bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying optimal dosage regimes under safety constraints: An application to long term opioid treatment of chronic pain
Authors: Laber Eric B. , Wu Fan , Munera Catherine , Lipkovich Ilya , Colucci Salvatore , Ripa Steve
Published: February 2018

There is growing interest and investment in precision medicine as a means to provide the best possible health care. A treatment regime formalizes precision medicine as a sequence of decision rules, one per clinical intervention period, that specify if, when and how current treatment should be adjusted in response to a patient's evolving health status. It is standard to define a regime as optimal if, when applied to a population of interest, it maximizes the mean of some desirable clinical outcome, such as efficacy. However, in many clinical settings, a high‐quality treatment regime must balance multiple competing outcomes; eg, when a high dose is associated with substantial symptom reduction but a greater risk of an adverse event. We consider the problem of estimating the most efficacious treatment regime subject to constraints on the risk of adverse events. We combine nonparametric Q‐learning with policy‐search to estimate a high‐quality yet parsimonious treatment regime. This estimator applies to both observational and randomized data, as well as settings with variable, outcome‐dependent follow‐up, mixed treatment types, and multiple time points. This work is motivated by and framed in the context of dosing for chronic pain; however, the proposed framework can be applied generally to estimate a treatment regime which maximizes the mean of one primary outcome subject to constraints on one or more secondary outcomes. We illustrate the proposed method using data pooled from 5 open‐label flexible dosing clinical trials for chronic pain.
Current practice of orthopaedic surgical skills training raises performance of supervised residents in total knee arthroplasty to levels equal to those of orthopaedic surgeons
Authors: Theelen Luuk , Bischoff Cheryll , Grimm Bernd , Heyligers Ide C.
Published: February 2018

Aim To investigate whether the current, generally accepted practice of orthopaedic surgical skills training can raise the performance of supervised residents to levels equal to those of experienced orthopaedic surgeons when it comes to clinical outcomes or implant position after total knee arthroplasty.

Methods In a retrospective analysis of primary total knee arthroplasty outcomes (minimum follow-up of 12 months) procedures were split into two groups: supervised orthopaedic residents as first surgeon (group R), and experienced senior orthopaedic surgeons as first surgeon (group S). Outcome data that were compared 1 year postoperatively were operation times, complications, revisions, Knee Society Scores (KSS) and radiological implant positions.

Results Of 642 included procedures, 220 were assigned to group R and 422 to group S. No statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in patient demographics. Operation time differed significantly (group R: 81.3 min vs. group S: 71.3 min (p = 0.000)). No statistically significant differences were found for complications (p = 0.659), revision rate (p = 0.722), femoral angle (p = 0.871), tibial angle (p = 0.804), femoral slope (p = 0.779), tibial slope (p = 0.765) and KSS (p = 0.148).

Discussion and conclusion Supervised residents needed 10 minutes extra operation time, but they provided the same quality of care in primary total knee arthroplasty as experienced orthopaedic surgeons concerning complication rates, revisions, implant position on radiographs and KSS.
Instabilidade glenoumeral anterior: Revisão sistemática dos desfechos usados no Brasil
Authors: Assunção Jorge Henrique , Malavolta Eduardo Angeli , Souza Fernando José de , Gracitelli Mauro Emilio Conforto , Ferreira Neto Arnaldo Amado
Published: February 2018

Uma revisão que envolveu as seis principais revistas ortopédicas internacionais foi publicada recentemente. A publicação descreveu as ferramentas usadas para a avaliação dos desfechos no tratamento cirúrgico da luxação anterior recidivante do ombro. Não existe um levantamento que mostre as principais formas de avaliação para essa doença no Brasil. Os autores avaliaram os desfechos usados nos estudos clínicos que envolveram a instabilidade glenoumeral anterior e que foram publicados na última década nos dois principais periódicos ortopédicos brasileiros, Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia e Acta Ortopédica Brasileira. Foi feita uma revisão da literatura na qual foram incluídos todos os artigos clínicos publicados entre 2007 e 2016 que descreveram ao menos uma medida de desfecho antes e após intervenção cirúrgica. Os desfechos avaliados foram amplitude de movimento, força muscular, testes de exame físico, satisfação, retorno ao esporte, exames de imagem, complicações e escalas clínicas. Foram publicados 12 estudos que avaliaram os resultados clínicos do tratamento cirúrgico da instabilidade anterior do ombro. Dez estudos (83%) eram séries de caso (nível de evidência IV), 1 (8%) caso-controle (III), e 1 coorte retrospectiva (III). A média de desfechos avaliados por estudo foi de 3,7 ± 1,7. A escala Rowe foi usada em 9 estudos (75%), e 7 publicações (58%) usaram a escala da University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Dez estudos (83%) relataram as complicações relacionadas ao tratamento cirúrgico. A complicação mais frequentemente relatada foi a recidiva da luxação glenoumeral, encontrada em 9 estudos (75%). Os estudos nacionais usaram preferencialmente escalas consideradas de baixa conficabilidade, responsividade, e consistência interna.
DIVERSITY-DISTURBANCE RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LATE ARCHAIC SOUTHWEST: IMPLICATIONS FOR FARMER-FORAGER FOODWAYS
Authors: Sinensky R. J. , Farahani Alan
Published: February 2018

The analysis of more than 1,300 flotation samples from thousands of excavated cultural features dating to the San Pedro phase (1220–730 BC) at the Las Capas site in southern Arizona provides evidence of long-term continuity and change in plant cultivation and collection practices in response to environmental disturbances during the Late Archaic period (2100 BC–AD 50). Although preceramic foodways in the region are widely considered to have been stable for roughly 2,500 years following the introduction of maize prior to 2100 BC, analyses of macrobotanical data reveal that moderate-intensity flood events during the Middle San Pedro phase (930–800 BC) preceded the greatest richness and diversity of harvested plants, while reliance on maize was reduced. In contrast, in periods with little environmental disturbance maize was more dominant, with less diversity in other cultivated and foraged plants. Novel cultivation, processing, and foraging practices were initiated in response to disturbance but persisted after floodplain conditions stabilized. It is argued that the reciprocal relationship between disturbance and botanical diversity is integral for understanding the long-term resilience of Late Archaic foodways and that this relationship is best modeled using ecological theories termed the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis and the Intermediate Productivity Hypothesis.
Condensates in rotating turbulent flows
Authors: Seshasayanan Kannabiran , Alexakis Alexandros
Published: February 2018

Using a large number of numerical simulations we examine the steady state of rotating turbulent flows in triple periodic domains, varying the Rossby number $Ro$ (that measures the inverse rotation rate) and the Reynolds number $Re$ (that measures the strength of turbulence). The examined flows are sustained by either a helical or a non-helical Roberts force, that is invariant along the axis of rotation. The forcing acts at a wavenumber $k_{f}$ such that $k_{f}L=4$, where $2\unicode[STIX]{x03C0}L$ is the size of the domain. Different flow behaviours were obtained as the parameters are varied. Above a critical rotation rate the flow becomes quasi-two-dimensional and transfers energy to the largest scales of the system, forming large coherent structures known as condensates. We examine the behaviour of these condensates and their scaling properties close to and away from this critical rotation rate. Close to the critical rotation rate the system transitions supercritically to the condensate state, displaying a bimodal behaviour oscillating randomly between an incoherent-turbulent state and a condensate state. Away from the critical rotation rate, it is shown that two distinct mechanisms can saturate the growth of the large-scale energy. The first mechanism is due to viscous forces and is similar to the saturation mechanism observed for the inverse cascade in two-dimensional flows. The second mechanism is independent of viscosity and relies on the breaking of the two-dimensionalization condition of the rotating flow. The two mechanisms predict different scaling with respect to the control parameters of the system (Rossby and Reynolds), which are tested with the present results of the numerical simulations. A phase space diagram in the $Re,Ro$ parameter plane is sketched.
Closure model for homogeneous isotropic turbulence in the Lagrangian specification of the flow field
Authors: Okamura Makoto
Published: February 2018

This paper proposes a new two-point closure model that is compatible with the Kolmogorov$-5/3$power law for homogeneous isotropic turbulence in an incompressible fluid using the Lagrangian specification of the flow field. A closed set of three equations was derived from the Navier–Stokes equation with no adjustable free parameters. The Kolmogorov constant and the skewness of the longitudinal velocity derivative were evaluated to be 1.779 and$-0.49$, respectively, using the proposed model. The bottleneck effect was also reproduced in the near-dissipation range.
UNSETTLING THE SENECAN FIRST ACT
Authors: Sampson C. Michael
Published: February 2018

Beginnings matter. In tragedy, specifically, the first act is the initial tableau in a larger composition, introducing the raw material—themes, characters, and mythological crisis—whose development and consequences will comprise the poetic action. Seneca's are a case in point: although scholars have noted that his first acts can be ‘somewhat separate’ from the main action of the plot and overly general or preliminary in character, this is only true in dramatic terms; a holistic approach to Senecan tragedy regularly reveals the artistry of a first act in retrospect, from the standpoint of a play's conclusion. The scattering of Hippolytus’ companions (Pha. 1-30), for example, foreshadows his eventual dismemberment; and the extent of his patron's Diana's dominion (54-72) is ultimately dwarfed and subsumed by that of Amor. Echoes of the ghost of Thyestes’ prologue in Cassandra's final speech (Ag. 1004-11), similarly, approximate the epic technique of ring-composition, with supernatural voices of authority replacing that of epic's third-person narrator at the bookends of the drama. However dramatically detached a first act might appear, Senecan technique prioritizes the establishment of thematic, intellectual, and lexical foundations for what follows.
La societe du parler francais au canada
Authors: Dulong Gaston
Published: February 2018

Fondée à Québec en 1902, la Société du Parler français au Canada est sûrement la doyenne des sociétés de linguistique au Canada. Seule, croyons-nous, The American Dialect Society, est de fondation antérieure en Amérique du Nord, cette dernière ayant vu le jour en Janvier 1889. La fondation de la Société du Parler français fut l'oeuvre de l'abbé Lortie et surtout d'Adjutor Rivard qui demeure le pionnier des études de linguistique française au Canada.

Le but de la Société fut l'étude de la langue parlée: phonétique, lexique, morphologie, syntaxe. Pour mener à bien cette étude, on organisa une vaste enquête par correspondance qui devait durer un quart de siècle. Les résultats de cette enquête étaient ensuite étudiés en séances d'études, par un groupe de chercheurs, mis sur fiches et versés dans un immense fichier d'où sortit plus tard le Glossaire du Parler français au Canada.
Crisis of Meaning Predicts Suicidality in Youth Independently of Depression
Authors: Schnell Tatjana , Gerstner Rebekka , Krampe Henning
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Background: At times, the question for meaning comes to nothing and a crisis of meaning ensues. This state is very painful, but difficult to account. Both those who suffer from it and care professionals find themselves at a loss for words. Aims: This study introduces an operationalization of a crisis of meaning. It aims to distinguish the concept from depression, and to investigate whether a crisis of meaning can explain suicidality beyond the known protective and risk factors self-esteem, family functioning, life-event load, and depression. Method: Final-year school pupils in Ecuador (N = 300) completed questionnaires assessing the above variables. Data were analyzed using chi-square, hierarchic multiple regression, serial mediation, and moderator analyses. Results: Crisis of meaning was distinguished from depression. It explained a significant amount of variance in suicidality beyond the mentioned protective and risk factors. For males, crisis of meaning was the only significant risk factor, and the strongest predictor overall. The acute risk factors depression and crisis of meaning mediated the effects of the baseline factors self-esteem, family functioning, and life-event load on suicidality. Limitations: The study was cross-sectional; assessed factors predicted variance in suicidal thoughts, plans, and past suicide attempts, while their relevance cannot be generalized to actual future suicide attempts. Conclusion: A crisis of meaning is an important factor to take into account in further research on the prevention and treatment of people at risk of suicide.
Drones in Geoscience Research: The Sky Is the Only Limit
Authors: Kelleher Christa , Scholz Christopher , Condon Laura , Reardon Marlowe
Published: February 2018

Here are six ways that drones are making their way into geosciences research and industry through innovative applications.
Genetic variants in two pathways influence serum urate levels and gout risk: a systematic pathway analysis
Authors: Dong Zheng , Zhou Jingru , Xu Xia , Jiang Shuai , Li Yuan , Zhao Dongbao , Yang Chengde , Ma Yanyun , Wang Yi , He Hongjun , Ji Hengdong , Zhang Juan , Yuan Ziyu , Yang Yajun , Wang Xiaofeng , Pang Yafei , Jin Li , Zou Hejian , Wang Jiucun
Published: February 2018

The aims of this study were to identify candidate pathways associated with serum urate and to explore the genetic effect of those pathways on the risk of gout. Pathway analysis of the loci identified in genome-wide association studies (GWASs) showed that the ion transmembrane transporter activity pathway (GO: 0015075) and the secondary active transmembrane transporter activity pathway (GO: 0015291) were both associated with serum urate concentrations, with PFDR values of 0.004 and 0.007, respectively. In a Chinese population of 4,332 individuals, the two pathways were also found to be associated with serum urate (PFDR = 1.88E-05 and 3.44E-04, separately). In addition, these two pathways were further associated with the pathogenesis of gout (PFDR = 1.08E-08 and 2.66E-03, respectively) in the Chinese population and a novel gout-associated gene, SLC17A2, was identified (OR = 0.83, PFDR = 0.017). The mRNA expression of candidate genes also showed significant differences among different groups at pathway level. The present study identified two transmembrane transporter activity pathways (GO: 0015075 and GO: 0015291) were associations with serum urate concentrations and the risk of gout. SLC17A2 was identified as a novel gene that influenced the risk of gout.
Solution structure and dynamics of anti-CRISPR AcrIIA4, the Cas9 inhibitor
Authors: Kim Iktae , Jeong Migyeong , Ka Donghyun , Han Mookyoung , Kim Nak-Kyoon , Bae Euiyoung , Suh Jeong-Yong
Published: February 2018

The bacterial CRISPR-Cas system provides adaptive immunity against invading phages. Cas9, an RNA-guided endonuclease, specifically cleaves target DNA substrates and constitutes a well-established platform for genome editing. Recently, anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins that inhibit Cas9 have been discovered, promising a useful off-switch for Cas9 to avoid undesirable off-target effects. Here, we report the solution structure and dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes AcrIIA4 that inhibits Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpyCas9). AcrIIA4 forms a compact monomeric αβββαα fold comprising three antiparallel β strands flanked by three α-helices and a short 310-helix. AcrIIA4 exhibits distinct backbone dynamics in fast and slow timescales at loop regions that form interaction surfaces for SpyCas9. In particular, the β1–β2 loop that binds to the RuvC domain of SpyCas9 is highly mobile, and the β1–β2 and α2–α3 loops that bind to the RuvC and C-terminal domains of SpyCas9, respectively, undergoes conformational exchanges in microsecond-to-millisecond time scales. AcrIIA4 binds to apo-SpyCas9 with KD ~4.8 μM, which compares to KD ~0.6 nM for AcrIIA4 binding to sgRNA-bound SpyCas9. Since the binary complex between AcrIIA4 and SpyCas9 does not compete with the target DNA binding, it can effectively disable the Cas9 nuclease activity by forming a tight ternary complex in the presence of sgRNA.
Near-infrared laser thermal conjunctivoplasty
Authors: Yang Jianlong , Chandwani Rahul , Gopinatth Varun , Boyce Tim , Pflugfelder Stephen C. , Huang David , Liu Gangjun
Published: February 2018

Conjunctivochalasis is a common cause of tear dysfunction due to the conjunctiva becoming loose and wrinkly with age. The current solutions to this disease include either surgical excision in the operating room, or thermoreduction of the loose tissue with hot wire in the clinic. We developed a near-infrared laser thermal conjunctivoplasty system. The system utilizes a 1460-nm programmable laser diode system as the light source. At this wavelength, a water absorption peak exists and the blood absorption is minimal, so the heating of redundant conjunctiva is even and there is no bleeding. A miniaturized handheld probe delivers the laser light and reshapes the laser into a 10 × 1 mm2 line on the working plane. A foot pedal is used to deliver a preset number of calibrated laser pulses. A fold of loose conjunctiva is grasped by a pair of forceps. The NIR laser light is delivered through an optical fiber and a laser line is aimed exactly on the conjunctival fold by a cylindrical lens. Ex vivo experiments using porcine eye was performed to investigate the induced shrinkage of conjunctiva and decide the optimal laser parameters. It was found that up to 45% of conjunctiva shrinkage could be achieved.
Risk assessment of deoxynivalenol in high-risk area of China by human biomonitoring using an improved high throughput UPLC-MS/MS method
Authors: Deng Chunli , Li Chenglong , Zhou Shuang , Wang Xiaodan , Xu Haibin , Wang Dan , Gong Yun Yun , Routledge Michael N. , Zhao Yunfeng , Wu Yongning
Published: February 2018

A risk assessment of deoxynivalenol (DON) was recently conducted for the residents in Henan province, China, where wheat as the staple food are highly consumed. A high-throughput sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method following 96-well μElution solid-phase extraction (SPE) were developed and validated for the determination of DON biomarkers in human urine. Isotope labelled internal standard, 13C-DON, was used for accurate quantification. Urinary samples collected from 151 healthy Chinese aged 2–78 years were processed with and without enzyme hydrolysis to determine total and free biomarkers, respectively. DON, and de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) to a lesser extent, can be frequently detected in these samples both with and without enzyme hydrolysis. Free DOM-1 was detected at low level in human urine for the first time. Total DON was detected in all samples with a mean concentration at 47.6 ng mL−1. The mean and median probable daily intakes (PDI) for the whole participants, estimated to be 1.61 μg/kg bw and 1.10 μg/kg bw, both exceeded the PMTDI (1 μg/kg bw/day), indicating a potential risk for the residents in this area, especially for children and adolescents.
Association of clinicopathological features and prognosis of TERT alterations in phyllodes tumor of breast
Authors: Tsang Julia Y. S. , Hui Yau-Kam , Lee Michelle A. , Lacambra Maribel , Ni Yun-Bi , Cheung Sai-Yin , Wu Cherry , Kwong Ava , Tse Gary M. K.
Published: February 2018

Phyllodes tumor (PT) of the breast is a rare but clinically important fibroepithelial tumor with potential risks of recurrence and metastasis. Recent studies identified recurrent TERT promoter mutations in PTs. However, the clinical significance of this alteration has not been fully examined. Two hundred and seven PTs from two intuitions were included. All cases were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for TERT expression. Analysis of TERT promoter mutations was further performed by Sanger sequencing targeting the hotspot mutation region on cases from one of the involved institutions. The expression of TERT was correlated with clinicopathologic features, mutation status and recurrence. There was an association of TERT expression and its promoter mutation. Both stromal TERT expression and its promoter mutation correlated with PT grading and older patient age. Recurrence free survival (RFS) of PT patients with high stromal TERT expression was shorter if the excision margin was positive. Our findings suggested a possible pathogenic role of TERT alteration in PT malignancy. Currently there is no consensus for re-excision for PT patients with positive surgical margin, particularly for low grade cases. Stromal TERT expression could be potentially useful to guide management patients with benign PTs.
Evaluating the effects of IADHFL on inhibiting DPP-IV activity and expression in Caco-2 cells and contributing to the amount of insulin released from INS-1 cells in vitro
Authors: Zhang Chi , Liu Huaigao , Chen Shangwu , Luo Yongkang
Published: February 2018

Intact IADHFL was observed after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and part of the peptide was hydrolyzed into IADHF without reducing its DPP-IV inhibitory activity.
Construction of artificial cilia from microtubules and kinesins through a well-designed bottom-up approach
Authors: Sasaki Ren , Kabir Arif Md. Rashedul , Inoue Daisuke , Anan Shizuka , Kimura Atsushi P. , Konagaya Akihiko , Sada Kazuki , Kakugo Akira
Published: February 2018

Artificial cilia have been fabricated from reconstructed microtubules and kinesins through a well-designed bottom-up approach of self-assembly.
Engineered red blood cells for capturing circulating tumor cells with high performance
Authors: Zhu Dao-Ming , Wu Lei , Suo Meng , Gao Song , Xie Wei , Zan Ming-Hui , Liu Ao , Chen Bei , Wu Wen-Tao , Ji Li-Wei , Chen Li-ben , Huang Hui-Ming , Guo Shi-Shang , Zhang Wen-Feng , Zhao Xing-Zhong , Sun Zhi-Jun , Liu Wei
Published: February 2018

Filtration of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood is of proven importance for early cancer diagnosis, treatment monitoring, metastasis diagnosis, and prognostic evaluation.
Copper-catalyzed carbene insertion into the sulfur–sulfur bond of benzenesulfonothioate
Authors: Yuan Hairui , Nuligonda Thirupathi , Gao Hongyin , Tung Chen-Ho , Xu Zhenghu
Published: February 2018

An unprecedented copper-catalyzed intermolecular sulfur–sulfur bond insertion between aryldiazoacetates and benzenesulfonothioate has been successfully developed.
Fmoc-phenylalanine displays antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria in gel and solution phases
Authors: Gahane Avinash Y. , Ranjan Pritish , Singh Virender , Sharma Raj K. , Sinha Neeraj , Sharma Mandeep , Chaudhry Rama , Thakur Ashwani K.
Published: February 2018

Fmoc-F incurs antibacterial activity by inducing oxidative and osmotic stress and disrupting cell membrane through the formation of micelle-like structures.
Engineering high-performance and air-stable PBTZT-stat-BDTT-8:PC61BM/PC71BM organic solar cells
Authors: Jeon Il , Sakai Ryohei , Seo Seungju , Morse Graham E. , Ueno Hiroshi , Nakagawa Takafumi , Qian Yang , Maruyama Shigeo , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: February 2018

PBTZT-stat-BDTT polymer tolerates water after PEDOT:PSS hole-transport layer coating and blends with mixed C60/C70 derivative acceptors to give high air-stability and high performance.
Suppressing defects through thiadiazole derivatives that modulate CH3NH3PbI3 crystal growth for highly stable perovskite solar cells under dark conditions
Authors: Zhu Hongwei , Zhang Fei , Xiao Yin , Wang Shirong , Li Xianggao
Published: February 2018

Adding a certain amount of thiadiazole derivative in a perovskite precursor obtained a PCE of 19.04% with negligible hysteresis and excellent stability.
A ternary organic electron transport layer for efficient and photostable perovskite solar cells under full spectrum illumination
Authors: Xie Jiangsheng , Arivazhagan V. , Xiao Ke , Yan Keyou , Yang Zhengrui , Qiang Yaping , Hang Pengjie , Li Ge , Cui Can , Yu Xuegong , Yang Deren
Published: February 2018

A low-temperature processed ternary ETL was used for achieving high efficiency and photo-stable perovskite solar cell (PSC).
Comprehensive analysis of haemostatic profile depending on clinicopathological determinants in breast cancer patients
Authors: Rhone Piotr , Ruszkowska-Ciastek Barbara , Bielawski Kornel , Brkic Alen , Zarychta Elżbieta , Góralczyk Barbara , Roszkowski Krzysztof , Rość Danuta
Published: February 2018

Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of mortality in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations and activities of selected haemostatic parameters in the plasma of patients diagnosed with breast cancer (BrCa) and to make an attempt at finding associations with their levels and selected clinicopathological factors; clinical classification, histological grading, and molecular subtype of BrCa. The study involved 145 Caucasian ethnicity women. Eighty-five women aged 45–66 with primary BrCa without distant metastases (M0). Inclusion criteria were as follows: histopathological examination confirming the diagnosis of primary BrCa, without previous radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The control group consisted of 60, post-menopausal women, aged 45–68. Haemostatic profile expressed by concentrations and activities of tissue factor (TF) and its inhibitor (TFPI) as well as concentrations of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were measured applying immunoassay techniques. A significantly higher concentration of PAI-1 was noted in patients with BrCa localized in the left breast. We observed significantly lower activity of TFPI and significantly higher concentration of PAI-1 in the group of patients with invasive ductal carcinoma as compared with invasive lobular carcinoma. A significantly higher concentration of t-PA in patients with pT2 BrCa in relation to pT1 cases was noted. Based on comprehensive analysis of haemostatic profile depending on clinicopathological features, we suggest that haemostatic parameters play crucial roles in invasion and metastases of malignant tumours.
Pseudo-DUBs as allosteric activators and molecular scaffolds of protein complexes
Authors: Walden Miriam , Masandi Safi Kani , Pawłowski Krzysztof , Zeqiraj Elton
Published: February 2018

The ubiquitin (Ub) proteasome system and Ub signalling networks are crucial to cell biology and disease development. Deubiquitylases (DUBs) control cell signalling by removing mono-Ub and polyubiquitin chains from substrates. DUBs take part in almost all processes that regulate cellular life and are frequently dysregulated in disease. We have catalogued 99 currently known DUBs in the human genome and sequence conservation analyses of catalytic residues suggest that 11 lack enzyme activity and are classed as pseudo-DUBs. These pseudoenzymes play important biological roles by allosterically activating catalytically competent DUBs as well as other active enzymes. Additionally, pseudoenzymes act as assembly scaffolds of macromolecular complexes. We discuss how pseudo-DUBs have lost their catalytic activity, their diverse mechanisms of action and their potential as therapeutic targets. Many known pseudo-DUBs play crucial roles in cell biology and it is likely that unstudied and overlooked pseudo-DUB genes will have equally important functions.
2.55 GHz miniaturised phased antenna array based on 7 nm‐thick HfxZr1−xO2 ferroelectrics
Authors: Dragoman M. , Modreanu M. , Povey I. , Iordanescu S. , Aldrigo M. , Dinescu A. , Vasilache D. , Romanitan C.
Published: February 2018

A miniaturised phased array, suitable for a low‐power wireless device and able to be fed from its battery, is experimentally demonstrated. The phase array consists in two gold patch antennas, phase shifters and additional circuitry, all integrated on HfxZr1−xO2/high‐resistivity silicon 4 inch wafer. The radiation beam at 2.55 GHz is steered with 25° when the 7 nm‐thick ferroelectric is biased with ±1 V.
Efficient closed‐form estimator for joint elliptic and hyperbolic localisation in multistatic system
Authors: Qin Zhaotao , Wei Shaoming , Wang Jun
Published: February 2018

The target localisation problem is considered by the use of hybrid bistatic range (BR) and time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements in multistatic localisation system. The BR and TDOA define an ellipse and a hyperbola, respectively, and the target resides on the intersections of several such quadratic curves. An efficient closed‐form solution to this non‐linear estimation problem is developed by employing two‐step weighted least squares minimisations. Simulation results show that the proposed method can reach the Cramer–Rao lower bound accuracy for small Gaussian measurement noise. A real experiment is presented to validate the performance of the proposed estimator in an acoustic array system.
Comprehensive voltage and power factor control strategy for electric spring
Authors: Keykhah E. , Barakati S.M.
Published: February 2018

Electric spring (ES) along with the smart load (SL) have recently been used as a smart technology for stabilising distribution networks. ESs are embedded on non‐critical (NC) loads in order to protect critical loads against voltage fluctuations. Three different generations of ES have been developed in recent years. A comprehensive control scheme is proposed for the third generation of ES, through which the SL power factor and line voltage can be controlled. In order to control the power factor in steady‐state condition, the radial‐chordal decomposition (RCD) method, which has been previously used for the second generation, is employed in the closed‐loop manner. The proposed controller has also the capability to mitigate the voltage fluctuation in over/under voltage condition. Simulation results show the superiority of this method in voltage control over RCD method. In addition, for a bunch of NC loads, the desired power factor will be reached at the point of common coupling.
Transformation electromagnetics eigen‐analysis of perfect electric conductor cavities
Authors: Kaifas Theodoros N. , Vafiadis Elias , Mitsalas Xenofon M. , Granet Gerard , Sahalos John N. , Kyriakou George A.
Published: February 2018

An alternative variational modal analysis technique is contributed by this study. Although the weak form of the Maxwell equations is employed, instead of using the finite elements technique, the authors utilise entire/global domain vectorial basis functions. In such a case, to assist performance, the basis functions must comply with the boundary conditions. Since in general, this is a difficult task, they adopt the following strategy. They transform the initial convex cavity using coordinate transformation to a canonical one, where a known complete set of vectorial basis functions exist. Then, taking advantage of the form invariance property of the Maxwell equations, in the transformed domain, the authors solve the canonical variational problem and acquire the respective solution to the initial problem by the inverse electromagnetics transformation. Summarising, the contributing concept is to employ a coordinate transformation to a canonical shape employing ‘transformation electromagnetics’ approach as a pre‐processing tool to enlarge the scope of a classical electomagnetics (EM) variational eigen‐analysis using the canonical shape's vector modes.
Analysis and experimental verification of a multi‐input converter for DC microgrid applications
Authors: Akar Furkan , Tavlasoglu Yakup , Vural Bulent
Published: February 2018

This work presents a multi‐input converter (MIC) that can build a DC microgrid having renewable energy resources, balanced sources, and energy storage devices. After analysing its operation modes, a design procedure for the converter considering three different cases is provided. This procedure includes the semiconductor elements selection and design of the inductors. After this step, a detailed efficiency analysis is carried out for the studied cases. Finally, a 1 kW prototype creating a photovoltaic–battery system is built. Through several experiments based on this set‐up, it is shown that the theoretical analysis is accurate and the studied MIC can be successfully utilised to create DC microgrid.
Reduced carrier PWM scheme with unified logical expressions for reduced switch count multilevel inverters
Authors: Vemuganti Hari Priya , Sreenivasarao Dharmavarapu , Siva Kumar Ganjikunta , Sai Spandana Appikonda
Published: February 2018

The significant reduction in switch count of symmetrical/asymmetrical reduced switch count multilevel inverters (RSC‐MLI) topologies has modified the operation of inverter such that the conventional carrier‐based pulse width modulation (PWM) schemes such as level‐shifted PWM and phase‐shifted PWM can no more realise them. To control these RSC‐MLI topologies, reduced carrier PWM schemes with modified switching logic gained more prominence. These schemes involve suitable logical expressions to realise the switching states of the inverter. However, these logical expressions vary with topological arrangement and number of levels. Moreover, these schemes produce high total harmonic distortion (THD) in line‐voltages. Therefore, to improve the line‐voltage THD and generalise the switching logic, a modified reduced carrier PWM scheme with unified logical expressions is presented here. The proposed PWM scheme is directly valid for any topology and can be easily scalable to any number of levels in the inverters. To validate the implementation of the proposed PWM to control any RSC‐MLI, experimental studies of various asymmetrical RSC‐MLI topologies with the proposed PWM scheme are carried out. Further, to verify the superiority of the proposed scheme in terms of THD, complexity, scalability, and computation burden, its performance is compared with carrier‐based PWM schemes reported in the literature.
Statistical deprojection of galaxy pairs
Authors: Nottale Laurent , Chamaraux Pierre
Published: February 2018

Aims. The purpose of the present paper is to provide methods of statistical analysis of the physical properties of galaxy pairs. We perform this study to apply it later to catalogs of isolated pairs of galaxies, especially two new catalogs we recently constructed that contain ≈1000 and ≈13 000 pairs, respectively. We are particularly interested by the dynamics of those pairs, including the determination of their masses.

Methods. We could not compute the dynamical parameters directly since the necessary data are incomplete. Indeed, we only have at our disposal one component of the intervelocity between the members, namely along the line of sight, and two components of their interdistance, i.e., the projection on the sky-plane. Moreover, we know only one point of each galaxy orbit. Hence we need statistical methods to find the probability distribution of 3D interdistances and 3D intervelocities from their projections; we designed those methods under the term deprojection.

Results. We proceed in two steps to determine and use the deprojection methods. First we derive the probability distributions expected for the various relevant projected quantities, namely intervelocity vz, interdistance rp, their ratio, and the product $r_p v_z^2$, which is involved in mass determination. In a second step, we propose various methods of deprojection of those parameters based on the previous analysis. We start from a histogram of the projected data and we apply inversion formulae to obtain the deprojected distributions; lastly, we test the methods by numerical simulations, which also allow us to determine the uncertainties involved.
Effect of small anisotropy and absorption on metamaterial applications: “non-ideal” features of propagation and tunneling of electromagnetic waves
Authors: Starodubtsev Evgenii
Published: February 2018

For cases of isotropic, uniaxial, and biaxial electromagnetic metamaterials (MM), a comparative analysis of the effect of small deviations of local material parameters from “ideal” values on the realization of MM applications (“zero” media, the Veselago-Pendry superlens) has been carried out. On the basis of the detailed investigation of the solutions of dispersion equations, it is established that even a very small dielectric and (or) magnetic anisotropy of a general form is the universal “non-ideal” factor determining (to a much greater extent than small losses) the operability of those MM applications where the wave misphasing in the effective medium is undesirable. The characteristics of wave attenuation in the absorbing isotropic and weakly anisotropic MM are mainly comparable for the applications. Limitations of the traditional approaches using the second-order curves (or surfaces) for analytic modeling of the absorbing MM dispersion equations are shown.
Solar Energy Measurement Using Arduino
Authors: Jumaat Siti Amely , Othman Mohamad Hilmi
Published: February 2018

This project aims to develop a measurement of solar energy using Arduino Board technology. In this research, four parameters that been measured are temperature, light intensity, voltage and current. The temperature was measured using temperature sensor. The light intensity was measured using light dependent resistor (LDR) sensor. The voltage was measured using the voltage divider because the voltage generated by the solar panel are large for the Arduino as receiver. Lastly for the current was measured using the current sensor module that can sense the current generated by the solar panel. These parameters as the input value for the Arduino and the output was display at the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen. The LCD screen display output of the temperature, the light intensity, the voltage and the current value. The purpose of Arduino to convert the analog input of parameter to the digital output and display via LCD screen. Other than that, this project also involve with a design to ensure that device case are easy to be carry around.
Mercury Removal from Wastewater Using Palm Oil Fuel Ash
Authors: Mohd Salleh Imla Syafiqah , Mustazar Nor Akmalina , Yussof Hafizuddin Wan
Published: February 2018

Palm oil fuel ashes (POFA) were used as the adsorbents for the removal of Hg II) ions from wastewater. From the preliminary experimental results, it shows that the POFA had good adsorption capability for Hg (II) ions. Initially, five factors were screened using 25-1 factorial analysis in batch mode. From these factors, only two of them gave the significant effect which are contact time and agitation speed. Both also have obtained a maximum point which is likely to be the optimum point and possible for the optimization process. This study aims to optimize these two variables (contact time and agitation speed) using central composite design (CCD) which is a subset of response surface methodology (RSM). Quadratic model was developed for Hg (II) percentage removals. A 22 factorial CCD was used to get the mutual interaction between variables. The optimum adsorption conditions were obtained at contact time of 5 hr and agitation speed of 150 rpm with desirability of 0.95. At these optimum points, the mercury removal efficiency was calculated at 98.93 %. Based on the predicted and experimental results presented, the experimental values were in good agreement with the predicted values proposed by the model with an error less than 5 % and proved to be an adequate model. The results indicated that POFA has the potential to be used as an adsorbent for the removal of Hg (II) from aqueous environments due to its significant adsorption capacity and naturally abundance at low cost value.
Assessment of the Potential Occurrence of Dry Period in the Long Term for Pahang State, Malaysia
Authors: Othman Ahmad Saifuddin , Tukimat Nurul Nadrah Aqilah
Published: February 2018

The interference of climate circulation and continuous rising of surface temperature every year has caused the atmosphere composition change which gives serious impact to water resource management. Pahang is among of the affected states by El Nino that hit Malaysia in recent years which led to water depletion at several water plants. Based on the current situation, this study focuses on 1) simulate the average rain pattern using statistical downscaling; 2) identify the severity index and dry duration occurrence in the catchment area. Predicting potential changes in the climate events is important to evaluate the level of climate change in the critical region. Therefore, the integration of Statistical Downscaling Model (SDSM) and Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) have been conducted to study the potential occurrence of the dry period due to climate change for year 2020s and year 2050s. The results reveal that the dry condition is high during the mid-year. The lowest SPI value is estimated to reach -2.2 which can be classified as extreme. The potential dry period is expected to increase 2.5% and 3.3% in 2020 and 2050, respectively.
The Mediating Role of Conflict Management Styles Between Organizational Justice and Affective Commitment Among Academic Staffs in Malaysian Public Universities
Authors: Mohd Kassim Muhammad Asyraf , Safizal Abdullah Muhammad , Fitri Mansor Mohd
Published: February 2018

This study analyzes in deep the effects of two major dimensions in organizational justice such as procedural and distributive justice on affective commitment through three conflict management styles such as integrating, compromising, and avoiding styles. These relationships are analyzed in advance on the extent of academic staff in Malaysian Public Universities. Partial Least Squares of Structural equation modelling (SEM) and Statistical Package Social Science (SPSS) are utilized to determine the effect of the two variables and the mediating effect of the conflict management styles. The results exhibit that procedural and distributive justice is significantly related with integrating, and compromising styles while not significantly related to avoiding style. It also revealed that integrating and compromising styles were significant with affective commitment while avoiding style does not relate with affective commitment. In conclusion, the results also showed only integrating and compromising styles mediate the relationship between procedural and distributive justice and affective commitment.
Towards the Development of Mobile App Design Model for Dyscalculia Children in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Halim Fiqa Azureen , Mohd Ariffin Mazeyanti , K. Sugathan Savita
Published: February 2018

Learning disabilities (LD) are problem that influence the brain capacity to receive, process, analyse and store information. These processing issues can interfere with learning fundamental abilities, for example, reading (Dyslexia), writing (Dysgraphia) and math (Dyscalculia). Fortunately, in today's world technology, we have numerous option techniques for educating and supporting fundamental skills in reading, writing and math such as mobile learning by using mobile app. However, the research in mobile app design model for Dyscalculia children is still scarce: very few studies have focus on how to design and develop appropriate mobile app for Dyscalculia children from the perspective of mobile app designers and developers. The purpose of this paper is to identify the appropriate components that should be included in the mobile app model. Interview sessions were conducted with Dyscalculia practitioners that involved a teacher, paediatric and an educational psychology. This has resulted in identifying 16 components that can be included in the mobile app design model.
The Influences of Effectiveness, Competitive Advantages and Market Accessibility on SME Performance in Malaysia
Authors: Razali Razleena , Saraih Ummi Naiemah , Shaari Mohd Shahidan , Abd Rani Mohd Juraij , Abashah Aidanazima
Published: February 2018

The advent of online business has changed the pattern of doing business recently. This circumstance puts more pressure on SMEs to sustain their position in the fiercely competitive market. Unlike multinational companies, SMEs have several inevitable weaknesses in terms of planning strategy, technology exposure as well as resources that serve as a stumbling block to their better and competitive performance. Thus, online business appears to be a new medium to enhance the performance. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influences of effectiveness, competitive advantage and market accessibility on SME performance in Malaysia. This study uses cross sectional study which focuses on SMEs that are engaged in online businesses. 200 questionnaires were distributed particularly to SMEs in food and beverages (F&B); apparel and textile (A&T); and health and cosmetic (H&C) industries in Malaysia. Results indicate that market accessibility is the only variable which has an influence on entrepreneurs in online businesses within SMEs performance (β=.48, p<.01). This study can shed light on SME performance to the government. For example policy makers can enhance programs and initiatives in the SMEs Master Plan for the year 2012-2020. This study also helps the SMEs avail themselves of the online business opportunity in enhancing their performance. Therefore, the implication of market accessibility in influencing SME performance is discussed in this study.
Cost Reduction and Business Strategy Matters to Human Resource Outsourcing? A Validation by HR Experts from Government Link Companies (GLC’s).
Authors: Mansor Mohd Fitri , Abu Noor Hidayah , Abashah Aida Nazima , Mohd Kassim Muhammad Asyraf
Published: February 2018

The phenomenon of outsourcing has spawned a rich body scholarly reseach in sveral decades. However, the answer to one of the pertinent question has remained elusive: Does cost reduction and business strategy really matters to the human resource outsourcing impacts. Looking at this question it is important for the organization to embark on the practice of human resource outsourcing to save operating cost and remain competitive. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effects of cost reduction and business starategy towards human resource outsourcing impacts. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were employed and the top management in Malaysian Government Link Companies (GLC’) is the unit of analysis. The findings revelaved that, both variables are significant statistically and non statically i.e from the experts opinion. Finally, the study also provides useful directions for future research, HR Practitioners and policy maker particularly in managing and organizing human reseouce matters.