bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Side-Channel Analysis for Hardware Trojan Detection Based on Path Delay Measurement
Authors: Amelian Atieh , Borujeni Shahram Etemadi
Published: December 2017

Hardware Trojan Horses (HTHs) are malicious modifications inserted in Integrated Circuit during fabrication steps. The HTHs are very small and can cause damages in circuit function. They cannot be detected by conventional testing methods. Due to dangerous effects of them, Hardware Trojan Detection has become a major concern in hardware security. In this paper, a new HTH detection method is presented based on side-channel analysis that uses path delay measurement. In this method, we find and observe the paths that Trojans have most effect on them. Most of the previous works add some structures to the circuit and need a large overhead cost. But, in our method, there is no modification in the circuit and we can use it for testing the circuits received after fabrication. The proposed method is evaluated with Xilinx FPGA over a number of test circuits. The results show that measuring the delays on 20 paths with an accuracy of 0.01[Formula: see text]ns can detect more than 80% of Trojans.
Binary Relations Coming from Solutions of Functional Equations: Orderings and Fuzzy Subsets
Authors: Campión María Jesús , De Miguel Laura , Catalán Raquel G. , Induráin Esteban , Abrísqueta Francisco Javier
Published: December 2017

We analyze the main properties of binary relations, defined on a nonempty set, that arise in a natural way when dealing with real-valued functions that satisfy certain classical functional equations on two variables. We also consider the converse setting, namely, given binary relations that accomplish some typical properties, we study whether or not they come from solutions of some functional equation. Applications to the numerical representability theory of ordered structures are also furnished as a by-product. Further interpretations of this approach as well as possible generalizations to the fuzzy setting are also commented. In particular, we discuss how the values taken for bivariate functions that are bounded solutions of some classical functional equations define, in a natural way, fuzzy binary relations on a set.
A DAMAGE MECHANISM OF MICRO-PARTICLES ON ARTICULAR CARTILAGE OF KNEE BY NANOINDENTATION
Authors: SUN XINGDONG , FAN ZUNQIANG , ZHANG SHIZHONG , WU DI , ZHONG YUEXI , ZHAO HONGWEI , REN LUQUAN
Published: December 2017

Articular cartilage plays an important role in organism due to its excellent shock absorbing and buffering functions. Increasing problems about damages of articular cartilage are making a great deal of trouble to human beings. The damage mechanism of articular cartilage is very complicated and keeps unclear. In this research, the damage mechanism was investigated from the perspective of micro-particle attrition by nanoindentation experiments. The micro-particle was simulated by the indenter in experiments. The experimental results demonstrated that the load from micro-particle could not maintain when water content was adequate. However, the load could maintain and increase after dehydration. It was found that the partial surface of articular cartilage was crushed and adhered to the indenter. The plastic energy was bigger than elastic energy in the nanoindentation process. Therefore, water content was the crucial factor to protect the articular cartilage from damage. And the recurring partial dehydration owing to ongoing compression enhanced the damage of micro-particle to articular cartilage. This research may provide a new understanding to the damage mechanism of articular cartilage.
Non-contractible orbits for Hamiltonian functions on Riemann surfaces
Authors: Ishiguro Hiroyuki
Published: December 2017

We consider two disjoint and homotopic non-contractible embedded loops on a Riemann surface and prove the existence of a non-contractible orbit for a Hamiltonian function on the surface whenever it is sufficiently large on one of the loops and sufficiently small on the other. This gives the first example of an estimate from above for a generalized form of the Biran–Polterovich–Salamon capacity for a closed symplectic manifold.
Weird Animals, Sex, and Genome Evolution
Authors: Graves Jennifer A. Marshall
Published: December 2017

Making my career in Australia exposed me to the tyranny of distance, but it gave me opportunities to study our unique native fauna. Distantly related animal species present genetic variation that we can use to explore the most fundamental biological structures and processes. I have compared chromosomes and genomes of kangaroos and platypus, tiger snakes and emus, devils (Tasmanian) and dragons (lizards). I particularly love the challenges posed by sex chromosomes, which, apart from determining sex, provide stunning examples of epigenetic control and break all the evolutionary rules that we currently understand. Here I describe some of those amazing animals and the insights on genome structure, function, and evolution they have afforded us. I also describe my sometimes-random walk in science and the factors and people who influenced my direction. Being a woman in science is still not easy, and I hope others will find encouragement and empathy in my story.
Efficient Computation of Multiscale Entropy over Short Biomedical Time Series Based on Linear State-Space Models
Authors: Faes Luca , Porta Alberto , Javorka Michal , Nollo Giandomenico
Published: December 2017

The most common approach to assess the dynamical complexity of a time series across multiple temporal scales makes use of the multiscale entropy (MSE) and refined MSE (RMSE) measures. In spite of their popularity, MSE and RMSE lack an analytical framework allowing their calculation for known dynamic processes and cannot be reliably computed over short time series. To overcome these limitations, we propose a method to assess RMSE for autoregressive (AR) stochastic processes. The method makes use of linear state-space (SS) models to provide the multiscale parametric representation of an AR process observed at different time scales and exploits the SS parameters to quantify analytically the complexity of the process. The resulting linear MSE (LMSE) measure is first tested in simulations, both theoretically to relate the multiscale complexity of AR processes to their dynamical properties and over short process realizations to assess its computational reliability in comparison with RMSE. Then, it is applied to the time series of heart period, arterial pressure, and respiration measured for healthy subjects monitored in resting conditions and during physiological stress. This application to short-term cardiovascular variability documents that LMSE can describe better than RMSE the activity of physiological mechanisms producing biological oscillations at different temporal scales.
Visfatin Triggers Anorexia and Body Weight Loss through Regulating the Inflammatory Response in the Hypothalamic Microglia
Authors: Tu Thai Hien , Nam-Goong Il Seong , Lee Jisung , Yang Sunggu , Kim Jae Geun
Published: December 2017

Visfatin is an adipokine that is secreted from adipose tissue, and it is involved in a variety of physiological processes. In particular, visfatin has been implicated in metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are directly linked to systemic inflammation. However, the potential impacts of visfatin on the hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis, which is involved in microglial inflammation, have not fully been investigated. In this study, we found that treatment with exogenous recombinant visfatin protein led to the activation of the inflammatory response in a microglial cell line. In addition, we observed that central administration of visfatin led to the activation of microglia in the hypothalamus. Finally, we found that visfatin reduced food intake and body weight through activating POMC neurons in association with microglia activation in mice. These findings indicate that elevation of central visfatin levels may be associated with homeostatic feeding behavior in response to metabolic shifts, such as increased adiposity following inflammatory processes in the hypothalamus.
Estimation of Costs and Durations of Construction of Urban Roads Using ANN and SVM
Authors: Peško Igor , Mučenski Vladimir , Šešlija Miloš , Radović Nebojša , Vujkov Aleksandra , Bibić Dragana , Krklješ Milena
Published: December 2017

Offer preparation has always been a specific part of a building process which has significant impact on company business. Due to the fact that income greatly depends on offer’s precision and the balance between planned costs, both direct and overheads, and wished profit, it is necessary to prepare a precise offer within required time and available resources which are always insufficient. The paper presents a research of precision that can be achieved while using artificial intelligence for estimation of cost and duration in construction projects. Both artificial neural networks (ANNs) and support vector machines (SVM) are analysed and compared. The best SVM has shown higher precision, when estimating costs, with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of 7.06% compared to the most precise ANNs which has achieved precision of 25.38%. Estimation of works duration has proved to be more difficult. The best MAPEs were 22.77% and 26.26% for SVM and ANN, respectively.
Optimized Speculative Execution to Improve Performance of MapReduce Jobs on Virtualized Computing Environment
Authors: Yang Lei , Dai Yu , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2017

Recently, virtualization has become more and more important in the cloud computing to support efficient flexible resource provisioning. However, the performance interference among virtual machines may affect the efficiency of the resource provisioning. In a virtualized environment, where multiple MapReduce applications are deployed, the performance interference can also affect the performance of the Map and Reduce tasks resulting in the performance degradation of the MapReduce jobs. Then, in order to ensure the performance of the MapReduce jobs, a framework for scheduling the MapReduce jobs with the consideration of the performance interference among the virtual machines is proposed. The core of the framework is to identify the straggler tasks in a job and back up these tasks to make the backed up one overtake the original tasks in order to reduce the overall response time of the job. Then, to identify the straggler task, this paper uses a method for predicting the performance interference degree. A method for scheduling the backing‐up tasks is presented. To verify the effectiveness of our framework, a set of experiments are done. The experiments show that the proposed framework has better performance in the virtual cluster compared with the current speculative execution framework.
Reliability-Centric Analysis of Offloaded Computation in Cooperative Wearable Applications
Authors: Ometov Aleksandr , Kozyrev Dmitry , Rykov Vladimir , Andreev Sergey , Gaidamaka Yuliya , Koucheryavy Yevgeni
Published: December 2017

Motivated by the unprecedented penetration of mobile communications technology, this work carefully brings into perspective the challenges related to heterogeneous communications and offloaded computation operating in cases of fault-tolerant computation, computing, and caching. We specifically focus on the emerging augmented reality applications that require reliable delegation of the computing and caching functionality to proximate resource-rich devices. The corresponding mathematical model proposed in this work becomes of value to assess system-level reliability in cases where one or more nearby collaborating nodes become temporarily unavailable. Our produced analytical and simulation results corroborate the asymptotic insensitivity of the stationary reliability of the system in question (under the “fast” recovery of its elements) to the type of the “repair” time distribution, thus supporting the fault-tolerant system operation.
Toxicidad sistémica por anestésicos locales: consideraciones generales, prevención y manejo
Authors: Fuentes Henríquez Ricardo Sergio , Molina Paolini Ian Javier , Contreras Castilla José Ignacio , Nazar Jara Claudio Enrique
Published: December 2017

La administración de anestésicos locales se lleva a cabo en distintos escenarios clínicos y por diferentes profesionales de la salud, principalmente, médicos y odontólogos. Su uso está asociado a complicaciones de baja frecuencia como edema, urticaria y dermatitis, pero la intoxicación por anestésicos locales puede ser fatal. La presentación clínica de esta complicación es muy variable y abarca un gran espectro de síntomas relacionados principalmente con la toxicidad neurológica y cardiovascular, incluyendo presentaciones atípicas. La prevención de la toxicidad sistémica se basa en considerar los factores de riesgo para su presentación, elegir cuidadosamente el anestésico local y la dosis a administrar, aspirar antes de inyectar, fraccionar la dosis y el uso de marcadores de inyección intravascular. El manejo de la intoxicación por anestésicos locales incluye un manejo de la vía aérea, control de las convulsiones, mantención de la circulación sistémica y el uso de terapia intravenosa con emulsión lipídica
Perturbations in Endothelial Dysfunction-Associated Pathways in the Nitrofen-Induced Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Model
Authors: Zhaorigetu Siqin , Bair Henry , Lu Jonathan , Jin Di , Olson Scott D. , Harting Matthew T.
Published: December 2017

Although it is well known that nitrofen induces congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), including CDH-associated lung hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in rodents, the mechanism of pathogenesis remains largely unclear. It has been reported that pulmonary artery (PA) endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction contributes to the development of PH in CDH. Thus, we hypothesized that there is significant alteration of endothelial dysfunction-associated proteins in nitrofen-induced CDH PAs. Pregnant SD rats received either nitrofen or olive oil on gestational day 9.5. The newborn rats were sacrificed and divided into a CDH (n = 81) and a control (n = 23) group. After PA isolation, the expression of PA endothelial dysfunction-associated proteins was assessed on Western blot and immunostaining. We demonstrate that the expression of C-reactive protein and endothelin-1 and its receptors, ETA and ETB, were significantly increased in the CDH PAs. Levels of phosphorylated myosin light chain were significantly elevated, but those of phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase, caveolin-1, and mechanistic target of rapamycin were significantly decreased in the CDH PAs. In this work, we elucidate alterations in the expression of endothelial dysfunction-associated proteins specific to nitrofen-induced CDH rodent PAs, thereby advancing our understanding of the critical role of endothelial dysfunction-associated pathways in the pathogenesis of nitrofen-induced CDH.
Preoperative Low Muscle Mass and Low Muscle Quality Negatively Impact on Pulmonary Function in Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shirai Hisaya , Kaido Toshimi , Hamaguchi Yuhei , Kobayashi Atsushi , Okumura Shinya , Yao Siyuan , Yagi Shintaro , Kamo Naoko , Taura Kojiro , Okajima Hideaki , Uemoto Shinji
Published: December 2017

Background: Sarcopenia is a prognostic factor for mortality in digestive surgery. However, the correlation between preoperative cardiopulmonary function and sarcopenia in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Methods: The present study investigated the impact of preoperative sarcopenia on cardiopulmonary function in 402 patients who underwent first hepatectomy for HCC between April 2005 and April 2015. The quantity and quality of skeletal muscle were evaluated using psoas muscle index (PMI) and intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), respectively, as determined from preoperative computed tomography imaging. Correlations between preoperative cardiopulmonary function and sarcopenic factors (PMI and IMAC) were evaluated. Results: No significant correlations were found between left ventricular ejection fraction and the two sarcopenic factors. On the other hand, preoperative vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) correlated significantly with PMI (p < 0.001 each) in males and with IMAC (p < 0.001 each) in females. Moreover, VC and FEV1 in the preoperative low PMI (p < 0.001 each) and high IMAC (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively) groups were significantly lower than in the normal group in males. In females, VC and FEV1 were significantly lower in the preoperative high IMAC group than in the normal group (p < 0.001 each). Conclusion: Preoperative low muscle mass in males and low muscle quality in males and females were significantly associated with pulmonary dysfunction.
Celecoxib Down-Regulates the Hypoxia-Induced Expression of HIF-1α and VEGF Through the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Authors: Sun Yi-zhou , Cai Na , Liu Ning-ning 
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: The goal of this study was to detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells treated with celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, under hypoxic and normoxic conditions and to explore the signaling mechanism involved in regulating the hypoxia-induced expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in RPE cells. Methods: D407 cells were cultured in normoxic or hypoxic conditions, with or without celecoxib or a PI3K inhibitor (LY294002). The anti-proliferative effect of celecoxib was assessed using the MTT assay. RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA were performed to detect the levels of PI3K, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), HIF-1α, VEGF and COX-2. Results: Celecoxib inhibited the proliferation of RPE cells in a dose-dependent manner. Celecoxib suppressed the expression of VEGF at both the mRNA and protein levels and decreased HIF-1α protein expression. HIF-1α activation was regulated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. The celecoxib-induced down-regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF required the suppression of the hypoxia-induced PI3K/AKT pathway. However, the down-regulation of COX-2 did not occur in cells treated with celecoxib. Conclusions: The antiangiogenic effects of celecoxib in RPE cells under hypoxic conditions resulted from the inhibition of HIF-1α and VEGF expression, which may be partly mediated by a COX-2-independent, PI3K/AKT-dependent pathway.
Evidence For Hmgn2 Involvement in Mouse Embryo Implantation and Decidualization
Authors: Li Dang-Dang , Yue Liang , Yang Zhan-Qing , Zheng Lian-Wen , Guo Bin
Published: December 2017

Background/Aims: Hmgn2 is involved in regulating embryonic development, but its physiological function during embryo implantation and decidualization remains unknown. Methods: In situ hybridization, real-time PCR, RNA interference, gene overexpression and MTS assay were used to examine the expression of Hmgn2 in mouse uterus during the pre-implantation period and explore its function and regulatory mechanisms in epithelial adhesion junction and stromal cell proliferation and differentiation. Results: Hmgn2 was primarily accumulated in uterine luminal epithelia on day 4 of pregnancy and subluminal stromal cells around the implanting blastocyst at implantation sites on day 5. Similar results were observed during delayed implantation and activation. Meanwhile, Hmgn2 expression was visualized in the decidua. In uterine epithelial cells, silencing of Hmgn2 by specific siRNA reduced the expression of adhesion molecules Cdh1, Cdh2 and Ctnnb1 and enhanced the expression of Muc1, whereas constitutive activation of Hmgn2 exhibited the opposite effects, suggesting a role for Hmgn2 in attachment reaction during embryo implantation. Estrogen stimulated the expression of Hmgn2 in uterine epithelia, but the stimulation was abrogated by ER antagonist ICI 182,780. Further analysis evidenced that attenuation of Hmgn2 might eliminate the regulation of estrogen on the expression of Cdh1, Cdh2 and Ctnnb1. In uterine stromal cells, progesterone induced the accumulation of Hmgn2 which advanced the expression of Prl8a2 and Prl3c1, two well-known differentiation markers for decidualization, but did not affect the proliferation of stromal cells. Knockdown of Hmgn2 blocked the progesterone-induced differentiation of uterine stromal cells. Moreover, Hmgn2 might serve as an intermediate to mediate the regulation of progesterone on Hand2. Conclusion: Hmgn2 may play an important role during embryo implantation and decidualization.
IL-1β (Interleukin-1β) and TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α) Impact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation by Differential Effects on Macrophage Polarization
Authors: Batra Rishi , Suh Melissa K. , Carson Jeffrey S. , Dale Matthew A. , Meisinger Trevor M. , Fitzgerald Matthew , Opperman Patrick J. , Luo Jiangtao , Pipinos Iraklis I. , Xiong Wanfen , Baxter B. Timothy
Published: December 2017

Objective—

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are inflammatory in nature and are associated with some risk factors that also lead to atherosclerotic occlusive disease, most notably smoking. The purpose of our study was to identify differential cytokine expression in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm and those with atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Based on this analysis, we further explored and compared the mechanism of action of IL (interleukin)-1β versus TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) in abdominal aortic aneurysm formation.

Approach and Results—

IL-1β was differentially expressed in human plasma with lower levels detected in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm compared with matched atherosclerotic controls. We further explored its mechanism of action using a murine model and cell culture. Genetic deletion of IL-1β and IL-1R did not inhibit aneurysm formation or decrease MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) expression. The effects of IL-1β deletion on M1 macrophage polarization were compared with another proinflammatory cytokine, TNF-α. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from IL-1β
−/−
and TNF-α
−/−
mice were polarized to an M1 phenotype. TNF-α deletion, but not IL-1β deletion, inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. Infusion of M1 polarized TNF-α
−/−
macrophages inhibited aortic diameter growth; no inhibitory effect was seen in mice infused with M1 polarized IL-1β
−/−
macrophages.

Conclusions—

Although IL-1β is a proinflammatory cytokine, its effects on aneurysm formation and macrophage polarization differ from TNF-α. The differential effects of IL-1β and TNF-α inhibition are related to M1/M2 macrophage polarization and this may account for the differences in clinical efficacy of IL-1β and TNF-α antibody therapies in management of inflammatory diseases.
Macrophage-Associated Lipin-1 Enzymatic Activity Contributes to Modified Low-Density Lipoprotein–Induced Proinflammatory Signaling and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Vozenilek Aimee E. , Navratil Aaron R. , Green Jonette M. , Coleman David T. , Blackburn Cassidy M.R. , Finney Alexandra C. , Pearson Brenna H. , Chrast Roman , Finck Brian N. , Klein Ronald L. , Orr A. Wayne , Woolard Matthew D.
Published: December 2017

Objective—

Macrophage proinflammatory responses induced by modified low-density lipoproteins (modLDL) contribute to atherosclerotic progression. How modLDL causes macrophages to become proinflammatory is still enigmatic. Macrophage foam cell formation induced by modLDL requires glycerolipid synthesis. Lipin-1, a key enzyme in the glycerolipid synthesis pathway, contributes to modLDL-elicited macrophage proinflammatory responses in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine whether macrophage-associated lipin-1 contributes to atherogenesis and to assess its role in modLDL-mediated signaling in macrophages.

Approach and Results—

We developed mice lacking lipin-1 in myeloid-derived cells and used adeno-associated viral vector 8 expressing the gain-of-function mutation of mouse proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (adeno-associated viral vector 8-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) to induce hypercholesterolemia and plaque formation. Mice lacking myeloid-associated lipin-1 had reduced atherosclerotic burden compared with control mice despite similar plasma lipid levels. Stimulation of bone marrow–derived macrophages with modLDL activated a persistent protein kinase Cα/βII–extracellular receptor kinase1/2–jun proto-oncogene signaling cascade that contributed to macrophage proinflammatory responses that was dependent on lipin-1 enzymatic activity.

Conclusions—

Our data demonstrate that macrophage-associated lipin-1 is atherogenic, likely through persistent activation of a protein kinase Cα/βII–extracellular receptor kinase1/2–jun proto-oncogene signaling cascade that contributes to foam cell proinflammatory responses. Taken together, these results suggest that modLDL-induced foam cell formation and modLDL-induced macrophage proinflammatory responses are not independent consequences of modLDL stimulation but rather are both directly influenced by enhanced lipid synthesis.
Loss of Vascular Myogenic Tone in miR-143/145 Knockout Mice Is Associated With Hypertension-Induced Vascular Lesions in Small Mesenteric Arteries
Authors: Holmberg Johan , Bhattachariya Anirban , Alajbegovic Azra , Rippe Catarina , Ekman Mari , Dahan Diana , Hien Tran Thi , Boettger Thomas , Braun Thomas , Swärd Karl , Hellstrand Per , Albinsson Sebastian
Published: December 2017

Objective—

Pressure-induced myogenic tone is involved in autoregulation of local blood flow and confers protection against excessive pressure levels in small arteries and capillaries. Myogenic tone is dependent on smooth muscle microRNAs (miRNAs), but the identity of these miRNAs is unclear. Furthermore, the consequences of altered myogenic tone for hypertension-induced damage to small arteries are not well understood.

Approach and Results—

The importance of smooth muscle–enriched microRNAs, miR-143/145, for myogenic tone was evaluated in miR-143/145 knockout mice. Furthermore, hypertension-induced vascular injury was evaluated in mesenteric arteries in vivo after angiotensin II infusion. Myogenic tone was abolished in miR-143/145 knockout mesenteric arteries, whereas contraction in response to calyculin A and potassium chloride was reduced by ≈30%. Furthermore, myogenic responsiveness was potentiated by angiotensin II in wild-type but not in knockout mice. Angiotensin II administration in vivo elevated systemic blood pressure in both genotypes. Hypertensive knockout mice developed severe vascular lesions characterized by vascular inflammation, adventitial fibrosis, and neointimal hyperplasia in small mesenteric arteries. This was associated with depolymerization of actin filaments and fragmentation of the elastic laminae at the sites of vascular lesions.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrates that miR-143/145 expression is essential for myogenic responsiveness. During hypertension, loss of myogenic tone results in potentially damaging levels of mechanical stress and detrimental effects on small arteries. The results presented herein provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of vascular disease and emphasize the importance of controlling mechanical factors to maintain structural integrity of the vascular wall.
The Croatia v. Slovenia Arbitration: The Silver Lining
Authors: Meshel Tamar
Published: December 2017

Much controversy has surrounded the recent arbitration between Croatia and Slovenia. Nonetheless, the proceedings represent a welcome step in the right direction in terms of the perception and use of arbitration as a quasi-diplomatic interstate dispute resolution mechanism. Such an approach to arbitration is evident both in the parties’ arbitration agreement and in the arbitral tribunal’s final award in this case. The article first explains the proper use of interstate arbitration in its original form as a quasi-diplomatic process. This process produces a final and binding decision that respects international law yet does not necessarily rely solely on it. The article then examines how this original quasi-diplomatic nature of interstate arbitration is reflected in certain aspects of the Croatia v. Slovenia case.
Procedural Developments at the International Court of Justice
Authors: Bordin Fernando Lusa
Published: December 2017

The present column covers procedural developments at the International Court of Justice for the period spanning from 1 July 2015 to 31 March 2017. Those developments involve the existence of a dispute as a condition for the Court’s jurisdiction; the interpretation of compromissory clauses; the interpretation of declarations made under Article 36(2) of the icj Statute (the “Optional Clause”); the principles of res judicata, ne bis in idem and exhaustion of treaty processes; the indispensable third parties doctrine; the admissibility of requests to enforce judgments of the Court; issues of admissibility arising from multilateral disputes; and allocation of costs under Article 64 of the Statute.
Res judicata, Jurisdiction ratione materiae and Legal Reasoning in the Dispute between Nicaragua and Colombia before the International Court of Justice
Authors: Sarzo Matteo
Published: December 2017

With the aim of barring Nicaragua’s fresh request for the delimitation of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, Colombia raised the issue of the res judicata effect of the previous decision of 2012, rendered in the Territorial and Maritime Dispute, whereby the icj had apparently settled the case and dismissed on the merits the same request. In the Judgment on preliminary objections of 2016, relating to the “new” case Question of the Delimitation of the Continental Shelf between Nicaragua and Colombia beyond 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan Coast, the icj held that no binding force attached to the operative part of the 2012 ruling. The outcome of the incidental proceedings was not predictable as one might have expected, given that the decision was taken with the casting vote of the President and prompted a strong dissent among some judges. This occurrence gives clear evidence of the interplay between several intertwined issues of international law, which the majority was called upon to deal with and balance in the present case, such as the interpretation of Article 76, paragraph 8 of the unclos, the principles of res judicata and jurisdiction ratione materiae and the duty to give reasons. The article aims to demonstrate that the Court dismissed Colombia’s third preliminary objection for underlying reasons of judicial policy, namely to secure its previous judgment of 2012 from any potential claim relating to inadequate reasoning, if construed as a final rejection on the merits.
The Sacred in Bits and Pixels: An Analysis of the Interactional Interface in Brazilian Catholic Online Rituals
Authors: Sbardelotto Moisés
Published: December 2017

Through digital technologies, a new form of communicational interaction between the user and the sacred occurs in an online religious experience. This phenomenon is illustrated in practice by numerous religious services present in the online Catholic environment, which manifest new modes of discourse and religious practices, beyond the scope of the traditional church – what I term here “online rituals” – marked by a process of mediatization of religion. In this paper, from a corpus of four Brazilian websites, I analyze key concepts for the understanding of this phenomenon, including digital mediatization and interface. I examine, in these Brazilian Catholic websites, the communicational configurations of the religious experience from five areas of the interactional interface: the screen; peripherals; the organizational structure of content on websites; the graphic composition of the webpages; and possible interface failures. Finally, I examine a shift in the communicational dynamics of religion today, marked by new materialities present in online religious rituals.
Modeling the Transmission of al-Mubashshir Ibn Fātik’s Mukhtār al-Ḥikam in Medieval Europe: Some Initial Data-Driven Explorations
Authors: Wrisley David Joseph
Published: December 2017

This article addresses the transmission of a mid-eleventh century Arabic compilation of Hellenic wisdom, al-Mubashshir Ibn Fātik’s Mukhtār al-Ḥikam wa-maḥāsin al-kalim, into medieval European languages. It documents new archival evidence for the scope of this textual tradition. The combination of digital textual and archival evidence provides important clues for building hypotheses for an expanded reception history of the Arabic text in Europe. Using corpora built in three languages—Castilian, Latin and French—it leverages stylometric analysis to explore the discursive communities in which the translations may have emerged and where they took on new meanings. The article puts medium-scale stylometry into practice in the field of comparative literature and translation studies for the exploration of large text collections, and suggests how quantitative methods could be deployed in translingual corpus-level literary research. It also argues for the use of stylometry at early stages of literary historical research to discover new paths of inquiry.
Digital Religion in China: A Comparative Perspective on Buddhism and Christianity's Online Publics in Sina Weibo
Authors: Zhang Yanshuang
Published: December 2017

The proliferation of social media in China has provided traditional religious authorities with multifarious digital features to revitalise and reinforce their practices and beliefs. However, under the authoritative political system different religions pick up the new media to varying degrees, thereby showing different characteristic and style in their social media use. This paper examines the public discourse about Buddhism and Christianity (two of the great official religions in China) on China’s largest microblogging platform-Sina Weibo, and seeks to reveal a distinct landscape of religious online public in China. Through a close look at the social media posts aided by a text analytics software, Leximancer, this paper comparatively investigates several issues related to the Buddhism and Christianity online publics, such as religious networks, interactions between involved actors, the economics and politics of religion, and the role of religious charitable organizations. The result supports Campbell’s proposition on digital religion that religious groups typically do not reject new technologies, but rather undergo a sophisticated negotiation process in accord with their communal norms and beliefs. It also reveals that in China a secular Buddhism directly contributes to a prosperous ‘temple economy’ while tension still exists between Christianity and the Chinese state due to ideological discrepancy. The paper further points out the possible direction for this nascent research field.
Anatomy and micromorphology of the endemic Gypsophila osmangaziensis (Caryophyllaceae) and taxonomic contributions for the genus Gypsophila
Authors: ATAŞLAR EBRU , OCAK ATİLA
Published: December 2017

Gypsophila osmangaziensis, an endemic species from Eskişehir (Turkey) is here studied from the anatomical and micromorphological points of view for the first time. Root, stem and leaf cross-sections as well as seed, leaf and pollen grains surfaces are investigated. Root shows perennial characteristics. Pericycle layer of the stem is composed of sclerenchymatic cells that have 15–17 very thick, layered cell walls. Leaf mesophyll is isobilateral and partly carries druse crystals. Seed surface has an obtuse tubercle. Pollen shape is oblate spheroidal.
The Impact of Airborne Radio Occultation Observations on the Simulation of Hurricane Karl (2010)
Authors: Chen X. M. , Chen S.-H. , Haase J. S. , Murphy B. J. , Wang K.-N. , Garrison J. L. , Chen S. Y. , Huang C. Y. , Adhikari L. , Xie F.
Published: December 2017

This study evaluates, for the first time, the impact of airborne global positioning system radio occultation (ARO) observations on a hurricane forecast. A case study was conducted of Hurricane Karl during the Pre-Depression Investigation of Cloud-Systems in the Tropics (PREDICT) field campaign in 2010. The assimilation of ARO data was developed for the three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) analysis system of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model version 3.2. The impact of ARO data on Karl forecasts was evaluated through data assimilation (DA) experiments of local refractivity and nonlocal excess phase (EPH), in which the latter accounts for the integrated horizontal sampling along the signal ray path. The tangent point positions (closest point of an RO ray path to Earth’s surface) drift horizontally, and the drifting distance of ARO data is about 2 to 3 times that of spaceborne RO, which was taken into account in these simulations.

Results indicate that in the absence of other satellite observations, the assimilation of ARO EPH resulted in a larger impact on the analysis than local refractivity did. In particular, the assimilation of ARO observations at the actual tangent point locations resulted in more accurate forecasts of the rapid intensification of the storm. Among all experiments, the best forecast was obtained by assimilating ARO data with the most accurate geometric representation, that is, the use of nonlocal EPH operators with tangent point drift, which reduced the error in the storm’s predicted minimum sea level pressure (SLP) by 43% beyond that of the control experiment.
How Well Can the Met Office Unified Model Forecast Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific?
Authors: Short Chris J. , Petch Jon
Published: December 2017

Convection-permitting numerical weather prediction models are a key tool for forecasting tropical cyclone (TC) intensities, intensity changes, and precipitation. The Met Office has been routinely running a regional (4.4-km grid spacing), explicit convection version of its Unified Model (UM) over the Philippines since August 2014, driven by its operational global model. The principal aim of this study is to assess the performance of this model relative to the driving global model. By evaluating over a year’s worth of operational TC forecasts, it is shown that the Philippines regional model offers clear benefits for TC forecasting compared with the Met Office global model. In particular, it provides much improved predictions for the intensities of strong storms (category 3 and above) and can successfully capture some rapid intensification (RI) events, whereas the global model cannot predict RI at all. The spatial location of rainfall within intense TCs is also more skillfully predicted by the regional model, and the statistical distribution of rain rates is closer to that observed. Although the regional model adds value, notable biases are also identified, highlighting areas for future work to develop and improve the model.
MRI-VisAct: a Bowden-cable-driven MRI-compatible series viscoelastic actuator
Authors: Senturk Yusuf Mert , Patoglu Volkan
Published: December 2017

The presence of strong magnetic fields in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment limits the integration of robotic rehabilitation systems in the MRI process. The tendency to improve imaging quality by the amplification of magnetic field strength further tightens the bidirectional compatibility constraints on MRI-compatible rehabilitation devices. We present the design, control and characterization of MRI-VisAct– a low-cost, Bowden-cable-actuated rotary series viscoelastic actuator that satisfies the bidirectional compatibility requirements to the maximum extent. Components of MRI-VisAct that are placed in the magnet room are built using nonconductive, diamagnetic MRI-compatible materials, while ferromagnetic or paramagnetic components are placed in the control room, located outside the MRI room. Power and data transmission are achieved through Bowden cables and fibre optics, respectively. This arrangement ensures that neuroimaging artefacts are minimized, while eliminating safety hazards, and device performance is not affected by the magnetic field. MRI-VisAct works under closed-loop torque control enabled through series viscoelastic actuation. MRI-VisAct is fully customizable; it can serve as a building block of higher-degrees-of-freedom MRI-compatible robotic devices.
Probiotic supplementation in sports and physical exercise: Does it present any ergogenic effect?
Authors: Coqueiro Audrey Yule , de Oliveira Garcia Amanda Beatriz , Rogero Marcelo Macedo , Tirapegui Julio
Published: December 2017

Background:

Probiotics are live microorganisms that promote health benefits to the host. Evidence indicates that some probiotic strains play an immunomodulatory role and reduce the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in athletes and in physical activity practitioners. For this reason, probiotic supplementation could indirectly improve exercise performance. However, recent studies have observed direct ergogenic effects of probiotics, but the mechanisms of action are poorly elucidated.

Objective:

In this study, we aim to synthesize available knowledge on the effect of probiotics on physical exercise, identify the mechanisms of action by which probiotics could improve performance directly and indirectly, and verify whether probiotics have any ergogenic effect.

Methods:

The study was performed in the PubMed database in February 2017, without limitation as to the publication period. The keyword combinations used were: ‘Probiotics’ and ‘Sports’ ( n = 17 articles), ‘Probiotics’ and ‘Exercise’ ( n = 26 articles) and ‘Probiotics’ and ‘Athletes’ ( n = 11 articles).

Results:

Of the 16 studies evaluated, only six applied performance tests, of which only two demonstrated that probiotic supplementation increases performance, but one of them was performed with mice.

Conclusions:

According to the studies evaluated, probiotic supplementation does not present ergogenic effect, however, considering the small number of studies, this subject should be better investigated.
The design and rationale of an interdisciplinary, non-prescriptive, and Health at Every Size®-based clinical trial: The “Health and Wellness in Obesity” study
Authors: Ulian Mariana D , Gualano Bruno , Benatti Fabiana B , de Campos-Ferraz Patricia Lopes , Coelho Desire , Roble Odilon J , Sabatini Fernanda , Perez Isabel , Aburad Luiz , Pinto Ana Jéssica , Vessoni André , Victor Jhessica Campos , Lima Victoria Kupper , Unsain Ramiro Fernandez , de Morais Sato Priscila , Rogero Marcelo Macedo , Toporcov Tatiana Natasha , Scagliusi Fernanda B
Published: December 2017

Background:

This manuscript describes the design and rationale of a clinical trial that aims to investigate the multiple physiological, attitudinal, nutritional, and behavioral effects of a new interdisciplinary intervention based on the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) approach in obese women.

Methods:

This will be a prospective, 7-month, randomized (2:1), mixed-method clinical trial. Obese women will be recruited and randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group (I-HAES®; proposed n = 40) will undertake a novel HAES®-based intervention. Participants will take part in an exercise program, nutrition counseling sessions, and philosophical workshops, all aligned with the principles of the HAES® approach. The control group (CTRL; proposed n = 20) will participate in a program using a traditional HAES®-based group format, characterized by bimonthly lectures about the same topics offered to the experimental group, encouraging the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. The following multiple quantitative outcomes will be assessed pre and post intervention: health-related quality of life, cardiovascular risk factors, anthropometric assessments, physical activity level, physical capacity and function, and psychological and behavioral assessments. Qualitative analysis will be used to evaluate the experiences of the participants throughout the intervention, as assessed by focus groups and semi-structured interviews.

Conclusions:

The interdisciplinary research team leading this study has varied and complementary expertise. The knowledge arising from this study will help to guide new interdisciplinary interventions with the potential to holistically improve the health of obese individuals. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02102061).
Creatine supplementation elicits greater muscle hypertrophy in upper than lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained men
Authors: Nunes João Pedro , Ribeiro Alex S , Schoenfeld Brad J , Tomeleri Crisieli M , Avelar Ademar , Trindade Michele CC , Nabuco Hellen CG , Cavalcante Edilaine F , Junior Paulo Sugihara , Fernandes Rodrigo R , Carvalho Ferdinando O , Cyrino Edilson S
Published: December 2017

Background:

Creatine (Cr) supplementation associated with resistance training produces greater muscular strength improvements in the upper compared with the lower body; however, no study has investigated if such region-specific results are seen with gains in muscle mass.

Aim:

We aimed to evaluate the effect of Cr supplementation in combination with resistance training on lean soft tissue changes in the upper and lower limbs and trunk in resistance-trained young adult men.

Methods:

In a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design, 43 resistance-trained men (22.7 ± 3.0 years, 72.9 ± 8.7 kg, 177.9 ± 5.7 cm, 23.0 ± 2.5 kg/m2) received either creatine (Cr, n = 22) or placebo (PLA, n = 21) over an 8-week study period. The supplementation protocol included a loading phase (7 days, four doses of 0.3 g/kg per day) and a maintenance phase (7 weeks, single dose of 0.03 g/kg per day). During the same period, subjects performed resistance training four times per week using the following two-way split routine: Monday and Thursday = pectoral, shoulders, triceps, and abdomen, Tuesday and Friday = back, biceps, thighs, and calves. Lean soft tissue of the upper limbs (ULLST), lower limbs (LLLST), and trunk (TLST) was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry before and after the intervention.

Results:

Both groups showed significant ( p < 0.001) improvements in ULLST, LLLST, TLST, and the Cr group achieved greater ( p < 0.001) increases in these outcomes compared with PLA. For the Cr group, improvements in ULLST (7.1 ± 2.9%) were higher than those observed in LLLST (3.2 ± 2.1%) and TLST (2.1 ± 2.2%). Otherwise, for PLA group there was no significant difference in the magnitude of segmental muscle hypertrophy (ULLST = 1.6 ± 3.0%; LLLST = 0.7 ± 2.8%; TLST = 0.7 ± 2.8%).

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that Cr supplementation can positively augment muscle hypertrophy in resistance-trained young adult men, particularly in the upper limbs.