bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New synthesis of MnSi2 thin film and its thermoelectric properties
Authors: Shin Yooleemi , Rhim Sung Hyon , Duong Anh Tuan , Nguyen Van Quang , Hong Soon Cheol , Cho Sunglae , Park Hyun-Min
Published: October 2015

The authors report the formation of a new manganese silicide phase, MnSi2, using an intermixing method that involves evaporating a manganese thin film on a silicon substrate at a high temperature of 600 °C. The crystal structure of MnSi2 is tetragonal with lattice constants of a = 5.518 Å and c = 17.449 Å, identical to that of Mn4Si7. Analysis of the film using high-angle annular dark-field imaging confirmed that the composition ratio of Mn and Si was 1:2. The electric resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of the film were 2.08 × 10−3 Ω cm and 107.84 μV/K at 410 K, respectively, which resulted in a maximum power factor of 5.60 × 10−4 W/K2m.
Educating Coaches on Their Role in the Prevention of Homophobic Bullying in Adolescent Sport
Authors: McCloughan Lana Jade , Mattey Emma Louise , Hanrahan Stephanie J.
Published: October 2015

Sporting participation is believed to aid the development of good social skills and promote positive values such as equality, cooperation, and respect. Nevertheless, some people have negative experiences in the sporting environment. The presence of homophobic bullying in sport has been increasingly acknowledged. The purpose of this paper is to critically discuss current views on coaches’ roles in homophobic bullying prevention in adolescent sport and provide an example of a program designed to upskill coaches in this important area. A review of the prevalence of homophobic bullying in sport is provided. The importance of the role of the coach in addressing bullying in adolescent sport is then discussed. Coach education and learning theory are examined and an example of a coach education workshop on homophobic bullying prevention is detailed. A summary of the evaluation completed by the coach participants of the education workshop is provided, with potential modifications to the workshop noted. The need for intervention is linked back to the literature in the conclusion.
The Role of the Coach Developer in Supporting and Guiding Coach Learning
Authors: McQuade Sarah , Nash Christine
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical discussion on the role of the coach developer. The discussion is framed within the context of the roles coach developers play within coach education and sport in the UK. We conclude with some reflective questions designed to promote discussion and debate on how to optimize the central role of the coach developer in shaping quality coach education and ongoing coach development.
Turning Boys Into Men: The Incentive-Based System in Urban Meyer’s Plan to Win
Authors: Gavazzi Stephen M.
Published: October 2015

This paper examines the incentive-based system of Urban Meyer, head football coach at The Ohio State University. Personal discussions with this coach and members of his football staff took place following a review of his methods as described in biographical and media reports, and were compared with the approaches used by other successful coaches as documented in coaching research. Meyer has created clear guidelines and expectations for behaviors that players must consistently display to be recognized as successful team members and leaders. He also has developed a comprehensive set of processes to promote the development and adherence to those desired behaviors. This examination of Meyer’s approach focuses on the connection between the three levels (Blue, Red and Gold) of his incentive-based system and the three phases of a rite of passage (separation, transformation, and reincorporation) associated with them. The system rewards more grownup behaviors with greater status and privileges befitting the increasingly mature individual. A case is made that coaches can employ such a rites of passage framework as part of a comprehensive philosophy about turning boys into men, thus encouraging successful outcomes both on and off the field.
Ribosomal protein genes are overexpressed in colorectal cancer: isolation of a cDNA clone encoding the human S3 ribosomal protein.
Authors: Pogue-Geile K , Geiser J R , Shu M , Miller C , Wool I G , Meisler A I , Pipas J M
Published: October 2015

We have isolated a cDNA clone encoding the human S3 ribosomal protein from a normal human colon cDNA library. The clone was identified as one of many that detected genes whose level of expression was increased in adenocarcinoma of the colon relative to normal colonic mucosa. Increased levels of the S3 transcript were present in the tumors of all eight patients examined. Moreover, the S3 mRNA was also more abundant in 7 of 10 adenomatous polyps, the presumed precursor of carcinoma. Additional studies demonstrated that increased levels of mRNAs encoding several other ribosomal proteins, including S6, S8, S12, L5, and P0, were present in colorectal tumors and polyps. These results suggest that there is increased synthesis of ribosomes in colorectal tumors and that this increase is an early event in colon neoplasia.
Specific enzymatic dephosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein.
Authors: Ludlow J W , Glendening C L , Livingston D M , DeCarprio J A
Published: October 2015

The retinoblastoma gene product (RB) undergoes cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that the change in RB gel electrophoretic migration which occurs near mitosis is due to enzymatic dephosphorylation (J. W. Ludlow, J. Shon, J. M. Pipas, D. M. Livingston, and J. A. DeCaprio, Cell 60:387-396, 1990). To determine the precise timing of RB dephosphorylation and whether a specific phosphatase is active in this process, we have utilized a nocodazole block and release protocol which allows a large population of cells to progress synchronously through mitosis. In such experiments, RB dephosphorylation began during anaphase and continued until complete dephosphorylation was apparent in the ensuing G1 period. In addition, late mitotic cell extracts were capable of dephosphorylating RB in vitro. This RB-specific mitotic phosphatase activity was more active in anaphase extracts than in pro- or metaphase extracts, which is consistent with the results obtained in vivo. Okadaic acid and protein phosphatase inhibitors 1 and 2 inhibited this specific RB phosphatase activity. These results suggest a role for serine and threonine phosphoprotein phosphatase type 1 in the late mitotic dephosphorylation of RB.
Cell cycle regulation of the yeast Cdc7 protein kinase by association with the Dbf4 protein.
Authors: Jackson A L , Pahl P M , Harrison K , Rosamond J , Sclafani R A
Published: October 2015

Yeast Cdc7 protein kinase and Dbf4 protein are both required for the initiation of DNA replication at the G1/S phase boundary of the mitotic cell cycle. Cdc7 kinase function is stage-specific in the cell cycle, but total Cdc7 protein levels remained unchanged. Therefore, regulation of Cdc7 function appears to be the result of posttranslational modification. In this study, we have attempted to elucidate the mechanism responsible for achieving this specific execution point of Cdc7. Cdc7 kinase activity was shown to be maximal at the G1/S boundary by using either cultures synchronized with alpha factor or Cdc- mutants or with inhibitors of DNA synthesis or mitosis. Therefore, Cdc7 kinase is regulated by a posttranslational mechanism that ensures maximal Cdc7 activity at the G1/S boundary, which is consistent with Cdc7 function in the cell cycle. This cell cycle-dependent regulation could be the result of association with the Dbf4 protein. In this study, the Dbf4 protein was shown to be required for Cdc7 kinase activity in that Cdc7 kinase activity is thermolabile in vitro when extracts prepared from a temperature-sensitive dbf4 mutant grown under permissive conditions are used. In vitro reconstitution assays, in addition to employment of the two-hybrid system for protein-protein interactions, have demonstrated that the Cdc7 and Dbf4 proteins interact both in vitro and in vivo. A suppressor mutation, bob1-1, which can bypass deletion mutations in both cdc7 and dbf4 was isolated. However, the bob1-1 mutation cannot bypass all events in G1 phase because it fails to suppress temperature-sensitive cdc4 or cdc28 mutations. This indicates that the Cdc7 and Dbf4 proteins act at a common point in the cell cycle. Therefore, because of the common point of function for the two proteins and the fact that the Dbf4 protein is essential for Cdc7 function, we propose that Dbf4 may represent a cyclin-like molecule specific for the activation of Cdc7 kinase.
Elemental mercury mixed with alcohol injected intravenously as a suicide attempt
Authors: Karatapanis Stylianos , Lamprianou Fotini , Ntetskas George , Kotis Alexandros
Published: October 2015

A 22-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of chest discomfort after a suicide attempt by injecting intravenously the amount of mercury extracted from 3 thermometers mixed with alcohol. At presentation, the patient was well oriented with normal vital signs, but a few hours later she presented an abrupt deterioration of her mental status, with confusion, disorientation, tremor and finally stupor. She was transferred to the intensive care unit for monitoring and therapy. A nasogastric tube was immediately placed and the patient received treatment with a chelating agent dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)/succimer 800 mg orally three times a day, a dosage decided on the basis of her body weight, plus phenytoin 125 mg intravenously three times a day. Two hours after treatment initiation, the patient reported a remarkable improvement of her symptoms. However, she experienced seizures during a 6-month period after her discharge.
Rhodococcus equiperitonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: a first in Australia
Authors: Azzam Omar , Crowe Amy , Sajiv Cherian , Pawar Basant
Published: October 2015

A 33-year-old Caucasian man with end-stage renal disease secondary to biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy, managed with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD), presented with PD-related peritonitis, the causal organism being a non-branching Gram-positive bacillus,Rhodococcus equi. Initial empirical Gram positive and negative coverage with cefazolin and ceftazidime was unsuccessful, but following isolation of the organism, and conversion to intraperitoneal vancomycin and oral ciprofloxacin, the peritonitis episode resolved. At day 10, vancomycin was switched to azithromycin for a total of 6 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. The PD catheter was preserved, and the patient remained peritonitis-free at 6 months of follow-up.
A jackhammer in the gullet: high amplitude oesophageal contractions as a cause of atypical chest pain
Authors: Goel Rishi , Anggiansah Angela , Wong Terry , Wilkinson Mark
Published: October 2015

Chest pain is a common cause for referral to emergency departments. A proportion of these patients have non-cardiac chest pains with normal investigations. Such patients should be considered for oesophageal studies as these may reveal an underlying dysmotility disorder. We report the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with chest pain and underwent oesophageal studies. He was diagnosed with acid reflux and high amplitude oesophageal contractions, otherwise known as a jackhammer oesophagus. Treatment was successful with omeprazole and glyceryl trinitrate relieving his symptoms.
Fluctuating nature of an orbital venous-lymphatic anomaly in association with intracranial vascular malformations: a classical presentation
Authors: Kanagalingam Sivashakthi , Wyse Emily , Merbs Shannath L , Pearl Monica Smith
Published: October 2015

Venous-lymphatic anomalies (VLA) are rare and benign congenital lesions of the lymphatic system, composed of endothelial-lined lymphatic cysts. They are most frequently located in the region of the head and neck, and represent 4% of all orbital masses. In those patients with extensive orbital VLAs, a strong association with intracranial vascular anomalies has been reported. Factors known to suddenly increase the size of these lesions include upper respiratory tract infections or intralesional haemorrhage; however, complete spontaneous regression is rare. We report on the classic presentation of a patient with a fluctuating right orbital VLA in association with an intracranial cavernous malformation and intracranial developmental venous anomaly.
A case of donepezil-related torsades de pointes
Authors: Kitt Jamie , Irons Robert , Al-Obaidi Mohamed , Missouris Constantinos
Published: October 2015

An 80-year-old woman with Alzheimer's dementia presented with diarrhoea, vomiting and worsening confusion following an increase in donepezil dose from 5 to 10 mg. The ECG revealed prolongation of QTc interval. Soon after admission, she became unresponsive with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation with a 200 J shock was successful in establishing cardiac output. Following the discontinuation of donepezil, the QTc interval normalised and no further arrhythmias were recorded. Treatment with anticholinesterase inhibitors may result in life-threatening VT. Vigilance is required for the identification of this condition in patients presenting with presyncope, syncope or seizures.
Comparison between different proximity potentials and the double-folding model for spherical–deformed interacting nuclei
Authors: Ismail M. , Abdul-Magead I.A.M.
Published: October 2015

The Coulomb barrier parameters have been calculated for a spherical–deformed interacting pair of nuclei using 14 different versions of the proximity approaches and a simple analytical formula for the Coulomb part of the heavy ion potential. The results of these proximity versions have been compared with more accurate results obtained from the double-folding model (DFM). We have considered the interacting pair 48Ca + 238Pu as an example and assumed the presence of the quadrupole, octupole, and hexadecapole deformation parameters for 238Pu. The orientation angle dependence of the Coulomb barrier parameters has been computed for different sets of deformation parameters. We found that the proximity types named Prox77, BW Prox91, AW Prox95, Bass Prox77, and Bass Prox80 are the best ones of the available 14 versions of the proximity approaches for calculating the nuclear part of the interaction potential for a spherical–deformed pair of nuclei.
PRODUCT QUALITY AND INTRA-INDUSTRY TRADE
Authors: ITO TADASHI , OKUBO TOSHIHIRO
Published: October 2015

In this study, we argue that the conventional intra-industry trade (IIT) index does not directly address the quality issue and propose a methodology to make full use of unit price gap information to deduce quality differences between simultaneously exported and imported products. By applying this measure to German trade data at the eight-digit level, we study the quality change of Chinese export goods in its IIT with Germany. We compare the case of China with those of Eastern European countries, which are also major trading partners of Germany. Our results show that the unit value difference in IIT between Germany and Eastern European countries is clearly narrowing. However, China’s export prices to Germany are much lower than Germany’s export prices to China, and this gap has not narrowed over the last 23 years. This is at odds with the common perception that China’s product quality has improved, as documented by Rodrik [Rodrik, D (2006). Whats so special about China’s exports? China and World Economy, 14(5), 1–19.] and Schott [Schott, P (2008). The Relative sophistication of Chinese exports. Economic Policy, 53, 5–49.]. Our results support Xu [Xu, B (2010). The sophistication of exports: Is China special? China Economic Review, 21(3), 482–493.], which argued that incorporating the quality aspect of the exported goods weakens or even eliminates the evidence of the sophistication of Chinese export goods in Rodrik [Rodrik, D (2006). Whats so special about China’s exports? China and World Economy, 14(5), 1–19.].
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, TRADE OPENNESS AND GDP IN CHINA, INDIA AND MEXICO
Authors: LAL ANIL K.
Published: October 2015

This paper examines the short and long-run relationships between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Trade Openness and GDP in China, India and Mexico from 1980 to 2011. Based on the properties of individual time series data, the paper estimates the VAR or VECM of the three variables to determine short and long-run causal relationships. The results confirm the existence of long-run causal relationships between the three variables for China and Mexico. The results also point to sharp differences in short-run causal relationships in the three countries and several plausible explanations consistent with the findings are offered.
Phase diagrams and magnetic properties of double perovskite Ba2CrMoO6
Authors: Ait-Tamerd M. , Abraime B. , El Maalam K. , Benyoussef A. , El Kenz A. , Hamedoun M. , El Moussaoui H. , Mounkachi O.
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and the mean field approximation (MFA) methods have been used to study the magnetic properties of double perovskite Ba2CrMoO6in the framework of the Ising model, which is important for a better understanding of the magnetic behavior of this material. This compound is constituted of two magnetic cubic sublattices: one occupied by Mo[Formula: see text] and other occupied Cr[Formula: see text], the critical exponents and phase diagrams for this compound are determined. The critical behavior, compensation temperature and susceptibility are also determined.
Design and Experimentation of Boost Cascaded DC Link Inverter for Domestic UPS Applications
Authors: Uthirasamy R. , Ragupathy U. S.
Published: October 2015

A new structure of Boost Cascaded DC Link H-Bridge Inverter (BCDCLHBI) is proposed for domestic UPS applications. It consists of DC-DC converter, sub-multilevel modules and H-bridge inverter circuits. The proposed sub-multilevel modules synthesize a stepped DC link voltage with reduced voltage stress across the H-bridge inverter. Compared with conventional two-level inverter the proposed stepped DC link inverter configuration has reduced Power Spectral Density (PSD) and reduced voltage stress. Compared with conventional Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (CMLI) configuration, the proposed system has reduced power switches, DC sources and gate driver requirements. To obtain better quality of AC power output, carrier-level shifted Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) schemes are developed for sub-multilevel switching. A simulation and prototype model of 7-level BCDCLHBI is developed and its performance is validated.
Shaking Table Test on Seismic Performance of L- and V-Sectioned Reinforced Concrete Columns
Authors: Nguyen Xuan-Huy , Pham Xuan-Dat , Luong Xuan-Chieu
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an experimental program to investigate the effects of cross-sectional shape on the seismic performance of irregularly shaped reinforced concrete (RC) columns. Five groups of specimens that were one-quarter of typical columns of a prototype medium-rise building were tested to failure using shaking table. The loading procedure was successively increasing peak ground acceleration until the test structure collapsed. The specimens were designed with the same cross-section area but different flange width and flange thickness. The seismic response characteristics of all specimens such as drift capacity, energy absorption capacity and failure mechanisms of each specimen group are evaluated, compared and discussed in detail. Based on the current test data, design recommendation is provided to assist engineers in designing such irregularly shaped columns.
The Hepatitis B Virus Receptor
Authors: Li Wenhui
Published: October 2015

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects 240 million people worldwide. A liver-specific bile acid transporter named the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) has been identified as the cellular receptor for HBV and its satellite, the hepatitis D virus (HDV). NTCP likely acts as a major determinant for the liver tropism and species specificity of HBV and HDV at the entry level. NTCP-mediated HBV entry interferes with bile acid transport in cell cultures and has been linked with alterations in bile acid and cholesterol metabolism in vivo. The human liver carcinoma cell line HepG2, complemented with NTCP, now provides a valuable platform for studying the basic biology of the viruses and developing treatments for HBV infection. This review summarizes critical findings regarding NTCP's role as a viral receptor for HBV and HDV and discusses important questions that remain unanswered.
Eukaryotic Mismatch Repair in Relation to DNA Replication
Authors: Kunkel Thomas A. , Erie Dorothy A.
Published: October 2015

Three processes act in series to accurately replicate the eukaryotic nuclear genome. The major replicative DNA polymerases strongly prevent mismatch formation, occasional mismatches that do form are proofread during replication, and rare mismatches that escape proofreading are corrected by mismatch repair (MMR). This review focuses on MMR in light of increasing knowledge about nuclear DNA replication enzymology and the rate and specificity with which mismatches are generated during leading- and lagging-strand replication. We consider differences in MMR efficiency in relation to mismatch recognition, signaling to direct MMR to the nascent strand, mismatch removal, and the timing of MMR. These studies are refining our understanding of relationships between generating and repairing replication errors to achieve accurate replication of both DNA strands of the nuclear genome.
Gene Positioning Effects on Expression in Eukaryotes
Authors: Nguyen Huy Q. , Bosco Giovanni
Published: October 2015

The packaging and organization of the genome within the eukaryotic interphase nucleus directly influence how the genes are expressed. An underappreciated aspect of genome structure is that it is highly dynamic and that the physical positioning of a gene can impart control over its transcriptional status. In this review, we assess the current knowledge of how gene positioning at different levels of genome organization can directly influence gene expression during interphase. The levels of organization discussed include chromatin looping, topologically associated domains, chromosome territories, and nuclear compartments. We discuss specific studies demonstrating that gene positioning is a dynamic and highly regulated feature of the eukaryotic genome that allows for the essential spatiotemporal regulation of genes.
Vocational Psychology: Agency, Equity, and Well-Being
Authors: Brown Steven D. , Lent Robert W.
Published: October 2015

The present review organizes the vocational psychology literature published between 2007 and 2014 into three overarching themes: Promoting (a) agency in career development, (b) equity in the work force, and (c) well-being in work and educational settings. Research on career adaptability, self-efficacy beliefs, and work volition is reviewed in the agency section, with the goal of delineating variables that promote or constrain the exercise of personal agency in academic and occupational pursuits. The equity theme covers research on social class and race/ethnicity in career development; entry and retention of women and people of color in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields; and the career service needs of survivors of domestic violence and of criminal offenders. The goal was to explore how greater equity in the work force could be promoted for these groups. In the well-being section, we review research on hedonic (work, educational, and life satisfaction) and eudaimonic (career calling, meaning, engagement, and commitment) variables, with the goal of understanding how well-being might be promoted at school and at work. Future research needs related to each theme are also discussed.
An Innovative Passive Residual Heat Removal System of an Open-Pool Type Research Reactor with Pump Flywheel and Gravity Core Cooling Tank
Authors: Lee Kwon-Yeong , Yoon Hyun-Gi
Published: October 2015

In an open-pool type research reactor, the primary cooling system can be designed to have a downward flow inside the core during normal operation because of the plate type fuel geometry. There is a flow inversion inside the core from the downward flow by the inertia force of the primary coolant to the upward flow by the natural circulation when the pump is turned off. To delay the flow inversion time, an innovative passive system with pump flywheel and GCCT is developed to remove the residual heat. Before the primary cooling pump starts up, the water level of the GCCT is the same as that of the reactor pool. During the primary cooling pump operation, the water in the GCCT is moved into the reactor pool because of the pump suction head. After the pump stops, the potential head generates a downward flow inside the core by moving the water from the reactor pool to the GCCT and removes the residual heat. When the water levels of the two pools are the same again, the core flow has an inversion of the flow direction, and natural circulation is developed through the flap valves.
Evidential Value That Exercise Improves BMIz-Score in Overweight and Obese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S.
Published: October 2015

Background.Given the cardiovascular disease (CVD) related importance of understanding the true effects of exercise on adiposity in overweight and obese children and adolescents, this study examined whether there is evidential value to rule out excessive and inappropriate reporting of statistically significant results, a major problem in the published literature, with respect to exercise-induced improvements in BMIz-score among overweight and obese children and adolescents.Methods.Using data from a previous meta-analysis of 10 published studies that included 835 overweight and obese children and adolescents, a novel, recently developed approach (p-curve) was used to test for evidential value and rule out selective reporting of findings. Chi-squared tests (χ2) were used to test for statistical significance with alpha (p) values <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results.Six of 10 findings (60%) were statistically significant. Statistically significant right-skew to rule out selective reporting was found (χ2= 38.8,p= 0.0001). Conversely, studies neither lacked evidential value (χ2= 6.8,p= 0.87) nor lacked evidential value and were intenselyp-hacked (χ2= 4.3,p= 0.98).Conclusion.Evidential value results confirm that exercise reduces BMIz-score in overweight and obese children and adolescents, an important therapeutic strategy for treating and preventing CVD.
Effect of Glyceraldehyde Cross-Linking on a Rabbit Bullous Keratopathy Model
Authors: Wang Mengmeng
Published: October 2015

Background. To evaluate the effects of corneal glyceraldehyde CXL on the rabbit bullous keratopathy models established by descemetorhexis.Methods. Fifteen rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Group A (n=3) is the control group. The right eyes of animals in Groups B,C, D, and E (n=3, resp.) were suffered with descemetorhexis procedures. From the 8th day to the 14th day postoperatively, the right eyes in Groups C and D were instilled with hyperosmolar drops and glyceraldehyde drops, respectively; the right eyes in Group E were instilled with both hyperosmolar drops and glyceraldehyde drops. Central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal transparency score, and histopathological analysis were applied on the eyes in each group.Results. Compared with Group A, statistically significant increase in CCT and corneal transparency score was found in Groups B, C, D, and E at 7 d postoperatively (P<0.05) and in Groups C, D, and E at 14 d postoperatively (P<0.05).Conclusion. Chemical CXL technique using glyceraldehyde improved the CCT and corneal transparency of the rabbit bullous keratopathy models. Topical instillation with glyceraldehyde and hyperosmolar solutions seems to be a good choice for the bullous keratopathy treatment.
A Systematic Evaluation of Feature Selection and Classification Algorithms Using Simulated and Real miRNA Sequencing Data
Authors: Yang Sheng , Guo Li , Shao Fang , Zhao Yang , Chen Feng
Published: October 2015

Sequencing is widely used to discover associations between microRNAs (miRNAs) and diseases. However, the negative binomial distribution (NB) and high dimensionality of data obtained using sequencing can lead to low-power results and low reproducibility. Several statistical learning algorithms have been proposed to address sequencing data, and although evaluation of these methods is essential, such studies are relatively rare. The performance of seven feature selection (FS) algorithms, including baySeq, DESeq, edgeR, the rank sum test, lasso, particle swarm optimistic decision tree, and random forest (RF), was compared by simulation under different conditions based on the difference of the mean, the dispersion parameter of the NB, and the signal to noise ratio. Real data were used to evaluate the performance of RF, logistic regression, and support vector machine. Based on the simulation and real data, we discuss the behaviour of the FS and classification algorithms. The Apriori algorithm identified frequent item sets (mir-133a, mir-133b, mir-183, mir-937, and mir-96) from among the deregulated miRNAs of six datasets from The Cancer Genomics Atlas. Taking these findings altogether and considering computational memory requirements, we propose a strategy that combines edgeR and DESeq for large sample sizes.
Determining Effects of Wagon Mass and Vehicle Velocity on Vertical Vibrations of a Rail Vehicle Moving with a Constant Acceleration on a Bridge Using Experimental and Numerical Methods
Authors: Mızrak C. , Esen İ.
Published: October 2015

Vibrations are vital for derailment safety and passenger comfort which may occur on rail vehicles due to the truck and nearby conditions. In particular, while traversing a bridge, dynamic interaction forces due to moving loads increase the vibrations even further. In this study, the vertical vibrations of a rail vehicle at the midpoint of a bridge, where the amount of deflection is expected to be maximum, were determined by means of a 1 : 5 scaled roller rig and Newmark-βnumerical method. Simulations for different wagon masses and vehicle velocities were performed using both techniques. The results obtained from the numerical and experimental methods were compared and it was demonstrated that the former was accurate with an 8.9% error margin. Numerical simulations were performed by identifying different test combinations with Taguchi experiment design. After evaluating the obtained results by means of an ANOVA analysis, it was determined that the wagon mass had a decreasing effect on the vertical vibrations of the rail vehicle by 2.087%, while rail vehicle velocity had an increasing effect on the vibrations by 96.384%.
IFN-γPriming Effects on the Maintenance of Effector Memory CD4+T Cells and on Phagocyte Function: Evidences from Infectious Diseases
Authors: Borges da Silva Henrique , Fonseca Raíssa , Alvarez José M. , D’Império Lima Maria Regina
Published: October 2015

Although it has been established that effector memory CD4+T cells play an important role in the protective immunity against chronic infections, little is known about the exact mechanisms responsible for their functioning and maintenance, as well as their effects on innate immune cells. Here we review recent data on the role of IFN-γpriming as a mechanism affecting both innate immune cells and effector memory CD4+T cells. Suboptimal concentrations of IFN-γare seemingly crucial for the optimization of innate immune cell functions (including phagocytosis and destruction of reminiscent pathogens), as well as for the survival and functioning of effector memory CD4+T cells. Thus, IFN-γpriming can thus be considered an important bridge between innate and adaptive immunity.
Distributed Control Design for Structures Subjected to Traveling Loads
Authors: Pisarski Dominik
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a novel distributed control method that adapts the structures subjected to traveling loads. The adaptation is realized by changes of the damping of the structure’s supports. The control objective is to provide smooth passage of vehicles and to extend the safe life-time of the carrying structures. The results presented in the previous works of the author exhibited high performance of supports with an open-loop switching damping policy. In this paper, the goal is to develop a state feedback strategy that is significantly less sensitive to the system parameters and much simpler for practical implementation. Further efforts are put into designing a distributed controller architecture, where only the local and the relevant neighboring states are used to compute the control decisions. The proposed controller is validated experimentally. It exhibits high performance in a wide range of travel speeds. The practicality of the proposed solution should attract the attention of practicing engineers.
An Improved Genetic Algorithm with Initial Population Strategy for Symmetric TSP
Authors: Deng Yong , Liu Yang , Zhou Deyun
Published: October 2015

A new initial population strategy has been developed to improve the genetic algorithm for solving the well-known combinatorial optimization problem, traveling salesman problem. Based on thek-means algorithm, we propose a strategy to restructure the traveling route by reconnecting each cluster. The clusters, which randomly disconnect a link to connect its neighbors, have been ranked in advance according to the distance among cluster centers, so that the initial population can be composed of the random traveling routes. This process isk-means initial population strategy. To test the performance of our strategy, a series of experiments on 14 different TSP examples selected from TSPLIB have been carried out. The results show that KIP can decrease best error value of random initial population strategy and greedy initial population strategy with the ratio of approximately between 29.15% and 37.87%, average error value between 25.16% and 34.39% in the same running time.
Antitumor Efficacy and Mechanism in Hepatoma H22-Bearing Mice ofBrucea javanicaOil
Authors: Shi Wen-Rong , Liu Yan , Wang Xiao-Ting , Huang Qiong-Ying , Cai Xue-Rong , Wu Shao-Rong
Published: October 2015

Brucea javanicais a traditional herbal medicine in China, and its antitumor activities are of research interest.Brucea javanicaoil, extracted with ether and refined with 10% ethyl alcohol fromBrucea javanicaseed, was used to treat hepatoma H22-bearing mice in this study. The antitumor effect and probable mechanisms of the extractedBrucea javanicaoil were studied in H22-bearing mice by WBC count, GOT, GPT levels, and western blotting. The H22 tumor inhibition ratio of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/kg bwBrucea javanicaoil were 15.64%, 23.87%, and 38.27%.Brucea javanicaoil could inhibit the involution of thymus induced by H22 tumor-bearing, but it could not inhibit the augmentation of spleen and liver.Brucea javanicaoil could decrease the levels of WBC count and GOT and GPT in H22-bearing mice. The protein levels of GAPDH, Akt, TGF-β1, andα-SMA in tumor tissues decreased after being treated withBrucea javanicaoil. Disturbing energy metabolism and neoplastic hyperplasia controlled by Akt and immunoregulation activity were its probable antitumor mechanisms in hepatoma H22-bearing mice.
Atomistic Modeling of Mechanical Characteristics of CNT‐Polyethylene with Interfacial Covalent Interaction
Authors: Xiong Qi-lin , Tian Xiao-geng
Published: October 2015

The mechanical properties of carbon nanotube‐ (CNT‐) reinforced polyethylenes (PE) with interfacial covalent bonded interaction are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. A reactive force field for hydrocarbons (ReaxFF) is used in the nanocomposite system. Through a series of the tensile and pullout tests of carbon nanotube‐reinforced polyethylene, Young’s modulus and the interfacial shear stress of the nano‐reinforced polyethylene are obtained. The comparisons between the MD results of this work and the relevant experimental data of the existing literature are made and the results show that the interfacial covalent bonded interaction between CNTs and the polymer matrix is indispensable. The bond interaction plays the main role in the load transfer of nanocomposites. In addition, the influences of carbon nanotube embedded length and diameter on the interfacial mechanical properties also are studied.
Average Consensus in Networks of Neutral Dynamical Agents with Fixed and Switching Topologies
Authors: Wu Yingying , Sun Yuangong
Published: October 2015

This paper addresses the average consensus problem of neutral multiagent systems in undirected networks with fixed and switching topologies. For the case of fixed topology, necessary and sufficient conditions to average consensus are established by decoupling the neutral multiagent system in terms of the eigenvalues of the Laplacian matrix. For the case of switching topology, sufficient conditions to average consensus are given in terms of linear matrix inequalities to determine the allowable upper bound of the time-varying communication delay. Finally, two examples are worked out to explain the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
EVFDT: An Enhanced Very Fast Decision Tree Algorithm for Detecting Distributed Denial of Service Attack in Cloud-Assisted Wireless Body Area Network
Authors: Latif Rabia , Abbas Haider , Latif Seemab , Masood Ashraf
Published: October 2015

Due to the scattered nature of DDoS attacks and advancement of new technologies such as cloud-assisted WBAN, it becomes challenging to detect malicious activities by relying on conventional security mechanisms. The detection of such attacks demands an adaptive and incremental learning classifier capable of accurate decision making with less computation. Hence, the DDoS attack detection using existing machine learning techniques requires full data set to be stored in the memory and are not appropriate for real-time network traffic. To overcome these shortcomings, Very Fast Decision Tree (VFDT) algorithm has been proposed in the past that can handle high speed streaming data efficiently. Whilst considering the data generated by WBAN sensors, noise is an obvious aspect that severely affects the accuracy and increases false alarms. In this paper, an enhanced VFDT (EVFDT) is proposed to efficiently detect the occurrence of DDoS attack in cloud-assisted WBAN. EVFDT uses an adaptive tie-breaking threshold for node splitting. To resolve the tree size expansion under extreme noise, a lightweight iterative pruning technique is proposed. To analyze the performance of EVFDT, four metrics are evaluated: classification accuracy, tree size, time, and memory. Simulation results show that EVFDT attains significantly high detection accuracy with fewer false alarms.
Analytical Study of Unsteady Nested Groundwater Flow Systems
Authors: Niu Hong , Liang Xing , Ni Sheng-nan , Wen Zhang
Published: October 2015

Two analytical solutions using segregation variable method to calculate the hydraulic head under steady and unsteady flow conditions based on Tóth’s classical model were developed. The impacts of anisotropy ratio, hydraulic conductivity (K), and specific yield (μs) on the flow patterns were analyzed. It was found that the area of the equal velocity region increases and the penetrating depth of the flow system decreases at steady state with anisotropy ratio increases, which is defined asε=Kx/Kz. In addition, stagnant zones can be found in the flow field where the streamlines have opposite directions. These stagnant zones move toward the surface as the horizontal hydraulic conductivity increases. The results of the study on transient flow indicate that a relative increase in hydraulic conductivity produces a positive impact on hydraulic head and a relative enhancement in specific yield produces a negative effect on hydraulic head at early times.
Dielectric Behavior of Low Microwave Loss Unit Cell for All Dielectric Metamaterial
Authors: Luo Tianhuan , Li Bo , Zhao Qian , Zhou Ji
Published: October 2015

With a deep study of the metamaterial, its unit cells have been widely extended from metals to dielectrics. The dielectric based unit cells attract much attention because of the advantage of easy preparation, tunability, and higher frequency response, and so forth. Using the conventional solid state method, we prepared a kind of incipient ferroelectrics (calcium titanate, CaTiO3) with higher microwave permittivity and lower loss, which can be successfully used to construct metamaterials. The temperature and frequency dependence of dielectric constant are also measured under different sintering temperatures. The dielectric spectra showed a slight permittivity decrease with the increase of temperature and exhibited a loss of 0.0005, combined with a higher microwave dielectric constant of ~167 and quality factorQof 2049. Therefore, CaTiO3is a kind of versatile and potential metamaterial unit cell. The permittivity of CaTiO3at higher microwave frequency was also examined in the rectangular waveguide and we got the permittivity of 165, creating a new method to test permittivity at higher microwave frequency.
High-Directivity Antenna Array Based on Artificial Electromagnetic Metamaterials with Low Refractive Index
Authors: Xiao Zhigang , Yao Jiang , Yin Shaoquan
Published: October 2015

Planar metamaterials (MTMs) with low refractive index are proposed as a cover in a high-gain patch antenna array configuration. This MTMs array antenna has the following features: the number of array elements significantly decreases compared with the conventional array; the elements spacing is larger than a wave length by far; the feeding network is simpler. MTMs are made of two layers of periodic square metallic grids and placed above the feeding array. With the same aperture size, the directivity of MTMs-cover antenna array is higher than the conventional antenna array. The simulation results show that an array of 2 × 2 patch elements integrated with MTMs yields about 26 dB of directivity which is higher than that of conventional 8 × 8 patch array. Furthermore, on the condition of the same aperture size, an array patch with 4 × 4 elements integrated with the MTMs-cover has an equivalent gain compared with the conventional patch array with 16 × 16 array elements. Obviously, the former has a simpler feeding network and higher aperture efficiency. The experimental work has verified that the 2 × 2 array case and the measured results have good agreement with the simulation.
Synthesis of Renewable Energy Materials, Sodium Aluminum Hydride by Grignard Reagent of Al
Authors: Wang Jun-qin , Gao Jian-feng , Wu Zhi-gang , Ou Guo-li , Wang Yu
Published: October 2015

The research on hydrogen generation and application has attracted widespread attention around the world. This paper is to demonstrate that sodium aluminum hydride can be synthesized under simple and mild reaction condition. Being activated through organics, aluminum powder reacts with hydrogen and sodium hydride to produce sodium aluminum hydride under atmospheric pressure. The properties and composition of the sample were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and so forth. The results showed that the product through this synthesis method is sodium aluminum hydride, and it has higher purity, perfect crystal character, better stability, and good hydrogen storage property. The reaction mechanism is also discussed in detail.
An Opinion Interactive Model Based on Individual Persuasiveness
Authors: Zhou Xin , Chen Bin , Liu Liang , Ma Liang , Qiu Xiaogang
Published: October 2015

In order to study the formation process of group opinion in real life, we put forward a new opinion interactive model based on Deffuant model and its improved models in this paper because current models of opinion dynamics lack considering individual persuasiveness. Our model has following advantages: firstly persuasiveness is added to individual’s attributes reflecting the importance of persuasiveness, which means that all the individuals are different from others; secondly probability is introduced in the course of interaction which simulates the uncertainty of interaction. In Monte Carlo simulation experiments, sensitivity analysis including the influence of randomness, initial persuasiveness distribution, and number of individuals is studied at first; what comes next is that the range of common opinion based on the initial persuasiveness distribution can be predicted. Simulation experiment results show that when the initial values of agents are fixed, no matter how many times independently replicated experiments, the common opinion will converge at a certain point; however the number of iterations will not always be the same; the range of common opinion can be predicted when initial distribution of opinion and persuasiveness are given. As a result, this model can reflect and interpret some phenomena of opinion interaction in realistic society.
Macrophage-Targeting Gene Delivery Using a Micelle Composed of Mannose-Modified Lipid with Triazole Ring and Dioleoyl Trimethylammonium Propane
Authors: Fukuda Ichiki , Mochizuki Shinichi , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: October 2015

Gene carriers with cell specific ligand molecules are needed for the treatment of several diseases. Mannose is known to be recognized and incorporated into the cells through mannose recognition lectins that are exclusively expressed on macrophages. In this study, we synthesized two types of mannose-modified lipids with different stereoisomer (α-mannose andβ-mannose). To make a complex with plasmid DNA (pDNA), termed “lipoplex,” we prepared a two-component micelle made from cationic lipid; dioleoyltrimethylammoniumpropane (DOTAP); and mannose-modified lipid (D/α-Man or D/β-Man). The prepared D/α-Man lipoplexes were able to bind to one of theα-mannose lectins concanavalin A (ConA) immobilized on gold substrate in the quartz-crystal microbalance sensor cell. D/β-Man lipoplexes did not show any frequency changes. These results indicate that the mannose residues were exposed on the lipoplexes, leading to not only the binding to ConA but also the prevention of nonspecific interactions with proteins. Both lipoplexes showed high transfection efficiencies to RAW264.7 cells which have several kinds of mannose lectins. This delivery system to macrophages may overcome the problems for gene therapy and may be used for the treatment of immune diseases involved in macrophages.