bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strings and skyrmions on domain walls
Authors: Bychkov Vladimir , Kreshchuk Michael , Kurianovych Evgeniy
Published: July 2018

We address a simple model allowing the existence of domain walls with orientational moduli localized on them. Within this model, we discuss an analytic solution and explore it in the context of previously known results. We discuss the existence of one-dimensional domain walls localized on two-dimensional ones, and construct the corresponding effective action. In the low-energy limit, which is the [Formula: see text] sigma-model, we discuss the existence of skyrmions localized on domain walls, and provide a solution for a skyrmion configuration, based on an analogy with instantons. We perform symmetry analysis of the initial model and of the low-energy theory on the domain wall worldvolume.
A microscopic model for an emergent cosmological constant
Authors: Perez Alejandro , Sudarsky Daniel , Bjorken James D.
Published: July 2018

The value of the cosmological constant is explained in terms of a noisy diffusion of energy from the low energy particle physics degrees of freedom to the fundamental Planckian granularity which is expected from general arguments in quantum gravity. The quantitative success of our phenomenological model is encouraging and provides possibly useful insights about physics at the scale of quantum gravity.
THIN PLATE LAMB PROPAGATION RULE AND DISPERSION CURVE DRAWING BASED ON WAVE THEORY
Authors: YANYU MENG , SHI YAN
Published: July 2018

Based on the wave theory and propagation characteristics of Lamb wave in the thin plate, Lamb wave is excited by signal actuator in the thin plate and signal sensor is received in real time. Employing the superior features of dispersion curve produced the Lamb wave and combining the dichotomy iterative principle with MATLAB tools to solve Lamb wave dispersion equation, the propagation characteristics of the Lamb wave in the thin plate are plotted. It is verified that the excited Lamb wave has multimode characteristics in a certain thickness, and the different modes are related to the frequency-thickness. The wavelength-thickness ratio is defined to simplify the calculation and provide convenience for the frequency bandwidth interception of Lamb wave. The results of the theoretical analysis show that the propagation multimode of Lamb and the distribution characteristics of dispersion curve can effectively simulate the transmission information of damage signal-excited thin plate, and identify damage region and determine the damage degree by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] mode. The experimental results indicate that the established method to determine damage degree of thin plate attached PZT transducers based on Lamb wave active monitoring technology can achieve a certain precision, and can make a rough quantitative recognition of damage position.
Chemical-Bonds-Conjugated Ag2SO3/NaNbO3 Hybrids as Efficient Photocatalysts: In-Situ Fabrication, Characterization and Degradation of Rhodamine B and Methyl Orange
Authors: Feng Yanmei , Wang Zhiqiang , Yang Yunfeng , Wu Xiangfeng , Gong Xiaodong , Liu Yajian , Li Yufei , Cao Zuolin , Wang Chao , Tong Xin
Published: July 2018

The Ag2SO3/NaNbO3 hybrids have been fabricated via a facile method at room temperature. Several methods such as X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of the samples was assessed by degradation of rhodamine B and methyl orange under the visible light illumination. Experimental results indicated the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the as-fabricated hybrids was first increased and then decreased with increasing the dosage of NaNbO3. When the molar ratio of Ag2SO3 to NaNbO3 was 1:0.7, the as-fabricated composites had the best photodegradation efficiency of 96.4% in 30 min for rhodamine B and 97.1% in 60[Formula: see text]min for methyl orange, respectively. These were obviously higher than that of pure samples. Furthermore, Ag2SO3 was conjugated with NaNbO3 via chemical-bonds rather than physical contact. In addition, the possible photocatalytic degradation mechanism was also provided and the main roles during the process of photocatalytic degradation were played by holes.
Effects of delay in immunological response of HIV infection
Authors: Sahani Saroj Kumar , Yashi
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection model with both the types of immune responses, the antibody and the killer cell immune responses has been introduced. The model has been made more logical by including two delays in the activation of both the immune responses, along with the combination drug therapy. The inclusion of both the delayed immune responses provides a greater understanding of long-term dynamics of the disease. The dependence of the stability of the steady states of the model on the reproduction number [Formula: see text] has been explored through stability theory. Moreover, the global stability analysis of the infection-free steady state and the infected steady state has been proved with respect to [Formula: see text]. The bifurcation analysis of the infected steady state with respect to both delays has been performed. Numerical simulations have been carried out to justify the results proved. This model is capable of explaining the long-term dynamics of HIV infection to a greater extent than that of the existing model as it captures some basic parameters involved in the system such as immunological delay and immune response. Similarly, the model also explains the basic understanding of the disease dynamics as a result of activation of the immune response toward the virus.
The Challenges of Stem Cell Therapy in Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure and the Potential Strategies to Improve the Outcomes
Authors: Wang Bing Hui , Liew Danny , Huang Kevin W. , Huang Li , Tang Wenjie , Kelly Darren J. , Reid Christopher , Liu Zhongmin
Published: July 2018

Cardiovascular disease remains the single highest global cause of death and a significant financial burden on the healthcare system. Despite the advances in medical treatments, the prevalence and mortality for heart failure remain unacceptably high. New approaches are urgently needed to reduce this burden and improve patient outcomes and quality of life. One such promising approach is stem cell therapy, including embryonic stem cells, bone marrow derived stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. However, the cardiac microenvironment following myocardial infarction poses huge challenges with inflammation, adequate retention, engraftment and functional incorporation all crucial concerns. The lack of cardiac regeneration, cell viability and functional improvement has hindered the success of stem cell therapy in clinical settings. The use of biomaterial scaffolds in conjunction with stem cells has recently been shown to enhance the outcome of stem cell therapy for heart failure and myocardial infarction. This review outlines some of the current challenges in the treatment of heart failure and acute myocardial infarction through improving stem cell therapeutic strategies, as well as the prospect of suitable biomaterial scaffolds to enhance their efficacy and improve patient clinical outcomes.
Dosimetric evaluation employing TL and OSL techniques with different luminescent materials for clinical evaluation of extremity doses using electron beams applied to Total-Irradiation-of-Skin treatments
Authors: de Almeida Shirlane Barbosa , Villani Daniel , Sakuraba Roberto Kenji , de Rezende Ana Carolina Pires , Santos Silas Cardoso , Campos Letícia Lucente
Published: July 2018

Total-skin electron beam (TSEB) irradiation is used to deliver a homogeneous dose distribution over the entire skin surface of a patient. TSEB dosimetry is quite complex as to the evaluation and measurement of absorbed dosage in the cutaneous region. This paper evaluates the performance of different dosimetric materials, using TL and OSL dosimetry, in the extremity-dose assessment of TSEB treatments using the six-dual-field technique and an anthropomorphic phantom. Dosimeters were selected with repeatability better than [Formula: see text] and calibrated to 6-MeV electron-beam dosimetry. Measurements were conducted in the abdominal region as a reference point and on the extremities. Results show expected deviations ranging up to [Formula: see text] in the dose received in the extremities and good results in dose assessment using all dosimetric materials tested.
EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OIL AND PRECIOUS METALS MARKETS
Authors: MOKNI KHALED
Published: July 2018

The relationship between crude oil and precious metals has been a major issue in economic and financial literature. In this paper, the FIEGARCH-copula framework was used to investigate the co-movements not only between returns, but also between volatilities and market risks among crude oil and precious metals markets. Based on daily crude oil and the major precious metals prices from January 2, 2000 to December 31, 2016, our empirical results are as follows: First, a significant positive and asymmetric relationship between oil and precious metals returns, volatilities and market risk was detected. Second, the dependence structure between oil-silver and oil-gold for returns and volatilities are time varying, while the other pairs are characterized by constant dependence. Third, based on the dependence modeling between daily Value-at-Risk (VaR) for the long and short trading position, empirical results show that the market risk relationship between crude oil and precious metals change over time and increase with VaR’s confidence level. Our findings are of interest for investors and risk managers in portfolio’s design and allow for a reliable framework for returns and risk prediction.
THE DETERMINANTS OF A SIMULTANEOUS CRASH IN GOLD AND STOCK MARKETS: AN ORDERED LOGIT APPROACH
Authors: MIYAZAKI TAKASHI , HAMORI SHIGEYUKI
Published: July 2018

In this study, we identify the determinants of a simultaneous crash in gold and stock markets by employing an ordered logit model. We find that a default spread, among the various financial risk indicators, is a valid determinant and that changes in investors’ beliefs, their uncertainties, and surprise changes in these uncertainties about gold and stock markets contain useful information for explaining the occurrence of a simultaneous crash in the two markets. Further, we recognize that the effect of some covariates on crash probability is state-dependent. In addition to these empirical results, a notable finding is that the occurrence of a crash in one market on a previous day does not raise the probability of the occurrence of a crash in another market the next day, implying that a joint crash occurs abruptly and not in a chain reaction. This finding reveals that diversification to gold is still beneficial to investors.
Preclinical Evaluation of In Vitro and In Vivo Antiviral Activities of KCT‐01, a New Herbal Formula against Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Kim Hong , Jang Eungyeong , Kim So-Young , Choi Ji-Yoon , Lee Na-Rae , Kim Dae-Sung , Lee Kyung-Tae , Inn Kyung-Soo , Kim Bum-Joon , Lee Jang-Hoon
Published: July 2018

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infectious diseases currently remain incurable due to limitations of conventional antivirals such as incapability of eradicating HBV DNA, prolonged use, drug resistance, and virological relapse. KCT‐01, a 30% ethanol extract consisting of Artemisia capillaris, Sanguisorba officinalis, and Curcuma longa, was newly developed. The objective of this study was to investigate pharmacological activities of KCT‐01 against HBV using HepG2.2.15 cells and a hydrodynamic injection model. KCT‐01 significantly lowered antigen secretion, virion production, and pgRNA synthesis in HepG2.2.15 cells without affecting cell viability. KCT‐01 administration also resulted in significant decrease of serum virion production, liver covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA levels, and mRNA synthesis of cytokines in the liver of mice injected with HBV DNA hydrodynamically. Interestingly, coadministration of KCT‐01 with entecavir enhanced its in vitro and in vivo antiviral activities. Moreover, safety of KCT‐01 was assured up to 5000 mg/kg in rats in both single and repeated‐dose preclinical studies. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that KCT‐01 is capable of suppressing HBV replication and inflammatory cytokine production in in vitro and in vivo models without showing toxicity, suggesting the potential of using KCT‐01 alone or in combination with entecavir as antiviral agent.
Effects of Surface Nanotopography and Calcium Chemistry of Titanium Bone Implants on Early Blood Platelet and Macrophage Cell Function
Authors: Park Jin-Woo , Han Sang-Hyeob , Hanawa Takao
Published: July 2018

Early responses of blood platelets and immunoinflammatory cells (macrophages) to titanium (Ti) bone implants affect the subsequent biological healing of implants by modulating early tissue healing-microenvironments via the formation of temporary fibrin matrix scaffolds for stem cell migration and production of growth factors and cytokines. This study investigated the effects of nanoscale surface topography and calcium ion (Ca2+) modification of Ti surfaces on biocompatibility regulated by blood platelets and macrophages, for the future surface design of Ti bone implants with enhanced early osteogenic capacity. A nanostructured Ti surface with or without Ca2+ enrichment was prepared using the hydrothermal treatment. Immediate and early functions of platelets and macrophages modulated by modified Ti surfaces were investigated by morphological observation of platelet spreading and fibrin matrix formation, platelet growth factor release, immunostaining of macrophage phenotypes, and macrophage inflammatory cytokine production. The results showed that surface nanoscale topographical modification of Ti promotes blood platelet activation and suppresses the inflammatory response of macrophages. In addition, surface chemistry modifications with Ca2+ enhanced the platelet response-modulating function of the nanostructured Ti surface, which accelerated immediate fibrin matrix formation and platelet-derived growth factor-AB release. Thus, nanotopographical and Ca2+ modifications of implant surfaces are expected to be effective approaches that favor the initial phase of wound healing around the Ti bone implants through positive modulation of immediate blood platelet function and early macrophage immunoinflammatory response.
Explicit Content Detection System: An Approach towards a Safe and Ethical Environment
Authors: Qamar Bhatti Ali , Umer Muhammad , Adil Syed Hasan , Ebrahim Mansoor , Nawaz Daniyal , Ahmed Faizan
Published: July 2018

An explicit content detection (ECD) system to detect Not Suitable For Work (NSFW) media (i.e., image/ video) content is proposed. The proposed ECD system is based on residual network (i.e., deep learning model) which returns a probability to indicate the explicitness in media content. The value is further compared with a defined threshold to decide whether the content is explicit or nonexplicit. The proposed system not only differentiates between explicit/nonexplicit contents but also indicates the degree of explicitness in any media content, i.e., high, medium, or low. In addition, the system also identifies the media files with tampered extension and label them as suspicious. The experimental result shows that the proposed model provides an accuracy of ~ 95% when tested on our image and video datasets.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Selected Medicinal Plants in the Traditional Treatment of Skin and Wound Infections in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Mummed Bahar , Abraha Ashebr , Feyera Teka , Nigusse Adugna , Assefa Solomon
Published: July 2018

Background. External infections involving the skin and wound are the most frequent complications affecting humans and animals. Medicinal plants play great roles in the treatment of skin and wound infections. This study was aimed to evaluate thein vitroantibacterial activity of crude methanolic extracts of nine medicinal plants.Methods. Agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of nine Ethiopian plants against four bacterial species includingStaphylococcus aureus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli, andKlebsiella pneumoniae.Results. Among the tested plants, seven (Cissus quadrangularis,Commelina benghalensis,Euphorbia heterophylla,Euphorbia prostrate,Momordica schimperiana,Trianthemaspp., andSolanum incanum) were found to exhibit considerable antibacterial activity against at least one of the test bacteria. The extracts ofC. quadrangularis,E. heterophylla, andE. prostratahad a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities against test bacterial strains while the extracts ofGrewia villosaandSchinus molledid not show any inhibitory activity. Clinical isolate and laboratory strain of S.aureusshowed the highest susceptibility to highest concentration (780 mg/mL) ofE. prostratawith a zone of inhibition of 21.0mm and 22.3mm, respectively.Conclusion. This study indicates clear evidence supporting the traditional use of seven plants in treating skin and wound infections related to bacteria.
Sirtuin1 Targeting Reverses Innate and Adaptive Immune Tolerance in Septic Mice
Authors: Martin Ayana N. , Alexander-Miller Martha , Yoza Barbara K. , Vachharajani Vidula , McCall Charles E.
Published: July 2018

Resistance and tolerance to infection are two universal fitness and survival strategies used by inflammation and immunity in organisms and cells to guard homeostasis. During sepsis, however, both strategies fail, and animal and human victims often die from combined innate and adaptive immune suppression with persistent bacterial and viral infections. NAD+-sensing nuclear sirtuin1 (SIRT1) epigenetically guards immune and metabolic homeostasis during sepsis. Pharmacologically inhibiting SIRT1 deacetylase activity in septic mice reverses monocyte immune tolerance, clears infection, rebalances glycolysis and glucose oxidation, resolves organ dysfunction, and prevents most septic deaths. Whether SIRT1 inhibition during sepsis treatment concomitantly reverses innate and T cell antigen-specific immune tolerance is unknown. Here, we show that treating septic mice with a SIRT1 selective inhibitor concordantly reverses immune tolerance splenic dendritic and antigen-specific tolerance of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. SIRT1 inhibition also increases the ratio of IL12 p40+ and TNFα proinflammatory/immune to IL10 and TGFβ anti-inflammatory/immune cytokines and decreases the ratio of CD4+ TReg repressor to CD4+ activator T cells. These findings support the unifying concept that nuclear NAD+ sensor SIRT1 broadly coordinates innate and adaptive immune reprogramming during sepsis and is a druggable immunometabolic enhancement target.
Analyzing Typical Mobile Gestures in mHealth Applications for Users with Down Syndrome
Authors: Luna-Garcia H. , Mendoza-Gonzalez A. , Mendoza-Gonzalez R. , Gamboa-Rosales H. , Galván-Tejada J. I. , Celaya-Padilla J. M. , Galvan-Tejada C. E. , Arceo-Olague J. , Moreno-Baez A. , Alonso-González O. , Lopez-Monteagudo F. E. , Solis-Robles R. , Lopez-Veyna J.
Published: July 2018

Mobile technology has provided many advantages for all members of the Information Society. Communication, Organization, Transportation, Health, and Entertainment are just a few areas of mobile technology application. Nevertheless, there are still some people who find difficulties using it. Although there are a lot of applications of mHealth available for almost any kind of mobile device, there is still a lack of understanding and attending users’ needs, especially those of users with disabilities. People with Down syndrome have the potential to function as active members of our society, taking care of themselves and their own, having jobs, voting, and so on, but their physical limitations prevent them from handling correctly technological tools that could enhance their performance, including mobile technology. In this paper, we had analyzed how suitable the mHealth applications are for users with Down syndrome. We tested 24 users and analyzed their physical performance in fine-motor movements while developing a set of tasks over a mHealth application. Results showed that the design of a mHealth application for users with Down syndrome must center its interaction with simple gestures as tap and swipe avoiding more complex ones as spread and rotate. This research is a starting point to understand the fundamentals of people with Down syndrome interacting with mobile technology.
Credit Risk Contagion Based on Asymmetric Information Association
Authors: Jiang Shanshan , Fan Hong , Xia Min
Published: July 2018

The study of the contagion law of credit risk is very important for financial market supervision. The existing credit risk contagion models based on complex network theory assume that the information between individuals in the network is symmetrical and analyze the proportion of the individuals infected by the credit risk from a macro perspective. However, how individuals are infected from a microscopic perspective is not clear, besides the level of the infection of the individuals is characterized by only two states: completely infected or not infected, which is not realistic. In this paper, a credit risk contagion model based on asymmetric information association is proposed. The model can effectively describe the correlation among individuals with credit risk. The model can analyze how the risk individuals are infected in the network and can effectively reflect the risk contagion degree of the individual. This paper further analyzes the influence of network structure, information association, individual risk attitude, financial market supervision intensity, and individual risk resisting ability on individual risk contagion. The correctness of the model is verified by theoretical deduction and numerical simulation.
Protective Effect of Increased Zinc Supply against Oxidative Damage of Sublingual Gland in Chronic Exposure to Cadmium: Experimental Study on Rats
Authors: Kostecka-Sochoń Paula , Onopiuk Barbara M. , Dąbrowska Ewa
Published: July 2018

Cadmium is one of the main chemical pollutants found in the daily environment of developed countries. Cigarettes are a significant source of that metal, which makes it important in terms of oral cavity health. The aim of this study was to determine if increased supply of zinc in chronic exposure to cadmium might protect the sublingual gland structure against oxidative damage. The experiment took 12 months and was conducted on 72 adult male rats. They were randomized into 9 groups. Eight groups received cadmium in drinking water (as CdCl2) at 5 or 50 mg Cd/dm3 and/or zinc (as ZnCl2) at 30 or 60 mg Zn/dm3. The control group received regular water. In the sublingual gland of all animal groups, levels of oxidative parameters were measured. The oxidative stress index was calculated as a TOS/TAS ratio. Cadmium exposure at 5 mg and 50 mg Cd/dm3 induced oxidative stress in the sublingual glands of the rats. Cadmium reduced the TAS and GSH levels and increased LPO, H2O2, TOS, and OSI. In cadmium exposure conditions, increasing the supply of zinc by 79% or 151%, as compared to the standard dietary intake of this microelement, completely prevented the reduction of TAS and GSH levels and accumulation of LPO, H2O2, and TOS in the examined gland at both exposure levels to that metal. The outcome data confirm the protective effect of increased zinc intake on the sublingual gland tissue in chronic cadmium exposure.
Extraction of Amana edulis Induces Liver Cancer Apoptosis
Authors: Fan Yueyang , Hou Xiaowei , Guo Pengpeng , Lv Xiuhua , Zhao Lingling , Wang Huilan , Zhou Lu , Feng Yinglu
Published: July 2018

HCC is one of the fastest‐rising causes of cancer‐related death. Novel therapeutic approaches for treatment are warranted. The goal of this study is to find effective components from Chinese herbal medicines, which is an important alternative source of anticancer medicine. To this end, six different herbs were selected from various traditional literatures. Soxhlet extractor was used to distill the strong polar and weak polar components of each herb. The inhibitive effect of each component was determined using liver cancer cells BEL7404. From total of 12 extractions, it was found that the combined crude lysate of Amana edulis from water and ethanol system had the best efficacy. At the concentration of 0.1 mg/mL, this component has the highest inhibition rate up to 70%. To investigate the underlying molecular reasons, we observed that the component can significantly induce the liver cancer cells apoptosis and retard the cell reproduction at G2/M stage. Verification experiments showed that this component also has apparent inhibitive effects on other liver cancer cells, such as HepG2 and Huh7. On the other hand, it has less effectiveness on another cell line HepaRG, which retains many characteristics of primary human hepatocytes. The results suggested that there might be highly efficient antihepatoma ingredient in the water and ethanol extraction of Amana edulis. The pure substances remain to be isolated and further research on their targets is required.
Time-Resolved Emission Spectroscopy Measurements during the Restrike Period in Arc Plasma Torch
Authors: Mašláni Alan , Ondáč Peter , Sember Viktor , Hrabovský Milan
Published: July 2018

Simultaneous optical, spectroscopic, and electrical measurements in the region of the arc anode attachment of the water-argon plasma torch are presented. A movement of the arc attachment along the anode surface together with its restrike mode is monitored. Temporal evolution of temperature during one cycle of the restrike mode is obtained in three different axial positions in the plasma column. Resulting temperature profiles show how the position of the arc attachment influences the plasma properties.
Action Observation Treatment Improves Upper Limb Motor Functions in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Combined Clinical and Brain Imaging Study
Authors: Buccino Giovanni , Molinaro Anna , Ambrosi Claudia , Arisi Daniele , Mascaro Lorella , Pinardi Chiara , Rossi Andrea , Gasparotti Roberto , Fazzi Elisa , Galli Jessica
Published: July 2018

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of action observation treatment (AOT) in the rehabilitation of upper limb motor functions in children with cerebral palsy. We carried out a two-group, parallel randomized controlled trial. Eighteen children (aged 5–11 yr) entered the study: 11 were treated children, and 7 served as controls. Outcome measures were scores on two functional scales: Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function Scale (MUUL) and the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA). We collected functional scores before treatment (T1), at the end of treatment (T2), and at two months of follow-up (T3). As compared to controls, treated children improved significantly in both scales at T2 and this improvement persisted at T3. AOT has therefore the potential to become a routine rehabilitation practice in children with CP. Twelve out of 18 enrolled children also underwent a functional magnetic resonance study at T1 and T2. As compared to controls, at T2, treated children showed stronger activation in a parieto-premotor circuit for hand-object interactions. These findings support the notion that AOT contributes to reorganize brain circuits subserving the impaired function rather than activating supplementary or vicariating ones.
A Scalable Genetic Programming Approach to Integrate miRNA‐Target Predictions: Comparing Different Parallel Implementations of M3GP
Authors: Beretta Stefano , Castelli Mauro , Muñoz Luis , Trujillo Leonardo , Martínez Yuliana , Popovič Aleš , Milanesi Luciano , Merelli Ivan
Published: July 2018

There are many molecular biology approaches to the analysis of microRNA (miRNA) and target interactions, but the experiments are complex and expensive. For this reason, in silico computational approaches able to model these molecular interactions are highly desirable. Although several computational methods have been developed for predicting the interactions between miRNA and target genes, there are substantial differences in the results achieved since most algorithms provide a large number of false positives. Accordingly, machine learning approaches are widely used to integrate predictions obtained from different tools. In this work, we adopt a method called multidimensional multiclass GP with multidimensional populations (M3GP), which relies on a genetic programming approach, to integrate and classify results from different miRNA‐target prediction tools. The results are compared with those obtained with other classifiers, showing competitive accuracy. Since we aim to provide genome‐wide predictions with M3GP and, considering the high number of miRNA‐target interactions to test (also in different species), a parallel implementation of this algorithm is recommended. In this paper, we discuss the theoretical aspects of this algorithm and propose three different parallel implementations. We show that M3GP is highly parallelizable, it can be used to achieve genome‐wide predictions, and its adoption provides great advantages when handling big datasets.
Hand Dexterity Impairment in Patients with Cervical Myelopathy: A New Quantitative Assessment Using a Natural Prehension Movement
Authors: Omori Masao , Shibuya Satoshi , Nakajima Tsuyoshi , Endoh Takashi , Suzuki Shinya , Irie Shun , Ariyasu Ryohei , Unenaka Satoshi , Sano Hideto , Igarashi Kazutaka , Ichimura Shoichi , Ohki Yukari
Published: July 2018

Cervical myelopathy (CM) caused by spinal cord compression can lead to reduced hand dexterity. However, except for the 10 sec grip-and-release test, there is no objective assessment system for hand dexterity in patients with CM. Therefore, we evaluated the hand dexterity impairment of patients with CM objectively by asking them to perform a natural prehension movement. Twenty-three patients with CM and 30 age-matched controls were asked to reach for and grasp a small object with their right thumb and index finger and to subsequently lift and hold it. To examine the effects of tactile afferents from the fingers, objects with surface materials of differing textures (silk, suede, and sandpaper) were used. All patients also underwent the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) test. Preoperative patients showed significantly greater grip aperture during reach-to-grasp movements and weaker grip force than controls only while attempting to lift the most slippery object (silk). Patients, immediately after surgery, (n=15) tended to show improvements in the JOA score and in reaction time and movement time with respect to reaching movements. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that some parameters of the prehension task could successfully predict subjective evaluations of dexterous hand movements based on JOA scores. These results suggest that quantitative assessments using prehension movements could be useful to objectively evaluate hand dexterity impairment in patients with CM.
Causes of Delayed Care Seeking for Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media at a Rwandan Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Nshimirimana Jean Paul Darius , Mukara Kaitesi Batamuliza
Published: July 2018

Background.Chronic suppurative otitis media causes serious lifelong consequences when treatment is delayed. Early detection and effective treatment result in a good outcome and possible complications are thus avoided. The aim of this study was to determine the factors resulting in delayed care seeking for treatment of CSOM.Method and Patient.The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital in Rwanda. A questionnaire was used to collect data of patients diagnosed with CSOM who attended ENT Department during the study period. We defined delayed care seeking as seeking treatment 6 months after onset of symptoms. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS 16.0.Result.This study enrolled 109 patients, 97 (88.9%) of whom had delays in care seeking. Majority were young adults ranging between 21 and 30 years (39.2%) while 58.8% were rural residents. Fifty-eight patients (56.9%) of those with delayed presentation used traditional medicine. The main reason for delayed care seeking was low knowledge of CSOM reported by 88 (90.7%) patients.Conclusion.This study shows that majority of patients with delayed care seeking are young adult patients. There is low knowledge concerning this disease and this significantly contributes to delayed care seeking.
Fixed Point Results for a Class of Monotone Nonexpansive Type Mappings in Hyperbolic Spaces
Authors: Pandey Rameshwar , Pant Rajendra , Al-Rawashdeh Ahmed
Published: July 2018

We consider a wider class of nonexpansive type mappings and present some fixed point results for this class of mapping in partially hyperbolic spaces. Indeed, first we obtain some existence results for this class of mappings. Next, we present some convergence results for an iteration algorithm for the same class of mappings. Some illustrative nontrivial examples have also been discussed. Finally, we provide an application of our results to nonlinear integral equations.
Trends and Spatial Patterns of Oral Cancer Mortality in Ecuador, 2001–2016
Authors: Núñez-González Solange , Delgado-Ron J. Andrés , Gault Christopher , Simancas-Racines Daniel
Published: July 2018

The aims of this study were to describe the temporal trend of OC from 2001 to 2016 and to analyze the space and space-time clusters of high mortality due to OC in Ecuador from 2011 to 2016. Methods. The present study is a mixed ecological study; the time trends were obtained using a Joinpoint regression model, space-time scan statistics was used to identify high-risk clusters, and Global Moran I index was calculated. Results. In Ecuador, between 2001 and 2016, OC caused a total of 1,025 deaths. Crude mortality rates significantly increased, with an APC (annual percentage change) of 2.7% (p=0.009). The age-standardized mortality rate did not significantly increase (APC: 1.73%; p=0.08). The most likely cluster was detected in 2015, included 20 cantons. The second cluster included 38 cantons, in the years 2014 to 2016. The Global Moran I index for the study period showed a negative spatial autocorrelation (−0.067; p=0.37). Conclusion. Mortality due to OC in Ecuador significantly increased over the 16-year study period, the young groups being the most affected. Ecuadorian provinces present high variability in types of OC and cancer rates.
Gender Variation in the Shape of Superior Talar Dome: A Cadaver Measurement Based on Chinese Population
Authors: Zhao Da-Hang , Huang Di-Chao , Zhang Gong-Hao , Shi Jia-Qi , Wang Chen , Geng Xiang , Wang Xu , Ma Xin
Published: July 2018

Understanding the shape of superior talar dome is essential for a better size compatibility between talar component of ankle implant and bone. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were gender variations in (1) width (TW) and length (TL) of talus, as well as anterior width (DAW), middle width (DMW), posterior width (DPW), and length (DL) of superior talar dome; (2) differences between the DAW, DMW, and DPW; (3) the ratios between these parameters. Fifty-one cadaveric ankle specimens were included. Two observers measured all the specimens using vernier caliper. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used for intraobserver and interobserver reliability analysis and the reliability was thought to be good if the ICC>0.75. A two-tailed unpaired t-test or the rank-sum test was used to investigate gender variations. A single-factor ANOVA was utilized to identify the differences between the width of the superior talar dome surface and p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were good. Significant gender variations were found, in which TW, TL, DAW, DMW, DPW, and DL of female specimens were much smaller than those of male. The width of talar dome linearly decreased from DAW to DPW; however, the linearly decreased rate from anterior to posterior width was bigger in female. Moreover, significant differences were found in DAW/DPW, DMW/DPW, DL/DAW, DL/DMW, and DL/DPW between male and female. Based on our result, there was no difference in the 2D shape of the whole talus instead gender variation existed in the 2D shape of superior talar dome between male and female. The current 2D data could contribute to figure out more suitable size of talar component for Chinese population and might indicate a gender-specific shape of bone-implant interface, which could reduce the potential bone-component incompatibility when performing ankle replacement using standard component.
Comparative Seroepidemiological Study of Brucellosis in Sheep under Smallholder Farming and Governmental Breeding Ranches of Central and North East Ethiopia
Authors: Addis Shimeles Abegaz , Desalegn Andualem Yimer
Published: July 2018

This cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the status of brucellosis in sheep management under extensive smallholder farming and intensively in governmental breeding ranches in six districts selected from three administrative zones. Using multistage sampling, serum samples of 2409 sheep from 274 flocks were collected and tested using the Rose Bengal Plate Agglutination Test (RBPT) and positive sera were confirmed using a Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Of all animals tested, 4.98% were RBPT positive, and after confirmation with CFT, the overall animal-level prevalence was found to be 4.89% (CI: 3.24-6.9%). Of the flocks sampled, 61 (22.3%, CI: 18.03-29.17%) had at least one animal positive to both tests. Significantly higher (P< 0.001) individual animal seroprevalence of 5.87% (CI: 3.83-7.31%) was found in sheep under smallholder production than in breeding ranches (1.75%, 95% CI: 1.57-3.05%). However, flock level seroprevalence in breeding ranches was found to be 100% (8/8), while in the smallholder production it was 19.92% (CI: 16.4-25.81%). Significantly highest animal-level seroprevalence of 9.55% (CI: 7.91-12.4%) was observed in north Wollo zone’s smallholder farms. From the three studied breeding ranches, highest seroprevalence of 3.57% (CI: 2.84%-5.18%) was found in Sheno Agricultural Research Centre. Significantly higher seroprevalence (P< 0.01) was found in aborted sheep and with history of retained fetal membrane in both production systems. All the sheep flocks in the studied breeding ranches were found to be seropositive; hence, this study suggests strict control measures of ovine brucellosis in the breeding reaches, since they could be a source of infection for the smallholder farms.
Neuroblastoma Origin and Therapeutic Targets for Immunotherapy
Authors: Kholodenko Irina V. , Kalinovsky Daniel V. , Doronin Igor I. , Deyev Sergey M. , Kholodenko Roman V.
Published: July 2018

Neuroblastoma is a pediatric solid cancer of heterogeneous clinical behavior. The unique features of this type of cancer frequently hamper the process of determining clinical presentation and predicting therapy effectiveness. The tumor can spontaneously regress without treatment or actively develop and give rise to metastases despite aggressive multimodal therapy. In recent years, immunotherapy has become one of the most promising approaches to the treatment of neuroblastoma. Still, only one drug for targeted immunotherapy of neuroblastoma, chimeric monoclonal GD2-specific antibodies, is used in the clinic today, and its application has significant limitations. In this regard, the development of effective and safe GD2-targeted immunotherapies and analysis of other potential molecular targets for the treatment of neuroblastoma represents an important and topical task. The review summarizes biological characteristics of the origin and development of neuroblastoma and outlines molecular markers of neuroblastoma and modern immunotherapy approaches directed towards these markers.
An Optimal Algorithm for Determining Risk Factors for Complex Diseases: Depressive Disorder, Osteoporosis, and Fracture in Young Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Curative Surgery
Authors: Liu Chieh-Yu , Chang Chun-Hung
Published: July 2018

This study proposed a novel algorithm to investigate the risk factors for complex diseases. We employed the novel algorithm to determine the risk factors for depressive disorder, osteoporosis, and fracture in young patients with breast cancer who were receiving curative surgery. The novel algorithm has three steps. First, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) is used to transform the raw data set into a multidimensional coordinate matrix. Second, the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm is used for clustering the multidimensional coordinates for each category of variable. Third, v‐fold cross‐validation is incorporated into the coordinate matrix obtained using the MCA‐EM algorithm to determine the optimal clustering of complex diseases and risk factors. A total of 4108 patients with breast cancer aged 20–39 years were enrolled. The results revealed that depressive disorder, osteoporosis, and fracture were clustered with liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), distant metastasis, and primary metastatic and adjuvant therapies, namely, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and trastuzumab. Among the risk factors identified using this novel algorithm, liver cirrhosis and COPD have been rarely mentioned in the literature. In conclusion, the novel algorithm proposed in this study enables physicians and clinicians to identify risk factors for multiple diseases.
Application of Residual Power Series Method to Fractional Coupled Physical Equations Arising in Fluids Flow
Authors: Arafa Anas , Elmahdy Ghada
Published: July 2018

The approximate analytical solution of the fractional Cahn-Hilliard and Gardner equations has been acquired successfully via residual power series method (RPSM). The approximate solutions obtained by RPSM are compared with the exact solutions as well as the solutions obtained by homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and q-homotopy analysis method (q-HAM). Numerical results are known through different graphs and tables. The fractional derivatives are described in the Caputo sense. The results light the power, efficiency, simplicity, and reliability of the proposed method.
Resetting Your Password Is Vulnerable: A Security Study of Common SMS‐Based Authentication in IoT Device
Authors: Wang Dong , Zhang Xiaosong , Ming Jiang , Chen Ting , Wang Chao , Niu Weina
Published: July 2018

Firmware vulnerability is an important target for IoT attacks, but it is challenging, because firmware may be publicly unavailable or encrypted with an unknown key. We present in this paper an attack on Short Message Service (SMS for short) authentication code which aims at gaining the control of IoT devices without firmware analysis. The key idea is based on the observation that IoT device usually has an official application (app for short) used to control itself. Customer needs to register an account before using this app, phone numbers are usually suggested to be the account name, and most of these apps have a common feature, called Reset Your Password, that uses an SMS authentication code sent to customer phone to authenticate the customer when he forgot his password. We found that an attacker can perform brute‐force attack on this SMS authentication code automatically by overcoming several challenges, then he can steal the account to gain the control of IoT devices. In our research, we have implemented a prototype tool, called SACIntruder, to enable performing such brute‐force attack test on IoT devices automatically. We evaluated it and successfully found 12 zero‐day vulnerabilities including smart lock, sharing car, smart watch, smart router, etc. We also discussed how to prevent this attack.
A Simple Separation Method of the Protein and Polystyrene Bead-Labeled Protein for Enhancing the Performance of Fluorescent Sensor
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Kang Dong-Hoon , Yang Seung-Hoon , Lee Eunji , Ha Taewon , Lee Byung Chul , Kim Youngbaek , Hwang Kyo Seon , Shin Hyun-Joon , Kim Jinsik
Published: July 2018

Dielectrophoresis- (DEP-) based separation method between a protein, amyloid beta 42, and polystyrene (PS) beads in different microholes was demonstrated for enhancement of performance for bead-based fluorescent sensor. An intensity of ∇E2 was relative to a diameter of a microhole, and the diameters of two microholes for separation between the protein and PS beads were simulated to 3 μm and 15 μm, respectively. The microholes were fabricated by microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The separation between the protein and the PS beads was demonstrated by comparing the average intensity of fluorescence (AIF) by each molecule. Relative AIF was measured in various applying voltage and time conditions, and the conditions for allocating the PS beads into 15 μm hole were optimized at 80 mV and 15 min, respectively. In the optimized condition, the relative AIF was observed approximately 4.908 ± 0.299. Finally, in 3 μm and 15 μm hole, the AIFs were approximately 3.143 and −1.346 by 2 nm of protein and about −2.515 and 4.211 by 30 nm of the PS beads, respectively. The results showed that 2 nm of the protein and 30 nm of PS beads were separated by DEP force in each microhole effectively, and that our method is applicable as a new method to verify an efficiency of the labeling for bead-based fluorescent sensor ∇E2.
Z′ and Higgs Boson Production Associated with a Top Quark Pair as a Probe of the U(1)B-L Model at e+e- Colliders
Authors: Ramírez-Sánhez F. , Gutiérrez-Rodríguez A. , González-Sánchez Alejandro , Hernández-Ruíz M. A.
Published: July 2018

We study the production sensitivity of Higgs bosons h and H, in relation to the possible existence of Z′ boson and a top quark pair at the energy scales that will be reached in the near future at projected e+e- linear colliders. We focus on the resonance and no-resonance effects of the annihilation processes e+e-→(γ,Z,Z′)→tt-h and e+e-→(γ,Z,Z′)→tt-H. Furthermore, we develop and present novel analytical formulas to assess the total cross section involved in the production of Higgs bosons. We find that the possibility of performing precision measurements for the Higgs bosons h and H and for the Z′ boson is very promising at future e+e- linear colliders.
The Human Skin-Derived Precursors for Regenerative Medicine: Current State, Challenges, and Perspectives
Authors: Dai Ru , Hua Wei , Xie Heng , Chen Wei , Xiong Lidan , Li Li
Published: July 2018

Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) are an adult stem cell source with self-renewal and multipotent differentiation. Although rodent SKPs have been discussed in detail in substantial studies, human SKPs (hSKPs) are rarely reported. Understanding the biological properties and possible mechanisms underlying hSKPs has important implications for regenerative medicine particularly clinical applications, as human-derived sources are more suitable for clinical transplantation. The finding that hSKPs derivatives, such as neural and mesodermal progeny, have bothin vitroandin vivofunction without any genetical modification makes hSKPs a trustable, secure, and accessible resource for cell-based therapy. Here, we provide an overview of hSKPs, describing their characteristics, originations and niches, and potential applications. A comparison between traditional and innovative culture methods used for hSKPs is also introduced. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and the future perspectives towards the field of hSKPs. With this review, we hope to point out the current stage of hSKPs and highlight the problems that remain in this field.