bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HALF-LIFE DEVIATIONS FROM PURCHASING POWER PARITY: EVIDENCE FROM PACIFIC RIM COUNTRIES
Authors: CHANG MING-JEN
Published: November 2015

The study examines the half-life deviations from purchasing power parity (PPP) using both linear and nonlinear models for the sector specific real exchange rates of the Pacific Rim countries. By using a linear benchmark model, the estimated half-life deviations from PPP of about/or less than 3 years seemingly solve the PPP puzzle. After re-examining them using nonlinear forms, the PPP puzzle for most sectoral real exchange rates in the study still remains. More specifically, we find that deviations from PPP by TAR are persistent and take much more time for mean reversions especially for non-tradable sectors using logistic STAR / exponential STAR (LSTAR/ESTAR). The major reasons might be that conventional studies have failed to control the possible nonlinearity of real exchange rates, and have disregarded the possible bias of any single numèraire country. Finally, we also show the speed of mean reversion for real exchange rates by sectoral prices (tradable and non-tradable).
Enhanced Cascading Classifier Using Multi-Scale HOG for Pedestrian Detection from Aerial Images
Authors: Sugimura Daisuke , Fujimura Takayuki , Hamamoto Takayuki
Published: November 2015

We propose a method for pedestrian detection from aerial images captured by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Aerial images are captured at considerably low resolution, and they are often subject to heavy noise and blur as a result of atmospheric influences. Furthermore, significant changes to the appearance of pedestrians frequently occur because of UAV motion. In order to address these crucial problems, we propose a cascading classifier that concatenates a pre-trained classifier and an online learning-based classifier. We construct the first classifier using deep belief network (DBN) with an extended input layer. Unlike previous approaches that use raw images as the input layer of the DBN, we exploit multi-scale histogram of oriented gradients (MS-HOG) features. The MS-HOG enables us to supply better and richer information than low-resolution aerial images for constructing a reliable deep structure of DBN, because the dimensions of the input features can be expanded. Furthermore, the MS-HOG effectively extracts the necessary edge information while reducing trivial gradients and noise. The second classifier is based on online learning, and it uses predictions of the target appearance using UAV motions. Predicting the target appearance enables us to collect reliable training samples for the classifier’s online learning process. Experiments using aerial videos demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
From the General to the Specific: Inducing a Novel Dendritic Cell Algorithm from a Detailed State-of-the-Art Review
Authors: Chelly Zeineb , Elouedi Zied
Published: November 2015

Considered as one of the emerging evolutionary algorithms, the Dendritic Cell Algorithm (DCA) is based on the behavior of specific immune agents; known as Dendritic Cells (DCs). Studies related with DCA are increasingly becoming popular and this is due to the worthy characteristics expressed by the algorithm as it exhibits several potentially beneficial features for binary classification problems. Yet, according to our best knowledge, there is no study summarizing the basic features of the DCA developed versions all in one paper. Hence, in this paper we aim at summarizing the powerful characteristics of the DCA while making a general review of the algorithm. We aim at studying the various versions of DCA while highlighting their characteristics, advantages and limitations. Based on this study and from the conducted conclusions, we intend to generate a well-studied novel DC classifier based on the positive aspects reflected by the previously proposed DCA versions. Results show that our proposed algorithm succeeds in obtaining significantly improved classification accuracy.
GROWTH AND CHARACTERISTIC OF AMORPHOUS NANO-GRANULAR TeO2–V2O5–NiO THIN FILMS
Authors: HOSSEINZADEH SH. , RAHMATI A. , BIDADI H.
Published: November 2015

TeO2–V2O5–NiO thin films were deposited using thermal evaporation from 40TeO2–([Formula: see text])V2O5–yNiO ([Formula: see text]–30[Formula: see text]mol%) target. Structural analysis of the films was identified by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The amorphous TeO2–V2O5–NiO films have nanosized clear grain structure and sharp grain boundaries. DC conductivity and current–voltage (I–V) characteristic of TeO2–V2O5–NiO thin films were measured in the temperature range of 300–423[Formula: see text]K. As nickel oxide (NiO) content increases, the DC conductivity decreases up to two orders in value ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]S[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Temperature dependence of conductivity is described using the small polaron hopping (SPH) model as well. Poole–Frenkel effect is observed at high external electric field. The optical absorption spectra of the TeO2–V2O5–NiO thin films were recorded in the wavelength range of 380–1100[Formula: see text]nm. The absorption coefficient revealed bandgap shrinkage (3.01–2.3[Formula: see text]eV) and band tail widening, due to an increase in NiO content. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to determine elemental composition. In TeO2–V2O5–NiO thin films, the NiO content is around fifth of the initial target.
NANOPOROUS GALLIUM NITRIDE THROUGH ANISOTROPIC METAL-ASSISTED ELECTROLESS PHOTOCHEMICAL WET ETCHING TECHNIQUE
Authors: PERUMAL R. , HASSAN Z.
Published: November 2015

Nanoporous gallium nitride (GaN) has many potential applications in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), photovoltaics, templates and chemical sensors. This article reports the porosification of GaN through UV enhanced metal-assisted electroless photochemical wet etching technique using three different acid-based etchants and platinum served as catalyst for porosification. The etching process was conducted at room temperature for a duration of 90[Formula: see text]min. The morphological, structural, spectral and optical features of the developed porous GaN were studied with appropriate characterization techniques and the obtained results were presented. Field emission scanning electron micrographs exhibited the porosity nature along with excellent porous network of the etched samples. Structural studies confirmed the mono crystalline quality of the porous nanostructures. Raman spectral analyzes inferred the presenting phonon modes such as E2 (TO) and A1 (LO) in fabricated nanoporous structures. The resulted porous nanostructures hold the substantially enhanced photoluminescence intensity compared with the pristine GaN epitaxial film that is interesting and desirable for several advances in the applications of Nano-optoelectronic devices.
Bicovariant differential calculus on the quantum superspace ℝq(1|2)
Authors: Celik Salih
Published: November 2015

Super-Hopf algebra structure on the function algebra on the extended quantum superspace has been defined. It is given a bicovariant differential calculus on the superspace. The corresponding (quantum) Lie superalgebra of vector fields and its Hopf algebra structure are obtained. The dual Hopf algebra is explicitly constructed. A new quantum supergroup that is the symmetry group of the differential calculus is found.
Frame functions in finite-dimensional quantum mechanics and its Hamiltonian formulation on complex projective spaces
Authors: Moretti Valter , Pastorello Davide
Published: November 2015

This work concerns some issues about the interplay of standard and geometric (Hamiltonian) approaches to finite-dimensional quantum mechanics, formulated in the projective space. Our analysis relies upon the notion and the properties of so-called frame functions, introduced by Gleason to prove his celebrated theorem. In particular, the problem of associating quantum states with positive Liouville densities is tackled from an axiomatic point of view, proving a theorem classifying all possible correspondences. A similar result is established for classical-like observables (i.e. real scalar functions on the projective space) representing quantum ones. These correspondences turn out to be encoded in a one-parameter class and, in both cases, the classical-like objects representing quantum ones result to be frame functions. The requirements of [Formula: see text] covariance and (convex) linearity play a central role in the proof of those theorems. A new characterization of classical-like observables describing quantum observables is presented, together with a geometric description of the [Formula: see text]-algebra structure of the set of quantum observables in terms of classical-like ones.
Kosambi–Cartan–Chern (KCC) theory for higher-order dynamical systems
Authors: Harko Tiberiu , Pantaragphong Praiboon , Sabau Sorin V.
Published: November 2015

The Kosambi–Cartan–Chern (KCC) theory represents a powerful mathematical method for the investigation of the properties of dynamical systems. The KCC theory introduces a geometric description of the time evolution of a dynamical system, with the solution curves of the dynamical system described by methods inspired by the theory of geodesics in a Finsler spaces. The evolution of a dynamical system is geometrized by introducing a nonlinear connection, which allows the construction of the KCC covariant derivative, and of the deviation curvature tensor. In the KCC theory, the properties of any dynamical system are described in terms of five geometrical invariants, with the second one giving the Jacobi stability of the system. Usually, the KCC theory is formulated by reducing the dynamical evolution equations to a set of second-order differential equations. In this paper, we introduce and develop the KCC approach for dynamical systems described by systems of arbitrary [Formula: see text]-dimensional first-order differential equations. We investigate in detail the properties of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional autonomous dynamical systems, as well as the relationship between the linear stability and the Jacobi stability. As a main result we find that only even-dimensional dynamical systems can exhibit both Jacobi stability and instability behaviors, while odd-dimensional dynamical systems are always Jacobi unstable, no matter their Lyapunov stability. As applications of the developed formalism we consider the geometrization and the study of the Jacobi stability of the complex dynamical networks, and of the [Formula: see text]-Cold Dark Matter ([Formula: see text]CDM) cosmological models, respectively.
On the Unit Graph of a Non-commutative Ring
Authors: Akbari S. , Estaji E. , Khorsandi M.R.
Published: November 2015

Let R be a ring with non-zero identity. The unit graph G(R) of R is a graph with elements of R as its vertices and two distinct vertices a and b are adjacent if and only if a + b is a unit element of R. It was proved that if R is a commutative ring and 𝔪 is a maximal ideal of R such that |R/𝔪| = 2, then G(R) is a complete bipartite graph if and only if (R, 𝔪) is a local ring. In this paper we generalize this result by showing that if R is a ring (not necessarily commutative), then G(R) is a complete r-partite graph if and only if (R, 𝔪) is a local ring and r = |R/𝔪| = 2n for some n ∈ ℕ or R is a finite field. Among other results we show that if R is a left Artinian ring, 2 ∈ U(R) and the clique number of G(R) is finite, then R is a finite ring.
Integral moments of automorphic L-functions
Authors: Tang Hengcai , Xiao Xuanxuan
Published: November 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a self-contragredient irreducible unitary cuspidal representation of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be the automorphic [Formula: see text]-function attached to [Formula: see text]. Assume that [Formula: see text] is self-contragredient. Under the Generalized Ramanujan Conjecture and Generalized Riemann Hypothesis for [Formula: see text], the estimate [Formula: see text] holds for all real number [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text].
Infinitude of k-Lehmer numbers which are not Carmichael
Authors: McNew Nathan , Wright Thomas
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we prove that there are infinitely many [Formula: see text]’s for which [Formula: see text] but [Formula: see text] is not a Carmichael number. Additionally, we prove that for any [Formula: see text], there exist infinitely many [Formula: see text]’s such that [Formula: see text] but [Formula: see text]. The constructions that we consider here are generalizations of Carmichael and Lehmer numbers, respectively, that were first formulated by Grau and Oller-Marcén.
Harmonic Maaß–Jacobi forms of degree 1 with higher rank indices
Authors: Conley Charles H. , Westerholt-Raum Martin
Published: November 2015

We define and investigate real analytic weak Jacobi forms of degree 1 and arbitrary rank. En route we calculate the Casimir operator associated to the maximal central extension of the real Jacobi group, which for rank exceeding 1 is of order 4. In ranks exceeding 1, the notions of H-harmonicity and semi-holomorphicity are the same.
Bimetallic PtRu Nanoparticles Supported on Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes as High Performance Electrocatalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Tan Chunhui , Sa Juhui , Cai Feipeng , Jiang Bo , Yang Gai , Wang Bo , Gao Jinhua , Chen Hua , Qin Xianzhong
Published: November 2015

PtRu nanoparticles (NPs) supported on acid treated multiwall carbon nanotubes (Pt1Ru1/MWCNTs) were prepared by a modified polyol method without adding any other surfactant or protective agent. The structural and compositional properties of the as-obtained samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic performance of the catalyst was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), CO stripping voltammetry and chronoamperometry, indicating a high catalytic activity, excellent CO tolerance and stability for methanol oxidation. Interestingly, a series of accurate controllable experiments have been designed to explore the enhancement mechanism of Pt1Ru1/MWCNTs for methanol oxidation reaction. Most importantly, Pt1Ru1/MWCNTs composites were used as an anode catalyst in the direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) exhibiting outstanding power density (126.1 mW/cm[Formula: see text] 1.7 times higher than that of the commercial catalyst of Pt1Ru1/C (74.1 mW/cm[Formula: see text] (E-TEK).
Method of lateral image reconstruction in structured illumination microscopy with super resolution
Authors: Yang Qiang , Cao Liangcai , Zhang Hua , Zhang Hao , Jin Guofan
Published: November 2015

The image reconstruction process in super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is investigated. The structured pattern is generated by the interference of two Gaussian beams to encode undetectable spectra into detectable region of microscope. After parameters estimation of the structured pattern, the encoded spectra are computationally decoded and recombined in Fourier domain to equivalently increase the cut-off frequency of microscope, resulting in the extension of detectable spectra and a reconstructed image with about two-fold enhanced resolution. Three different methods to estimate the initial phase of structured pattern are compared, verifying the auto-correlation algorithm affords the fast, most precise and robust measurement. The artifacts sources and detailed reconstruction flowchart for both linear and nonlinear SIM are also presented.
On the possible ultrasonic inspection of micro-bubbles generated by the optical fiber tip
Authors: Kazakov V. V. , Sanin A. G. , Kamensky V. A.
Published: November 2015

We demonstrate the possibility of detection and monitoring of bubbles emerging near the tip of an optical fiber by means of ultrasonic method. The excitation of bubbles at their resonant frequencies is performed using short ultrasonic pulses having a wide frequency range simultaneously with their modulation by means of a long pulse of a monochromatic frequency. This method allows detection of bubbles of various sizes. Used signal processing method, which allows increased bubble detection accuracy, is proposed for research in environments of biological-like medium which show continuous variations in structure and properties when exposed to optical emission. The method has been demonstrated on model objects: in a liquid and in a biological tissue phantom using various methods of bubble generation (hydrolysis and optical emission). We studied bubble formation by the tip of a fiber of the surgical laser LSP-007/10 “IRE Polus” with a wavelength of 0.97[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m coated with a highly absorbing graphite layer.
A New Variable Refrigerant Flow System Simulation Approach in EnergyPlus
Authors: Lin Xiaojie , Lee Hoseong , Hwang Yunho , Radermacher Reinhard , Kim Byungsoon
Published: November 2015

A variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system is widely applied to build air conditioning systems. Literature review of previous VRF modeling studies was conducted, and it was found that the current calculation approach in EnergyPlus can result in more than 20% deviation in both heat transfer capacity and power consumption. Therefore, a new VRF model is proposed in this study, which includes an improved thermal zone distribution concept, new indoor unit types, and a new thermodynamic model. The developed model is validated with experimental data within 10% in heat transfer capacity and 5% in power consumption. Based on the proposed model, the operation control strategy is also discussed. The results show that the proposed model could also simulate the current control strategy in the VRF system.
The one that got away from Smith Woodward: cranial anatomy of
Micrornatus
(Acanthomorpha: Scombridae) revealed using computed microtomography
Authors: Beckett Hermione T. , Friedman Matt
Published: November 2015

The monotypic scombrid fish
Micrornatus
is represented by a single skull from the early Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay Formation of southeastern England. Although Arthur Smith Woodward substantially increased the diversity of scombrids and scombrid-like taxa known from this deposit, he seems not to have studied the fossil that would later be recognized as
Micrornatus
. Here we re-examine this specimen using computed microtomography, with two principal aims: first, a revised anatomical account with an emphasis on concealed features; and, second, ‘proof-of-concept’ for the tomographic study of fish crania from the London Clay. Scans reveal new details of the braincase, suspensorium and ventral hyoid arch. We compare the cranial anatomy of
Micrornatus
with other members of Eocoelopomini, a group also containing the genera
Eocoelopoma
,
Palaeothunnus
and possibly
Landanichthys
. Clarification of the taxonomy and phylogeny of early fossil scombrids is needed, and we suggest that computed tomography will be a useful tool for revealing the anatomical evidence needed to accomplish this goal.

Supplementary material:

Micrornatus hopwoodi
NHMUK PV OR 36136 PLY files are available at:
http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1561381
High-fat diet amplifies renal renin angiotensin system expression, blood pressure elevation, and renal dysfunction caused by Ceacam1 null deletion
Authors: Li Caixia , Culver Silas A. , Quadri Syed , Ledford Kelly L. , Al-Share Qusai Y. , Ghadieh Hilda E. , Najjar Sonia M. , Siragy Helmy M.
Published: November 2015

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAMl), a substrate of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates insulin action by promoting insulin clearance. Global null mutation of Ceacam1 gene ( Cc1−/−) results in features of the metabolic syndrome, including insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, visceral adiposity, elevated blood pressure, and albuminuria. It also causes activation of the renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that high-fat diet enhances the expression of RAS components. Three-month-old wild-type ( Cc1+/+) and Cc1−/− mice were fed either a regular or a high-fat diet for 8 wk. At baseline under regular feeding conditions, Cc1−/− mice exhibited higher blood pressure, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), and renal expression of angiotensinogen, renin/prorenin, angiotensin-converting enzyme, (pro)renin receptor, angiotensin subtype AT1 receptor, angiotensin II, and elevated PI3K phosphorylation, as detected by p85α (Tyr508) immunostaining, inflammatory response, and the expression of collagen I and collagen III. In Cc1+/+ mice, high-fat diet increased blood pressure, UACR, the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme and angiotensin II, PI3K phosphorylation, inflammatory response, and the expression of collagen I and collagen III. In Cc1−/− mice, high-fat intake further amplified these parameters. Immunohistochemical staining showed increased p-PI3K p85α (Tyr508) expression in renal glomeruli, proximal, distal, and collecting tubules of Cc1−/− mice fed a high-fat diet. Together, this demonstrates that high-fat diet amplifies the permissive effect of Ceacam1 deletion on renal expression of all RAS components, PI3K phosphorylation, inflammation, and fibrosis.
Cytochromecrelease from rat liver mitochondria is compromised by increased saturated cardiolipin species induced by sucrose feeding
Authors: Ruiz-Ramírez Angélica , Barrios-Maya Miguel-Angel , López-Acosta Ocarol , Molina-Ortiz Dora , El-Hafidi Mohammed
Published: November 2015

Cytochrome c release from mitochondria has been described to be related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. With ROS generation being increased in fatty liver from sucrose-fed (SF) rats, we hypothesized that cytochrome c release might be positively associated with H2O2generation from SF mitochondria. Surprisingly, cytochrome c release from mitochondria of SF liver was found to be significantly lower compared with control (C) mitochondria oxidizing pyruvate/malate or succinate. Exposure of mitochondria to exogenous superoxide radical generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system elicits a dose-response cytochrome c release in both control and SF mitochondria, but cytochrome c release remains lower in SF mitochondria compared with C mitochondria. Furthermore, the addition of ebselen, PEG-catalase, or catalase, a H2O2scavenger, significantly reduces cytochrome c release from C and SF mitochondria. Our results suggest that both intra- and extramitochondrial H2O2are involved in cytochrome c release, but the persisting difference between C and SF levels can be attributed to the differences in cardiolipin compositions. Indeed, the ratio of palmitic acid-rich cardiolipin species was found to be increased in lipid membrane from SF mitochondria compared with C mitochondria, whereas that of linoleic acid-rich cardiolipin species was found decreased. In addition, the content of tafazzin, a protein responsible for cardiolipin remodeling, was decreased in SF mitochondria. Therefore, we conclude that the changes observed in the composition of cardiolipin molecular species in SF mitochondria may be involved in cytochrome c interaction with mitochondrial inner membrane lipid and in its reduced release from SF mitochondria.
Role of Ceramide from Glycosphingolipids and Its Metabolites in Immunological and Inflammatory Responses in Humans
Authors: Iwabuchi Kazuhisa , Nakayama Hitoshi , Oizumi Ami , Suga Yasushi , Ogawa Hideoki , Takamori Kenji
Published: November 2015

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are composed of hydrophobic ceramide and hydrophilic sugar chains. GSLs cluster to form membrane microdomains (lipid rafts) on plasma membranes, along with several kinds of transducer molecules, including Src family kinases and small G proteins. However, GSL‐mediated biological functions remain unclear. Lactosylceramide (LacCer, CDw17) is highly expressed on the plasma membranes of human phagocytes and mediates several immunological and inflammatory reactions, including phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and superoxide generation. LacCer forms membrane microdomains with the Src family tyrosine kinase Lyn and the Gαi subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. The very long fatty acids C24:0 and C24:1 are the main ceramide components of LacCer in neutrophil plasma membranes and are directly connected with the fatty acids of Lyn and Gαi. These observations suggest that the very long fatty acid chains of ceramide are critical for GSL‐mediated outside‐in signaling. Sphingosine is another component of ceramide, with the hydrolysis of ceramide by ceramidase producing sphingosine and fatty acids. Sphingosine is phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase to sphingosine‐1‐phosphate, which is involved in a wide range of cellular functions, including growth, differentiation, survival, chemotaxis, angiogenesis, and embryogenesis, in various types of cells. This review describes the role of ceramide moiety of GSLs and its metabolites in immunological and inflammatory reactions in human.
Robust Distributed Reprogramming Protocol of Wireless Sensor Networks for Healthcare Systems
Authors: Tsai Kuo-Yu
Published: November 2015

With the development of the wireless communication technologies, the wireless sensor networks (WSNs for short) are considered as one of the key research areas in healthcare systems. However, there is sometimes a need for removing bugs or adding new functionalities after WSNs are deployed. Wireless reprogramming is a process for propagating a new code image or relevant commands to sensor nodes in WSNs. In this paper, we propose a robust distributed reprogramming protocol of WSNs for healthcare systems, in which the security requirements are proved to be secure based on the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem, such as existential unforgeability of signature for code image, authenticity of code image, freshness, and node compromised tolerance.
MR Prediction of Liver Function and Pathology Using Gd-EOB-DTPA: Effect of Liver Volume Consideration
Authors: Shimamoto Dai , Nishie Akihiro , Asayama Yoshiki , Ushijima Yasuhiro , Takayama Yukihisa , Fujita Nobuhiro , Shirabe Ken , Hida Tomoyuki , Kubo Yuichiro , Honda Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

Purpose. To evaluate whether the diagnostic performance of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in evaluating liver function and pathology is improved by considering liver volume (LV).Methods. This retrospective study included 104 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI before liver surgery. For each patient, using the precontrast and hepatobiliary phase images, we calculated the increase rate of the liver-to-spleen signal intensity ratio (LSR), that is, the “ΔLSR,” and the increase rate of the liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (LMR), that is, the “ΔLMR.” ΔLSR × LV and ΔLMR × LV were also calculated. The correlation of each MR parameter with liver function data or liver pathology was assessed. The correlation coefficients were compared between ΔLSR (ΔLMR) and ΔLSR (ΔLMR) × LV.Results. The correlation coefficient between ΔLSR (ΔLMR) × LV and cholinesterase was significantly higher than that between ΔLSR (ΔLMR) and cholinesterase. The correlation coefficient between ΔLSR (ΔLMR) × LV and the degree of fibrosis or necroinflammatory activity was significantly lower than that between ΔLSR (ΔLMR) and the degree of fibrosis or necroinflammatory activity.Conclusion. The inclusion of liver volume may improve Gd-EOB-DTPA-based predictions of liver function, but not in predictions of liver pathology.
Fast Video Encoding Algorithm for the Internet of Things Environment Based on High Efficiency Video Coding
Authors: Lee Jong-Hyeok , Jang Kyung-Soon , Kim Byung-Gyu , Jeong Seyoon , Choi Jin Soo
Published: November 2015

Video data for the Internet traffic is increasing, and video data transmission is important for consideration of real-time process in the Internet of Things (IoT). Thus, in the IoT environment, video applications will be valuable approach in networks of smart sensor devices. High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) has been developed by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) as a new generation video coding standard. Recently, HEVC includes range extensions (RExt), scalable coding extensions, and multiview extensions. HEVC RExt provides high resolution video with a high bit-depth and an abundance of color formats. In this paper, a fast intraprediction unit decision method is proposed to reduce the computational complexity of the HEVC RExt encoder. To design intramode decision algorithm, Local Binary Pattern (LBP) of the current prediction unit is used as texture feature. Experimental results show that the encoding complexity can be reduced by up to 12.35% on average in the AI-Main profile configuration with only a small bit-rate increment and a PSNR decrement, compared with HEVC test model (HM) 12.0-RExt4.0 reference software.
RFID Privacy Risk Evaluation Based on Synthetic Method of Extended Attack Tree and Information Feature Entropy
Authors: Li Peng , Xu Chao , Chen Long , Wang Ruchuan
Published: November 2015

Evaluation of security risks in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems is a challenging problem in Internet of Things (IoT). This paper proposes an extended attack tree (EAT) model to identify RFID system's flaws and vulnerabilities. A corresponding formal description of the model is described which adds a probability SAND node together with the probability attribute of the node attack. In addition, we model the process of an RFID data privacy attack based on EAT, taking a sensitive information theft attack on an RFID tag as an example. To resolve the problem of assessing the risk probability of each node in EAT, we present the information feature entropy evaluation method for RFID privacy assessment. Finally, an evaluation is carried out to calculate the RFID privacy attack tree sequences and information feature entropy of the atomic node. Analysis shows that our scheme can calculate the overall risk evaluation result value for RFID privacy and comprehensively determine the risk of the weakest atomic node in RFID system.
Abnormal Event Detection Method in Multimedia Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Qi , Liu Xiaoming , Yang Xinyu , Li Ting
Published: November 2015

Detecting abnormal events in multimedia sensor networks (MSNs) plays an increasingly essential role in our lives. Once video cameras cannot work (e.g., the sightline is blocked), audio sensor can provide us with critical information (e.g., in detecting the sound of gun-shot in the rainforest or the sound of car accident on a busy road). Audio sensors also have price advantage. Detecting abnormal audio events in complicated background environment is a very difficult problem; only few previous researches could offer good solution. In this paper, we proposed a novel method to detect the unexpected audio elements in multimedia sensor networks. Firstly, we collect enough normal audio elements and then use statistical learning method to train them offline. On the basis of these models, we establish a background pool by prior knowledge. The background pool contains expected audio effects. Finally, we decide whether an audio event is unexpected by comparing it with the background pool. In this way, we reduce the complexity of online training while ensuring the detection accuracy. We designed some experiments to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. In conclusion, the experiments show that the proposed algorithm can achieve satisfying results.
Collaborative Key Exchange System Based on Chinese Remainder Theorem in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kasraoui Mohamed , Cabani Adnane , Chafouk Houcine
Published: November 2015

IPv6 over Low Power Wireless Personal Area Networks (6LoWPANs), in the next generation of wireless sensor networks, represent an emerging field which can be integrated with Internet technology. Security is one of the most important issues in 6LoWPANs given the vulnerability to security threats from Internet and the inherent constraints such as bandwidth, processing power, memory, and energy. Despite limited resources, data security for nodes adds an additional heavy cost by using various security schemes. Moreover, there is no standard approach to provide the end-to-end security in 6LoWPANs. In this work, we first axed our research to propose a new end-to-end security scheme for IP enabled sensor networks to optimize battery energy consumption and then we adapted the Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) to wireless sensor networks while taking into consideration the scarce resources. Hence a novel Cooperative Key Exchange System (CKES) has been proposed in this paper based on Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) which has also been implemented in NS2 to analyze energy consumption compared to IKEv2.
An Immunology Inspired Flow Control Attack Detection Using Negative Selection with R-Contiguous Bit Matching for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zeeshan Muhammad , Javed Huma , Haider Amna , Khan Aumbareen
Published: November 2015

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) due to their deployment in open and unprotected environments become suspected to attacks. Most of the resource exhaustion occurs as a result of attacking the data flow control thus creating challenges for the security of WSNs. An Anomaly Detection System (ADS) framework inspired from the Human Immune System is implemented in this paper for detecting Sybil attacks in WSNs. This paper implemented an improved, decentralized, and customized version of the Negative Selection Algorithm (NSA) for data flow anomaly detection with learning capability. The use of R-contiguous bit matching, which is a light-weighted bit matching technique, has reduced holes in the detection coverage. This paper compares the Sybil attack detection performance with three algorithms in terms of false negative, false positive, and detection rates. The higher detection, and lower false positive and false negative rates of the implemented technique due to the R-contiguous bit matching technique used in NSA improve the performance of the proposed framework. The work has been tested in Omnet++ against Sybil attacks for WSNs.
Prediction of Mold Spoilage for Soy/Polyethylene Composite Fibers
Authors: Naphade Chinmay , Han Inyee , Lukubira Sam , Ogale Amod , Rieck James , Dawson Paul
Published: November 2015

Mold spoilage was determined over 109 days on soy/PE fibers held under controlled temperatures (T) ranging from 10°C to 40°C and water activities(aw)from 0.11 to 0.98. Water activities were created in sealed containers using saturated salt solutions and placed in temperature-controlled incubators. Soy/PE fibers that were held at 0.823awor higher exhibited mold growth at all temperatures. As postulated, increased water activity (greater than 0.89) and temperature (higher than 25°C) accelerated mold growth on soy/PE fibers. A slower mold growth was observed on soy/PE fibers that were held at 0.87awand 10°C. A Weibull model was employed to fit the observed logarithmic values ofT, aw, and an interaction termlog⁡T×log⁡awand was chosen as the final model as it gave the best fit to the raw mold growth data. These growth models predict the expected mold-free storage period of soy/PE fibers when exposed to various environmental temperatures and humidities.
Novel Authentication Schemes for IoT Based Healthcare Systems
Authors: Hou Jia-Li , Yeh Kuo-Hui
Published: November 2015

With the advancement of information communication technologies, the evolution of the Internet has given rise to a ubiquitous network consisting of interconnected objects (or things), called the Internet of Things (IoT). Recently, the academic community has made great strides in researching and developing security for IoT based applications, focusing, in particular, on healthcare systems based on IoT networks. In this paper, we propose a sensor (or sensor tags) based communication architecture for future IoT based healthcare service systems. A secure single sign-on based authentication scheme and a robust coexistence proof protocol for IoT based healthcare systems are proposed. With the formal security analysis, the robustness of the two proposed schemes is guaranteed under the adversary model.
Mathematical Modeling and Analysis of Multirobot Cooperative Hunting Behaviors
Authors: Song Yong , Li Yibin , Li Caihong , Ma Xin
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a mathematical model of multirobot cooperative hunting behavior. Multiple robots try to search for and surround a prey. When a robot detects a prey it forms a following team. When another “searching” robot detects the same prey, the robots form a new following team. Until four robots have detected the same prey, the prey disappears from the simulation and the robots return to searching for other prey. If a following team fails to be joined by another robot within a certain time limit the team is disbanded and the robots return to searching state. The mathematical model is formulated by a set of rate equations. The evolution of robot collective hunting behaviors represents the transition between different states of robots. The complex collective hunting behavior emerges through local interaction. The paper presents numerical solutions to normalized versions of the model equations and provides both a steady state and a collaboration ratio analysis. The value of the delay time is shown through mathematical modeling to be a strong factor in the performance of the system as well as the relative numbers of the searching robots and the prey.
Sepsis and ARDS: The Dark Side of Histones
Authors: Xu Zhiheng , Huang Yongbo , Mao Pu , Zhang Jianrong , Li Yimin
Published: November 2015

Despite advances in management over the last several decades, sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) still remain major clinical challenges and the leading causes of death for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) due to insufficient understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of these diseases. However, recent studies have shown that histones, also known as chromatin‐basic structure proteins, could be released into the extracellular space during severe stress and physical challenges to the body (e.g., sepsis and ARDS). Due to their cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects, extracellular histones can lead to excessive and overwhelming cell damage and death, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of both sepsis and ARDS. In addition, antihistone‐based treatments (e.g., neutralizing antibodies, activated protein C, and heparin) have shown protective effects and have significantly improved the outcomes of mice suffering from sepsis and ARDS. Here, we review researches related to the pathological role of histone in context of sepsis and ARDS and evaluate the potential value of histones as biomarkers and therapeutic targets of these diseases.
Genetic Evaluation ofE. coliStrains Isolated from Asymptomatic Children with Neurogenic Bladders
Authors: Kryger John , Burleigh Alexandra , Christensen Melissa , Hopkins Walter
Published: November 2015

This study was conducted to describe the genetic profiles ofE. colithat colonize asymptomatic pediatric neurogenic bladders.E. coliwas isolated from 25 of 80 urine samples. Patients were excluded if they presented with symptomatic urinary tract infection or received treatment with antibiotics in the preceding three months. Multiplex PCR was performed to determineE. coliphylotype (A, B1, B2, and D) and the presence of seven pathogenicity islands (PAIs) and 10 virulence factors (VFs).E. colistrains were predominantly of the B1 and B2 phylotype, with few strains in the A or D phylotype. The PAIs IV536,ICFT073, andIICFT073had the highest prevalence: 76%, 64%, and 48%, respectively. The PAIs II536,IJ96, andIIJ96were less prevalent: 28%, 20%, and 24%, respectively. The most prevalent VF wasvat(40%), while the least prevalent VFs weresfa(8%) andiha(12%). None of the strains carried the VFfyuA, which is very common in uropathogenicE. coli(UPEC). The genetic profiles ofE. coliin this cohort seem to be more similar to UPEC than to commensalE. coli. However, they appear to have reduced virulence potential that allows them to colonize asymptomatically.
Influence of Buffer Agent Concentration on the Optical Properties from CdS Nanocrystals on Silicon Nanoporous Pillar Array
Authors: Ji Peng Fei , Jiang Wei Fen , Li Yong , Song Yue Li , Wan Ming Li , Zhou Feng Qun
Published: November 2015

The chemical bath deposition (CBD) method is very crucial to the reaction rate. Generally, the rate can be controlled through tuning buffer agent concentration. CdS nanocrystals on the silicon nanoporous pillar array (CdS/Si-NPA) have been prepared through the CBD method. By varying the buffer agent concentration, the reaction rates can be tuned. The diffraction peaks of hexagonal CdS and Cd can be observed due to the reduction of Cd2+caused by the silicon nanoporous pillar array. The average size of CdS nanocrystals is decreased with the increasing buffer agent concentration and the optical band gaps from CdS nanocrystals are increased. From the photoluminescence of CdS/Si-NPA, it can be observed that the blue emissions are independent of the buffer agent concentration and the green emissions show blue shift with the increasing buffer agent concentration.
Dynamic Behaviors of a Discrete Periodic Predator-Prey-Mutualist System
Authors: Yang Liya , Xie Xiangdong , Chen Fengde
Published: November 2015

A nonautonomous discrete predator-prey-mutualist system is proposed and studied in this paper. Sufficient conditions which ensure the permanence and existence of a unique globally stable periodic solution are obtained. We also investigate the extinction property of the predator species; our results indicate that if the cooperative effect between the prey and mutualist species is large enough, then the predator species will be driven to extinction due to the lack of enough food. Two examples together with numerical simulations show the feasibility of the main results.
Enhancing the Performance of Indoor Device-Free Passive Localization
Authors: Yang Wu , Gong Liangyi , Man Dapeng , Lv Jiguang , Cai Haibin , Zhou Xiancun , Yang Zheng
Published: November 2015

Device-free passive localization (DFPL) has been an emerging application with fast increasing development. Channel State Information- (CSI-) based DFPL is recently paid more attention to for fine-granularity and stability of CSI. However, lots of dead spots exist in the area of interest. And the accuracy of localization is not still completely satisfactory, especially for outside of the first Fresnel zone. In our paper, we put forward a new metric to estimate the sensitivity of a receiver to changes in the detecting area. In our experiment, we observe that the performance of DFPL can be raised when the receiver is placed at the location with high receiver sensitivity. Hence, we develop a new high-performance indoor device-free passive localization (HiDFPL), which employs a Bayesian a posteriori approach and possesses high receiver sensitivity. The experiment results demonstrate the outstanding performance of the proposed scheme.
Total Phenolic, Flavonoid, Tomatine, and Tomatidine Contents and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Extracts of Tomato Plant
Authors: Silva-Beltrán Norma Patricia , Ruiz-Cruz Saul , Cira-Chávez Luis Alberto , Estrada-Alvarado María Isabel , Ornelas-Paz José de Jesús , López-Mata Marco Antonio , Del-Toro-Sánchez Carmen Lizette , Ayala-Zavala J. Fernando , Márquez-Ríos Enrique
Published: November 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of extracts of different fractions of two tomato plant cultivars. The stems, roots, leaves, and whole-plant fractions were evaluated. Tomatine and tomatidine were identified by HPLC-DAD. The leaf extracts from the two varieties showed the highest flavonoids, chlorophyll, carotenoids, and total phenolics contents and the highest antioxidant activity determined by DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC. A positive correlation was observed between the antioxidant capacities of the extracts and the total phenolic, flavonoid, and chlorophyll contents. The Pitenza variety extracts inhibited the growth of pathogens such asE. coliO157:H7,SalmonellaTyphimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, andListeria ivanovii, yielding inhibition halos of 8.0 to 12.9 mm in diameter and MIC values of 12.5 to 3.125 mg/mL. These results suggest that tomato plant shows well potential as sources of various bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and antimicrobials.
An Enhanced Differential Evolution Algorithm Based on Multiple Mutation Strategies
Authors: Xiang Wan-li , Meng Xue-lei , An Mei-qing , Li Yin-zhen , Gao Ming-xia
Published: November 2015

Differential evolution algorithm is a simple yet efficient metaheuristic for global optimization over continuous spaces. However, there is a shortcoming of premature convergence in standard DE, especially in DE/best/1/bin. In order to take advantage of direction guidance information of the best individual of DE/best/1/bin and avoid getting into local trap, based on multiple mutation strategies, an enhanced differential evolution algorithm, named EDE, is proposed in this paper. In the EDE algorithm, an initialization technique, opposition-based learning initialization for improving the initial solution quality, and a new combined mutation strategy composed of DE/current/1/bin together with DE/pbest/bin/1 for the sake of accelerating standard DE and preventing DE from clustering around the global best individual, as well as a perturbation scheme for further avoiding premature convergence, are integrated. In addition, we also introduce two linear time-varying functions, which are used to decide which solution search equation is chosen at the phases of mutation and perturbation, respectively. Experimental results tested on twenty-five benchmark functions show that EDE is far better than the standard DE. In further comparisons, EDE is compared with other five state-of-the-art approaches and related results show that EDE is still superior to or at least equal to these methods on most of benchmark functions.
Asynchronous Parallelization of a CFD Solver
Authors: Abdi Daniel S. , Bitsuamlak Girma T.
Published: November 2015

A Navier-Stokes equations solver is parallelized to run on a cluster of computers using the domain decomposition method. Two approaches of communication and computation are investigated, namely, synchronous and asynchronous methods. Asynchronous communication between subdomains is not commonly used in CFD codes; however, it has a potential to alleviate scaling bottlenecks incurred due to processors having to wait for each other at designated synchronization points. A common way to avoid this idle time is to overlap asynchronous communication with computation. For this to work, however, there must be something useful and independent a processor can do while waiting for messages to arrive. We investigate an alternative approach of computation, namely, conducting asynchronous iterations to improve local subdomain solution while communication is in progress. An in-house CFD code is parallelized using message passing interface (MPI), and scalability tests are conducted that suggest asynchronous iterations are a viable way of parallelizing CFD code.