bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using survival analysis to predict the harvesting of forest stands in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Melo L.C. , Schneider R. , Manso R. , Saucier J.-P. , Fortin M.
Published: May 2017

Survival analysis methods make better use of temporal information, accommodate multiple levels of explanatory variables, and are meant to deal with interval-censored data. In a context of harvest modeling, this approach could improve some known limitations. In this study, we used data from a network of permanent plots in the province of Quebec, Canada, as a real-world case study. We tested the potential of survival analysis to predict plot-level harvest probabilities from plot- and regional-level variables. The approach also included random effects to account for spatial correlations. The results showed the potential of survival analysis to provide annual predictions of harvest occurrence. Both regional and time-varying variables, as well as spatial patterns, had important effects on the probability of a plot to be harvested. Respectively, reductions in the annual allowable cut volumes led to a decrease in the harvest probabilities. Greater harvest probabilities were associated with the broadleaved dynamics class and higher values of basal area. In contrast, they were decreased by stem density and slope classes. The spatial random effect resulted in an improvement of the model fit. Our plot-level model improved some limitations reported in previous studies by taking the effect of a time-varying regional variable into account.
Geographic variation in winter adaptations of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)
Authors: Gigliotti L.C. , Diefenbach D.R. , Sheriff M.J.
Published: May 2017

Understanding adaptations of nonhibernating northern endotherms to cope with extreme cold is important because climate-induced changes in winter temperatures and snow cover are predicted to impact these species the most. We compared winter pelage characteristics and heat production of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777) on the southern edge of their range, in Pennsylvania (USA), to a northern population, in the Yukon (Canada), to investigate how hares might respond to changing environmental conditions. We also investigated how hares in Pennsylvania altered movement rates and resting spot selection to cope with variable winter temperatures. Hares from Pennsylvania had shorter, less dense, and less white winter coats than their northern counterparts, suggesting lower coat insulation. Hares in the southern population had lower pelage temperatures, indicating that they produced less heat than those in the northern population. In addition, hares in Pennsylvania did not select for resting spots that offered thermal advantages, but selected locations offering visual obstruction from predators. Movement rates were associated with ambient temperature, with the smallest movements occurring at the lower and upper range of observed ambient temperatures. Our results indicate that snowshoe hares may be able to adapt to future climate conditions via changes in pelage characteristics, metabolism, and behavior.
A Torelli theorem for moduli spaces of principal bundles on curves defined over ℝ
Authors: Biswas Indranil , Serman Olivier
Published: May 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a geometrically irreducible smooth projective curve, of genus at least three, defined over the field of real numbers. Let [Formula: see text] be a connected reductive affine algebraic group, defined over [Formula: see text], such that [Formula: see text] is nonabelian and has one simple factor. We prove that the isomorphism class of the moduli space of principal [Formula: see text]-bundles on [Formula: see text] determine uniquely the isomorphism class of [Formula: see text].
Thermodynamics of BTZ black holes in gravity’s rainbow
Authors: Alsaleh Salwa
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we deform the thermodynamics of a BTZ black hole from rainbow functions in gravity’s rainbow. The rainbow functions will be motivated from the results in loop quantum gravity and noncommutative geometry. It will be observed that the thermodynamics gets deformed due to these rainbow functions, indicating the existence of a remnant. However, the Gibbs free energy does not get deformed due to these rainbow functions, and so the critical behavior from Gibbs does not change by this deformation. This is because the deformation in the entropy cancels out the temperature deformation.
A 50 mV Fully-Integrated Self-Startup Circuit for Thermal Energy Harvesting
Authors: Ma Yanzhao , Zou Yinghui , Zhang Shengbing , Fan Xiaoya
Published: May 2017

A fully-integrated self-startup circuit with ultra-low voltage for thermal energy harvesting is presented in this paper. The converter is composed of an enhanced swing LC oscillator and a charge pump with decreased equivalent input capacitance. The LC oscillator has ultra-low input voltage and high output voltage swing, and the charge pump has a fast charging speed and small equivalent input capacitance. This circuit is designed with 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m standard CMOS process. The simulation results show that the output voltage is in the range of 0.14[Formula: see text]V and 2.97[Formula: see text]V when the input voltage is changed from 50[Formula: see text]mV to 150[Formula: see text]mV. The output voltage could reach 2.87[Formula: see text]V at the input voltage of 150[Formula: see text]mV and the load of 1[Formula: see text]M[Formula: see text]. The maximum efficiency is in the range of 10.0% and 14.8% when the input voltage is changed from 0.2[Formula: see text]V to 0.4[Formula: see text]V. The circuit is suitable for thermoelectric energy harvesting to start with ultra-low input voltage.
On the Number of Limit Cycles Bifurcated from Some Hamiltonian Systems with a Double Homoclinic Loop and a Heteroclinic Loop
Authors: Moghimi Pegah , Asheghi Rasoul , Kazemi Rasool
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study the number of bifurcated limit cycles from near-Hamiltonian systems where the corresponding Hamiltonian system has a double homoclinic loop passing through a hyperbolic saddle surrounded by a heteroclinic loop with a hyperbolic saddle and a nilpotent saddle, and obtain some new results on the lower bound of the maximal number of limit cycles for these systems. In particular, we study the bifurcation of limit cycles of the following system [Formula: see text] as an application of our results, where [Formula: see text] is a polynomial of degree five.
Bifurcation Tracking for High Reynolds Number Flow Around an Airfoil
Authors: Huntley S. , Jones D. , Gaitonde A.
Published: May 2017

High Reynolds number flows are typical for many applications including those found in aerospace. In these conditions nonlinearities arise which can, under certain conditions, result in instabilities of the flow. The accurate prediction of these instabilities is vital to enhance understanding and aid in the design process. The stability boundary can be traced by following the path of a bifurcation as two parameters are varied using a direct bifurcation tracking method. Historically, these methods have been applied to small-scale systems and only more recently have been used for large systems as found in Computational Fluid Dynamics. However, these have all been concerned with flows that are inviscid. We show how direct bifurcation tracking methods can be applied efficiently to high Reynolds number flows around an airfoil. This has been demonstrated through the presentation of a number of test cases using both flow and geometrical parameters.
Correlations between production of charged pions and formation of light nuclei in 16Op collisions at 3.25AGeV/c
Authors: Olimov Kosim , Olimov Khusniddin K. , Lutpullaev Sagdulla L. , Iqbal Akhtar , Olimov Alisher K. , Yuldashev Bekhzod S. , Gulamov K. G.
Published: May 2017

Correlations between production of charged pions and formation of light nuclei in collisions of oxygen nuclei with protons at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV/[Formula: see text] were investigated. It was deduced that the mechanisms of formation of light fragments with [Formula: see text] and the processes of generation of charged pions do not depend on each other.
Optimization of Process Parameters of Pulsed Electro Deposition Technique for Nanocrystalline Nickel Coating Using Gray Relational Analysis (GRA)
Authors: Venkatesh C. , Sundara Moorthy N. , Venkatesan R. , Aswinprasad V.
Published: May 2017

The moving parts of any mechanism and machine parts are always subjected to a significant wear due to the development of friction. It is an utmost important aspect to address the wear problems in present environment. But the complexity goes on increasing to replace the worn out parts if they are very precise. Technology advancement in surface engineering ensures the minimum surface wear with the introduction of polycrystalline nano nickel coating. The enhanced tribological property of the nano nickel coating was achieved by the development of grain size and hardness of the surface. In this study, it has been decided to focus on the optimized parameters of the pulsed electro deposition to develop such a coating. Taguchi’s method coupled gray relational analysis was employed by considering the pulse frequency, average current density and duty cycle as the chief process parameters. The grain size and hardness were considered as responses. Totally, nine experiments were conducted as per L9 design of experiment. Additionally, response graph method has been applied to determine the most significant parameter to influence both the responses. In order to improve the degree of validation, confirmation test and predicted gray grade were carried out with the optimized parameters. It has been observed that there was significant improvement in gray grade for the optimal parameters.
Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas Species Onto Graphene Oxide–TiO2 Nanocomposite-Coated Catheters: In vitro Analysis
Authors: Deb Ananya , Vimala R.
Published: May 2017

The present study focuses on the development of an in vitro model system for biofilm growth by Pseudomonas aerouginosa onto small discs of foley catheter. Catheter disc used for the study was coated with graphene oxide–titanium oxide composite (GO–TiO[Formula: see text] and titanium oxide (TiO[Formula: see text] and characterized through XRD, UV–visible spectroscopy. Morphological analysis was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The biofilm formed on the catheter surface was quantified by crystal violet (CV) staining method and a colorimetric assay (MTT assay) which involves the reduction of tetrazolium salt. The catheter coated with GO–TiO2 showed reduced biofilm growth in comparison to the TiO2-coated and uncoated catheter, thus indicating that it could be successfully used in coating biomedical devices to prevent biofilm formation which is a major cause of nosocomial infection.
The new electromagnetic tetrads, infinite tetrad nesting and the non-trivial emergence of complex numbers in real theories of gravitation
Authors: Garat Alcides
Published: May 2017

How complex numbers get into play in a non-trivial way in real theories of gravitation is relevant since in a unified structure they should be able to relate in a natural way with quantum theories. For a long time this issue has been lingering on both relativistic formulations and quantum theories. We will analyze this fundamental subject under the light of new group isomorphism theorems linking local internal groups of transformations and local groups of spacetime transformations. The bridge between these two kinds of transformations is represented by new tetrads introduced previously. It is precisely through these local tetrad structures that we will provide a non-trivial answer to this old issue. These new tetrads have two fundamental building components, the skeletons and the gauge vectors. It is these constructive elements that provide the mathematical support that allows to prove group isomorphism theorems. In addition to this, we will prove a unique new property, the infinite tetrad nesting, alternating the nesting with non-Abelian tetrads in the construction of the tetrad gauge vectors. As an application we will demonstrate an alternative proof of a new group isomorphism theorem.
The Increasing Financialization of China’s Urbanization
Authors: THEURILLAT THIERRY , LENZER JAMES H. , ZHAN HONGYU
Published: May 2017

This paper provides a heuristic framework to address issues about China’s ongoing urbanization in relation to the role of land and built environment as triggers for economic growth and to the increasing financialization of urban production. While a dominant field of literature highlights the interrelation between land and capital within a specific institutional setting between Central and local governments, it argues to include other key linkages between infrastructures, property development and finance to understand China’s recent exponential urban growth. It first places the current consequent local governments’ debt into perspective along with the evolution of financial circuits for urban infrastructures resulting from Central Government policy and regulation changes. Next, and in line with the real estate literature that highlights the key role of demand, it develops an original understanding of the financialization of urban production from the perspective of China’s property industry. Besides the role of homeownership policies since 1998 which boosted urban production based on use value, various ways of the transformation of property into financial assets have occurred. Chinese households as the main investors have not only been able to directly invest in housing and in non-housing by purchasing flats or commercial property but indirectly by increasing investments in special purpose vehicles such as trust-bank and funds finance and new kinds of investment platforms. In both cases, Central Government macropolicies, both stimulating and restricting from 2008–2016, have gone in hand with increasing financialization processes for local governments’ debt, urban infrastructure financing and real estate.
Natural Plant Fiber Composites-Constituent Properties and Challenges in Numerical Modeling and Simulations
Authors: Zhong Yucheng , Kureemun Umeyr , Tran Le Quan Ngoc , Lee Heow Pueh
Published: May 2017

Natural fibers are extracted from natural resources such as stems of plants. In contrast to synthetic fibers (e.g., carbon fibers), natural fibers are from renewable resources and are eco-friendlier. Plant fibers are important members of natural fibers. Review papers discussing the microstructures, performances and applications of natural plant fiber composites are available in the literature. However, there are relatively fewer review reports focusing on the modeling of the mechanical properties of plant fiber composites. The microstructures and mechanical behavior of plant fiber composites are briefly introduced by highlighting their characteristics that need to be considered prior to modeling. Numerical works that have already been carried out are discussed and summarized. Unlike synthetic fibers, natural plant fiber composites have not received sufficient attention in terms of numerical simulations. Existing technical challenges in this subject are summarized to provide potential opportunities for future research.
ICAM-1 depletion in the center of immunological synapses is important for calcium releasing in T-cells
Authors: Suo Yuanzhen , Lin Wei , Deng Yuting , Fan Zhichao , Qin Lizeng , Jiang Guosheng , Chu Yiwei , Wei Xunbin
Published: May 2017

T-cell activation requires the formation of the immunological synapse (IS) between a T-cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC) to control the development of the adaptive immune response. However, calcium release, an initial signal of T-cell activation, has been found to occur before IS formation. The mechanism for triggering the calcium signaling and relationship between calcium release and IS formation remains unclear. Herein, using live-cell imaging, we found that intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), an essential molecule for IS formation, accumulated and then was depleted at the center of the synapse before complete IS formation. During the process of ICAM-1 depletion, calcium was released. If ICAM-1 failed to be depleted from the center of the synapse, the sustained calcium signaling could not be induced. Moreover, depletion of ICAM-1 in ISs preferentially occurred with the contact of antigen-specific T-cells and dendritic cells (DCs). Blocking the binding of ICAM-1 and lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), ICAM-1 failed to deplete at the center of the synapse, and calcium release in T-cells decreased. In studying the mechanism of how the depletion of ICAM-1 could influence calcium release in T-cells, we found that the movement of ICAM-1 was associated with the localization of LFA-1 in the IS, which affected the localization of calcium microdomains, ORAI1 and mitochondria in IS. Therefore, the depletion of ICAM-1 in the center of the synapse is an important factor for an initial sustained calcium release in T-cells.
Study of rapid face modeling technology based on Kinect
Authors: Liu Shan , Gong Guanghong , Xiao Luhao , Sun Mengyuan , Zhu Zhengliang
Published: May 2017

This paper improves the algorithm of point cloud filtering and registration in 3D modeling, aiming for smaller sampling error and shorter processing time of point cloud data. Based on collaborative sampling among several Kinect devices, we analyze the deficiency of current filtering algorithm, and use a novel method of point cloud filtering. Meanwhile, we use Fast Point Feature Histogram (FPFH) algorithm for feature extraction and point cloud registration. Compared with the aligning process using Point Feature Histograms (PFH), it only takes 9[Formula: see text]min when the number of points is about 500,000, shortening the aligning time by 47.1%. To measure the accuracy of the registration, we propose an algorithm which calculates the average distance of the corresponding coincident parts of two point clouds, and we improve the accuracy to an average distance of 0.7[Formula: see text]mm. In the surface reconstruction section, we adopt Ball Pivoting algorithm for surface reconstruction, obtaining image with higher accuracy in a shorter time.
Hybrid simulation using implicit solver coupling with HLA and FMI
Authors: Awais Muhammad Usman , Cvetkovic Milos , Palensky Peter
Published: May 2017

Hybrid systems such as Cyber Physical System (CPS) are becoming increasingly popular, mainly due to the involvement of information technology in different aspects of life. For analysis and verification of hybrid system models, simulation is used extensively. As parts of a common hybrid system may belong to different domains of study, it is sometimes beneficial to use specialized simulation packages (SPs) for each domain. In this case, parts of a system are simulated in different SPs. The idea may seem simple, but coupling more than one simulation component presents challenges related to numerical stability. The presented article suggests an implicit solver coupling technique enhanced to facilitate simulation of hybrid models using multiple simulation components. The technique is developed using two of the most popular simulation interoperability standards, namely, the High Level Architecture and the Functional Mock-up Interface. By using these standards, the developed algorithm will be useful for a large number of practitioners and researchers. The developed algorithm is described using a generic distributed computation model, which makes it reproducible even without using the standards. For the verification of results, the algorithm is tested on two case studies. The results are compared to a monolithic simulator and the proximity of results initiates the validity of the developed algorithm.
Nonrecessive and Sustained Precessional Domain Wall Motion Driven by Perpendicular Field Pulses in Thin Magnetic Nanocylinders
Authors: Liu Jianyi , Guo Jun , Yang Mingming , Zeng Xiaoyan , Yan Ming
Published: May 2017

In a conventional field-driven domain wall (DM) motion, the external field is applied along the magnetization of the magnetic domain which is expanded during the process. Recently, a novel approach is proposed to utilize a perpendicular field pulse rather than an in-plane one to drive DWs in magnetic nanostripes. In this paper, we apply this idea to transverse DWs in thin cylindrical nanowires. In the case of driving a single DW, this approach displays apparent advantages. Owing to the zero DW mass and inertia, a net DW displacement can be attained by applying a field pulse which is initially vertical to the DW magnetization. Therefore, no artificial pinning sites are required as in flat strips. Furthermore, we propose to rotate the external field with a particular frequency to maintain a right angle between the field and the DW magnetization. In this way, a continuous DW motion with maximum speed can be realized. The feasibility of this proposed approach is demonstrated by micromagnetic simulations and an analytical calculation.
Simulation of Small Molecules Permeation Through Polymer Matrix
Authors: Fleury Alexandre , Li Xu , Soldera Armand
Published: May 2017

New technologies deeply depend on the ability of chemists to synthesize new functional materials. However, this synthetic step requires great efforts. Moreover, it is very likely that the ensuing compound does not fit the expected properties. With the advent of simulation, associated with the increase in computer performance and efficiency of codes, a screening of the best potential candidates to be synthesized becomes available. Accordingly, getting a polymer with a specific permeability, and also understanding the molecular reasons underlying this process, are some of the assets of molecular simulation. Nevertheless, representation of a material from a molecular perspective is not straightforward. A specific protocol must be established. It takes into account the fact that calculations are carried out on very tiny systems. An accurate depiction and perpetual validations confronting simulated results with experimental data make the protocol relevant. The computation of the penetrants’ diffusion coefficient and solubility is then introduced, in order to reveal the simulation of the permeation of a small molecule through an amorphous polymer system. The paper concludes with the most recent studies on the subject.
On Network Neutrality Measurements
Authors: Maltinsky Alex , Giladi Ran , Shavitt Yuval
Published: May 2017

Network level surveillance, censorship, and various man-in-the-middle attacks target only specific types of network traffic (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, VoIP, or Email). Therefore, packets of these types will likely receive “special” treatment by a transit network or a man-in-the-middle attacker. A transit Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an attacker may pass the targeted traffic through special software or equipment to gather data or perform an attack. This creates a measurable difference between the performance of the targeted traffic versus the general case. In networking terms, it violates the principle of “network neutrality,” which states that all traffic should be treated equally. Many techniques were designed to detect network neutrality violations, and some have naturally suggested using them to detect surveillance and censorship. In this article, we show that the existing network neutrality measurement techniques can be easily detected and therefore circumvented. We then briefly propose a new approach to overcome the drawbacks of current measurement techniques.
The April 2017 Issue
Authors: Bonaventure Olivier
Published: May 2017

Description of the content of the April 2017 issue.
Principles for Measurability in Protocol Design
Authors: Allman Mark , Beverly Robert , Trammell Brian
Published: May 2017

Measurement has become fundamental to the operation of networks and at-scale services---whether for management, security, diagnostics, optimization, or simply enhancing our collective understanding of the Internet as a complex system. Further, measurements are useful across points of view---from end hosts to enterprise networks and data centers to the wide area Internet. We observe that many measurements are decoupled from the protocols and applications they are designed to illuminate. Worse, current measurement practice often involves the exploitation of side-effects and unintended features of the network; or, in other words, the artful piling of hacks atop one another. This state of affairs is a direct result of the relative paucity of diagnostic and measurement capabilities built into today's network stack.

Given our modern dependence on ubiquitous measurement, we propose \emph{measurability} as an explicit low-level goal of current protocol design, and argue that measurements should be available to all network protocols throughout the stack. We seek to generalize the idea of measurement \emph{within} protocols, e.g., the way in which TCP relies on measurement to drive its end-to-end behavior. Rhetorically, we pose the question: \textit{what if the stack had been built with measurability and diagnostic support in mind?} We start from a set of principles for explicit measurability, and define primitives that, were they supported by the stack, would not only provide a solid foundation for protocol design going forward, but also reduce the cost and increase the accuracy of measuring the network.
Summary of the Works-in-Progress Session at IMC’16
Authors: Choffnes David
Published: May 2017

The Internet Measurement Conference provided a formal works-in-progess (WiP) session in November, 2016. This report describes the process for organizing and selecting participants, the format of the event, and summaries of the work presented.
Signature verification based on inter-stroke and intra-stroke information
Authors: Shin Jungpil , Maruyama Ken , Kim Cheol Min
Published: May 2017

Signature verification is one of the most popular subjects in pattern recognition. Many kinds of verification methods for online handwritten signatures have basically used the individual features of signatures. However, how to reflect inter-stroke information extracted from handwritten multi-stroke signatures in the verification has not been well considered. This paper suggests a new verification method that uses inter-stroke information based on shape contexts. The shape context describes how points are distributed around a given point on the shape. We compare our Shape Context method with a basic method. The basic method performs signature verification using intra-stroke information such as pen position, pen pressure, pen inclination, pen altitude and elapsed time by DP matching. The Shape Context method treats inter-stroke information such as point distribution. In addition, we try to improve the accuracy of the method by incorporating a weighted evaluation of the average pressure value of each stroke. Comparing with the basic method, the Shape Context method reduces false rejection rate from 4.14% to 1.54%, and false acceptance rate from 4.06% to 2.01%. The experimental results show the effectiveness of inter-stroke information on signature verification.
Towards clustering-based device-to-device communications for supporting applications
Authors: Hematian Amirshahram , Yu Wei , Lu Chao , Griffith David , Golmie Nada
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we address the issue of how to leverage Wi-Fi Direct (as an outband solution) to enable the Device-to-Device (D2D) communication, which can not only offload massive data traffic from the LTE (Long Term Evolution)-based cellular network, but also support the communications of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. Particularly, we develop a clustering-based scheme that automatically finds the best candidates to remain connected to the LTE network while the rest of the devices can be disconnected directly from the LTE-based cellular network. By doing so, we can reduce the signal interference, increase the average throughput and spectral efficiency of the network, and also reduce unnecessary data traffic that can be transmitted locally by D2D communications instead of going through the LTE-based cellular network. Devices in established clusters can indirectly communicate with the LTE network via the cluster head, which can be dynamically selected and remains connected to the LTE network directly. Using the real-world cellular data collected from a public database related to the deployment of LTE networks, and Google geo-coding APIs (Application Program Interfaces) to locate the real-world smart meters, we show the effectiveness of our proposed scheme based on an extensive study of two scenarios: the first is in traffic offloading in the cellular network, and the second is in IoT applications, specifically, smart grid communications.
Women's voices in management: identifying innovative and responsible solutions
Authors: Keller Beth
Published: May 2017

Research examining women's voices in academia, women's leadership in academic and industry contexts, and their management styles in business and social spheres has been more or less steady since the late 1970s. For the last ten years, female students have accounted for approximately 57% of the students enrolled in colleges and universities around the world (Martin, 2014). Despite these enrollment numbers, female administrators in many academic institutions and non-academic businesses are still outnumbered by their male counterparts. The collection
Women's Voices in Management: Identifying Innovative and Responsible Solutions
edited by Helena Desivilya Syna and Carmen-Eugenia Costea asks readers to consider women's voices in different cultural and global settings, "emphasizing and materializing gender equality [...] in top management, entrepreneurship, and leadership in complex sociopolitical and culturally diverse societies" (p. 10).
Editors opine
Authors: Weikle Dee A. B.
Published: May 2017

The year of 2017 has certainly had an interesting beginning and the relevance of computing in society has only been amplified in a world where Donald Trump is the President of the United States of America. Whether you are supportive of his perspective and actions or not, no one can deny that social media such as Twitter and Facebook, along with the ever-present Google search seems to be an integral part of nearly every aspect of our lives.
Letter from the SIGCAS chair
Authors: Goldweber Michael
Published: May 2017

2017 will most likely be SIGCAS's busiest year to date. Yes, I know that sounds SIGCAS Chair propaganda, but allow me to explain. Hopefully, the the conclusion of this column you'll be in agreement.
Offshoring and social exchange
Authors: John Jeremy St. , Vedder Richard , Guynes Steve
Published: May 2017

Social exchange theory deals with social behavior in the exchange of activities between organizations. The theory holds that the relationships experienced should be close but flexible.
1
This study captures the social relationship factors from social exchange theory (trust, power, dependence, communication and shared values) that underlay the client-vendor relationship and presents empirical evidence for the effectiveness of a relational approach to offshoring. This is not an intuitive approach, especially when offshoring. It is an especially difficult approach to take in a time when wide spread offshoring failures are encouraging client companies engaged in offshoring to try and keep control with strict contracts that stifle flexibility and to limit their vulnerability by maintaining other boundaries that restrict relationships.
2
Imagining a new public information and communication infrastructure
Authors: Schuler Douglas
Published: May 2017

Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. Spoken by the Red Queen in Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871) by Lewis Carroll
Stator and Rotor Faults Diagnosis of Squirrel Cage Motor Based on Fundamental Component Extraction Method
Authors: An Guoqing , Li Hongru
Published: May 2017

Nowadays, stator current analysis used for detecting the incipient fault in squirrel cage motor has received much attention. However, in the case of interturn short circuit in stator, the traditional symmetrical component method has lost the precondition due to the harmonics and noise; the negative sequence component (NSC) is hard to be obtained accurately. For broken rotor bars, the new added fault feature blanked by fundamental component is also difficult to be discriminated in the current spectrum. To solve the above problems, a fundamental component extraction (FCE) method is proposed in this paper. On one hand, via the antisynchronous speed coordinate (ASC) transformation, NSC of extracted signals is transformed into the DC value. The amplitude of synthetic vector of NSC is used to evaluate the severity of stator fault. On the other hand, the extracted fundamental component can be filtered out to make the rotor fault feature emerge from the stator current spectrum. Experiment results indicate that this method is feasible and effective in both interturn short circuit and broken rotor bars fault diagnosis. Furthermore, only stator currents and voltage frequency are needed to be recorded, and this method is easy to implement.
Serum Soluble ST2 and Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Farcaş Anca Daniela , Anton Florin Petru , Goidescu Cerasela Mihaela , Gavrilă Iulia Laura , Vida-Simiti Luminiţa Animarie , Stoia Mirela Anca
Published: May 2017

Background. Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular (LV) structural and functional alterations in hypertension has some limitations, potentially overcome by using biomarkers. ST2, a prognostic biomarker for heart failure and myocardial infarction patients, was less studied in hypertension. Aim. To analyze the relationship between serum ST2 levels and diastolic dysfunction (DD) in hypertension. Method. We enrolled 88 hypertensive outpatients (average age 65 years, 69.3% females) in a prospective study, stratified for presence of LV hypertrophy (LVH). For each patient clinical examination, lab workup (routine and serum ST2 levels) and echocardiography were performed. Results. Hypertensive patients with LVH had higher age, pulse pressure, mean arterial pressure, and serum ST2, while having lower serum albumin than those without LVH. Serum ST2 levels correlate with parameters of LV remodeling and DD. We found that 5.3% of ST2 level variability was caused by a 1-unit variation of cardiovascular risk. We identified cut-off values for discriminating hypertension with LVH versus that without LVH and grade 2 DD versus normal diastolic performance. Conclusion. ST2 could be used as diagnostic biomarker for cardiac remodeling and altered diastolic performance in hypertension, providing additional data to echocardiography. It could represent a milestone in early detection of cardiac performance alteration.
Intracorneal Hematoma Showing Clinical and Dermoscopic Features of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma
Authors: Uslu Ugur , Heppt Franz , Erdmann Michael
Published: May 2017

Intra- and subcorneal hematoma, a skin alteration seen palmar and plantar after trauma or physical exercise, can be challenging to distinguish from in situ or invasive acral lentiginous melanoma. Thus, careful examination including dermoscopic and histologic assessment may be necessary to make the correct diagnosis. We here present a case of a 67-year-old healthy female patient who presented with a pigmented plantar skin alteration. Differential diagnoses included benign skin lesions, for example, hematoma or melanocytic nevus, and also acral lentiginous melanoma or melanoma in situ. Since clinical and dermoscopic examinations did not rule out a malignant skin lesion, surgical excision was performed and confirmed an intracorneal hematoma. In summary, without adequate physical trigger, it may be clinically and dermoscopically challenging to make the correct diagnosis in pigmented palmar and plantar skin alterations. Thus, biopsy or surgical excision of the skin alteration may be necessary to rule out melanoma.
Dynamic Changes of the Frequency of Classic and Inflammatory Monocytes Subsets and Natural Killer Cells in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated by Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents
Authors: Ning Gang , Li Yi-ting , Chen You-ming , Zhang Ying , Zeng Ying-fu , Lin Chao-shuang
Published: May 2017

Objective. Up to now, little was known about the immunological changes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs); we try to explore the effect of DAAs on the frequency of monocytes, NK cells, and cytokines that promote their activation. Methods. 15 treatment-naive CHC patients and 10 healthy controls were recruited. Patients were examined before DAAs therapy (0 w) and at week 4 (4 w) and week 12 (12 w) of therapy. Percentage of monocytes and NK cells of the peripheral blood was analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum cytokines IL-12, IL-18, CXCL10, CXCL11, sCD14, and sCD163 were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results. The frequency of CD3–CD16+CD56+ NK cells and classic CD14++CD16− monocytes decreased, while CD14+CD16+ monocytes and cytokines IL-12, IL-18, CXCL10, CXCL11, sCD14, and sCD163 increased at 0 w compared to healthy controls. During DAAs treatment, the decreased NK cells and classic monocytes gradually increased to normal levels; the increased inflammatory monocytes and cytokines IL-12 and CXCL11 decreased to normal levels, but the increased cytokines IL-18, CXCL10, sCD14, and sCD163 still remained at high levels at 12 w though they decreased rapidly from 0 w. Conclusion. Our results showed that DAAs treatment attenuated the activation of monocytes and NK cells in CHC patients. Trial registration number is NCT03063723.
Molecular Study of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates for Metallo-β-Lactamases and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamases Genes in Intensive Care Unit, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt
Authors: Alkasaby Nashwa M. , El Sayed Zaki Maysaa
Published: May 2017

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has been known as a causative pathogen of hospital acquired infections. The aim of this study is to examine the presence of A. baumannii among clinical isolates from intensive care unit (ICU) in Mansoura University Hospital (MUH), its antibiotic resistance pattern, and prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) and extended-spectrum-β-lactamases (ESBLs) among A. baumannii isolates. A. baumannii was identified by colony morphology, API 20E, and confirmed by detecting the bla OXA-51-like carbapenemase gene by PCR. Phenotypic expression of MBLs resistance was demonstrated by Combined Disk Test (CDT) in 273 isolates (97.5%) and of ESBLs was demonstrated by double disc synergy method (DDST) in 6 isolates (2.1%). MBLs genes were positive in 266 isolates (95%) and ESBLs genes were positive in 8 isolates (2.9%). The most frequent genes of MBLs studied genes were IMP (95.7%) followed by SIM and GIM (47.1% and 42.9%; resp.). For ESBL genes, the most frequent gene was TEM (2.9%). From this study, we conclude that multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii with MBLs activity was the most common isolate. Careful monitoring for the presence of MDR A. baumannii among hospitalized patients is recommended to avoid wide dissemination of antibiotic resistance.
Histological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of a Case of Endometriosis in a Guinea Pig (Cavia tschudii)
Authors: Baldi Alfonso , Lanza Andrea , Menicagli Francesco , Signorile Pietro G. , Spugnini Enrico P.
Published: May 2017

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the ectopic proliferation of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. The pathogenesis of this disease is still obscure, and Sampson’s theory of retrograde menstruation is still the most widely accepted explanation. Endometriosis in animals has been so far described not only in baboons and a rhesus macaque but also in dogs and horses that are nonmenstruating animals. In this article, we report the histological and immunohistochemical characterization of the first case of ovarian cystic endometriosis and adenomyosis in a guinea pig. The case presented supports the hypothesis that endometriosis is a disease not at all related to the phenomenon of retrograde menstruation but is a consequence of some alterations in the morphogenesis of the female genital system and therefore it could be found in any mammal. We suggest considering endometriosis among the other pathological phenotypes in animals displaying ovarian and uterine alterations and having a history of difficulties in conceiving.
Neuropsychiatric Manifestations in a Patient with Panhypopituitarism
Authors: Jegede Oluwole , Jeyakumar Ajouka , Balakumar Thyarapan , Raghu Alyssa , Chang Katherine I. , Soewono Katarina , Gustave Mario , Jolayemi Ayodeji
Published: May 2017

We present a case of an incidental diagnosis of panhypopituitarism in a 68-year-old African American man admitted to our psychiatric inpatient unit with symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia. The case was unusual as a first-episode psychosis given the patient’s age. In the course of his admission, the patient’s clinical condition deteriorated culminating in a sudden altered mental status which prompted a transfer to the medical floors and further investigations. A head CT scan and a pituitary MRI revealed a near total resection of the pituitary while laboratory investigations revealed hyponatremia and a grossly low hormone profile. The progression of these events casts doubts on our admitting diagnosis as the primary cause of the patient’s symptoms. The patient’s clinical condition improved only when his endocrinopathy was treated with hormone replacement, fluids, and electrolyte correction in addition to antipsychotics. An inability to verify the patient’s psychiatric history and a remote history of pituitary resection several decades earlier, unknown to the treating team, added to the diagnostic conundrum. We revised the diagnosis to neuropsychiatric manifestations secondary to an organic brain syndrome due to a partial pituitary resection. The patient was discharged with no symptoms of psychosis, good insight, judgment, and good reality testing.
Prognostic Significance of Blood Transfusion in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients without Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Fan Liping , Fu Danhui , Zhang Jinping , Huang Haobo , Wang Qingqing , Ye Yamei , Xie Qianling
Published: May 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether blood transfusions affect overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients without hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A total of 181 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: 68 patients in the transfused group and 113 patients in the nontransfused group. Statistical analyses showed that there were significant differences in ECOG scoring, Ig isotype, platelet (Plt) counts, hemoglobin (Hb) level, serum creatinine (Scr) level, and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) level between the two groups. Univariate analyses showed that higher International Staging System staging, Plt counts < 100 × 109/L, Scr level ≥ 177 μmol/L, serum β2-MG ≥ 5.5 μmol/L, serum calcium (Ca) ≥ 2.75 mmol/L, and thalidomide use were associated with both OS and PFS in MM patients. Age ≥ 60 was associated with OS and Ig isotype was associated with PFS in MM patients. Moreover, blood transfusion was associated with PFS but not OS in MM patients. Multivariate analyses showed that blood transfusion was not an independent factor for PFS in MM patients. Our preliminary results suggested that newly diagnosed MM patients may benefit from a liberal blood transfusion strategy, since blood transfusion is not an independent impact factor for survival.
Maintenance of Remission with Partial Enteral Nutrition Therapy in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Schulman Jacqueline M. , Pritzker Liat , Shaoul Ron
Published: May 2017

Background. Partial enteral nutrition (PEN) may be helpful for the maintenance of remission in pediatric Crohn’s disease patients. Aims. To evaluate the efficacy of PEN treatment for preventing clinical relapse. Methods. We retrospectively assessed 42 pediatric Crohn’s disease patients who entered clinical remission on 4–12 weeks of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) and were maintained on PEN as a supplementary diet. We evaluated the efficacy of the treatment at different time points using the weighted Pediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (wPCDAI), Physician Global Assessment, laboratory parameters, and growth of each patient. Additionally, we assessed the use of concomitant medications. Results. The median length of remission with PEN was 6 (0–36) months. Patients’ remission was maintained on PEN without concomitant medications for a median time of zero months (0–16). The mean body mass index in the PEN group increased from 18.1 to 18.8 after six months of PEN. The median wPCDAI decreased from 30 at diagnosis to 5.0 after EEN and increased to 7.5 after three months of PEN. Overall, the median wPCDAI decreased by 26.2. Conclusions. PEN treatment was partially effective in maintaining remission and was able to increase BMI and lower wPCDAI. Most patients required concomitant medication after PEN initiation.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Environmental Toxicants: Epigenetics as an Underlying Mechanism
Authors: Tran Nguyen Quoc Vuong , Miyake Kunio
Published: May 2017

The increasing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), calls for more research into the identification of etiologic and risk factors. The Developmental Origin of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesizes that the environment during fetal and childhood development affects the risk for many chronic diseases in later stages of life, including neurodevelopmental disorders. Epigenetics, a term describing mechanisms that cause changes in the chromosome state without affecting DNA sequences, is suggested to be the underlying mechanism, according to the DOHaD hypothesis. Moreover, many neurodevelopmental disorders are also related to epigenetic abnormalities. Experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to prenatal environmental toxicants is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, there is also evidence that environmental toxicants can result in epigenetic alterations, notably DNA methylation. In this review, we first focus on the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders and environmental toxicants, in particular maternal smoking, plastic-derived chemicals (bisphenol A and phthalates), persistent organic pollutants, and heavy metals. We then review studies showing the epigenetic effects of those environmental factors in humans that may affect normal neurodevelopment.