bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GJA4/Connexin 37 Mutations Correlate with Secondary Lymphedema Following Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Hadizadeh Mahrooyeh , Mohaddes Ardebili Seiied , Salehi Mansoor , Young Chris , Mokarian Fariborz , McClellan James , Xu Qin , Kazemi Mohammad , Moazam Elham , Mahaki Behzad , Bonab Maziar
Published: February 2018

Lymphedema is a condition resulting from mutations in various genes essential for lymphatic development and function, which leads to obstruction of the lymphatic system. Secondary lymphedema is a progressive and incurable condition, most often manifesting after surgery for breast cancer. Although its causation appears complex, various lines of evidence indicate that genetic predisposition may play a role. Previous studies show that mutations in connexin 47 are associated with secondary lymphedema. We have tested the hypothesis that connexin 37 gene mutations in humans are associated with secondary lymphedema following breast cancer surgery. A total of 2211 breast cancer patients were screened and tested for reference single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the GJA4 gene (gap junction protein alpha 4 gene). The results presented in this paper indicate that two SNPs in the 3’ UTR (the three prime untranslated region) of the GJA4 gene are associated with an increased risk of secondary lymphedema in patients undergoing breast cancer treatment. Our results provide evidence of a novel genetic biomarker for assessing the predisposition to secondary lymphedema in human breast cancer patients. Testing for the condition-associated alleles described here could assist and inform treatment and post-operative care plans of breast cancer patients, with potentially positive outcomes for the management of disease progression.
Suitability Evaluation of Specific Shallow Geothermal Technologies Using a GIS-Based Multi Criteria Decision Analysis Implementing the Analytic Hierarchic Process
Authors: Tinti Francesco , Kasmaee Sara , Elkarmoty Mohamed , Bonduà Stefano , Bortolotti Villiam
Published: February 2018

The exploitation potential of shallow geothermal energy is usually defined in terms of site-specific ground thermal characteristics. While true, this assumption limits the complexity of the analysis, since feasibility studies involve many other components that must be taken into account when calculating the effective market viability of a geothermal technology or the economic value of a shallow geothermal project. In addition, the results of a feasibility study are not simply the sum of the various factors since some components may be conflicting while others will be of a qualitative nature only. Different approaches are therefore needed to evaluate the suitability of an area for shallow geothermal installation. This paper introduces a new GIS platform-based multicriteria decision analysis method aimed at comparing as many different shallow geothermal relevant factors as possible. Using the Analytic Hierarchic Process Tool, a geolocalized Suitability Index was obtained for a specific technological case: the integrated technologies developed within the GEOTeCH Project. A suitability map for the technologies in question was drawn up for Europe.
Selective Harmonic Elimination in a Wide Modulation Range Using Modified Newton–Raphson and Pattern Generation Methods for a Multilevel Inverter
Authors: Al-Hitmi Mohammed , Ahmad Salman , Iqbal Atif , Padmanaban Sanjeevikumar , Ashraf Imtiaz
Published: February 2018

Considering the aim of having low switching losses, especially in medium-voltage and high-power converters, the pre-programmed pulse width modulation technique is very useful because the generated harmonic content can be known in advance and optimized. Among the different low switching frequency techniques, the Selective Harmonics Elimination (SHE) modulation method is most suitable because of its direct control over the harmonic spectrum. This paper proposes a method for obtaining multiple solutions for selectively eliminating specific harmonics in a wide range of modulation indices by using modified Newton–Raphson (NR) and pattern generation techniques. The different pattern generation and synthesis approach provide more degrees of freedom and a way to operate the converter in a wide range of modulation. The modified Newton–Raphson technique is not complex and ensures fast convergence on a solution. Moreover, multiple solutions are obtained by keeping a very small increase in the modulation index. In the previous methods, solutions were not obtainable at all modulation indices. In this paper, only exact solutions to the low-order harmonics elimination for Cascaded H-bridge inverter are reported for all modulation indices. Analytical and simulation results prove the robustness and correctness of the technique proposed in this paper.
A Steady-State Analysis Method for Modular Multilevel Converters Connected to Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator-Based Wind Energy Conversion Systems
Authors: Liu Zhijie , Li Kejun , Sun Yuanyuan , Wang Jinyu , Wang Zhuodi , Sun Kaiqi , Wang Meiyan
Published: February 2018

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have shown great potential in the area of multi-megawatt wind energy conversion system (WECS) based on permanent magnet synchronous generators (PMSGs). However, the studies in this area are few, and most of them refer to the MMC used in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, and hence the characteristics of the PMSG are not considered. This paper proposes a steady-state analysis method for MMCs connected to a PMSG-based WECS. In the proposed method, only the wind speed (operating condition) is required as input, and all the electrical quantities in the MMC, including the amplitudes, phase angles and their harmonics, can be calculated step by step. The analysis method is built on the proposed d-q frame mathematical model. Interactions of electrical quantities between the MMC and PMSG are comprehensively considered. Moreover, a new way to calculate the average switching functions are adopted in order to improve the accuracy of the analysis method. Applications of the proposed method are also presented, which includes the characteristic analysis of capacitor voltage ripples and the capacitor sizing. Finally, the accuracy of the method and the correctness of the analysis are verified by simulations and experiments.
Neurophysiological Assessment of Abnormalities of the Neuromuscular Junction in Children
Authors: Pitt Matthew
Published: February 2018

The function of the neuromuscular junction in children is amenable to electrophysiological testing. Of the two tests available, repetitive nerve stimulation is uncomfortable and has a reduced sensitivity compared with single-fibre methodology. The latter is the method of choice, recording the variability in neuromuscular transmission as a value called jitter. It can be performed by voluntary activation of the muscle being examined, which is not suitable in children, or by stimulation techniques. A modification of these techniques, called Stimulated Potential Analysis with Concentric needle Electrodes (SPACE), is well tolerated and can be performed while the child is awake. It has a high sensitivity (84%) for the diagnosis of neuromuscular transmission disorders, the majority of which are myasthenic syndromes, and a moderate specificity (70%). The latter can be improved by the exclusion of neurogenic causes and the determination of the degree of jitter abnormality. Minor jitter abnormalities, under 115% of the upper limit of normal, are usually caused by myopathies with an associated neuromuscular transmission disorder, whereas levels higher than this value are usually associated with one of the myasthenic conditions.
A Caching Strategy for Transparent Computing Server Side Based on Data Block Relevance
Authors: Wang Bin , Chen Lin , Li Weimin , Sheng Jinfang
Published: February 2018

The performance bottleneck of transparent computing (TC) is on the server side. Caching is one of the key factors of the server-side performance. The count of disk input/output (I/O) can be reduced if multiple data blocks that are correlated with the data block currently accessed are prefetched in advance. As a result, the service performance and user experience quality in TC can be improved. In this study, we propose a caching strategy for the TC server side based on data block relevance, which is called the correlation pattern-based caching strategy (CPCS). In this method, we adjust a model that is based on a frequent pattern tree (FP-tree) for mining frequent patterns from data streams (FP-stream) to the characteristics of data access in TC, and we devise a cache structure in accordance with the storage model of TC. Finally, the access process in TC with real access traces in different caching strategies. Simulation results show that the cache hit rate under the CPCS is higher than that using other algorithms under conditions in which the parameters are coordinated properly.
On the Use of Affordable COTS Hardware for Network Measurements: Limits and Good Practices
Authors: Miravalls-Sierra Eduardo , Muelas David , López de Vergara Jorge , Ramos Javier , Aracil Javier
Published: February 2018

Wireless access technologies are widespread in domestic scenarios, and end users extensively use mobile phones or tablets to browse the Web. Therefore, methods and platforms for the measurement of network key performance indicators must be adapted to the peculiarities of this environment. In this light, the experiments should capture the true conditions of such connections, particularly in terms of the hardware and multi-device interactions that are present in real networks. On the basis of this, this paper presents an evaluation of the capabilities of several affordable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices as network measuring probes, for example, computers-on-module or domestic routers with software measurement tools. Our main goal is to detect the limits of such devices and define a guide of good practices to optimize them. Hence, our work paves the way for the development of fair measurement systems in domestic networks with low expenditures. The obtained experimental results show that these types of devices are suitable as network measuring probes, if they are adequately configured and minimal accuracy losses are assumable.
The Prediction of Surface Error Characteristics in the Peripheral Milling of Thin-Walled Structures
Authors: Wimmer Sepp , Zaeh Michael
Published: February 2018

Lightweight design is gaining in importance throughout the engineering sector, and with it, workpieces are becoming increasingly complex. Particularly, thin-walled parts require highly accurate and efficient machining strategies. Such low-rigidity structures usually undergo significant deformations during peripheral milling operations, thus suffering surface errors and a violation of tolerance specifications. This article introduces a general approach to mitigating surface errors during the peripheral milling of thin-walled aluminum workpieces. It incorporates an analytical approach to predicting surface-error characteristics based on geometrical quantities and process parameters, which is presented in detail. Milling experiments, including geometrical measurements of the samples, have been performed to verify the approach. The approach allows for a pre-selection of parameter sets that result in surface errors that can be compensated with minimal effort. Additionally, the introduced model offers a simple criterion to assess potential error mitigation by applying the respective tool-path adjustments. In doing so, the amount of costly numerical simulations or experiments is significantly reduced.
The Prevailing Catalytic Role of Meteorites in Formamide Prebiotic Processes
Authors: Saladino Raffaele , Botta Lorenzo , Di Mauro Ernesto
Published: February 2018

Meteorites are consensually considered to be involved in the origin of life on this Planet for several functions and at different levels: (i) as providers of impact energy during their passage through the atmosphere; (ii) as agents of geodynamics, intended both as starters of the Earth’s tectonics and as activators of local hydrothermal systems upon their fall; (iii) as sources of organic materials, at varying levels of limited complexity; and (iv) as catalysts. The consensus about the relevance of these functions differs. We focus on the catalytic activities of the various types of meteorites in reactions relevant for prebiotic chemistry. Formamide was selected as the chemical precursor and various sources of energy were analyzed. The results show that all the meteorites and all the different energy sources tested actively afford complex mixtures of biologically-relevant compounds, indicating the robustness of the formamide-based prebiotic chemistry involved. Although in some cases the yields of products are quite small, the diversity of the detected compounds of biochemical significance underlines the prebiotic importance of meteorite-catalyzed condensation of formamide.
DFT Insights into the Role of Relative Positions of Fe and N Dopants on the Structure and Properties of TiO2
Authors: Ramin Gul Sahar , Khan Matiullah , Yi Zeng , Wu Bo
Published: February 2018

The location and nature of the doped elements strongly affect the structural, electronic and optical properties of TiO2. To tailor the band structure and modify the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2, a pair of dopants is selected. Fe and N atoms are inserted in the TiO2 network at substitutional and interstitial sites with different relative distances. The main objective behind the different locations and sites of the doped elements is to banish the isolated unoccupied states from the forbidden region that normally annihilates the photogenerated carriers. Fe at the Ti site and N at the O site doped in the TiO2 network separated at a distance of 7.805 Å provided a suitable configuration of dopant atoms in terms of geometry and band structure. Moreover, the optical properties showed a notable shift to the visible regime. Individual dopants either introduced isolated unoccupied states in the band gap or disturbed the fermi level and structural properties. Furthermore, the other co-doped configurations showed no remarkable band shift, as well as exhibiting a suitable band structure. Resultantly, comparing the band structure and optical properties, it is argued that Fe (at Ti) and N (at O) doped at a distance of 7.805 Å would strongly improve the photoelectrochemical properties of TiO2.
Particle-Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs)—Selected Results of an Integrated Technology, User, and Market Analysis and Forecast
Authors: Schmidt Anja , Siebeck Steve , Götze Uwe , Wagner Guntram , Nestler Daisy
Published: February 2018

The research and development of new materials such as particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) will only result in a successful innovation if these materials show significant advantages not only from a technological, but also from an economic point of view. Against this background, in the Collaborative Research Center SFB 692, the concept of an integrated technology, user, and market analysis and forecast has been developed as a means for assessing the technological and commercial potential of new materials in early life cycle stages. After briefly describing this concept, it is applied to AMCs and the potential field of manufacturing aircraft components. Results show not only technological advances, but also considerable economic potential—the latter one primarily resulting from the possible weight reduction being enabled by the increased yield strength of the new material.
Monostable Dynamic Analysis of Microbeam-Based Resonators via an Improved One Degree of Freedom Model
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Qichang , Wang Wei , Han Jianxin
Published: February 2018

Monostable vibration can eliminate dynamic bifurcation and improve system stability, which is required in many microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) applications, such as microbeam-based and comb-driven resonators. This article aims to theoretically investigate the monostable vibration in size-effected MEMS via a low dimensional model. An improved single degree of freedom model to describe electrically actuated microbeam-based resonators is obtained by using modified couple stress theory and Nonlinear Galerkin method. Static displacement, pull-in voltage, resonant frequency and especially the monostable dynamic behaviors of the resonators are investigated in detail. Through perturbation analysis, an approximate average equation is derived by the application of the method of Multiple Scales. Theoretical expressions about parameter space and maximum amplitude of monostable vibration are then deduced. Results show that this improved model can describe the static behavior more accurately than that of single degree of freedom model via traditional Galerkin Method. This desired monostable large amplitude vibration is significantly affected by the ratio of the gap width to mircobeam thickness. The optimization design results show that reasonable decrease of this ratio can be beneficial to monostable vibration. All these analytical results are verified by numerical results via Differential Quadrature method, which show excellent agreement with each other. This analysis has the potential of improving dynamic performance in MEMS.
Oleanolic Acid Exerts Osteoprotective Effects and Modulates Vitamin D Metabolism
Authors: Cao Sisi , Dong Xiao-Li , Ho Ming-Xian , Yu Wen-Xuan , Wong Ka-Chun , Yao Xin-Sheng , Wong Man-Sau
Published: February 2018

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a triterpenoid with reported bone anti-resorption activities. The present study aimed to characterize its bone protective effects in vivo and to study its effects on vitamin D metabolism, both in vivo and in vitro. OA significantly increased bone mineral density, improved micro-architectural properties, reduced urinary Ca excretion, increased 1,25(OH)2D3 and renal CYP27B1 mRNA expression in mature C57BL/6 ovariectomised (OVX) mice. OA also improved bone properties, Ca balance, and exerted modulatory effects on renal CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 expressions in aged normal female Sprague–Dawley rats. In addition, OA significantly increased renal CYP27B1 mRNA and promoter activity, and suppressed CYP24A1 mRNA and protein expressions in human proximal tubule HKC-8 cells. OA exerted bone protective effects in mature OVX mice and aged female rats. This action on bone might be, at least in part, associated with its effects on Ca and vitamin D metabolism. The present findings suggest that OA is a potential drug candidate for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Novel Amphiphilic, Biodegradable, Biocompatible, Thermo-Responsive ABA Triblock Copolymers Based on PCL and PEG Analogues via a Combination of ROP and RAFT: Synthesis, Characterization, and Sustained Drug Release from Self-Assembled Micelles
Authors: Ning Wenyan , Shang Pei , Wu Jie , Shi Xiaoyu , Liu Shouxin
Published: February 2018

Well-defined novel, linear, biodegradable, amphiphilic thermo-responsive ABA-type triblock copolymers, poly[2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate]-b-poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly[2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] [P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA)-b-PCL-b-P(MEO2MA-co-OEGMA)] (tBPs), were synthesized via a combination of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (εCL) and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) of MEO2MA and OEGMA comonomers. The chemical structures and compositions of these copolymers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The molecular weights of the copolymers were obtained using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) measurements. Thermo-responsive micelles were obtained by self-assembly of copolymers in aqueous medium. The temperature sensitivity and micelllization behavior of amphiphilic triblock copolymers solutions were studied by transmittance, fluorescence probe, surface tension, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A hydrophobic drug, anethole, was encapsulated in micelles by using the dialysis method. The average particle sizes of drug-loaded micelles were determined by dynamic light scattering measurement. In vitro, the sustained release of the anethole was performed in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at different temperatures. Results showed that the triblock copolymer’s micelles were quite effective in the encapsulation and controlled release of anethole. The vial inversion test demonstrated that the triblock copolymers could trigger the sol-gel transition which also depended on the temperature, and its sol-gel transition temperature gradually decreased with increasing concentration. The hydrogel system could also be used as a carrier of hydrophobic drugs in medicine.
Mechanism Analysis of Selective Adsorption and Specific Recognition by Molecularly Imprinted Polymers of Ginsenoside Re
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Qian , Cong Jingxiang , Wei Bofeng , Wang Shaoyan
Published: February 2018

In this article, the molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) of ginsenoside Re (Re) were synthesized by suspension polymerization with Re as the template molecule, methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomers, and ethyl glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinker. The MIPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and surface porosity detector, and the selective adsorption and specific recognition of MIPs were analyzed using the theory of kinetics and thermodynamics. The experimental results showed that compared with non-imprinted polymers (NIPs), MIPs had a larger specific surface area and special pore structure and that different from the Langmuir model of NIPs, the static adsorption isotherm of MIPs for Re was in good agreement with the Freundlich model based on the two adsorption properties of MIPs. The curves of the adsorption dynamics and the lines of kinetic correlation indicate that there was a fast and selective adsorption equilibrium for Re because of the affinity of MIPs to the template rather than its analogue of ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1). The study of thermodynamics indicate that the adsorption was controlled by enthalpy and that MIPs had higher enthalpy and entropy than NIPs, which contributed to the specific recognition of MIPs.
Recent Developments in Graphene/Polymer Nanocomposites for Application in Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Díez-Pascual Ana Maria , Luceño Sánchez José Antonio , Peña Capilla Rafael , García Díaz Pilar
Published: February 2018

Graphene (G) and its derivatives, graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have enormous potential for energy applications owing to their 2D structure, large specific surface area, high electrical and thermal conductivity, optical transparency, and huge mechanical strength combined with inherent flexibility. The combination of G-based materials with polymers leads to new nanocomposites with enhanced structural and functional properties due to synergistic effects. This review briefly summarizes recent progress in the development of G/polymer nanocomposites for use in polymer solar cells (PSCs). These nanocomposites have been explored as transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs), active layers (ALs) and interfacial layers (IFLs) of PSCs. Photovoltaic parameters, such as the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF) and power-conversion efficiency (PCE) are compared for different device structures. Finally, future perspectives are discussed.
A Spectral Reconstruction Algorithm of Miniature Spectrometer Based on Sparse Optimization and Dictionary Learning
Authors: Zhang Shang , Dong Yuhan , Fu Hongyan , Huang Shao-Lun , Zhang Lin
Published: February 2018

The miniaturization of spectrometer can broaden the application area of spectrometry, which has huge academic and industrial value. Among various miniaturization approaches, filter-based miniaturization is a promising implementation by utilizing broadband filters with distinct transmission functions. Mathematically, filter-based spectral reconstruction can be modeled as solving a system of linear equations. In this paper, we propose an algorithm of spectral reconstruction based on sparse optimization and dictionary learning. To verify the feasibility of the reconstruction algorithm, we design and implement a simple prototype of a filter-based miniature spectrometer. The experimental results demonstrate that sparse optimization is well applicable to spectral reconstruction whether the spectra are directly sparse or not. As for the non-directly sparse spectra, their sparsity can be enhanced by dictionary learning. In conclusion, the proposed approach has a bright application prospect in fabricating a practical miniature spectrometer.
Flexible, Stretchable Sensors for Wearable Health Monitoring: Sensing Mechanisms, Materials, Fabrication Strategies and Features
Authors: Liu Yan , Wang Hai , Zhao Wei , Zhang Min , Qin Hongbo , Xie Yongqiang
Published: February 2018

Wearable health monitoring systems have gained considerable interest in recent years owing to their tremendous promise for personal portable health watching and remote medical practices. The sensors with excellent flexibility and stretchability are crucial components that can provide health monitoring systems with the capability of continuously tracking physiological signals of human body without conspicuous uncomfortableness and invasiveness. The signals acquired by these sensors, such as body motion, heart rate, breath, skin temperature and metabolism parameter, are closely associated with personal health conditions. This review attempts to summarize the recent progress in flexible and stretchable sensors, concerning the detected health indicators, sensing mechanisms, functional materials, fabrication strategies, basic and desired features. The potential challenges and future perspectives of wearable health monitoring system are also briefly discussed.
Social Image Captioning: Exploring Visual Attention and User Attention
Authors: Wang Leiquan , Chu Xiaoliang , Zhang Weishan , Wei Yiwei , Sun Weichen , Wu Chunlei
Published: February 2018

Image captioning with a natural language has been an emerging trend. However, the social image, associated with a set of user-contributed tags, has been rarely investigated for a similar task. The user-contributed tags, which could reflect the user attention, have been neglected in conventional image captioning. Most existing image captioning models cannot be applied directly to social image captioning. In this work, a dual attention model is proposed for social image captioning by combining the visual attention and user attention simultaneously.Visual attention is used to compress a large mount of salient visual information, while user attention is applied to adjust the description of the social images with user-contributed tags. Experiments conducted on the Microsoft (MS) COCO dataset demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method of dual attention.
Surface Plasmon Resonance and Bending Loss-Based U-Shaped Plastic Optical Fiber Biosensors
Authors: Arcas Ariadny , Dutra Fábio , Allil Regina , Werneck Marcelo
Published: February 2018

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a large and diverse bacteria group that inhabits the intestinal tract of many mammals. Most E. coli strains are harmless, however some of them are pathogenic, meaning they can make one sick if ingested. By being in the feces of animals and humans, its presence in water and food is used as indicator of fecal contamination. The main method for this microorganism detection is the bacterial culture medium that is time-consuming and requires a laboratory with specialized personnel. Other sophisticated methods are still not fast enough because they require sending samples to a laboratory and with a high cost of analysis. In this paper, a gold-coated U-shaped plastic optical fiber (POF) biosensor for E. coli bacteria detection is presented. The biosensor works by intensity modulation principle excited by monochromatic light where the power absorption is imposed by predominant effect of either bending loss or surface plasmon resonance (SPR), depending on the gold thickness. Bacterial selectivity is obtained by antibody immobilization on the fiber surface. The biosensor showed a detection limit of 1.5 × 103 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, demonstrating that the technology can be a portable, fast response and low-cost alternative to conventional methodologies for quality analysis of water and food.
A Cross-Layer, Anomaly-Based IDS for WSN and MANET
Authors: Amouri Amar , Morgera Salvatore , Bencherif Mohamed , Manthena Raju
Published: February 2018

Intrusion detection system (IDS) design for mobile adhoc networks (MANET) is a crucial component for maintaining the integrity of the network. The need for rapid deployment of IDS capability with minimal data availability for training and testing is an important requirement of such systems, especially for MANETs deployed in highly dynamic scenarios, such as battlefields. This work proposes a two-level detection scheme for detecting malicious nodes in MANETs. The first level deploys dedicated sniffers working in promiscuous mode. Each sniffer utilizes a decision-tree-based classifier that generates quantities which we refer to as correctly classified instances (CCIs) every reporting time. In the second level, the CCIs are sent to an algorithmically run supernode that calculates quantities, which we refer to as the accumulated measure of fluctuation (AMoF) of the received CCIs for each node under test (NUT). A key concept that is used in this work is that the variability of the smaller size population which represents the number of malicious nodes in the network is greater than the variance of the larger size population which represents the number of normal nodes in the network. A linear regression process is then performed in parallel with the calculation of the AMoF for fitting purposes and to set a proper threshold based on the slope of the fitted lines. As a result, the malicious nodes are efficiently and effectively separated from the normal nodes. The proposed scheme is tested for various node velocities and power levels and shows promising detection performance even at low-power levels. The results presented also apply to wireless sensor networks (WSN) and represent a novel IDS scheme for such networks.
A Psychometric Evaluation of a Swedish Version of the Positive–Negative Sex-Role Inventory (PN-SRI)
Authors: Rydberg Sterner Therese , Gudmundsson Pia , Seidu Nazib , Bäckman Kristoffer , Skoog Ingmar , Falk Hanna
Published: February 2018

The Positive–Negative Sex-Role Inventory (PN-SRI) assesses gender identity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a Swedish version of the PN-SRI in a population of 70-year-olds within the Gothenburg H70-study in Sweden. The overarching objective of testing the PN-SRI within the H70-study was to evaluate its usability to further study gender identity in large population-based samples of older adults. A total of 1124 individuals participated in the psychometric testing. A sub-sample of these (n = 406) provided a comprehensive survey regarding societal norms on femininity and masculinity. Reliability and validity tests were performed using Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analyses. The Cronbach’s α coefficients (0.734–0.787) indicated a satisfactory level of internal consistency, and the four-factor model (Model 2) fitted the data at an acceptable level (root-mean-square error of approximation, RMSEA = 0.068, standardized root-mean-square residual, SRMR = 0.07). This cross-cultural adaptation of the PN-SRI indicates that it may be applicable in a Swedish research setting comprising older adults. Future research is needed to further test the psychometric properties of this scale. Adding the PN-SRI to population-based studies will contribute to providing a nuanced way of analyzing differences and similarities among men and women.
Biotic versus Abiotic Controls on Bioavailable Soil Organic Carbon
Authors: Blankinship Joseph C. , Schimel Joshua P.
Published: February 2018

Processes controlling microbial access to soil organic matter are critical for soil nutrient cycling and C stabilization. The bioavailability of soil organic matter partly depends on the rate that substrates become water-soluble, which is determined by some combination of biological, biochemical, and purely abiotic processes. Our goal was to unravel these biotic and abiotic processes to better understand mechanisms controlling the dynamics of bioavailable soil organic carbon (SOC). We sampled soils in a California annual grassland from manipulated plots with and without plants to help distinguish bioavailable SOC generated from mineral-associated organic matter versus from plant detritus (i.e., the “light fraction”). In the laboratory, soils were incubated for 8 months under all possible combinations of three levels of moisture and two levels of microbial biomass using continuous chloroform sterilization. We measured cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) production and the net change in soil water-extractable organic C (WEOC) to quantify C that was accessed biologically or biochemically. Under the driest conditions, microbes appeared to primarily access WEOC from recent plant C, with the other half of CO2 production explained by extracellular processes. These results suggest that dry, uncolonized conditions promote the adsorption of WEOC onto mineral surfaces. Under wetter conditions, microbial access increased by two orders of magnitude, with a large concomitant decrease in WEOC, particularly in soils without plant inputs from the previous growing season. The largest increase in WEOC occurred in wet sterilized soil, perhaps because exoenzymes and desorption continued solubilizing C but without microbial consumption. A similar amount of WEOC accumulated in wet sterilized soil whether plants were present or not, suggesting that desorption of mineral-associated C was the abiotic WEOC source. Based on these results, we hypothesize that dry-live and wet-uncolonized soil microsites are sources of bioavailable SOC, whereas wet-live and dry-uncolonized microsites are sinks.
Functionalization of N-arylglycine esters: electrocatalytic access to C–C bonds mediated by n-Bu4NI
Authors: Luo Mi-Hai , Jiang Yang-Ye , Xu Kun , Liu Yong-Guo , Sun Bao-Guo , Zeng Cheng-Chu
Published: February 2018

An efficient electrocatalytic functionalization of N-arylglycine esters is reported. The protocol proceeds in an undivided cell under constant current conditions employing the simple, cheap and readily available n-Bu4NI as the mediator. In addition, it is demonstrated that the mediated process is superior to the direct electrochemical functionalization.
Combining High‐Throughput Phenotyping and Genomic Information to Increase Prediction and Selection Accuracy in Wheat Breeding
Authors: Crain Jared , Mondal Suchismita , Rutkoski Jessica , Singh Ravi P. , Poland Jesse
Published: February 2018

Genomics and phenomics have promised to revolutionize the field of plant breeding. The integration of these two fields has just begun and is being driven through big data by advances in next‐generation sequencing and developments of field‐based high‐throughput phenotyping (HTP) platforms. Each year the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) evaluates tens‐of‐thousands of advanced lines for grain yield across multiple environments. To evaluate how CIMMYT may utilize dynamic HTP data for genomic selection (GS), we evaluated 1170 of these advanced lines in two environments, drought (2014, 2015) and heat (2015). A portable phenotyping system called ‘Phenocart’ was used to measure normalized difference vegetation index and canopy temperature simultaneously while tagging each data point with precise GPS coordinates. For genomic profiling, genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) was used for marker discovery and genotyping. Several GS models were evaluated utilizing the 2254 GBS markers along with over 1.1 million phenotypic observations. The physiological measurements collected by HTP, whether used as a response in multivariate models or as a covariate in univariate models, resulted in a range of 33% below to 7% above the standard univariate model. Continued advances in yield prediction models as well as increasing data generating capabilities for both genomic and phenomic data will make these selection strategies tractable for plant breeders to implement increasing the rate of genetic gain.
High-frequency Spicule Oscillations Generated via Mode Conversion
Authors: Shoda Munehito , Yokoyama Takaaki
Published: February 2018

Spicule oscillations involve high-frequency components with a typical period approximately corresponding to 40–50 s. The typical timescale of the photospheric oscillation is a few minutes, and thus, the origin of this high-frequency component is not trivial. In this study, a one-dimensional numerical simulation is performed to demonstrate that the observed spicule oscillations originate from longitudinal-to-transverse mode conversion that occurs around the equipartition layer in the chromosphere. Calculations are conducted in a self-consistent manner with the exception of additional heating to maintain coronal temperature. The analyses indicate the following features: (1) mode conversion efficiently excites high-frequency transverse waves; (2) the typical period of the high-frequency waves corresponds to the sound-crossing time of the mode conversion region; and (3) simulated root-mean-square velocity of the high-frequency component is consistent with the observed value. These results indicate that the observation of spicule oscillation provides direct evidence of mode conversion in the chromosphere.
Pour une histoire du cinéma sans noms
Authors: Quaresima Leonardo
Published: February 2018

Partant du constat qu'une théorie (et une histoire) des « formes » cinématographiques font actuellement défaut, la proposition d'une histoire du cinéma sans noms n'ambitionne pas de s'interroger sur la « nature intrinsèque » du cinéma ni sur les fondements de l'instance auteuriste, elle veut essayer de raisonner comme si on pouvait mettre de côté les théories auteuristes, les poétiques d'auteurs, les systèmes de cohérence liés à ces modèles, pour essayer de regarder (avant que d'analyser) les films en les mettant en relation avec les autres phénomènes de la culture et avec le contexte historique. Il s'agit d'explorer un mode possible de manifestation du cinéma, non de participer à une nouvelle entreprise de fondation du cinéma. Comment procéder à cette simulation ? Quels instruments utiliser ? Il est sans doute nécessaire de reconstituer une histoire du spectateur pouvant permettre de récupérer passages et fonctions de première importance marginalisées ou occultées par le modèle « de l'auteur ». Sans la volonté de construire un système conceptuellement organique et fermé, cette histoire du cinéma pourrait donc fonctionner de manière intermittente, discontinue, se replier sur elle-même, faire des sauts. L'histoire des formes, l'évolution des unités de style, à leur tour, nous demandent ce type de schémas, cette liberté.
Propositions pour une « Histoire du cinéma vraiment internationale »
Authors: Leyda Jay
Published: February 2018

Jay Leyda, sollicité de participer à l'entreprise collective que dirige Aristarco doit décliner cette offre pour des raisons d'indisponibilité. Mais il adresse à ses collègues un certain nombre de recommandations de principe et de méthodologie historiographique pour édifier une histoire du cinéma vraiment internationale.
Affiches de cinéma
Authors: Albera François
Published: February 2018

La place, le rôle et la spécificité de l'affiche de cinéma est à la fois entrevue par le biais de l'utilisation massive qu'on en fait au titre d'illustration, et mal documentée : son histoire reste à écrire, les techniques qu'elle a mobilisées restent à décrire, leurs auteurs comme leurs usages restent à étudier. Le présent dossier, à la faveur d'une « actualité » qui s'y prête à laquelle contribuent l'Institut Jean Vigo de Perpignan, la Fondation Pathé-Seydoux à Paris, le Centre Pompidou-Metz, le Musée de l'Elysée de Lausanne, le Musée des Beaux-Arts de La Chaux-de-Fonds et la Cinémathèque française, en donne quelques aperçus à partir de trois cas d'école : les projets d'affiches pour la Roue de Gance et l'Inhumaine de L'Herbier dus à Fernand Léger ; les affiches de cinéma réalisées en Pologne par Wojciech Zamecznik dans les années 1960 ; les affiches réalisées par François Roulet pour la Cinémathèque d'Alger de l'Indépendance du pays à 1971. Ces trois cas illustrent la fécondité des relations entre des domaines connexes dont les auteurs de ces affiches surent se faire les passeurs : la peinture et le dessin, le cinéma d'animation, la photographie, les arts graphiques et la typographie.
Cognitive Functions in the Geriatric Population
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Nehra Ashima
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes how one of the challenging issues of clinical diagnosis is distinguishing between the cognitive deficits manifested in normal aging, depression, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The diagnostic challenge is that there is a great deal of overlap in the symptom constellations of these conditions. It is thus important to establish conceptual and clinical criteria with sufficient predictive validity to accurately identify differences and similarities in cognitive states to justify initiation of appropriate treatments.
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Sinha Pallavi , Garg Amit
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes how the world population is ageing with the advances in medical health technology. Longevity allows many humans to live beyond the sixth and seventh decade. With this comes the added medical co-morbidity that one sees with healthy ageing. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) includes a heterogeneous group of persons who have declining deficits in cognitions with minimal impairment in doing complex activities with no deficits in daily activities and in the absence of dementia. The purpose of this chapter is to acquaint the readers with the concept of Mild Cognitive Impairment and the evolution of the diagnosis to its current nosological status. It will further elaborate on the assessment and management of patients with MCI.
Obesity Physical and Mental Health Consequences in Ageing
Authors: Chooramani Gagan , Prasad Barre Vijaya , Akbar Shamsi
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes the prevalence of obesity which is rising in all age groups. The World Health Organization declared obesity as a Global epidemic. There has been the abundance of research in all over the world that provides evidence for physical and mental health consequences of obesity. Obesity is considered as one of the leading cause of various non-communicable diseases. Higher body mass index and abdominal obesity are considered to be an independent risk factor that significantly contribute to the increased prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, metabolic disorders along with various mental health problems among elderly. Geriatric obesity further affects the treatment process, outcome, quality and quantity of life older adults. It also increases the risk of disability among older adults.
Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Old Age
Authors: Srivastava Garima , Tripathi Rakesh Kumar
Published: February 2018

Sleep complaints are prevalent among older adults. Sleep quality and quantity changes with advancing age. There are changes in sleep patterns that are normal with ageing but many changes are the sign of disordered sleep. Sleep can be divided into rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM). Each has unique characteristics that are differentiated by their waveforms on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and by other physiological signals; several physiological age-related changes are thought to produce alterations in circadian rhythms. While there are numerous psychological and social factors contributing to quality and quantity of sleep, specific sleep disorders more prevalent in old age are insomnia, sleep apnea, and rapid eye movement disorder. Non-pharmacological treatment is effective in management of sleep disorders. Cognitive behaviour therapy is most effective to tackle insomnia. Cognitive behavior therapy along with meditation is beneficial for other sleep disorders and a new technique is also emerging: mindfulness.
Comorbidity of Medical and Psychiatric Disorders in Geriatric Population
Authors: Kaushik Pratima
Published: February 2018

Ageing is a universal phenomenon that has not only social but also economic, political, and health-related implications. With the advancement in healthcare facilities and better availability of health services, the geriatric population is gradually increasing. But, this group is at an increased risk of developing both physical and psychological co-morbidities due to age-related factors and changes in the social circumstances. The present chapter proposes the concept and issues related to co-morbidity in the geriatric population. After discussing the issues and consequences of medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, their effective treatment regime and care/management in relation to the geriatric population are addressed.
Experience and Prospects of Using Solar Energy for Heating Supply in Russia
Authors: Butuzov Vitaliy A. , Butuzov Vitaly V. , Bryantceva Elena , Gnatyuk Ilya
Published: February 2018

Approaches to the organization of solar heat supply in Russia have a number of differences in comparison with the global experience, in particular, in the field of processing solar radiation data, designing solar collector designs, design techniques, construction and testing of solar heating systems, and the practice of creating and using solar plants. Examples of implementation of projects for creating heat supply systems in different regions of Russia are presented, from the southern (Krasnodar Territory) to the northern (Yakutia). A methodology for converting data for direct and diffuse solar radiation of NASA by taking into account the results of measurements of weather stations, which provides the possibility of their practical use, is presented. Data on the number, types, annual volumes of supplies, and names of producers of solar collectors in Russia are presented. Methodical approaches to the development of solar collectors structures based on the results of comparing the energy consumption for their production with the amount of energy produced by them during their lifetime are considered. A comparative analysis of solar design methodology in Russia and in Europe has been performed. Prospects for the construction of solar heat installations in Russia up to 2030 are considered.
Building Photoelectrical Power Station in the Region of Turkmenistan
Authors: Jumayev Aganiyaz Yagshiyevich , Jumayev Bayram Ashyrmyradovich , Sariyev Kakageldi Atajanovich
Published: February 2018

This chapter presents an analysis of the potential of solar energy in the Mary region of Turkmenistan. On the basis of the spent calculations of solar radiation in Mary, the estimation of quantity of falling solar energy is received, accepted by the solar panels. Optimal orientation of solar panels is defined. The analysis of the received settlement and measured data on electrical energy development by solar panels is carried out, and monitoring of work of photoelectrical solar station, wind power station, and a solar collector is made as well. Within the project, an exemplary house with independent power supply was built.