bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industry‐specific exchange rate volatility and intermediate goods trade in Asia
Authors: Sato Kiyotaka , Shimizu Junko , Shrestha Nagendra , Zhang Shajuan
Published: January 2016

This study empirically analyses the impact of industry‐specific real exchange rate volatility on intra‐Asian trade of intermediate goods at an industry level. In contrast to the recent studies, our empirical results reveal that the exchange rate volatility has significantly negative effect only on two industries: general machinery and electrical machinery. However, no significant effects are found on the intermediate goods trade of other machinery industries. Such different impacts of the exchange rate volatility across industries reflect the growing intra‐firm trade and the choice of invoice currency, which is related to the characteristics of the traded goods.
A molecular and morphological phylogeny of the extant Augochlorini (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) with comments on implications for biogeography
Authors: GONÇALVES RODRIGO B.
Published: January 2016

The Augochlorini Beebe is a New World tribe of bees comprising 663 described species. Relationships among the genera of this monophyletic tribe remain uncertain. Here I provide a comprehensive phylogeny using morphological and molecular information. In all, 54 Augochlorini species plus 16 outgroups and 3017 molecular and 105 morphological characters were analysed. Sequences for four genes were analysed using Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood and parsimony. Morphological characters were taken from a literature review and analysed alone and in combination with molecular data using parsimony. The monophyly of Augochlorini and most genera is confirmed, with divergence of the main lineages of the tribe around 55–20 Ma. Seven clades were supported by most analyses and are here treated as genus‐level groups, as follows (combined analysis topology): (Corynura group, (Chlerogella group, (Rhinocorynura group, (Augochloropsis, (Megaloptidia group, (Neocorynura group, (Augochlora group, Megalopta group))))))). According to this topology, dim‐light foraging and cleptoparasitism arose three times in the tribe. According to my hypothesis, the diversification of Augochlorini may have begun as a response to vicariant events, including the split of the Neotropical/Andean regions and marine transgressions in the Amazon region.
Comparison of a commercial blood cross‐matching kit to the standard laboratory method for establishing blood transfusion compatibility in dogs
Authors: Guzman Leo Roa , Streeter Elizabeth , Malandra Allison
Published: January 2016

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of a commercial blood transfusion cross‐match kit when compared to the standard laboratory method for establishing blood transfusion compatibility.

Design

A prospective observational in intro study performed from July 2009 to July 2013.

Setting

Private referral veterinary center.

Animals

Ten healthy dogs, 11 anemic dogs, and 24 previously transfused dogs.

Interventions

None.

Measurement and Main Results

Forty‐five dogs were enrolled in a prospective study in order to compare the standard blood transfusion cross‐match technique to a commercial blood transfusion cross‐matching kit. These dogs were divided into 3 different groups that included 10 healthy dogs (control group), 11 anemic dogs in need of a blood transfusion, and 24 sick dogs that were previously transfused. Thirty‐five dogs diagnosed with anemia secondary to multiple disease processes were cross‐matched using both techniques. All dogs cross‐matched via the kit had a compatible major and minor result, whereas 16 dogs out of 45 (35%) had an incompatible cross‐match result when the standard laboratory technique was performed. The average time to perform the commercial kit was 15 minutes and this was 3 times shorter than the manual cross‐match laboratory technique that averaged 45–50 minutes to complete.

Conclusions

While the gel‐based cross‐match kit is quicker and less technically demanding than standard laboratory cross‐match procedures, microagglutination and low‐grade hemolysis are difficult to identify by using the gel‐based kits. This could result in transfusion reactions if the gel‐based kits are used as the sole determinant of blood compatibility prior to transfusion. Based on our results, the standard manual cross‐match technique remains the gold standard test to determine blood transfusion compatibility.
Evaluation of conjunctival bacterial flora in a herd of goats in the Midwestern United States
Authors: Meekins Jessica M. , Apley Michael D. , Lubbers Brian , Peddireddi Lalitha , Rankin Amy J.
Published: January 2016

Objective

To identify conjunctival bacterial flora in healthy adult and newborn kid goats in the Midwestern United States and to compare vaginal and ocular surface flora in dam‐kid pairs.

Animals studied

Thirty mixed‐breed (crosses between Boer, Kiko, and Syfan Spanish) goats, 20 adult does and 10 newborn kids.

Procedures

One eye of 15 adult goats (n= 15 eyes) and 5 kids (n= 5 eyes) was randomly selected. A subset of 5 adults (n= 10 eyes) and 5 kids (n= 10 eyes) underwent bilateral sampling. Each recently kidded dam's vaginal canal (n= 10) was also sampled. Two swabs were collected from each sample site for aerobic bacterial culture andMycoplasmaandChlamydiaspp.PCR.

Results

Of the animals with positive cultures, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the most common bacterial genera from the conjunctival sac of adult (16/17; 94%) and kid (5/5; 100%) goats; three adults and 5 kids had no growth of bacteria on aerobic culture.Moraxella bovoculiwas the most common single bacteria in adults, in 9 eyes (36%) of 8 animals (40%).Staphylococcus equorumwas identified in all 5 kids with positive cultures.Mycoplasmasp.DNAwas detected in 7 animals.Chlamydiasp.DNAwas not detected in any sample. Four of 10 dam‐kid pairs had identical bacteria isolated from the dam's vaginal sample and the kid's conjunctival sample.

Conclusions

Staphylococcus and Streptococcus were the most common conjunctival bacterial genera in this goatherd.Moraxella bovoculiwas the most common single bacteria isolated from adults, andStaphylococcus equorumwas the most common bacteria in kids.Mycoplasmasp. occurred infrequently at the ocular surface of adult and kid goats. A convincing association between dam‐kid vaginal–conjunctival samples was not identified.
EFFECT OF SEDATION ON CONTRAST‐ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE SPLEEN IN HEALTHY DOGS
Authors: Rossi Federica , Fina Caroline , Stock Emmelie , Vanderperren Katrien , Duchateau Luc , Saunders Jimmy H.
Published: January 2016

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen enables the dynamic assessment of the perfusion of this organ, however, both subjective and quantitative evaluation can be strongly influenced by sedative agent administration. The purpose of this prospective, experimental study was to test effects of two sedative agents on splenic perfusion during contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen in a sample of healthy dogs. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen was repeated in six healthy Beagles following a cross‐over study design comparing three protocols: awake, butorphanol 0.2 mg/Kg intramuscular (IM), and dexmedetomidine 500 μg/m2IM. After intravenous injection of a phospholipid stabilized sulfur hexafluoride microbubble solution (SonoVue®, Bracco Imaging, Milano, Italy), the enhancement intensity and perfusion pattern of the splenic parenchyma were assessed and perfusion parameters were calculated. Normal spleen was slightly heterogeneous in the early phase, but the parenchyma was homogeneous at a later phase. Sedation with butorphanol did not modify perfusion of the spleen. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced splenic enhancement, providing diffuse parenchymal hypoechogenicity during the entire examination. Measured parameters were significantly modified, with increased arrival time (AT; (< 0.0001) and time to peak (TTP;P< 0.0001), and decreased peak intensity (PI;P= 0.0108), wash‐in (P= 0.0014), and area under the curve (AUC;P= 0.0421). Findings supported the use of butorphanol and contraindicated the use of dexmedetomidine as sedatives for splenic contrast ultrasound procedures in dogs. Short‐term and diffuse heterogeneity of the spleen in the early venous phase was determined to be a normal finding.
Inhibition of complement component C5 prevents clotting in an ex vivo model of xenogeneic activation of coagulation
Authors: Rataj Dennis , Werwitzke Sonja , Haarmeijer Birgitt , Winkler Michael , Ramackers Wolf , Petersen Björn , Niemann Heiner , Wünsch Annegret , Bähr Andrea , Klymiuk Nikolai , Wolf Eckhard , Abicht Jan‐Michael , Ayares David , Tiede Andreas
Published: January 2016

Background

Xenogeneic thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and acute vascular rejection (AVR) prevent long‐term survival of porcine xenografts after transplantation into non‐human primates. Preformed xenoreactive natural antibodies (XNA) cause endothelial damage and activate the complement system. Mechanisms of xenogeneic coagulation and platelet activation are only poorly characterized.

Methods

A microfluidic flow chamber was used to study platelet activation and thrombus formation of human platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) upon perfusion over wild‐type (WT) or α‐1,3‐ galactosyltransferase knockout (GTKO) and human CD46 (hCD46) transgenic porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC). Activation of plasma coagulation (thrombin–anti‐thrombin complex; TAT) and complement (C3a, C5a) was studied in human platelet‐free plasma (PFP) after co‐incubation with PAEC. The activation of PAEC (E‐Selectin, tissue factor, ICAM‐1, ICAM‐2, VCAM‐1) was studied after incubation with human serum. Eculizumab (200 μg/ml) was used to inhibit terminal complement activation in all experiments.

Results

WT‐PAEC perfused with human PRP showed thrombus formation at different shear rates (3 dyn/cm2: 23 ± 10%; 10 dyn/cm2: 17 ± 10% of flow chamber viewing field). GTKO/hCD46 PAEC exhibited reduced, but not fully prevented thrombus formation (3 dyn/cm2: 12 ± 12%). Porcine PRP caused little or no thrombus formation (3.0 ± 4% and 0.5 ± 0.9%, respectively). Flow cytometry of human platelets after perfusion over WT‐PAEC revealed an increase in platelet CD62P expression (29.5 ± 3%), compared to non‐perfused PRP (7 ± 2%) or PRP running through empty flow chambers (12.7 ± 0.3%). Incubation of human PFP with PAEC resulted in an increase of TAT that correlated with C5a activation. Specific inhibition of complement by eculizumab prevented thrombus formation (WT‐PAEC: 1.6 ± 2% at 3 dyn/cm2 and 0.24 ± 0.33% at 10 dyn/cm2, GTKO/hCD46 PAEC: 0.2 ± 0.3% at 3 dyn/cm2) as well as activation of coagulation and platelets. Induction of endothelial E‐Selectin and VCAM‐1 in WT‐PAEC upon incubation with human serum was significantly reduced by eculizumab. Eculizumab did not reduce thrombin generation capacity of human PRP or normal platelet aggregation.

Conclusion

Thrombus formation in this ex vivo model of xenogeneic TMA was closely linked with complement activation. Specific inhibition of complement C5 by eculizumab prevented endothelial cell activation, but also coagulation and platelet activation without compromising thrombin generation capacity of human blood or normal platelet function.
A Crystal-Plasticity-Based Damage Model Incorporating Material Length-Scale
Authors: Kweon S.
Published: January 2016

A crystal-plasticity-based damage model that incorporates material length-scale through use of the slip-plane lattice incompatibility is developed with attention to the physical basis for the evolution of damage in a “bulk” shear deformation and without resort to ad hoc measures of shear deformation. To incorporate the physics of the shear damage process recently found by Kweon et al. (2010, “Experimental Characterization of Damage Processes in Aluminum AA2024-O,” ASME J. Eng. Mater. Technol., 132(3), p. 031008), the development of tensile hydrostatic stress in grains due to grain-to-grain interaction, two existing theories, crystal plasticity, and the void growth equation by Cocks and Ashby (1982, “On Creep Fracture by Void Growth,” Prog. Mater. Sci., 27(3–4), pp. 189–244) is combined to make the model in this study. The effect of the void volume increase onto the constitutive behavior is incorporated by adding the deformation gradient due to the void volume growth into a multiplicatively decomposed kinematics map. Simulations with the proposed model reveal the physics of shear and reproduce the accelerated damage in the shear deformation in lab experiments and industrial processes: the gradient of hydrostatic stress along with the development of macroscopic normal stress (hydrostatic stress) components amplifies the development of the local hydrostatic stress in grains under tensile hydrostatic stress.
Influence of Secondary Impact on Printed Wiring Assemblies—Part I: High-Frequency “Breathing Mode” Deformations in the Printed Wiring Board
Authors: Meng Jingshi , Dasgupta Abhijit
Published: January 2016

Design rules for portable electronic device are continuously striving for thinner printed wiring assemblies (PWAs) and smaller clearances because of ever-increasing demand for functionality and miniaturization. As a result, during accidental drop and impact events, there is an increased probability of internal secondary impact between a PWA and adjacent internal structures. In particular, compared to the initial impact, acceleration pulses caused by contact during secondary impacts are typically characterized by significant increase of amplitudes and frequency bandwidth. The resonant response in the thickness direction of printed wiring boards (PWBs) (termed the dynamic “breathing mode” of response, in this study) acts as a mechanical bandpass filter and places miniature internal structures in some components (such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)) at risk of failure, if any of them have resonant frequencies within the transmitted frequency bandwidth. This study is the first part of a two-part series, presenting qualitative parametric insights into the effect of secondary impacts in a PWA. This first part focuses on analyzing the frequency spectrum of: (i) the impulse caused by secondary impact, (ii) the energy transmitted by the dynamic “breathing” response of multilayer PWBs, and (iii) the consequential dynamic response of typical structures with high resonant frequencies that are mounted on the PWB. Examples include internal deformable structures in typical surface mount technology (SMT) components and in MEMS components. The second part of this series will further explore the effects of the breathing mode of vibration on failures of various SMT components of different frequencies.
The 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation Challenge: Problem Statement
Authors: Hu Kenneth T. , Orient George E.
Published: January 2016

This paper describes the challenge problem associated with the 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation (V&V) Challenge Workshop. The problem was developed to highlight core issues in V&V of engineering models. It is intended as an analog to projects currently underway at the Sandia National Laboratories—in other words, a realistic case study in applying V&V methods and integrating information from experimental data and simulations to support decisions. The problem statement includes the data, model, and directions for participants in the challenge. In addition, the workings of the provided code and the “truth model” used to create the data are revealed. The code, data, and truth model are available in this paper.
Measurement of acoustic particle motion in shallow water and its application to geoacoustic inversion
Authors: Dall'Osto David R. , Choi Jee Woong , Dahl Peter H.
Published: January 2016

Within an underwater acoustic waveguide, the interference among multipath arrivals causes a phase difference in orthogonal components of the particle velocity. When two components of the particle velocity are not in phase, the fluid particles follow an elliptical trajectory. This property of the acoustic field can be readily detected by a vector sensor. A non-dimensional vector quantity, the degree of circularity, is used to quantify how much the trajectory resembles a circle. In this paper, vector sensor measurements collected during the 2013 Target and Reverberation Experiment are used to demonstrate the effect of multipath interference on the degree of circularity. Finally, geoacoustic properties representing the sandy sediment at the experimental site are inverted by minimization of a cost function, which quantifies the deviation between the measured and modeled degree of circularity.
Tibial Acceleration and Spatiotemporal Mechanics in Distance Runners During Reduced-Body-Weight Conditions
Authors: Moran Matthew F. , Rickert Brendan J. , Greer Beau K.
Published: January 2016

Context:

Treadmills that unload runners via a differential air-pressure (DAP) bladder (eg, AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill) are commonly used to reduce effective body weight (BW) in a clinical setting. However, the relationship between the level of unloading and tibial stress is currently unknown.

Objective:

To determine the relationship between tibial impact acceleration and level of BW unloading during running.

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

University motion-analysis laboratory.

Participants:

15 distance runners (9 male, 6 female; 20.4 ± 2.4 y, 60.1 ± 12.6 kg).

Main Outcome Measures:

Peak tibial acceleration and peak-to-peak tibial acceleration were measured via a uniaxial accelerometer attached to the tibia during a 37-min continuous treadmill run that simulated reduced-BW conditions via a DAP bladder. The trial began with a 10-min run at 100% BW followed by nine 3-min stages where BW was systematically reduced from 95% to 60% in 5% increments.

Results:

There was no significant relationship between level of BW and either peak tibial acceleration or peak-to-peak tibial acceleration (P > .05). Both heart rate and step rate were significantly reduced with each 5% reduction in BW level (P < .01).

Conclusions:

Although ground-reaction forces are reduced when running in reduced-BW conditions on a DAP treadmill, tibial shock magnitudes are unchanged as an alteration in spatiotemporal running mechanics (eg, reduced step rate) and may nullify the unloading effect.
Chemical synthesis of erythropoietin glycoforms for insights into the relationship between glycosylation pattern and bioactivity
Authors: Murakami Masumi , Kiuchi Tatsuto , Nishihara Mika , Tezuka Katsunari , Okamoto Ryo , Izumi Masayuki , Kajihara Yasuhiro
Published: January 2016

Chemical synthesis of homogeneous erythropoietins proved that their bioactivity in vivo is regulated by the glycosylation pattern.
Data-driven modeling of solar-powered urban microgrids
Authors: Halu Arda , Scala Antonio , Khiyami Abdulaziz , González Marta C.
Published: January 2016

A modeling framework for citywide solar microgrids with real hourly consumption, and the interplay between spatial costs and resilience.
Social behavior shapes the chimpanzee pan-microbiome
Authors: Moeller Andrew H. , Foerster Steffen , Wilson Michael L. , Pusey Anne E. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Ochman Howard
Published: January 2016

Chimpanzee social activity is associated with diversity in the gut microbiome.
Characteristics of CTX-M Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Multiple Rivers in Southern Taiwan
Authors: Chen Po-An , Hung Chih-Hsin , Huang Ping-Chih , Chen Jung-Ren , Huang I-Fei , Chen Wan-Ling , Chiou Yee-Hsuan , Hung Wan-Yu , Wang Jiun-Ling , Cheng Ming-Fang
Published: January 2016

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
sequence type ST131 has emerged as the leading cause of community-acquired urinary tract infections and bacteremia worldwide. Whether environmental water is a potential reservoir of these strains remains unclear. River water samples were collected from 40 stations in southern Taiwan from February to August 2014. PCR assay and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis were conducted to determine the CTX-M group and sequence type, respectively. In addition, we identified the seasonal frequency of ESBL-producing
E. coli
strains and their geographical relationship with runoffs from livestock and poultry farms between February and August 2014. ESBL-producing
E. coli
accounted for 30% of the 621
E. coli
strains isolated from river water in southern Taiwan. ESBL-producing
E. coli
ST131 was not detected among the isolates. The most commonly detected strain was
E. coli
CTX-M group 9. Among the 92 isolates selected for MLST analysis, the most common ESBL-producing clonal complexes were ST10 and ST58. The proportion of ESBL-producing
E. coli
was significantly higher in areas with a lower river pollution index (
P
= 0.025) and regions with a large number of chickens being raised (
P
= 0.013). ESBL-producing
E. coli
strains were commonly isolated from river waters in southern Taiwan. The most commonly isolated ESBL-producing clonal complexes were ST10 and ST58, which were geographically related to chicken farms. ESBL-producing
E. coli
ST131, the major clone causing community-acquired infections in Taiwan and worldwide, was not detected in river waters.
Responses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains from Different Origins to Elevated Iron Concentrations
Authors: Martínez-Garay Carlos Andrés , de Llanos Rosa , Romero Antonia María , Martínez-Pastor María Teresa , Puig Sergi
Published: January 2016

Iron is an essential micronutrient for all eukaryotic organisms. However, the low solubility of ferric iron has tremendously increased the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia, especially in women and children, with dramatic consequences. Baker's yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
is used as a model eukaryotic organism, a fermentative microorganism, and a feed supplement. In this report, we explore the genetic diversity of 123 wild and domestic strains of
S. cerevisiae
isolated from different geographical origins and sources to characterize how yeast cells respond to elevated iron concentrations in the environment. By using two different forms of iron, we selected and characterized both iron-sensitive and iron-resistant yeast strains. We observed that when the iron concentration in the medium increases, iron-sensitive strains accumulate iron more rapidly than iron-resistant isolates. We observed that, consistent with excess iron leading to oxidative stress, the redox state of iron-sensitive strains was more oxidized than that of iron-resistant strains. Growth assays in the presence of different oxidative reagents ruled out that this phenotype was due to alterations in the general oxidative stress protection machinery. It was noteworthy that iron-resistant strains were more sensitive to iron deficiency conditions than iron-sensitive strains, which suggests that adaptation to either high or low iron is detrimental for the opposite condition. An initial gene expression analysis suggested that alterations in iron homeostasis genes could contribute to the different responses of distant iron-sensitive and iron-resistant yeast strains to elevated environmental iron levels.
An Outer Membrane Protein Involved in the Uptake of Glucose Is Essential for Cytophaga hutchinsonii Cellulose Utilization
Authors: Zhou Hong , Wang Xia , Yang Tengteng , Zhang Weixin , Chen Guanjun , Liu Weifeng
Published: January 2016

Cytophaga hutchinsonii
specializes in cellulose digestion by employing a collection of novel cell-associated proteins. Here, we identified a novel gene locus, CHU_1276, that is essential for
C. hutchinsonii
cellulose utilization. Disruption of CHU_1276 in
C. hutchinsonii
resulted in complete deficiency in cellulose degradation, as well as compromised assimilation of cellobiose or glucose at a low concentration. Further analysis showed that CHU_1276 was an outer membrane protein that could be induced by cellulose and low concentrations of glucose. Transcriptional profiling revealed that CHU_1276 exerted a profound effect on the genome-wide response to both glucose and Avicel and that the mutant lacking CHU_1276 displayed expression profiles very different from those of the wild-type strain under different culture conditions. Specifically, comparison of their transcriptional responses to cellulose led to the identification of a gene set potentially regulated by CHU_1276. These results suggest that CHU_1276 plays an essential role in cellulose utilization, probably by coordinating the extracellular hydrolysis of cellulose substrate with the intracellular uptake of the hydrolysis product in
C. hutchinsonii
.
Diagnosis and management of depression in children and young people: summary of updated NICE guidance
Authors: Hopkins Kathryn , Crosland Paul , Elliott Nicole , Bewley Susan
Published: January 2016

This is one of a series ofBMJsummaries of new guidelines based on the best available evidence; they highlight important recommendations for clinical practice, especially where uncertainty or controversy exists.
Oxygen-17 NMR spectroscopy of water molecules in solid hydrates
Authors: Nour Sherif , Widdifield Cory M. , Kobera Libor , Burgess Kevin M. N. , Errulat Dylan , Terskikh Victor V. , Bryce David L.
Published: January 2016

17O solid-state NMR studies of waters of hydration in crystalline solids are presented. The 17O quadrupolar coupling and chemical shift (CS) tensors, and their relative orientations, are measured experimentally at room temperature for α-oxalic acid dihydrate, barium chlorate monohydrate, lithium sulfate monohydrate, potassium oxalate monohydrate, and sodium perchlorate monohydrate. The 17O quadrupolar coupling constants (CQ) range from 6.6 to 7.35 MHz and the isotropic chemical shifts range from –17 to 19.7 ppm. The oxygen CS tensor spans vary from 25 to 78 ppm. These represent the first complete CS and electric field gradient tensor measurements for water coordinated to metals in the solid state. Gauge-including projector-augmented wave density functional theory calculations overestimate the values of CQ, likely due to librational dynamics of the water molecules. Computed CS tensors only qualitatively match the experimental data. The lack of strong correlations between the experimental and computed data, and between these data and any single structural feature, is attributed to motion of the water molecules and to the relatively small overall range in the NMR parameters relative to their measurement precision. Nevertheless, the isotropic chemical shift, quadrupolar coupling constant, and CS tensor span clearly differentiate between the samples studied and establish a ‘fingerprint’ 17O spectral region for water coordinated to metals in solids.
ADVANCE TAX PAYMENTS AND TAX EVASION: A NOTE
Authors: MORITA KEISUKE
Published: January 2016

In the withholding tax system, the tax authority requires taxpayers to pay taxes in advance before filing their tax returns. This note investigates how advance tax payments affect the extent of tax evasion in the economy. We show that the extent of tax evasion decreases with increasing prepaid taxes, if individuals behave according to prospect theory.
Asymptotics of certain sums required in loop regularisation
Authors: Chapling Richard
Published: January 2016

We consider the three conjectures stated in a 2003 paper of Wu, concerning the asymptotics of particular sums of products of binomials, powers and logarithms. These sums relate to the form of the regularised integrals used in loop regularisation. We show all three are true, extend them to more general powers and produce their full asymptotic series. We also extend a classical result to produce an exact formula for the sum in the last.
An Expanded Trilinear Model-Based Angle Estimation Algorithm for MIMO Radar with Small Number of Transmit/Receive Antennas
Authors: Li Shu , Lv Weihua , Zhang Xiaofei , Xu Dazhuan
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we address the problem of angle estimation in a bistatic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar which exploits nonuniform linear array at both the transmitter and the receiver with small number of antennas. It is demonstrated that the conventional trilinear decomposition-based angle estimation algorithm can identify only a comparatively small number of targets under this condition. In order to increase the number of identifiable targets, we derive an expanded trilinear decomposition-based angle estimation algorithm for MIMO radar, which can expand the size of the trilinear model. The proposed algorithm not only has the advantages of not requiring spectral peak searching, nor additional pair matching and being suitable for nonuniform arrays, but also identifies more targets than the conventional trilinear decomposition-based angle estimation algorithm under the same conditions. Moreover, the angle estimation performance of the proposed algorithm is better than that of the conventional trilinear decomposition-based angle estimation algorithm and the estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance techniques (ESPRIT) algorithm. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and improvement of the proposed algorithm.
Beyond Cross-Section
Authors: Santini Thiago , Rech Paolo , Nazar Gabriel Luca , Wagner Flávio Rech
Published: January 2016

A computational system employed in safety-critical applications typically has reliability as a primary concern. Thus, the designer focuses on minimizing the device radiation-sensitive area, often leading to performance degradation. In this article, we present a mathematical model to evaluate system reliability in spatial (i.e., radiation-sensitive area) and temporal (i.e., performance) terms and prove that minimizing radiation-sensitive area does not necessarily maximize application reliability. To support our claim, we present an empirical counterexample where application reliability is improved even if the radiation-sensitive area of the device is increased. An extensive radiation test campaign using a 28
nm
commercial-off-the-shelf ARM-based SoC was conducted, and experimental results demonstrate that, while executing the considered application at military aircraft altitude, the probability of executing a two-year mission workload without failures is increased by 5.85% if L1 caches are enabled (thus increasing the radiation-sensitive area) when compared to no cache level being enabled. However, if both L1 and L2 caches are enabled, the probability is decreased by 31.59%.
Exploiting Page Correlations for Write Buffering in Page-Mapping Multichannel SSDs
Authors: Huang Sheng-Min , Chang Li-Pin
Published: January 2016

Advanced solid-state disks (SSDs) have been equipped with page-mapping flash translation layers and multichannel architectures. The SSDs employ a RAM-based write buffer, which delays write requests for reducing write traffic, reorders requests for mitigating garbage-collection overhead, and produces parallel page writes for improving channel time utilization. This work presents a novel write buffer algorithm that exploits temporal and spatial correlations among buffer pages. The write-buffer groups temporally or spatially correlate buffer pages and then write the grouped buffer pages to the same flash block. In this way, when the correlated page data are updated in the future, flash blocks will receive bulk page invalidations and become good candidates for garbage collection. With multichannel architectures, the write buffer adaptively disperses read-most sequential data over channels for high page-level parallelism of sequential reads, while clustering write-most sequential data in the same channel for a reduced cost of garbage collection. We evaluated the proposed method and previously proposed buffer algorithms. Our method was shown to outperform the existing methods by up to 134%. We also implemented our buffer design on the OpenSSD platform; the time and space overheads of our design were reported to be very low.
TBES
Authors: Corre Youenn , Diguet Jean-Philippe , Heller Dominique , Blouin Dominique , Lagadec Loïc
Published: January 2016

This article describes TBES, a software end-to-end environment for synthesizing multitask applications on FPGAs. The implementation follows a template-based approach for creating heterogeneous multiprocessor architectures. Heterogeneity stems from the use of general-purpose processors along with custom accelerators. Experimental results demonstrate substantial speedup for several classes of applications.

Furthermore, this work allows for reducing development costs and saving development time for the software architect, the domain expert, and the optimization expert. This work provides a framework to bring together various existing tools and optimisation algorithms. The advantages are manifold: modularity and flexibility, easy customization for best-fit algorithm selection, durability and evolution over time, and legacy preservation including domain experts' know-how.

In addition to the use of architecture templates for the overall system, a second contribution lies in using high-level synthesis for promoting exploration of hardware IPs. The domain expert, who best knows which tasks are good candidates for hardware implementation, selects parts of the initial application to be potentially synthesized as dedicated accelerators. As a consequence, the HLS general problem turns into a constrained and more tractable issue, and automation capabilities eliminate the need for tedious and error-prone manual processes during domain space exploration.

The automation only takes place once the application has been broken down into concurrent tasks by the designer, who can then drive the synthesis process with a set of parameters provided by TBES to balance tradeoffs between optimization efforts and quality of results.

The approach is demonstrated step by step up to FPGA implementations and executions with an MJPEG benchmark and a complex Viola-Jones face detection application. We show that TBES allows one to achieve results with up to 10 times speedup to reduce development times and to widen design space exploration.
Stable Greedy
Authors: Chang Li-Pin , Liu Yu-Syun , Lin Wen-Huei
Published: January 2016

Commodity solid state drives (SSDs) have recently begun involving the adoption of powerful controllers for multichannel flash management at the page level. However, many of these models still use primitive garbage-collection algorithms, because previous approaches are subject to poor scalability with high-capacity flash memory. This study presents Stable Greedy for garbage collection in page-mapping multichannel SSDs. Stable Greedy identifies page-accurate data hotness using block-level information, and jointly considers block space utilization and block stability for victim selection. Its design considers flash wear leveling for SSD lifetime enhancement at the block level as well as at the channel level. Stable Greedy runs at a constant time, and requires limited RAM space. The simulation results revealed that Stable Greedy outperformed previous methods considerably under various workloads and multichannel architectures. Stable Greedy was successfully implemented on the OpenSSD platform, and the actual performance measurements were consistent with the simulation results.
A Cache-Based Flash Translation Layer for TLC-Based Multimedia Storage Devices
Authors: Kwon Se Jin
Published: January 2016

Current triple-level cell (TLC)-based solids-tate drives used in multimedia storage devices support multichannel access to increase capacity and throughput. Unfortunately, current state-of-the-art FTL algorithms must employ selective caching for inquiring about the address mapping information, which causes low space utilization, a large flash memory requirement, and performance degradation. In this article, the
Ca
che-
b
ased Flash Translation Layer (Cab-FTL) is proposed for TLC-based multimedia storage devices. Cab-FTL enhances the read and write performances by achieving high space utilization while reducing the size of the mapping tables to 1.68% compared to DFTL. Despite a caching of the mapping tables in DRAM, Cab-FTL achieves a fast system boot using its fast wake-up mechanism.
Interactive Design of Developable Surfaces
Authors: Tang Chengcheng , Bo Pengbo , Wallner Johannes , Pottmann Helmut
Published: January 2016

We present a new approach to geometric modeling with developable surfaces and the design of curved-creased origami. We represent developables as splines and express the nonlinear conditions relating to developability and curved folds as quadratic equations. This allows us to utilize a constraint solver, which may be described as energy-guided projection onto the constraint manifold, and which is fast enough for interactive modeling. Further, a combined primal-dual surface representation enables us to robustly and quickly solve approximation problems.
A Pool of Representative Users for Accessibility Research
Authors: Dee Marianne , Hanson Vicki L.
Published: January 2016

A critical element of accessibility research is the exploration and evaluation of ideas with representative users. However, it is often difficult to recruit such a range of users, particularly in a timely manner, nor is it easy for new researchers to understand how to recruit relevant populations or feel confident in communicating with older or “vulnerable” users. We report on the establishment of a large user pool created to facilitate accessibility research through recruiting sizeable numbers of older adults potentially interested in taking part in research studies about technology. We suggest points to guide new researchers and invite other experts to build on these. We also sketch some of the lessons learned from creating and maintaining this pool of individuals, including thoughts on issues for others wishing to set up similar pools.
Mental Imagery in Depression: Phenomenology, Potential Mechanisms, and Treatment Implications
Authors: Holmes Emily A. , Blackwell Simon E. , Burnett Heyes Stephanie , Renner Fritz , Raes Filip
Published: January 2016

Mental imagery is an experience like perception in the absence of a percept. It is a ubiquitous feature of human cognition, yet it has been relatively neglected in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of depression. Imagery abnormalities in depression include an excess of intrusive negative mental imagery; impoverished positive imagery; bias for observer perspective imagery; and overgeneral memory, in which specific imagery is lacking. We consider the contribution of imagery dysfunctions to depressive psychopathology and implications for cognitive behavioral interventions. Treatment advances capitalizing on the representational format of imagery (as opposed to its content) are reviewed, including imagery rescripting, positive imagery generation, and memory specificity training. Consideration of mental imagery can contribute to clinical assessment and imagery-focused psychological therapeutic techniques and promote investigation of underlying mechanisms for treatment innovation. Research into mental imagery in depression is at an early stage. Work that bridges clinical psychology and neuroscience in the investigation of imagery-related mechanisms is recommended.
Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth
Authors: Russell Stephen T. , Fish Jessica N.
Published: January 2016

Today's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth come out at younger ages, and public support for LGBT issues has dramatically increased, so why do LGBT youth continue to be at high risk for compromised mental health? We provide an overview of the contemporary context for LGBT youth, followed by a review of current science on LGBT youth mental health. Research in the past decade has identified risk and protective factors for mental health, which point to promising directions for prevention, intervention, and treatment. Legal and policy successes have set the stage for advances in programs and practices that may foster LGBT youth mental health. Implications for clinical care are discussed, and important areas for new research and practice are identified.
Food Antioxidants: Chemical Insights at the Molecular Level
Authors: Galano Annia , Mazzone Gloria , Alvarez-Diduk Ruslán , Marino Tiziana , Alvarez-Idaboy J. Raúl , Russo Nino
Published: January 2016

In this review, we briefly summarize the reliability of the density functional theory (DFT)-based methods to accurately predict the main antioxidant properties and the reaction mechanisms involved in the free radical–scavenging reactions of chemical compounds present in food. The analyzed properties are the bond dissociation energies, in particular those involving OH bonds, electron transfer enthalpies, adiabatic ionization potentials, and proton affinities. The reaction mechanisms are hydrogen-atom transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, radical adduct formation, single electron transfer, sequential electron proton transfer, proton-loss electron transfer, and proton-loss hydrogen-atom transfer. Furthermore, the chelating ability of these compounds and its role in decreasing or inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by Fe(III) and Cu(II) are considered. Comparisons between theoretical and experimental data confirm that modern theoretical tools are not only able to explain controversial experimental facts but also to predict chemical behavior.
Dyadic Relationships
Authors: Liden Robert C. , Anand Smriti , Vidyarthi Prajya
Published: January 2016

We provide a review of research on dyadic relationships in work settings. The development, maintenance, and termination of relationships are discussed. Considerable attention is placed on the context in which dyadic relationships take place. Most recent developments in the study of dyadic relationships have involved multilevel research designs that incorporate direct and moderating influences of contextual variables on relationships. A wide range of contextual variables are included, from immediate work group characteristics to overarching aspects of the context, such as national culture.
Attenuation of airway smooth muscle contractility via flavonol-mediated inhibition of phospholipase-Cβ
Authors: Brown Amy , Danielsson Jennifer , Townsend Elizabeth A. , Zhang Yi , Perez-Zoghbi Jose F. , Emala Charles W. , Gallos George
Published: January 2016

Enhanced contractility of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is a major pathophysiological characteristic of asthma. Expanding the therapeutic armamentarium beyond β-agonists that target ASM hypercontractility would substantially improve treatment options. Recent studies have identified naturally occurring phytochemicals as candidates for acute ASM relaxation. Several flavonoids were evaluated for their ability to acutely relax human and murine ASM ex vivo and murine airways in vivo and were evaluated for their ability to inhibit procontractile signaling pathways in human ASM (hASM) cells. Two members of the flavonol subfamily, galangin and fisetin, significantly relaxed acetylcholine-precontracted murine tracheal rings ex vivo ( n = 4 and n = 5, respectively, P < 0.001). Galangin and fisetin also relaxed acetylcholine-precontracted hASM strips ex vivo ( n = 6–8, P < 0.001). Functional respiratory in vivo murine studies demonstrated that inhaled galangin attenuated the increase in lung resistance induced by inhaled methacholine ( n = 6, P < 0.01). Both flavonols, galangin and fisetin, significantly inhibited purified phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) ( n = 7, P < 0.05; n = 7, P < 0.05, respectively), and PLCβ enzymes ( n = 6, P < 0.001 and n = 6, P < 0.001, respectively) attenuated procontractile Gqagonists' increase in intracellular calcium ( n = 11, P < 0.001), acetylcholine-induced increases in inositol phosphates, and CPI-17 phosphorylation ( n = 9, P < 0.01) in hASM cells. The prorelaxant effect retained in these structurally similar flavonols provides a novel pharmacological method for dual inhibition of PLCβ and PDE4 and therefore may serve as a potential treatment option for acute ASM constriction.
Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Capped with Quaterthiophene for Transistor and Resistor Memory Devices
Authors: Hoang Mai Ha , Dao Toan Thanh , Trang Nguyen Thi Thu , Nguyen Phuong Hoai Nam , Ngo Trinh Tung
Published: January 2016

Recently, the fabrication of nonvolatile memory devices based on gold nanoparticles has been intensively investigated. In this work, we report on the design and synthesis of new semiconducting quaterthiophene incorporating hexyl thiol group (4TT). Gold nanoparticles capped with4TT(4TTG) were prepared in a two-phase liquid-liquid system. These nanoparticles have diameters in the range 2–6 nm and are well dispersed in the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) host matrix. The intermolecular interaction between4TTand P3HT could enhance the charge-transport between gold nanoparticles and P3HT. Transfer curve of transistor memory device made of4TTG/P3HT hybrid film exhibited significant current hysteresis, probably arising from the energy level barrier at4TTG/P3HT interface. Additionally, the polymer memory resistor structure with an active layer consisting of4TTGand P3HT displayed a remarkable electrical bistable behavior.
Comparative Study of Novel Ratio Spectra and Isoabsorptive Point Based Spectrophotometric Methods: Application on a Binary Mixture of Ascorbic Acid and Rutin
Authors: Darwish Hany W. , Bakheit Ahmed H. , Naguib Ibrahim A.
Published: January 2016

This paper presents novel methods for spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid (AA) in presence of rutin (RU) (coformulated drug) in their combined pharmaceutical formulation. The seven methods are ratio difference (RD), isoabsorptive_RD (Iso_RD), amplitude summation (A_Sum), isoabsorptive point, first derivative of the ratio spectra (1DD), mean centering (MCN), and ratio subtraction (RS). On the other hand, RU was determined directly by measuring the absorbance at 358 nm in addition to the two novel Iso_RD and A_Sum methods. The work introduced in this paper aims to compare these different methods, showing the advantages for each and making a comparison of analysis results. The calibration curve is linear over the concentration range of 4–50 μg/mL for AA and RU. The results show the high performance of proposed methods for the analysis of the binary mixture. The optimum assay conditions were established and the proposed methods were successfully applied for the assay of the two drugs in laboratory prepared mixtures and combined pharmaceutical tablets with excellent recoveries. No interference was observed from common pharmaceutical additives.
An Efficient Algorithm for Energy Management in Wireless Sensor Networks via Employing Multiple Mobile Sinks
Authors: Shi Jiugen , Wei Xing , Zhu Wei
Published: January 2016

Energy saving in wireless sensor networks is a fundamental issue as most sensor nodes are powered by batteries. The deployment of mobile sinks can alleviate the imbalance of energy consumption among sensor nodes, thereby prolonging the network lifetime. In this paper, we study the energy management problem in sensor networks, using multiple mobile sinks. We first formulate the problem as a novel data collection problem and then propose an efficient algorithm for it. The key challenge in the design of the proposed algorithm is how to balance the workload among mobile sinks and the energy consumption among sensor nodes through the control of the movement of mobile sinks. We finally evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm through experimental simulation. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is very promising, which can improve the energy efficiency and the quality of data transmission in the sensor network significantly.