bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enforcement Evasion Highlights Need for Better Satellite‐Based Forest Governance
Authors: Richards Peter , Cohn Avery S. , Arima Eugenio , VanWey Leah , Bhattarai Nishan
Published: May 2017

Our recent article, “Are Brazil's Deforesters Avoiding Detection?” demonstrated that focusing illegal deforestation enforcement on the subset of forest monitored by the flagship PRODES system has caused PRODES to capture a declining share of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Deforesters may be purposively seeking out forests not monitored for enforcement. Addressing the problem would help Brazil maintain a cutting‐edge forest governance model worthy of transfer to other nations. Two commentaries questioned our decision to investigate solely PRODES and not additional government monitoring systems. We focused on PRODES because it is the most salient deforestation monitoring system. Other key deforestation monitoring systems are all either limited to the same monitoring footprint as PRODES, not used for enforcement, or are rarely used for measuring forest loss in the Brazilian Amazon. We do agree with the commentaries that Brazil's new satellite monitoring protocol for greenhouse gas emissions estimation is critical progress of the type we were advocating in our original article.
Silver fir and Douglas fir are more tolerant to extreme droughts than Norway spruce in south‐western Germany
Authors: Vitali Valentina , Büntgen Ulf , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: May 2017

Improving our understanding of the potential of forest adaptation is an urgent task in the light of predicted climate change. Long‐term alternatives for susceptible yet economically important tree species such as Norway spruce (Picea abies) are required, if the frequency and intensity of summer droughts will continue to increase. Although Silver fir (Abies alba) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) have both been described as drought‐tolerant species, our understanding of their growth responses to drought extremes is still limited. Here, we use a dendroecological approach to assess the resistance, resilience, and recovery of these important central Europe to conifer species the exceptional droughts in 1976 and 2003. A total of 270 trees per species were sampled in 18 managed mixed‐species stands along an altitudinal gradient (400–1200 m a.s.l.) at the western slopes of the southern and central Black Forest in southwest Germany. While radial growth in all species responded similarly to the 1976 drought, Norway spruce was least resistant and resilient to the 2003 summer drought. Silver fir showed the overall highest resistance to drought, similarly to Douglas fir, which exhibited the widest growth rings. Silver fir trees from lower elevations were more drought prone than trees at higher elevations. Douglas fir and Norway spruce, however, revealed lower drought resilience at higher altitudes. Although the 1976 and 2003 drought extremes were quite different, Douglas fir maintained consistently the highest radial growth. Although our study did not examine population‐level responses, it clearly indicates that Silver fir and Douglas fir are generally more resistant and resilient to previous drought extremes and are therefore suitable alternatives to Norway spruce; Silver fir more so at higher altitudes. Cultivating these species instead of Norway spruce will contribute to maintaining a high level of productivity across many Central European mountain forests under future climate change.
Infants' Understanding of Preferences When Agents Make Inconsistent Choices
Authors: Luo Yuyan , Hennefield Laura , Mou Yi , vanMarle Kristy , Markson Lori
Published: May 2017

This study showed that 8.5‐month‐old infants seemed to consider the consistency of an agent's choices in attributing preferences to her. When the agent consistently chose one object over another, three or four times consecutively, infants acted as if they had interpreted her actions as evidence for her preference. In contrast, when the agent inconsistently chose between the two objects, at the ratio of 1:3, infants did not seem to interpret her actions as suggesting her preference. Converging evidence was obtained from infants' responses across a looking‐time task and an action task. The results are discussed in terms of how infants might use frequencies of agents' actions directed toward different objects to understand agents' preferences.
Wage Divergence, Business Cycle Co‐Movement and the Currency Union Effect
Authors: Gächter Martin , Gruber Alexander , Riedl Aleksandra
Published: May 2017

This paper studies the impact of wage growth divergence on business cycle co‐movement in the context of currency unions. While the theoretical literature on optimum currency areas highlights the equilibrating effect of divergent wage growth after asymmetric exogenous demand shocks via the external demand channel, recent literature on euro area imbalances emphasizes its dis‐equilibrating effect as a source of asymmetric domestic demand shocks, and therefore suggests a negative link to business cycle co‐movement. Our empirical results reveal that the latter effect has been clearly dominating in the euro area: Wage growth differentials across countries – while of minor importance for non‐euro area EU countries with sovereign currencies – significantly reduce business cycle co‐movement within the monetary union and thus increase the cost of the common monetary policy. The large magnitude of the effect calls for enhanced co‐ordination efforts of wage policies in the euro area.
Detection methods of Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 infection in silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) via a pORF72 monoclonal antibody
Authors: Kong S Y , Jiang Y S , Wang Q , Lu J F , Xu D , Lu L Q
Published: May 2017

Cyprinid herpesvirus 2 (CyHV‐2) is the main pathogen responsible for causing haematopoietic necrosis disease in Carassius auratus gibelio. Although many nucleic acid‐based diagnostic methods have been applied, no stable and sensitive immunological diagnostic approaches have been reported. In this study, to detect CyHV‐2 in clinical samples using immunological methods, recombinant ORF72 protein (pORF72), encoded by the CyHV‐2 ORF72 gene, was used as a capture antigen to identify blood and tissues infected with CyHV‐2. First, ORF72 gene was amplified from the CyHV‐2 genome and cloned into a PGEX‐4t‐3 expression vector to produce pORF72 in Escherichia coli. The purified pORF72 was used as an immunogen to prepare monoclonal antibodies. The Western blotting assays revealed that the monoclonal antibody could specifically identify the pORF72. Furthermore, an immunohistochemical protocol and a blood smear method were established to detect CyHV‐2 in carps. The results indicate that the monoclonal antibody against pORF72 could be utilized as an effective detection tool for haematopoietic necrosis disease in Carassius auratus gibelio.
High C‐Reactive Protein Predicts Delirium Incidence, Duration, and Feature Severity After Major Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Vasunilashorn Sarinnapha M. , Dillon Simon T. , Inouye Sharon K. , Ngo Long H. , Fong Tamara G. , Jones Richard N. , Travison Thomas G. , Schmitt Eva M. , Alsop David C. , Freedman Steven D. , Arnold Steven E. , Metzger Eran D. , Libermann Towia A. , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: May 2017

Objectives

To examine associations between the inflammatory marker C‐reactive protein (CRP) measured preoperatively and on postoperative day 2 (POD2) and delirium incidence, duration, and feature severity.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Two academic medical centers.

Participants

Adults aged 70 and older undergoing major noncardiac surgery (N = 560).

Measurements

Plasma CRP was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Delirium was assessed from Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) interviews and chart review. Delirium duration was measured according to number of hospital days with delirium. Delirium feature severity was defined as the sum of CAM‐Severity (CAM‐S) scores on all postoperative hospital days. Generalized linear models were used to examine independent associations between CRP (preoperatively and POD2 separately) and delirium incidence, duration, and feature severity; prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS, >5 days); and discharge disposition.

Results

Postoperative delirium occurred in 24% of participants, 12% had 2 or more delirium days, and the mean ± standard deviation sum CAM‐S was 9.3 ± 11.4. After adjusting for age, sex, surgery type, anesthesia route, medical comorbidities, and postoperative infectious complications, participants with preoperative CRP of 3 mg/L or greater had a risk of delirium that was 1.5 times as great (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–2.1) as that of those with CRP less than 3 mg/L, 0.4 more delirium days (P < .001), more‐severe delirium (3.6 CAM‐S points higher, P < .001), and a risk of prolonged LOS that was 1.4 times as great (95% CI = 1.1–1.8). Using POD2 CRP, participants in the highest quartile (≥235.73 mg/L) were 1.5 times as likely to develop delirium (95% CI = 1.0–2.4) as those in the lowest quartile (≤127.53 mg/L), had 0.2 more delirium days (P < .05), and had more severe delirium (4.5 CAM‐S points higher, P < .001).

Conclusion

High preoperative and POD2 CRP were independently associated with delirium incidence, duration, and feature severity. CRP may be useful to identify individuals who are at risk of developing delirium.
Improved sampling and analysis of images in corneal confocal microscopy
Authors: SCHALDEMOSE E.L. , FONTAIN F.I. , KARLSSON P. , NYENGAARD J.R.
Published: May 2017

Introduction: Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) is a noninvasive clinical method to analyse and quantify corneal nerve fibres in vivo. Although the CCM technique is in constant progress, there are methodological limitations in terms of sampling of images and objectivity of the nerve quantification. The aim of this study was to present a randomized sampling method of the CCM images and to develop an adjusted area‐dependent image analysis. Furthermore, a manual nerve fibre analysis method was compared to a fully automated method.

Methods: 23 idiopathic small‐fibre neuropathy patients were investigated using CCM. Corneal nerve fibre length density (CNFL) and corneal nerve fibre branch density (CNBD) were determined in both a manual and automatic manner. Differences in CNFL and CNBD between (1) the randomized and the most common sampling method, (2) the adjusted and the unadjusted area and (3) the manual and automated quantification method were investigated.

Results: The CNFL values were significantly lower when using the randomized sampling method compared to the most common method (p = 0.01). There was not a statistical significant difference in the CNBD values between the randomized and the most common sampling method (p = 0.85). CNFL and CNBD values were increased when using the adjusted area compared to the standard area. Additionally, the study found a significant increase in the CNFL and CNBD values when using the manual method compared to the automatic method (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant difference in the CNFL values between the randomized and common sampling method indicating the importance of clear guidelines for the image sampling. The increase in CNFL and CNBD values when using the adjusted cornea area is not surprising. The observed increases in both CNFL and CNBD values when using the manual method of nerve quantification compared to the automatic method are consistent with earlier findings. This study underlines the importance of improving the analysis of the CCM images in order to obtain more objective corneal nerve fibre measurements.
Balancing the autonomic nervous system to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Koopman F. A. , van Maanen M. A. , Vervoordeldonk M. J. , Tak P. P.
Published: May 2017

Imbalance in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been observed in many established chronic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a prototypic immune‐mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). We recently discovered that autonomic dysfunction precedes and predicts arthritis development in subjects at risk of developing seropositive RA. In addition, RA patients with relatively high vagus nerve tone (higher parasympathetic parameters, measured by heart rate variability) respond better to antirheumatic therapies. Together, these data suggest that the ANS may control inflammation in humans. This notion is supported by experimental studies in animal models of RA. We have found that stimulation of the so‐called cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway by efferent electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) or pharmacological activation of the alpha7 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR) improves clinical signs and symptoms of arthritis, reduces cytokine production and protects against progressive joint destruction. Conversely, increased arthritis activity was observed in alpha7nAChR knockout mice. These studies together with previous work in animal models of sepsis and other forms of inflammation provided the rationale for an experimental clinical trial in patients with RA. We could for the first time show that an implantable vagus nerve stimulator inhibits peripheral blood cytokine production in humans. VNS significantly inhibited TNF and IL‐6 production and improved RA disease severity, even in some patients with therapy‐resistant disease. This work strongly supports further studies using a bioelectronic approach to treat RA and other IMIDs.
Validation of a French version of the Sleep Condition Indicator: a clinical screening tool for insomnia disorder according to DSM‐5 criteria
Authors: Bayard Sophie , Lebrun Cindy , Maudarbocus Khaalid Hassan , Schellaert Vanessa , Joffre Alicia , Ferrante Esther , Le Louedec Marie , Cournoulat Alice , Gely‐Nargeot Marie‐Christine , Luik Annemarie I.
Published: May 2017

Insomnia disorder is frequent in the population, yet there is no French screening instrument available that is based on the updated DSM‐5 criteria. We evaluated the validity and reliability of the French version of an insomnia screening instrument based on DSM‐5 criteria, the Sleep Condition Indicator, in a population‐based sample of adults. A total of 366 community‐dwelling participants completed a face‐to‐face clinical interview to determine insomnia disorder against DSM‐5 criteria and several questionnaires including the French Sleep Condition Indicator version. Three‐hundred and twenty‐nine participants completed the Sleep Condition Indicator again after 1 month. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the reliability, construct validity, divergent validity and temporal stability of the French translation of the Sleep Condition Indicator. In addition, an explanatory factor analysis was performed to assess the underlying structure. The internal consistency (α = 0.87) and temporal stability (r = 0.86, P < 0.001) of the French Sleep Condition Indicator were high. When using the previously defined cut‐off value of ≤ 16, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93 with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 75%. Additionally, good construct and divergent validity were demonstrated. The factor analyses showed a two‐factor structure with a focus on sleep and daytime effects. The French version of the Sleep Condition Indicator demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties while being a useful instrument in detecting cases of insomnia disorder, consistent with features of DSM‐5, in the general population.
Night‐to‐night variability of obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Stöberl Anna S. , Schwarz Esther I. , Haile Sarah R. , Turnbull Christopher D. , Rossi Valentina A. , Stradling John R. , Kohler Malcolm
Published: May 2017

One night of a sleep study is the standard for diagnosis and exclusion of obstructive sleep apnea. Single testing requires high sensitivity of the test method and a stable disease of interest to warrant a low rate of false‐negative tests. Obstructive sleep apnea is diagnosed and graded by conventional thresholds of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep, and treatment is usually initiated in the presence of symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess night‐to‐night variability of obstructive sleep apnea to reassess the current practice. Seventy‐seven patients previously diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, randomised to continuous positive airway pressure withdrawal within four trials, performed nightly pulse‐oximetry over 2 weeks while off continuous positive airway pressure. The main outcome of interest was the coefficient of variation of the oxygen desaturation index marking night‐to‐night variability in obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea was categorised according to conventional thresholds using oxygen desaturation index (no obstructive sleep apnea: <5 per h; mild: 5–15 per h; moderate: 15–30 per h; and severe: >30 per h). High night‐to‐night variability of obstructive sleep apnea was evidenced by a coefficient of variation of oxygen desaturation index of 31.1% (SD 16.5). Differences in oxygen desaturation index of >10 per h between nights were found in 84.4% and shifts in obstructive sleep apnea severity category in 77.9% of patients. The probability of missing moderate obstructive sleep apnea was up to 60%. Variability was higher in less severe obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea shows a considerable night‐to‐night variability. Single‐night diagnostic sleep studies are prone to miscategorise obstructive sleep apnea if arbitrary thresholds are used. Thus, treatment decisions should be based less on the conventional derivatives from sleep studies, especially in patients with less severe obstructive sleep apnea. Clinical trial registration: www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN 93153804, ISRCTN 73047833) and www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01332175 & NCT02050425).
Non‐shivering thermogenesis as a mechanism to facilitate sustainable weight loss
Authors: Palmer B. F. , Clegg D. J.
Published: May 2017

Currently, there is a significant percentage of the population who are or will be classified as obese, necessitating novel strategies to facilitate sustainable weight loss. Reductions in basal metabolic rate occur in the face of weight loss and pose formidable barriers to individuals attempting to sustain meaningful weight reductions. Here, we discuss the mechanisms by which non‐shivering thermogenesis may provide insight into metabolic pathways that can become druggable targets to facilitate sustainable weight loss. Specifically, we highlight the fact that non‐shivering thermogenesis results in activation and expansion of brown and beige adipose tissues as well as activates pathways in skeletal muscle which increase metabolic flux and activity of muscle fibres through futile calcium cycling across the endoplasmic reticulum all facilitating an increase in metabolism. Finally, we highlight the fact there are sexual dimorphisms with respect to these metabolic processes in keeping with the National Institutes of Health mandate of treating sex as a biologic variable.
Seasonal variability of the parameters of the Ball–Berry model of stomatal conductance in maize (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under well‐watered and water‐stressed conditions
Authors: Miner Grace L. , Bauerle William L.
Published: May 2017

The Ball–Berry (BB) model of stomatal conductance (gs) is frequently coupled with a model of assimilation to estimate water and carbon exchanges in plant canopies. The empirical slope (m) and ‘residual’ gs (g0) parameters of the BB model influence transpiration estimates, but the time‐intensive nature of measurement limits species‐specific data on seasonal and stress responses. We measured m and g0 seasonally and under different water availability for maize and sunflower. The statistical method used to estimate parameters impacted values nominally when inter‐plant variability was low, but had substantial impact with larger inter‐plant variability. Values for maize (m = 4.53 ± 0.65; g0 = 0.017 ± 0.016 mol m−2 s−1) were 40% higher than other published values. In maize, we found no seasonal changes in m or g0, supporting the use of constant seasonal values, but water stress reduced both parameters. In sunflower, inter‐plant variability of m and g0 was large (m = 8.84 ± 3.77; g0 = 0.354 ± 0.226 mol m−2 s−1), presenting a challenge to clear interpretation of seasonal and water stress responses – m values were stable seasonally, even as g0 values trended downward, and m values trended downward with water stress while g0 values declined substantially.
Chemical and physical characteristics of carrageenan extracted from Eucheuma spinosum harvested from three different Indonesian coastal sea regions
Authors: Diharmi Andarini , Fardiaz Dedi , Andarwulan Nuri , Heruwati Endang S.
Published: May 2017

Carrageenan extracted from Eucheuma spinosum harvested from three different coastal sea regions, where this alga has been mainly cultivated, were determined for their chemical and physical characteristics. The carrageenan was extracted from the seaweed using hot alkali followed by precipitation, drying, and milling. The carrageenan properties were determined in terms of yield, ash, mineral, sulfate content, functional group, molecular weight, and viscosity profile. Physical characteristics of carrageenan were evaluated by a texture analyzer for gel strength and a rapid visco analyzer for viscosity. The yield of carrageenan from Sumenep (34.81 ± 5.83%) and Takalar (37.16 ± 3.26%) was found to be relatively higher than that of Nusa Penida (25.81 ± 1.93%). The calcium content was higher than magnesium, potassium and sodium content, and no cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic detected in all carrageenan. The ash content was around 29%; while, the sulfate content was in the range of 30–32%, and those were not different in all carrageenan. The presence of sulfate content was identified by FTIR at absorption band of 1373 cm−1. It was found that the molecular weight of carrageenan from Takalar were relatively higher and the gel strength of carrageenan from Takalar were significantly higher than that of carrageenan from Nusa Penida and Sumenep. Likewise, upon cooling from 80 to 20°C, the viscosity profile of carrageenan from Takalar characterized by higher viscosity compared to that of carrageenan from Sumenep and Nusa Penida. These results indicated that carrageenan from Nusa Penida, Sumenep, and Takalar were identified as iota‐carrageenan with similar physico‐chemical characteristics except for the gel strength, viscosity profile upon cooling from 80 to 20°C and the yield.
Taxonomic revision of Dictyochales (Dictyochophyceae) based on morphological, ultrastructural, biochemical and molecular data
Authors: Chang Fook Hoe , Sutherland Judy , Bradford‐Grieve Janet
Published: May 2017

The taxonomy of the siliceous members of Dictyochales has been based exclusively on the structure of their silica skeletons. In this study, other morphological, ultrastructural, pigment and molecular characters, in addition to the silica skeletons, were used in the systematics of the siliceous members of this group. As very little is known about the ultrastructure of Dictyocha octonaria, cells of both the skeleton‐bearing and naked forms were also studied. A cladistic analysis based on morphological data and a molecular phylogeny based on nuclear coded small subunit ribosomal DNA retrieved a well‐supported monophyletic Dictyochales. D. octonaria and D. speculum were resolved together with strong support. There was no support for a clade for the three species currently placed in Dictyocha; D. fibula is clearly distinct from the other two Dictyocha taxa, D. speculum and D. octonaria. It is highly likely there are two or three undescribed species within D. octonaria/D. speculum clade and two undescribed genera within the Dictyochales, based on the positions of sequences from uncultured eukaryotes present in GenBank. These findings necessitate a taxonomic revision of the three siliceous, skeleton‐bearing species. Because D. fibula is the type species of Dictyocha, we propose that D. octonaria and D. speculum be reassigned respectively to the genus Octactis as O. octonaria Hovasse and O. speculum (Ehrenberg) F. H. Chang, J. M. Grieve & J. E. Sutherland, comb. nov.
Dual redundant sequencing strategy: Full‐length gene characterisation of 1056 novel and confirmatory HLA alleles
Authors: Albrecht V. , Zweiniger C. , Surendranath V. , Lang K. , Schöfl G. , Dahl A. , Winkler S. , Lange V. , Böhme I. , Schmidt A. H.
Published: May 2017

The high‐throughput department of DKMS Life Science Lab encounters novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles on a daily basis. To characterise these alleles, we have developed a system to sequence the whole gene from 5′‐ to 3′‐UTR for the HLA loci A, B, C, DQB1 and DPB1 for submission to the European Molecular Biology Laboratory – European Nucleotide Archive (EMBL‐ENA) and the IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database. Our workflow is based on a dual redundant sequencing strategy. Using shotgun sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq instrument and single molecule real‐time (SMRT) sequencing on a PacBio RS II instrument, we are able to achieve highly accurate HLA full‐length consensus sequences. Remaining conflicts are resolved using the R package DR2S (Dual Redundant Reference Sequencing). Given the relatively high throughput of this strategy, we have developed the semi‐automated web service TypeLoader, to aid in the submission of sequences to the EMBL‐ENA and the IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database. In the IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database release 3.24.0 (April 2016; prior to the submission of the sequences described here), only 5.2% of all known HLA alleles have been fully characterised together with intronic and UTR sequences. So far, we have applied our strategy to characterise and submit 1056 HLA alleles, thereby more than doubling the number of fully characterised alleles. Given the increasing application of next generation sequencing (NGS) for full gene characterisation in clinical practice, extending the HLA database concomitantly is highly desirable. Therefore, we propose this dual redundant sequencing strategy as a workflow for submission of novel full‐length alleles and characterisation of sequences that are as yet incomplete. This would help to mitigate the predominance of partially known alleles in the database.
Separation of Traveling and Standing Waves in a Rigid-Walled Circular Duct Containing an Intermediate Impedance Discontinuity
Authors: Xiao Yongxiong , Blanchard Antoine , Zhang Yao , Lu Huancai , Michael McFarland D. , Vakakis Alexander F. , Bergman Lawrence A.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we study the phenomenon of separation of traveling and standing waves in a one-dimensional rigid-walled circular duct. The underlying mechanism for separation, mode complexity, is linear and introduced here by a damped side branch representing an impedance discontinuity. The left end of the duct is driven at a single frequency by a harmonic acoustic source, and the right end is a rigid termination. The position and impedance of the side branch are independent parameters in the analysis. Sufficient conditions for acoustic wave separation in the duct are derived analytically and employed in a three-dimensional finite element analysis to verify the theoretical result. A physical experiment, consisting of a circular duct with a damped side branch, was constructed based on analytical predictions, the physical parameters were measured or identified, and its performance was documented. These experimental parameters were employed in a second three-dimensional finite element analysis to obtain a direct comparison with experimental results. The comparison reveals the extent to which higher-order (unmodeled) effects degrade the separation phenomenon. It is demonstrated that an intermediate damped side branch used as a nonresonant device can be predictively designed to achieve nearly ideal separation of traveling and standing waves in a rigid-walled circular duct in order to direct and control acoustic energy transmission through the duct system.
Analysis of Multidimensional Time Delay Systems Using Lambert W Function
Authors: Choudhary Niraj , Sivaramakrishnan Janardhanan , Narayan Kar Indra
Published: May 2017

In this note, the analysis of time delay systems (TDSs) using Lambert W function approach is reassessed. A common canonical (CC) form of time delay systems is defined. We extended the recent results of Cepeda–Gomez and Michiels (2015, “Some Special Cases in the Stability Analysis of Multi-Dimensional Time-Delay Systems Using the Matrix Lambert W Function,” Automatica, 53, pp. 339–345) for second-order into nth order system. The eigenvalues of a time delay system are either real or complex conjugate pairs and therefore, the whole eigenspectrum can be associated with only two real branches of the Lambert W function. A new class of time delay systems is characterized to extend the applicability of the above-said method. Moreover, this approach has been exploited to design a controller which places a subset of eigenvalues at desired locations. Stability is guaranteed by using a new algorithm developed in this paper, which is based on the Nyquist plot. The approach is validated through numerical examples.
Genome Sequence of a Marine Spirillum, Oceanospirillum multiglobuliferum ATCC 33336
T
, Isolated from Japan
Authors: Carney Joshua G. , Trachtenberg Ariel M. , Rheaume Bruce A. , Linnane Joshua D. , Pitts Natalie L. , Mykles Donald L. , MacLea Kyle S.
Published: May 2017

Oceanospirillum multiglobuliferum
ATCC 33336
T
is a motile gammaproteobacterium with bipolar tufted flagella, noted for its low salt tolerance compared to other marine spirilla. This strain was originally isolated from the putrid infusions of
Crassostrea gigas
near Hiroshima, Japan. This paper presents a draft genome sequence for
O. multiglobuliferum
ATCC 33336
T
.
Whole-Genome Sequence of the Bacteriophage-Sensitive Strain Campylobacter jejuni NCTC12662
Authors: Gencay Yilmaz Emre , Sørensen Martine C. H. , Brøndsted Lone
Published: May 2017

Campylobacter jejuni
NCTC12662 has been the choice bacteriophage isolation strain due to its susceptibility to
C. jejuni
bacteriophages. This trait makes it a good candidate for studying bacteriophage–host interactions. We report here the whole-genome sequence of NCTC12662, allowing future elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of phage–host interactions in
C. jejuni
.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans
DSM 14175 (Strain V8), a New Iron- and Sulfur-Oxidizing, Halotolerant, Acidophilic Species
Authors: Khaleque Himel N. , Ramsay Joshua P. , Murphy Riley J. T. , Kaksonen Anna H. , Boxall Naomi J. , Watkin Elizabeth L. J.
Published: May 2017

The use of halotolerant acidophiles for bioleaching provides a biotechnical approach for the extraction of metals from regions where high salinity exists in the ores and source water. Here, we describe the first draft genome of a new species of a halotolerant and iron- and sulfur-oxidizing acidophile,
Acidihalobacter ferrooxidans
DSM-14175 (strain V8).
Quantum ratchet effect in a time non-uniform double-kicked model
Authors: Chen Lei , Wang Zhen-Yu , Hui Wu , Chu Cheng-Yu , Chai Ji-Min , Xiao Jin , Zhao Yu , Ma Jin-Xiang
Published: May 2017

The quantum ratchet effect means that the directed transport emerges in a quantum system without a net force. The delta-kicked model is a quantum Hamiltonian model for the quantum ratchet effect. This paper investigates the quantum ratchet effect based on a time non-uniform double-kicked model, in which two flashing potentials alternately act on a particle with a homogeneous initial state of zero momentum, while the intervals between adjacent actions are not equal. The evolution equation of the state of the particle is derived from its Schrödinger equation, and the numerical method to solve the evolution equation is pointed out. The results show that quantum resonances can induce the ratchet effect in this time non-uniform double-kicked model under certain conditions; some quantum resonances, which cannot induce the ratchet effect in previous models, can induce the ratchet effect in this model, and the strengths of the ratchet effect in this model are stronger than those in previous models under certain conditions. These results enrich people’s understanding of the delta-kicked model, and provides a new optional scheme to control the quantum transport of cold atoms in experiment.
Optimization of Biosynthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles and Its Anticancer Activity
Authors: Karunagaran Vithiya , Rajendran Kumar , Sen Shampa
Published: May 2017

Silver oxide nanoparticle can be synthesized by chemical and biological methods. Biological synthesis has emerged as an exciting, ecofriendly approach. However, the process tends to be slow when we consider its industrial applicability. The development of reliable method for rapid synthesis of nanoparticles is one of the significant zones of interests in current nanotechnological research. In this paper, optimization of physiochemical parameters for rapid silver oxide nanoparticle synthesis using Bacillus thuringiensis SSV1 culture supernatant has been elucidated. Spherical-shaped silver oxide nanoparticles with an average particle size of 30[Formula: see text]nm were obtained. The cytotoxic effect of silver oxide nanoparticles was studied against HepG2 and Chang liver cell lines by MTT assay. These nanoparticles showed dose-dependent response on HepG2 (IC[Formula: see text]g/mL) and Chang liver cells (IC[Formula: see text]g/mL).
A region-based easy-path wavelet transform for sparse image representation
Authors: Budinich Renato
Published: May 2017

The Easy-Path Wavelet Transform (EPWT) is an adaptive transform for bivariate functions (in particular natural images) which has been proposed in G. Plonka, The easy path wavelet: A new adaptive wavelet transform for sparse representation of two-dimensional data, Multiscale Model. Simul. 7(3) (2009) 1474–1496.13 It provides a sparse representation by finding a path in the domain of the function leveraging the local correlations of the function values. It then applies a 1-dimensional (ID) wavelet transform to the obtained vector, decimates the points and iterates the procedure. The main drawback of such method is the need to store, for each level of the transform, the path which vectorizes the 2-dimensional (2D) data. Here, we propose a variation on the method which consists of firstly applying a segmentation procedure to the function domain, partitioning it into regions where the variation in the function values is low; in a second step, inside each such region, a path is found in some deterministic way, i.e. not data-dependent. This circumvents the need to store the paths at each level, while still obtaining good quality lossy compression. This method is particularly well suited to encode a region of interest in the image with different quality than the rest of the image.
IWGS 2016 workshop report: The 7th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on GeoStreaming
Authors: Zhang Chengyang , Banaei-Kashani Farnoush , Hendawi Abdeltawab
Published: May 2017

The ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Geostreaming (IWGS) was held for the seventh time in conjunction with the 24th ACM SIGSPATIAL International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (ACMGIS 2016). The workshop has been a successful event that attracted participants from both academia and industry. The workshop addressed topics that are at the intersection of data streaming and geospatial systems. The workshop fostered an environment where geospatial researchers can benefit from the advances in geosensing technologies and data streaming systems.
Constraints, Drivers, and Implications of Influenza A Virus Reassortment
Authors: Lowen Anice C.
Published: May 2017

Influenza A viruses are constantly changing. This change accounts for seasonal epidemics, infrequent pandemics, and zoonotic outbreaks. A major mechanism underlying the genetic diversification of influenza A virus is reassortment of intact gene segments between coinfecting viruses. This exchange is possible because of the segmented nature of the viral genome. Here, I first consider the constraints and drivers acting on influenza A virus reassortment, including the likelihood of coinfection at the host and cellular levels, mixing and assembly of heterologous gene segments within coinfected cells, and the fitness associated with reassortant genotypes. I then discuss the implications of reassortment for influenza A virus evolution, including its classically recognized role in the emergence of genetically “shifted” pandemic strains as well as its potential role as a catalyst of genetic drift.
An annotated checklist of earthworms of Greece (Clitellata: Megadrili)
Authors: SZEDERJESI TÍMEA , VAVOULIDOU EVANGELIA , CHALKIA CHRISTINA , DÁNYI LÁSZLÓ , CSUZDI CSABA
Published: May 2017

The earthworm fauna of Greece is reviewed. According to the up-to-date checklist, the earthworm fauna of Greece consists of 67 species and subspecies, of which 59 taxa belong to the family Lumbricidae, three to Megascolecidae, two to Acanthodrilidae and to Ocnerodrilidae and one taxon to the family Criodrilidae. Three species are recorded for the first time from the country: Allolobophora kosowensis kosowensis Karaman, 1968, Amynthas gracilis (Kinberg, 1867) and Eukerria saltensis (Beddard, 1895). Eisenia spelaea var. athenica Černosvitov, 1938 is proposed to be a synonym of Aporrectodea rosea (Savigny, 1826). The earthworm fauna of Greece is characterized by a large number of strict endemic species belonging to the family Lumbricidae (9 taxa), together with the occurrence of another 10 Balkanic endemic species.
Blind Image Deblurring for Multiply Image Frames Based on an Iterative Algorithm
Authors: Ge Jia , Xianrong Peng , Jianlin Zhang , Chengyu Fu
Published: May 2017

A novel algorithm based on an iterative and nonnegative algorithm has been developed for performing blind deconvolution on multiply degraded image frames. The algorithm naturally preserves the nonnegative constraint on the iterative solutions of blind deconvolution and can produce a
restored image of high resolution. Furthermore, benefited from the interframe information, the neighbouring frame can be seen as degenerated from the same object image and different point spread function (PSF), so utilizing the result of the last frame to the initial estimate of the current
frame can reduce iterative times and enhance the efficiency of the algorithm, meanwhile, the algorithm is free from the instability of numerical computation. Results of applying the algorithm to simulated and real degraded images are reported.
Using Principle Component Analysis and Clustering Algorithm to Identify Power Factors and Transformation Pattern of Regional Construction
Authors: Zhang Jingxiao , Xie Haiyan , Schmidt Klaus , Li Hui
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this research is to analyze the power factors that drive regional development of construction enterprises in order to identify the potential problems within their corresponding transformational pattern. The authors used principal component analysis, and exhaustive clustering
experiments and K-means’ ANOVA to verify the feasibility and operability of a regional transformational path. With the data collected from 123 enterprises in the Shaanxi province, China, the results showed that there were 4 power factors: (a) implementation level of transformational
development, (b) external information integration, (c) project knowledge management, and (d) corporate brand building support. The overall power factor (Fs) was 6.987, with the σ value of 1.78, min value of 2.895, and max value of 10.843. This research for the first time quantified
the influence of the power factors to different clusters of companies and their levels of transformational development. This research discussed their corresponding strengths, weaknesses and provided practical tactics for them to establish suitable development strategies. This research could
guide the regional efforts of the industry in reaching higher levels of transformation evolvement, and the emerging framework targets change-based momentum and dynamic clustering elements to the transformational development of regional construction.
Approaching Tumor Tissue in Local Blood Vessel for Targeted Drug Delivery by Nanorobots
Authors: Zhao Qingying , Li Min , Luo Jun , Wang Hanqing , Cao Jinge
Published: May 2017

This paper describes a nanorobot control algorithm designed for approaching tumor tissue in local blood vessel for targeted drug delivery. The algorithm coordinates nanorobots’ movements through use of two types of chemical molecules, an acoustic signal and velocity characteristic
of blood fluid. After detecting the chemical molecules released by cancer cells, a nanorobot moves toward the area of higher concentration of the molecule and releases another chemical molecule which alerts others to aggregate to the target. When nanorobots detect acoustic signals emitted
by nanorobots reaching target, their paths will be planned according to intensity of acoustic signals and velocity characteristic of blood fluid. The simulations show that compared with the existed approaches, the proposed algorithm results in an increase of nanorobots’ population and
a decrease of cost time to reach target site with the help of acoustic signals and velocity characteristic. As a whole, the results obtained suggest that the algorithm presented in this paper is a better strategy for approaching tumor tissue in local blood vessel by nanorobots.
An Energy-Balanced Routing Algorithm in Wireless Seismic Sensor Network
Authors: Tong Xunqian , Fang Gengfa , Nguyen Diep , Lin Jun , Cabrera Emerson
Published: May 2017

Due to unpredictable geological outdoor environments and imbalances in energy consumption of seismometer nodes in the wireless seismic sensor networks (WSSN), some seismometer nodes fail much earlier than others due to power loss. This would cause hot spot problems, network partitions,
and significantly shorten network lifetime. In this paper, we designed an energy-balanced routing algorithm (EBRA) to ensure balanced energy consumption from all seismometer nodes in the WSSN and to enhance the connectivity and lifetime of the WSSN. By aiming at minimizing the imbalance in
the residual energy, we divide the routing algorithm into two parts: clustering formation and inter-cluster routing. In clustering formation, we design an energy-balanced clustering algorithm, which selects the cluster head dynamically, based on residual energy, distance between the seismometer
node and data collector. The clustering algorithm mitigates hot spot problems by balancing energy consumption among seismometer nodes. In regards to inter-cluster routing, we can relate it to the pareto-candidate set. To reduce the average multi-hop delay from cluster heads to the data collector,
we optimize the pareto-candidate set by Hamming distance. In the design of EBRA, we consider minute details such as energy consumed by transmitting bits and impact of average multi-hop delay. This adds to the novelty of this work compared to the existing studies. Simulation results demonstrated
a reduction in the average multi-hop delay by 87.5% with network size of 200 nodes in ten different data collector locations. Our algorithm also improves the network lifetime over the others three schemes by 7.8%, 23% and 45.4%, respectively.
Electronically Reconfigurable Notch Filter for Cognitive Radios Application
Authors: Guo Ying Jiang , Tang Xiao Hong , Xu Kai Da
Published: May 2017

An electronically reconfigurable notch filter for cognitive radios application is presented. By loading the stub-loaded resonator along the transmission line, two notched bands are created. Central frequency tuning of one notched band is realized by using the silicon varactor diodes,
while the other notched band remains almost unchanged during tuning. Bias Ts and the resistors having high resistance value are adopted to function as DC paths for the varactors. A tuning range of 1.92–2.92 GHz for the one notched band with average insertion loss 2.4 dB across
the passband (0.1–5 GHz) is achieved, and the other notched band is used to suppress the WiMAX signal (3.3– 3.8 GHz). The highest rejection level of the tunable notched band is 21.5 dB, while the static notched band shows rejection of more than 30 dB at 3.66 GHz.
The Interaction of Bacterial-Feeding Nematodes and IAA-Producing Bacteria in Gnotobiotic Microcosm System
Authors: Jiang Ying , Zheng Wenbo , Wu Yue , Li Huixin , Cheng Yanhong
Published: May 2017

The effect of the bacterial-feeding nematodes (Cephalobus sp.) grazing on IAA-producing bacteria (Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia sp.) stimulated both the microbial growth and activity and increased soil mineral nitrogen and IAA contents were investigated in pots
with soil under controlled conditions. The soil, nematodes and the property of IAA were analyzed at regular basis. In gnotobiotic microcosm conditions, the bacterial-feeding nematodes grazing on bacteria stimulated both the microbial growth and activity and increased the mineral nitrogen and
IAA content. The analysis of the IAA-producing bacteria (number, activity and IAA content) revealed a statistically significant in the presence of the bacterial-feeding nematodes. Our conclusion may be valid not only for experiments, but also for future application in agriculture.
A Variable Nano Capacitor Behaved Arising from Lipid Bilayers of DMPC
Authors: Attarikhasraghi Naime , Monajjemi Majid
Published: May 2017

Bio-membranes are thin capacitors and because the membrane has a dynamic behavior and in the various positions has different area and thickness, the capacitance of the membrane is not fixed and causes a variable capacitor. In this study, we have shown the model of a microscale dielectric
membrane capacitor including DMPC structures. We have shown that Quantum effect has appeared in a small free space of the membrane thickness due to number of phospholipids layers. In addition, we have specifically investigated the quantum and coulomb blocked effects of different thickness.
Furthermore, the electron density profile models, electron localization function (ELF) and local information entropy have been applied as a formal way to studies the interaction of protein with lipid bilayers in cell membrane.
Spectroscopic and Catalytic Discussions of the Alkaline Earth Metal Schiff Base Chelations Derived from Condensation of Furan-2-Carbaldehyde with 2-Chlorophenyl Hydrazine
Authors: Majthoub Moh’d Mamoun Al
Published: May 2017

Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) metal chelates with formulas, [Mg(HL)2(H2O)2] · Cl2, [Ca(HL)2(Cl)2], [Sr(HL)2(H2O)2] · Cl2 · 6H2O and [Ba(HL)2(H2O)2]
· Cl2 that HL is the Schiff base moiety formed from condensation of furan-2-carbaldehyde with 2-chlorophenyl hydrazine have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic measurements (infrared, Mass and 1H-NMR). The microanalytical analyses (%C,
%H and %N elements) of the Schiff base complexes deduce the 1:2 ratio of metal-to-ligand. The infrared spectra of the new Schiff base complexes led to identify the chelating around the respected metal ions via both nitrogen and oxygen atoms of 2-chlorophenyl hydrazine (–Ph–NH-)
group and furan ring.
Modified Ridge Type Estimator in Partially Linear Regression Models and Numerical Comparisons
Authors: Aydın Dursun , Yüzbaşı Bahadır , Ahmed S. Ejaz
Published: May 2017

In this article, we introduce a modified ridge type estimator for the vector of parameters in a partially linear model. This estimator is a generalization of the well-known Speckman’s approach and is based on smoothing splines method. Most important in the implementation of this
method is the choice of the smoothing parameter. Many Criteria of selecting smoothing parameters such as improved version of Akaike information criterion (AICc), generalized cross-validation (GCV), cross-validation (CV), Mallows’ Cp criterion, risk
estimation using classical pilots (REC) and Bayes information criterion (BIC) are developed in literature. In order to illustrate the ideas in the paper, a real data example and a Monte Carlo simulation study are carried out. Thus, the appropriate selection criteria are provided for a suitable
smoothing parameter selection.