bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buying well‐being: Spending behavior and happiness
Authors: Aknin Lara B. , Wiwad Dylan , Hanniball Katherine B.
Published: April 2018

The relationship between money and happiness is complex. While a large literature demonstrates a small but significant positive association between overall income and well‐being, a relatively new area of research explores the emotional consequences of everyday spending choices. Here we review this recent but rapidly growing area of investigation. We begin by briefly summarizing the link between money and happiness. Then, through the lens of 2 dominant models of human happiness, we suggest that seemingly inconsequential spending choices may provide an underappreciated and underutilized route to greater well‐being. Finally, we review new empirical evidence demonstrating that individuals can use their disposable income to increase their happiness by investing in experiential (rather than material) purchases, more free time, routine, self‐expression, and generosity.
Online teaching and biblical studies
Authors: Ascough Richard , Barreto Eric D. , Birch Bruce C. , Pilarski Ahida Calderón , Reese Ruth Anne
Published: April 2018

This Forum emerges from a session initiated by the Professional Development Committee at the 2017 conference of the Society of Biblical Literature in Boston. A panel of five Bible scholars, from both theological education and undergraduate contexts, provide brief descriptions and analyses of a specific course they have taught online. They describe creative assignments such as role play, online field trips, evaluating web sites, and staged debates. They analyze the opportunities for developing undergraduates' critical thinking skills as well as seminarians' formation for ministry. A comparison of online and face‐to‐face teaching contexts reveals shifts in our understanding of how learning happens and our own identities as teachers. The Forum concludes with questions from the floor, which turn the conversation toward institutional support for pedagogical and technological hurdles.
Bioinspired polarization vision enables underwater geolocalization
Authors: Powell Samuel B. , Garnett Roman , Marshall Justin , Rizk Charbel , Gruev Viktor
Published: April 2018

A novel bioinspired polarization-sensitive imager enables passive underwater geolocalization with an accuracy of 61 km.
Whole-genome sequencing of the blue whale and other rorquals finds signatures for introgressive gene flow
Authors: Árnason Úlfur , Lammers Fritjof , Kumar Vikas , Nilsson Maria A. , Janke Axel
Published: April 2018

Network-like evolution suggests sympatric speciation of baleen whales.
A low-barrier hydrogen bond mediates antibiotic resistance in a noncanonical catalytic triad
Authors: Kumar Prashasti , Serpersu Engin H. , Cuneo Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

Substrate participation in forming a catalytic triad aids in antibiotic resistance by aminoglycoside
N3
-acetyltransferases.
Pharmacokinetics of rifapentine and rifampin in a rabbit model of tuberculosis and correlation with clinical trial data
Authors: Rifat Dalin , Prideaux Brendan , Savic Radojka M. , Urbanowski Michael E. , Parsons Teresa L. , Luna Brian , Marzinke Mark A. , Ordonez Alvaro A. , DeMarco Vincent P. , Jain Sanjay K. , Dartois Veronique , Bishai William R. , Dooley Kelly E.
Published: April 2018

A rabbit model of pulmonary cavitary tuberculosis helps to explain phase 2 clinical trial results for the rifamycin class of TB drugs.
Battery-free, wireless sensors for full-body pressure and temperature mapping
Authors: Han Seungyong , Kim Jeonghyun , Won Sang Min , Ma Yinji , Kang Daeshik , Xie Zhaoqian , Lee Kyu-Tae , Chung Ha Uk , Banks Anthony , Min Seunghwan , Heo Seung Yun , Davies Charles R. , Lee Jung Woo , Lee Chi-Hwan , Kim Bong Hoon , Li Kan , Zhou Yadong , Wei Chen , Feng Xue , Huang Yonggang , Rogers John A.
Published: April 2018

Battery-free, soft, skin-mounted wireless sensors enable continuous, full-body spatiotemporal mapping of pressure and temperature on human subjects.
A bioengineered retinal pigment epithelial monolayer for advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Kashani Amir H. , Lebkowski Jane S. , Rahhal Firas M. , Avery Robert L. , Salehi-Had Hani , Dang Wei , Lin Chih-Min , Mitra Debbie , Zhu Danhong , Thomas Biju B. , Hikita Sherry T. , Pennington Britney O. , Johnson Lincoln V. , Clegg Dennis O. , Hinton David R. , Humayun Mark S.
Published: April 2018

Implantation of a human embryonic stem cell–derived retinal pigment epithelial monolayer is feasible in human subjects with advanced, dry age-related macular degeneration.
Understanding Echinocandin Resistance in the Emerging Pathogen Candida auris
Authors: Kordalewska Milena , Lee Annie , Park Steven , Berrio Indira , Chowdhary Anuradha , Zhao Yanan , Perlin David S.
Published: April 2018

Candida auris
has simultaneously emerged on five continents as a fungal pathogen causing nosocomial outbreaks. The challenges in the treatment of
C. auris
infections are the variable antifungal susceptibility profiles among clinical isolates and the development of resistance to single or multiple classes of available antifungal drugs. Here, the
in vitro
susceptibility to echinocandin antifungal drugs was determined and
FKS1
sequencing was performed on 106
C. auris
clinical isolates. Four isolates were identified to be resistant to all tested echinocandins (MIC ≥ 4 mg/liter) and harbored an S639F mutation in
FKS1
hot spot region 1. All remaining isolates were
FKS1
wild type (WT) and echinocandin susceptible, with micafungin being the most potent echinocandin (MIC
50
= 0.125 mg/liter). Antifungal susceptibility testing with caspofungin was challenging due to the fact that all
FKS1
WT isolates exhibited an Eagle effect (also known as the paradoxical growth effect), which occurred at various intensities. To assess whether the Eagle effect resulted in pharmacodynamic resistance, 8 representative isolates were evaluated for their
in vivo
drug response in a murine model of invasive candidiasis. All isolates were susceptible to caspofungin at a human therapeutic dose, except for those harboring the S639F mutation. The data suggest that only isolates carrying mutations in
FKS1
are echinocandin resistant and that routine
in vitro
testing of
C. auris
isolates for susceptibility to caspofungin by the broth microdilution method should be viewed cautiously or avoided.
Imidazopyridine Compounds Inhibit Mycobacterial Growth by Depleting ATP Levels
Authors: O'Malley Theresa , Alling Torey , Early Julie V. , Wescott Heather A. , Kumar Anuradha , Moraski Garrett C. , Miller Marvin J. , Masquelin Thierry , Hipskind Philip A. , Parish Tanya
Published: April 2018

The imidazopyridines are a promising new class of antitubercular agents with potent activity
in vitro
and
in vivo
. We isolated mutants of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
resistant to a representative imidazopyridine; the mutants had large shifts (>20-fold) in MIC. Whole-genome sequencing revealed mutations in Rv1339, a hypothetical protein of unknown function. We isolated mutants resistant to three further compounds from the series; resistant mutants isolated from two of the compounds had single nucleotide polymorphisms in Rv1339 and resistant mutants isolated from the third compound had single nucleotide polymorphisms in QcrB, the proposed target for the series. All the strains were resistant to two compounds, regardless of the mutation, and a strain carrying the QcrB T313I mutation was resistant to all of the imidazopyridine derivatives tested, confirming cross-resistance. By monitoring pH homeostasis and ATP generation, we confirmed that compounds from the series were targeting QcrB; imidazopyridines disrupted pH homeostasis and depleted ATP, providing further evidence of an effect on the electron transport chain. A representative compound was bacteriostatic against replicating bacteria, consistent with a mode of action against QcrB. The series had a narrow inhibitory spectrum, with no activity against other bacterial species. No synergy or antagonism was seen with other antituberculosis drugs under development. In conclusion, our data support the hypothesis that the imidazopyridine series functions by reducing ATP generation via inhibition of QcrB.
Draft Genome Sequence of the 1,4-Dioxane-Degrading Bacterium Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans BERK-1
Authors: Ramos-Garcia Angel A. , Shankar Vijay , Saski Christopher A. , Hsiang Tom , Freedman David L.
Published: April 2018

Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans
strain BERK-1 grows aerobically with 1,4-dioxane as its sole substrate. Reported here is its draft genome sequence, with a size of 7.1 Mbp. Key genes are highlighted in this article. BERK-1 exhibits a reduced level of cell aggregation and adherence to surfaces compared to those of
P. dioxanivorans
CB1190, giving it an apparent advantage for movement through soil.
Ultrasound guidance for internal jugular vein cannulation in PICU: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: de Souza Tiago Henrique , Brandão Marcelo Barciela , Santos Thiago Martins , Pereira Ricardo Mendes , Nogueira Roberto José Negrão
Published: April 2018

Objective

We investigated whether ultrasound guidance was advantageous over the anatomical landmark technique when performed by inexperienced paediatricians.

Design

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting

A paediatric intensive care unit of a teaching hospital.

Patients

80 children (aged 28 days to <14 years).

Interventions

Internal jugular vein cannulation with ultrasound guidance in real time or the anatomical landmark technique.

Main outcome measures

Success rate, success rate on the first attempt, success rate within three attempts, puncture time, number of attempts required for success and occurrence of complications.

Results

We found a higher success rate in the ultrasound guidance than in the control group (95% vs 61%, respectively; p<0.001; relative risk (RR)=0.64, 95% CI (CI) 0.50 to 0.83). Success on the first attempt was seen in 95% and 34% of venous punctures in the US guidance and control groups, respectively (p<0.001; RR=0.35, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.54). Fewer than three attempts were required to achieve success in 95% of patients in the US guidance group but only 44% in the control group (p<0.001; RR=0.46, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.66). Haematomas, inadvertent arterial punctures, the number of attempts and the puncture time were all significantly lower in the ultrasound guidance than in the control group (p<0.015 for all).

Conclusions

Critically ill children may benefit from the ultrasound guidance for internal jugular cannulation, even when the procedure is performed by operators with limited experience.

Trial registration number

RBR-4t35tk.
Incidence and risk factors of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure among human immunodeficiency virus-infected children in Amhara regional state, Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study
Authors: Sisay Malede Mequanent , Ayele Tadesse Awoke , Gelaw Yalemzewod Assefa , Tsegaye Adino Tesfahun , Gelaye Kassahun Alemu , Melak Melkitu Fentie
Published: April 2018

Objective

This study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors of treatment failure among HIV/AIDS-infected children who were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective follow-up study was conducted from January 2010 to March 2016. A total of 824 children under the age of 15 who had started ART were included in the study. Data were collected from children’s medical charts and ART registration logbook using a standard checklist. A Weibull regression model was used to identify the risk factors of treatment failure. Adjusted HRs (AHRs) with 95% CIs were used to declare statistical significance.

Results

The mean (±SD) age of the children was 6.4±3.6 years, with a median (IQR) follow-up of 30.5 (14.6–51.4) months. Sixty-three children (7.7%, 95% CI 5.8 to 9.5) developed treatment failure, 17 (27.0%) of whom were immunological and 46 (73.0%) were clinical failures. The incidence rate of treatment failure was 22.1/10 000 person-months. The cumulative probability of failure was 0.4, with 28 562.5 person-month observations. Lack of disclosure (AHR=4. 4, 95% CI 1.8 to 11.3), opportunistic infections during initiation of ART (AHR=2.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.1) and prolonged follow-up (AHR=0.06, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.18) were the main predictors of treatment failure.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the incidence of treatment failure remains a significant public health concern in Ethiopia. Undisclosed HIV status to children, the presence of opportunistic infections during initiation of ART and prolonged follow-up were found to be the main predictors of treatment failure. Hence, early detection of treatment failure and further studies on viral monitoring need to be considered.
HIV-1 disease progression in immune-competent HIV-1-infected and breastfeeding mothers participating in the ANRS 12174 clinical trial in Burkina Faso, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia: a cohort study
Authors: Somé Eric Nagaonle , Engebretsen Ingunn M S , Nagot Nicolas , Meda Nicolas Yelbomkan , Vallo Roselyne , Kankasa Chipepo , Tumwine James K , Singata-Madliki Mandisa , Harper Kim , Hofmeyr G Justus , Van de Perre Philippe , Tylleskär Thorkild
Published: April 2018

Objective

We have assessed HIV-1 disease progression among HIV-1-positive mothers in relation to duration of any or exclusive breast feeding in the context of ANRS 12174 trial.

Methods

The analysis was completed on 203, 212, 272 and 529 HIV-1-positive and lactating mothers with CD4 count >350 cells/µL from Burkina Faso, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia, respectively. The trial compared lamivudine and lopinavir/ritonavir as a peri-exposure prophylaxis during a 50-week follow-up time. A multiple logistic regression model was run with the mothers’ weight, CD4 count and HIV-1 viral load as separate dependent variables, then combined into a dependent composite endpoint called HIV-1 disease progression where HIV-1 viral load was replaced by the HIV-1 clinical stage. Exclusive or predominant breast feeding (EPBF) and any breastfeeding duration were the key explanatory variables.

Results

In the adjusted model, the associations between EPBF duration and weight change, CD4 cell count and the HIV-1 viral load were consistently insignificant. The CD4 cell count was associated with a significantly higher mothers’ body mass index (BMI; a mean increase of 4.9 (95% CI 2.1 to 7.7) CD4 cells/µL per each additional kilogram per square metre of BMI) and haemoglobin concentration (19.4 (95% CI 11.4 to 27.4) CD4 cells/µL per each additional gram per decilitre of haemoglobin concentration). There was no significant association between EPBF duration and HIV-1 disease progression. A higher education level was a factor associated with a slower HIV-1 disease progression.

Conclusion

Breast feeding was not a risk factor for a faster progression of HIV-1 disease in mothers of this cohort with a baseline CD4 cell count >350 cells/µL.

Trial registration number

NCT0064026; Post-results.
Impact of multimorbidity count on all-cause mortality and glycaemic outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Chiang Jason I , Furler John , Mair Frances S , Jani Bhautesh , Nicholl Barbara I , Jenkins Alicia , Condron Patrick , O’Neal David , Manski-Nankervis Jo-Anne
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a leading health priority worldwide. Multimorbidity (MM) is a term describing the co-occurrence of two or more chronic diseases or conditions. The majority of people living with T2D have MM. The relationship between MM and mortality and glycaemia in people with T2D is not clear.

Methods and analysis

Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Complete, The Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS will be searched with a prespecified search strategy. The searches will be limited to quantitative empirical studies in English with no restriction on publication date. One reviewer will perform title screening and two review authors will independently screen the abstract and full texts using Covidence software, with disagreements adjudicated by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using a using a Population, Exposure, Comparator and Outcomes framework. Two reviewers will independently extract data and undertake the risk of bias (quality) assessment. Disagreements will be resolved by consensus. A narrative synthesis of the results will be conducted and meta-analysis considered if appropriate. Quality appraisal will be undertaken using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale and the quality of the cumulative evidence of the included studies will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. This protocol was prepared in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines to ensure the quality of our review.

Ethics and dissemination

This review will synthesise the existing evidence about the impact of MM on mortality and glycaemic outcomes in people living with T2D and increase our understanding of this subject and will inform future practice and policy. Findings will be disseminated via conference presentations, social media and peer-reviewed publication.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017079500.
Zika virus infection in the returning traveller: what every neurologist should know
Authors: Leonhard Sonja Emily , Lant Suzannah , Jacobs Bart C , Wilder-Smith Annelies , Ferreira Maria Lucia Brito , Solomon Tom , Willison Hugh John
Published: April 2018

Zika virus has been associated with a wide range of neurological complications. Neurologists in areas without current active transmission of the virus may be confronted with Zika-associated neurological disease, as a large number of returning travellers with Zika virus infection have been reported and the virus continues to spread to previously unaffected regions. This review provides an overview of Zika virus-associated neurological disease and aims to support neurologists who may encounter patients returning from endemic areas.
Fibrinogen does not relate to cardiovascular or muscle manifestations in COPD: cross-sectional data from the ERICA study
Authors: Mohan Divya , Forman Julia R , Allinder Matthew , McEniery Carmel M , Bolton Charlotte Emma , Cockcroft John R , MacNee William , Fuld Jonathan , Marchong Mellone , Gale Nichola Sian , Fisk Marie , Nagarajan Sridevi , Cheriyan Joseph , Lomas David A , Calverley Peter M A , Miller Bruce E , Tal-Singer Ruth , Wilkinson Ian B , Polkey Michael I
Published: April 2018

Cardiovascular and skeletal muscle manifestations constitute important comorbidities in COPD, with systemic inflammation proposed as a common mechanistic link. Fibrinogen has prognostic role in COPD. We aimed to determine whether aortic stiffness and quadriceps weakness are linked in COPD, and whether they are associated with the systemic inflammatory mediator—fibrinogen. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), quadriceps maximal volitional contraction (QMVC) force and fibrinogen were measured in 729 patients with stable, Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stages II–IV COPD. The cardiovascular and muscular manifestations exist independently (P=0.22, χ2). Fibrinogen was not associated with aPWV or QMVC (P=0.628 and P=0.621, respectively), making inflammation, as measured by plasma fibrinogen, an unlikely common aetiological factor.
Species delimitation of some Argyreia (Convolvulaceae) using phenetic analyses: insights from leaf anatomical data reveal a new species
Authors: Chitchak Natthaphong , Traiperm Paweena , Staples G. , Rattanakrajang Pantamith , Sumanon Pirada
Published: April 2018

Argyreia Lour. is one of the most taxonomically complex genera of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). The number of named species is now 135, and new species are regularly being described. There are several species complexes that are morphologically similar and difficult to tell apart. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the species identification criteria for Argyreia, especially new sources for taxonomically informative characters. Ten accessions representing three morphologically similar Argyreia operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were collected and their anatomical characters were investigated using the leaf peeling technique and paraffin sectioning method. Anatomical character states were analyzed using two phenetic analysis methods: clustering analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Three distinct clusters were clearly separated in both PCA and CA at the internal similarity coefficient of 0.48 with a high R-value of 0.89757. Nineteen effectively distinguishable character states were derived from the high loadings of the first two components. In conclusion, two of the separated groups were matched with known species, and the third separated group is here delineated as a new species. Therefore, a new species, Argyreia gyrobracteata Traiperm & Chitchak, is described and illustrated together with ecological data and a preliminary conservation assessment.
Novel trophic interaction between lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and non-native species in an altered food web
Authors: Bruestle Eric L. , Karboski Curtis , Hussey Anna , Fisk Aaron T. , Mehler Knut , Pennuto Christopher , Gorsky Dimitry
Published: April 2018

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) were once abundantly distributed throughout the Laurentian Great Lakes. However, widespread overharvesting and habitat degradation has diminished their numbers. The lower Niagara River contains one of the few remnant lake sturgeon populations in New York State. This study determined the diet of adult lake sturgeon and quantified their trophic position in a food web dominated by non-native species. Stomach content analysis assessed recent diet, and stable isotope analysis (δ15N and δ13C) of blood and fin tissue quantified trophic position and carbon source over varying time scales. Two non-native species dominated the diet of lake sturgeon — the amphipod Echinogammarus ischnus (62% by number) and the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) (44% by mass). Stable isotope analysis revealed that round goby was the primary contributor to the long-term (i.e., fin) average diet, whereas short-term (i.e., blood) diet was more diverse. In contrast with findings from other systems, we found that adult lake sturgeon in the lower Niagara River were primarily piscivorous, actively targeting live fish prey. The recovery of this population is potentially supported by the high availability of energetically rich but non-native food resources.
THEORETICAL RESEARCH OF SECONDARY ELECTRON EMISSION FROM NEGATIVE ELECTRON AFFINITY SEMICONDUCTORS
Authors: XIE AI-GEN , YU YANG , CHEN YA-YI , XIA YU-QING , LIU HAO-YU
Published: April 2018

Based on primary range [Formula: see text], relationships among parameters of secondary electron yield [Formula: see text] and the processes and characteristics of secondary electron emission (SEE) from negative electron affinity (NEA) semiconductors, the universal formulas for [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] and at [Formula: see text] for NEA semiconductors were deduced, respectively; where [Formula: see text] is incident energy of primary electron. According to the characteristics of SEE from NEA semiconductors with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], deduced universal formulas for [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] and at [Formula: see text] for NEA semiconductors and experimental data, special formulas for [Formula: see text] at 0.5[Formula: see text] of several NEA semiconductors with [Formula: see text] were deduced and proved to be true experimentally, respectively; where [Formula: see text] is the [Formula: see text] at which [Formula: see text] reaches maximum secondary electron yield. It can be concluded that the formula for [Formula: see text] of NEA semiconductors with [Formula: see text] was deduced and could be used to calculate [Formula: see text], and that the method of calculating the 1/[Formula: see text] of NEA semiconductors with [Formula: see text] is plausible; where [Formula: see text] is the probability that an internal secondary electron escapes into vacuum upon reaching the surface of emitter, and 1/[Formula: see text] is mean escape depth of secondary electron.
The effects of a water-soluble alpha tetra-substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivative onArthrospira platensis-M2 strain
Authors: Günsel Armağan , Tunca Hatice , Bilgiçli Ahmet T. , Doğru Ali , Yaraşir M. Nilüfer , Sevindik Tuğba Ongun , Er Şükrüye
Published: April 2018

In this study, we have analyzed the effect a newly synthesized water-soluble alpha tetra-substituted zinc phthalocyanine (Pc) compound on superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities and biomass accumulation in the Arthrospira platensis-M2 strain to test whether this compound could be used as an algaecide or not. We found that lower concentrations (3 μg mL[Formula: see text] and 6 μg mL[Formula: see text] of Pc compound were not toxic to algae cells, as indicated by enduring biomass accumulation during the study (7 days). Higher Pc concentrations, however, were toxic and inhibited biomass accumulation. This inhibition appeared on the fourth day and persisted during the study. At higher Pc concentrations, SOD activity decreased significantly, but APX and GR activity were not affected. These results may show that Pc applications did not cause the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in Arthrospira platensis-M2 cells. Our result suggests that higher Pc concentrations did not cause oxidative stress but biomass accumulation inhibited, possibly due to some different toxicity mechanism(s), which should be carried out in the future studies. As a result, we may offer use of this compound as a means to keep under control algal populations in natural environments.
Interaction of Methylene Blue with Synthetic Polynucleotide Poly(dA)-Poly(dT)
Authors: Parsadanyan Marine A. , Antonyan Ara P. , Vardevanyan Poghos O. , Sngryan Hakob E.
Published: April 2018

The interaction of methylene blue (MB) with poly(dA)-poly(dT) has been studied. It was revealed that MB binds to this polynucleotide by strong and weak modes. It was shown that the strong binding mode of MB is realized by semi-intercalation. Apart from the strong mode, this ligand binds to AT-sequences by weak electrostatic modes as well. Values of the binding constant [Formula: see text] and number of base pairs [Formula: see text] per binding site of MB for the mentioned modes were determined. It was shown that at the interaction with AT sequences MB does not behave itself as a groove binding compound.
A Process Ontology for a Confectionery Service Robot
Authors: Ojha Sajan Raj , Das Subhashis , Karanjit Sampada
Published: April 2018

Confectionery items play a vital role in our lives. A plethora of confectionery items are ordered and consumed during various social gatherings, by a wide range of customers. The order may vary in terms of quantity, type of event and level of specificity. Moreover, some order may contain all the information needed while some may only contain the name of the festival for which suitable items need to be inferred and packaged accordingly. To understand all these intricacies for an automated agent involved in picking and packaging of items requires background knowledge. An automated system can perform these tasks only if, it comprises of a robust internal knowledge representation system. We, thus, propose an ontology for a service robot, SweetBot that defines pertinent concepts applicable to the confectionery domain needed by the robot in order to perform the picking and packaging of sweet items efficiently. We further evaluated the efficiency or the robustness of the model by using various SPARQL queries.
Numerical Solution of a Wave Propagation Problem Along Plate Structures Based on the Isogeometric Approach
Authors: Hernández V. , Estrada J. , Moreno E. , Rodríguez S. , Mansur A.
Published: April 2018

Ultrasonic guided waves propagating along large structures have great potential as a nondestructive evaluation method. In this context, it is very important to obtain the dispersion curves, which depend on the cross-section of the structure. In this paper, we compute dispersion curves along infinite isotropic plate-like structures using the semi-analytical method (SAFEM) with an isogeometric approach based on B-spline functions. The SAFEM method leads to a family of generalized eigenvalue problems depending on the wave number. For a prescribed wave number, the solution of this problem consists of the nodal displacement vector and the frequency of the guided wave. In this work, the results obtained with B-splines shape functions are compared to the numerical SAFEM solution with quadratic Lagrange shape functions. Advantages of the isogeometric approach are highlighted and include the smoothness of the displacement field components and the computational cost of solving the corresponding generalized eigenvalue problems. Finally, we investigate the convergence of Lagrange and B-spline approaches when the number of degrees of freedom grows. The study shows that cubic B-spline functions provide the best solution with the smallest relative errors for a given number of degrees of freedom.
A Direct Approach to Separate Forward-Scattered Waves from the Direct Blast in Doppler Domain for Forward-Scattering Detection
Authors: He Chuanlin , Yang Kunde , Ma Yuanliang , Lei Bo
Published: April 2018

Forward-scattered waves are often interfered with and overwhelmed by direct blasts when a submerged target crosses the source–receiver line. The approach named low Doppler analysis and recording gram (LODARGRAM) is developed to separate forward-scattered waves from direct blasts in the Doppler domain. This separation, which is based on the kinetic characteristic of the target and the procedure, is conducted using a sliding Blackman window combined with fast Fourier transform. The concept along with its application is validated using the data collected in a tank experiment. The moving target is recognized and identified by a tilt striation on LODARGRAM. Limitations of the LODARGRAM approach are also discussed.
Dynamic Proportional Sharing
Authors: Freeman Rupert , Zahedi Seyed Majid , Conitzer Vincent , Lee Benjamin C.
Published: April 2018

Sharing computational resources amortizes cost and improves utilization and efficiency. When agents pool their resources together, each becomes entitled to a portion of the shared pool. Static allocations in each round can guarantee entitlements and are strategy-proof, but efficiency suffers because allocations do not reflect variations in agents' demands for resources across rounds. Dynamic allocation mechanisms assign resources to agents across multiple rounds while guaranteeing agents their entitlements. Designing dynamic mechanisms is challenging, however, when agents are strategic and can benefit by misreporting their demands for resources.

In this paper, we show that dynamic allocation mechanisms based on max-min fail to guarantee entitlements, strategy-proofness or both. We propose the
fbp
(
FBPA
) mechanism and show that it satisfies strategy-proofness and guarantees at least half of the utility from static allocations while providing an asymptotic efficiency guarantee. Our simulations with real and synthetic data show that the performance of the
fbp
mechanism is comparable to that of state-of-the-art mechanisms, providing agents with at least 0.98x, and on average 15x, of their utility from static allocations. Finally, we propose the
T
-period mechanism and prove that it satisfies strategy-proofness and guarantees entitlements.
ECI-Cache
Authors: Ahmadian Saba , Mutlu Onur , Asadi Hossein
Published: April 2018

In recent years, high interest in using Virtual Machines (VMs) in data centers and Cloud computing has significantly increased the demand for high-performance data storage systems. A straightforward approach to provide a high performance storage system is using Solid-State Drives (SSDs). Inclusion of SSDs in storage systems, however, imposes significantly higher cost compared to Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). Recent studies suggest using SSDs as a caching layer for HDD-based storage subsystems in virtualization platforms. Such studies neglect to address the endurance and cost of SSDs, which can significantly affect the efficiency of I/O caching. Moreover, previous studies only configure the cache size to provide the required performance level for each VM, while neglecting other important parameters such as cache write policy and request type, which can adversely affect both performance-per-cost and endurance.

In this paper, we present a new high-Endurance and Cost-efficient I/O Caching (ECI-Cache) scheme for virtualized platforms, which can significantly improve both the performance-per-cost and endurance of storage subsystems as opposed to previously proposed I/O caching schemes. Unlike traditional I/O caching schemes which allocate cache size only based on reuse distance of accesses, we propose a new metric, Useful Reuse Distance (URD), which considers the request type in reuse distance calculation, resulting in improved performance-per-cost and endurance for the SSD cache. Via online characterization of workloads and using URD, ECI-Cache partitions the SSD cache across VMs and is able to dynamically adjust the cache size and write policy for each VM. To evaluate the proposed scheme, we have implemented ECI-Cache in an open source hypervisor, QEMU (version 2.8.0), on a server running the CentOS 7 operating system (kernel version 3.10.0-327). Experimental results show that our proposed scheme improves the performance, performance-per-cost, and endurance of the SSD cache by 17%, 30% and 65%, respectively, compared to the state-of-the-art dynamic cache partitioning scheme.
Online Learning in Weakly Coupled Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Wei Xiaohan , Yu Hao , Neely Michael J.
Published: April 2018

We consider multiple parallel Markov decision processes (MDPs) coupled by global constraints, where the time varying objective and constraint functions can only be observed
after
the decision is made. Special attention is given to how well the decision maker can perform in
T
slots, starting from any state, compared to the best feasible randomized stationary policy in hindsight. We develop a new distributed online algorithm where each MDP makes its own decision each slot after observing a multiplier computed from past information. While the scenario is significantly more challenging than the classical online learning context, the algorithm is shown to have a tight
O
(√
T
) regret and constraint violations simultaneously. To obtain such a bound, we combine several new ingredients including ergodicity and mixing time bound in weakly coupled MDPs, a new regret analysis for online constrained optimization, a drift analysis for queue processes, and a perturbation analysis based on Farkas' Lemma.
Hound
Authors: Zheng Pengfei , Lee Benjamin C.
Published: April 2018

Stragglers are exceptionally slow tasks within a job that delay its completion. Stragglers, which are uncommon within a single job, are pervasive in datacenters with many jobs. A large body of research has focused on mitigating datacenter stragglers, but relatively little research has focused on systematically and rigorously identifying their root causes. We present Hound, a statistical machine learning framework that infers the causes of stragglers from traces of datacenter-scale jobs. Hound is designed to achieve several objectives: datacenter-scale diagnosis, interpretable models, unbiased inference, and computational efficiency. We demonstrate Hound's capabilities for a production trace from Google's warehouse-scale datacenters and two Spark traces from Amazon EC2 clusters.
The burgeoning computer-art symbiosis
Authors: Ginosar Shiry , Shen Xi , Dwivedi Karan , Honig Elizabeth , Aubry Mathieu
Published: April 2018

Computers help us understand art. Art helps us teach computers.
Physiology learning for veterinary students: impact of guided practices on students’ opinion and physiological parameters
Authors: García-Vázquez Francisco A. , Romar Raquel , Gadea Joaquín , Matás Carmen , Coy Pilar , Ruiz Salvador
Published: April 2018

Over recent decades, education has increasingly focused on student-centered learning. Guided practices represent a new way of learning for undergraduate students of physiology, whereby the students turn into teacher-students and become more deeply involved in the subject by preparing and teaching a practical (laboratory) class to their peers. The goal was to assess the students’ opinions about guided practices and how physiological parameters change during the activity. For this objective, two experiments were performed. First, a voluntary questionnaire on guided practices was completed by the students during 2 academic years. Students could also write a free text commentary. The positive answers obtained in the questionnaire and the free commentary responses point to the effectiveness of this methodology in students’ minds. Negative aspects included the time spent preparing the activity, and the stress that students experienced in the teaching role. Second, information about how the teacher-students felt before teaching the practical class was self-reported, and physiological parameters related to stress (heart rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and electrocardiogram recorded to evaluate R-R interval and heart rate variability) were measured immediately before and while the practical class was taught. This evaluation reported an increase in stress during the execution of the practice. In conclusion, despite a new and stressful situation, guided practices are of interest for the students as a learning tool and for the acquisition of skills that may be of use in their later professional lives.
Endocannabinoids in the Islets of Langerhans: the ugly, the bad, and the good facts
Authors: González-Mariscal Isabel , Egan Josephine M.
Published: April 2018

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates cellular homeostasis and whole-body metabolism. There is an autonomous ECS in the endocrine pancreas, including the cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) that is present in β-cells. Here, we discuss conflicts that have arisen with regard to the function(s) of the ECs in the endocrine pancreas and that have caused confusion when defining the role of the ECS in islets of Langerhans, especially the role(s) of CB1R in β-cells. We also discuss the latest data published concerning the ECS in islets. CB1R in particular is not simply a negative modulator of insulin secretion as it is also involved in intra-islet inflammation during high fat-high sugar intake and it is a negative regulator of β-cell viability and turnover. We also discuss the feasibility of using CB1R as a target for the treatment of diabetes.
Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase as a cataplerotic pathway in the small intestine
Authors: Potts Austin , Uchida Aki , Deja Stanislaw , Berglund Eric D. , Kucejova Blanka , Duarte Joao A. , Fu Xiaorong , Browning Jeffrey D. , Magnuson Mark A. , Burgess Shawn C.
Published: April 2018

Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is a gluconeogenic enzyme that is highly expressed in the liver and kidney but is also expressed at lower levels in a variety of other tissues where it may play adjunct roles in fatty acid esterification, amino acid metabolism, and/or TCA cycle function. PEPCK is expressed in the enterocytes of the small intestine, but it is unclear whether it supports a gluconeogenic rate sufficient to affect glucose homeostasis. To examine potential roles of intestinal PEPCK, we generated an intestinal PEPCK knockout mouse. Deletion of intestinal PEPCK ablated ex vivo gluconeogenesis but did not significantly affect glycemia in chow, high-fat diet, or streptozotocin-treated mice. In contrast, postprandial triglyceride secretion from the intestine was attenuated in vivo, consistent with a role in fatty acid esterification. Intestinal amino acid profiles and13C tracer appearance into these pools were significantly altered, indicating abnormal amino acid trafficking through the enterocyte. The data suggest that the predominant role of PEPCK in the small intestine of mice is not gluconeogenesis but rather to support nutrient processing, particularly with regard to lipids and amino acids.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The small intestine expresses gluconeogenic enzymes for unknown reasons. In addition to glucose synthesis, the nascent steps of this pathway can be used to support amino acid and lipid metabolisms. When phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, an essential gluconeogenic enzyme, is knocked out of the small intestine of mice, glycemia is unaffected, but mice inefficiently absorb dietary lipid, have abnormal amino acid profiles, and inefficiently catabolize glutamine. Therefore, the initial steps of intestinal gluconeogenesis are used for processing dietary triglycerides and metabolizing amino acids but are not essential for maintaining blood glucose levels.
Spontaneous and α-adrenoceptor-induced contractility in human collecting lymphatic vessels require chloride
Authors: Mohanakumar Sheyanth , Majgaard Jens , Telinius Niklas , Katballe Niels , Pahle Einar , Hjortdal Vibeke , Boedtkjer Donna
Published: April 2018

Human lymphatic vessels are myogenically active and respond to sympathetic stimulation. The role of various cations in this behavior has recently been investigated, but whether the anion Cl− is essential is unclear. With ethical approval and informed consent, human thoracic duct and mesenteric lymphatic vessels were obtained from surgical patients. Spontaneous or norepinephrine-induced isometric force production from isolated vessels was measured by wire myography; the transmembrane Cl− gradient and Cl− channels were investigated by substitution of extracellular Cl− with the impermeant anion aspartate and inhibition of Cl− transport and channels with the clinical diuretics furosemide and bendroflumethiazide as well as DIDS and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid. The molecular expression of Ca2+-activated Cl− channels was investigated by RT-PCR, and proteins were localized using immunoreactivity. Spontaneous and norepinephrine-induced contractility in human lymphatic vessels was highly abrogated after Cl− substitution with aspartate. About 100–300 µM DIDS or 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid inhibited spontaneous contractile behavior. Norepinephrine-stimulated tone was furthermore markedly abrogated by 200 µM DIDS. Furosemide lowered only spontaneous constrictions, whereas bendroflumethiazide had nonspecific inhibitory effects. Consistent expression of transmembrane member 16A [TMEM16A (anoctamin-1)] was found in both the thoracic duct and mesenteric lymphatic vessels, and immunoreactivity with different antibodies localized TMEM16A to lymphatic smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells. The significant change in contractile function observed with inhibitors and anion substitution suggests that Cl− movement over the plasma membrane of lymphatic myocytes is integral for spontaneous and α-adrenoceptor-evoked contractility in human collecting lymphatic vessels. Consistent detection and localization of TMEM16A to myocytes suggests that this channel could play a major functional role.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we report the first observations of Cl− being a critical ionic component of spontaneous and agonist-evoked contractility in human lymphatics. The most consistently expressed Ca2+-activated Cl− channel gene in the human thoracic duct and mesenteric lymphatic vessels appears to be transmembrane member 16A, suggesting that this channel plays a major role.
Adaptive Control of Delayed Teleoperation Systems with Parameter Convergence
Authors: Li Yuling , Yin Yixin , Zhang Sen
Published: April 2018

It is well known that parameter convergence in adaptive control can bring about an improvement of system performance, including accurate online identification, exponential tracking, and robust adaptation without parameter drift. However, strong persistent-excitation (PE) or sufficient-excitement (SE) conditions should be satisfied to guarantee parameter convergence in the classical adaptive control. This paper proposes a novel adaptive control to guarantee parameter convergence without PE and SE conditions for nonlinear teleoperation systems with dynamic uncertainties and time-varying communication delays. The stability criterion of the closed-loop teleoperation system is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated by simulation studies, where both master and slave are assumed to be two-link manipulators with full nonlinear system dynamics.
Study on Adiabatic Temperature Rise Reflecting Hydration Degree of Concrete
Authors: Han Yanhua , Fu Shaojun , Wang Shufa , Xie Zuowei
Published: April 2018

The thermal model and the relevant parameters of concrete are the most important issues to study the space‐time characteristics of temperature field, which are also the theoretical foundation of temperature control and crack prevention for the mass concrete structures. In this research, the improved adiabatic temperature rise test is carried out, and the temperature variation of fly ash concrete is analyzed. Furthermore, a thermal model of concrete considering the hydration degree is established based on the existing achievements. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity and specific heat of concrete are measured via three approaches: by treating the parameters as constant values, by computing the parameters as variables of the degree of hydration, and by back‐analyzing the parameters through BP neural network. Finally, the thermal parameters determined by different methodologies are substituted into the thermal model, respectively, and the finite element analysis of the concrete specimen is performed. By comparing simulated temperatures with various measured results, it can be found that the numerical analysis results of parameters calculated by BP neural network are closest to the measured values in the whole curing ages. Therefore, BP neural network method is an effective way to calculate the thermal parameters, and BP inversion algorithm provides a new way for accurately study the temperature profile of mass concrete structures.
Hankel Matrix Correlation Function-Based Subspace Identification Method for UAV Servo System
Authors: She Minghong , Zhao Pengju
Published: April 2018

For the identification problem of closed-loop subspace model, we propose a zero space projection method based on the estimation of correlation function to fill the block Hankel matrix of identification model by combining the linear algebra with geometry. By using the same projection of related data in time offset set and LQ decomposition, the multiplication operation of projection is achieved and dynamics estimation of the unknown equipment system model is obtained. Consequently, we have solved the problem of biased estimation caused when the open-loop subspace identification algorithm is applied to the closed-loop identification. A simulation example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In final, the practicability of the identification algorithm is verified by hardware test of UAV servo system in real environment.
Characterization and Thermal Stability Properties of Bulk Hierarchical Porous Pd Prepared by Kirkendall Effect and Dealloying Method
Authors: Feng Wei , Kong Qingquan , Zhu Xiaodong , Xie Xinxin , Zhou Huajiang , Qiu Youxu , Sun Chenghua
Published: April 2018

We present a facile strategy to synthesize bulk hierarchical porous Pd materials (BHPPd) with pores ranging from a few nanometers to tens of micrometers through chemical dealloying of porous PdAl intermetallics. Owing to the small surface diffusivities of Pd atoms, the pore/ligament size of BHPPd did not coarsen remarkably as the concentration of HCl aqueous solution increases. Thermal stability properties of BHPPd materials at different temperature ranging from 673 to 1073 K were evaluated. BHPPd materials show superior thermal stability, whose bicontinuous interpenetrating ligament-channel structure can be maintained even after being annealed at 1073 K for 30 min. Such properties can be attributed to less defects and less-noble metal residues. Moreover, compression properties of BHPPd materials were also investigated.