bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solutions with throats in Hořava gravity with cosmological constant
Authors: Bellorín Jorge , Restuccia Alvaro , Sotomayor Adrián
Published: November 2015

By combining analytical and numerical methods, we find that the solutions of the complete Hořava theory with negative cosmological constant that satisfy the conditions of staticity, spherical symmetry and vanishing of the shift function are two kinds of geometry: (i) a solution with two sides joined by a throat and (ii) a single side with a naked singularity at the origin. We study the second-order effective action. We consider the case when the coupling constant of the [Formula: see text] term, which is the unique deviation from general relativity (GR) in the effective action, is small. At one side, the solution with the throat acquires a kind of deformed anti-de Sitter (AdS) asymptotia and at the other side, there is an asymptotic essential singularity. The deformation of AdS essentially means that the lapse function [Formula: see text] diverges asymptotically a bit faster than AdS. This can also be interpreted as an anisotropic Lifshitz scaling that the solutions acquire asymptotically.
Systematics of nucleon density distributions and neutron skin of nuclei
Authors: Seif W. M. , Mansour Hesham
Published: November 2015

Proton and neutron density profiles of 760 nuclei in the mass region of [Formula: see text] are analyzed using the Skyrme energy density for the parameter set SLy4. Simple formulae are obtained to fit the resulting radii and diffuseness data. These formulae are useful to estimate the values of the unmeasured radii and especially in extrapolating charge radii values for nuclei which are far from the valley of stability. Also, it provides an easy way to formulate the density profile for nuclear applications and to perform analytic calculations for bound and/or scattering problems. The obtained neutron and proton root-mean-square (rms) radii and the neutron skin thicknesses are in agreement with the available experimental data and previous Hartree–Fock (HF) calculations.
Effects of the Tsallis distribution in the linear sigma model
Authors: Ishihara Masamichi
Published: November 2015

The effects of the Tsallis distribution which has two parameters, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], on physical quantities are studied using the linear sigma model in chiral phase transitions. The Tsallis distribution approaches the Boltzmann–Gibbs distribution as [Formula: see text] approaches one. The parameter [Formula: see text] dependences of the condensate and mass for various [Formula: see text] are shown, where [Formula: see text] is called temperature. The critical temperature and energy density are described with digamma function, and the [Formula: see text] dependences of these quantities and the extension of Stefan–Boltzmann limit of the energy density are shown. The following facts are clarified. The chiral symmetry restoration at [Formula: see text] occurs at low temperature, compared with the restoration at [Formula: see text]. The sigma mass and pion mass reflect the restoration. The critical temperature decreases monotonically as [Formula: see text] increases. The small deviation from the Boltzmann–Gibbs distribution results in the large deviations of physical quantities, especially the energy density. It is displayed from the energetic point of view that the small deviation from the Boltzmann–Gibbs distribution is realized for [Formula: see text]. The physical quantities are affected by the Tsallis distribution even when [Formula: see text] is small.
One-electron capture from K shell of atomic targets by proton impact
Authors: Ghanbari-Adivi Ebrahim , Ghavaminia Hoda
Published: November 2015

A first-order four-body perturbation theory is developed to calculate both the differential and integral cross-sections for [Formula: see text]-shell charge exchange from multi-electron atomic targets to the [Formula: see text] bound state of the fast proton projectiles. The correct boundary conditions are incorporated in the formalism. The model is applied to the single electron capture process from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon and argon atoms for which the experimental data are available. The results are compared with their corresponding experimental values and also with those obtained from three-body version of the theory. A comparison is also made between the present predicted cross-sections and those obtained from other theories. Comparisons show that the suggested approximation is in reasonable agreement with the experimental data and is compatible with the other theories.
BISMUTH OXIDE THIN FILMS DEPOSITED ON SILICON THROUGH PULSED LASER ABLATION, FOR INFRARED DETECTORS
Authors: CONDURACHE-BOTA SIMONA , CONSTANTINESCU CATALIN , TIGAU NICOLAE , PRAISLER MIRELA
Published: November 2015

Infrared detectors are used in many human activities, from industry to military, telecommunications, environmental studies and even medicine. Bismuth oxide thin films have proved their potential for optoelectronic applications, but their uses as infrared sensors have not been thoroughly studied so far. In this paper, pulsed laser ablation of pure bismuth targets within a controlled oxygen atmosphere is proposed for the deposition of bismuth oxide films on Si (100) substrates. Crystalline films were obtained, whose uniformity depends on the deposition conditions (number of laser pulses and the use of a radio-frequency (RF) discharge of the oxygen inside the deposition chamber). The optical analysis proved that the refractive index of the films is higher than 3 and that their optical bandgap is around 1[Formula: see text]eV, recommending them for infrared applications.
INVESTIGATION OF NEAR-SURFACE DEFECTS INDUCED BY SPIKE RAPID THERMAL ANNEALING IN c-SILICON SOLAR CELLS
Authors: LIU GUODONG , REN PAN , ZHANG DAYONG , WANG WEIPING , LI JIANFENG
Published: November 2015

The defects induced by a spike rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process in crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells were investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) technique and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Dislocation defects were found to form in the near-surface junction region of the monocrystalline Si solar cell after a spike RTA process was performed at 1100[Formula: see text]C. Photo J–V characteristics were measured on the Si solar cell before and after the spike RTA treatments to reveal the effects of defects on the Si cell performances. In addition, the Silvaco device simulation program was used to study the effects of defects density on the cell performances by fitting the experimental data of RTA-treated cells. The results demonstrate that there was an obvious degradation in the Si solar cell performances when the defect density after the spike RTA treatment was above [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text].
Fine rings: A new class of simple rings
Authors: Cǎlugǎreanu G. , Lam T. Y.
Published: November 2015

A nonzero ring is said to be fine if every nonzero element in it is a sum of a unit and a nilpotent element. We show that fine rings form a proper class of simple rings, and they include properly the class of all simple artinian rings. One of the main results in this paper is that matrix rings over fine rings are always fine rings. This implies, in particular, that any nonzero (square) matrix over a division ring is the sum of an invertible matrix and a nilpotent matrix.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS LESION EVOLUTION IN TIME I. INITIAL STAGE OF THE DISEASE
Authors: KARIMI SAFOORA , DADVAR MITRA , DABIR BAHRAM
Published: November 2015

Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes of death in the developed world. The disease, which is an inflammatory disease, has been the focus of many studies. A few studies attempted to model atherosclerosis lesion development mathematically while no attention has been paid to the multistage nature of the disease. The present study provides a mathematical model for atherosclerosis evolution by focusing on the inflammatory responses of the initial stage of the disease. In the model, the inflammatory response in type I lesion, which includes endothelium dysfunction, LDL oxidation, monocytes entry, foam cell formation and intima property changes, are coupled with the transport equations of blood and LDL in lumen and arterial wall. The innovation of the model is determination of the duration of the initial stage of lesion propagation for a specific patient while the presence of leaky junction in endothelial layer and LDL oxidation in the intima layer are considered. The greatest advantage of the study in comparison with previous studies is to provide a model for the initiating stage of the atherosclerosis development so that a more precise result of the disease evolution is obtained.
ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS IN THE MODELING OF THE LOCAL RF ABLATION
Authors: CONSIGLIERI LUISA
Published: November 2015

Coupled mathematical models for the radiofrequency (RF) ablation performed in biomedical sciences have been developed based on the bioheat transfer theory. The heat exchange problem is important to be analytically studied in order to control the size of the necrosis zone caused by RF ablation. This lesion size in the tissue may be predicted by the knowledge of the internal tissue temperature. We propose an analytical solution for the Pennes heat transfer equation in bi- and tri-region domains, applicable to the RF ablation of cancerigeneous tissue — a clinical relevant problem. The model consists of two partial differential equations describing the spatio-temporal interactions between the electric and thermic effects. The aim is to find simple algebraic expressions of analytical solutions that may allow to generate quantitative results which in turn may be interpreted (including uncertainties). The dependence of the temperature as function of the electrothermal parameters in both diseased and surrounding healthy tissues is pointed out. Two cases, namely the tumor–tissue and tumor–tissue–skin systems, are graphically computed, and important findings include the fact that the presence of tissue with smaller value parameters protects somehow healthy cells. Moreover, the graphical representations are conducted to highlight the link of the profile of current density distribution in the physiological problem with the (neither oval nor circular) shape of the temperature isoclinic lines.
Infinitesimal rigidity of hyperquadrics in semi-Euclidean space
Authors: Shin An Sook , Kim Hobum , Han Hyelim
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we show that hyperquadrics are infinitesimally rigid in a semi-Euclidean space. We also show that hypersurfaces of hyperquadrics cut by hyperplanes not passing through the origin are infinitesimally rigid in the hyperquadrics, whereas those cut by hyperplanes through the origin are not infinitesimally rigid in hyperquadrics. Furthermore, we prove that any hypersurface in a semi-Euclidean space containing some open subset of a hyperplane is not infinitesimally rigid.
Reduction of variational Pfaffian systems for quasi-invariant Lagrangians
Authors: Morando Paola , Sammarco Serena
Published: November 2015

Reduction for Lagrangians which are quasi-invariant under the action of a group [Formula: see text] is discussed in the framework of Pfaffian Systems. In this geometrical setting the reduction of quasi-invariant Lagrangians is performed by using first integrals and residual symmetries both in the Abelian and non-Abelian cases.
Pseudo-Z symmetric space-times with divergence-free Weyl tensor and pp-waves
Authors: Mantica Carlo Alberto , Suh Young Jin
Published: November 2015

In this paper we present some new results about [Formula: see text]-dimensional pseudo-Z symmetric space-times. First we show that if the tensor Z satisfies the Codazzi condition then its rank is one, the space-time is a quasi-Einstein manifold, and the associated 1-form results to be null and recurrent. In the case in which such covector can be rescaled to a covariantly constant we obtain a Brinkmann-wave. Anyway the metric results to be a subclass of the Kundt metric. Next we investigate pseudo-Z symmetric space-times with harmonic conformal curvature tensor: a complete classification of such spaces is obtained. They are necessarily quasi-Einstein and represent a perfect fluid space-time in the case of time-like associated covector; in the case of null associated covector they represent a pure radiation field. Further if the associated covector is locally a gradient we get a Brinkmann-wave space-time for [Formula: see text] and a pp-wave space-time in [Formula: see text]. In all cases an algebraic classification for the Weyl tensor is provided for [Formula: see text] and higher dimensions. Then conformally flat pseudo-Z symmetric space-times are investigated. In the case of null associated covector the space-time reduces to a plane wave and results to be generalized quasi-Einstein. In the case of time-like associated covector we show that under the condition of divergence-free Weyl tensor the space-time admits a proper concircular vector that can be rescaled to a time like vector of concurrent form and is a conformal Killing vector. A recent result then shows that the metric is necessarily a generalized Robertson–Walker space-time. In particular we show that a conformally flat [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], space-time is conformal to the Robertson–Walker space-time.
The affine cohomology spaces and its applications
Authors: Fraj Nizar Ben , Laraiedh Ismail
Published: November 2015

We compute the [Formula: see text] cohomology space of the affine Lie superalgebra [Formula: see text] on the (1,1)-dimensional real superspace with coefficient in a large class of [Formula: see text]-modules [Formula: see text]. We apply our results to the module of weight densities and the module of linear differential operators acting on a superspace of weighted densities. This work is the generalization of a result by Basdouri et al. [The linear [Formula: see text]-invariant differential operators on weighted densities on the superspace [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]-relative cohomology, Int. J. Geom. Meth. Mod. Phys. 10 (2013), Article ID: 1320004, 9 pp.]
On the quaternary form x2 + xy + 7y2 + z2 + zt + 7t2
Authors: Ye Dongxi
Published: November 2015

For any positive integer [Formula: see text], we state and prove a formula for the number of solutions in integers of [Formula: see text]
Multistep Controllability Synthesis and Growth Mechanism of ZnO Nanopagoda for Schottky Diode Device
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Guishan , Wang Yongbing , Gao Wenyuan , Hao Hongshun , Huang Bopu
Published: November 2015

Ordered ZnO arrays with a peculiar nanostructure were synthesized by a multistep synthesis process. The first step was the preparation of ZnO seed to induce the formation of ZnO array via potentiostatic electrodeposition method using a typical three electrode set-up. The second step was fabricating ZnO array along seed by Chemical Bath Deposition. Structural analysis of ZnO was carried out with X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns indicated that nanocrystalline is a part of monocrystal. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to study the microstructure, and showed a pagoda-like microstructure with a tiny top and large bottom, which had an average top diameter of exceeding 800[Formula: see text]nm at seed-depositing time of 60[Formula: see text]s, and then growth mechanisms are subsequently given a further explanation, viewed from kinetics and thermodynamics. In addition, the current–voltage curves of schottky diode devices with ZnO nanopagoda arrays revealed that ZnO films arrays along grown ZnO seed had a higher reverse saturation current than ZnO films grown without seed, which are [Formula: see text] A and [Formula: see text] A, respectively. The minimum turn-on voltage of the diode with ZnO seed deposited 60[Formula: see text]s is 0.18[Formula: see text]V, without seed is 0.52[Formula: see text]V.
Peak and Annual Snow Load Pattern for Effective Snow Melting System Design in Republic of Korea
Authors: Mensah Kwesi , Choi Jong Min
Published: November 2015

Snowstorm, slippery pedestrian walkways, ice and snow on pavement and roofs of structures continue to serve as a threat to life and infrastructure in many low temperature nations. Owing to these menaces coupled with an increase in the demand and cost of energy globally, engineers and planners are tasked to design effective and efficient green technologies to counterbalance these demands. Snow melting systems are gradually gaining widespread application in the areas of bridge, pavements and roofs of buildings. Snow melting loads are an integral part in the design of snow melting systems. This paper developed snow melting and roof snow building load for the Republic of Korea. Annual averages and frequency distribution methods were used in the analysis of a 10-year period weather data. Monthly total as well as peak snowfall rate values were used to generate annual and peak snow melting load values, respectively. It was observed that the annual-average approach is more conservative for most climatic conditions than the frequency analysis method. Minimum flat roof snow building loads were presented to aid in the structural analysis of structures within the Republic of Korea. The developed database in this paper will provide the database for designing a snow melting system and for analyzing the building structural interpretation considering snow weight.
Query-Based Data Pricing
Authors: Koutris Paraschos , Upadhyaya Prasang , Balazinska Magdalena , Howe Bill , Suciu Dan
Published: November 2015

Data is increasingly being bought and sold online, and Web-based marketplace services have emerged to facilitate these activities. However, current mechanisms for pricing data are very simple: buyers can choose only from a set of explicit views, each with a specific price. In this article, we propose a framework for pricing data on the Internet that, given the price of a few views, allows the price of any query to be derived automatically. We call this capability
query-based pricing
. We first identify two important properties that the pricing function must satisfy, the
arbitrage-free
and
discount-free
properties. Then, we prove that there exists a unique function that satisfies these properties and extends the seller's explicit prices to all queries. Central to our framework is the notion of query determinacy, and in particular
instance-based determinacy
: we present several results regarding the complexity and properties of it.

When both the views and the query are unions of conjunctive queries or conjunctive queries, we show that the complexity of computing the price is high. To ensure tractability, we restrict the explicit prices to be defined only on selection views (which is the common practice today). We give algorithms with polynomial time data complexity for computing the price of two classes of queries: chain queries (by reducing the problem to network flow), and cyclic queries. Furthermore, we completely characterize the class of conjunctive queries without self-joins that have PTIME data complexity, and prove that pricing all other queries is NP-complete, thus establishing a dichotomy on the complexity of the pricing problem when all views are selection queries.
The Topology of Wireless Communication
Authors: Kantor Erez , Lotker Zvi , Parter Merav , Peleg David
Published: November 2015

This article studies the topological properties of wireless communication maps and their usability in algorithmic design. We consider the SINR model, which compares the received power of a signal at a receiver against the sum of strengths of other interfering signals plus background noise. To describe the behavior of a multistation network, we use the convenient representation of a reception map, which partitions the plane into reception zones, one per station, and the complementary region of the plane where no station can be heard.
SINR diagrams
have been studied in Avin et al. [2009] for the specific case where all stations use the same power. It was shown that the reception zones are convex (hence connected) and fat, and this was used to devise an efficient algorithm for the fundamental problem of point location. Here we consider the more general (and common) case where transmission energies are arbitrary (or nonuniform). Under that setting, the reception zones are not necessarily convex or even connected. This poses the algorithmic challenge of designing efficient point location techniques for the nonuniform setting, as well as the theoretical challenge of understanding the geometry of SINR diagrams (e.g., the maximal number of connected components they might have). Our key result exhibits a striking contrast between
d
- and (
d
+1)-dimensional maps for a network embedded in
d
-dimensional space. Specifically, it is shown that whereas the
d
-dimensional map might be highly fractured, drawing the map in one dimension higher “heals” the zones, which become connected (in fact, hyperbolically connected). We also provide bounds for the fatness of reception zones. Subsequently, we consider algorithmic applications and propose a new variant of approximate point location.
Regular Languages Are Church-Rosser Congruential
Authors: Diekert Volker , Kufleitner Manfred , Reinhardt Klaus , Walter Tobias
Published: November 2015

This article shows a general result about finite monoids and weight reducing string rewriting systems. As a consequence it proves a long standing conjecture in formal language theory: All regular languages are Church-Rosser congruential. The class of Church-Rosser congruential languages was introduced by McNaughton, Narendran, and Otto in 1988. A language
L
is Church-Rosser congruential if there exists a finite, confluent, and length-reducing semi-Thue system
S
such that
L
is a finite union of congruence classes modulo
S
. It was known that there are deterministic linear context-free languages which are not Church-Rosser congruential, but the conjecture was that all regular languages are of this form. The article offers a stronger statement: A language is regular if and only if it is strongly Church-Rosser congruential. It is the journal version of the conference abstract which was presented at ICALP 2012.
Arrakis
Authors: Peter Simon , Li Jialin , Zhang Irene , Ports Dan R. K. , Woos Doug , Krishnamurthy Arvind , Anderson Thomas , Roscoe Timothy
Published: November 2015

Recent device hardware trends enable a new approach to the design of network server operating systems. In a traditional operating system, the kernel mediates access to device hardware by server applications to enforce process isolation as well as network and disk security. We have designed and implemented a new operating system, Arrakis, that splits the traditional role of the kernel in two. Applications have direct access to virtualized I/O devices, allowing most I/O operations to skip the kernel entirely, while the kernel is re-engineered to provide network and disk protection without kernel mediation of every operation. We describe the hardware and software changes needed to take advantage of this new abstraction, and we illustrate its power by showing improvements of 2 to 5 × in latency and 9 × throughput for a popular persistent NoSQL store relative to a well-tuned Linux implementation.
Improving Christofides' Algorithm for the s-t Path TSP
Authors: An Hyung-Chan , Kleinberg Robert , Shmoys David B.
Published: November 2015

We present a deterministic (1+√5/2)-approximation algorithm for the
s
-
t
path TSP for an arbitrary metric. Given a symmetric metric cost on
n
vertices including two prespecified endpoints, the problem is to find a shortest Hamiltonian path between the two endpoints; Hoogeveen showed that the natural variant of Christofides' algorithm is a 5/3-approximation algorithm for this problem, and this asymptotically tight bound in fact has been the best approximation ratio known until now. We modify this algorithm so that it chooses the initial spanning tree based on an optimal solution to the Held-Karp relaxation rather than a minimum spanning tree; we prove this simple but crucial modification leads to an improved approximation ratio, surpassing the 20-year-old ratio set by the natural Christofides' algorithm variant. Our algorithm also proves an upper bound of 1+√5/2 on the integrality gap of the path-variant Held-Karp relaxation. The techniques devised in this article can be applied to other optimization problems as well: these applications include improved approximation algorithms and improved LP integrality gap upper bounds for the prize-collecting
s
-
t
path problem and the unit-weight graphical metric
s
-
t
path TSP.
Opinion Question Answering by Sentiment Clip Localization
Authors: Pang Lei , Ngo Chong-Wah
Published: November 2015

This article considers multimedia question answering beyond factoid and how-to questions. We are interested in searching videos for answering opinion-oriented questions that are controversial and hotly debated. Examples of questions include “Should Edward Snowden be pardoned?” and “Obamacare—unconstitutional or not?”. These questions often invoke emotional response, either positively or negatively, hence are likely to be better answered by videos than texts, due to the vivid display of emotional signals visible through facial expression and speaking tone. Nevertheless, a potential answer of duration 60s may be embedded in a video of 10min, resulting in degraded user experience compared to reading the answer in text only. Furthermore, a text-based opinion question may be short and vague, while the video answers could be verbal, less structured grammatically, and noisy because of errors in speech transcription. Direct matching of words or syntactic analysis of sentence structure, such as adopted by factoid and how-to question-answering, is unlikely to find video answers. The first problem, the answer localization, is addressed by audiovisual analysis of the emotional signals in videos for locating video segments likely expressing opinions. The second problem, questions and answers matching, is tackled by a deep architecture that nonlinearly matches text words in questions and speeches in videos. Experiments are conducted on eight controversial topics based on questions crawled from Yahoo! Answers and Internet videos from YouTube.
Optimal Euclidean Spanners
Authors: Elkin Michael , Solomon Shay
Published: November 2015

The degree, the (hop-)diameter, and the weight are the most basic and well-studied parameters of geometric spanners. In a seminal STOC'95 paper, titled “Euclidean spanners: short, thin and lanky”, Arya et al. [1995] devised a construction of Euclidean (1+ε)-spanners that achieves constant degree, diameter
O
(log
n
), weight
O
(log
2
n
) ċ ω(
MST
), and has running time
O
(
n
ċ log
n
). This construction applies to
n
-point constant-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Moreover, Arya et al. conjectured that the weight bound can be improved by a logarithmic factor, without increasing the degree and the diameter of the spanner, and within the same running time.

This conjecture of Arya et al. became one of the most central open problems in the area of Euclidean spanners. Nevertheless, the only progress since 1995 towards its resolution was achieved in the lower bounds front: Any spanner with diameter
O
(log
n
) must incur weight Ω(log
n
) ċ ω(
MST
), and this lower bound holds regardless of the stretch or the degree of the spanner [Dinitz et al. 2008; Agarwal et al. 2005].

In this article we resolve the long-standing conjecture of Arya et al. in the affirmative. We present a spanner construction with the same stretch, degree, diameter, and running time, as in Arya et al.'s result, but with
optimal weight
O
(log
n
) ċ ω(
MST
). So our spanners are as thin and lanky as those of Arya et al., but they are
really
short!

Moreover, our result is more general in three ways. First, we demonstrate that the conjecture holds true not only in constant-dimensional Euclidean spaces, but also in
doubling metrics
. Second, we provide a general trade-off between the three involved parameters, which is
tight in the entire range
. Third, we devise a transformation that decreases the lightness of spanners in
general metrics
, while keeping all their other parameters in check. Our main result is obtained as a corollary of this transformation.
Integration of ChREBP-Mediated Glucose Sensing into Whole Body Metabolism
Authors: Baraille Floriane , Planchais Julien , Dentin Renaud , Guilmeau Sandra , Postic Catherine
Published: November 2015

Since glucose is the principal energy source for most cells, many organisms have evolved numerous and sophisticated mechanisms to sense glucose and respond to it appropriately. In this context, cloning of the carbohydrate responsive element binding protein has unraveled a critical molecular link between glucose metabolism and transcriptional reprograming induced by glucose. In this review, we detail major findings that have advanced our knowledge of glucose sensing.
Sex and Gender Impact Immune Responses to Vaccines Among the Elderly
Authors: Fink Ashley L. , Klein Sabra L.
Published: November 2015

In response to the recommended vaccines in older-aged individuals, sex differences occur in response to those that protect against influenza, tetanus, pertussis, shingles, and pneumococcal infections. The efficacy of vaccines recommended for older-aged adults is consistently greater for females than for males. Gender differences as well as biological sex differences can influence vaccine uptake, responses, and outcome in older-aged individuals, which should influence guidelines, formulations, and dosage recommendations for vaccines in the elderly.
Evaluation of Mediterranean Agricultural Residues as a Potential Feedstock for the Production of Biogas via Anaerobic Fermentation
Authors: Nitsos Christos , Matsakas Leonidas , Triantafyllidis Kostas , Rova Ulrika , Christakopoulos Paul
Published: November 2015

Hydrothermal, dilute acid, and steam explosion pretreatment methods, were evaluated for their efficiency to improve the methane production yield of three Mediterranean agricultural lignocellulosic residues such as olive tree pruning, grapevine pruning, and almond shells. Hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreatments provided low to moderate increase in the digestibility of the biomass samples, whereas steam explosion enabled the highest methane yields to be achieved for almond shells at 232.2 ± 13.0 mL CH4/gVS and olive pruning at 315.4 ± 0.0 mL CH4/gVS. Introduction of an enzymatic prehydrolysis step moderately improved methane yields for hydrothermal and dilute acid pretreated samples but not for the steam exploded ones.
Regulators and Effectors of Arf GTPases in Neutrophils
Authors: Gamara Jouda , Chouinard François , Davis Lynn , Aoudjit Fawzi , Bourgoin Sylvain G.
Published: November 2015

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are key innate immune cells that represent the first line of defence against infection. They are the first leukocytes to migrate from the blood to injured or infected sites. This process involves molecular mechanisms that coordinate cell polarization, delivery of receptors, and activation of integrins at the leading edge of migrating PMNs. These phagocytes actively engulf microorganisms or form neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) to trap and kill pathogens with bactericidal compounds. Association of the NADPH oxidase complex at the phagosomal membrane for production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and delivery of proteolytic enzymes into the phagosome initiate pathogen killing and removal. G protein-dependent signalling pathways tightly control PMN functions. In this review, we will focus on the small monomeric GTPases of the Arf family and their guanine exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) as components of signalling cascades regulating PMN responses. GEFs and GAPs are multidomain proteins that control cellular events in time and space through interaction with other proteins and lipids inside the cells. The number of Arf GAPs identified in PMNs is expanding, and dissecting their functions will provide important insights into the role of these proteins in PMN physiology.
Cortical Reorganization Is Associated with Surgical Decompression of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Authors: Green Andrew , Cheong Priscilia W. T. , Fook-Chong Stephanie , Tiruchelvarayan Rajendra , Guo Chang Ming , Yue Wai Mun , Chen John , Lo Yew Long
Published: November 2015

Background. Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) results in sensorimotor limb deficits, bladder, and bowel dysfunction, but mechanisms underlying motor plasticity changes before and after surgery are unclear.Methods. We studied 24 patients who underwent decompression surgery and 15 healthy controls. Patients with mixed upper and lower limb dysfunction (Group A) and only lower limb dysfunction (Group B) were then analysed separately.Results. The sum amplitude of motor evoked potentials sMEP (p<0.01) and number of focal points where MEPs were elicited (N) (p<0.001) were significantly larger in CSM patients compared with controls. For Group A (16 patients), sMEP (p<0.01) andN(p<0.001) showed similar findings. However, for Group B (8 patients), onlyN(p=0.03) was significantly larger in patients than controls. Group A had significantly increased grip strength (p=0.02) and reduced sMEP (p=0.001) andN(p=0.003) after surgery. Changes in sMEP (cMEP) significantly correlated inversely with improved feeding (p=0.03) and stacking (p=0.04) times as was the change in number of focal points (NDiff) with improved writing times (p=0.03). Group B did not show significant reduction in sMEP orNafter surgery, or significant correlation of cMEP or NDiff with all hand function tests. No significant differences inHreflex parameters obtained from the flexor carpi radialis, or central motor conduction time changes, were noted after surgery.Discussion. Compensatory expansion of motor cortical representation occurs largely at cortical rather than spinal levels, with a tendency to normalization after surgery. These mirrored improvements in relevant tasks requiring utilization of intrinsic hand muscles.
High-Energy Extracorporeal Shock Wave for Early Stage Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Single-Center Case Series
Authors: Gao Fuqiang , Sun Wei , Li Zirong , Guo Wanshou , Wang Weiguo , Cheng Liming , Wang Bailiang
Published: November 2015

Our retrospective study assessed the effects of treatment of early stage ONFH with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. 335 patients (528 hips) were treated with shockwave therapy in our institution. Each patient underwent two sessions. The hips were divided into two groups according to whether the lateral pillar of the femoral head (LPFH) was preserved: LPFH and non-LPFH groups. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment. Most of the patients (83.9% hips) demonstrated pain reduction and improved mobility of the treated joint (visual analogue scale score,P=0.00006; Harris hip score,P=0.00091). During the follow-up period, 16 hips failed following femoral head collapse and required hip arthroplasty (2 hips in LPFH group and 14 hips in non-LPFH group). The lesion size decreased after ESWT. However, the differences were statistically not significant (LPFH group,P=0.091; non-LPFH group,P=0.087). A significant reduction in bone marrow edema was observed after treatment (LPFH group,P=0.007; non-LPFH group,P=0.016). High-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy resulted in considerable improvement in early stage ONFH, which can effectively relieve pain and improve the function of the hip.
Hepatic and Splenic Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Shear Wave Velocity Elastography in Children with Liver Disease Associated with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Cañas Teresa , Maciá Araceli , Muñoz-Codoceo Rosa Ana , Fontanilla Teresa , González-Rios Patricia , Miralles María , Gómez-Mardones Gloria
Published: November 2015

Background. Liver disease associated with cystic fibrosis (CFLD) is the second cause of mortality in these patients. The diagnosis is difficult because none of the available tests are specific enough. Noninvasive elastographic techniques have been proven to be useful to diagnose hepatic fibrosis. Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging is an elastography imaging system. The purpose of the work was to study the utility of liver and spleen ARFI Imaging in the detection of CFLD.Method. 72 patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were studied and received ARFI imaging in the liver and in the spleen. SWV values were compared with the values of 60 healthy controls.Results. Comparing the SWV values of CFLD with the control healthy group, values in the right lobe were higher in patients with CFLD. We found a SWV RHL cut-off value to detect CFLD of 1.27 m/s with a sensitivity of 56.5% and a specificity of 90.5%. CF patients were found to have higher SWC spleen values than the control group.Conclusions. ARFI shear wave elastography in the right hepatic lobe is a noninvasive technique useful to detect CFLD in our sample of patients. Splenic SWV values are higher in CF patients, without any clinical consequence.
Mass and Energy Balances of Dry Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion Treating Swine Manure Mixed with Rice Straw
Authors: Zhou Sheng , Zhang Jining , Zou Guoyan , Riya Shohei , Hosomi Masaaki
Published: November 2015

To evaluate the feasibility of swine manure treatment by a proposed Dry Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion (DT-AD) system, we evaluated the methane yield of swine manure treated using a DT-AD method with rice straw under different C/N ratios and solid retention time (SRT) and calculated the mass and energy balances when the DT-AD system is used for swine manure treatment from a model farm with 1000 pigs and the digested residue is used for forage rice production. A traditional swine manure treatment Oxidation Ditch system was used as the study control. The results suggest that methane yield using the proposed DT-AD system increased with a higher C/N ratio and shorter SRT. Correspondently, for the DT-AD system running with SRT of 80 days, the net energy yields for all treatments were negative, due to low biogas production and high heat loss of digestion tank. However, the biogas yield increased when the SRT was shortened to 40 days, and the generated energy was greater than consumed energy when C/N ratio was 20:1 and 30:1. The results suggest that with the correct optimization of C/N ratio and SRT, the proposed DT-AD system, followed by using digestate for forage rice production, can attain energy self-sufficiency.
Efficient DFSA Algorithm in RFID Systems for the Internet of Things
Authors: Wang Hsing-Wen
Published: November 2015

Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) used in business applications and international business management fields can create and sustain the competitive advantage, which is also one of the wireless telecommunication techniques for recognizing objects to realize Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. In construction of IoT network, the RFID technologies play the role of the front-end data collection via tag identification, as the basis of IoT. Hence, the adoption of RFID technologies is spurring innovation and the development of the IoT. However, in RFID system, one of the most important challenges is the collision resolution between the tags when these tags transmit their data to the reader simultaneously. Hence, in this paper I develop an efficient scheme to estimate the number of unidentified tags for Dynamic Framed Slotted Aloha (DFSA) based RFID system, with the view of increasing system performance. In addition to theoretical analysis, simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of proposed scheme. The simulation results reveal the proposed scheme works very well in providing a substantial performance improvement in RFID system. The proposed algorithm promotes business effectiveness and efficiency while applying the RFID technologies to IoT.
Identification of Modal Parameters of Bridges Using Ambient Vibration Measurements
Authors: Zenunovic Damir , Topalovic Mirsad , Folic Radomir
Published: November 2015

The paper provides an overview of ambient vibration tests and numerical analysis performed in the framework of Project NATO SfP 983828. The aim of the research is the definition of the dynamic characteristics of bridges on the examples. The paper considers three case studies: two older existing bridges and one newly constructed bridge. A comparative analysis of natural frequencies and mode shapes, obtained by ambient vibration measurements (AVM) and mathematical models (AMs), was carried with the aim to demonstrate the usefulness of ambient vibration tests for identification of the modal parameters of the tested bridge structure. Agreement between AVM and AMs results is very good. The mode shapes are very similar. Some differences between computed and measured frequencies were obtained, which can be attributed to the real nature of the boundary conditions, the uncertainty in the material properties of structure elements, and the mathematical models assumptions.
CCR 20th Anniversary Commentary: Gene-Expression Signature in Breast Cancer—Where Did It Start and Where Are We Now?
Authors: Gingras Isabelle , Desmedt Christine , Ignatiadis Michail , Sotiriou Christos
Published: November 2015

Desmedt and colleagues published two articles, one in the June 1, 2007 issue, and the other in the August 15, 2008, issue of Clinical Cancer Research, that showed gene-expression signatures to be proliferation driven and time dependent, with their prognostic power decreasing with increasing follow-up years. Moreover, the articles showed that immune response is a crucial determinant of prognosis in the HER2-positive and estrogen receptor–negative/HER2-negative subtypes, providing a rationale to further explore the role of the antitumor immune response in these breast cancer subtypes. Clin Cancer Res; 21(21); 4743–6. ©2015 AACR.

See related articles by Desmedt et al., Clin Cancer Res 2007;13(11) June 1, 2007;3207–14 and Desmedt et al., Clin Cancer Res 2008;14(16) August 15, 2008;5158–65.
Drug-Resistant Brain Metastases: A Role for Pharmacology, Tumor Evolution, and Too-Late Therapy
Authors: Stricker Thomas , Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: November 2015

Summary: Two recent studies report deep molecular profiling of matched brain metastases and primary tumors. In both studies, somatic alterations in the brain metastases were frequently discordant with those in the primary tumor, suggesting divergent evolution at metastatic sites and raising questions about the use of biomarkers in patients in clinical trials with targeted therapies. Cancer Discov; 5(11); 1124–6. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Brastianos and colleagues, p. 1164.
Imaging Results Following Oncoplastic and Standard Breast Conserving Surgery
Authors: Dolan Ross , Patel Meera , Weiler-Mithoff Eva , Mansell James , Stallard Sheila , Doughty Julie C. , Romics Jr. Laszlo
Published: November 2015

Background: Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) requires more complex surgical techniques than standard wide local excision (WLE) and the postoperative complication rate may be higher. Since these can have an impact on postoperative imaging, we compared imaging and biopsy results after OBCS and WLE. Methods: Findings for patients undergoing OBCS (n = 83) or standard WLE (n = 128) were compared. Numbers, indications and outcomes of mammograms, breast ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging scans and biopsies done within 2 years after surgery were analysed. Results: OBCS was applied for more advanced malignancy. Significantly more patients required breast ultrasound after OBCS than WLE (20/71 vs. 17/116; p = 0.024). Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 3 or 4 ultrasound results were found only in patients with OBCS (6/29 vs. 0/19; p = 0.034). Significantly more biopsies were required after OBCS (9/71 vs. 3/116; p = 0.006). New lumps or lumpiness were the commonest indications, and pathology confirmed fat necrosis in the majority (7/12). The rate of fat necrosis after OBCS was 18% on clinical examination (13/71), 15% with ultrasound (11/71) and 7% confirmed on pathology (5/71). Conclusion: Patients treated with OBCS require significantly more ultrasound scans and consequent biopsies than patients who underwent WLE. This is mainly due to fat necrosis developing after OBCS in the majority of cases.
Presence and Number of Positive Surgical Margins after Radical Prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer: Effect on Oncological Outcome in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Richters Anke , Derks Joris , Fossion Laurent M.C.L. , Kil Paul J.M. , Verhoeven Rob H.A. , Aarts Mieke J.
Published: November 2015

Introduction: Additional insight in the occurrence and number of positive surgical margins (PSM) and the potential consequences is needed, since earlier studies show divergent results. This study aims at investigating the effect of the presence and number of PSM on oncological outcomes. Methods: Retrospective population-based cohort study including 648 consecutive prostate cancer patients who underwent RP in the Southern Netherlands in 2006-2008. The effect of PSM on risk of treatment failure, defined by either biochemical recurrence or necessity of any additional therapy (Cox regression), was evaluated. Results: PSM were observed in 39%; 11% had multiple PSM. Treatment failure was observed in 26% of all patients. Multivariably, the presence (hazard ratio 2.5) and number of PSM (hazard ratios: single 2.3; multiple 3.1) were independently associated with higher treatment failure rates, unlike location of PSM. Conclusions: Treatment failure rates are high among patients with PSM, especially in those with multiple PSM. This needs to be taken into account when decisions are made on the applicability of the adjuvant and salvage therapy.
The Expression of Material Constitution in Revival Hebrew
Authors: Ariel Chanan
Published: November 2015

This article deals with several constructions used in Hebrew to express material constitution. In Revival Hebrew, there are three different constructions in parallel use, all of which are also documented in earlier strata of Hebrew. These structures will be examined and compared to the former stages of the language and to their equivalents in contact languages. The article discusses the internal influences on these constructions, examines the effect of contact languages and register on the choice of structure, and also briefly compares the situation in Revival Hebrew with the situation in Contemporary Hebrew.
The Usual Suspects: Slavic, Yiddish, and the Accusative Existentials and Possessives in Modern Hebrew
Authors: Taube Moshe
Published: November 2015

Existential and possessive constructions with a definite np marked as object appear in both spoken and written Modern Hebrew. This paper ascribes their appearance to negative existential and possessive constructions with genitive accusative in Slavic languages (Polish, Russian, Ukrainian). These were reinterpreted in Yiddish as accusative and subsequently calqued by bilingual speakers of Modern Hebrew in the first generations of its emergence as a spoken language.
When the Construction Is Axla, Everything Is Axla: A Case of Combined Lexical and Structural Borrowing from Arabic to Hebrew
Authors: Gafter Roey J. , Horesh Uri
Published: November 2015

This article examines a borrowing from Arabic into Hebrew, which is a combination of a lexical borrowing and a structural one. The Arabic superlativeaħla‘sweetest, most beautiful,’ pronounced by most Modern Hebrew speakers [axla], has shifted semantically to mean ‘great, awesome.’ Yet, as our corpus-based study illustrates, it was borrowed into Hebrew—for the most part—with a very particular syntactic structure that, in Arabic, denotes the superlative. In Arabic itself,aħlamay also denote a comparative adjective, though in different syntactic structures. We discuss the significance of this borrowing and the manner in which it is borrowed both to the specific contact situation between Arabic and Hebrew and to the theory of language contact in general.