bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applications of wavelet transform on power engineering problems — A brief review
Authors: Chinnamuthu Subramani , Vimala C. , Jimoh A. A. , Yusuff Adedayo Ademola
Published: April 2017

The main scope of this paper is about the applications of wavelet transform (WT) on power engineering research. This review paper deals with the summary of applications of WT to different power system problems including transmission line faults detection, power quality issues, power forecasting, power measurements and power system stability. Different types of wavelet are used for the solution of various power engineering issues, and the selection of suitable wavelet for specific problems is also discussed in this paper with the support of literature.
Antarctic Surface Reflectivity Measurements from the ANITA-3 and HiCal-1 Experiments
Authors: Gorham P. W. , Allison P. , Banerjee O. , Beatty J. J. , Belov K. , Besson D. Z. , Binns W. R. , Bugaev V. , Cao P. , Chen C. , Chen P. , Clem J. M. , Connolly A. , Dailey B. , Dasgupta P. , Deaconu C. , Cremonesi L. , Dowkontt P. F. , Fox B. D. , Gordon J. , Hill B. , Hupe R. , Israel M. H. , Jain P. , Kowalski J. , Lam J. , Learned J. G. , Liewer K. M. , Liu T. C. , Matsuno S. , Miki C. , Mottram M. , Mulrey K. , Nam J. , Nichol R. J. , Novikov A. , Oberla E. , Prohira S. , Rauch B. F. , Romero-Wolf A. , Rotter B. , Ratzlaff K. , Russell J. , Saltzberg D. , Seckel D. , Schoorlemmer H. , Stafford S. , Stockham J. , Stockham M. , Strutt B. , Tatem K. , Varner G. S. , Vieregg A. G. , Wissel S. A. , Wu F. , Young R.
Published: April 2017

The primary science goal of the NASA-sponsored ANITA project is measurement of ultra-high energy neutrinos and cosmic rays, observed via radio-frequency signals resulting from a neutrino or cosmic ray interaction with terrestrial matter (e.g. atmospheric or ice molecules). Accurate inference of the energies of these cosmic rays requires understanding the transmission/reflection of radio wave signals across the ice–air boundary. Satellite-based measurements of Antarctic surface reflectivity, using a co-located transmitter and receiver, have been performed more-or-less continuously for the last few decades. Our comparison of four different reflectivity surveys, at frequencies ranging from 2 to 45[Formula: see text]GHz and at near-normal incidence, yield generally consistent maps of high versus low reflectivity, as a function of location, across Antarctica. Using the Sun as an RF source, and the ANITA-3 balloon borne radio-frequency antenna array as the RF receiver, we have also measured the surface reflectivity over the interval 200–1000[Formula: see text]MHz, at elevation angles of 12–30[Formula: see text]. Consistent with our previous measurement using ANITA-2, we find good agreement, within systematic errors (dominated by antenna beam width uncertainties) and across Antarctica, with the expected reflectivity as prescribed by the Fresnel equations. To probe low incidence angles, inaccessible to the Antarctic Solar technique and not probed by previous satellite surveys, a novel experimental approach (“HiCal-1”) was devised. Unlike previous measurements, HiCal-ANITA constitute a bi-static transmitter–receiver pair separated by hundreds of kilometers. Data taken with HiCal, between 200 and 600[Formula: see text]MHz shows a significant departure from the Fresnel equations, constant with frequency over that band, with the deficit increasing with obliquity of incidence, which we attribute to the combined effects of possible surface roughness, surface grain effects, radar clutter and/or shadowing of the reflection zone due to Earth curvature effects. We discuss the science implications of the HiCal results, as well as improvements planned for HiCal-2, preparing for launch in December 2016.
Value Creation in Big Data Scenarios: A Literature Survey
Authors: Furtado Leonel , Dutra Moisés , Macedo Douglas
Published: April 2017

Knowing how value creation is understood and managed by Big Data-based companies can be a key strategy to boost business. The typical process of identifying value creation in organizations is quite complex, since it involves internal and external factors to them. In Big Data scenarios, we should also consider the uncertainty about future processes of value creation, regarding the trends inferred by predictive analytics processes. Big Data environments operate in a scale of large volumes of parallel-processed data; and aim to generate relevant information that otherwise would be impossible for traditional systems, especially if we expect good performance of transaction speed and of coping with the extensive variety of data types, inherent to such environments. In order to properly identify and work with the idea of value in their businesses, Big Data-based companies have thus far more challenging hurdles to overcome. This paper proposes a survey of the creation of value in such environments. For this purpose, we undertook a theoretical study, which relied in a qualitative method approach of bibliographical, exploratory and descriptive nature. Finally, since this work is still on progress and it is not yet a conclusive proposal, we aim to compare our preliminary results to the typical perception of value creation, found in the literature.
The IncomeGini of Fairness
Authors: Flomenbom Ophir
Published: April 2017

We are in favor of wealth accumulation in a free and democratic nation. Yet, the question is whether the mechanism of wealth accumulation is the same to all the people or are there different mechanisms to different socioeconomic-groups, therefore unfair biases in the nation. Here, we would like to develop ways to quantify and fight there unfair distortions. Utilizing methods from socioecono-physics, we find that in a democratic and a free nation, a fair society is such that the income distribution’s Gini is in the range, 25% and 33%, 34%. (Gini is the departure of the distribution from the “all are equal” distribution). The value, Gini [Formula: see text]%, is indeed the transition from the intermediate stage nation to the corrupt nation, where Gini [Formula: see text] 40% requires that the income distribution is smooth in the top percentiles (rather than a jump like formed). Therefore, the effect of the 0.1% excessive wealth is pivotal to the problem; such nations have Gini values beyond 40%. The wealth distribution’s properties further strengthen these findings.

We develop a dynamical model that is emphasizing the difference in the environment of the two camps: the top and the rest, yet find that interactions create a smoother income density.

We therefore think that the income distribution’s Gini [Formula: see text]% is the alarm stage, yet the Gini should better follow the middle range of the fair society stage (25% through 33%) rather than the upper bound in that stage, where ways to realize that are elaborated on.
The Windimurra Igneous Complex: an Archean Bushveld?
Authors: Ivanic Timothy J. , Nebel Oliver , Brett John , Murdie Ruth E.
Published: April 2017

The Archean Windimurra Igneous Complex consists of distinct components, including a thick layered series, with a cumulate mineral stratigraphy similar to the zones identified in the well-studied Bushveld Complex, South Africa. The complex is part of the plume-related and laterally extensive 2.81 Ga Meeline Suite, the intrusive component of a large igneous province. It is an anhydrous tholeiitic suite consisting of five layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions 25–85 km in the long dimension. These intrusions host significant V–Ti mineralization in their fractionated, Fe-rich upper zones. Recent mapping, combined with aeromagnetic, gravity and seismic surveys, has provided unparalleled three-dimensional constraints on the largest of these intrusions. The results of three-dimensional modelling show that it is thicker than previously recognized. At
c.
11 km, it is the thickest layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion identified globally and one of the largest such intrusions volumetrically. The mineral zone stratigraphy and many other features associated with this complex share similarities with the
c.
800 myr younger Bushveld Complex. On a large scale, three discordant units are delineated geometrically, providing fundamental constraints on a multi-stage genetic model for magma emplacement. The indication of a thick, subsurface Ultramafic Zone provides a potential target for Ni–Cr–platinum group element mineralization.
Beyond Antibodies as Binding Partners: The Role of Antibody Mimetics in Bioanalysis
Authors: Yu Xiaowen , Yang Yu-Ping , Dikici Emre , Deo Sapna K. , Daunert Sylvia
Published: April 2017

The emergence of novel binding proteins or antibody mimetics capable of binding to ligand analytes in a manner analogous to that of the antigen–antibody interaction has spurred increased interest in the biotechnology and bioanalytical communities. The goal is to produce antibody mimetics designed to outperform antibodies with regard to binding affinities, cellular and tumor penetration, large-scale production, and temperature and pH stability. The generation of antibody mimetics with tailored characteristics involves the identification of a naturally occurring protein scaffold as a template that binds to a desired ligand. This scaffold is then engineered to create a superior binder by first creating a library that is then subjected to a series of selection steps. Antibody mimetics have been successfully used in the development of binding assays for the detection of analytes in biological samples, as well as in separation methods, cancer therapy, targeted drug delivery, and in vivo imaging. This review describes recent advances in the field of antibody mimetics and their applications in bioanalytical chemistry, specifically in diagnostics and other analytical methods.
Applications of the New Family of Coherent Multidimensional Spectroscopies for Analytical Chemistry
Authors: Wright John C.
Published: April 2017

A new family of vibrational and electronic spectroscopies has emerged, comprising the coherent analogs of traditional analytical methods. These methods are also analogs of coherent multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This new family is based on creating the same quantum mechanical superposition states called multiple quantum coherences (MQCs). NMR MQCs are mixtures of nuclear spin states that retain their quantum mechanical phase information for milliseconds. The MQCs in this new family are mixtures of vibrational and electronic states that retain their phases for picoseconds or shorter times. Ultrafast, high-intensity coherent beams rapidly excite multiple states. The excited MQCs then emit bright beams while they retain their phases. Time-domain methods measure the frequencies of the MQCs by resolving their phase oscillations, whereas frequency-domain methods measure the resonance enhancements of the output beam while scanning the excitation frequencies. The resulting spectra provide multidimensional spectral signatures that increase the spectroscopic selectivity required for analyzing complex samples.
The Solution Assembly of Biological Molecules Using Ion Mobility Methods: From Amino Acids to Amyloid β-Protein
Authors: Bleiholder Christian , Bowers Michael T.
Published: April 2017

Ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (IMS-MS) methods are increasingly used to study noncovalent assemblies of peptides and proteins. This review focuses on the noncovalent self-assembly of amino acids and peptides, systems at the heart of the amyloid process that play a central role in a number of devastating diseases. Three different systems are discussed in detail: the 42-residue peptide amyloid-β42 implicated in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease, several amyloid-forming peptides with 6–11 residues, and the assembly of individual amino acids. We also discuss from a more fundamental perspective the processes that determine how quickly proteins and their assemblies denature when the analyte ion has been stripped of its solvent in an IMS-MS measurement and how to soften the measurement so that biologically meaningful data can be recorded.
Ubiquitin Ligases: Structure, Function, and Regulation
Authors: Zheng Ning , Shabek Nitzan
Published: April 2017

Ubiquitin E3 ligases control every aspect of eukaryotic biology by promoting protein ubiquitination and degradation. At the end of a three-enzyme cascade, ubiquitin ligases mediate the transfer of ubiquitin from an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme to specific substrate proteins. Early investigations of E3s of the RING (really interesting new gene) and HECT (homologous to the E6AP carboxyl terminus) types shed light on their enzymatic activities, general architectures, and substrate degron-binding modes. Recent studies have provided deeper mechanistic insights into their catalysis, activation, and regulation. In this review, we summarize the current progress in structure–function studies of ubiquitin ligases as well as exciting new discoveries of novel classes of E3s and diverse substrate recognition mechanisms. Our increased understanding of ubiquitin ligase function and regulation has provided the rationale for developing E3-targeting therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutation and (R)-2-Hydroxyglutarate: From Basic Discovery to Therapeutics Development
Authors: Dang Lenny , Su Shin-San Michael
Published: April 2017

The identification of heterozygous mutations in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) in subsets of cancers, including secondary glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and chondrosarcomas, led to intense discovery efforts to delineate the mutations’ involvement in carcinogenesis and to develop therapeutics, which we review here. The three IDH isoforms (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate–dependent IDH1 and IDH2, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent IDH3) contribute to regulating the circuitry of central metabolism. Several biochemical and genetic observations led to the discovery of the neomorphic production of the oncometabolite (R)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) by mutant IDH1 and IDH2 (mIDH). Heterozygous mutation of IDH1/2 and accumulation of 2-HG cause profound metabolic and epigenetic dysregulation, including inhibition of normal cellular differentiation, leading to disease. Crystallographic structural studies during the development of compounds targeting mIDH demonstrated common allosteric inhibition by distinct chemotypes. Ongoing clinical trials in patients with mIDH advanced hematologic malignancies have demonstrated compelling clinical proof-of-concept, validating the biology and drug discovery approach.
High-Dimensional Mutant and Modular Thermodynamic Cycles, Molecular Switching, and Free Energy Transduction
Authors: Carter Charles W.
Published: April 2017

Understanding how distinct parts of proteins produce coordinated behavior has driven and continues to drive advances in protein science and enzymology. However, despite consensus about the conceptual basis for allostery, the idiosyncratic nature of allosteric mechanisms resists general approaches. Computational methods can identify conformational transition states from structural changes, revealing common switching mechanisms that impose multistate behavior. Thermodynamic cycles use factorial perturbations to measure coupling energies between side chains in molecular switches that mediate shear during domain motion. Such cycles have now been complemented by modular cycles that measure energetic coupling between separable domains. For one model system, energetic coupling between domains has been shown to be quantitatively equivalent to that between dynamic side chains. Linkages between domain motion, switching residues, and catalysis make nucleoside triphosphate hydrolysis conditional on domain movement, confirming an essential yet neglected aspect of free energy transduction and suggesting the potential generality of these studies.
Process Principles for Large-Scale Nanomanufacturing
Authors: Behrens Sven H. , Breedveld Victor , Mujica Maritza , Filler Michael A.
Published: April 2017

Nanomanufacturing—the fabrication of macroscopic products from well-defined nanoscale building blocks—in a truly scalable and versatile manner is still far from our current reality. Here, we describe the barriers to large-scale nanomanufacturing and identify routes to overcome them. We argue for nanomanufacturing systems consisting of an iterative sequence of synthesis/assembly and separation/sorting unit operations, analogous to those used in chemicals manufacturing. In addition to performance and economic considerations, phenomena unique to the nanoscale must guide the design of each unit operation and the overall process flow. We identify and discuss four key nanomanufacturing process design needs: (a) appropriately selected process break points, (b) synthesis techniques appropriate for large-scale manufacturing, (c) new structure- and property-based separations, and (d) advances in stabilization and packaging.
Brain Mechanisms of the Placebo Effect: An Affective Appraisal Account
Authors: Ashar Yoni K. , Chang Luke J. , Wager Tor D.
Published: April 2017

Placebos are sham medical treatments. Nonetheless, they can have substantial effects on clinical outcomes. Placebos depend on a person's psychological and brain responses to the treatment context, which influence appraisals of future well-being. Appraisals are flexible cognitive evaluations of the personal meaning of events and situations that can directly impact symptoms and physiology. They also shape associative learning processes by guiding what is learned from experience. Appraisals are supported by a core network of brain regions associated with the default mode network involved in self-generated emotion, self-evaluation, thinking about the future, social cognition, and valuation of rewards and punishment. Placebo treatments for acute pain and a range of clinical conditions engage this same network of regions, suggesting that placebos affect behavior and physiology by changing how a person evaluates their future well-being and the personal significance of their symptoms.
The Link Between Mental Illness and Firearm Violence: Implications for Social Policy and Clinical Practice
Authors: Rozel John S. , Mulvey Edward P.
Published: April 2017

The United States has substantially higher levels of firearm violence than most other developed countries. Firearm violence is a significant and preventable public health crisis. Mental illness is a weak risk factor for violence despite popular misconceptions reflected in the media and policy. That said, mental health professionals play a critical role in assessing their patients for violence risk, counseling about firearm safety, and guiding the creation of rational and evidence-based public policy that can be effective in mitigating violence risk without unnecessarily stigmatizing people with mental illness. This article summarizes existing evidence about the interplay among mental illness, violence, and firearms, with particular attention paid to the role of active symptoms, addiction, victimization, and psychosocial risk factors. The social and legal context of firearm ownership is discussed as a preface to exploring practical, evidence-driven, and behaviorally informed policy recommendations for mitigating firearm violence risk.
Personal Sensing: Understanding Mental Health Using Ubiquitous Sensors and Machine Learning
Authors: Mohr David C. , Zhang Mi , Schueller Stephen M.
Published: April 2017

Sensors in everyday devices, such as our phones, wearables, and computers, leave a stream of digital traces. Personal sensing refers to collecting and analyzing data from sensors embedded in the context of daily life with the aim of identifying human behaviors, thoughts, feelings, and traits. This article provides a critical review of personal sensing research related to mental health, focused principally on smartphones, but also including studies of wearables, social media, and computers. We provide a layered, hierarchical model for translating raw sensor data into markers of behaviors and states related to mental health. Also discussed are research methods as well as challenges, including privacy and problems of dimensionality. Although personal sensing is still in its infancy, it holds great promise as a method for conducting mental health research and as a clinical tool for monitoring at-risk populations and providing the foundation for the next generation of mobile health (or mHealth) interventions.
Emotions in Depression: What Do We Really Know?
Authors: Rottenberg Jonathan
Published: April 2017

Major depressive disorder is among the most common and costly of all mental health conditions, and in the last 20 years, emotional dysfunction has been increasingly seen as central to depression. Accordingly, research on emotions in depression has proceeded with fury. The urgency of the work has tempted investigators to issue premature declarations and to sometimes overlook theoretical and methodological challenges entailed in studying emotion. I report on what we have learned thus far about how depression influences emotional reactivity and emotion regulation, and also carefully demarcate the vast terrain of what we do not yet know. Ironically, an attitude of humility may enable the field to achieve the ambitious but elusive goal of developing a rich, contextually specific account of depression-related changes in emotional reactivity and regulation. Such an account is a precondition for using knowledge about emotion to intervene more effectively to reduce depression's worldwide burden.
Deformation of Crystals: Connections with Statistical Physics
Authors: Sethna James P. , Bierbaum Matthew K. , Dahmen Karin A. , Goodrich Carl P. , Greer Julia R. , Hayden Lorien X. , Kent-Dobias Jaron P. , Lee Edward D. , Liarte Danilo B. , Ni Xiaoyue , Quinn Katherine N. , Raju Archishman , Rocklin D. Zeb , Shekhawat Ashivni , Zapperi Stefano
Published: April 2017

We give a bird's-eye view of the plastic deformation of crystals aimed at the statistical physics community, as well as a broad introduction to the statistical theories of forced rigid systems aimed at the plasticity community. Memory effects in magnets, spin glasses, charge density waves, and dilute colloidal suspensions are discussed in relation to the onset of plastic yielding in crystals. Dislocation avalanches and complex dislocation tangles are discussed via a brief introduction to the renormalization group and scaling. Analogies to emergent scale invariance in fracture, jamming, coarsening, and a variety of depinning transitions are explored. Dislocation dynamics in crystals challenge nonequilibrium statistical physics. Statistical physics provides both cautionary tales of subtle memory effects in nonequilibrium systems and systematic tools designed to address complex scale-invariant behavior on multiple length scales and timescales.
Learning in the Rodent Motor Cortex
Authors: Peters Andrew J. , Liu Haixin , Komiyama Takaki
Published: April 2017

The motor cortex is far from a stable conduit for motor commands and instead undergoes significant changes during learning. An understanding of motor cortex plasticity has been advanced greatly using rodents as experimental animals. Two major focuses of this research have been on the connectivity and activity of the motor cortex. The motor cortex exhibits structural changes in response to learning, and substantial evidence has implicated the local formation and maintenance of new synapses as crucial substrates of motor learning. This synaptic reorganization translates into changes in spiking activity, which appear to result in a modification and refinement of the relationship between motor cortical activity and movement. This review presents the progress that has been made using rodents to establish the motor cortex as an adaptive structure that supports motor learning.
Ultrafast X-Ray Crystallography and Liquidography
Authors: Ki Hosung , Oang Key Young , Kim Jeongho , Ihee Hyotcherl
Published: April 2017

Time-resolved X-ray diffraction provides direct information on three-dimensional structures of reacting molecules and thus can be used to elucidate structural dynamics of chemical and biological reactions. In this review, we discuss time-resolved X-ray diffraction on small molecules and proteins with particular emphasis on its application to crystalline (crystallography) and liquid-solution (liquidography) samples. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction has been used to study picosecond and slower dynamics at synchrotrons and can now access even femtosecond dynamics with the recent arrival of X-ray free-electron lasers.
Integrated Assessment Models of the Food, Energy, and Water Nexus: A Review and an Outline of Research Needs
Authors: Kling Catherine L. , Arritt Raymond W. , Calhoun Gray , Keiser David A.
Published: April 2017

Food, energy, and water (FEW) systems play a fundamental role in determining societal health and economic well-being. However, current and expected changes in climate, population, and land use place these systems under considerable stress. To improve policies that target these challenges, this review highlights the need for integrating biophysical and economic models of the FEW nexus. We discuss advancements in modeling individual components that comprise this system and outline fundamental research needs for these individual areas as well as for model integration. Though great strides have been made in individual and integrated modeling, we nevertheless find a considerable need for improved integration of economic decision-making with biophysical models. We also highlight a need for improved model validation.
Drawing on student knowledge of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
Authors: Slominski Tara N. , Momsen Jennifer L. , Montplaisir Lisa M.
Published: April 2017

Drawings are an underutilized assessment format in Human Anatomy and Physiology (HA&P), despite their potential to reveal student content understanding and alternative conceptions. This study used student-generated drawings to explore student knowledge in a HA&P course. The drawing tasks in this study focused on chemical synapses between neurons, an abstract concept in HA&P. Using two preinstruction drawing tasks, students were asked to depict synaptic transmission and summation. In response to the first drawing task, 20% of students ( n = 352) created accurate representations of neuron anatomy. The remaining students created drawings suggesting an inaccurate or incomplete understanding of synaptic transmission. Of the 208 inaccurate student-generated drawings, 21% depicted the neurons as touching. When asked to illustrate summation, only 10 students (roughly 4%) were able to produce an accurate drawing. Overall, students were more successful at drawing anatomy (synapse) than physiology (summation) before formal instruction. The common errors observed in student-generated drawings indicate students do not enter the classroom as blank slates. The error of “touching” neurons in a chemical synapse suggests that students may be using intuitive or experiential knowledge when reasoning about physiological concepts. These results 1) support the utility of drawing tasks as a tool to reveal student content knowledge about neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; and 2) suggest students enter the classroom with better knowledge of anatomy than physiology. Collectively, the findings from this study inform both practitioners and researchers about the prevalence and nature of student difficulties in HA&P, while also demonstrating the utility of drawing in revealing student knowledge.
Cognitive Best Worst Method for Multiattribute Decision‐Making
Authors: Zhang Hongjun , Yin Chengxiang , Qi Xiuli , Zhang Rui , Kang Xingdang
Published: April 2017

Pairwise comparison based multiattribute decision‐making (MADM) methods are widely used and studied in recent years. However, the perception and cognition towards the semantic representation for the linguistic rating scale and the way in which the pairwise comparisons are executed are still open to discuss. The commonly used ratio scale is likely to produce misapplications and the matrix based comparison style needs too many comparisons and is not able to guarantee the consistency of the matrix when the number of objects involved is large. This research proposes a new MADM method CBWM (Cognitive Best Worst Method) which adopts interval scale to represent the pairwise difference and only compares each object to the best object and the worst object rather than all the other objects. CBWM is a vector based method which only needs 2n − 3 pairwise comparisons and is more likely to generate consistent comparisons and reliable results. The theoretical analysis and a real world application demonstrate the effectiveness of CBWM.
The Association between Door-to-Balloon Time of Less Than 60 Minutes and Prognosis of Patients Developing ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Chen Fu-Cheng , Lin Yan-Ren , Kung Chia-Te , Cheng Cheng-I , Li Chao-Jui
Published: April 2017

Background. The study aimed to verify the effect of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) with <60 min door-to-balloon time on ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients’ prognoses. Methods. Outcomes of patients receiving PPCI with door-to-balloon time of <60 min were compared with those of patients receiving PPCI with door-to-balloon time 60–90 min. Result. Totally, 241 STEMI patients (191 with Killip classes I or II) and 104 (71 with Killip classes I or II) received PPCI with door-to-balloon time <60 and 60–90 min, respectively. Killip classes I and II patients with door-to-balloon time <60 min had better thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow (9.2% fewer patients with TIMI flow <3, p=0.019) and 8.0% lower 30-day mortality rate (p<0.001) than those with 60–90 min. After controlling the confounding factors with logistic regression, patients with door-to-balloon time <60 min had lower incidences of TIMI flow <3 (aOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.20–0.76), 30-day recurrent myocardial infarction (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.10–0.91), and 30-day mortality (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI = 0.09–0.77) than those with 60–90 min. Conclusion. Door-to-balloon time <60 min is associated with better blood flow in the infarct-related artery and lower 30-day recurrent myocardial infarction and 30-day mortality rates.
Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Patient with Pernicious Anemia
Authors: Pandey Ramesh Kumar , Dahal Sumit , Fadlalla Kamal Fadlalla El Jack , Bhagat Shambhu , Bhattarai Bikash
Published: April 2017

Introduction. Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has been associated with different autoimmune disorders. However, its association with pernicious anemia is rarely reported.Case Report. A 46-year-old male presented with blood in sputum and urine for one day. The vitals were stable. The physical examination was significant for icterus. Lab tests’ results revealed leukocytosis, macrocytic anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, renal dysfunction, and unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. He had an elevated LDH, low haptoglobin levels with many schistocytes, nucleated RBCs, and reticulocytes on peripheral smear. Low ADAMTS13 activity (<10%) with elevated ADAMTS13 antibody clinched the diagnosis of severe acquired TTP, and plasmapheresis was started. There was an initial improvement in his hematological markers, which were however not sustained on discontinuation of plasmapheresis. For his refractory TTP, he was resumed on daily plasmapheresis and Rituximab was started. Furthermore, the initial serum Vitamin B12 and reticulocyte index were low in the presence of anti-intrinsic factor antibody. So with the concomitant diagnosis of pernicious anemia, Vitamin B12 was supplemented. The rest of the immunological workups were negative. Subsequently, his symptoms resolved and his hematological parameters improved.Discussion. While pernicious anemia can masquerade as TTP, an actual association between the two can also occur and needs further evaluation and characterization.
Epidemic Spreading with Heterogeneous Awareness on Human Networks
Authors: Lu Yanling , Jiang Guoping , Wang Zhengxin
Published: April 2017

The spontaneous awareness behavioral responses of individuals have a significant impact on epidemic spreading. In this paper, a modified Susceptible‐Alert‐Infected‐Susceptible (SAIS) epidemic model with heterogeneous awareness is presented to study epidemic spreading in human networks and the impact of heterogeneous awareness on epidemic dynamics. In this model, when susceptible individuals receive awareness information about the presence of epidemic from their infected neighbor nodes, they will become alert individuals with heterogeneous awareness rate. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations show that heterogeneous awareness can enhance the epidemic threshold with certain conditions and reduce the scale of virus outbreaks compared with no awareness. What is more, for the same awareness parameter, it also shows that heterogeneous awareness can slow effectively the spreading size and does not delay the arrival time of epidemic spreading peak compared with homogeneous awareness.
Prevalence of Diabetes Type 2 in Hepatitis C Infected Patients in Kpk, Pakistan
Authors: Rehman Ghani Ur , Ali Mohammad , Shah Farooq , Iqbal Amjad , Ahmad Ayaz , Hayat Zafar , Islam Badshah , Ali Farman , Ikramullah  , Jamal Yousaf , Alam Sartaj , Sajjad Muhammad , Bhatti Muhammad Zeeshan
Published: April 2017

Hepatitis C (HCV) and diabetes mellitus are the two main health concerns that cause devastating health and financial worries worldwide. It has been observed in the past that both diseases have a high correlation that might be due to the abnormal conditions of the liver. But the mechanism of the prevalence of diabetes in patients with chronic HCV infection still remains unclear. In our study, we have investigated T2DM in the male and female patients at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar. The blood samples of both in- and outpatients were analysed in the PCR laboratories of LRH from December 2014 to April 2015. Great prevalence of diabetes in hepatitis C infected male and female patients was observed during this study. The data were collected from the patients through a preplanned questionnaire that included name of the patient, HCV, being diabetic, age, gender, location, educational background, family history of the disease, other diseases, and any treatments if taken. The results of our study have found 26.42% prevalence of T2DM in HCV infected patients. So we conclude that HCV infection may be one of the reasons that could lead to T2DM.
The Performance of Resistance Progressive Collapse Analysis for High-Rise Frame-Shear Structure Based on OpenSees
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Li Yaozhuang
Published: April 2017

A finite element model (FEM) of frame-shear structure was constructed using OpenSees program based on the nonlinear flexibility theory and multi-vertical-line theory that considered bending-shear coupling, and its progressive collapse resistance under abnormal conditions was analyzed. Flexibility-based method for modeling shear wall finite element and multi-vertical-line element (SFI-MVLEM) was proposed. Method of deleting failure component elements was presented, as well as the model solving algorithm. The FEM was validated by the completed structure test. On these bases, 3 groups of typical frame-shear structure systems were designed to perform nonlinear dynamic collapse analysis under different initial failure conditions, in order to study the impact of the number of floors and earthquake resistant design on the progressive collapse resistance of frame-shear structures. Analysis results showed that, at initial failure of frame column, the residual shear wall element can well complete the internal force redistribution of structure to provide alternative force transmission path, thereby forming antiprogressive collapse force. In the case of initial failure of shear wall, C-shaped shear wall can form alternative path to diminish the vertical deformation of frame-shear structures. Final comparison shows that the structural seismic design can effectively improve their anticollapse performance.
Herpes Simplex Proctitis Mimicking Inflammatory Bowel Disease in a Teenaged Male
Authors: Sandgren Kristen E. , Price Nathan B. , Bishop Warren P. , McCarthy Patrick J.
Published: April 2017

We report the case of a 17-year-old male who was initially assessed for pain with defecation, bloody rectal discharge, and diarrhea, consistent with proctitis. Though proctitis is most commonly due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious etiologies must also be considered, including sexually transmitted causes of infectious proctitis. In discussion of his sexual history, he identified as homosexual and acknowledged engaging in receptive anal intercourse. Rectal biopsies obtained via colonoscopy were culture-positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV), leading to a diagnosis of HSV proctitis and treatment with an appropriate antiviral medication. HSV proctitis is more common in individuals with high-risk sexual practices, including men who have sex with men. While this may be an uncommon diagnosis for pediatricians to make in practice, a high clinical index of suspicion for sexually transmitted infectious proctitis in those with risk factors must be maintained in order to facilitate appropriate testing, treatment, and counseling of affected individuals.
PCA-Based Line Detection from Range Data for Mapping and Localization-Aiding of UAVs
Authors: Opromolla Roberto , Fasano Giancarmine , Grassi Michele , Savvaris Al , Moccia Antonio
Published: April 2017

This paper presents an original technique for robust detection of line features from range data, which is also the core element of an algorithm conceived for mapping 2D environments. A new approach is also discussed to improve the accuracy of position and attitude estimates of the localization by feeding back angular information extracted from the detected edges in the updating map. The innovative aspects of the line detection algorithm regard the proposed hierarchical clusterization method for segmentation. Instead, line fitting is carried out by exploiting the Principal Component Analysis, unlike traditional techniques relying on least squares linear regression. Numerical simulations are purposely conceived to compare these approaches for line fitting. Results demonstrate the applicability of the proposed technique as it provides comparable performance in terms of computational load and accuracy compared to the least squares method. Also, performance of the overall line detection architecture, as well as of the solutions proposed for line-based mapping and localization-aiding, is evaluated exploiting real range data acquired in indoor environments using an UTM-30LX-EW 2D LIDAR. This paper lies in the framework of autonomous navigation of unmanned vehicles moving in complex 2D areas, for example, being unexplored, full of obstacles, GPS-challenging, or denied.
Full Mouth Reconstruction of a Skeletal Class II Division 1 Patient with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Using an Interim Immediate Obturator and a Definitive Obturator
Authors: Bahrami Mehran , Falahchai Seyed Mehran
Published: April 2017

A 61-year-old female patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the right maxilla and Angle class II division 1 malocclusion had received a subtotal maxillectomy in right side and used a conventional clasp-retained obturator. After implants placement, a maxillary interim immediate obturator (IIO) and then a definitive obturator using six endosseous implants were fabricated. During one-year follow-up, the patient was completely satisfied. Ideally, after implants placement in edentulous patients suffering from hemimaxillectomy, an implant-supported obturator (ISO) is designed in order to prevent nasal reflux and to improve speech and swallowing. However, in the following case, because of skeletal class II division 1 malocclusion and implants insertion in the premaxilla, using an ISO was impossible because it would cause excessive upper lip protrusion and lack of anterior teeth contact. Therefore, a five-unit implant-supported fixed partial denture (FPD) was fabricated in the maxillary anterior segment so that anterior teeth contacts were possible and the patient’s normal lip support was achieved. A bar and three ball attachments were used in the maxillary posterior segment. A closed-hollow-bulb ISO was preferred. Conventional ISO in these patients results in several problems. Using a maxillary anterior FPD along with ISO caused satisfactory results in the current patient.
Effect of Saline Solution on the Electrical Response of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes-Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Younes Hammad , Rahman Md. Mahfuzur , Al Ghaferi Amal , Saadat Irfan
Published: April 2017

The effects of saline solution on the electrical resistance of single wall carbon nanotubes-epoxy nanocomposites have been investigated experimentally. Ultrasonic assisted fabricated 1.0% and 0.5 W/W% SWCNTs epoxy nanocomposites are integrated into a Kelvin structure by smear cast the nanocomposites on a glass wafer. Four metal pads are deposited on the nanocomposites using the beam evaporator and wires are tethered using soldering. The effect of saline solution on the electrical resistance of the nanocomposites is studied by adding drop of saline solution to the surface of the fabricated nanocomposites and measuring electrical resistance. Moreover, the nanocomposites are soaked completely into 3 wt.% saline solution and real-time measurement of the electrical resistance is conducted. It is found that a drop of saline solution on the surface of the nanocomposites film increases the resistance by 50%. Furthermore, the real-time measurement reveals a 40% increase in the resistance of the nanocomposites film. More importantly, the nanocomposites are successfully reset by soaking in DI water for four hours. This study may open the door for using SWCNTs epoxy nanocomposites as scale sensors in oil and gas industry.
Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Role of Natural Product Securinine in Activated Glial Cells: Implications for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Leonoudakis Dmitri , Rane Anand , Angeli Suzanne , Lithgow Gordon J. , Andersen Julie K. , Chinta Shankar J.
Published: April 2017

Glial activation and subsequent release of neurotoxic proinflammatory factors are believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Inhibition of glial activation and inflammatory processes may represent a therapeutic target to alleviate neurodegeneration. Securinine, a major natural alkaloid product from the root of the plant Securinega suffruticosa, has been reported to have potent biological activity and is used in the treatment of neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, poliomyelitis, and multiple sclerosis. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanisms of neuroprotection elicited by securinine, particularly its anti-inflammatory effects in glial cells. Our results demonstrate that securinine significantly and dose-dependently suppressed the nitric oxide production in microglia and astrocytic cultures. In addition, securinine inhibited the activation of the inflammatory mediator NF-κB, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated BV2 cells. Additionally, securinine also inhibited interferon-γ- (IFN-γ-) induced nitric oxide levels and iNOS mRNA expression. Furthermore, conditioned media (CM) from securinine pretreated BV2 cells significantly reduced mesencephalic dopaminergic neurotoxicity compared with CM from LPS stimulated microglia. These findings suggest that securinine may be a potential candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases related to neuroinflammation.
Plasmonic Hybrid Thin Film for Broadband Absorption and Characterization of Its Optical and Electrical Properties
Authors: Moon Sookyoung
Published: April 2017

We developed a simple and effective technique for fabricating a hybrid nanostructure of graphene-silver nanoparticles. The structure was prepared by stacking method with polyvinylpyrrolidone as a stabilizer. The chemical linking of G-PVP-Ag is possible through PVP-based ligand chemistry. The resulting hybrid film exhibited 87% transparency. The electrical properties under UV light increased compared with only one material. The conversion efficiency of a solar cell fabricated with the hybrid structure also increased approximately by 1.5% compared with that of solar cell fabricated without the hybrid film.
Hetarylazopyrazolone Dyes Based on Benzothiazole and Benzimidazole Ring Systems: Synthesis, Spectroscopic Investigation, and Computational Study
Authors: Aktan Ebru , Uyar Tahsin
Published: April 2017

In this study, the synthesized coupling component 1-(2-benzothiazolyl)-3-methylpyrazol-5-one reacted with diazotised heterocyclic amines to afford six novel hetarylazopyrazolone dyes. These azo dyes based on benzothiazole and benzimidazole ring systems were characterized by spectral methods and elemental analyses. The solvatochromic behaviors of these dyes in various solvents were evaluated. The ground state geometries of the dyes were optimized using density functional theory (DFT). Solvent, acid-base, and substituent influences on the wavelength of the maximum absorption were examined in detail. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed to obtain the absorption spectra of the dyes in various solvents and the results compared with experimental values. Besides, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis for the dyes is also described from the computational process.
Myogenic Differentiation from MYOGENIN-Mutated Human iPS Cells by CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Higashioka Koki , Koizumi Noriko , Sakurai Hidetoshi , Sotozono Chie , Sato Takahiko
Published: April 2017

It is well known that myogenic regulatory factors encoded by the Myod1 family of genes have pivotal roles in myogenesis, with partially overlapping functions, as demonstrated for the mouse embryo. Myogenin-mutant mice, however, exhibit severe myogenic defects without compensation by other myogenic factors. MYOGENIN might be expected to have an analogous function in human myogenic cells. To verify this hypothesis, we generated MYOGENIN-mutated human iPS cells by using CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology. Our results suggest that MYOD1-independent or MYOD1-dependent mechanisms can compensate for the loss of MYOGENIN and that these mechanisms are likely to be crucial for regulating skeletal muscle differentiation and formation.
Hepatotoxicity of Antimycotics Used for Invasive Fungal Infections: In Vitro Results
Authors: Doß Sandra , Potschka Heike , Doß Fanny , Mitzner Steffen , Sauer Martin
Published: April 2017

Purpose.Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the most common cause of liver injury and a serious clinical problem; antimycotics are involved in approximately 3% of all DILI cases. The hepatotoxicity of many drugs, including the antimycotics, is poorly screened in human models.Methods.In a standardized assay the cytotoxicity on hepatocytes of different concentrations (Cmax, 5xCmax, and 10xCmax) of the antimycotics used for systemic infections was tested. Anidulafungin (ANI), liposomal amphotericerin B (L-AmB), caspofungin (CASPO), fluconazole (FLUCO), and voriconazole (VORI) were incubated with HepG2/C3A cells. After incubation, the viability of cells (XTT test, LDH release, trypan blue staining), the synthesis of albumin, the cytochrome 1A2 activity, and the cell death (DNA fragmentation) were determined. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical analyses.Results.L-AmB, ANI, and CASPO showed a mild hepatotoxicity in theCmax concentrations. Higher concentrations of anidulafungin led to a severe impairment of hepatocyte viability and function. The azoles FLUCO and VORI had a higher hepatotoxic potential in all concentrations.Conclusion.Antimycotics, especially azoles, used for systemic infections should be given with caution in patient with liver insufficiency or liver failure or high risk for this; therefore, therapeutic drug monitoring should be used. Further studies with this approach are encouraged.