bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Three-Dimensional Human Skull Motion to Brain Tissue Deformation in Magnetic Resonance Elastography Studies
Authors: Badachhape Andrew A. , Okamoto Ruth J. , Durham Ramona S. , Efron Brent D. , Nadell Sam J. , Johnson Curtis L. , Bayly Philip V.
Published: March 2017

In traumatic brain injury (TBI), membranes such as the dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater play a vital role in transmitting motion from the skull to brain tissue. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an imaging technique developed for noninvasive estimation of soft tissue material parameters. In MRE, dynamic deformation of brain tissue is induced by skull vibrations during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, skull motion and its mode of transmission to the brain remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, displacements of points in the skull, reconstructed using data from an array of MRI-safe accelerometers, were compared to displacements of neighboring material points in brain tissue, estimated from MRE measurements. Comparison of the relative amplitudes, directions, and temporal phases of harmonic motion in the skulls and brains of six human subjects shows that the skull–brain interface significantly attenuates and delays transmission of motion from skull to brain. In contrast, in a cylindrical gelatin “phantom,” displacements of the rigid case (reconstructed from accelerometer data) were transmitted to the gelatin inside (estimated from MRE data) with little attenuation or phase lag. This quantitative characterization of the skull–brain interface will be valuable in the parameterization and validation of computer models of TBI.
Charge-transfer interactions induce surface dependent conformational changes in apolipoprotein biocorona
Authors: Raghavendra Achyut J. , Alsaleh Nasser , Brown Jared M. , Podila Ramakrishna
Published: March 2017

Upon introduction into a biological system, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) rapidly associate with a variety of biomolecules such as proteins and lipids to form a biocorona. The presence of “biocorona” influences nano–bio interactions considerably, and could ultimately result in altered biological responses. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the major constituent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), is one of the most prevalent proteins found in ENM-biocorona irrespective of ENM nature, size, and shape. Given the importance of ApoA-I in HDL and cholesterol transport, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of ApoA-I adsorption and the associated structural changes for assessing consequences of ENM exposure. Here, the authors used a comprehensive array of microscopic and spectroscopic tools to elucidate the interactions between ApoA-I and 100 nm Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with four different surface functional groups. The authors found that the protein adsorption and secondary structural changes are highly dependent on the surface functionality. Our electrochemical studies provided new evidence for charge transfer interactions that influence ApoA-I unfolding. While the unfolding of ApoA-I on AgNPs did not significantly change their uptake and short-term cytotoxicity, the authors observed that it strongly altered the ability of only some AgNPs to generate of reactive oxygen species. Our results shed new light on the importance of surface functionality and charge transfer interactions in biocorona formation.
From a tweet, a March for Science is born
Authors: Wessel Lindzi
Published: March 2017

Plans for 22 April demonstrations spread to more than 100 cities around the world.
New Zealand's endemic dolphins are hanging by a thread
Authors: Pala Christopher
Published: March 2017

Shrinking populations imperil two rare cetaceans.
Putting the brakes on highway deaths
Authors: Malakoff David
Published: March 2017

The quiet rise of life-saving technologies.
Merging paleobiology with conservation biology to guide the future of terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Barnosky Anthony D. , Hadly Elizabeth A. , Gonzalez Patrick , Head Jason , Polly P. David , Lawing A. Michelle , Eronen Jussi T. , Ackerly David D. , Alex Ken , Biber Eric , Blois Jessica , Brashares Justin , Ceballos Gerardo , Davis Edward , Dietl Gregory P. , Dirzo Rodolfo , Doremus Holly , Fortelius Mikael , Greene Harry W. , Hellmann Jessica , Hickler Thomas , Jackson Stephen T. , Kemp Melissa , Koch Paul L. , Kremen Claire , Lindsey Emily L. , Looy Cindy , Marshall Charles R. , Mendenhall Chase , Mulch Andreas , Mychajliw Alexis M. , Nowak Carsten , Ramakrishnan Uma , Schnitzler Jan , Das Shrestha Kashish , Solari Katherine , Stegner Lynn , Stegner M. Allison , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Wake Marvalee H. , Zhang Zhibin
Published: March 2017

Looking back to move forward

The current impacts of humanity on nature are rapid and destructive, but species turnover and change have occurred throughout the history of life. Although there is much debate about the best approaches to take in conservation, ultimately, we need to permit or enhance the resilience of natural systems so that they can continue to adapt and function into the future. In a Review, Barnosky
et al.
argue that the best way to do this is to look back at paleontological history as a way to understand how ecological resilience is maintained, even in the face of change.

Science
, this issue p.
eaah4787
Gene duplication can impart fragility, not robustness, in the yeast protein interaction network
Authors: Diss Guillaume , Gagnon-Arsenault Isabelle , Dion-Coté Anne-Marie , Vignaud Hélène , Ascencio Diana I. , Berger Caroline M. , Landry Christian R.
Published: March 2017

Robustness of protein networks

It is thought that gene duplication helps cells maintain genetic robustness, but this seems not to be the whole story. Diss
et al.
investigated the fate of protein-protein interactions among duplicated genes in yeast. Some interacting duplicates evolved mutual dependence, resulting in a more fragile system. This finding helps us understand the evolutionary trajectories of gene duplications and how seemingly redundant genes can increase the complexity of protein interaction networks.

Science
, this issue p.
630
Double-heterojunction nanorod light-responsive LEDs for display applications
Authors: Oh Nuri , Kim Bong Hoon , Cho Seong-Yong , Nam Sooji , Rogers Steven P. , Jiang Yiran , Flanagan Joseph C. , Zhai You , Kim Jae-Hwan , Lee Jungyup , Yu Yongjoon , Cho Youn Kyoung , Hur Gyum , Zhang Jieqian , Trefonas Peter , Rogers John A. , Shim Moonsub
Published: March 2017

Multifunctional displays

As we head toward the “Internet of things” in which everything is integrated and connected, we need to develop the multifunctional technology that will make this happen. Oh
et al.
developed a quantum dot-based device that can harvest and generate light and process information. Their design is based on a double-heterojunction nanorod structure that, when appropriately biased, can function as a light-emitting diode or a photodetector. Such a dual-function device should contribute to the development of intelligent displays for networks of autonomous sensors.

Science
, this issue p.
616
A switch from canonical to noncanonical autophagy shapes B cell responses
Authors: Martinez-Martin Nuria , Maldonado Paula , Gasparrini Francesca , Frederico Bruno , Aggarwal Shweta , Gaya Mauro , Tsui Carlson , Burbage Marianne , Keppler Selina Jessica , Montaner Beatriz , Jefferies Harold B. J. , Nair Usha , Zhao Yan G. , Domart Marie-Charlotte , Collinson Lucy , Bruckbauer Andreas , Tooze Sharon A. , Batista Facundo D.
Published: March 2017

Change for good

In the immune system, autophagy has been implicated in the maintenance and survival of plasma and memory cells, but its role in B cells during early viral infection remains unclear. Martinez-Martin
et al.
investigated the role of autophagy in B cells by using a combination of innovative imaging, pharmacological agents, and genetic models. B cell activation triggered an increase in the rate of autophagy and also switched the mechanism from canonical autophagy to noncanonical pathways involving the regulator WIPI2. Genetic ablation of WIPI2 in B cells promoted noncanonical autophagy. WIPI2 restrains noncanonical autophagy upon B cell activation through a mechanism involving mitochondrial status. Thus, the switch from canonical to noncanonical autophagy regulates B cell differentiation and fate during viral infection.

Science
, this issue p.
641
RAF1/BRAF dimerization integrates the signal from RAS to ERK and ROKα
Authors: Varga Andrea , Ehrenreiter Karin , Aschenbrenner Bertram , Kocieniewski Pawel , Kochanczyk Marek , Lipniacki Tomasz , Baccarini Manuela
Published: March 2017

The signal to move or proliferate diverges at RAF1.
Paritaprevir and Ritonavir Liver Concentrations in Rats as Assessed by Different Liver Sampling Techniques
Authors: Venuto Charles S. , Markatou Marianthi , Woolwine-Cunningham Yvonne , Furlage Rosemary , Ocque Andrew J. , DiFrancesco Robin , Dumas Emily O. , Wallace Paul K. , Morse Gene D. , Talal Andrew H.
Published: March 2017

The liver is crucial to pharmacology, yet substantial knowledge gaps exist in the understanding of its basic pharmacologic processes. An improved understanding for humans requires reliable and reproducible liver sampling methods. We compared liver concentrations of paritaprevir and ritonavir in rats by using samples collected by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), core needle biopsy (CNB), and surgical resection. Thirteen Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated, nine of which received paritaprevir/ritonavir at 30/20 mg/kg of body weight by oral gavage daily for 4 or 5 days. Drug concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry on samples collected via FNA (21G needle) with 1, 3, or 5 passes (FNA
1
, FNA
3
, and FNA
5
); via CNB (16G needle); and via surgical resection. Drug concentrations in plasma were also assessed. Analyses included noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis and use of Bland-Altman techniques. All liver tissue samples had higher paritaprevir and ritonavir concentrations than those in plasma. Resected samples, considered the benchmark measure, resulted in estimations of the highest values for the pharmacokinetic parameters of exposure (maximum concentration of drug in serum [
C
max
] and area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h [AUC
0–24
]) for paritaprevir and ritonavir. Bland-Altman analyses showed that the best agreement occurred between tissue resection and CNB, with 15% bias, followed by FNA
3
and FNA
5
, with 18% bias, and FNA
1
and FNA
3
, with a 22% bias for paritaprevir. Paritaprevir and ritonavir are highly concentrated in rat liver. Further research is needed to validate FNA sampling for humans, with the possible derivation and application of correction factors for drug concentration measurements.
Study protocol to investigate the environmental and genetic aetiology of atopic dermatitis: the Indonesian Prospective Study of Atopic Dermatitis in Infants (ISADI)
Authors: Tanjung Conny , Rzehak Peter , Mansyur Muchtaruddin , Munasir Zakiudin , Sudoyo Herawati , Immanuel Suzanna , Irawan Roedi , Reischl Eva , Demmelmair Hans , Koletzko Berthold , Hadinegoro Sri Rezeki , Sjarif Damayanti Rusli
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common skin disorder in young children worldwide, with a high impact on morbidity and quality of life. To date, no prospective study has been published on the incidence and potential predictors of AD in South East Asian populations. The Indonesian Prospective Study of Atopic Dermatitis in Infants (ISADI) will address the genetic, metabolic and dietary characteristics of mothers and their offspring, as well as potential determinants of AD within the first year of infant life.

Methods and analysis

This prospective study will be undertaken in about 400 infants to investigate the direct and indirect effects of filaggrin (FLG) gene mutations, the genetic variants ofFADS1,FADS2andFADS3and the role of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) on the development of AD. We will use standardised protocols for subject recruitment, umbilical artery plasma analysis, buccal cell sampling for genotyping, fatty acid analysis, physical exams, 3-day food-intake recall of mothers and children, as well as comprehensive questionnaires on environmental, socioeconomic and AD-related factors, including family history. Monthly monitoring by telephone and physical exams every 3 months will be carried out to assess participants' anthropometry, medical history and incidence of AD diagnosis during the first year of life. Hypotheses-driven analyses of quality-controlled dietary, genetic and metabolic data will be performed with state-of-the-art statistical methods (eg, AD-event history, haplotype, dietary or metabolic factor analysis). Direct and indirect effects of genetics and LCPUFA in buccal cell and cord plasma glycerophospholipids as potential mediators of inflammation on AD development will be evaluated by path analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

The Permanent Medical Research Ethics Committee in Medicine and Health/Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia/Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (No. 47/H2.F1/ETIK/2014) approved the study protocol (extended by the letter no. 148/UN2.F1/ETIK/2015). We aim to disseminate our findings via publication in an international journal with high impact factor.
Potential determinants of vitamin D in Finnish adults: a cross-sectional study from the Northern Finland birth cohort 1966
Authors: Palaniswamy Saranya , Hyppönen Elina , Williams Dylan M , Jokelainen Jari , Lowry Estelle , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Herzig Karl-Heinz , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Sebert Sylvain
Published: March 2017

Objective

Evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that vitamin D may reduce multimorbidity, but very few studies have investigated specific determinants of vitamin D2 and D3 (two isoforms of 25-hydroxyvitamin D). The aim of the study was to investigate the determinants of vitamin D2 and D3 and to identify the risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

Participants

2374 male and 2384 female participants with data on serum 25(OH)D2and 25(OH)D3concentrations measured at 31 years of age (1997), together with comprehensive measures of daylight, anthropometric, social, lifestyle and contraceptive cofactors.

Methods

We assessed a wide range of potential determinants prior to a nationwide fortification programme introduced in Finland. The determinants of 25(OH)D2, 25(OH)D3and 25(OH)D concentrations were analysed by linear regression and risk factors for being in lower tertile of 25(OH)D concentration by ordinal logistic regression.

Results

At the time of sampling, 72% of the participants were vitamin D sufficient (≥50 nmol/L). Low sunlight exposure period (vs high) was associated positively with 25(OH)D2and negatively with 25(OH)D3concentrations. Use of oral contraceptives (vs non-users) was associated with an increase of 0.17 nmol/L (95% CI 0.08 to 0.27) and 0.48 nmol/L (95% CI 0.41 to 0.56) in 25(OH)D2and 25(OH)D3concentrations. Sex, season, latitude, alcohol consumption and physical activity were the factors most strongly associated with 25(OH)D concentration. Risk factors for low vitamin D status were low sunlight exposure defined by time of sampling, residing in northern latitudes, obesity, higher waist circumference, low physical activity and unhealthy diet.

Conclusions

We demonstrate some differential associations of environmental and lifestyle factors with 25(OH)D2and 25(OH)D3raising important questions related to personalised healthcare. Future strategies could implement lifestyle modification and supplementation to improve vitamin D2 and D3 status, accounting for seasonal, lifestyle, metabolic and endocrine status.
Effectiveness of a cough management algorithm at the transitional phase from acute to chronic cough in Australian children aged <15 years: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: O'Grady Kerry-Ann F , Grimwood Keith , Toombs Maree , Sloots Theo P , Otim Michael , Whiley David , Anderson Jennie , Rablin Sheree , Torzillo Paul J , Buntain Helen , Connor Anne , Adsett Don , Meng kar Oon , Chang Anne B
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are leading causes of hospitalisation in Australian children and, if recurrent, are associated with increased risk of chronic pulmonary disorders later in life. Chronic (>4 weeks) cough in children following ARI is associated with decreased quality-of-life scores and increased health and societal economic costs. We will determine whether a validated evidence-based cough algorithm, initiated when chronic cough is first diagnosed after presentation with ARI, improves clinical outcomes in children compared with usual care.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, parallel group, open-label, randomised controlled trial, nested within a prospective cohort study in Southeast Queensland, Australia, is underway. 750 children aged <15 years will be enrolled and followed weekly for 8 weeks after presenting with an ARI with cough. 214 children from this cohort with persistent cough at day 28 will be randomised to either early initiation of a cough management algorithm or usual care (107 per group). Randomisation is stratified by reason for presentation, site and total cough duration at day 28 (<6 and ≥6 weeks). Demographic details, risk factors, clinical histories, examination findings, cost-of-illness data, an anterior nasal swab and parent and child exhaled carbon monoxide levels (when age appropriate) are collected at enrolment. Weekly contacts will collect cough status and cost-of-illness data. Additional nasal swabs are collected at days 28 and 56. The primary outcome is time-to-cough resolution. Secondary outcomes include direct and indirect costs of illness and the predictors of chronic cough postpresentation.

Ethics and dissemination

The Children's Health Queensland (HREC/15/QRCH/15) and the Queensland University of Technology University (1500000132) Research Ethics Committees have approved the study. The study will inform best-practice management of cough in children.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12615000132549.
Anaesthetic management of a Baringo giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rotschildi) undergoing mandibular fracture repair on two occasions
Authors: Cruz Benedetti Inga‐Catalina , Chenet Baptiste , Douay Guillaume , Portier Karine
Published: March 2017

A four‐year‐old zoo Baringo giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) was anaesthetised twice for surgical repair of an open fracture of the right mandible. On both occasions, xylazine was administered intramuscularly via a compressed CO2‐powered blowpipe‐pistol followed by etorphine and acepromazine. General anaesthesia was induced with ketamine intravenously and the giraffe’s trachea was intubated. A surgical plane of anaesthesia was maintained with additional ketamine, xylazine, etorphine and acepromazine. During the second anaesthetic episode, a right inferior alveolar nerve block was performed and a constant rate infusion of lidocaine administered to enhance perioperative analgesia. Vital parameters remained within normal ranges for anaesthetised giraffes. At the end of the procedures, the animal received naltrexone, atipamezole and diprenorphine. The giraffe stood up smoothly in one single attempt the first time but showed mild muscle weakness and required two attempts to stand the second time. Flunixine meglumine was administered for postoperative analgesia after both procedures.
Intraspecific differences in endurance swim performance and cardiac size in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) parr tested at three temperatures
Authors: Eliason E.J. , Gale M.K. , Whitney C.K. , Lotto A. , Hinch S.G.
Published: March 2017

Pacific salmon encounter widely varying environmental conditions across populations. Performance traits and environmental tolerance limits are predicted to be related to the typical abiotic and biotic conditions encountered by each population. Endurance swim performance at three different temperatures (8, 12, 22 °C) was compared across nine populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum, 1792)) parr from British Columbia, Canada, reared in a common laboratory environment. In addition, relative ventricular mass (RVM) was compared between good and poor performers from each population. Populations significantly differed in endurance swim performance and these differences were related to the natal lake environment. Specifically, parr populations that reside in warm, shallow lakes (Okanagan, Scotch, and Stellako) had superior swim performance at 12 °C compared with 8 °C. All other populations from deeper, cooler lakes had equivalent swim performance at 8 and 12 °C. Individual variability in swim performance within a population was not due to differences in cardiac size. Similarly, RVM did not vary across parr populations, suggesting that population differences in swim performance were not associated with cardiac size. This study provides further support that sockeye salmon parr are locally adapted to their environmental conditions.
Costly Leader Games with a Probabilistically Non-Strategic Leader
Authors: Guha Brishti
Published: March 2017

I consider a two-person costly leader game — in which the follower endogenously chooses whether to buy information about the leader, and a follow-up action — with a twist. With a known probability, the leader is a nonstrategic type. A strategic type leader may choose to masquerade as a nonstrategic type, at a cost. I show that, if the follower’s cost of information is not too large, and the probability of the leader being nonstrategic is neither too large nor too small, this game has no pure strategy equilibrium. Moreover, the equilibrium of the simultaneous-move complete information game is inaccessible as follower information cost converges to zero. There is no equilibrium outcome in which leader advantage is destroyed: however, a mixed strategy equilibrium exists which does preserve leader advantage in the sense that payoffs and strategies converge to those of the sequential-move complete information equilibrium as information cost tends to zero. My results differ from some traditional results in costly leader games, and are due to the interaction of two forces, the “type uncertainty” and the “money down the drain” effects. To my knowledge this is the first paper to integrate behavioral types into costly leader games (other papers considering heterogeneity in type do not consider nonstrategic players).
Cross-connections of the singular transformation semigroup
Authors: Azeef Muhammed P. A. , Rajan A. R.
Published: March 2017

Cross-connection is a construction of regular semigroups using certain categories called normal categories which are abstractions of the partially ordered sets of principal left (right) ideals of a semigroup. We describe the cross-connections in the semigroup [Formula: see text] of all non-invertible transformations on a set [Formula: see text]. The categories involved are characterized as the powerset category [Formula: see text] and the category of partitions [Formula: see text]. We describe these categories and show how a permutation on [Formula: see text] gives rise to a cross-connection. Further, we prove that every cross-connection between them is induced by a permutation and construct the regular semigroups that arise from the cross-connections. We show that each of the cross-connection semigroups arising this way is isomorphic to [Formula: see text]. We also describe the right reductive subsemigroups of [Formula: see text] with the category of principal left ideals isomorphic to [Formula: see text]. This study sheds light into the more general theory of cross-connections and also provides an alternate way of studying the structure of [Formula: see text].
The evolution of Brown–York quasilocal energy as due to evolution of Lovelock gravity in a system of M0-branes
Authors: Sepehri Alireza , Rahaman Farook , Capozziello Salvatore , Ali Ahmed Farag , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: March 2017

Recently, it has been suggested in [S. Chakraborty and N. Dadhich, Brown–York quasilocal energy in Lanczos–Lovelock gravity and black hole horizons, J. High Energ. Phys. 12 (2015) 003.] that the Brown–York mechanism can be used to measure the quasilocal energy in Lovelock gravity. We have used this method in a system of [Formula: see text]-branes and show that the Brown–York energy evolves in the process of birth and growth of Lovelock gravity. This can help us to predict phenomenological events which are emerged as due to dynamical structure of Lovelock gravity in our universe. In this model, first, [Formula: see text]-branes join each other and form an [Formula: see text]-brane and an anti-[Formula: see text]-branes connected by an [Formula: see text]-brane. This system is named BIon. Universes and anti-universes live on [Formula: see text]-branes and [Formula: see text] plays the role of wormhole between them. By passing time, [Formula: see text] dissolves in [Formula: see text]’s and nonlinear massive gravities like Lovelock massive gravity emerges and grows. By closing [Formula: see text]-branes, BIon evolves and wormhole between branes makes a transition to black hole. During this stage, Brown–York energy increases and shrinks to large values at the colliding points of branes. By approaching [Formula: see text]-branes towards each other, the square energy of their system becomes negative and some tachyonic states are produced. To remove these states, [Formula: see text]-branes compact, the sign of compacted gravity changes, anti-gravity is created which leads to getting away of branes from each other. Also, the Lovelock gravity disappears and its energy forms a new [Formula: see text] between [Formula: see text]-branes. By getting away of branes from each other, Brown–York energy decreases and shrinks to zero.
niSWAP and NTCP gates realized in a circuit QED system
Authors: Essammouni K. , Chouikh A. , Said T. , Bennai M.
Published: March 2017

Based on superconducting qubit coupled to a resonator driven by a strong microwave field, we propose a method to implement two quantum logic gates ([Formula: see text]SWAP and NTCP gates) of one qubit simultaneously controlling [Formula: see text] qubits selected from [Formula: see text] qubits in a circuit QED [Formula: see text] by introducing qubit–qubit interaction. The interaction between the qubits and the circuit QED can be achieved by tuning the gate voltage and the external flux. The operation times of the logic gates are much smaller than the decoherence time and dephasing time. Moreover, the numerical simulation under the influence of the gates operations shows that the scheme could be achieved efficiently with presently available techniques.
Effect of Ion Source Current on the Microstructure and Properties of Cr-DLC Coatings Prepared by Ion Beam-Assisted Arc Ion Plating
Authors: Cai Yao , Liu Huidong , Ma Ye , Wan Qiang , Chen Hao , Liu Yan , Chen Yanming , Mei Qingsong , Yang Bing
Published: March 2017

Cr-containing diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by ion beam-assisted arc ion plating with varying hollow cathode ion source (HCIS) currents. The morphologies, compositions and microstructures were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-Ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Hardness and friction coefficient were investigated by using nanoindentation and ball-on-disc tribometer, respectively. With no HCIS current, the coating exhibits the maximal growth rate and a rough surface, as well as lower hardness and elastic modulus. With the increasing HCIS current from 40[Formula: see text]A to 80[Formula: see text]A, the growth rate and the content of chromium carbide decrease obviously, the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] ratio increases initially to the maximum at the HCIS current of 60[Formula: see text]A, the highest hardness and elastic modulus are obtained at the HCIS current of 50[Formula: see text]A. It is also revealed that moderate HCIS current can reduce surface roughness obviously and promote tribological properties. The correlation of the HCIS current with the microstructure and performance of Cr-DLC coating has been established.
Learning Multiple Diagnosis Codes for ICU Patients with Local Disease Correlation Mining
Authors: Wang Sen , Li Xue , Chang Xiaojun , Yao Lina , Sheng Quan Z. , Long Guodong
Published: March 2017

In the era of big data, a mechanism that can automatically annotate disease codes to patients’ records in the medical information system is in demand. The purpose of this work is to propose a framework that automatically annotates the disease labels of multi-source patient data in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). We extract features from two main sources, medical charts and notes. The Bag-of-Words model is used to encode the features. Unlike most of the existing multi-label learning algorithms that globally consider correlations between diseases, our model learns disease correlation locally in the patient data. To achieve this, we derive a local disease correlation representation to enrich the discriminant power of each patient data. This representation is embedded into a unified multi-label learning framework. We develop an alternating algorithm to iteratively optimize the objective function. Extensive experiments have been conducted on a real-world ICU database. We have compared our algorithm with representative multi-label learning algorithms. Evaluation results have shown that our proposed method has state-of-the-art performance in the annotation of multiple diagnostic codes for ICU patients. This study suggests that problems in the automated diagnosis code annotation can be reliably addressed by using a multi-label learning model that exploits disease correlation. The findings of this study will greatly benefit health care and management in ICU considering that the automated diagnosis code annotation can significantly improve the quality and management of health care for both patients and caregivers.
Robust Graph Regularized Nonnegative Matrix Factorization for Clustering
Authors: Peng Chong , Kang Zhao , Hu Yunhong , Cheng Jie , Cheng Qiang
Published: March 2017

Matrix factorization is often used for data representation in many data mining and machine-learning problems. In particular, for a dataset without any negative entries, nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is often used to find a low-rank approximation by the product of two nonnegative matrices. With reduced dimensions, these matrices can be effectively used for many applications such as clustering. The existing methods of NMF are often afflicted with their sensitivity to outliers and noise in the data. To mitigate this drawback, in this paper, we consider integrating NMF into a robust principal component model, and design a robust formulation that effectively captures noise and outliers in the approximation while incorporating essential nonlinear structures. A set of comprehensive empirical evaluations in clustering applications demonstrates that the proposed method has strong robustness to gross errors and superior performance to current state-of-the-art methods.
Nearly Optimal Deterministic Algorithm for Sparse Walsh-Hadamard Transform
Authors: Cheraghchi Mahdi , Indyk Piotr
Published: March 2017

For every fixed constant α > 0, we design an algorithm for computing the
k
-sparse Walsh-Hadamard transform (i.e., Discrete Fourier Transform over the Boolean cube) of an
N
-dimensional vector
x
∈ R

N

in time
k
1 + α
(log
N
)

O
(1)

. Specifically, the algorithm is given query access to
x
and computes a
k
-sparse x˜ ∈ R

N

satisfying ‖
x˜
−
xˆ
‖
1
≤
c
‖
xˆ
−
H
k
(
xˆ
)‖‖‖‖‖‖‖‖
1
for an absolute constant
c
> 0, where xˆ is the transform of
x
and
H
k
(
xˆ
) is its best
k
-sparse approximation. Our algorithm is fully deterministic and only uses nonadaptive queries to
x
(i.e., all queries are determined and performed in parallel when the algorithm starts).

An important technical tool that we use is a construction of nearly optimal and linear lossless condensers, which is a careful instantiation of the GUV condenser (Guruswami et al. [2009]). Moreover, we design a deterministic and nonadaptive ℓ
1
/ℓ
1
compressed sensing scheme based on general lossless condensers that is equipped with a fast reconstruction algorithm running in time
k
1 + α
(log
N
)

O
(1)

(for the GUV-based condenser) and is of independent interest. Our scheme significantly simplifies and improves an earlier expander-based construction due to Berinde, Gilbert, Indyk, Karloff, and Strauss [Berinde et al. 2008].

Our methods use linear lossless condensers in a black box fashion; therefore, any future improvement on explicit constructions of such condensers would immediately translate to improved parameters in our framework (potentially leading to
k
(log
N
)

O
(1)

reconstruction time with a reduced exponent in the poly-logarithmic factor, and eliminating the extra parameter α).

By allowing the algorithm to use randomness while still using nonadaptive queries, the runtime of the algorithm can be improved to
õ
(
k
log
3
N
).
How People Write Together Now
Authors: Olson Judith S. , Wang Dakuo , Olson Gary M. , Zhang Jingwen
Published: March 2017

Today's commercially available word processors allow people to write collaboratively in the cloud, both in the familiar asynchronous mode and now in synchronous mode as well. This opens up new ways of working together. We examined the data traces of collaborative writing behavior in student teams’ use of Google Docs to discover how they are writing together now. We found that student teams write both synchronously and asynchronously, take fluid roles in the writing and editing of the documents, and show a variety of styles of collaborative writing, including writing from scratch, beginning with an outline, pasting in a related example as a template to organize their own writing, and three more. We also found that the document serves as a place where they share a number of things not included in the final document, including links or references to related materials, the assignment requirements from the instructor, and informal discussions to coordinate the collaboration or to structure the document. We computed a number of measures to depict a group's collaboration behavior and asked external graders to score these documents for quality. We found that the documents that included balanced participation and/or exhibited leadership were judged higher in quality, as were those that were longer. We then suggested system design implications and behavioral guidelines to support people writing together better, and concluded the paper with future research directions.
Sharing Policies in Multiuser Privacy Scenarios
Authors: Fogues Ricard L. , Murukannaiah Pradeep K. , Such Jose M. , Singh Munindar P.
Published: March 2017

Social network services (SNSs) enable users to conveniently share personal information. Often, the information shared concerns other people, especially other members of the SNS. In such situations, two or more people can have conflicting privacy preferences; thus, an appropriate sharing policy may not be apparent. We identify such situations asmultiuser privacy scenarios. Current approaches propose finding a sharing policy through preference aggregation. However, studies suggest that users feel more confident in their decisions regarding sharing when they know the reasons behind each other’s preferences. The goals of this paper are (1) understanding how people decide the appropriate sharing policy in multiuser scenarios where arguments are employed, and (2) developing a computational model to predict an appropriate sharing policy for a given scenario. We report on a study that involved a survey of 988 Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) users about a variety of multiuser scenarios and the optimal sharing policy for each scenario. Our evaluation of the participants’ responses reveals that contextual factors, user preferences, and arguments influence the optimal sharing policy in a multiuser scenario. We develop and evaluate an inference model that predicts the optimal sharing policy given the three types of features. We analyze the predictions of our inference model to uncover potential scenario types that lead to incorrect predictions, and to enhance our understanding of when multiuser scenarios are more or less prone to dispute.
For-All Sparse Recovery in Near-Optimal Time
Authors: Gilbert Anna C. , Li Yi , Porat Ely , Strauss Martin J.
Published: March 2017

An
approximate sparse recovery system
in ℓ
1
norm consists of parameters
k
, ϵ,
N
; an
m
-by-
N
measurement Φ; and a recovery algorithm
R
. Given a vector,
x
, the system approximates
x
by xˆ =
R
(Φ
x
), which must satisfy ‖ xˆ-
x
‖
1
≤ (1+ϵ)‖
x
-
x
k
‖
1
. We consider the “for all” model, in which a single matrix Φ, possibly “constructed” non-explicitly using the probabilistic method, is used for all signals
x
. The best existing sublinear algorithm by Porat and Strauss [2012] uses
O
(ϵ
−3
k
log (
N
/
k
)) measurements and runs in time
O
(
k
1 − α
N
α
) for any constant α > 0.

In this article, we improve the number of measurements to
O
(ϵ
− 2
k
log (
N
/
k
)), matching the best existing upper bound (attained by super-linear algorithms), and the runtime to
O
(
k
1+β
poly(log
N
,1/ϵ)), with a modest restriction that
k
⩽
N
1 − α
and ϵ ⩽ (log
k
/log
N
)
γ
for any constants α, β, γ > 0. When
k
⩽ log

c

N
for some
c
> 0, the runtime is reduced to
O
(
k
poly(
N
,1/ϵ)). With no restrictions on ϵ, we have an approximation recovery system with
m
=
O
(
k
/ϵlog (
N
/
k
)((log
N
/log
k
)
γ
+ 1/ϵ)) measurements.

The overall architecture of this algorithm is similar to that of Porat and Strauss [2012] in that we repeatedly use a weak recovery system (with varying parameters) to obtain a top-level recovery algorithm. The weak recovery system consists of a two-layer hashing procedure (or with two unbalanced expanders for a deterministic algorithm). The algorithmic innovation is a novel encoding procedure that is reminiscent of network coding and that reflects the structure of the hashing stages. The idea is to encode the signal position index
i
by associating it with a unique message
m

i

, which will be encoded to a longer message
m
′

i

(in contrast to Porat and Strauss [2012] in which the encoding is simply the identity). Portions of the message
m
′

i

correspond to repetitions of the hashing, and we use a regular expander graph to encode the linkages among these portions.

The decoding or recovery algorithm consists of recovering the portions of the longer messages
m
′

i

and then decoding to the original messages
m

i

, all the while ensuring that corruptions can be detected and/or corrected. The recovery algorithm is similar to list recovery introduced in Indyk et al. [2010] and used in Gilbert et al. [2013]. In our algorithm, the messages {
m

i

} are independent of the hashing, which enables us to obtain a better result.
Submatrix Maximum Queries in Monge Matrices and Partial Monge Matrices, and Their Applications
Authors: Kaplan Haim , Mozes Shay , Nussbaum Yahav , Sharir Micha
Published: March 2017

We describe a data structure for submatrix maximum queries in Monge matrices or partial Monge matrices, where a query seeks the maximum element in a contiguous submatrix of the given matrix. The structure, for an
n
×
n
Monge matrix, takes
O
(
n
log
n
) space and
O
(
n
log
n
) preprocessing time, and answers queries in
O
(log
2
n
) time. For partial Monge matrices, the space grows by α(
n
), the preprocessing grows by α(
n
)log
n
(α(
n
) is the inverse Ackermann function), and the query remains
O
(log
2
n
). Our design exploits an interpretation of the column maxima in a Monge (partial Monge, respectively) matrix as an upper envelope of pseudo-lines (pseudo-segments, respectively).

We give two applications: (1) For a planar set of
n
points in an axis-parallel rectangle
B
, we build a data structure, in
O
(
n
α(
n
)log
4
n
) time and
O
(
n
α(
n
)log
3
n
) space, that returns, for a query point
p
, the largest-area empty axis-parallel rectangle contained in
B
and containing
p
, in
O
(log
4
n
) time. This improves substantially the nearly quadratic storage and preprocessing obtained by Augustine et al. [2010]. (2) Given an
n
-node arbitrarily weighted planar digraph, with possibly negative edge weights, we build, in
O
(
n
log
2
n
/log log
n
) time, a linear-size data structure that supports edge-weight updates and graph-distance queries between arbitrary pairs of nodes in
O
(
n
2/3
log
5/3
n
) time per operation. This improves a previous algorithm of Fakcharoenphol and Rao [2006]. Our data structure has already been applied in a recent maximum flow algorithm for planar graphs in Borradaile et al. [2011].
CpG Type A Induction of an Early Protective Environment in Experimental Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Crooks James , Gargaro Marco , Vacca Carmine , Volpi Claudia , Pirro Matteo , Scalisi Giulia , Turco Antonella , Romani Rita , Matino Davide , Rostami Abdolmohamad , Puccetti Paolo , Gran Bruno , Fallarino Francesca
Published: March 2017

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the CNS that mimics human multiple sclerosis (MS), and it is thought to be driven by Th1 and Th17 myelin-reactive cells. Although adaptive immunity is clearly pivotal in the pathogenesis of EAE, with an essential role of CD4+T cells, little is known of early, innate responses in this experimental setting. CpG-rich oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs), typically found in microbial genomes, are potent activators of TLR9 in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). In this study, we compared the effects of two types of CpG, namely, type A and type B, on EAE. We found that treatment with CpG type A ODN (CpG-A), known to induce high amounts of IFN-αin pDCs, significantly reduced disease severity in EAE, relative to controls (12.63±1.86versus23.49±1.46, resp.;p=0.001). Treatment also delayed onset of neurological deficits and reduced spinal cord demyelination, while increasing the percentage of splenic regulatory (Foxp3+CD4+) T cells. CpG-A likewise reduced the levels of IL-17 and IFN-γin the CNS. Mechanistic insight into those events showed that CpG-A promoted a regulatory phenotype in pDCs. Moreover, adoptive transfer of pDCs isolated from CpG-A-treated mice inhibited CNS inflammation and induced disease remission in acute-phase EAE. Our data thus identify a link between TLR9 activation by specific ligands and the induction of tolerance via innate immunity mechanisms.
An Integrated Method of Multiradar Quantitative Precipitation Estimation Based on Cloud Classification and Dynamic Error Analysis
Authors: Huang Yong , Liu Huijuan , Yao Yun , Ni Ting , Feng Yan
Published: March 2017

Relationships between radar reflectivity factor and rainfall are different in various precipitation cloud systems. In this study, the cloud systems are firstly classified into five categories with radar and satellite data to improve radar quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) algorithm. Secondly, the errors of multiradar QPE algorithms are assumed to be different in convective and stratiform clouds. The QPE data are then derived with methods of Z-R, Kalman filter (KF), optimum interpolation (OI), Kalman filter plus optimum interpolation (KFOI), and average calibration (AC) based on error analysis on the Huaihe River Basin. In the case of flood on the early of July 2007, the KFOI is applied to obtain the QPE product. Applications show that the KFOI can improve precision of estimating precipitation for multiple precipitation types.
Hydrogen Reduction of Hematite Ore Fines to Magnetite Ore Fines at Low Temperatures
Authors: Du Wenguang , Yang Song , Pan Feng , Shangguan Ju , Lu Jie , Liu Shoujun , Fan Huiling
Published: March 2017

Surplus coke oven gases (COGs) and low grade hematite ores are abundant in Shanxi, China. Our group proposes a new process that could simultaneously enrich CH4from COG and produce separated magnetite from low grade hematite. In this work, low-temperature hydrogen reduction of hematite ore fines was performed in a fixed-bed reactor with a stirring apparatus, and a laboratory Davis magnetic tube was used for the magnetic separation of the resulting magnetite ore fines. The properties of the raw hematite ore, reduced products, and magnetic concentrate were analyzed and characterized by a chemical analysis method, X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental results indicated that, at temperatures lower than 400°C, the rate of reduction of the hematite ore fines was controlled by the interfacial reaction on the core surface. However, at temperatures higher than 450°C, the reaction was controlled by product layer diffusion. With increasing reduction temperature, the average utilization of hydrogen initially increased and tended to a constant value thereafter. The conversion of Fe2O3in the hematite ore played an important role in the total iron recovery and grade of the concentrate. The grade of the concentrate decreased, whereas the total iron recovery increased with the increasing Fe2O3conversion.
A Rapid Biochemical and Radiological Response to the Concomitant Therapy with Temozolomide and Radiotherapy in an Aggressive ACTH Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Misir Krpan Ana , Dusek Tina , Rakusic Zoran , Solak Mirsala , Kraljevic Ivana , Bisof Vesna , Ozretic David , Kastelan Darko
Published: March 2017

Background and Importance. In the last eight years temozolomide (TMZ) has been used as the last-line treatment modality for aggressive pituitary tumors to be applied after the failure of surgery, medical therapy, and radiotherapy. The objective was to achieve a rapid control of tumor growth and hormone normalization with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in a patient with very aggressive ACTH pituitary adenoma. Clinical Presentation. We describe a patient with an aggressive ACTH-producing adenoma treated with concurrent temozolomide and radiotherapy. The patient suffered from an aggressive ACTH adenoma resistant to surgical and medical treatment. After two months of concurrent temozolomide and radiotherapy, cortisol normalization and significant tumor shrinkage were observed. After 22 months of follow-up, there is still no evidence of tumor recurrence. Conclusion. Concurrent treatment with temozolomide and irradiation appears to be highly effective in the achievement of the tumor volume control as well as in the control of ACTH secretion in aggressive ACTH adenoma.
MR Lymphangiography: A Practical Guide to Perform It and a Brief Review of the Literature from a Technical Point of View
Authors: Mazzei Francesco Giuseppe , Gentili Francesco , Guerrini Susanna , Cioffi Squitieri Nevada , Guerrieri Duccio , Gennaro Paolo , Scialpi Michele , Volterrani Luca , Mazzei Maria Antonietta
Published: March 2017

We propose a practical approach for performing high-resolution MR lymphangiography (MRL). We shall discuss and illustrate the technical approach for the visualization of lymphatic vessels in patients suffering from lymphedema, how to distinguish lymphatic vessels from veins, and MRL role in supermicrosurgery treatment planning. A brief review of literature, from a technical point of view, is also reported.