part of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text], so that the ratio [Formula: see text] is the expected filling density of the random process. Following recent work by Gargano et al. [4], we studied the discretized version of the above process by considering the packing of the 1D discrete lattice interval [Formula: see text] with disjoint blocks of [Formula: see text] integers but, as opposed to the mentioned [4] result, our exclusion process is symmetric, hence more natural. Furthermore, we were able to obtain useful recursion formulas for the expected number of [Formula: see text]-gaps ([Formula: see text]) between neighboring blocks. We also provided very fast converging series and extensive computer simulations for these expected numbers, so that the limiting filling density of the long line segment (as [Formula: see text]) is Rényi’s famous parking constant, [Formula: see text]
Subalgebras of the Gerstenhaber algebra of differential operators
Authors: Bratchikov A. V.
Published: December 2015

We construct a family of subalgebras of the Gerstenhaber algebra of differential operators. The subalgebras are labeled by subsets of the additive group [Formula: see text] that are closed under addition. Each subalgebra is invariant under the Hochschild coboundary operator.
Fabrication and Characterization of Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Thin Films by Sol–Gel Technique
Authors: Rahman M. F. , Miglioli L.
Published: December 2015

In this work, thin lead zirconate titanate, Pb[Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]]O3(PZT) films have been developed from a novel sol–gel route. The sol–gel films were deposited by spin coating method. Isopropanol-based solution was used for its less toxic property. Gold (Au), platinum (Pt) and indium tin oxide (ITO) were used as substrates. Homogeneous polycrystalline films with (110) preferred orientation were obtained from all the films. The films behaved as ferroelectric material where dielectric constant at 0[Formula: see text]V for the films obtained from Au, Pt and ITO substrates were 484, 770 and 655, respectively. The coercive field values were around 10–15[Formula: see text]KV/cm which revealed that the films were soft ferroelectric.
Fabrication and Characterization of High-Crystalline Nanoporous ZnO Thin Films by Modified Thermal Evaporation System
Authors: Islam M. S. , Hossain M. F. , Razzak S. M. A. , Haque M. M. , Saha D. K.
Published: December 2015

The aim of this work is to fabricate high-crystalline nanoporous zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films by a modified thermal evaporation system. First, zinc thin films have been deposited on bare glass substrate by the modified thermal evaporation system with pressure of 0.05[Formula: see text]mbar, source–substrate distance of 3[Formula: see text]cm and source temperature 700[Formula: see text]C. Then, high-crystalline ZnO thin film is obtained by annealing at 500[Formula: see text]C for 2[Formula: see text]h in atmosphere. The prepared ZnO films are characterized with various deposition times of 10[Formula: see text]min and 20[Formula: see text]min. The structural property was investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The optical bandgap and absorbance/transmittance of these films are examined by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometer. The surface morphological property has been observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). ZnO films have showed uniform nanoporous surface with high-crystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. The ZnO films prepared with 20[Formula: see text]min has excitation absorption-edge at 369[Formula: see text]nm, which is blueshifted with respect to the bulk absorption-edge appearing at 380[Formula: see text]nm. The gap energy of ZnO film is decreased from 3.14[Formula: see text]eV to 3.09[Formula: see text]eV with increase of the deposition time, which can enhance the excitation of ZnO films by the near visible light, and is suitable for the application of photocatalyst of waste water cleaning and polluted air purification.
Global stability of a delayed virus dynamics model with multi-staged infected progression and humoral immunity
Authors: Ełaiw A. M. , AlShamrani N. H.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we propose a nonlinear virus dynamics model that describes the interactions of the virus, uninfected target cells, multiple stages of infected cells and B cells and includes multiple discrete delays. We assume that the incidence rate of infection and removal rate of infected cells are given by general nonlinear functions. The model can be seen as a generalization of several humoral immunity viral infection model presented in the literature. We derive two threshold parameters and establish a set of conditions on the general functions which are sufficient to establish the existence and global stability of the three equilibria of the model. We study the global asymptotic stability of the equilibria by using Lyapunov method. We perform some numerical simulations for the model with specific forms of the general functions and show that the numerical results are consistent with the theoretical results.
Indocyanine green loaded graphene oxide for high-efficient photoacoustic tumor therapy
Authors: Yan Baoyun , Qin Huan
Published: December 2015

Photoacoustic therapy, using the photoacoustic effect of agents for selectively killing tumor cells, has shown promising for treating tumor. Utilization of high optical absorption probes can help to effectively improve the photoacoustic therapy efficiency. Herein, we report a novel high-absorption photoacoustic probe that is composed of indocyanine green (ICG) and graphene oxide (GO), entitled GO-ICG, for photoacoustic therapy. The attached ICG with narrow absorption spectral profile has strong optical absorption in the infrared region. The absorption spectrum of the GO-ICG solution reveals that the GO-ICG particles exhibited a 10-fold higher absorbance at 780[Formula: see text]nm (its peak absorbance) as compared with GO. Importantly, ICG’s fluorescence is quenched by GO via fluorescence resonance energy transfer. As a result, GO-ICG can high-efficiently convert the absorbed light energy to acoustic wave under pulsed laser irradiation. We further demonstrate that GO-ICG can produce stronger photoacoustic wave than the GO and ICG alone. Moreover, we conjugate this contrast agent with integrin [Formula: see text] mono-clonal antibody to molecularly target the U87-MG human glioblastoma cells for selective tumor cell killing. Finally, our results testify that the photoacoustic therapy efficiency of GO-ICG is higher than the existing photoacoustic therapy agent. Our work demonstrates that GO-ICG is a high-efficiency photoacoustic therapy agent. This novel photoacoustic probe is likely to be an available candidate for tumor therapy.
An Efficient Genetic Fuzzy Approach to UAV Swarm Routing
Authors: Sathyan Anoop , Ernest Nicholas D. , Cohen Kelly
Published: December 2015

Fuzzy logic is used in a variety of applications because of its universal approximator attribute and nonlinear characteristics. But, it takes a lot of trial and error to come up with a set of membership functions and rule-base that will effectively work for a specific application. This process could be simplified by using a heuristic search algorithm like Genetic Algorithm (GA). In this paper, genetic fuzzy is applied to the task assignment for cooperating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) classified as the Polygon Visiting Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem (PVMTSP). The PVMTSP finds a lot of applications including UAV swarm routing. We propose a method of genetic fuzzy clustering that would be specific to PVMTSP problems and hence more efficient compared to k-means and c-means clustering. We developed two different algorithms using genetic fuzzy. One evaluates the distance covered by each UAV to cluster the search-space and the other uses a cost function that approximates the distance covered thus resulting in a reduced computational time. We compare these two approaches to each other as well as to an already benchmarked fuzzy clustering algorithm which is the current state-of-the-art. We also discuss how well our algorithm scales for increasing number of targets. The results are compared for small and large polygon sizes.
Trajectories of Body Mass Index from Young Adulthood to Middle Age among Canadian Men and Women
Authors: Wang Meng , Yi Yanqing , Roebothan Barbara , Colbourne Jennifer , Maddalena Victor , Wang Peizhong Peter , Sun Guang
Published: December 2015

Knowledge regarding the heterogeneity of BMI trajectories is limited for the Canadian population. Using latent class growth modelling, four distinct BMI trajectories of individuals from young adulthood to middle age were identified for both women and men from the longitudinal data of the National Population Health Survey. The associations between BMI trajectories and the individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and behavioural factors were also examined. Aboriginal women were found more likely to be in the long-term overweight or obese groups. It reveals that increased years of smoking, drinking, and being physically active were associated with lowering the BMI trajectory in all groups for both women and men, with some exceptions in the long-term normal weight group for men. Increased years of rural living, being employed, and living with low income were associated with raising the BMI trajectory in all groups for women and in some groups for men. Food insecurity was associated with raising the BMI trajectory in each group for both women and men.
Translocation (6;15)(q12;q15): A Novel Mutation in a Patient with Therapy-Related Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Ali Saba F. , Sonu Rebecca J. , Dwyre Denis M. , Jonas Brian A. , Rashidi Hooman H.
Published: December 2015

Most myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) present with loss or gain of chromosomal material and less commonly show translocations as a sole abnormality. In addition, certain translocations are more commonly seen in MDS than others, but to our knowledge, the presence of t(6;15) has not been reported in MDS, specifically therapy-related MDS (t-MDS) cases. Patients with t-MDS, a group of heterogeneous stem cell related disorders resulting as a latent complication of cytotoxic and/or radiation therapy, generally tend to have a poorer prognosis thande novoMDS. We present a unique case of a patient who initially presented with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a normal karyotype and FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations. The patient was successfully treated with chemotherapy and an autologous bone marrow transplant but subsequently developed a new FLT3-ITD negative t-MDS with a unique translocation, t(6;15)(q12;q15), three years after transplant. To our knowledge, this unique sole translocation has never been reported in MDS or t-MDS and given her successful response to treatment and remission, presence of this translocation may have some prognostic value.
Spanning 3-Ended Trees in Almost Claw-Free Graphs
Authors: Chen Xiaodong , Xu Meijin , Liu Yanjun
Published: December 2015

We prove that ifGis ak-connected (k≥2) almost claw-free graph of ordernandσk+3(G)≥n+2k-2, thenGcontains a spanning 3-ended tree, whereσk(G)=min⁡{∑v∈S‍deg⁡(v):Sis an independent set ofGwithS=k}.
Bleomycin-Induced Flagellate Erythema in a Patient Diagnosed with Ovarian Yolk Sac Tumor
Authors: Boussios Stergios , Moschetta Michele , McLachlan Jennifer , Banerjee Susana
Published: December 2015

Flagellate linear hyperpigmentation can rarely be caused by the chemotherapy agent, bleomycin. Herein, we describe the case of a 20-year-old woman treated with bleomycin for an ovarian yolk sac tumor and review the prominent features of this form of dermatitis.
Genetic Factors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Contribution to Disease Phenotype
Authors: Ceccarelli Fulvia , Perricone Carlo , Borgiani Paola , Ciccacci Cinzia , Rufini Sara , Cipriano Enrica , Alessandri Cristiano , Spinelli Francesca Romana , Sili Scavalli Antonio , Novelli Giuseppe , Valesini Guido , Conti Fabrizio
Published: December 2015

Genetic factors exert an important role in determining Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility, interplaying with environmental factors. Several genetic studies in various SLE populations have identified numerous susceptibility loci. From a clinical point of view, SLE is characterized by a great heterogeneity in terms of clinical and laboratory manifestations. As widely demonstrated, specific laboratory features are associated with clinical disease subset, with different severity degree. Similarly, in the last years, an association between specific phenotypes and genetic variants has been identified, allowing the possibility to elucidate different mechanisms and pathways accountable for disease manifestations. However, except for Lupus Nephritis (LN), no studies have been designed to identify the genetic variants associated with the development of different phenotypes. In this review, we will report data currently known about this specific association.
Positive Solutions for Nonlinearq-Fractional Difference Eigenvalue Problem with Nonlocal Conditions
Authors: Shammakh Wafa , Al-Yami Maryam
Published: December 2015

The problem of positive solutions for nonlinearq-fractional difference eigenvalue problem with nonlocal boundary conditions is investigated. Based on the fixed point index theory in cones, sufficient existence of positive solutions conditions is derived for the problem.
Thyroid Autoantibodies in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Subjects with and without Thyroid Disease: Implications for Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy
Authors: Ilias Ioannis , Karagiorga Vasiliki , Paraskevas George , Bougea Anastasia , Bourbouli Mara , Pappa Athina , Nikopoulou Stamatina , Kapaki Elisabeth
Published: December 2015

Introduction. Plasma antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-Tg) are widely used in the diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis. No research has compared anti-TPO and anti-Tg both in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of healthy individuals vis-à-vis patients with thyroid disease.Methods. We measured anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies in plasma and CSF in nine subjects (mean age ± SD: 73 ± 6 years) with hypothyroidism and nine subjects (mean age ± SD: 73 ± 8 years) without thyroid disease.Results. The concentration of anti-TPO autoantibodies in CSF was very low compared to plasma in both subjects with thyroid and without thyroid disease (P=0.007). CSF anti-Tg autoantibodies titers were very low compared to the plasma in subjects with thyroid disease (P=0.004), whereas, in subjects without thyroid disease, this difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.063).Conclusions. Thyroid autoantibodies levels were low in plasma and CSF; we did not observe any transfer of thyroid autoantibodies from the peripheral blood to the CSF. Therefore, regarding Hashimoto’s encephalopathy, where elevated antithyroid autoantibodies are often measured in blood, it is more likely that thyroiditis and encephalopathy represent nonspecific, but distinct, events of an aggressive immune system.
Total Psoas Area Predicts Complications following Radical Cystectomy
Authors: Lyon Timothy D. , Farber Nicholas J. , Chen Leo C. , Fuller Thomas W. , Davies Benjamin J. , Gingrich Jeffrey R. , Hrebinko Ronald L. , Maranchie Jodi K. , Taylor Jennifer M. , Tarin Tatum V.
Published: December 2015

Purpose. To determine whether total psoas area (TPA), a simple estimate of muscle mass, is associated with complications after radical cystectomy.Materials and Methods. Patients who underwent radical cystectomy at our institution from 2011 to 2012 were retrospectively identified. Total psoas area was measured on preoperative CT scans and normalized for patient height. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether TPA was a predictor of 90-day postoperative complications. Overall survival was compared between TPA quartiles.Results. 135 patients were identified for analysis. Median follow-up was 24 months (IQR: 6–37 months). Overall 90-day complication rate was 56% (75/135). TPA was significantly lower for patients who experienced any complication (7.8 cm2/m2versus 8.8 cm2/m2,P=0.023) and an infectious complication (7.0 cm2/m2versus 8.7 cm2/m2,P=0.032) than those who did not. On multivariable analysis, TPA (adjusted OR 0.70 (95% CI 0.56–0.89),P=0.003) and Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.01–1.79),P=0.045) were independently associated with 90-day complications. TPA was not a predictor of overall survival.Conclusions. Low TPA is associated with infectious complications and is an independent predictor of experiencing a postoperative complication following radical cystectomy.
Laparoscopic Excision of Large Intra-Abdominal Cysts in Children: Needle Hitch Technique
Authors: Antao Brice , Tan Jeffrey , Quinn Feargal
Published: December 2015

Laparoscopic surgery has both diagnostic and therapeutic advantages in the management of intra-abdominal cysts in children. Large cysts in small children pose technical challenges during laparoscopic surgery, requiring multiple incisions and advanced laparoscopic skills. This paper describes a novel laparoscopic technique using minimal manipulation for both aspiration and excision of the cyst. This simple, safe, and effective approach was used to achieve traction and facilitate excision of a large intra-abdominal cyst in a neonate and a young child.
A Retrospective Analysis of 5,195 Patient Treatment Sessions in an Integrative Veterinary Medicine Service: Patient Characteristics, Presenting Complaints, and Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Shmalberg Justin , Memon Mushtaq A.
Published: December 2015

Integrative veterinary medicine, the combination of complementary and alternative therapies with conventional care, is increasingly prevalent in veterinary practice and a focus of clinical instruction in many academic teaching institutions. However, the presenting complaints, therapeutic modalities, and patient population in an integrative medicine service have not been described. A retrospective analysis of 5,195 integrative patient treatment sessions in a veterinary academic teaching hospital demonstrated that patients most commonly received a combination of therapeutic modalities (39% of all treatment sessions). The 274 patients receiving multiple modalities were most frequently treated for neurologic and orthopedic disease (50.7% versus 49.6% of all presenting complaints, resp.). Older neutered or spayed dogs (mean age = 9.0 years) and Dachshunds were treated more often than expected based on general population statistics. Acupuncture, laser therapy, electroacupuncture, and hydrotherapy were frequently administered (>50% patients). Neurologic patients were more likely to receive acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and therapeutic exercises but less likely than orthopedic patients to receive laser, hydrotherapy, or therapeutic ultrasound treatments (P<0.05). The results suggest that the application of these specific modalities to orthopedic and neurologic diseases should be subjected to increased evidence-based investigations. A review of current knowledge in core areas is presented.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Short Message Service Intervention to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes from Impaired Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Wong Carlos K. H. , Jiao Fang-Fang , Siu Shing-Chung , Fung Colman S. C. , Fong Daniel Y. T. , Wong Ka-Wai , Yu Esther Y. T. , Lo Yvonne Y. C. , Lam Cindy L. K.
Published: December 2015

Aims. To investigate the costs and cost-effectiveness of a short message service (SMS) intervention to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).Methods. A Markov model was developed to simulate the cost and effectiveness outcomes of the SMS intervention and usual clinical practice from the health provider’s perspective. The direct programme costs and the two-year SMS intervention costs were evaluated in subjects with IGT. All costs were expressed in 2011 US dollars. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated as cost per T2DM onset prevented, cost per life year gained, and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained.Results. Within the two-year trial period, the net intervention cost of the SMS group was $42.03 per subject. The SMS intervention managed to reduce 5.05% onset of diabetes, resulting in saving $118.39 per subject over two years. In the lifetime model, the SMS intervention dominated the control by gaining an additional 0.071 QALY and saving $1020.35 per person. The SMS intervention remained dominant in all sensitivity analyses.Conclusions. The SMS intervention for IGT subjects had the superiority of lower monetary cost and a considerable improvement in preventing or delaying the T2DM onset. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01556880.
A Wireless Sensor Network with Enhanced Power Efficiency and Embedded Strain Cycle Identification for Fatigue Monitoring of Railway Bridges
Authors: Feltrin Glauco , Popovic Nemanja , Flouri Kallirroi , Pietrzak Piotr
Published: December 2015

Wireless sensor networks have been shown to be a cost-effective monitoring tool for many applications on civil structures. Strain cycle monitoring for fatigue life assessment of railway bridges, however, is still a challenge since it is data intensive and requires a reliable operation for several weeks or months. In addition, sensing with electrical resistance strain gauges is expensive in terms of energy consumption. The induced reduction of battery lifetime of sensor nodes increases the maintenance costs and reduces the competitiveness of wireless sensor networks. To overcome this drawback, a signal conditioning hardware was designed that is able to significantly reduce the energy consumption. Furthermore, the communication overhead is reduced to a sustainable level by using an embedded data processing algorithm that extracts the strain cycles from the raw data. Finally, a simple software triggering mechanism that identifies events enabled the discrimination of useful measurements from idle data, thus increasing the efficiency of data processing. The wireless monitoring system was tested on a railway bridge for two weeks. The monitoring system demonstrated a good reliability and provided high quality data.
Hybrid Swarm Intelligence Energy Efficient Clustered Routing Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Kumar Dilip
Published: December 2015

Currently, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are used in many applications, namely, environment monitoring, disaster management, industrial automation, and medical electronics. Sensor nodes carry many limitations like low battery life, small memory space, and limited computing capability. To create a wireless sensor network more energy efficient, swarm intelligence technique has been applied to resolve many optimization issues in WSNs. In many existing clustering techniques an artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is utilized to collect information from the field periodically. Nevertheless, in the event based applications, an ant colony optimization (ACO) is a good solution to enhance the network lifespan. In this paper, we combine both algorithms (i.e., ABC and ACO) and propose a new hybrid ABCACO algorithm to solve a Nondeterministic Polynomial (NP) hard and finite problem of WSNs. ABCACO algorithm is divided into three main parts: (i) selection of optimal number of subregions and further subregion parts, (ii) cluster head selection using ABC algorithm, and (iii) efficient data transmission using ACO algorithm. We use a hierarchical clustering technique for data transmission; the data is transmitted from member nodes to the subcluster heads and then from subcluster heads to the elected cluster heads based on some threshold value. Cluster heads use an ACO algorithm to discover the best route for data transmission to the base station (BS). The proposed approach is very useful in designing the framework for forest fire detection and monitoring. The simulation results show that the ABCACO algorithm enhances the stability period by 60% and also improves the goodput by 31% against LEACH and WSNCABC, respectively.
DNA Hybridization Detection Based on Resonance Frequency Readout in Graphene on Au SPR Biosensor
Authors: Hossain Md. Biplob , Rana Md. Masud
Published: December 2015

This paper demonstrates a numerical modeling of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor for detecting DNA hybridization by recording the resonance frequency characteristics (RFC). The proposed sensor is designed based on graphene material as biomolecular recognition elements (BRE) and the sharp SPR curve of gold (Au). Numerical analysis shows that the variation of RFC for mismatched DNA strands is quiet negligible whereas that for complementary DNA strands is considerably countable. Here, graphene is used to perform faster immobilization between target DNA and probe DNA. The usage of graphene also changes the RFC that ensure hybridization of DNA event by utilizing its optochemical property. In addition, proposed sensor successfully distinguishes between hybridization and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) by observing the variation level of RFC and maximum transmittance. Therefore, the proposed frequency readout based SPR sensor could potentially open a new window of detection for biomolecular interactions. We also highlight the advantage of using graphene sublayer by performing the sensitivity analysis. Sandwiching of each graphene sublayer enhances 95% sensitivity comparing with conventional SPR sensor.
Comparison of Immunomodulation Properties of Porcine Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Derived from the Bone Marrow, Adipose Tissue, and Dermal Skin Tissue
Authors: Ock Sun-A , Baregundi Subbarao Raghavendra , Lee Yeon-Mi , Lee Jeong-Hyeon , Jeon Ryoung-Hoon , Lee Sung-Lim , Park Ji Kwon , Hwang Sun-Chul , Rho Gyu-Jin
Published: December 2015

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate immunomodulation capacity that has been implicated in the reduction of graft‐versus‐host disease. Accordingly, we herein investigated the capacity of MSCs derived from several tissue sources to modulate both proinflammatory (interferon [IFN] γ and tumor necrosis factor [TNF] α) and immunosuppressive cytokines (transforming growth factor [TGF] β and interleukin [IL] 10) employing xenogeneic human MSC‐mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) test. Bone marrow‐derived MSCs showed higher self‐renewal capacity with relatively slow proliferation rate in contrast to adipose‐derived MSCs which displayed higher proliferation rate. Except for the lipoprotein gene, there were no marked changes in osteogenesis‐ and adipogenesis‐related genes following in vitro differentiation; however, the histological marker analysis revealed that adipose MSCs could be differentiated into both adipose and bone tissue. TGFβ and IL10 were detected in adipose MSCs and bone marrow MSCs, respectively. However, skin‐derived MSCs expressed both IFNγ and IL10, which may render them sensitive to immunomodulation. The xenogeneic human MLR test revealed that MSCs had a partial immunomodulation capacity, as proliferation of activated and resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells was not affected, but this did not differ among MSC sources. MSCs were not tumorigenic when introduced into immunodeficient mice. We concluded that the characteristics of MSCs are tissue source‐dependent and their in vivo application requires more in‐depth investigation regarding their precise immunomodulation capacities.
Three new species of the parasitic wasps genus Spilomicrus Westwood (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae) from the East Palaearctic Region
Authors: CHEMYREVA VASILISA G.
Published: December 2015

Three new species of Spilomicrus Westwood from the East Palaearctic with occipital flange broad and notauli broad and deep posteriorly, S. notaulus sp. nov., S. nottoni sp. nov. and S. lubomasneri sp. nov., are described, illustrated and keyed. Variation of the character states, distribution and comparative diagnosis of each species are provided.
New species of Exochus Gravenhorst and Trieces Townes (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae) and first record of seven species from Brazil
Authors: MELO IVY FRIZO DE , ARAÚJO CAROLINA RODRIGUES , PENTEADO-DIAS ANGÉLICA MARIA
Published: December 2015

Exochus atlanticus sp. n., Melo & Penteado-Dias, and Trieces broadi sp. n., Melo & Penteado-Dias, are described and illustrated in Brazilian fauna. The genus Exochus and the species E. ablatus, E. izbus, T. azipas, T. riodinis, T. wardae, T. upermia and T. wascia, are recorded for the first time from Brazil. Diagnosis and distribution information for each species are provided.
A new species of Hatchet-faced Treefrog Sphaenorhynchus Tschudi (Anura: Hylidae) from Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil
Authors: ARAUJO-VIEIRA KATYUSCIA , LACERDA JOÃO VICTOR A. , PEZZUTI TIAGO L. , LEITE FELIPE SÁ FORTES , ASSIS CLODOALDO LOPES DE , CRUZ CARLOS ALBERTO G.
Published: December 2015

A new species of Sphaenorhynchus is described from the Municipality of Mariana, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is characterized by the vocal sac moderately developed, single, subgular, with longitudinal folds; white canthal and dorsolateral lines delimited below by a dorsolateral black line from the tip of snout extending beyond the eye to gradually disappearing up to the flanks; and premaxilla and maxilla almost completely edentulous, each bearing 1–5 extremely small teeth. It is most similar with Sphaenorhynchus orophilus, from which it can be distinguished by having a less robust forearm in males; glandular subcloacal dermal fold; premaxilla and maxilla almost completely edentulous; and larvae with large marginal papillae in the oral disc. The new species occurs in natural ponds over ironstone outcrops (known as canga) on flat terrain, where males call from the floating vegetation.
Taxonomic considerations on the genus Ophthalmoglipa Franciscolo, 1952 (Coleoptera: Mordellidae) with description of two new species
Authors: RUZZIER ENRICO
Published: December 2015

In the present paper Ophthalmoglipa Franciscolo 1952 is critically analysed. The status of Ophthalmoglipa aurocaudata (Fairmaire 1897) sensu Franciscolo (1952) as the type species is discussed and redefined. Ophthalmoglipa leblanci. n. sp. from São Tomé and Ophthalmoglipa horaki n. sp. from Principe Island are herein described.
New species and records of Goeldichironomus Fittkau, 1965 from Brazil (Diptera: Chironomidae)
Authors: AMORA GIZELLE , HAMADA NEUSA , PINHO LUIZ CARLOS
Published: December 2015

One new species named Goeldichironomus adhaerens sp. n. is described from urban area in Manaus, Brazilian Amazon, based on male adult, pupa and larva. New records of G. neopictus Trivinho-Strixino & Strixino, G. maculatus Trivinho-Strixino & Strixino, G. pictus Reiss and G. fluctuans Reiss are also provided.
The Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E)
Authors: Jensen M. P. , Petersen W. A. , Bansemer A. , Bharadwaj N. , Carey L. D. , Cecil D. J. , Collis S. M. , Del Genio A. D. , Dolan B. , Gerlach J. , Giangrande S. E. , Heymsfield A. , Heymsfield G. , Kollias P. , Lang T. J. , Nesbitt S. W. , Neumann A. , Poellot M. , Rutledge S. A. , Schwaller M. , Tokay A. , Williams C. R. , Wolff D. B. , Xie S. , Zipser E. J.
Published: December 2015

The Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E), a field program jointly led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, was conducted in south-central Oklahoma during April–May 2011. MC3E science objectives were motivated by the need to improve our understanding of midlatitude continental convective cloud system life cycles, microphysics, and GPM precipitation retrieval algorithms. To achieve these objectives, a multiscale surface- and aircraft-based in situ and remote sensing observing strategy was employed. A variety of cloud and precipitation events were sampled during MC3E, of which results from three deep convective events are highlighted. Vertical structure, air motions, precipitation drop size distributions, and ice properties were retrieved from multiwavelength radar, profiler, and aircraft observations for a mesoscale convective system (MCS) on 11 May. Aircraft observations for another MCS observed on 20 May were used to test agreement between observed radar reflectivities and those calculated with forward-modeled reflectivity and microwave brightness temperatures using in situ particle size distributions and ice water content. Multiplatform observations of a supercell that occurred on 23 May allowed for an integrated analysis of kinematic and microphysical interactions. A core updraft of 25 m s−1 supported growth of hail and large raindrops. Data collected during the MC3E campaign are being used in a number of current and ongoing research projects and are available through the ARM and NASA data archives.
On the Presence of Tropical Vortices over the Southeast Asian Sea–Maritime Continent Region
Authors: Dang-Quang Nguyen , Renwick James , McGregor James
Published: December 2015

Reanalysis and observation data from 1979 to 2010 are used to study the climatological behavior of regional vortices over the Southeast Asian sea–Maritime Continent region (SEAMC). After eliminating tropical cyclones from the International Best Tracks Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS), significant numbers of vortices remained over the region. The results also show that the vortices, rather than being relatively stationary near the Borneo coast in the winter, were consistently present over the SEAMC throughout the year, migrating from the area of the coast of Vietnam, the Philippines, and the Southeast Asian sea in summer to the island of Borneo region in winter. These vortices can produce significant amounts of rainfall in Vietnam, especially in central coastal regions during the postsummer monsoon (autumn) period.
Extratropical Impacts of the Madden–Julian Oscillation over New Zealand from a Weather Regime Perspective
Authors: Fauchereau N. , Pohl B. , Lorrey A.
Published: December 2015

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) signal in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) extratropics during the austral summer (November–March) is investigated over the New Zealand (NZ) sector, using the paradigm of atmospheric weather regimes (WRs), following a classification initially established by Kidson. The MJO is first demonstrated to have significant impacts on daily rainfall anomalies in NZ. It is suggested that orographic effects arising from the interaction between regional atmospheric circulation anomalies and NZ’s topography can explain the spatially heterogeneous precipitation anomalies that are related to MJO activity. These local impacts and circulation anomalies are shown to be better understood as resulting from changes in the occupation statistics of regional WRs (the Kidson types) through the MJO life cycle, although both constructive and destructive effects are demonstrated. The hypothesis of a significant forcing of the MJO over the NZ sector is further supported by lagged composite analyses, which reveal timing characteristics of the delayed regional circulation response compatible with the average propagation speed of the MJO. While the southern annular mode (SAM) has been previously shown to be statistically related to the MJO and is known to be a significant driver of NZ’s climate, no evidence is found that the impact of the MJO over the NZ sector is mediated by the SAM. It is therefore suggested that the MJO directly impacts regional circulation and climate in the NZ region, potentially through extratropical Rossby wave response to tropical diabatic heating. These findings suggest a new potential for predictability for some aspects of NZ’s weather and climate deriving from the MJO beyond the meteorological time scales.
Climatic Impacts of Parameterized Local and Remote Tidal Mixing
Authors: Melet Angélique , Legg Sonya , Hallberg Robert
Published: December 2015

Turbulent mixing driven by breaking internal tides plays a primary role in the meridional overturning and oceanic heat budget. Most current climate models explicitly parameterize only the local dissipation of internal tides at the generation sites, representing the remote dissipation of low-mode internal tides that propagate away through a uniform background diffusivity. In this study, a simple energetically consistent parameterization of the low-mode internal-tide dissipation is derived and implemented in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Earth System Model with GOLD component (GFDL-ESM2G). The impact of remote and local internal-tide dissipation on the ocean state is examined using a series of simulations with the same total amount of energy input for mixing, but with different scalings of the vertical profile of dissipation with the stratification and with different idealized scenarios for the distribution of the low-mode internal-tide energy dissipation: uniformly over ocean basins, continental slopes, or continental shelves. In these idealized scenarios, the ocean state, including the meridional overturning circulation, ocean ventilation, main thermocline thickness, and ocean heat uptake, is particularly sensitive to the vertical distribution of mixing by breaking low-mode internal tides. Less sensitivity is found to the horizontal distribution of mixing, provided that distribution is in the open ocean. Mixing on coastal shelves only impacts the large-scale circulation and water mass properties where it modifies water masses originating on shelves. More complete descriptions of the distribution of the remote part of internal-tide-driven mixing, particularly in the vertical and relative to water mass formation regions, are therefore required to fully parameterize ocean turbulent mixing.
On the Sensitivity of Tropical Cyclone Intensification under Upper-Level Trough Forcing
Authors: Leroux Marie-Dominique , Plu Matthieu , Roux Frank
Published: December 2015

This study is part of the efforts undertaken to resolve the “bad trough/good trough” issue for tropical cyclone (TC) intensity changes and to improve the prediction of these challenging events. Sensitivity experiments are run at 8-km resolution with vortex bogusing to extend the previous analysis of a real case of TC–trough interaction (Dora in 2007). The initial position and intensity of the TC are modified, leaving the trough unchanged to describe a realistic environment. Simulations are designed to analyze the sensitivity of TC prediction to both the variety of TC–trough configurations and the current uncertainty in model analysis of TC intensity and position.

Results show that TC intensification under upper-level forcing is greater for stronger vortices. The timing and geometry of the interaction between the two cyclonic potential vorticity anomalies associated with the cutoff low and the TC also play a major role in storm intensification. The intensification rate increases when the TC (initially located 12° northwest of the trough) is displaced 1° closer. By allowing a gradual deformation and equatorward tilting of the trough, both scenarios foster an extended “inflow channel” of cyclonic vorticity at midlevels toward the vortex inner core. Conversely, unfavorable interaction is found for vortices displaced 3° or 4° east or northeast. Variations in environmental forcing relative to the reference simulation illustrate that the relationship between intensity change and the 850–200-hPa wind shear is not systematic and that the 200-hPa divergence, 335–350-K mean potential vorticity, or 200-hPa relative eddy momentum fluxes may be better predictors of TC intensification during TC–trough interactions.
Resource sterilization: reserve replacement, financial risk, and environmental review in Canada's tar sands
Authors: Zalik Anna
Published: December 2015

Abstract.

Pivoting on the process of reserve replacement undertaken by key oil transnationals in Canada as a spatial fix for capital, the article considers how individual firms employ formal review processes to project their strategic interests. The proponent firm shapes, through its own participation, the regulatory terrain on which competitors will subsequently operate. In Alberta's tar sands, the oil industry's reserve replacement process serves as a spatial–temporal fix for capital, and the review process and tribunal acts as a complementary socio-ecological fix – restricting social/affective claims, including First Nations resistance, to an official tribunal setting. In seeking formal approval to replace declining oil and gas reserves with unconventionals, proponent firms claim investor security, while social movement opponents emphasize risk and insecurity arising from carbon-intensive, frontier extraction. In the case of the contested Shell Jackpine Mine Expansion Joint Review Panel, as in other environmental assessment processes in Alberta, the proponent firm and state representatives employ the oxymoronic term ‘resource sterilization’ to describe ecological protection. ‘Resource sterilization’ offers a discursive representation of how capital's spatio-temporal fix in unconventionals is facilitated through the terms of the formal review process, in which social claims are muted.
Performing nature's value: software and the making of Oregon's ecosystem services markets
Authors: Nost Eric
Published: December 2015

Geographers of technology illustrate software code's contexts, effects, and agencies as they shape urban space and everyday life, but the consequences of code for nature remain understudied. Political ecologists have critiqued remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based conservation projects, but have not engaged more broadly with the role of software in the contested production, circulation, and application of ecological knowledge. Yet, around the world, data analytics firms and conservation nonprofits argue for optimizing environmental management through faster and bigger data collection and new techniques of data manipulation and visualization. I present a case study from the US state of Oregon, illustrating how conservationists and environmental regulators employ computer programming to plan markets in which entrepreneurs restore stream and wetland ecosystem services to earn offset credits. In these markets, code-executed algorithms constituting spreadsheets, web maps, and GIS utilities generate, relate, and make sense of the data that define credit commodities. I argue that code tends toward three effects: producing a landscape defined by wetlands' modeled value, performing social relations associated with nature's neoliberalization and financialization, and legitimating these moves. Although emphasis on the performativity of code and other technological objects is warranted, the contexts in which these are authored, deployed, and evaluated should remain central to understanding environmental governance. This is to caution against seeing technology as reducing nature and society to state or capitalist rationalities and to hesitate to differentiate prima facie code's work on space and on nature. I call for bridging political ecology and geographies of technology in ways that can explain how code is generative of environmental knowledge, change, and conflict.