bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt tolerance of two wheat – Agropyron junceum disomic addition lines
Authors: Forster B. P. , Miller T. E. , Law C. N.
Published: July 2017

Two wheat – Agropyron junceum disomic addition lines homoeologous to groups 2 and 5 were tested for tolerance to salt. The experiments included germination and growth to maturity at various concentrations of sodium chloride (NaCl). The results were compared with those of wheat lines tetrasomic for chromosomes 2A, 2B, 2D, 5A, 5B, and 5D and also with the wheat parent 'Chinese Spring', and the salt-tolerant 'Chinese Spring' – A. junceum amphiploid. The addition of homoeologous group 2 chromosomes reduced the tolerance to salt relative to 'Chinese Spring' in every case. The order of tolerance was ranked as 'Chinese Spring' > 2J disomic addition line > tetra 2A = tetra 2D > tetra 2B. The addition of wheat group 5 chromosomes was either equal to 'Chinese Spring' or worse with respect to tolerance to salt. However, the disomic addition line for 5J showed considerable tolerance to salt and at 200 mol m−3 NaCl produced a similar response to that of the amphiploid in producing fertile tillers. Both produced viable grain, but the grain produced by the 5J addition line at 200 mol−3 NaCl was small and shrivelled, unlike the plump grain produced by the amphiploid. The order of tolerance was ranked as amphiploid > 5J addition line > 'Chinese Spring' = tetra 5A > tetra 5B = tetra 5D. It is concluded that there are genes on the group 2 chromosomes that confer susceptibility to salt and that chromosome 5J of A. junceum carries a major gene(s) for tolerance to salt. The potential for transferring this character into wheat is discussed. A hypothesis is also proposed to explain the function of the salt-tolerance gene(s) at critical stages in the life cycle of wheat.Key words: salt tolerance, wheat, Agropyron junceum, disomic addition lines.
Thin-shell wormholes in neo-Newtonian theory
Authors: Övgün Ali , Salako Ines G.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we constructed an acoustic thin-shell wormhole (ATW) under neo-Newtonian theory using the Darmois–Israel junction conditions. To determine the stability of the ATW by applying the cut-and-paste method, we found the surface density and surface pressure of the ATW under neo-Newtonian hydrodynamics just after obtaining an analog acoustic neo-Newtonian solution. We focused on the effects of the neo-Newtonian parameters by performing stability analyses using different types of fluids, such as a linear barotropic fluid (LBF), a Chaplygin fluid (CF), a logarithmic fluid (LogF) and a polytropic fluid (PF). We showed that a fluid with negative energy is required at the throat to keep the wormhole stable. The ATW can be stable if suitable values of the neo-Newtonian parameters [Formula: see text], A and B are chosen.
Analog Electronic Implementation of Unstable Dissipative Systems of Type I with Multi-Scrolls Displaced Along Space
Authors: Ontañón-García L. J. , Lozoya-Ponce R. E.
Published: July 2017

Multi-scroll Unstable Dissipative Systems (UDS) in [Formula: see text] which consist of piecewise linear systems are implemented electronically by means of analog computing. The scrolling behavior of the systems can be designed to oscillate along a specific axis or into space depending on the unstable and stable manifolds. In order for a multi-scroll attractor, this switching system must present at least two unstable hyperbolic focus-saddle equilibria with the same stability index, a negative real eigenvalue and a pair of complex conjugated eigenvalues with positive real part. Then, to displace the scrolls among the axes and space different switching control laws must be designed. By taking into consideration the mathematical expressions of the switching systems, the electronic implementations are carried out by means of operational amplifiers representing the real analog physical solution of the systems, from which the voltage is measured representing the states solution.
Dirac’s reduced radial equations and the problem of additional solutions
Authors: Khelashvili Anzor , Nadareishvili Teimuraz
Published: July 2017

We show that additional solutions must be ignored (in differences of the Schrödinger and Klein–Gordon equations) in the Dirac equation, where usually the second-order radial equation is passed, called the reduced equation, instead of a system. Analogously to the Schrödinger equation, in this process, the Dirac’s delta function appears, which was unnoted during the full history of quantum mechanics. This unphysical term we remove by a boundary condition at the origin. However, the distribution theory imposes on the radial function strong restriction and by this reason practically for all potentials, even regular, use of these reduced equations is not permissible. At the end, we include consideration in the framework of two-dimensional Dirac equation. We show that even here the additional solution does not survive as a result of usual physical requirements.
A comparison theorem for stochastic equations of optional semimartingales
Authors: Abdelghani Mohamed , Melnikov Alexander
Published: July 2017

This paper is devoted to comparison of strong solutions of stochastic equations with respect to optional semimartingales. Optional semimartingales have right and left limits but are not necessarily continuous and therefore defined on “unusual” probability spaces. Integration theory with respect to optional semimartingales is well-developed. However, not much attention is given to stochastic integral equations of optional semimartingales. A pathwise comparison result for strong solutions of a very general class of optional stochastic equations with non-lipshitz coefficients is given. Moreover, simple applications to mathematical finance is presented.
Stochastic nonlinear bending response of elastically supported nanotube-reinforced composite beam in thermal environment
Authors: Chaudhari Virendra Kumar , Shegokar Niranjan L. , Lal Achchhe
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the second-order statistics of the nonlinear bending response of elastically supported single-wall carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) beam composed of uniformly distributed (UD) and functionally graded (FG) reinforcements in thermal environments with uncertain system properties. The uncertain system properties such as material properties of matrix and SWCNTs, foundation parameters, thermal expansion coefficients are be modeled as uncorrelated Gaussian random variables. The material properties of FG-CNTRCs are assumed to be graded in the beam thickness direction and are evaluated through a micromechanical model. The higher order shear deformation theories (HSDT) with von-Karman nonlinear strain kinematics are used for the mathematical formulation of CNTRCs beam. The thermal effects are also included in the material properties of CNTRCs which are assumed to be temperature dependent and independent. The second-order perturbation technique (SOPT) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) via [Formula: see text] nonlinear finite element method (FEM) through Newton–Raphason method are proposed to examine the mean, COV and probability density function (PDF) of transverse deflection of the beam. Typical numerical results are presented for the different volume fraction of carbon nanotube, slenderness ratios, boundary conditions, foundation parameters, load parameters, CNTRC distribution, temperature dependent and independent material properties with random system properties. The present outlined approach is validated with the results available in the literature and by employing MCS.
The Shearwater Field – understanding the overburden above a geologically complex and pressure-depleted high-pressure and high-temperature field
Authors: Jones D. W. , Taylor B. J. , Gill C. E. , Bevaart M. , van Bergen P. F. , Watson J. S. , De Gennaro S. , Hodzic M.
Published: July 2017

The Shearwater Field, located in Block 22/30b in the UK Central Graben, remains one of the best-known fields in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS). At the time of the initial development, Shearwater represented one of the most complex and technically challenging high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) developments of its kind in the North Sea. During the early life of the field, pressure depletion resulted in compaction of the Fulmar reservoir, leading to mechanical failure of the development wells. The compaction also resulted in weakening of the overburden due to an effect known as stress arching. Over time, this resulted in
in situ
stress changes in the overburden which have been observed from 4D seismic datasets and are in line with geomechanical modelling. This is particularly true for the Hod Formation in the Chalk Group, and resulted in the need to make changes to infill well design, including the use of new drilling technologies, to ensure safe and effective well delivery. The insights presented here, which relate to the understanding of pore pressure and fluid fill in the overburden, and how the overburden has responded to stress changes over time, are of relevance to current and future HPHT field developments in both the UK North Sea and elsewhere.
Fe Isotopic Compositions of Modern Seafloor Hydrothermal Systems and Their Influence Factors
Authors: Li Xiaohu , Wang Jianqiang , Wang Hao
Published: July 2017

Based on previous research on the Fe isotope compositions of various components and systems of the Earth, this study focused on the Fe isotope compositions of hydrothermal systems, including the Fe isotope variations in chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite, and their possible controlling factors. The main findings are as follows: (1) The range of Fe isotopes in hydrothermal systems at mid-ocean ridge is very large. The δ56Fe values of hydrothermal fluids are characterized by significant enrichment in light Fe isotopes. (2) The δ56Fe values of sulfides also exhibit lighter Fe isotope characteristics than those of hydrothermal fluids from hydrothermal vent fields at mid-ocean ridge. The vent temperature, fluid properties, and mineral deposition processes significantly affect the δ56Fe values of hydrothermal sulfides. (3) Chalcopyrite is preferentially enriched in heavy Fe isotopes, whereas sphalerite and pyrite are enriched in light Fe isotopes. In addition, the δ56Fe values of pyrite/marcasite display a larger range than those of chalcopyrite. This pattern is directly related to equilibrium fractionation or kinetic fractionation of Fe isotopes during the deposition of sulfides. To better understand the Fe isotope compositions of modern seafloor hydrothermal systems, the geochemical behavior and fractionation mechanisms of Fe isotopes require further in situ study.
Effect of the Holiday Season on Weight Gain: A Narrative Review
Authors: Díaz-Zavala Rolando G. , Castro-Cantú María F. , Valencia Mauro E. , Álvarez-Hernández Gerardo , Haby Michelle M. , Esparza-Romero Julián
Published: July 2017

Several studies suggest that the holiday season, starting from the last week of November to the first or second week of January, could be critical to gaining weight. This study aims to review the literature to determine the effects of the holidays on body weight. In studies of adults, a significant weight gain was consistently observed during this period (0.4 to 0.9 kg,p<0.05). The only study in college students found an effect on body fat but not on weight (0.1 kg,p=0.71). The only study found in children did not show an effect on BMI percentile (−0.4%,p>0.05) during this period. Among individuals with obesity who attempt to lose weight, an increase in weight was observed (0.3 to 0.9 kg, significant in some but not in all studies), as well as increase in weight in motivated self-monitoring people (0.4 to 0.6%,p<0.001). Programs focused on self-monitoring during the holidays (phone calls and daily mailing) appeared to prevent weight gain, but information is limited. The holiday season seems to increase body weight in adults, even in participants seeking to lose weight and in motivated self-monitoring people, whereas in children, adolescents, and college students, very few studies were found to make accurate conclusions.
Quantification of Barbatusin and 3β-Hydroxy-3-deoxybarbatusin in Plectranthus Species by HPLC-DAD
Authors: Silva Maria Goretti de Vasconcelos , Lima Leandro Bezerra , Oliveira Maria da Conceição Ferreira de , Mattos Marcos Carlos de , Mafezoli Jair
Published: July 2017

The concentration of diterpenes barbatusin (1) and 3β-hydroxy-3-deoxybarbatusin (2) in the extracts from leaves of Plectranthus grandis, P. barbatus, P. ornatus, and P. amboinicus was evaluated by HPLC-DAD analysis on a Luna C-18 column, using isocratic mixtures of water and acetonitrile as eluents. The regression equations were obtained with good linearity (r2 > 0.99) and limit of quantifications was higher than 0.1 µg/mL. The precision (lower than 3.5%, within day) and accuracy (higher than 81.7% and lower than 107.6%) of the methods were adequate. Barbatusin (1) was detected in P. grandis (15.432 ± 2.28 mg/g) and P. barbatus (5.198 ± 3.45 mg/g) extracts, while compound 2 was detected in P. grandis (4.068 ± 3.34 mg/g), P. barbatus (0.654 ± 5.86 mg/g), P. amboinicus (0.160 ± 7.25 mg/g), and P. ornatus (0.763 ± 5.10 mg/g). The evaluated validation parameters were satisfactorily achieved, and the developed methodology represents a suitable tool for application in the quantification of barbatusin (1) and 3β-hydroxy-3-deoxybarbatusin (2) in Plectranthus species.
Dynamic Characteristics Analysis of a Seismic Vibrator-Ground Coupling System
Authors: Jun Liu , Zhi-Qiang Huang , Gang Li , Shi-De Li , Xian Liu , Kai Zhang
Published: July 2017

A mathematical model to describe the seismic vibrator and ground coupling is proposed based on dynamic analyses of the vibrator baseplate structure and properties of soil. This mathematical model is solved using Newmark’s method. It produces reasonable results and the trend of amplitude envelope follows the experimental data. With this model, characterization of the vibrator-ground coupling is performed. Modal analysis study shows that the motions between the vibrator reaction mass and baseplate experience a combination of a first-order vibration mode and a second-order vibration mode. The corresponding frequencies of two vibration modes are located at 2.77 Hz and 488.7 Hz, respectively. As the frequency goes up, the motion behavior of the reaction mass and baseplate is dominated by the second-order vibration mode. It is realized that the second-order vibration mode is responsible for the phase difference between the input sweep signal and the output force signal. Furthermore, the impact of the coupling system parameters on the vibrator output force is also investigated. It is observed that the vibrator output force decreases as the sweep frequency increases. The weight ratio of the reaction mass and the baseplate has an impact on the vibrator output force.
Differences in Healing of a Horizontal Root Fracture as Seen on Conventional Periapical Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Rothom Ronnachat , Chuveera Patchanee
Published: July 2017

Different locations and healing patterns of horizontal root fractures bear different prognoses. Conventional periapical radiographs have been routinely used for the evaluation of the locations and healing of horizontal root fractures, with the limitation of presenting two-dimensional images. The three-dimensional imaging technology, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), has recently gained interest in dental traumatology, in particular for locating and diagnosing root fractures. However, the assessment of healing patterns of horizontal root fracture using CBCT compared to conventional radiographs has not been established. This case report describes the different healing patterns evaluated by two-dimensional radiographs and CBCT of a horizontally root-fractured maxillary right central incisor treated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with a two-year follow-up. The findings suggest that the healing patterns of horizontal root fractures seen on conventional radiographs and CBCT may be different.
Assessing Contact Graph Routing Performance and Reliability in Distributed Satellite Constellations
Authors: Fraire J. A. , Madoery P. , Burleigh S. , Feldmann M. , Finochietto J. , Charif A. , Zergainoh N. , Velazco R.
Published: July 2017

Existing Internet protocols assume persistent end-to-end connectivity, which cannot be guaranteed in disruptive and high-latency space environments. To operate over these challenging networks, a store-carry-and-forward communication architecture called Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) has been proposed. This work provides the first examination of the performance and robustness of Contact Graph Routing (CGR) algorithm, the state-of-the-art routing scheme for space-based DTNs. To this end, after a thorough description of CGR, two appealing satellite constellations are proposed and evaluated by means of simulations. Indeed, the DtnSim simulator is introduced as another relevant contribution of this work. Results enabled the authors to identify existing CGR weaknesses and enhancement opportunities.
A New Fuzzy Cognitive Map Learning Algorithm for Speech Emotion Recognition
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Xueying , Sun Ying
Published: July 2017

Selecting an appropriate recognition method is crucial in speech emotion recognition applications. However, the current methods do not consider the relationship between emotions. Thus, in this study, a speech emotion recognition system based on the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) approach is constructed. Moreover, a new FCM learning algorithm for speech emotion recognition is proposed. This algorithm includes the use of the pleasure‐arousal‐dominance emotion scale to calculate the weights between emotions and certain mathematical derivations to determine the network structure. The proposed algorithm can handle a large number of concepts, whereas a typical FCM can handle only relatively simple networks (maps). Different acoustic features, including fundamental speech features and a new spectral feature, are extracted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Three experiments are conducted in this paper, namely, single feature experiment, feature combination experiment, and comparison between the proposed algorithm and typical networks. All experiments are performed on TYUT2.0 and EMO‐DB databases. Results of the feature combination experiments show that the recognition rates of the combination features are 10%–20% better than those of single features. The proposed FCM learning algorithm generates 5%–20% performance improvement compared with traditional classification networks.
Recent Pathophysiological Aspects of Peyronie’s Disease: Role of Free Radicals, Rationale, and Therapeutic Implications for Antioxidant Treatment—Literature Review
Authors: Paulis Gianni , Romano Gennaro , Paulis Luca , Barletta Davide
Published: July 2017

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a chronic inflammation of tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa that causes an inelastic plaque resulting in penis deformation. Although its etiology is not completely known, there is general consensus that PD is genetically transmitted and secondary to penile trauma. In recent years, numerous studies demonstrated the role played by oxidative stress in PD pathogenesis, and other studies have described successful use of antioxidants in PD treatment. Oxidative stress is an integral part of this disease, influencing its progression. In the early stages of PD, the inflammatory infiltrate cells produce high quantities of free radicals and proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, with consequent activation of transcription factor NF-κB. While conservative therapies commonly used in the early stages of PD include oral substances (Potaba, tamoxifen, colchicine, and vitamin E), intralesional treatment (verapamil, interferon, steroids, and more recently collagenase clostridium histolyticum-Xiaflex), and local physical treatment (iontophoresis, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and penile extender), the significant results obtained by emerging treatments with the antioxidants cited in this article suggest these therapeutic agents interfere at several levels with the disease’s pathogenetic mechanisms. Antioxidants therapy outcomes are interesting for good clinical practice and also confirm the fundamental role played by oxidative stress in PD.
Neutrino Emission from Magnetized Microquasar Jets
Authors: Smponias Theodoros , Kosmas Odysseas
Published: July 2017

The hadronic jets in a microquasar stellar system are modeled with the relativistic hydrocode PLUTO. We focus on neutrino emission from such jets produced by fast proton (nonthermal) collisions on thermal ones within the hadronic jet. We adopt a semianalytical approximation for the description of the secondary particles produced from p-p collisions and develop appropriate algorithms using the aforementioned injected protons as input. As a concrete example, we consider the SS-433 X-ray binary system for which several observations have been made the last decades. In contrast to the preset distribution of the fast protons along the jet employed in our previous works, in the present paper, we simulated it by using a power-law fast proton distribution along the PLUTO hydrocode. This distribution gradually sweeps aside the surrounding winds, during the jet advance through the computational grid. As a first step, in the present work, the neutrino energy spectrum is extracted from the model jet, facilitating a range of potential dynamical simulations in currently interesting microquasar jet systems.
CMIP Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis in Human Glioma
Authors: Wang Bin , Wu Zheng-sheng , Wu Qiang
Published: July 2017

Glioma is one of the most common primary malignant brain tumors and the outcomes are generally poor. The intrinsic mechanisms involved in glioma development and progression remain unclear. Further studies are urgent and necessary. In this study, we have proven that CMIP (C-Maf-inducing protein) promotes cell proliferation and metastasis in A172 cells through knockdown of CMIP and in U251 cells through overexpression of CMIP by using MTT assay, cell colony formation assay, cell migration assay, and cell invasion assay. Furthermore, we discovered that CMIP upregulates MDM2, which is involved in the promoting role of CMIP in human glioma cells. For clinical study, 99 glioma tissues and 59 normal tissues were analyzed. CMIP expression was higher in glioma tissues than in normal tissues. In glioma tissues, CMIP is found to correlate positively with tumor grade but no significant correlation is found with patients’ age, gender, or Karnofsky performance score (KPS). Moreover, CMIP also correlates with low relapse-free survival (RFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate in glioma patients. Therefore, CMIP is oncogenic and could be a potential target for human glioma diagnosis and therapy.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Performance of Sb2Se3 Nanorods
Authors: Hu Ning , Cheney Marcos A. , Hanifehpour Younes , Joo Sang Woo , Min Bong-Ki
Published: July 2017

Antimony selenide has many potential applications in thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and phase-change memory devices. A novel method is described for the rapid and scalable preparation of antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) nanorods in the presence of hydrazine hydrate and/or permanganate at 40°C. Crystalline nanorods are obtained by the addition of hydrazine hydrate in a reaction mixture of antimony acetate and/or chloride and sodium selenite in neutral and basic media, while amorphous nanoparticles are formed by the addition of KMnO4 in a reaction mixture of antimony acetate/chloride and sodium selenite. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms orthorhombic phase crystalline Sb2Se3 for the first and second reactions with lattice parameters a=1.120 nm, b=1.128 nm, and c=0.383 nm and amorphous Sb2Se3 for the third reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images show the diameter of nanorods for the first and second reactions to be in the order of 100 nm to 150 nm and about 20 nm particles for the third reaction. EDX and XPS suggest that the nanorods are pure Sb2Se3. The UV-vis analysis indicates a band gap of 4.14 and 4.97 eV for the crystalline and amorphous Sb2Se3, respectively, corresponding to a blue shift. The photocatalytic study shows that the decolorization of Rhodamine in solution by nanoparticles is slightly greater than nanorods.
Decreased Cardiovascular Risk after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery in Chinese Diabetic Patients with Obesity
Authors: Zhao Xue , Duan Wenyan , Sun Chenglin , Li Zhuo , Liu Yujia , Xiao Xianchao , Wang Gang , Gang Xiaokun , Wang Guixia
Published: July 2017

Background. The influence of bariatric surgery on cardiovascular risks in Chinese diabetic patients remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the impact of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) on cardiovascular risks in Chinese diabetic patients with obesity. Methods. Twenty Chinese patients with T2DM and obesity undergoing RYGB surgery were included in this study. Cardiovascular risk factors were measured before and 18 months after surgery. A 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated by the UKPDS risk engine. Linear regression analysis was performed on CHD risk, stroke risk, and baseline metabolic parameters. Results. The complete remission rate of diabetes was 90% after RYGB surgery, with significant improvements in blood pressure, BMI, glucose, and lipid metabolism (P<0.05). The 10-year cardiovascular risk of coronary heart disease reduced from 13.05% to 3.81% (P=0.001) and the 10-year risk of stroke reduced from 19.66% to 14.22% (P=0.002). In subgroup analysis, Chinese diabetic patients who were women, <45 years old, with BMI < 35 kg/m2, and DM duration > 5 years, using noninsulin therapy presented more obvious improvements in the 10-year cardiovascular risk after RYGB surgery. WHR, age, LDL-C, and HbA1c were the most important factors influencing CHD or stroke risk after RYGB surgery (P<0.01). Conclusion. RYGB surgery is an effective treatment to reduce cardiovascular risk in Chinese diabetic patients with obesity.
Hybrid Disease Diagnosis Using Multiobjective Optimization with Evolutionary Parameter Optimization
Authors: Nalluri MadhuSudana Rao , K. Kannan , M. Manisha , Roy Diptendu Sinha
Published: July 2017

With the widespread adoption of e-Healthcare and telemedicine applications, accurate, intelligent disease diagnosis systems have been profoundly coveted. In recent years, numerous individual machine learning-based classifiers have been proposed and tested, and the fact that a single classifier cannot effectively classify and diagnose all diseases has been almost accorded with. This has seen a number of recent research attempts to arrive at a consensus using ensemble classification techniques. In this paper, a hybrid system is proposed to diagnose ailments using optimizing individual classifier parameters for two classifier techniques, namely, support vector machine (SVM) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) technique. We employ three recent evolutionary algorithms to optimize the parameters of the classifiers above, leading to six alternative hybrid disease diagnosis systems, also referred to as hybrid intelligent systems (HISs). Multiple objectives, namely, prediction accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, have been considered to assess the efficacy of the proposed hybrid systems with existing ones. The proposed model is evaluated on 11 benchmark datasets, and the obtained results demonstrate that our proposed hybrid diagnosis systems perform better in terms of disease prediction accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Pertinent statistical tests were carried out to substantiate the efficacy of the obtained results.
Optimization of Classification Strategies of Acetowhite Temporal Patterns towards Improving Diagnostic Performance of Colposcopy
Authors: Gutiérrez-Fragoso Karina , Acosta-Mesa Héctor Gabriel , Cruz-Ramírez Nicandro , Hernández-Jiménez Rodolfo
Published: July 2017

Efforts have been being made to improve the diagnostic performance of colposcopy, trying to help better diagnose cervical cancer, particularly in developing countries. However, improvements in a number of areas are still necessary, such as the time it takes to process the full digital image of the cervix, the performance of the computing systems used to identify different kinds of tissues, and biopsy sampling. In this paper, we explore three different, well-known automatic classification methods (k-Nearest Neighbors, Naïve Bayes, and C4.5), in addition to different data models that take full advantage of this information and improve the diagnostic performance of colposcopy based on acetowhite temporal patterns. Based on the ROC and PRC area scores, thek-Nearest Neighbors and discrete PLA representation performed better than other methods. The values of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy reached using this method were 60% (95% CI 50–70), 79% (95% CI 71–86), and 70% (95% CI 60–80), respectively. The acetowhitening phenomenon is not exclusive to high-grade lesions, and we have found acetowhite temporal patterns of epithelial changes that are not precancerous lesions but that are similar to positive ones. These findings need to be considered when developing more robust computing systems in the future.
DrugECs: An Ensemble System with Feature Subspaces for Accurate Drug-Target Interaction Prediction
Authors: Jiang Jinjian , Wang Nian , Chen Peng , Zhang Jun , Wang Bing
Published: July 2017

Background. Drug-target interaction is key in drug discovery, especially in the design of new lead compound. However, the work to find a new lead compound for a specific target is complicated and hard, and it always leads to many mistakes. Therefore computational techniques are commonly adopted in drug design, which can save time and costs to a significant extent.Results. To address the issue, a new prediction system is proposed in this work to identify drug-target interaction. First, drug-target pairs are encoded with a fragment technique and the software “PaDEL-Descriptor.” The fragment technique is for encoding target proteins, which divides each protein sequence into several fragments in order and encodes each fragment with several physiochemical properties of amino acids. The software “PaDEL-Descriptor” creates encoding vectors for drug molecules. Second, the dataset of drug-target pairs is resampled and several overlapped subsets are obtained, which are then input into kNN (k-Nearest Neighbor) classifier to build an ensemble system.Conclusion. Experimental results on the drug-target dataset showed that our method performs better and runs faster than the state-of-the-art predictors.
The Rapidity Distributions and the Thermalization Induced Transverse Momentum Distributions in Au-Au Collisions at RHIC Energies
Authors: Jiang Zhi-Jin , Hui Jia-Qi , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2017

It is widely believed that the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) might be formed in the current heavy ion collisions. It is also widely recognized that the relativistic hydrodynamics is one of the best tools for describing the process of expansion and hadronization of QGP. In this paper, by taking into account the effects of thermalization, a hydrodynamic model including phase transition from QGP state to hadronic state is used to analyze the rapidity and transverse momentum distributions of identified charged particles produced in heavy ion collisions. A comparison is made between the theoretical results and experimental data. The theoretical model gives a good description of the corresponding measurements made in Au-Au collisions at RHIC energies.
Application of Fractional Calculus to Frontal Crash Modeling
Authors: Zigic Miodrag , Grahovac Nenad
Published: July 2017

Fractional derivative viscoelastic model is used in the analysis of a frontal impact of a vehicle against a rigid obstacle. The frontal part of the vehicle is first modeled as a viscoelastic fractional rod and then it is modeled as two different viscoelastic fractional rods with a different length. In the second model also the friction is taken into account. A motion is analyzed during several phases because of both different lengths of the rods and the presence of a dry friction force in the later model. Governing systems of differential equations together with the corresponding initial conditions are derived. Parameter identification is done on the basis of the existing experimental results using the solution of a posed impact problem. What makes the problem more complex, regarding the second model, is the fact that it belongs to the class of nonsmooth fractional order systems, which require special treatment when dealing with deformation history during different motion phases.
Thyroid Disorders in Central Ghana: The Influence of 20 Years of Iodization
Authors: Sarfo-Kantanka Osei , Kyei Ishmael , Sarfo Fred Stephen , Ansah Eunice Oparebea
Published: July 2017

Background. Ghana began mandatory iodization of salt in 1996. This study compares the prevalence of thyroid disorders before and after the introduction of iodization. Methods. This is a retrospective study of thyroid cases from the middle belt of Ghana between 1982 and 2014. To demonstrate a link between iodization and hyperthyroidism and autoimmunity, we compared the prevalence of hyperthyroidism and autoimmune thyroid disorders before and after the iodization programme. Results. A total of 10,484 (7548 females, 2936 males) cases were recorded. The rate of thyroid cases seen was 343/100,000. Nontoxic nodular goiters (25.7%) and toxic nodular goiters (22.5%) represented the second commonest thyroid disorders recorded. The prevalence of hyperthyroid disorders seen after 1996 was significantly higher than the prevalence seen before the iodization (40.0 versus 21.1%, p<0.001). The prevalence of autoimmune disorders recorded after iodization was significantly higher than that before the iodization programme started (22.3% versus 9.6%, p<0.001). Conclusions. This study has revealed a significant increase in thyroid admissions in Central Ghana over the decades. A connection between iodine fortification and iodine-induced hyperthyroidism and between iodine fortification and autoimmune thyroiditis has been shown in this study.
More Effective Use of Urban Space by Autonomous Double Parking
Authors: Estepa Rafael , Estepa Antonio , Wideberg Johan , Jonasson Mats , Stensson-Trigell Annika
Published: July 2017

The new capabilities of autonomous cars can be used to mitigate to a large extent safety concerns and nuisance traditionally associated with double parking. In this paper double parking for autonomous cars is proposed as a new approach to temporarily increase parking capacity in locations in clear need for extra provision when best alternatives cannot be found. The basic requirements, operation, and procedures of the proposed solution are outlined. A curbside parking has been simulated implementing the suggested double parking operation and important advantages have been identified for drivers, the environment, and the city. Double parking can increase over 50% the parking capacity of a given area. Autonomous car owners would (at least) double their probabilities of finding parking compared to traditional drivers, saving cruising time and emissions. However, significant work and technological advances are still needed in order to make this feasible in the near future.
Entropic Entanglement: Information Prison Break
Authors: Yosifov Alexander Y. , Filipov Lachezar G.
Published: July 2017

We argue that certain nonviolent local quantum field theory (LQFT) modification considered at the global horizon (r=2M) of a static spherically symmetric black hole can lead to adiabatic leakage of quantum information in the form of Hawking particles. The source of the modification is (i) smooth at r=2M and (ii) rapidly vanishing at r≫2M. Furthermore, we restore the unitary evolution by introducing extra quanta which departs slightly from the generic Hawking emission without changing the experience of an infalling observer (no drama). Also, we suggest that a possible interpretation of the Bekenstein-Hawking bound as entanglement entropy may yield a nonsingular dynamical horizon behavior described by black hole thermodynamics. Hence, by treating gravity as a field theory and considering its coupling to the matter fields in the Minkowski vacuum, we derive the conjectured fluctuations of the background geometry of a black hole.
Previable Preeclampsia Diagnosed by Renal Biopsy in Setting of Novel Diagnosis of C4 Glomerulopathy
Authors: Parrott Jessica , Fields Timothy A. , Parrish Marc
Published: July 2017

Background. Preeclampsia diagnosed before 20 weeks’ gestational age is a rare entity, particularly without any predisposing factors. We report a case of preeclampsia occurring prior to 20 weeks’ gestational age in the setting of a novel diagnosis of C4 glomerulopathy.Case. A G3P0020 at 18 weeks presented with new onset hypertension and proteinuria, requiring multiple antihypertensive agents to maintain control. Renal biopsy demonstrated thrombotic microangiopathic lesions and glomerular endotheliosis. C4-dominant staining and numerous subendothelial and mesangial electron dense deposits were found within the glomerulus. With no other definable etiologies, preeclampsia was diagnosed. She developed posterior reversible encephalopathic syndrome and pregnancy termination was recommended.Conclusion. The lectin complement pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of severe, early onset preeclampsia. Renal biopsy may play an integral role in diagnosis.
Structural Dependent Ferromagnetic-Nonmagnetic Phase Change in FePtRu Films
Authors: Hasegawa Takashi , Ito Kosuke
Published: July 2017

Herein, we studied correlations between crystal structures and magnetic properties of FePt1−xRux films. At room temperature, the chemical disordered A1 films with 0≤x<0.20 and 0.20≤x≤1.00 exhibited ferromagnetic properties and paramagnetic properties, respectively. Curie temperature of the disordered film with x=0.30 was 200 K. In contrast, the ordered L10 films had ferromagnetic properties in a wider range of 0≤x<0.80 with the magnetic easy-axis perpendicular to the film plane. For 0≤x≤0.50, with the ordered structure, the films had high magnetization and high uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of over 107 erg cm−3. For x = 0.60–0.70 with the ordered structure, a temperature-dependent magnetic phase transition appeared, and magnetization reached its maximum value at around 200 K. Using this material system, we proposed a nanopatterning method involving a ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase change due to the ordered-disordered structural transformation.
Ethnobotany of Indigenous Saraguros: Medicinal Plants Used by Community Healers “Hampiyachakkuna” in the San Lucas Parish, Southern Ecuador
Authors: Andrade José M. , Lucero Mosquera Hernán , Armijos Chabaco
Published: July 2017

This paper reports the results of an ethnobotanical survey on the use of medicinal plants by community healers “Hampiyachakkuna” in the San Lucas Parish, province of Loja, Ecuador. A particular ethnic group, the indigenous Saraguros, inhabits this region. This study reports 183 plant species used in 75 different curative therapies by the Saraguro healers.
Multimodal Imaging in a Patient with Hemidystonia Responsive to GPi Deep Brain Stimulation
Authors: Sidiropoulos Christos , Bowyer Susan M. , Zillgitt Andrew , LeWitt Peter A. , Bagher-Ebadian Hassan , Davoodi-Bojd Esmaeil , Schwalb Jason M. , Rammo Richard , Air Ellen , Soltanian-Zadeh Hamid
Published: July 2017

Background. Dystonia is a syndrome with varied phenomenology but our understanding of its mechanisms is deficient. With neuroimaging techniques, such as fiber tractography (FT) and magnetoencephalography (MEG), pathway connectivity can be studied to that end. We present a hemidystonia patient treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS). Methods. After 10 years of left axial hemidystonia, a 45-year-old male underwent unilateral right globus pallidus internus (GPi) DBS. Whole brain MEG before and after anticholinergic medication was performed prior to surgery. 26-direction diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was obtained in a 3 T MRI machine along with FT. The patient was assessed before and one year after surgery by using the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS). Results. In the eyes-closed MEG study there was an increase in brain coherence in the gamma band after medication in the middle and inferior frontal region. FT demonstrated over 50% more intense ipsilateral connectivity in the right hemisphere compared to the left. After DBS, BFMDRS motor and disability scores both dropped by 71%. Conclusion. Multimodal neuroimaging techniques can offer insights into the pathophysiology of dystonia and can direct choices for developing therapeutics. Unilateral pallidal DBS can provide significant symptom control in axial hemidystonia poorly responsive to medication.
Nuclear CD24 Drives Tumor Growth and Is Predictive of Poor Patient Prognosis
Authors: Duex Jason E. , Owens Charles , Chauca-Diaz Ana , Dancik Garrett M. , Vanderlinden Lauren A. , Ghosh Debashis , Leivo Mariah Z. , Hansel Donna E. , Theodorescu Dan
Published: July 2017

Elevated tumor expression of the cell surface GPI-linked CD24 protein signals poor patient prognosis in many tumor types. However, some cancer cells selected to be negative for surface CD24 (surCD24−) still retain aggressive phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. Here, we resolve this apparent paradox with the discovery of biologically active, nuclear CD24 (nucCD24) and finding that its levels are unchanged in surCD24− cells. Using the complementary techniques of biochemical cellular fractionation and immunofluorescence, we demonstrate a signal for CD24 in the nucleus in cells from various histologic types of cancer. Nuclear-specific expression of CD24 (NLS-CD24) increased anchorage-independent growth in vitro and tumor formation in vivo. Immunohistochemistry of patient tumor samples revealed the presence of nucCD24, whose signal intensity correlated positively with the presence of metastatic disease. Analysis of gene expression between cells expressing CD24 and NLS-CD24 revealed a unique nucCD24 transcriptional signature. The median score derived from this signature was able to stratify overall survival in four patient datasets from bladder cancer and five patient datasets from colorectal cancer. Patients with high scores (more nucCD24-like) had reduced survival. These findings define a novel and functionally important intracellular location of CD24; they explain why surCD24− cells can remain aggressive, and they highlight the need to consider nucCD24 in both fundamental research and therapeutic development. Cancer Res; 77(18); 4858–67. ©2017 AACR.
Treatment of Chronic Lower Back Pain: Study Protocol of a Comparative Effectiveness Study on Yoga, Eurythmy Therapy, and Physiotherapeutic Exercises
Authors: Büssing Arndt , Poier Désirée , Ostermann Thomas , Kröz Matthias , Michalsen Andreas
Published: July 2017

Background: We aim to compare the effectiveness of 3 active interventions, i.e., yoga, eurythmy therapy, and physiotherapeutic exercise, on chronic lower back pain. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial over 16 weeks (8 weeks of intervention, 8 weeks of follow-up), data of individuals with chronic lower back pain will be analyzed. Interventions are implemented as group sessions (75 min) once per week. Participants receive a manual for home-based practice and are assessed before and at the end of the 8-week intervention period, and at the end of an 8-week follow-up period. Standardized questionnaires are: the Roland-Morris Disability Score, visual analog scales measuring intensity of pain, the Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Inner Correspondence with the Practices questionnaire, the Freiburg Mindfulness Questionnaire, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, a self-regulation questionnaire, the Internal Coherence Scale, a pain diary (registering the need of analgesic medication), and a questionnaire on the patients' expectation that the interventions will be effective in reducing pain and how strong this reduction might be (2 single items), etc. Discussion: This large multicenter study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of 3 contrasting movement-orientated treatments that share some similarities but differ in essential details: yoga, eurythmy therapy, and physiotherapeutic exercises. It will provide important data on non-pharmacological options to treat lower back pain in a large group of affected individuals.
Predictors of Photographic Quality with a Handheld Nonmydriatic Fundus Camera Used for Screening of Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Davila Jose R. , Sengupta Sabyasachi S. , Niziol Leslie M. , Sindal Manavi D. , Besirli Cagri G. , Upadhyaya Swati , Woodward Maria A. , Venkatesh Rengaraj , Robin Alan L. , Grubbs Jr. Joseph , Newman-Casey Paula Anne
Published: July 2017

Purpose: To analyze predictors of image quality for a handheld nonmydriatic fundus camera used for screening of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Methods: An ophthalmic photographer at an Aravind Eye Hospital obtained nonmydriatic and mydriatic fundus images from 3 fields in 275 eyes of 155 participants over 13 months using a Smartscope camera (Optomed, Oulu, Finland) and a Topcon tabletop fundus camera (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Two fellowship-trained retina specialists graded the images. Repeated-measures logistic regression assessed predictors of the main outcome measure: gradability of the fundus images. Results: Of 2,475 images, 76.2% of the Smartscope nonmydriatic images, 90.1% of the Smartscope mydriatic images, and 92.0% of the Topcon mydriatic images were gradable. Eyes with vitreous hemorrhage (OR = 0.24, p < 0.0001) or advanced cataract (OR = 0.08, p < 0.0001) had decreased odds of image gradability. Excluding eyes with cataract or vitreous hemorrhage, nonmydriatic macular image gradability improved from 68.4% in the first set of 55 eyes to 94.6% in the final set of 55 eyes. Conclusion: With sufficient training, paraprofessional health care staff can obtain high-quality images with a portable nonmydriatic fundus camera, particularly in patients with clear lenses and clear ocular media.
In vivo Lipopolysaccharide Tolerance Recruits CD11b+ Macrophages to the Liver with Enhanced Bactericidal Activity and Low Tumor Necrosis Factor-Releasing Capability, Resulting in Drastic Resistance to Lethal Septicemia
Authors: Kinoshita Manabu , Miyazaki Hiromi , Nakashima Hiroyuki , Nakashima Masahiro , Nishikawa Makoto , Ishikiriyama Takuya , Kato Shoichiro , Iwaya Keiichi , Hiroi Sadayuki , Shinomiya Nariyoshi , Seki Shuhji
Published: July 2017

Objectives: In vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance on bacterial infection was investigated, focusing on liver macrophages. Methods: LPS tolerance was induced by intraperitoneal injections with 5 μg/kg of LPS for 3 consecutive days, and then mice were intravenously infected with Escherichia coli. Results: All LPS-primed mice survived lethal bacterial infection. Drastic enhancement of bactericidal activity of liver macrophages strongly contributed to bacterial clearance. Although LPS-primed mice produced substantial amounts of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inside the liver, TNF efflux into the systemic circulation was markedly suppressed. These mice showed a dramatic increase in CD11b+ monocyte- derived macrophages in the liver. The CD11b+ macrophages that increased in LPS-primed mice were those with strong phagocytic/bactericidal activity and an upregulated expression of Fcγ receptor I, but the subfraction with a potent TNF-producing capacity and poor phagocytic activity diminished. The adoptive transfer of CD11b+ macrophages from LPS-primed mice to control mice increased survival after bacterial infection and reduced the elevation of plasma TNF. LPS priming did not affect the CD68+ resident Kupffer cells, and CD68+ Kupffer cell-depleted mice still exhibited LPS tolerance with strong resistance to bacteremia. Conclusions: LPS tolerance recruits CD11b+ macrophages to the liver with enhanced bactericidal activity, which plays a central role in resistance to lethal bacteremia.