bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of Seasonal-Long Physical Load in Soccer Players With Different Starting Status From the English Premier League: Implications for Maintaining Squad Physical Fitness
Authors: Anderson Liam , Orme Patrick , Michele Rocco Di , Close Graeme L. , Milsom Jordan , Morgans Ryland , Drust Barry , Morton James P.
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

To quantify the accumulative training and match load during an annual season in English Premier League soccer players classified as starters (n = 8, started ≥60% of games), fringe players (n = 7, started 30–60% of games) and nonstarters (n = 4, started <30% of games).

Methods

Players were monitored during all training sessions and games completed in the 2013–14 season with load quantified using global positioning system and Prozone technology, respectively.

Results:

When including both training and matches, total duration of activity (10,678 ± 916, 9955 ± 947, 10,136 ± 847 min; P = .50) and distance covered (816.2 ± 92.5, 733.8 ± 99.4, 691.2 ± 71.5 km; P = .16) were not different between starters, fringe players, and nonstarters, respectively. However, starters completed more (all P < .01) distance running at 14.4–19.8 km/h (91.8 ± 16.3 vs 58.0 ± 3.9 km; effect size [ES] = 2.5), high-speed running at 19.9–25.1 km/h (35.0 ± 8.2 vs 18.6 ± 4.3 km; ES = 2.3), and sprinting at >25.2 km/h (11.2 ± 4.2 vs 2.9 ± 1.2 km; ES = 2.3) than nonstarters. In addition, starters also completed more sprinting (P < .01, ES = 2.0) than fringe players, who accumulated 4.5 ± 1.8 km. Such differences in total high-intensity physical work done were reflective of differences in actual game time between playing groups as opposed to differences in high-intensity loading patterns during training sessions.

Conclusions

Unlike total seasonal volume of training (ie, total distance and duration), seasonal high-intensity loading patterns are dependent on players’ match starting status, thereby having potential implications for training program design.
Structural and molecular basis for Ebola virus neutralization by protective human antibodies
Authors: Misasi John , Gilman Morgan S. A. , Kanekiyo Masaru , Gui Miao , Cagigi Alberto , Mulangu Sabue , Corti Davide , Ledgerwood Julie E. , Lanzavecchia Antonio , Cunningham James , Muyembe-Tamfun Jean Jacques , Baxa Ulrich , Graham Barney S. , Xiang Ye , Sullivan Nancy J. , McLellan Jason S.
Published: February 2016

Antibodies block Ebola virus entry

The recent Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa illustrates the need for both an effective vaccine and therapies to treat infected individuals. Corti
et al.
isolated two monoclonal antibodies from a survivor of the 1995 Kikwit outbreak and demonstrated their therapeutic efficacy in Ebola virus–infected macaques. In fact, one antibody protected macaques when it was given up to 5 days after infection. Misasi
et al.
solved the crystal structures of fragments of the two antibodies bound to the Ebola virus glycoprotein (GP), which mediates viral cell entry. The two antibodies targeted different regions of GP, but in both cases blocked steps required for viral entry.

Science
, this issue pp.
1339
&
1343
Hypoxia as a therapy for mitochondrial disease
Authors: Jain Isha H. , Zazzeron Luca , Goli Rahul , Alexa Kristen , Schatzman-Bone Stephanie , Dhillon Harveen , Goldberger Olga , Peng Jun , Shalem Ophir , Sanjana Neville E. , Zhang Feng , Goessling Wolfram , Zapol Warren M. , Mootha Vamsi K.
Published: February 2016

Thriving on a breath of low oxygen

Mitochondrial diseases are debilitating and largely untreatable. Most are caused by genetic mutations that impair the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which generates cellular energy. Because these diseases do not affect all tissues equally, it is thought that endogenous mechanisms exist that can help cells cope with mitochondrial defects. Jain
et al.
identified the hypoxia response, a mechanism that helps cells adapt when oxygen is limited, as a potent suppressor of mitochondrial dysfunction (see the Perspective by Shoubridge). Mouse models of the mitochondrial disease Leigh syndrome showed fewer symptoms and a dramatically extended life span when raised in a hypoxic environment.

Science
, this issue p.
54
; see also p.
31
The tumor microenvironment and Immunoscore are critical determinants of dissemination to distant metastasis
Authors: Mlecnik Bernhard , Bindea Gabriela , Kirilovsky Amos , Angell Helen K. , Obenauf Anna C. , Tosolini Marie , Church Sarah E. , Maby Pauline , Vasaturo Angela , Angelova Mihaela , Fredriksen Tessa , Mauger Stéphanie , Waldner Maximilian , Berger Anne , Speicher Michael R. , Pagès Franck , Valge-Archer Viia , Galon Jérôme
Published: February 2016

Local lymphatic vessel density and immune cytotoxicity prevent metastatic invasion.
Granulicatella elegansendocarditis: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge
Authors: Patri Sandeep , Agrawal Yashwant
Published: February 2016

A 63-year-old man with a history of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy presented with acute worsening of heart failure and septic shock. Echocardiogram revealed a large aortic valve vegetation with new onset severe aortic incompetence. Blood cultures grewGranulicatella elegans, for which antimicrobial sensitivities could not be carried out in our lab. Despite antibiotic therapy and aggressive care, the patient's clinical condition worsened and he died.G. elegans, previously grouped under nutrient variant streptococci (NVS), is an extremely rare cause for bacterial infective endocarditis (IE). Unlike with the Viridans group, IE caused by NVS has a very poor outcome and higher mortality rate. The difficulty in isolation of the bacteria in culture, inability to reliably measure antibiotic susceptibility in vitro, frequent treatment failure and complications such as multivalvular involvement, make this an extremely challenging infection to treat. Early detection of the organism, appropriate antibiotics and early surgical management when indicated, are key to management.
Incidence of adult Huntington's disease in the UK: a UK-based primary care study and a systematic review
Authors: Wexler Nancy S , Collett Laura , Wexler Alice R , Rawlins Michael D , Tabrizi Sarah J , Douglas Ian , Smeeth Liam , Evans Stephen J
Published: February 2016

Objectives

The prevalence of Huntington's disease (HD) recorded in the UK primary care records has increased twofold between 1990 and 2010. This investigation was undertaken to assess whether this might be due to an increased incidence. We have also undertaken a systematic review of published estimates of the incidence of HD.

Setting

Incident patients with a new diagnosis of HD were identified from the primary care records of the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The systematic review included all published estimates of the incidence of HD in defined populations.

Participants

A total of 393 incident cases of HD were identified from the CPRD database between 1990 and 2010 from a total population of 9 282 126 persons.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The incidence of HD per million person-years was estimated. From the systematic review, the extent of heterogeneity of published estimates of the incidence of HD was examined using the I2statistic.

Results

The data showed that the incidence of HD has remained constant between 1990 and 2010 with an overall rate of 7.2 (95% CI 6.5 to 7.9) per million person-years. The systematic review identified 14 independent estimates of incidence with substantial heterogeneity and consistently lower rates reported in studies from East Asia compared with those from Australia, North America and some—though not all—those from Europe. Differences in incidence estimates did not appear to be explained solely by differences in case ascertainment or diagnostic methods.

Conclusions

The rise in the prevalence of diagnosed HD in the UK, between 1990 and 2010, cannot be attributed to an increase in incidence. Globally, estimates of the incidence of HD show evidence of substantial heterogeneity with consistently lower rates in East Asia and parts of Europe. Modifiers may play an important role in determining the vulnerability of different populations to expansions of the HD allele.
How smoking affects the proportion of deaths attributable to obesity: assessing the role of relative risks and weight distributions
Authors: Stokes Andrew , Preston Samuel H
Published: February 2016

Objective

Although ever-smokers make up the majority of the older adult population in the USA, they are often excluded from studies examining the impact of obesity on mortality. Understanding how smoking and obesity interact is critical to assessing the proportion of deaths attributable to obesity.

Setting

Nationally representative sample of the non-institutionalised population of the USA. Baseline data were drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994 and 1999–2004.

Participants

US adults aged 50–74 (n=9835).

Primary outcome measure

We used Cox models to estimate the mortality risks of obesity by smoking status. All-cause mortality was assessed prospectively through 31 December 2006 (n=1243 deaths). Maximum body mass index (BMI) was specified as the key exposure variable. We also calculated population attributable fractions (PAFs) by smoking status and investigated differences in PAFs in a decomposition analysis.

Results

The HR associated with a one-unit increment in BMI beyond 25.0 kg/m2was 1.057 for never-smokers (95% CI 1.033 to 1.082; p<0.001), 1.036 for former smokers (95% CI 1.015 to 1.059; p<0.01) and 1.024 for current smokers (95% CI 0.997 to 1.052).

We estimated that 19.8% of deaths were attributable to excess weight. The PAFs were 31.9, 20.4 and 11.3 for never-smokers, former and current smokers, respectively. The difference in PAFs between never-smokers and current smokers was almost entirely explained by the difference in HRs.

Conclusions

The proportion of deaths attributable to obesity is nearly 3 times as high among never-smokers compared with current smokers. This finding is consistent with the fact that smokers are subject to significant competing risks. Analyses that exclude smokers are likely to substantially overestimate the proportion of deaths attributable to obesity in the USA.
A prospective surveillance of paediatric head injuries in Singapore: a dual-centre study
Authors: Chong Shu-Ling , Chew Su Yah , Feng Jasmine Xun Yi , Teo Penny Yun Lin , Chin Sock Teng , Liu Nan , Ong Marcus Eng Hock
Published: February 2016

Objective

To study the causes of head injuries among the paediatric population in Singapore, and the association between causes and mortality, as well as the need for airway or neurosurgical intervention.

Design

This is a prospective observational study utilising data from the trauma surveillance system from January 2011 to March 2015.

Setting

Paediatric emergency departments (EDs) of KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the National University Health System.

Participants

We included children aged <16 years presenting to the paediatric EDs with head injuries who required a CT scan, admission for monitoring of persistent symptoms, or who died from the head injury. We excluded children who presented with minor mechanisms and those whose symptoms had spontaneously resolved.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary composite outcome was defined as death or the need for intubation or neurosurgical intervention. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay and type of neurosurgical intervention.

Results

We analysed 1049 children who met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 6.7 (SD 5.2) years. 260 (24.8%) had a positive finding on CT. 17 (1.6%) children died, 52 (5.0%) required emergency intubation in the ED and 58 (5.5%) underwent neurosurgery. The main causes associated with severe outcomes were motor vehicle crashes (OR 7.2, 95% CI 4.3 to 12.0) and non-accidental trauma (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.8 to 18.6). This remained statistically significant when we stratified to children aged <2 years and performed a multivariable analysis adjusting for age and location of injury. For motor vehicle crashes, less than half of the children were using restraints.

Conclusions

Motor vehicle crashes and non-accidental trauma causes are particularly associated with poor outcomes among children with paediatric head injury. Continued vigilance and compliance with injury prevention initiatives and legislature are vital.
Improving the Physical Health Monitoring of City & Hackney Assertive Outreach Service Patients
Authors: Akyuz Elvan , jain amit , phelan declan , Gupta Susham
Published: February 2016

Improving physical healthcare to reduce premature mortality in people with SMI (Serious Mental Illness) is a priority for ELFT (East London NHS Foundation Trust) and NHS England. It is well know that people with schizophrenia have a life expectancy which is approximately 20% shorter than that of the general population and a substantial mortality difference exists between people with schizophrenia and the general community.[1-2] Among other risk factors, such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and high rates of smoking, the iatrogenic effects of anti-psychotic medications have been found to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. This can easily be detected through regular monitoring.

Through this project, it was our aim to improve the physical health monitoring of City & Hackney Assertive Outreach Service (AOS) patients with a view to decrease mortality rate, increase life expectancy, increase the quality of life, and reduce harm from medication. This was done using quality improvement methods, including several change ideas, each of which started sequentially over the course of a nine month period from November 2014. Following QI methodology, this utilised cycles of iterative learning using PDSA methods and was supported by the Trust’s extensive programme of quality improvement, including training provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

The project involved setting a specific aim which was improving the physical health monitoring of AOS patients to 80% by July 2015 and for our patients to have physical health checks (blood tests, weight, ECG, BP) as a minimum annually. From baseline measurements of between 50-75%, we reached our target of 80% for weight, BP and blood tests monitoring, with 89%, 91%, and 84% achieved respectively by July 2015. Further progress still needs to be made on ECGs, with 77% achieved by July 2015, although the monitoring of ECG nearly doubled from 39% in November 2014 to 77% in July 2015.

This project demonstrated that effective leadership, collaborative team work, embedding the project in our daily practice, generating local solutions, and improved communication between primary and secondary care can increase the physical health monitoring of this complex and challenging patient group. The team continues to identify other areas for change that may lead to further improvement in the physical health monitoring of AOS patients while making sure that the improvement is sustained.
Dynamic cycling in atrial size and flow during obstructive apnoea
Authors: Pressman Gregg S , Cepeda-Valery Beatriz , Codolosa Nicolas , Orban Marek , Samuel Solomon P , Somers Virend K
Published: February 2016

Objective

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. However, acute cardiovascular effects of repetitive airway obstruction are poorly understood. While past research used a sustained Mueller manoeuver to simulate OSA we employed a series of gasping efforts to better simulate true obstructive apnoeas. This report describes acute changes in cardiac anatomy and flow related to sudden changes in intrathoracic pressure.

Methods and results

26 healthy, normal weight participants performed 5–6 gasping efforts (target intrathoracic pressure −40 mm Hg) while undergoing Doppler echocardiography. 14 participants had sufficient echocardiographic images to allow comparison of atrial areasduringthe manoeuver with baseline measurements. Mitral and tricuspid E-wave and A-wave velocitiespostmanoeuver were compared with baseline in all participants. Average atrial areas changed little during the manoeuver, but variance in both atrial areas was significantly greater than baseline. Further, an inverse relationship was noted with left atrial collapse and right atrial enlargement at onset of inspiratory effort. Significant inverse changes were noted in Doppler flow when comparing the first beat postmanoeuver (pMM1) with baseline. Mitral E-wave velocity increased 9.1 cm/s while tricuspid E-wave velocity decreased 7.0 cm/s; by the eighth beat postmanoeuver (pMM8) values were not different from baseline. Mitral and tricuspid A-wave velocities were not different from baseline at pMM1, but both were significantly higher by pMM8.

Conclusions

Repetitive obstructive apnoeas produce dynamic, inverse changes in atrial size and Doppler flow across the atrioventricular valves. These observations have important implications for understanding the pathophysiology of OSA.
Comparison of cushioned centrifugation and SpermFilter filtration on longevity and morphology of cooled‐stored equine semen
Authors: Roach J. , Schnobrich M. , Ellerbrock R. , Feijo L. , Bradecamp E. , Alvarenga M. A. , Kline K. , Canisso I.
Published: February 2016

This study compares two methods for seminal plasma removal by evaluating sperm recovery rates, and motility and morphology of cooled‐stored semen. Ejaculates were divided into three groups: control, filtration and cushioned centrifugation. Semen was extended to 25 million sperm/ml using a skim‐milk‐based extender and stored at 5°C for all groups. Sperm motility (total motility (%TM) and progressive motility (%PM)) was determined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours by a computer‐assisted sperm analyser. Sperm morphology was assessed using differential interference microscopy. Overall, %TM of the centrifugation group was significantly higher than the filter group, but not significantly different than the control. No significant difference in %TM or %PM was detected for the control group and filter. Cushioned centrifugation was a superior method to obtain progressively motile sperm compared with control (P=0.03) and filter groups (P<0.001). No significant difference was found for the per cent of normal sperm cells and detached heads between the groups. This study demonstrated that cushioned centrifugation was a superior method to remove seminal plasma while preserving %TM and enhancing %PM for stallions under cooled storage over three days. However, as the differences appear to be negligible, the SpermFilter may represent an alternative for farms lacking a centrifuge.
The Finite Index Restriction Meets Hybrid Modes in Cooperating Distributed Grammar Systems
Authors: Fernau Henning , Freund Rudolf , Holzer Markus
Published: February 2016

We study cooperating distributed grammar systems working in hybrid modes in connection with the finite index restriction in two different ways: firstly, we investigate cooperating distributed grammar systems working in hybrid modes which characterize programmed grammars with the finite index restriction; looking at the number of components of such systems, we obtain surprisingly rich lattice structures for the inclusion relations between the corresponding language families. Secondly, we impose the finite index restriction on cooperating distributed grammar systems working in hybrid modes themselves, which leads us to new characterizations of programmed grammars of finite index.
Projective bundles over toric surfaces
Authors: Choi Suyoung , Park Seonjeong
Published: February 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be the Whitney sum of complex line bundles over a topological space [Formula: see text]. Then, the projectivization [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is called a projective bundle over [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is a nonsingular complete toric variety, then so is [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that the cohomology ring of a nonsingular projective toric variety [Formula: see text] determines whether it admits a projective bundle structure over a nonsingular complete toric surface. In addition, we show that two [Formula: see text]-dimensional projective bundles over [Formula: see text]-dimensional quasitoric manifolds are diffeomorphic if their cohomology rings are isomorphic as graded rings. Furthermore, we study the smooth classification of higher dimensional projective bundles over [Formula: see text]-dimensional quasitoric manifolds.
Phytochemistry and Anticancer Potential of Notoginseng
Authors: Wang Chong-Zhi , Anderson Samantha , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: February 2016

Asian ginseng, American ginseng, and notoginseng are three major species in the ginseng family. Notoginseng is a Chinese herbal medicine with a long history of use in many Oriental countries. This botanical has a distinct ginsenoside profile compared to other ginseng herbs. As a saponin-rich plant, notoginseng could be a good candidate for cancer chemoprevention. However, to date, only relatively limited anticancer studies have been conducted on notoginseng. In this paper, after reviewing its anticancer data, phytochemical isolation and analysis of notoginseng is presented in comparison with Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Over 80 dammarane saponins have been isolated and elucidated from different plant parts of notoginseng, most of them belonging to protopanaxadiol or protopanaxatriol groups. The role of the enteric microbiome in mediating notoginseng metabolism, bioavailability, and pharmacological actions are discussed. Emphasis has been placed on the identification and isolation of enteric microbiome-generated notoginseng metabolites. Future investigations should provide key insights into notoginseng’s bioactive metabolites as clinically valuable anticancer compounds.
Magnetic field corrections to the repulsive Casimir effect at finite temperature
Authors: Erdas Andrea
Published: February 2016

I investigate the finite temperature Casimir effect for a charged and massless scalar field satisfying mixed (Dirichlet–Neumann) boundary conditions on a pair of plane parallel plates of infinite size. The effect of a uniform magnetic field, perpendicular to the plates, on the Helmholtz free energy and Casimir pressure is studied. The [Formula: see text]-function regularization technique is used to obtain finite results. Simple analytic expressions are obtained for the zeta function and the free energy, in the limits of small plate distance, high temperature and strong magnetic field. The Casimir pressure is obtained in each of the three limits and the situation of a magnetic field present between and outside the plates, as well as that of a magnetic field present only between the plates is examined. It is discovered that, in the small plate distance and high temperature limits, the repulsive pressure is less when the magnetic field is present between the plates but not outside, than it is when the magnetic field is present between and outside the plates.
Measurement of junction temperature and thermal resistance in InGaAlAs/AlGaAs quantum-well superluminescent diodes (SLDs)
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Zhang Jing , Duan Li-Hua , Tang Zu-Rong , Deng Guang-Hua
Published: February 2016

This paper reports on the experimental method of the determination of junction temperature and thermal resistance in 840 nm InGaAlAs/AlGaAs compressive strained single quantum well (SQW) superluminescent diodes (SLDs). The linear relation between forward voltage and junction temperature clearly occurs by utilizing the forward voltage–temperature ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]) method. The temperature coefficient [Formula: see text] has been determined. Under 100 mA continuous-wave (CW) operation condition, the thermal resistance is measured to be 81.6[Formula: see text]C/W, which is not significantly different with the theoretical calculation result.
Inequalities for the quantum privacy
Authors: Trindade M. A. S. , Pinto E.
Published: February 2016

In this work, we investigate the asymptotic behavior related to the quantum privacy for multipartite systems. In this context, an inequality for quantum privacy was obtained by exploiting of quantum entropy properties. Subsequently, we derive a lower limit for the quantum privacy through the entanglement fidelity. In particular, we show that there is an interval where an increase in entanglement fidelity implies a decrease in quantum privacy.
EFFECTS OF pH ON Ni COATING ON POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) SUBSTRATE BY PRINTING PRIME IN COMBINATION WITH PALLADIUM ACTIVATING
Authors: HUANG JUNJUN , SUN ZHIPING , HUANG HONGZHI , LIU QI , GAO MIN , LI MENGYU , ZHAO FENG , CHEN ZHENMING
Published: February 2016

In this work, the primer-printed and then self-assembled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheets were plated when the bath pH increased from 7 to 11. The effects of bath pH on the structural and electrical properties of electroless nickel plating were investigated systematically using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the crystallographic structures of Ni-plated PET (NPP) sheets were face centered cubic, the preferential orientation of the coatings changes from (200) plane to (111) plane, the growth rate of plated nickel coating increased from 3.71[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m/min to 8.13[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m/min, the average Ni crystal size was increased from 0.23[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m to 0.92[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m, the average EMI-SE of NPP sheets was increased from 37.2[Formula: see text]dB to 38.6[Formula: see text]dB and the surface electrical resistivity of NPP sheets was decreased from 6235[Formula: see text]ohm [Formula: see text] cm to 0.03[Formula: see text]ohm [Formula: see text] cm with the increase of bath pH. The changes in structural and electrical properties were most possibly due to the fact that the thickness of coating increased.
Why Cells Grow and Divide? General Growth Mechanism and How it Defines Cells’ Growth, Reproduction and Metabolic Properties
Authors: Shestopaloff Yuri K.
Published: February 2016

We consider a general growth mechanism, which acts at cellular level and above (organs, systems and whole organisms). Using its mathematical representation, the growth equation, we study the growth and division mechanisms of amoeba and fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We show how this mechanism, together with biomolecular machinery, governs growth and reproduction of cells, and these organisms in particular. This mechanism provides revealing answers to fundamental questions of biology, like why cells grow and divide, why and when cells’ growth stops. It also sheds light on questions like why and how life originated and developed. Solving the growth equation, we obtain analytical expression for the growth curve of fission yeast as a function of geometrical characteristics and nutrient influxes for RNA and protein synthesis, and compare the computed growth curves with 85 experiments. Statistical evaluation shows that these growth curves correspond to experimental data significantly better than all previous approximations. Also, using the general growth mechanism, we show how metabolic characteristics of cells, their size and evolutionary traits relate, considering fission yeast. In particular, we found that fission yeast S. pombe consumes about 16–18 times more nutrients for maintenance needs than for biomass synthesis.
Model for mucus transport in the airways due to air motion — Effect of slipperiness
Authors: Satpathi Dipak Kumar , Ratnam Kota Venkata , Ramu Adepalli
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a circular three-layer flow model is proposed to study mucus transport in the airways due to air motion caused by mild forced expiration or mild coughing. Mucus is represented by four-parameter viscoelastic fluid, a combination of Maxwell and Voigt elements, whereas air and serous fluid are taken as Newtonian fluids (incompressible). The pressure gradient generated in the fluid layers is assumed to be given by a time-dependent function representing mild forced expiration or mild cough in the airways causing laminar flow. The effect of slip velocity at the mucus–serous interface caused by the presence of surfactant and at the top surface caused by immotile cilia are also taken into account. The roles of rheological properties of mucus on its transport are studied. The effect of serous fluid and its viscosity on mucus transport is also considered.
Hyper BCK-ideals based on soft set theory
Authors: Jun Young Bae , Song Seok-Zun
Published: February 2016

The notions of int-soft hyper [Formula: see text]-ideals, int-soft strong hyper [Formula: see text]-ideals, int-soft [Formula: see text]-weak hyper [Formula: see text]-ideals, int-soft weak hyper [Formula: see text]-ideals and int-soft reflexive hyper [Formula: see text]-ideals are introduced, and related properties and relations are investigated. Using the notion of inclusive sets, characterizations of an int-soft (weak, strong, reflexive) hyper [Formula: see text]-ideal are provided.
Modeling and simulation as a service architecture for deploying resources in the Cloud
Authors: Wang Sixuan , Wainer Gabriel
Published: February 2016

In recent years, Cloud Computing has become popular to facilitate the use of Modeling and Simulation (M&S) resources. Nevertheless, there are still various issues to solve, including the structure constrain of chosen web service frameworks, the sharing of varied resources in the Cloud, and the difficulties in reproducing experiments. We show a new architecture based on Cloud Computing and new modeling methods to deal with these issues. This layered architecture, called Cloud Architecture for Modeling and Simulation as a Service (CAMSaaS), simplifies the deployment of M&S resources as services in the Cloud. CAMSaaS supports hierarchical resource services, experimental frameworks, scalable infrastructure and makes everything as a service. We deploy varied M&S resources as services in the Cloud, and build a Modeling and Simulation as a Service (MSaaS) middleware called CloudRISE to manage a variety of M&S resources. We also use the experimental framework concept to simplify the management of experiment environments. We present a case study for crowd evacuation application using the architecture.
Deep or shallow, NLP is breaking out
Authors: Goth Gregory
Published: February 2016

Neural net advances improve computers' language ability in many fields.
Performance Challenges, Current Bad Practices, and Hints in PaaS Cloud Application Design
Authors: Gesvindr David , Buhnova Barbora
Published: February 2016

Cloud computing is becoming a popular approach to software application operation, utilizing on-demand network access to a pool of shared computing resources, and associated with many benefits including low-effort provisioning, rapid elasticity, maintenance cost reduction and pay-as-yougo billing model. However, application deployment in the cloud is not itself a guarantee of high performance, scalability, and related quality attributes, which may come as a surprise to many software engineers who detract from the importance of proper design of a cloud application, expecting that the cloud itself is the solution.

In this paper we analyze the issues and challenges associated with the design of a cloud application that has to be in compliance with given performance criteria, such as the throughput and response time. We also analyze the concerns related to other relevant quality criteria, including scalability, elasticity and availability. To support our findings, we demonstrate the identified performance effects of the examined design decisions on two case studies.
Performance Monitoring in SAP HANA's Continuous Integration Process
Authors: Rehmann Kim-Thomas , Seo Changyun , Hwang Dongwon , Truong Binh Than , Boehm Alexander , Lee Dong Hun
Published: February 2016

Development principles such as continuous integration and continuous delivery become increasingly popular in the software industry. They allow for the quick and automated build, test, and delivery of software, thereby significantly improving the overall quality assurance and release processes.

In this paper, we show how to apply the ideas of continuous delivery to complex system software, as exemplified by the SAP HANA database platform. We discuss the integration of performance testing early in the delivery process and the construction of services to detect and report performance anomalies in a continuous integration process.
Model Driven Software Performance Engineering
Authors: Nambiar Manoj , Kattepur Ajay , Bhaskaran Gopal , Singhal Rekha , Duttagupta Subhasri
Published: February 2016

Performance model solvers and simulation engines have been around for more than two decades. Yet, performance modeling has not received wide acceptance in the software industry, unlike pervasion of modeling and simulation tools in other industries. This paper explores underlying causes and looks at challenges that need to be overcome to increase utility of performance modeling, in order to make critical decisions on software based products and services. Multiple real-world case studies and examples are included to highlight our viewpoints on performance engineering. Finally, we conclude with some possible directions the performance modeling community could take, for better predictive capabilities required for industrial use.
Lack of VEGFR2 signaling causes maldevelopment of the intestinal microvasculature and facilitates necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal mice
Authors: Yan Xiaocai , Managlia Elizabeth , Liu Shirley XL , Tan Xiao-Di , Wang Xiao , Marek Catherine , De Plaen Isabelle G.
Published: February 2016

The pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants, remains poorly understood. We previously found that intestinal VEGF-A expression is decreased in human NEC samples and in a neonatal mouse NEC model prior to detectable histological injury. Therefore, we hypothesized that lack of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) signaling facilitates neonatal intestinal injury by impairing intestinal microvasculature development. Here, we found that intestinal VEGF-A and its receptor, VEGFR2, were highly expressed at the end of fetal life and significantly decreased after birth in mice. Furthermore, selective inhibition of VEGFR2 kinase activity and exposure to a neonatal NEC protocol significantly decreased the density of the intestinal microvascular network, which was further reduced when both interventions were provided together. Furthermore, VEGFR2 inhibition resulted in greater mortality and incidence of severe injury in pups submitted to the NEC model. The percentage of lamina propria endothelial cells was decreased during NEC induction, and further decreased when VEGFR2 signaling was inhibited. This was associated with decreased endothelial cell proliferation rather than apoptosis. In conclusion, we found that VEGF-A and VEGFR2 proteins are highly expressed in the intestine before birth, and are significantly downregulated in the immediate neonatal period. Furthermore, VEGFR2 signaling is necessary to maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosal microvasculature during the postnatal period and lack of VEGFR2 signaling predisposes to NEC in neonatal mice.
Dietary macronutrients and the aging liver sinusoidal endothelial cell
Authors: Cogger Victoria Carroll , Mohamad Mashani , Solon-Biet Samantha Marie , Senior Alistair M. , Warren Alessandra , O'Reilly Jennifer Nicole , Tung Bui Thanh , Svistounov Dmitri , McMahon Aisling Clare , Fraser Robin , Raubenheimer David , Holmes Andrew J. , Simpson Stephen James , Le Couteur David George
Published: February 2016

Fenestrations are pores within the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) that line the sinusoids of the highly vascularized liver. Fenestrations facilitate the transfer of substrates between blood and hepatocytes. With pseudocapillarization of the hepatic sinusoid in old age, there is a loss of fenestrations. LSECs are uniquely exposed to gut-derived dietary and microbial substrates delivered by the portal circulation to the liver. Here we studied the effect of 25 diets varying in content of macronutrients and energy on LSEC fenestrations using the Geometric Framework method in a large cohort of mice aged 15 mo. Macronutrient distribution rather than total food or energy intake was associated with changes in fenestrations. Porosity and frequency were inversely associated with dietary fat intake, while fenestration diameter was inversely associated with protein or carbohydrate intake. Fenestrations were also linked to diet-induced changes in gut microbiome, with increased fenestrations associated with higher abundance of Firmicutes and reduced abundance of Bacteroidetes. Diet-induced changes in levels of several fatty acids (C16:0, C19:0, and C20:4) were also significantly inversely associated with fenestrations, suggesting a link between dietary fat and modulation of lipid rafts in the LSECs. Diet influences fenestrations and these data reflect both the key role of the LSECs in clearing gut-derived molecules from the vascular circulation and the impact these molecules have on LSEC morphology.
Path Planning for Rapid Large-Angle Maneuver of Satellites Based on the Gauss Pseudospectral Method
Authors: Zhang Wan , Zhang Yao , Li Wenbo , Wang Youyi
Published: February 2016

A Gauss pseudospectral method is proposed in this study to solve the optimal trajectory-planning problem for satellite rapid large-angle maneuvers. In order to meet the requirement of rapid maneuver capability of agile small satellites, Single Gimbal Control Moment Gyros (SGCMGs) are adopted as the actuators for the attitude control systems (ACS). Because the singularity problem always exists for SGCMGs during the large-angle maneuvering of the satellites, a trajectory optimization method for the gimbal rates is developed based on the Gauss pseudospectral method. This method satisfies the control requirement of satellite rapid maneuvers and evades the singularity problem of SGCMGs. The method treats the large-angle maneuver problem as an optimization problem, which meets the boundary condition and a series of the physical constraints including the gimbal angle constraint, the gimbal rates constraint, the singularity index constraint, and some other performance criteria. This optimization problem is discretized as a nonlinear programming problem by the Gauss pseudospectral method. The optimal nonsingularity gimbal angle trajectory is obtained by the sequence of quadratic programming (SQP). This approach avoids the difficulties in solving the boundary value problem. The simulations reveal that the Gauss pseudospectral method effectively plans an optimal trajectory and satisfies all the constraints within a short time.
Epidemiology of Substance Use among University Students in Sudan
Authors: Osman Tarig , Victor Cathrine , Abdulmoneim Alaa , Mohammed Hala , Abdalla Fatima , Ahmed Asma , Ali Eiman , Mohammed Wael
Published: February 2016

Background. Youth populations are vulnerable to substance use particularly in developing countries where circumstances may be favorable for it. There is no published data on substance use among the youth in Sudan other than on tobacco use.Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, circumstances, and factors associated with substance use.Methods. An institution-based survey was conducted on a sample of 500 students. Data was collected using a questionnaire designed by the WHO for student drug surveys and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.Results. The overall prevalence of substance use is 31%. The current prevalence of tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, amphetamines, tranquilizers, inhalants, opiates, cocaine, and heroin use was 13.7%, 4.9%, 2.7%, 2.4%, 3.2%, 1%, 1.2%, 0.7%, and 0.5%, respectively. Curiosity (33.1%) was the main reason for initiation of substance use. The main adverse effects reported were health problems (19.7%) and theft (19.7%). Peers (40.9%) were the prime source of substance use. On multivariate analysis, male sex was the principle predictor for substance use (AOR: 5.55; 95% CI: 3.38, 9.17).Conclusion. Strategies to control substance use should encompass the role of the university and parents in observing and providing education to improve awareness of substances and their consequences.
A Reliable Image Watermarking Scheme Based on Redistributed Image Normalization and SVD
Authors: Ali Musrrat , Ahn Chang Wook , Pant Millie , Siarry Patrick
Published: February 2016

Digital image watermarking is the process of concealing secret information in a digital image for protecting its rightful ownership. Most of the existing block based singular value decomposition (SVD) digital watermarking schemes are not robust to geometric distortions, such as rotation in an integer multiple of ninety degree and image flipping, which change the locations of the pixels but don’t make any changes to the pixel’s intensity of the image. Also, the schemes have used a constant scaling factor to give the same weightage to the coefficients of different magnitudes that results in visible distortion in some regions of the watermarked image. Therefore, to overcome the problems mentioned here, this paper proposes a novel image watermarking scheme by incorporating the concepts of redistributed image normalization and variable scaling factor depending on the coefficient’s magnitude to be embedded. Furthermore, to enhance the security and robustness the watermark is shuffled by using the piecewise linear chaotic map before the embedding. To investigate the robustness of the scheme several attacks are applied to seriously distort the watermarked image. Empirical analysis of the results has demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed scheme.
Evaluation of Chinese Calligraphy by Using DBSC Vectorization and ICP Algorithm
Authors: Wang Mengdi , Fu Qian , Wang Xingce , Wu Zhongke , Zhou Mingquan
Published: February 2016

Chinese calligraphy is a charismatic ancient art form with high artistic value in Chinese culture. Virtual calligraphy learning system is a research hotspot in recent years. In such system, a judging mechanism for user’s practice result is quite important. Sometimes, user’s handwritten character is not that standard, the size and position are not fixed, and the whole character may be even askew, which brings difficulty for its evaluation. In this paper, we propose an approach by using DBSCs (disk B-spline curves) vectorization and ICP (iterative closest point) algorithm, which cannot only evaluate a calligraphic character without knowing what it is, but also deal with the above problems commendably. Firstly we find the promising candidate characters from the database according to the angular difference relations as quickly as possible. Then we check these vectorized candidates by using ICP algorithm based upon the skeleton, hence finding out the best matching character. Finally a comprehensive evaluation involving global (the whole character) and local (strokes) similarities is implemented, and a final composited evaluation score can be worked out.
Existence of Equilibria and Fixed Points of Set-Valued Mappings on Epi-Lipschitz Sets with Weak Tangential Conditions
Authors: Bounkhel Messaoud
Published: February 2016

We prove a new result of existence of equilibria for an u.s.c. set-valued mappingFon a compact setSofRnwhich is epi-Lipschitz and satisfies a weak tangential condition. Equivalently this provides existence of fixed points of the set-valued mappingx⇉F(x)-x. The main point of our result lies in the fact that we do not impose the usual tangential condition in terms of the Clarke tangent cone. Illustrative examples are stated showing the importance of our results and that the existence of such equilibria does not need necessarily such usual tangential condition.
An Application of Potential Estimates to A Priori Bounds for Elliptic Equations
Authors: Mamedov Farman , Monsurrò Sara , Transirico Maria
Published: February 2016

A potential estimate type approach is used in order to obtain some a priori bounds for the solutions of certain classes of Dirichlet problems associated with nondivergence structure elliptic equations.
Estimation of Midblock Median Opening U-Turn Roadway Capacity Based on Sectioning Method
Authors: Ben-Edigbe Johnnie
Published: February 2016

Capacity definition recognises that only traverse point or uniform section of roadway capacity can be estimated. Since midblock median U-turn opening is a nonuniform infrastructure, a novel capacity estimation method is needed. The paper proposes sectioning models for estimating U-turn capacity based on dynamics and regression theory. Surveyed U-turn roadway was divided into three sections (entry, middle curve, and exit). Traffic data for each section and adjoining priority traffic stream were collected continually for eight weeks. After modifying passenger car values, ensuing traffic flows and computed densities were used to develop capacity model for entry and middle curve. Regression models where traffic flows from the exit section were taken as the dependent variables and flows from the priority stream were taken as independent variable were used to model capacity for the exit section. Sensitivity analysis shows that the proposed models can produce reliable and accurate results. Results reveal that that traffic capacity at entry (1221 pcu/h) and exit (about 350 pcu/h) sections differs significantly. The paper concluded that U-turn roadway capacity cannot be generalized because the structure is nonuniform.
Endoscopic Lung Volume Reduction: An Expert Panel Recommendation
Authors: Herth Felix J.F. , Slebos Dirk-Jan , Rabe Klaus F. , Shah Pallav L.
Published: February 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition comprising a constellation of disorders from chronic bronchitis, airflow obstruction through to emphysema. The global burden of COPD is estimated at more than 6% of the population. The standard of care is based on a combination of smoking cessation, immunization, pharmacological treatments and pulmonary rehabilitation. However, the more advanced stages of COPD are challenging to manage. In this situation, our current standards of care do not adequately control patient symptoms nor halt the progressive decline. For the emphysema phenotype, lung volume reduction surgery has shown a beneficial effect in selected patients but is counterbalanced by the morbidity experienced by some patients. Bronchoscopic volume reduction technologies have been developed to improve the clinical situation of emphysema patients. This expert statement provides broad guidance regarding patient selection and the current position of the available techniques for patients with advanced emphysema.