bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of hydrologic information in stochastic dynamic programming: a case study of the Kemano hydropower system in British Columbia
Authors: Desreumaux Quentin , Côté Pascal , Leconte Robert
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a study describing the effect of various hydrological variables in stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) for solving the optimization problem of managing a hydropower system. We will show how choosing the best hydrological variables can strongly affect management policies. This is especially true for the system studied here, namely the Kemano hydroelectric system located in British Columbia, Canada, which is subject to large streamflow volumes due to significant snow cover during winter. Real-time snow water equivalent (SWE) data can be used directly as a variable in SDP management policies. Results indicate that for the system in this study, the maximum SWE (i.e., highest level of SWE observed from the start of winter to the current decision period) is the best among the methods investigated for effective, safe management, compared with Markov or order p autoregressive models when forecasts are not available.
The Cora Lake shear zone, Athabasca granulite terrane, an intraplate response to far-field orogenic processes during the amalgamation of Laurentia
Authors: Regan S.P. , Williams M.L. , Leslie S. , Mahan K.H. , Jercinovic M.J. , Holland M.E.
Published: August 2014

The Cora Lake shear zone (CLsz) is a 4–6 km wide localized high-strain zone that bisects the polydeformed Athabasca granulite terrane, northern Saskatchewan. It also coincides with the geophysical trace of the Snowbird tectonic zone. The CLsz represents a major lithotectonic and thermobarometric discontinuity within the exposure of >20 000 km2 of high-pressure granulites. Most rocks have a strong mineral lineation plunging moderately to the southwest. The Northwestern subdomain (hangingwall) is characterized by ca. 2.6 Ga plutonic rocks that contain an early, subhorizontal gneissic layering (ca. 2.57 Ga) that was overprinted by large amplitude folds and a partitioned, but pervasive, axial planar, dextral, shear fabric at ca. 1.9 Ga. Thermobarometry suggests metamorphic conditions of ∼0.9 GPa and ∼750 °C during both of the phases of tectonism. The footwall is predominantly underlain by the ca. 3.3–3.0 Ga Chipman tonalite, layers of intercalated mafic and felsic granulite, and the widespread 1.9 Ga Chipman mafic dyke swarm. Early subhorizontal layering in the footwall was also folded at ca. 1.9 Ga and transposed into a steeply dipping, northeast-striking axial planar shear fabric that corresponds with the metamorphic peak (1.1–1.2 GPa and 800–900 °C). These distinct domains were juxtaposed across the CLsz, which contains a gneissic foliation striking 231° and dipping moderately to steeply to the northwest. Abundant sinistral–normal kinematic indicators are consistent with the distinctly lower pressures to the northwest. The shear zone is characterized by very fine grain sizes, despite its high-temperature assemblages including clinopyroxene and garnet. Thermobarometry from the CLsz displays progressive decompression of reworked footwall rocks with increasing mylonitization. In situ monazite geochronology indicates shearing at 1.89–1.87 Ga shortly after the granulite facies metamorphic peak. The anomalous sinistral kinematics of the CLsz, bracketed in time between periods of dextral shearing, can be explained by changing regional stresses during alternating convergent tectonics to the west and to the southeast of the Athabasca granulite terrane.
Saccharomyces boulardii prevention of the hepatic injury induced by Salmonella Enteritidis infection
Authors: Wu Daichao , Teng Da , Wang Xiumin , Dai Changsong , Wang Jianhua
Published: August 2014

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) is the predominant cause of serovar-associated food-borne outbreaks in many countries and causes significant clinical symptoms of liver injury, enteritis, and diarrheal diseases. Saccharomyces boulardii is used in clinical application for prophylaxis and the treatment of a variety of diseases caused by bacterial infection. We used a mouse model of Salmonella Enteritidis infection, which included pretreatment with S. boulardii, to reveal the protection mechanisms of S. boulardii against Salmonella Enteritidis infection, including the translocation of Salmonella Enteritidis to the liver 10 days after Salmonella Enteritidis challenge, and the colonisation of Salmonella Enteritidis and the formation of hepatic tissue lesions in mice after Salmonella Enteritidis challenge on the 10th day. Compared with Salmonella Enteritidis infection in mice, S. boulardii decreased Salmonella Enteritidis translocation to the liver by 96%, and 99% of Salmonella Enteritidis colonised the cecum on the 10th day. Saccharomyces boulardii also abated hepatic tissue injury caused by the infiltration of neutrophilic granulocytes, lymphocytes, and plasmocytes by decreasing the translocation of Salmonella to the liver. These findings demonstrated that S. boulardii is an effective agent in the prevention of the hepatic injury induced by Salmonella Enteritidis infection in a mouse model.
Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid suppresses inflammation-induced neovascularization
Authors: Zhou Hongyan , Jiang Sheng , Chen Jianping , Su Shao Bo
Published: August 2014

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate gene transcription by modifying the acetylation of histone and nonhistone proteins. Deregulated expression of HDACs has been implicated in tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the effect of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a potent inhibitor of HDACs, on inflammatory corneal angiogenesis. In a mouse model of alkali-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV), topical application of SAHA to the injured corneas attenuated CNV. In addition, in vivo treatment with SAHA downregulated the expression of the pro-angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), but upregulated the expression of the anti-angiogenic factors thrombospondin (TSP)-1, TSP-2, and ADAMTS-1 in the injured corneas. Furthermore, SAHA inhibited the expression of pro-angiogenic factors, migration, proliferation, and tube formation by human microvascular endothelial cells (HEMC-1) in vitro. These data indicate that SAHA has therapeutic potential for CNV.
Identification and validation of functional markers in a global rice collection by association mapping
Authors: Jahani Mojtaba , Nematzadeh Ghorbanali , Dolatabadi Behnaz , Hashemi Sayyed Hamidreza , Mohammadi-Nejad Ghasem
Published: August 2014

Recent results indicate that marker-assisted selection is an effective approach to reduce the cost and to improve the efficacy and accuracy of selection in plant breeding. This study was conducted to identify and validate molecular markers linked to important breeding traits by association mapping. The association was evaluated between 81 molecular markers (STS, SSR, Indel, CAPS, and PCR-based SNP) and 15 morphological traits in a global panel of 100 rice (Oryza sativa) accessions. The population structure analysis identified three main subpopulations. Obvious kinship relationships were also detected between the rice accessions. Association analysis was performed based on the mixed linear model by considering population structure and family relatedness. In addition, the false discovery rate method was used to correct the multiple testing. A total of 47 marker–trait associations were identified, including 22 markers for 14 traits. Among all, the polymorphism at the loci DDR-GL was highly associated with grain characters (grain length, grain width, and length/width ratio). In addition, marker RM3148 was responsible for five important traits simultaneously. Results demonstrated that such informative markers can be very useful for rice breeding programs using marker-assisted selection. Moreover, the diverse populations of rice accessions are a valuable resource for association mapping of morphological traits.
Allelic divergence and cultivar-specific SSR alleles revealed by capillary electrophoresis using fluorescence-labeled SSR markers in sugarcane
Authors: Chandra Amaresh , Grisham Michael P. , Pan Yong-Bao
Published: August 2014

Though sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp. hybrids) are complex aneupolyploid hybrids, genetic evaluation and tracking of clone- or cultivar-specific alleles become possible through capillary electrophoresis (CE) using fluorescence-labeled SSR markers. Twenty-four sugarcane cultivars, 12 each from India and the USA, were genetically assessed using 21 fluorescence-labeled polymorphic SSR markers. These markers primed the amplification of 213 alleles. Of these alleles, 161 were common to both Indian and US cultivars, 25 were specific to the Indian cultivars, and 27 were observed only in the US cultivars. Only 10 alleles were monomorphic. A high level of heterozygosity was observed in both Indian (82.4%) and US (91.1%) cultivars resulting in average polymorphism information content (PIC) values of 0.66 and 0.77 and marker index (MI) values of 5.07 and 5.58, respectively. Pearson correlation between PIC and MI was significant in both sets of cultivars (r = 0.58 and 0.69). UPGMA clustering separated cultivars into three distinct clusters at 59% homology level. These results propose the potential utility of six Indian cultivar-specific SSR alleles (mSSCIR3_182, SMC486CG_229, SMC36BUQ_125, mSSCIR74_216, SMC334BS_154, and mSSCIR43_238) in sugarcane breeding, vis a vis transporting CE-based evaluation in clone or variety identity testing, cross fidelity assessments, and genetic relatedness among species of the genus Saccharum and related genera.
FROM CENTER STAGE TO BIT PLAYER: TRADE UNIONS AND THE BRITISH ECONOMY
Authors: WRIGHT CHRIS F. , BROWN WILLIAM
Published: August 2014

Over the past 30 years, British unions have been marginalised from economic policymaking. Union membership and collective bargaining coverage have fallen dramatically, and the sometimes negative economic impact of unions at the workplace level has disappeared. While strong unions were once key contributors to macroeconomic problems such as high inflation, the weakening of organised labour has created other economic problems for policymakers in Britain, such as rising inequality. The social and political consequences of deepening inequality may force a reconsideration of the role of both the state and of unions in upholding labour standards.
BETWEEN BERLUSCONI AND MONTI: TRADE UNIONS AND ECONOMIC CRISIS IN ITALY
Authors: NEGRELLI SERAFINO , SIGNORETTI ANDREA
Published: August 2014

The recent labor reforms implemented in Italy by the so-called "technocratic" Monti Government have challenged the traditional role of trade unions. On one side, the reforms in the pension and labor market have been approved without real consultation or bargaining with social parties, under the pressures from the financial and economic crisis and the austerity demanded by the EU central authorities. On the other side, the Government is urging trade unions to contribute to stimulating labor productivity in order to produce more growth and escape from such a long period of recession. The main aim of this article is to analyze the changing role of trade unions and then the real opportunities to open a new phase of social concertation, also taking into account the historical background of Italian industrial relations.
A Caption Text Detection Method from Images/Videos for Efficient Indexing and Retrieval of Multimedia Data
Authors: Tehsin Samabia , Masood Asif , Kausar Sumaira , Javed Yunous
Published: August 2014

Textual information embedded in multimedia can provide a vital tool for indexing and retrieval. Text extraction process has many inherent problems due to the variation in font sizes, color, backgrounds and resolution. Text detection and localization are the most challenging phases of text extraction process whereas text extraction results are highly dependent upon these phases. This paper focuses on the text localization because of its very fundamental importance. Two effective feature vectors are introduced for the classification of the text and nontext objects. First feature vector is represented by the Radon transform of text candidate objects. Second feature vector is derived from the detailed geometrical analysis of text contents. Union of two feature vectors is used for the classification of text and nontext objects using support vector machine (SVM). Text detection and localization results are evaluated on two publicly available datasets namely ICDAR 2013 and IPC-Artificial text. Moreover, results are compared with state-of-the-art techniques and the Comparison demonstrates the superiority of the presented research.
SINH-DOMAIN UNIVERSAL BIQUAD FILTERS
Authors: KASIMIS CHRISOSTOMOS , PSYCHALINOS COSTAS
Published: August 2014

A family of current-mode universal biquad filters, realized using the concept of Sinh-Domain signal processing, is introduced in this paper. Both of them have the capability for operating in a low-voltage environment and, also, for orthogonal electronic adjustment between the resonance frequency and Q factor. Employing MOS transistors models from the AMS 0.35 μm process, the performance of the proposed topologies has been evaluated by exploiting the analog design environment of Cadence software.
A Data Mining Based Approach for Collaborative Analysis of Biomedical Data
Authors: Tsiliki Georgia , Kossida Sophia , Friesen Natalja , Rüping Stefan , Tzagarakis Manolis , Karacapilidis Nikos
Published: August 2014

Biomedical research becomes increasingly multidisciplinary and collaborative in nature. At the same time, it has recently seen a vast growth in publicly and instantly available information. As the available resources become more specialized, there is a growing need for multidisciplinary collaborations between biomedical researchers to address complex research questions. We present an application of a data mining algorithm to genomic data in a collaborative decision-making support environment, as a typical example of how multidisciplinary researchers can collaborate in analyzing and interpreting biomedical data. Through the proposed approach, researchers can easily decide about which data repositories should be considered, analyze the algorithmic results, discuss the weaknesses of the patterns identified, and set up new iterations of the data mining algorithm by defining other descriptive attributes or integrating other relevant data. Evaluation results show that the proposed approach facilitates users to set their research objectives and better understand the data and methodologies used in their research.
Mining Undominated Association Rules Through Interestingness Measures
Authors: Bouker Slim , Saidi Rabie , Ben Yahia Sadok , Mephu Nguifo Engelbert
Published: August 2014

The increasing growth of databases raises an urgent need for more accurate methods to better understand the stored data. In this scope, association rules were extensively used for the analysis and the comprehension of huge amounts of data. However, the number of generated rules is too large to be efficiently analyzed and explored in any further process. In order to bypass this hamper, an efficient selection of rules has to be performed. Since selection is necessarily based on evaluation, many interestingness measures have been proposed. However, the abundance of these measures gave rise to a new problem, namely the heterogeneity of the evaluation results and this created confusion to the decision. In this respect, we propose a novel approach to discover interesting association rules without favoring or excluding any measure by adopting the notion of dominance between association rules. Our approach bypasses the problem of measure heterogeneity and unveils a compromise between their evaluations. Interestingly enough, the proposed approach also avoids another non-trivial problem which is the threshold value specification. Extensive carried out experiments on benchmark datasets show the benefits of the introduced approach.
Efficient Singleton Consistency by Combining Forward Checking and Bound Consistency
Authors: Guo Jinsong , Li Hongbo , Li Zhanshan , Zhang Yonggang , Jia Xianghua
Published: August 2014

Maintaining local consistencies can improve the efficiencies of the search algorithms solving constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs). Comparing with arc consistency which is the most widely used local consistency, stronger local consistencies can make the search space smaller while they require higher computational cost. In this paper, we make an attempt on the compromise between the pruning ability and the computational cost. A new local consistency called singleton strong bound consistency (SSBC) and its light version, light SSBC, are proposed. The search algorithm maintaining light SSBC can outperform MAC on a considerable number of problems.
Risk Index in Uncertain Random Risk Analysis
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Ralescu Dan A.
Published: August 2014

In many systems, randomness and uncertainty are present simultaneously. Uncertain random variables provide a tool to deal with these inexact phenomena. This paper proposes a concept of risk index to quantify the risk of an uncertain random system. In addition, a risk index theorem is proved in order to calculate the risk index, and is applied to series systems, parallel systems and standby systems. Finally, a concept of expected loss is suggested for an uncertain random system.
Integration of Extra-Information for Belief Function Theory Conflict Management Problem Through Generic Association Rules
Authors: Samet Ahmed , Lefèvre Eric , Yahia Sadok Ben
Published: August 2014

Decision making by considering multiple information sources could provide interesting results. For that reason, fusion formalisms were a major concern in the belief function community. In this context, the Belief function theory allows information fusion thanks to its combinations tools that it integrates. Nevertheless, belief function theory highlights a limit in the merging of contradictory (conflictual) sources. Many authors tackled this problem offering contributions in this field. Unfortunately, no proposed operator has distinguished by its adequacy regardless the type of handled sources. In this paper, we demonstrate the limits of some referenced works and we diagnostic the issues origin. We propose a conflict management approach based on an extra-information that guides the treatment. We also integrate a generic associative base borrowed from the data mining domain in order to apply the adequate conflict management.
Bridging Probability and Possibility via Bayesian Theorem
Authors: Mei Wei
Published: August 2014

The connection between probability and possibility has been studied for decades. Several studies have intended to provide a unified interpretation for these concepts; other studies attempt to discover their transformation relationship. This paper addresses these problems using a unified perspective. By extending the viewpoint of interpreting the grade of membership as a conditional probability, we introduce the conditional probability mass function and likelihood mass function to describe randomness and fuzziness, respectively. We draw the conclusion that conditional probability is undetermined itself and can be used for describing either randomness or fuzziness, depending on how it is interpreted. A fuzzy Bayesian theorem is presented based on the fuzziness interpretation of conditional probability. Additionally, a probability-possibility conversion is derived by assigning different interpretations for conditional probability of the Bayesian theorem, which is notably similar to Klir's normalized transformation. An example of target recognition demonstrates that the fuzzy Bayesian classifier outperforms the usual Bayesian classifier.
Convergence Theorems for Uncertain Variable Sequences
Authors: Wu Jianrong , Xia Yang
Published: August 2014

For uncertain variable sequences, conditions of convergences such as Cauchy convergence in measure, convergence almost surely and convergence uniformly almost surely are given. Consequently, the relationships among convergences of uncertain variable sequences are shown. These results have not been proposed in literature so far.
WHAT IS THE BETTER TREATMENT FOR SINGLE DIGIT DUPUYTREN'S CONTRACTURE: SURGICAL RELEASE OR COLLAGENASE CLOSTRIDIUM HISTOLYTICUM (XIAPEX) INJECTION?
Authors: Povlsen Bo , Povlsen Sebastian D.
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the initial and final outcome range of motion in the MCP-J and PIP-J of single digit Dupuytren's Contracture treated with either open surgical excision or manipulation after collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH; Xiapex) injection. Material: Ten patients in either group. The range of motion measurements were statistically compared using the student t-test with a p-value of 0.05. There was no statistical difference in the pre-treatment status of the total active range of movement (TAM) between the two groups. Results: Open surgical release achieved a statistically better initial outcome in combined total passive range of movement than the xiapex group (p = 0.0047), but at the final outcome the better TAM measurement at the MCP-J after surgery was not statistically significant. However, the total active range of movement was statistically better at the PIP-J level in the xiapex group (p = 0.01) and the MCP-J and PIP-J combined total active range of movement was statistically better in the xiapex group (p = 0.0258). Conclusion: Surgery achieved better initial outcome at both MCP-J and PIP-J levels, and at discharge, only extension in the MCP-J level was statistically better after open excision. However the final outcome was statistically better at the PIP-J level in extension (p = 0.006) and total active movement (TAM) (p = 0.008) after treatment with collagenase clostridium histolyticum. Further studies are required to assess the long-term differences between the two groups and to investigate the outcomes for patients with multi-digit involvement.
IRREDUCIBLE METACARPAL NECK FRACTURE CAUSED BY INTERPOSITION OF JUNCTURA TENDINUM
Authors: Lee Duk Hee , Park Jong Woong , Lee Jung Il
Published: August 2014

Most metacarpal neck fractures can be reduced using the close reduction technique. However, if acceptable reduction cannot be achieved by closed reduction, open reduction is indicated. A 37-year-old patient had a third metacarpal neck fracture. We tried to reduce the metacarpal neck fracture by using closed reduction methods, but failed to do so. We performed open exploration and observed that the cause of failure was interposition of the junctura tendinum (JT) connecting the third and fourth extensor digitorum tendons. The JT in the third or fourth intermetacarpal space can interpose between the fragments in cases of third, fourth, or fifth metacarpal neck fractures, because the JT in the third or fourth intermetacarpal space is thick and wide (type 2 or 3). The JT in the third or fourth intermetacarpal space should be considered as a potential obstacle to the reduction in cases of irreducible metacarpal neck fractures.
Elasto-Plastic Bearing Capacity of Four Types of Single-Layer Reticulated Shell Structures Under Fire Hazards
Authors: Bai Yin , Yang Lu , Gong Lingfeng
Published: August 2014

Single-layer reticulated shells are widely used in spatial structures. One critical factor that has to be considered in the design of reticulated shells is the significant adverse impact of high temperature caused by fire on the structures. In order to study the variation of elasto-plastic bearing capacity under high temperature by fire, four types of single-layer reticulated shells (i.e. K6, Geodesic, Schwedler and Lamella) are investigated under two typical fire conditions (i.e. global nonuniform temperature distribution and local high temperature) by the geometrically and materially nonlinear analysis and statistical methods. Practical design formulae for calculating the elasto-plastic bearing capacity of reticulated shell structures under different fire conditions and ambient temperatures are proposed based on the numerical simulation results.
China's Council of State Security: Evolution, Rationality and Operations
Authors: YOU Ji
Published: August 2014

Xi Jinping's “New Deal” to restructure China's top government along the lines of power recentralisation is an endeavour to revitalise China. In full operation it will reshape Beijing's national security (NS) decision-making process, from the formulation of NS strategies, crisis management at home and abroad, coordination of NS policies and actions by Party/army/state agencies to institutional links with its foreign NS counterparts. Primarily it is Beijing's response to rising internal state security challenges.
Reforming China's Public Finances to Sustain Growth
Authors: LIN Shuanglin , TONG Sarah Y
Published: August 2014

China's public finance is characterised by a pro-growth taxation system, growth enhancing government expenditure and an expansionary fiscal policy. However, reforms are needed to tackle rising income inequality and worsening social and environmental problems, including more public spending and more progressive taxes. Measures are also needed to resolve rising local government debt. The recently concluded Third Plenum has made these its top priorities and announced various policy initiatives.
A Framework for Exploiting Local Information to Enhance Density Estimation of Data Streams
Authors: Boedihardjo Arnold P. , Lu Chang-Tien , Wang Bingsheng
Published: August 2014

The Probability Density Function (PDF) is the fundamental data model for a variety of stream mining algorithms. Existing works apply the standard nonparametric Kernel Density Estimator (KDE) to approximate the PDF of data streams. As a result, the stream-based KDEs cannot accurately capture complex local density features. In this article, we propose the use of Local Region (LRs) to model local density information in univariate data streams. In-depth theoretical analyses are presented to justify the effectiveness of the LR-based KDE. Based on the analyses, we develop the General Local rEgion AlgorithM (GLEAM) to enhance the estimation quality of structurally complex univariate distributions for existing stream-based KDEs. A set of algorithmic optimizations is designed to improve the query throughput of GLEAM and to achieve its linear order computation. Additionally, a comprehensive suite of experiments was conducted to test the effectiveness and efficiency of GLEAM.
Regression Testing of Web Service: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Qiu Dong , Li Bixin , Ji Shunhui , Leung Hareton
Published: August 2014

Web service is a widely used implementation technique under the paradigm of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA). A service-based system is subjected to continuous evolution and regression testing is required to check whether new faults have been introduced. Based on the current scientific work of web service regression testing, this survey aims to identify gaps in current research and suggests some promising areas for further study. To this end, we performed a broad automatic search on publications in the selected electronic databases published from 2000 to 2013. Through our careful review and manual screening, a total of 30 papers have been selected as primary studies for answering our research questions. We presented a qualitative analysis of the findings, including stakeholders, challenges, standards, techniques, and validations employed in these primary studies. Our main results include the following: (1) Service integrator is the key stakeholder that largely impacts how regression testing is performed. (2) Challenges of cost and autonomy issues have been studied heavily. However, more emphasis should be put on the other challenges, such as test timing, dynamics, privacy, quota constraints, and concurrency issues. (3) Orchestration-based services have been largely studied, while little attention has been paid to either choreography-based services or semantic-based services. (4) An appreciable amount of web service regression testing techniques have been proposed, including 48 test case prioritization techniques, 10 test selection techniques, two test suite minimization techniques, and another collaborative technique. (5) Many regression test techniques have not been theoretically proven or experimentally analyzed, which limits their application in large-scale systems. We believe that our survey has identified gaps in current research work and reveals new insights for the future work.
Effective Transactional Memory Execution Management for Improved Concurrency
Authors: Gonzalez-Mesa M. A. , Gutierrez Eladio , Zapata Emilio L. , Plata Oscar
Published: August 2014

This article describes a transactional memory execution model intended to exploit maximum parallelism from sequential and multithreaded programs. A program code section is partitioned into chunks that will be mapped onto threads and executed transactionally. These transactions run concurrently and out of order, trying to exploit maximum parallelism but managed by a specific fully distributed commit control to meet data dependencies. To accomplish correct parallel execution, a partial precedence order relation is derived from the program code section and/or defined by the programmer. When a conflict between chunks is eagerly detected, the precedence order relation is used to determine the best policy to solve the conflict that preserves the precedence order while maximizing concurrency. The model defines a new transactional state called
executed but not committed
. This state allows exploiting concurrency on two levels: intrathread and interthread. Intrathread concurrency is improved by having pending uncommitted transactions while executing a new one in the same thread. The new state improves interthread concurrency because it permits out-of-order transaction commits regarding the precedence order. Our model has been implemented in a lightweight software transactional memory system, TinySTM, and has been evaluated on a set of benchmarks obtaining an important performance improvement over the baseline TM system.
A Survey of Provably Secure Searchable Encryption
Authors: Bösch Christoph , Hartel Pieter , Jonker Willem , Peter Andreas
Published: August 2014

We survey the notion of provably secure searchable encryption (SE) by giving a complete and comprehensive overview of the two main SE techniques: searchable symmetric encryption (SSE) and public key encryption with keyword search (PEKS). Since the pioneering work of Song, Wagner, and Perrig (IEEE S&P '00), the field of provably secure SE has expanded to the point where we felt that taking stock would provide benefit to the community.

The survey has been written primarily for the nonspecialist who has a basic information security background. Thus, we sacrifice full details and proofs of individual constructions in favor of an overview of the underlying key techniques. We categorize and compare the different SE schemes in terms of their security, efficiency, and functionality. For the experienced researcher, we point out connections between the many approaches to SE and identify open research problems.

Two major conclusions can be drawn from our work. While the so-called IND-CKA2 security notion becomes prevalent in the literature and efficient (sublinear) SE schemes meeting this notion exist in the symmetric setting, achieving this strong form of security efficiently in the asymmetric setting remains an open problem. We observe that in multirecipient SE schemes, regardless of their efficiency drawbacks, there is a noticeable lack of query expressiveness that hinders deployment in practice.
Stereo Day-for-Night
Authors: Kellnhofer Petr , Ritschel Tobias , Vangorp Peter , Myszkowski Karol , Seidel Hans-Peter
Published: August 2014

Several approaches attempt to reproduce the appearance of a scotopic low-light night scene on a photopic display (“day-for-night”) by introducing color desaturation, loss of acuity, and the Purkinje shift toward blue colors. We argue that faithful stereo reproduction of night scenes on photopic stereo displays requires manipulation of not only color but also binocular disparity. To this end, we performed a psychophysics experiment to devise a model of disparity at scotopic luminance levels. Using this model, we can match binocular disparity of a scotopic stereo content displayed on a photopic monitor to the disparity that would be perceived if the scene was actually scotopic. The model allows for real-time computation of common stereo content as found in interactive applications such as simulators or computer games.
Descemetic and Predescemetic DALK in Keratoconus Patients: A Clinical and Confocal Perspective Study
Authors: Schiano-Lomoriello Domenico , Colabelli-Gisoldi Rossella Annamaria , Nubile Mario , Oddone Francesco , Ducoli Giorgio , Villani Carlo Maria , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Pocobelli Augusto
Published: August 2014

Purpose. To evaluate the clinical outcomes and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) features of keratoconus patients who underwent deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).Methods. DALK was performed using the big bubble technique in all the patients. If the bubble was not successful to bare the descemet membrane, a manual dissection layer-by layer was performed to expose a deep stromal plane close to the DM. The patients were divided in two groups depending on the intraoperative baring of the descemet membrane: predescemetic DALK (PD-DALK) and descemetic DALK (D-DALK) group.Results. One month after surgery the D-DALK patients show an increase of mean BCVA. In the PD-DALK group mean BCVA did not show significant improvement as compared to preoperative values. At 6 months after surgery mean BCVA was found to be similar in both groups. At 1 month IVCM the peak of reflectivity of the interface was lower in D-DALK group compared to PD-DALK. At 6 months the values of reflectivity were comparable.Conclusions. At 1 month D-DALK seems to lead to a minor interface reflectivity and to a better BCVA; these differences disappear after 6 months and the values of interface reflectivity and BCVA are comparable between D-DALK and PD-DALK.
Are Branded and Generic Extended-Release Ropinirole Formulations Equally Efficacious? A Rater-Blinded, Switch-Over, Multicenter Study
Authors: Bosnyák Edit , Herceg Mihály , Pál Endre , Aschermann Zsuzsanna , Janszky József , Késmárki Ildikó , Komoly Sámuel , Karádi Kázmér , Dóczi Tamás , Nagy Ferenc , Kovács Norbert
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the branded and a generic extended-release ropinirole formulation in the treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Of 22 enrolled patients 21 completed the study. A rater blinded to treatment evaluated Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale, Fahn-Tolosa-Marin Tremor Rating Scale, Nonmotor Symptoms Assessment Scale, and a structured questionnaire on ropinirole side effects. Besides, the patients self-administered EQ-5D, Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS-2), and Beck Depression Inventories. Branded and generic ropinirole treatment achieved similar scores on all tests measuring severity of motor symptoms (primary endpoint, UPDRS-III: 27.0 versus 28.0 points,P=0.505). Based on patient diaries, the lengths of “good time periods” were comparable (10.5 and 10.0 hours for branded and generic ropinirole, resp.,P=0.670). However, generic ropinirole therapy achieved almost 3.0 hours shorter on time without dyskinesia (6.5 versus. 9.5 hours,P<0.05) and 2.5 hours longer on time with slight dyskinesia (3.5 versus. 1.0 hours,P<0.05) than the branded ropinirole did. Except for gastrointestinal problems, nonmotor symptoms were similarly controlled. Patients did not prefer either formulation. Although this study has to be interpreted with limitations, it demonstrated that both generic and branded ropinirole administration can achieve similar control on most symptoms of PD.
Midpoint-Free Subsets of the Real Numbers
Authors: Eggleton Roger B.
Published: August 2014

A set of reals S⊂R is midpoint-free if it has no subset a, b, c⊆S such that a<b<c and a+c=2b. If S⊂X⊆R and S is midpoint-free, it is a maximal midpoint-free subset of X if there is no midpoint-free set T such that S⊂T⊆X. In each of the cases X=Z+, Z, Q+,Q,R+,R, we determine two maximal midpoint-free subsets of X characterised by digit constraints on the base 3 representations of their members.
Experimental Infection with Sporulated Oocysts of Eimeria maxima (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Broiler
Authors: Brito Luciana da S. , Pereira Elder N. , da Silva Augusta A. , Bentivóglio Costa Silva Vinícius , Freitas Fagner L. da C.
Published: August 2014

Through this study we assessed the metabolic and pathological changes in broilers experimentally infected with oocysts of Eimeria maxima. To perform the experiment, we used 150 broiler strain cooB males, with ten days of age, were randomized according to weight and randomly assigned to two experimental groups: the control group was inoculated with 0.5 mL of distilled water; the infected group inoculated with 0.5 mL of solution containing 5×104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria maxima. The live performance was evaluated on day 0 (day of inoculation), 5°, 10°, 15°, 25°, and 35° dpi, being slaughtered by cervical dislocation, fifteen birds/group. Although the sum in meat production was higher in the control group, the weight of the heart and gizzard of the experimental animals showed no significant difference, while the liver had difference on day 5°, 15°, and 35° dpi. The pathologic evaluation showed congested mucosa and presence of large amounts of mucus at 6 dpi. Therefore, it is concluded that the dose of 5×104 E. maxima inoculated in the experimental group was enough to cause harm to the animal organism.
tasiRNA-ARF Pathway Moderates Floral Architecture inArabidopsisPlants Subjected to Drought Stress
Authors: Matsui Akihiro , Mizunashi Kayoko , Tanaka Maho , Kaminuma Eli , Nguyen Anh Hai , Nakajima Maiko , Kim Jong-Myong , Nguyen Dong Van , Toyoda Tetsuro , Seki Motoaki
Published: August 2014

In plants, miRNAs and siRNAs, such as transacting siRNAs (ta-siRNAs), affect their targets through distinct regulatory mechanisms. In this study, the expression profiles of small RNAs (smRNAs) inArabidopsisplants subjected to drought, cold, and high-salinity stress were analyzed using 454 DNA sequencing technology. Expression of three groups of ta-siRNAs (TAS1, TAS2, and TAS3) and their precursors was downregulated inArabidopsisplants subjected to drought and high-salinity stress. Analysis of ta-siRNA synthesis mutants and mutatedARF3-overexpressing plants that escape the tasiRNA-ARF target indicated that self-pollination was hampered by short stamens in plants under drought and high-salinity stress. Microarray analysis of flower buds ofrdr6and wild-type plants under drought stress and nonstressed conditions revealed that expression of floral development- and auxin response-related genes was affected by drought stress and by theRDR6mutation. The overall results of the present study indicated that tasiRNA-ARF is involved in maintaining the normal morphogenesis of flowers in plants under stress conditions through fine-tuning expression changes of floral development-related and auxin response-related genes.
Improved Transient Performance of a Fuzzy Modified Model Reference Adaptive Controller for an Interacting Coupled Tank System Using Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Khansadurai Asan Mohideen , Krishnasamy Valarmathi , Thota Karunakaran Radhakrishnan
Published: August 2014

The main objective of the paper is to design a model reference adaptive controller (MRAC) with improved transient performance. A modification to the standard direct MRAC called fuzzy modified MRAC (FMRAC) is used in the paper. The FMRAC uses a proportional control based Mamdani-type fuzzy logic controller (MFLC) to improve the transient performance of a direct MRAC. The paper proposes the application of real-coded genetic algorithm (RGA) to tune the membership function parameters of the proposed FMRAC offline so that the transient performance of the FMRAC is improved further. In this study, a GA based modified MRAC (GAMMRAC), an FMRAC, and a GA based FMRAC (GAFMRAC) are designed for a coupled tank setup in a hybrid tank process and their transient performances are compared. The results show that the proposed GAFMRAC gives a better transient performance than the GAMMRAC or the FMRAC. It is concluded that the proposed controller can be used to obtain very good transient performance for the control of nonlinear processes.
BDNF Increases Survival and Neuronal Differentiation of Human Neural Precursor Cells Cotransplanted with a Nanofiber Gel to the Auditory Nerve in a Rat Model of Neuronal Damage
Authors: Jiao Yu , Palmgren Björn , Novozhilova Ekaterina , Englund Johansson Ulrica , Spieles-Engemann Anne L. , Kale Ajay , Stupp Samuel I. , Olivius Petri
Published: August 2014

Objectives. To study possible nerve regeneration of a damaged auditory nerve by the use of stem cell transplantation.Methods. We transplanted HNPCs to the rat AN trunk by the internal auditory meatus (IAM). Furthermore, we studied if addition of BDNF affects survival and phenotypic differentiation of the grafted HNPCs. A bioactive nanofiber gel (PA gel), in selected groups mixed with BDNF, was applied close to the implanted cells. Before transplantation, all rats had been deafened by a round window niche application ofβ-bungarotoxin. This neurotoxin causes a selective toxic destruction of the AN while keeping the hair cells intact.Results. Overall, HNPCs survived well for up to six weeks in all groups. However, transplants receiving the BDNF-containing PA gel demonstrated significantly higher numbers of HNPCs and neuronal differentiation. At six weeks, a majority of the HNPCs had migrated into the brain stem and differentiated. Differentiated human cells as well as neurites were observed in the vicinity of the cochlear nucleus.Conclusion. Our results indicate that human neural precursor cells (HNPC) integration with host tissue benefits from additional brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) treatment and that these cells appear to be good candidates for further regenerative studies on the auditory nerve (AN).
Clinical Aspects, Imaging Features, and Considerations on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis Risk in a Pediatric Patient with Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Costa Fábio Wildson Gurgel , Chaves Filipe Nobre , Nogueira Alexandre Simões , Rodrigues Carvalho Francisco Samuel , Pereira Karuza Maria Alves , Kurita Lúcio Mitsuo , Rodrigues Rodrigo Rodrigues , Fonteles Cristiane Sá Roriz
Published: August 2014

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare hereditary condition caused by changes in collagen metabolism. It is classified into four types according to clinical, genetic, and radiological criteria. Clinically, bone fragility, short stature, blue sclerae, and locomotion difficulties may be observed in this disease. OI is often associated to severe dental problems, such as dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) and malocclusions. Radiographically, affected teeth may have crowns with bulbous appearance, accentuated constriction in the cementoenamel junction, narrowed roots, large root canals due to defective dentin formation, and taurodontism (enlarged pulp chambers). There is no definitive cure, but bisphosphonate therapy is reported to improve bone quality; however, there is a potential risk of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. In this study we report a case of OI in a male pediatric patient with no family history of OI who was receiving ongoing treatment with intravenous perfusion of bisphosphonate and who required dental surgery. In addition, we discussed the clinical and imaging findings and briefly reviewed the literature.
Designer Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Scaffolds Containing Link Protein N-Terminal Peptide Induce Chondrogenesis of Rabbit Bone Marrow Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Baichuan , Sun Caixia , Shao Zengwu , Yang Shuhua , Che Biao , Wu Qiang , Liu Jianxiang
Published: August 2014

Designer self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffolds have been considered as promising biomaterials for tissue engineering because of their excellent biocompatibility and biofunctionality. Our previous studies have shown that a novel designer functionalized self-assembling peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffold (RLN/RADA16, LN-NS) containing N-terminal peptide sequence of link protein (link N) can promote nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) adhesion and three-dimensional (3D) migration and stimulate biosynthesis of type II collagen and aggrecan by NPCsin vitro. The present study has extended these investigations to determine the effects of this functionalized LN-NS on bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), a potential cell source for NP regeneration. Although the functionalized LN-NS cannot promote BMSCs proliferation, it significantly promotes BMSCs adhesion compared with that of the pure RADA16 hydrogel scaffold. Moreover, the functionalized LN-NS remarkably stimulates biosynthesis and deposition of type II collagen and aggrecan. These data demonstrate that the functionalized peptide nanofiber hydrogel scaffold containing link N peptide as a potential matrix substrate will be very useful in the NP tissue regeneration.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Ameliorate Allergic Airway Inflammation by Inducing Regulatory T Cells in a Mouse Model of Asthma
Authors: Cho Kyu-Sup , Park Mi-Kyung , Kang Shin-Ae , Park Hee-Young , Hong Sung-Lyong , Park Hye-Kyung , Yu Hak-Sun , Roh Hwan-Jung
Published: August 2014

Although several studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (ASCs) can ameliorate allergic airway inflammation, the immunomodulatory mechanism of ASCs remains unclear. In this study, we investigated whether regulatory T cells (Tregs) induction is a potential mechanism in immunomodulatory effects of ASCs on allergic airway disease and how these induced Tregs orchestrate allergic inflammation. Intravenous administration of ASCs significantly reduced allergic symptoms and inhibited eosinophilic inflammation. Airway hyperresponsiveness, total immune cell and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, mucus production, and serum allergen-specific IgE and IgG1 were significantly reduced after ASCs administration. ASCs significantly inhibited Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and enhanced Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) and regulatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung draining lymph nodes. Furthermore, levels of IDO, TGF-β, and PGE2were significantly increased after ASCs administration. Interestingly, this upregulation was accompanied by increased Treg populations. In conclusion, ASCs ameliorated allergic airway inflammation and improved lung function through the induction of Treg expansion. The induction of Treg by ASCs involves the secretion of soluble factors such as IDO, TGF-β, and PGE2and Treg might be involved in the downregulation of Th2 cytokines and upregulation of Th1 cytokines production.
Research on Driver Behavior in Yellow Interval at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Yang Zhaosheng , Tian Xiujuan , Wang Wei , Zhou Xiyang , Liang Hongmei
Published: August 2014

Vehicles are often caught in dilemma zone when they approach signalized intersections in yellow interval. The existence of dilemma zone which is significantly influenced by driver behavior seriously affects the efficiency and safety of intersections. This paper proposes the driver behavior models in yellow interval by logistic regression and fuzzy decision tree modeling, respectively, based on camera image data. Vehicle’s speed and distance to stop line are considered in logistic regression model, which also brings in a dummy variable to describe installation of countdown timer display. Fuzzy decision tree model is generated by FID3 algorithm whose heuristic information is fuzzy information entropy based on membership functions. This paper concludes that fuzzy decision tree is more accurate to describe driver behavior at signalized intersection than logistic regression model.