bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Rule Algorithm Sequential Pattern Discovery using Equivalent Classes (SPADE) to Analyze the Genesis Pattern of Landslides in Indonesia
Authors: Muhajir Muhammad , Efanna Berky Rian
Published: July 2017

Landslide is one of movement of soil, rock, soil creep, and rock debris that occurred the move of the slopes. It is caused by steep slopes, high rainfall, deforestation, mining activities, and erosion. The impacts of the landslide are loss of property, damage to facilities such as homes and buildings, casualties, psychological trauma, disrupted economic and environmental damage. Based on the impacts of landslide, mitigation required to take early precautions are to know how the pattern of association between the sequence of events landslides and to know how the associative relationship pattern of earthquakes. Based on the impacts, the results of this research is associative relationship pattern is obtained from data flood that occurs in Indonesia, namely in case of heavy rain will occur labile soil structure to support the value of 0.37, confidence level of 41% and the power of formed ruled is 1.02.
SLA based cloud service composition using genetic algorithm
Authors: Sasikaladevi N
Published: July 2017

Cloud computing tends to provide high quality on-demand services to the users. Numerous services are evolving today. Functionally similar services are having different non-functional properties such as reliability, availability, accessibility, response time and cost. A single service is inadequate for constructing the business process. Such business process is modeled as composite service. Composite service consists of several atomic services connected by workflow patterns. Selecting services for service composition with the constraints specified in Service Level Agreement is the NP-hard problem. Such a cloud service composition problem is modeled in this paper. Genetic based cloud service composition algorithm (GCSC) is proposed. Proposed algorithm is compared with the existing genetic based cloud service composition algorithm based on average utility rate and convergence time. It is proved that the proposed algorithm provides better performance as compared to the existing cloud service composition algorithm.
Influence of overweight and obesity on the diabetes in the world on adult people using spatial regression
Authors: Purwaningsih Tuti , Machmud Baharudin
Published: July 2017

This research discussed about the case of diabetes, overweight, and obesity which aimed to determine the factors that most affect the number of adult people with Diabetes from Obesity and Overweight in the world and looking for the best spatial model to make predictions in the next period. This research based on data WHO in 2015 from The 2016 Global Nutrition Report. At 5% level of significance for 2015, factor that influence diabetes is obesity and the most excellent spatial model used in the analysis is Spatial Error Model (SEM) that use Weight Level Order 1 and has R2 value 81.82%.
Brainwaves feature classification by applying K-Means clustering using single-sensor EEG
Authors: Azhari Ahmad , Hernandez Leonel
Published: July 2017

The use of brainwave signal is a step in the introduction of the individual identity using biometric technology based on characteristics of the body. Brainwave signal has unique characteristics and different on each individual because the brainwave cannot be read or copied by people so it is not possible to have a similarity of one person with another person. To be able to process the identification of individual characteristics, which obtained from the signal brainwave, required a pattern of brain activity that is prominent and constant. Cognitive activity testing using a single-sensor EEG (Electroencephalogram) divided into two categories, called the activity of cognitive involving the ability of the right brain (creativity, imagination, holistic thinking, intuition, arts, rhythms, nonverbal, feelings, visualization, tune of songs, daydreaming) and the left brain (logic, analysis, sequences, linear, mathematics, language, facts, think in words, word of songs, computation) give a different cluster based on two times the test on mathematical activities (no cluster slices of experiment 1 and experiment 2). The result showed that cognitive activity based on math activity can provide a signal characteristic that can be used as the basis for a brain-computer interface applications development by utilizing EEG single-sensor.
Review implementation of linguistic approach in schema matching
Authors: Martono Galih Hendro , SN Azhari
Published: July 2017

Research related schema matching has been conducted since last decade. Few approach related schema matching has been conducted with various methods such as neuron network, feature selection, constrain based, instance based, linguistic, and so on. Some field used schema matching as basic model such as e-commerce, e-business and data warehousing. Implementation of linguistic approach itself has been used a long time with various problem such as to calculated entity similarity values in two or more schemas. The purpose of this paper was to provide an overview of previous studies related to the implementation of the linguistic approach in the schema matching and finding gap for the development of existing methods. Futhermore, this paper focused on measurement of similarity in linguistic approach in schema matching.
Economic Impacts of Introducing Tolls for Heavy-Goods Vehicles
Authors: Doll Claus , Mejia-Dorantes Lucia , Vassallo Jose Manuel , Wachter Katharina
Published: July 2017

This paper focuses on the wider economic and environmental impacts of introducing or expanding road toll systems for heavy-goods vehicles in selected Spanish provinces and how these impacts compare with those of the German toll system. For this purpose, literature and statistical analyses are supported by applications of the European system dynamics model, ASTRA-EC, and stakeholder interviews. The main conclusions of this study are that positive as well as negative impacts of road pricing systems are often overestimated. Enhancing the environmental friendliness of truck fleets through differentiated tariffs and the generation of additional funds for roads and other investments are positive arguments for toll systems. However, the review of existing systems and transport model applications showed limited to negligible effects on the competitiveness of the transport sector, logistics patterns, modal shares, and wider economic impacts with the current charge levels in Germany and Spain. Some specific user groups, such as small- and medium-sized transport enterprises based in peripheral locations, would face considerable difficulties. The success of newly revised truck tolling regimes depends heavily on local conditions, the design of tariffs, the revenues spent, and active participation by stakeholders.
From the Last Mile to the Last 800 ft
Authors: Butrina Polina , Del Carmen Girón-Valderrama Gabriela , Machado-León José Luis , Goodchild Anne , Ayyalasomayajula Pramod C.
Published: July 2017

Pickup and delivery operations are an essential part of urban goods movements. However, rapid urban growth, increasing demand, and higher customer expectations have amplified the challenges of urban freight movement. In recent years, the industry has emphasized improving last-mile operations with the intent of focusing on what has been described as the last leg of the supply chain. In this paper, it is suggested that solving urban freight challenges requires an even more granular scale than the last mile, that is, the last 800 ft. The necessary operations in the last 800 ft require integration of diverse stakeholders, public and private infrastructure, and a diverse set of infrastructure users with multiple, varied objectives. That complexity has led to a gap in the needs of delivery operations and the characteristics of receiving facilities (i.e., unloading and loading facilities and pickup–drop-off locations). This paper focuses on accessibility for pickup and dropoff operations, taking a closer look at urban goods movement in the last 800 ft from the final customer. The paper presents and analyzes previously documented approaches and measures used to study the challenges at the proposed scale. Finally, it proposes a more holistic approach to address accessibility for urban pickup–delivery operations at the microscale to help develop more comprehensive urban freight transportation planning.
Red Light Running at Heterogeneous Saturated Intersections in Mumbai, India: On the Existence of Two Regimes and Causal Factors
Authors: Bhosale Mihir , Bhavathrathan B. K. , Patil Gopal R.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents an analysis of red light running (RLR) conducted at saturated intersections in the city of Mumbai, India, where the traffic is highly heterogeneous with respect to vehicle classes and driver behavior. When all vehicles are considered, almost one in 17 drivers is seen to be jumping red signals there. Unlike the RLR behavior that has been previously reported from intersections elsewhere, a peculiarity observed here is that, within a single red phase, two distinguishable segments of RLR behavior exist. The authors classified them into two regimes: Regime 1, just after the onset of red, and Regime 2, just before the onset of the next green. About one-third of RLR events occur in Regime 1 and the rest in Regime 2. The authors fit different distributions on the time distribution of RLR events. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test suggests that, at all intersections, exponential distribution fits best for RLR behaviors in Regime 1, and extreme value distribution fits for Regime 2. In addition to those two regimes, RLR at a lower rate is observed in the period between those regimes, and normal distribution fits there. To analyze the causal factors of RLR behavior in the two regimes, the authors developed models at a mesoscopic level specific to vehicle class and regime. Although the red-to-green ratio and the presence of policing prove to be relevant factors affecting RLR in both the regimes, the relative time for which the conflict area is free affects RLR in Regime 2 but not in Regime 1.
Modeling Safety Effects of Horizontal Curve Design on Injury Severity of Single-Motorcycle Crashes with Mixed-Effects Logistic Model
Authors: Xin Chunfu , Wang Zhenyu , Lee Chanyoung , Lin Pei-Sung
Published: July 2017

Horizontal curves have been of great interest to transportation researchers because of expected safety hazards for motorcyclists. The impacts of horizontal curve design on motorcycle crash injuries are not well documented in previous studies. The current study aimed to investigate and to quantify the effects of horizontal curve design and associated factors on the injury severity of single-motorcycle crashes with consideration of the issue of unobserved heterogeneity. A mixed-effects logistic model was developed on the basis of 2,168 single-motorcycle crashes, which were collected on 8,597 horizontal curves in Florida for a period of 11 years (2005 to 2015). Four normally distributed random parameters (moderate curves, reverse curves, older riders, and male riders) were identified. The modeling results showed that sharp curves (radius <1,500 ft) compared with flat curves (radius ≥4,000 ft) tended to increase significantly the probability of severe injury (fatal or incapacitating injury) by 7.7%. In total, 63.8% of single-motorcycle crashes occurring on reverse curves are more likely to result in severe injury, and the remaining 26.2% are less likely to result in severe injury. Motorcyclist safety compensation behaviors (psychologically feeling safe, and then riding aggressively, or vice versa) may result in counterintuitive effects (e.g., vegetation and paved medians, full-access-controlled roads, and pavement conditions) or random parameters (e.g., moderate curve and reverse curve). Other significant factors include lighting conditions (darkness and darkness with lights), weekends, speed or speeding, collision type, alcohol or drug impairment, rider age, and helmet use.
Short-Term Evaluation of Transition from Differential to Uniform Speed Limit for Trucks and Buses on Two-Lane Highways
Authors: Hamzeie Raha , Vafaei Bijan , Kay Jonathan J. , Savolainen Peter T. , Gates Timothy J.
Published: July 2017

As of November 2016, Montana was the only state to maintain a differential speed limit on two-lane two-way rural highways, with a daytime statutory speed limit of 70 mph for cars and light trucks and 60 mph for trucks exceeding a 1-ton payload capacity. Although differential speed limits are common on freeways, the use of differential limits on two-lane roadways presents unique safety and operational issues because of passing limitations and the resultant platooning that occurs. Given these concerns, the speed limit was changed from the differential 70 mph to 60 mph speed limit to a uniform 65 mph limit for all vehicles along 55 mi of two-lane highway in April 2013. This study evaluated the short-term operational and safety impacts associated with this transition. Given the limited time period over which data were available following the speed limit change, surrogate safety measures were investigated to provide immediate feedback as to these impacts. A series of field studies was performed on two-lane rural highways in Montana, which predominantly possessed the 70 mph to 60 mph differential speed limit, as well as on selected locations along the 55 mi where the uniform speed limit was implemented. The locations with 65 mph speed limits generally exhibited shorter platoon lengths and less high-risk passing behavior. Overall, the preliminary findings provide some general support for transitioning to a uniform 65 mph speed limit on two-lane rural highways.
Operational Evaluation of Two-Lane Roundabouts at Freeway Ramp Terminals: Comparison Between Roundabout and Signalized Interchanges
Authors: Li Zhixia , Chitturi Madhav V. , Bill Andrea R. , Noyce David A.
Published: July 2017

In the United States, roundabouts have recently been constructed to replace signalized intersections at freeway ramp terminals as both a safety and an operational treatment. In practice, this treatment is in need of guidelines specifying conditions when the roundabout or signalized intersection is more appropriate to assist practitioners in deciding which alternative to choose. In particular, research providing a comprehensive operational comparison between roundabouts and signalized interchanges is lacking. The current research—though a strictly calibrated microscopic simulation platform—analyzes and models the control delay at double-lane roundabouts and signalized interchanges. Both roundabouts and signalized interchanges were modeled in a Vissim simulation platform. Capacity at each roundabout entrance was calibrated and validated separately for passenger cars and heavy vehicles, since both vehicle types have different critical and follow-up headways. The design of the simulation experiments covered 2,880 different scenarios for roundabouts and signalized interchanges with varying ramp and arterial volumes, ramp spacing, and heavy-vehicle percentages. From the simulation results, control delay and level of service of the off-ramp and arterial approaches of roundabouts and signalized diamond interchanges were modeled and compared. Ultimately, guidelines for the selection between double-lane roundabouts and signalized interchanges were developed and presented in the form of look-up tables. These tables provide an easy-to-use tool for practitioners to determine the appropriate double-lane interchange to install under specific combinations of traffic demand, heavy-vehicle percentage, and ramp spacing conditions.
Peer-to-Peer Ridesharing with Ride-Back on High-Occupancy-Vehicle Lanes: Toward a Practical Alternative Mode for Daily Commuting
Authors: Lloret-Batlle Roger , Masoud Neda , Nam Daisik
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a matching and pricing mechanism for a peer-to-peer ridesharing system that ensures a ride-back for matched riders. This service is thus presented as an alternative to driving alone for daily commuting. The matching algorithm is formulated as a minimum-cost, maximum-flow problem that is exact and quickly solvable on polynomial time. The mechanism modeling is based on the Vickrey–Clarke–Groves (VCG) mechanism that is known to be efficient, incentive compatible, and individually rational. However, VCG runs on a budget deficit in a ridesharing setting. To address this issue, participants were classified into drivers and riders in accordance with a novel multiparameter reserve price that fixes the revenue shortage problem and makes the system financially self-sustainable but in detriment of no longer being efficient. Agents’ utility functions include cost-sharing savings and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) travel time savings. The parametric study uses origin–destination demand data from the Southern California Association of Governments, and travel times are extracted from a professional web mapping service. Results show the method has a revenue surplus over most of the reserve-price parameter space and offers high matching rates attributable to the inclusion of HOV travel time savings and reserve-price structure. The reserve prices are drawn from empirical distributions of value of time and unit distance cost.
Multimodal Trip Generation Model to Assess Travel Impacts of Urban Developments in the District of Columbia
Authors: Westrom Ryan , Dock Stephanie , Henson Jamie , Watten Mackenzie , Bakhru Anjuli , Ridgway Matthew , Ziebarth Jennifer , Prabhakar Ranjani , Ferdous Nazneen , Kilim Giri R. , Paradkar Raj
Published: July 2017

The research effort described in this paper aims to develop a state-of-the-practice methodology for estimating urban trip generation from mixed-use developments. The District Department of Transportation’s initiative focused on ( a) developing and testing a data collection methodology, ( b) collecting local data to complement the ITE’s national data in trip rate estimation, and ( c) developing a model–tool that incorporates contextual factors identified as affecting overall trip rate as well as trip rate by mode. The final model accurately predicts total person trips and mode choice. The full set of models achieves better statistical performance in relation to average model error and goodness of fit than either ITE rates alone or other existing research. The model includes sensitivity to local environment and on-site components. The model advances site-level trip generation research in two major ways: first, it calculates total person trips independent of mode choice; second, it calculates mode choice with sensitivity to the amount of parking provided on site—a major finding in the connection between parking provision and travel behavior at a local-site level. The methodology allows agencies to improve their assessment of expected trips from proposed buildings and therefore the level of impact a planned building may have on the transportation system.
Identification of Representative Patterns of Time Use Activity Through Fuzzy C-Means Clustering
Authors: Hafezi Mohammad Hesam , Liu Lei , Millward Hugh
Published: July 2017

Analysis of the time use activity patterns of urbanites will contribute greatly to the modeling of urban transportation demands by linking activity generation and activity scheduling modules in the overall activity-based modeling framework. This paper develops a framework for novel pattern recognition modeling to identify groups of individuals with homogeneous daily activity patterns. The framework consists of four modules: initialization of the total cluster number and cluster centroids, identification of individuals with homogeneous activity patterns and grouping of them into clusters, identification of sets of representative activity patterns, and exploration of interdependencies among the attributes in each identified cluster. Numerous new machine-learning techniques, such as the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm and the classification and regression tree classifier, are employed in the process of pattern recognition. The 24-h activity patterns are split into 288 intervals of 5-min duration. Each interval includes information on activity types, duration, start time, location, and travel mode, if applicable. Aggregated statistical evaluation and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests are performed to determine statistical significance of clustered data. Results show a heterogeneous diversity in eight identified clusters in relation to temporal distribution and significant differences in a variety of sociodemographic variables. The insights gained from this study include important information on activities—such as activity type, start time, duration, location, and travel distance—that are essential for the scheduling phase of the activity-based model. Finally, the results of this paper are expected to be implemented within the activity-based travel demand model for Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Finding enthymemes in real-world texts: A feasibility study
Authors: Razuvayevskaya Olesya , Teufel Simone
Published: July 2017

Enthymeme reconstruction, i.e. the task of reformulating arguments with missing propositions, is an exciting task at the borderline of text understanding and argument interpretation. However, there is some doubt in the community about the feasibility of this task due to the wide range of possible reformulations that are open to humans. We therefore believe that research on how to define an objective ground truth for these tasks is necessary before any work on the automatic reconstruction can begin.

Here, we present a feasibility study for the task of finding and expanding enthymemes involving a fortiori arguments in real-world texts, and we show that given a sufficiently strict reformulation of the human annotation task, substantial agreement can be achieved. We split the task into three sub-tasks: 1. deciding whether a candidate text span really represents an enthymematic argument, 2. classifying the type of a fortiori argument concerned and 3. describing the missing premise in natural language. In a case study involving the two authors of this paper as annotators, we test a specific type of a fortiori arguments, the let alone construction, for its suitability for reaching high agreement in all three stages of the task. We also discuss pragmatic effects of let alone and how they relate to argumentation theory.
Effects of hydroxyurea on blood rheology in sickle cell anemia: A two-years follow-up study
Authors: Lemonne Nathalie , Möckesch Berenike , Charlot Keyne , Garnier Yohann , Waltz Xavier , Lamarre Yann , Antoine-Jonville Sophie , Etienne-Julan Maryse , Hardy-Dessources Marie-Dominique , Romana Marc , Connes Philippe
Published: July 2017

The aim of the present study was to test the effects of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy on clinical, hematological and hemorheological parameters in adult patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Hematological and hemorheological parameters were measured in 28 SCA patients before HU therapy (i.e., baseline) and at 6, 12 and 24 months of treatment. RBC deformability was determined by ektacytometry at 30 Pa. RBC aggregation properties were investigated by light-backscatter method. Blood viscosity was measured at 225 s–1 by a cone-plate viscometer. The rates of vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome were lower at 1 and 2 years of HU therapy compared to baseline. The proportion of patients with leg ulcers tended to decrease after 2 years of treatment. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation improved with HU therapy. HU therapy induced a decrease of platelet and white blood cell counts and a rise in fetal hemoglobin level and mean cell volume. While hemoglobin concentrations increased under HU, blood viscosity remained unchanged all along the study. RBC deformability increased over baseline values at 6 months of HU therapy and continued to rise until the end of the follow-up period. In conclusion, the improvement in RBC deformability probably compensates the increase of hemoglobin on blood viscosity and participates to the improvement of the clinical status of patients.
Valorizing omics visualization for discovery
Authors: Chichester Christine
Published: July 2017

Scientists from diverse backgrounds are joining the field of data science. This leads to advances in data science being actualized in the context of many different domains. Conclusions from datasets using innovative algorithms are obvious aspects but advances in data science can take on many different forms such as new methods for data interpretation, new data integration and processing technologies, or as will be the topic of this editorial, data visualization techniques. The parity and complementary relationship between techniques from all domains provide ways to improve discovery although quantifying the contributions to discovery process from each technique can be elusive. The experiences described here come from visualizing life science multi-omics data, but most of the remarks can be associated with visualization methods in general. From the perspective that visualization serves as an important method for shaping data science interpretations, this paper sets out: 1) some of the necessary requirements for visualization tools due to the nature of multi-omics datasets and, 2) some of the difficulties encountered in creating and valorizing new visualization implementations for scientific discovery.
Impact of genetically improved fish species and technology on selected hatchery and fish production in Bangladesh
Authors: Islam MS , Kohinoor AHM , Rahman MM , Haque MM
Published: July 2017

The study was carried out in IAPP commanding areas from July to September 2015. A total of 8 hatchery and 240 farmers were selected for this study from Rangpur and Barisal region. About 153% Tilapia production increased which was from 34 to 86 lakh, which was 148% in Rangpur district. Thai koi production was increased about 320% in Rangpur and it was 152% in Barisal. It was observed that, per hatchery Tilapia profit was Tk. 17.35 lakh and Tk. 17.18 lakh in Rangpur and Barisal, respectively. While, total profit was 3.9 times more for Thai koi in Rangpur and it was about 1.7 times more in Barisal after IAPP-BFRI project implementation. Impact of improved germplasm on grow out system was estimated. Finding shows that before IAPP-BFRI project the average harvesting weight of tilapia fish was 122g but after using IAPP-BFRI germplasm, it increased to 194g in Rangpur district. In case of Thai Koi, the harvesting weight gain was 26% in Rangpur district and it was statistically significant at 1% level. Survey results also show that per acre profit was only Tk.86671 for Tilapia farming before IAPP whereas it was increased to Tk. 234853 after IAPP-BFRI intervention. At the same time, profit from Thai Koi was increased about 189% after IAPPBFRI activities. Similarly, profit was increased about 86% in case of Pangus farming and this positive impact was statistically significant at 1% level. Therefore, it may conclude that, farmers can significantly increase Tilapia, Thai Koi and Pangus production as well as can maximize profit using IAPP technology.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (1): 58-63, June, 2017
Kinetic Theory beyond the Stosszahlansatz
Authors: Chliamovitch Gregor , Malaspinas Orestis , Chopard Bastien
Published: July 2017

In a recent paper (Chliamovitch, et al., 2015), we suggested using the principle of maximum entropy to generalize Boltzmann’s Stosszahlansatz to higher-order distribution functions. This conceptual shift of focus allowed us to derive an analog of the Boltzmann equation for the two-particle distribution function. While we only briefly mentioned there the possibility of a hydrodynamical treatment, we complete here a crucial step towards this program. We discuss bilocal collisional invariants, from which we deduce the two-particle stationary distribution. This allows for the existence of equilibrium states in which the momenta of particles are correlated, as well as for the existence of a fourth conserved quantity besides mass, momentum and kinetic energy.
Parametric Investigation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics of the HVAC Air Distribution in a Railway Vehicle for Representative Weather and Operating Conditions
Authors: Suárez Christian , Iranzo Alfredo , Salva José , Tapia Elvira , Barea Gonzalo , Guerra José
Published: July 2017

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of air distribution in a representative railway vehicle equipped with a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system is presented in this paper. Air distribution in the passenger’s compartment is a very important factor to regulate temperature and air velocity in order to achieve thermal comfort. A complete CFD model, including the car’s geometry in detail, the passengers, the luminaires, and other the important features related to the HVAC system (air supply inlets, exhaust outlets, convectors, etc.) are developed to investigate eight different typical scenarios for Northern Europe climate conditions. The results, analyzed and discussed in terms of temperature and velocity fields in different sections of the tram, and also in terms of volumetric parameters representative of the whole tram volume, show an adequate behavior from the passengers’ comfort point of view, especially for summer climate conditions.
Heat Transfer Fluid Temperature Control in a Thermoelectric Solar Power Plant
Authors: Barcia Lourdes , Peon Rogelio , Díaz Juan , Pernía A.M. , Martínez Juan
Published: July 2017

Thermoelectric solar plants transform solar energy into electricity. Unlike photovoltaic plants, the sun’s energy heats a fluid (heat transfer fluid (HTF)) and this, in turn, exchanges its energy, generating steam. Finally, the steam generates electricity in a Rankine cycle. One of the main advantages of this double conversion (sun energy to heat in the HTF-Rankine cycle) is the fact that it facilitates energy storage without using batteries. It is possible to store the heat energy in melted salts in such a way that this energy will be recovered when necessary, i.e., during the night. These molten salts are stored in containers in a liquid state at high temperature. The HTF comes into the solar field at a given temperature and increases its energy thanks to the solar collectors. In order to optimize the sun to HTF energy transference, it is necessary to keep an adequate temperature control of the fluid at the output of the solar fields. This paper describes three different algorithms to control the HTF output temperature.
Automatic Faulted Feeder Section Location and Isolation Method for Power Distribution Systems Considering the Change of Topology
Authors: Sun Kongming , Chen Qing , Zhao Pu
Published: July 2017

The increasing use of modern measuring devices, such as Feeder Terminal Units (FTUs), on power networks can provide multiple types of information for fault location on distribution systems. Using these devices, in this paper, a novel automatic matrix-based algorithm for the identification and isolation of faulted feeder sections on distribution systems is proposed. The algorithm works in two stages: the first stage automatically identifies the radial feeders that make up the whole system and represents the feeders’ topology in matrix form; and the second stage automatically identifies the faulted section of the identified feeder and opens the relevant switches to isolate it. The algorithm can be applied to single and multiple faults, as it operates using measuring device information and detecting the status of switch devices. It does not require any electrical parameters and it is not affected by the fault type or fault resistance. The algorithm was thoroughly tested using a large distribution system and was found to efficiently identify and isolate the faulted feeder section in each case.
A Polar Fuzzy Control Scheme for Hybrid Power System Using Vehicle-To-Grid Technique
Authors: Lotfy Mohammed , Senjyu Tomonobu , Farahat Mohammed , Abdel-Gawad Amal , Matayoshi Hidehito
Published: July 2017

A novel polar fuzzy (PF) control approach for a hybrid power system is proposed in this research. The proposed control scheme remedies the issues of system frequency and the continuity of demand supply caused by renewable sources’ uncertainties. The hybrid power system consists of a wind turbine generator (WTG), solar photovoltaics (PV), a solar thermal power generator (STPG), a diesel engine generator (DEG), an aqua-electrolyzer (AE), an ultra-capacitor (UC), a fuel-cell (FC), and a flywheel (FW). Furthermore, due to the high cost of the battery energy storage system (BESS), a new idea of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) control is applied to use the battery of the electric vehicle (EV) as equivalent to large-scale energy storage units instead of small batteries to improve the frequency stability of the system. In addition, EV customers’ convenience is taken into account. A minimal-order observer is used to estimate the supply error. Then, the area control error (ACE) signal is calculated in terms of the estimated supply error and the frequency deviation. ACE is considered in the frequency domain. Two PF approaches are utilized in the intended system. The mission of each controller is to mitigate one frequency component of ACE. The responsibility for ACE compensation is shared among all parts of the system according to their speed of response. The performance of the proposed control scheme is compared to the conventional fuzzy logic control (FLC). The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed control technique are verified by numerical simulations under various scenarios.
Which Derivative?
Authors: Ortigueira Manuel , Machado José
Published: July 2017

The actual state of interplay between Fractional Calculus, Signal Processing, and Applied Sciences is discussed in this paper. A framework for compatible integer and fractional derivatives/integrals in signals and systems context is described. It is shown how suitable fractional formulations are really extensions of the integer order definitions currently used in Signal Processing. The particular case of fractional linear systems is considered and the problem of initial conditions is tackled.
Health Inequities among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in North Carolina, 2011–2014
Authors: Barnhill Melissa , Lee Joseph , Rafferty Ann
Published: July 2017

Inequalities in health have been identified for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) populations nationally. Policies in the U.S. South offer fewer protections for LGB people than in other regions, yet, limited data exist for this region. North Carolina (NC) BRFSS data from 2011 to 2014 were combined (LGB n = 604; heterosexual n = 33,170) and analyzed using SAS survey procedures to estimate health characteristics by sexual orientation within gender. Many examined indicators were not different by sexual orientation, however, other results were significant and consistent with findings from state population surveys in other regions of the country. Both genders showed inequities in mental health, having over twice the odds of five or more poor mental health days in the past month and of having ever been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Sexual minority women had higher odds compared with heterosexual women for ever having smoked cigarettes, current smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke both in the workplace and at home, and both alcohol risk factors, binge and heavy drinking. Being part of the LGB population in NC is associated with worse health. The implementation of anti-LGB policies in the NC warrants ongoing monitoring of LGB health inequities in NC and in other southeastern states for potential effects on the health and well-being of sexual minorities.
Roles of Wnt Target Genes in the Journey of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Kim Jee-Heun , Park So-Yeon , Jun Youngsoo , Kim Ji-Young , Nam Jeong-Seok
Published: July 2017

The importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been acknowledged; however, the mechanism through which it regulates the biological function of CSCs and promotes cancer progression remains elusive. Hence, to understand the intricate mechanism by which Wnt controls stemness, the specific downstream target genes of Wnt were established by analyzing the genetic signatures of multiple types of metastatic cancers based on gene set enrichment. By focusing on the molecular function of Wnt target genes, the biological roles of Wnt were interpreted in terms of CSC dynamics from initiation to metastasis. Wnt signaling participates in cancer initiation by generating CSCs from normal stem cells or non-CSCs and augmenting persistent growth at the primary region, which is resistant to anti-cancer therapy. Moreover, it assists CSCs in invading nearby tissues and in entering the blood stream, during which the negative feedback of the Wnt signaling pathway maintains CSCs in a dormant state that is suitable for survival. When CSCs arrive at distant organs, another burst of Wnt signaling induces CSCs to succeed in re-initiation and colonization. This comprehensive understanding of Wnt target genes provides a plausible explanation for how Wnt allows CSCs variation during cancer progression.
Unusual Antioxidant Properties of 26S Proteasome Isolated from Cold-Adapted Organisms
Authors: Gogliettino Marta , Cocca Ennio , Fusco Carmela , Agrillo Bruna , Riccio Alessia , Balestrieri Marco , Facchiano Angelo , Pepe Antonio , Palmieri Gianna
Published: July 2017

The oxidative challenge represents an important factor affecting the adaptive strategies in Antarctic fish, but their impact on the protein degradation machinery still remains unclear. The previous analysis of the first 26S proteasome from the Antarctic red-blooded fish Trematomus bernacchii, evidenced improved antioxidant functions necessary to counteract the environmental pro-oxidant conditions. The purpose of this work was to carry out a study on 26S proteasomes from the temperate red-blooded Dicenthrarcus labrax and the icefish Chionodraco hamatus in comparison with the isoform already described from T. bernacchii, to better elucidate the cold-adapted physiological functions of this complex. Therefore, the 26S isoforms were isolated and the complementary DNAs (cDNAs) codifying the catalytic subunits were cloned. The biochemical characterization of Antarctic 26S proteasomes revealed their significantly higher structural stability and resistance to H2O2 with respect to that of the temperate counterpart, as also suggested by a comparative modeling analysis of the catalytic subunits. Moreover, in contrast to that observed in T. bernacchii, the 26S systems from C. hamatus and D. labrax were incapable to hydrolyze oxidized proteins in a ubiquitin-independent manner. Therefore, the ‘uncommon’ properties displayed by the Antarctic 26S proteasomes can mirror the impact exercised by evolutionary pressure in response to richly oxygenated environments.
The Role of Epigenetic Regulation in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Gastric Cancer
Authors: Nishikawa Jun , Iizasa Hisashi , Yoshiyama Hironori , Nakamura Munetaka , Saito Mari , Sasaki Sho , Shimokuri Kanami , Yanagihara Masashi , Sakai Kouhei , Suehiro Yutaka , Yamasaki Takahiro , Sakaida Isao
Published: July 2017

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is detected in about 10% of gastric carcinoma cases throughout the world. In EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC), all tumor cells harbor the clonal EBV genome. The expression of latent EBV genes is strictly regulated through the methylation of EBV DNA. The methylation of viral DNA regulates the type of EBV latency, and methylation of the tumor suppressor genes is a key abnormality in EBVaGC. The methylation frequencies of several tumor suppressor genes and cell adhesion molecules are significantly higher in EBVaGC than in control cases. EBV-derived microRNAs repress translation from viral and host mRNAs. EBV regulates the expression of non-coding RNA in gastric carcinoma. With regard to the clinical application of demethylating agents against EBVaGC, we investigated the effects of decitabine against the EBVaGC cell lines. Decitabine inhibited the cell growth of EBVaGC cells. The promoter regions of p73 and Runt-related transcription factor 3(RUNX3) were demethylated, and their expression was upregulated by the treatment. We review the role of epigenetic regulation in the development and maintenance of EBVaGC and discuss the therapeutic application of DNA demethylating agents for EBVaGC.
Design for Additive Bio-Manufacturing: From Patient-Specific Medical Devices to Rationally Designed Meta-Biomaterials
Authors: Zadpoor Amir
Published: July 2017

Recent advances in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques in terms of accuracy, reliability, the range of processable materials, and commercial availability have made them promising candidates for production of functional parts including those used in the biomedical industry. The complexity-for-free feature offered by AM means that very complex designs become feasible to manufacture, while batch-size-indifference enables fabrication of fully patient-specific medical devices. Design for AM (DfAM) approaches aim to fully utilize those features for development of medical devices with substantially enhanced performance and biomaterials with unprecedented combinations of favorable properties that originate from complex geometrical designs at the micro-scale. This paper reviews the most important approaches in DfAM particularly those applicable to additive bio-manufacturing including image-based design pipelines, parametric and non-parametric designs, metamaterials, rational and computationally enabled design, topology optimization, and bio-inspired design. Areas with limited research have been identified and suggestions have been made for future research. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the practical aspects of DfAM and the potential of combining AM with subtractive and formative manufacturing processes in so-called hybrid manufacturing processes.
Expression of Serum Exosomal and Esophageal MicroRNA in Rat Reflux Esophagitis
Authors: Uemura Risa , Murakami Yoshiki , Hashimoto Atsushi , Sawada Akinari , Otani Koji , Taira Koichi , Hosomi Shuhei , Nagami Yasuaki , Tanaka Fumio , Kamata Noriko , Yamagami Hirokazu , Tanigawa Tetsuya , Watanabe Toshio , Taguchi Y-h , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: July 2017

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disease. However, the role of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and esophageal miRNAs in GERD has not been studied. A rat model of acid reflux esophagitis was used to establish a novel diagnosis marker for GERD and examine dynamics of miRNA expression in GERD. Rats were sacrificed 3 (acute phase), 7 (sub-acute phase) and 21 days (chronic phase) after induction of esophagitis. Exosomes were extracted from serum, and the expression patterns of serum miRNAs were analyzed. Four upregulated miRNAs (miR-29a-3p, 128-3p, 223-3p and 3473) were identified by microarray analysis. The expression levels of exosomal miR-29a-3p were significantly higher in the chronic phase of reflux esophagitis compared with controls, and increased expression of miR-29a-3p was specific to chronic reflux esophagitis. Esophageal miR-223-3p expression was higher compared with controls, and gradually decreased from acute to chronic phase in esophagitis. In conclusion, exosomal miR-29a-3p and esophageal miR-223-3p might play roles in GERD.
Lactacystin-Induced Model of Hypertension in Rats: Effects of Melatonin and Captopril
Authors: Simko Fedor , Pechanova Olga , Repova Kristina , Aziriova Silvia , Krajcirovicova Kristina , Celec Peter , Tothova Lubomira , Vrankova Stanislava , Balazova Lucia , Zorad Stefan , Adamcova Michaela
Published: July 2017

Lactacystin is a proteasome inhibitor that interferes with several factors involved in heart remodelling. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the chronic administration of lactacystin induces hypertension and heart remodelling and whether these changes can be modified by captopril or melatonin. In addition, the lactacystin-model was compared with NG-nitro-l-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME)- and continuous light-induced hypertension. Six groups of three-month-old male Wistar rats (11 per group) were treated for six weeks as follows: control (vehicle), L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day), continuous light (24 h/day), lactacystin (5 mg/kg/day) alone, and lactacystin with captopril (100 mg/kg/day), or melatonin (10 mg/kg/day). Lactacystin treatment increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and induced fibrosis of the left ventricle (LV), as observed in L-NAME-hypertension and continuous light-hypertension. LV weight and the cross-sectional area of the aorta were increased only in L-NAME-induced hypertension. The level of oxidative load was preserved or reduced in all three models of hypertension. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the LV and kidney was unchanged in the lactacystin group. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) protein expression in the LV was increased in all treated groups in the cytoplasm, however, in neither group in the nucleus. Although melatonin had no effect on SBP, only this indolamine (but not captopril) reduced the concentration of insoluble and total collagen in the LV and stimulated the NO-pathway in the lactacystin group. We conclude that chronic administration of lactacystin represents a novel model of hypertension with collagenous rebuilding of the LV, convenient for testing antihypertensive drugs or agents exerting a cardiovascular benefit beyond blood pressure reduction.
Statins, Muscle Disease and Mitochondria
Authors: Ramachandran Radha , Wierzbicki Anthony
Published: July 2017

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for >17 million deaths globally every year, and this figure is predicted to rise to >23 million by 2030. Numerous studies have explored the relationship between cholesterol and CVD and there is now consensus that dyslipidaemia is a causal factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Statins have become the cornerstone of the management of dyslipidaemia. Statins have proved to have a very good safety profile. The risk of adverse events is small compared to the benefits. Nevertheless, the potential risk of an adverse event occurring must be considered when prescribing and monitoring statin therapy to individual patients. Statin-associated muscle disease (SAMS) is by far the most studied and the most common reason for discontinuation of therapy. The reported incidence varies greatly, ranging between 5% and 29%. Milder disease is common and the more serious form, rhabdomyolysis is far rarer with an incidence of approximately 1 in 10,000. The pathophysiology of, and mechanisms leading to SAMS, are yet to be fully understood. Literature points towards statin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction as the most likely cause of SAMS. However, the exact processes leading to mitochondrial dysfunction are not yet fully understood. This paper details some of the different aetiological hypotheses put forward, focussing particularly on those related to mitochondrial dysfunction.