bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hardware Inexact Grammar Parser
Authors: Dimopoulos Alexandros C. , Pavlatos Christos , Papakonstantinou George
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a platform is presented, that given a Stochastic Context-Free Grammar (SCFG), automatically outputs the description of a parser in synthesizable Hardware Description Language (HDL) which can be downloaded in an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) board. Although the proposed methodology can be used for various inexact models, the probabilistic model is analyzed in detail and the extension to other inexact schemes is described. Context-Free Grammars (CFG) are augmented with attributes which represent the probability values. Initially, a methodology is proposed based on the fact that the probabilities can be evaluated concurrently with the parsing during the parse table construction by extending the fundamental parsing operation proposed by Chiang & Fu. Using this extended operation, an efficient architecture is presented based on Earley’s parallel algorithm, which given an input string, generates the parse table while evaluating concurrently the probabilities of the generated dotted grammar rules in the table. Based on this architecture, a platform has been implemented that automatically generates the hardware design of the parser given a SCFG. The platform is suitable for embedded systems applications where a natural language interface is required or in pattern recognition tasks. The proposed hardware platform has been tested for various SCFGs and was compared with previously presented hardware parser for SCFGs based on Earley’s parallel algorithm. The hardware generated by the proposed platform is much less complicated than the one of comparison and succeeds a speed-up of one order of magnitude.
Critical coupling strength of the Cucker–Smale model for flocking
Authors: Ha Seung-Yeal , Ko Dongnam , Zhang Yinglong
Published: April 2017

We present a non-trivial positive lower bound for the critical coupling strength of the Cucker–Smale model with a short-range communication weight from the viewpoint of mono-cluster (global) flocking. For a long-range communication weight, it is well known [F. Cucker and S. Smale, Emergent behavior in flocks, IEEE Trans. Automat. Control 52 (2007) 852–862; S.-Y. Ha and J.-G. Liu, A proof of Cucker–Smale flocking dynamics and mean field limit, Commun. Math. Sci. 7 (2009) 297–325] that as long as the coupling strength is positive, mono-cluster flocking occurs asymptotically for any initial configuration. Hence, the critical coupling strength is simply zero. However, for a short-range communication weight, numerical simulations indicate that for a given initial configuration, mono-cluster flocking is possible only in a large-coupling-strength regime depending on the initial configuration. This suggests the positivity of the critical coupling strength in the sense that if the coupling strength is above the critical value, mono-cluster flocking emerges, whereas if it is below the critical value, mono-cluster flocking does not occur. Thus, it is interesting to determine the exact critical value for the coupling strength depending on the initial configuration or at least to estimate the possible range of the coupling strength. In this paper, we show that the critical coupling strength exists and is positive by providing a positive lower bound. We also present the results of several numerical simulations for the upper and lower bounds of the critical coupling strength depending on the initial configurations, and we compare them with analytical results.
Blow-up and global existence for a kinetic equation of swarm formation
Authors: Lachowicz Mirosław , Leszczyński Henryk , Parisot Martin
Published: April 2017

In this paper we study a kinetic equation that describes swarm formations. The right-hand side of this equation contains nonlinear integro-differential terms responsible for two opposite tendencies: dissipation and swarming. The nonlinear integral operator describes the changes of velocities (orientations) of interacting individuals. The interaction rate is assumed to be dependent of velocities of interacting individuals. Although the equation seems to be rather simple it leads to very complicated dynamics. In this paper, we study possible blow-ups versus global existence of solutions and provide results on the asymptotic behavior. The complicated dynamics and possibility of blow-ups can be directly related to creation of swarms.
A numerical investigation of flux-limited approximations for pedestrian dynamics
Authors: Müller L. , Meurer A. , Schneider F. , Klar A.
Published: April 2017

A hierarchy of models for pedestrian flow with fixed speed is numerically investigated. The starting point is a microscopic model based on a stochastic interacting particle system coupled to an eikonal equation. Starting from this model a nonlocal and nonlinear flux-limited maximum-entropy equation for density and mean velocity is derived via a mean field kinetic equation. Finally, associated classical scalar equations for the density are considered for comparison. These models are compared to each other for different test cases showing the superiority of the flux-limited approach, in particular for situations with smaller values of the stochastic noise.
Characterizing Users and Tracking Their Activities in Online Classified Ads
Authors: Waqar Muhammad , Rafiei Davood
Published: April 2017

Characterizing users and tracking their activities in online classified ads is a topic of great importance. However, some of the underlying problems associated with modeling users and detecting their behavioral changes have not been well-studied.

In this paper, we develop a probabilistic framework for characterizing users and quantifying some of the spatial and temporal variations in their posts. Our work on characterizing users study the problem in the context of detecting if a user belongs to a class, based on the ads the user has posted. Our approach is based on user profiling, where given statistics on user posts, the affinity of a user to a class is estimated. We show how profiles can be constructed with and without training data and report the effectiveness of our approaches in detecting two user classes business and non-business.

Our work on quantifying changes due to spatial and temporal variations is based on a probabilistic model of user behavior and a generative model that can predict ad posts from each location. We evaluate these models on a relatively large set of users and ads, and report our results on two classes of users monitored over a period of almost a year.
Quasi-duo differential polynomial rings
Authors: Bien Mai Hoang , Öinert Johan
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we give a characterization of left (right) quasi-duo differential polynomial rings. In particular, we show that a differential polynomial ring is left quasi-duo if and only if it is right quasi-duo. This yields a partial answer to a question posed by Lam and Dugas in 2005. We provide nontrivial examples of such rings and give a complete description of the maximal ideals of an arbitrary quasi-duo differential polynomial ring. Moreover, we show that there is no left (right) quasi-duo differential polynomial ring in several indeterminates.
Comorphic rings
Authors: Alkan M. , Nicholson W. K. , Özcan A. Ç.
Published: April 2017

A ring [Formula: see text] is called left comorphic if, for each [Formula: see text] there exists [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] Examples include (von Neumann) regular rings, and [Formula: see text] for a prime [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] One motivation for studying these rings is that the comorphic rings (left and right) are just the quasi-morphic rings, where [Formula: see text] is left quasi-morphic if, for each [Formula: see text] there exist [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] If [Formula: see text] here the ring is called left morphic.

It is shown that [Formula: see text] is left comorphic if and only if, for any finitely generated left ideal [Formula: see text] there exists [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] Using this, we characterize when a left comorphic ring has various properties, and show that if [Formula: see text] is local with nilpotent radical, then [Formula: see text] is left comorphic if and only if it is right comorphic. We also show that a semiprime left comorphic ring [Formula: see text] is semisimple if either [Formula: see text] is left perfect or [Formula: see text] has the ACC on [Formula: see text]

After a preliminary study of left comorphic rings with the ACC on [Formula: see text] we show that a quasi-Frobenius ring is left comorphic if and only if every right ideal is principal; if and only if every left ideal is a left principal annihilator. We characterize these rings as follows: The following are equivalent for a ring [Formula: see text]

[Formula: see text] is quasi-Frobenius and left comorphic. [Formula: see text] is left comorphic, left perfect and right Kasch. [Formula: see text] is left comorphic, right Kasch, with the ACC on [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] is left comorphic, left mininjective, with the ACC on [Formula: see text]

Some examples of these rings are given.
Gauge transformations for quasitriangular quasi-Turaev group coalgebras
Authors: Fang Xiao-Li
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an equivalence relation on quasitriangular quasi-Turaev group coalgebras such that the categories of representations of two quasitriangular quasi-Turaev group coalgebras are tensor [Formula: see text]-equivalent. As an application, we construct a new Turaev braided group category by a gauge transformation and give a new solution of Yang–Baxter type equation.
Casimir 𝒲𝒜N algebras as the truncated 𝒲∞ algebra
Authors: Özer H. T.
Published: April 2017

The complete structure of the Casimir [Formula: see text] algebras is shown to exist in such a way that the Casimir [Formula: see text] algebra is a kind of truncated type of [Formula: see text] algebra both in the primary and in the quadratic basis, first using the associativity conditions in the basis of primary fields and second using the Miura basis coming from the free field realization as a different basis. We can conclude that the Casimir [Formula: see text] algebra is a kind of truncated type of [Formula: see text] algebra, so it is clear from any construction of [Formula: see text] algebra that by putting infinite number of fields [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] to zero, we arrive at the Casimir [Formula: see text] algebra. We concentrated in this work only for the particular case of [Formula: see text] algebra since this example gives us explicitly a method on how to deal with the general case [Formula: see text].
On quasi-Einstein Weyl manifolds
Authors: Gül İlhan , Canfes Elif Özkara
Published: April 2017

In this work, first, we define quasi-Einstein Weyl manifold which is one of the generalization of Einstein–Weyl manifold. Then, we prove its existence and construct an example. Moreover, we consider quasi-Einstein Weyl manifolds with semi-symmetric and Ricci-quarter symmetric connections. Finally, we examine conformal and generalized concircular mappings of quasi-Einstein Weyl manifolds and prove that quasi-Einstein Weyl manifolds are invariant under the generalized concircular mappings.
Subthreshold Slope of Vertical Graphene Interlayer Tunnel Transistor
Authors: Fahad Md , Srivastava Ashok
Published: April 2017

A subthreshold slope model for the graphene vertical interlayer tunnel transistor is proposed analytically and results are compared and validated from numerical computations. It has been found that irrespective of the energy dependence in computation method, the subthreshold slope of an interlayer tunnel transistor cannot go below the thermionic limit of 60[Formula: see text]mV/decade compared to that of a MOSFET. While thickness of the tunneling barrier, carrier effective mass inside the tunneling barrier, energy band gap between the barrier material and adjacent conductive sandwich layers and the tunneling bias determine the ultimate steepness of the subthreshold slope of such tunnel transistors, a realistic operation of interlayer tunnel transistor at a thin tunnel barrier will always result in a subthreshold slope far greater than the thermionic limit of 60[Formula: see text]mV/decade.
Stability and ergodicity of a stochastic Gilpin–Ayala model under regime switching on patches
Authors: Settati Adel , Lahrouz Aadil
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this work is to investigate the asymptotic properties of a stochastic Gilpin–Ayala population system under regime switching on patches. We establish the global stability and the extinction of the trivial equilibrium state of the model. Furthermore, we show the existence of the stationary distribution for our system model. The analytical results are illustrated by computer simulations.
陈嘉庚与南洋富商李光前之翁婿互动
Authors: 黄 坚立
Published: April 2017

陈嘉庚（1874–1961）和李光前（1893–1967）两位不只是20世纪南洋华社的富商与风云人物，也是近亲属。拙文的主轴线是他们之间的翁婿互动，研究的起点和重点选择放在李光前，期望能够从这一位后辈的角度来探讨两者之间的关系。李光前的成名致富之路，与他的婚姻和陈家长女婿的地位多少是有一定的连贯性。虽然这一段的翁婿关系，现有的著作里都有提及，但是总有不足之感。轮廓略图已有，但似有一层面纱，图面还是较为模糊朦胧。拙文试图把面纱揭开，从三方面来增加此事的透明度。第一是讨论导致隐蔽的史料局限和历史情景。第二部分将刻画出近期历史动态的变迁是如何增加了翁婿关系的亮度。第三是详细地鉴定他们两位战前和战后时期的接触点，以便进一步探讨翁婿的互动细节。尾声的部分将反省如何能够把陈嘉庚与东南亚亲友们关系的研究提升到更高的境界。
雨伞式组织
Authors: 庄 仁杰
Published: April 2017

本文从文献与田野考察来观察新山华人团体与柔佛古庙游神，试图指出华人团体雨伞式组织中各个团体的关系与互动。根据文献与考察结果，雨伞式组织的内部关系是不断变动的。上层领导组织制定方针与方向，实际运作与细节则由中下层组织执行。虽然中下层组织的加入可增强雨伞式组织的权威性，但是上层组织也并非一味让下层组织加入，而是具有选择性。虽然加入雨伞式组织对中下层组织有帮助，但是它们对于上层并非绝对服从，并且也可选择是否加入。
3D Printers as Sociable Technologies
Authors: Ludwig Thomas , Boden Alexander , Pipek Volkmar
Published: April 2017

3D printers have become continuously more present and are a perspicuous example of how technologies are becoming more complex and ubiquitous. To some extent, the emerging technological infrastructures around them exemplify ways how digitalization will change production machines and lines, in general, in the Internet of Things (IoT). From an End-User Development perspective, the main question is how users can be supported in managing those complex digital production lines. To reach a better understanding, we carefully analyzed 3D printers as an example of highly digitalized production machines with regard to the creative activities of their users that help them to make these machines work for their practices. In our study of appropriation processes, we are concerned with situational and social aspects of the configuration and practice challenges associated with making digitalization work and how IoT technologies can support these collaborative appropriation activities of end users by making these machines more “sociable.” We therefore conceptualize the idea of “Sociable Technologies” and implement a prototype that provides hardware-integrated affordances for communicating and documenting practices of usage. Based on the findings of our evaluation, we derive lessons learnt when aiming at making complex technologies more usable.
Performance Scalability of Adaptive Processor Architecture
Authors: Takano Shigeyuki
Published: April 2017

In this article, we evaluate the performance scalability of architectures called adaptive processors, which dynamically configure an application-specific pipelined datapath and perform a data-flow streaming execution. Previous works have examined the basics of the following: (1) a computational model that supports the swap-in/out of a partial datapath—namely, a virtual hardware is realized by hardware, without a host processor and its software; (2) an architecture that has shown a minimum pipeline requirement and a minimum component requirement; and (3) the characteristics of the execution phase and a stack shift that realizes the swap-in/out. However, these works did not explore the design space, particularly with respect to the following: (1) the clock cycle time on the adaptive processor, which must depend on a wire delay that is primarily used for the global communication of requests, acknowledgments, acquirements, releases, and so forth, and (2) a revised control system that can handle the out-of-order acknowledgment and in-order acquirement that guarantee the correct datapath configuration with a conditional branch for the configurations. This article explores the scaling of the ALU resources versus pipelining of the wires.
Modular Chemical Process Intensification: A Review
Authors: Kim Yong-ha , Park Lydia K. , Yiacoumi Sotira , Tsouris Costas
Published: April 2017

Modular chemical process intensification can dramatically improve energy and process efficiencies of chemical processes through enhanced mass and heat transfer, application of external force fields, enhanced driving forces, and combinations of different unit operations, such as reaction and separation, in single-process equipment. These dramatic improvements lead to several benefits such as compactness or small footprint, energy and cost savings, enhanced safety, less waste production, and higher product quality. Because of these benefits, process intensification can play a major role in industrial and manufacturing sectors, including chemical, pulp and paper, energy, critical materials, and water treatment, among others. This article provides an overview of process intensification, including definitions, principles, tools, and possible applications, with the objective to contribute to the future development and potential applications of modular chemical process intensification in industrial and manufacturing sectors. Drivers and barriers contributing to the advancement of process intensification technologies are discussed.
Bestseller Lists and the Economics of Product Discovery
Authors: Sorensen Alan T.
Published: April 2017

Innovations in information technology have increased the prevalence of markets with large numbers of products. Each week, for example, an average of over 800 books are published, and an average of over 1,100 iOS apps are released in Apple's App Store. This review summarizes existing research about how consumers learn about new products in such markets, focusing on mechanisms like bestseller lists and user-generated product reviews. In addition to reviewing research findings about how these mechanisms directly influence sales, this article also discusses how these mechanisms affect broader market outcomes, such as the shape of the success distribution and the likelihood that good products are discovered.
The Cognitive Neuroscience of Placebo Effects: Concepts, Predictions, and Physiology
Authors: Geuter Stephan , Koban Leonie , Wager Tor D.
Published: April 2017

Placebos have been used ubiquitously throughout the history of medicine. Expectations and associative learning processes are important psychological determinants of placebo effects, but their underlying brain mechanisms are only beginning to be understood. We examine the brain systems underlying placebo effects on pain, autonomic, and immune responses. The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), insula, amygdala, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray emerge as central brain structures underlying placebo effects. We argue that the vmPFC is a core element of a network that represents structured relationships among concepts, providing a substrate for expectations and a conception of the situation—the self in context—that is crucial for placebo effects. Such situational representations enable multidimensional predictions, or priors, that are combined with incoming sensory information to construct percepts and shape motivated behavior. They influence experience and physiology via descending pathways to physiological effector systems, including the spinal cord and other peripheral organs.
Maternal and postnatal high-fat diet consumption programs energy balance and hypothalamic melanocortin signaling in nonhuman primate offspring
Authors: Sullivan Elinor L. , Rivera Heidi M. , True Cadence A. , Franco Juliana G. , Baquero Karalee , Dean Tyler A. , Valleau Jeanette C. , Takahashi Diana L. , Frazee Tim , Hanna Genevieve , Kirigiti Melissa A. , Bauman Leigh A. , Grove Kevin L. , Kievit Paul
Published: April 2017

Maternal high-fat-diet (HFD) consumption during pregnancy decreased fetal body weight and impacted development of hypothalamic melanocortin neural circuitry in nonhuman primate offspring. We investigated whether these impairments during gestation persisted in juvenile offspring and examined the interaction between maternal and early postnatal HFD consumption. Adult dams consumed either a control diet (CTR; 15% calories from fat) or a high-saturated-fat diet (HFD; 37% calories from fat) during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned onto a CTR or HFD at ~8 mo of age. Offspring from HFD-fed dams displayed early catch-up growth and elevated body weight at 6 and 13 mo of age. Maternal and postnatal HFD exposure reduced the amount of agouti-related peptide fibers in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Postnatal HFD consumption also decreased the amount of agouti-related peptide fibers in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Postnatal HFD was associated with decreased food intake and increased activity. These results support and extend our previous findings of maternal diet effects on fetal development and reveal, for the first time in a nonhuman primate model, that maternal HFD-induced disturbances in offspring body weight regulation extended past gestation into the juvenile period. Maternal HFD consumption increases the risk for offspring developing obesity, with the developmental timing of HFD exposure differentially impacting the melanocortin system and energy balance regulation. The present findings provide translational insight into human clinical populations, suggesting that profound health consequences may await individuals later in life following intrauterine and postnatal HFD exposure.
High Glucose Promotes CD36 Expression by Upregulating Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Levels to Exacerbate Lipid Deposition in Renal Tubular Cells
Authors: Feng Lei , Gu Chengwu , Li Yanxia , Huang Jiasui
Published: April 2017

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) appears to be closely related to lipid deposition in kidney. The aim of this study was to determine whether high glucose (HG) exacerbated lipid deposition by increasing CD36 expression via AKT-PPARγ signaling pathway. Our results showed that HG activated AKT signaling pathway, followed by an increase in PPARγ that induced CD36 overexpression, ultimately causing lipid deposition in HK-2 cells. We also found that inhibition of AKT-PPARγ signaling pathway or knockdown of CD36 could reduce HG-induced lipid accumulation in HK-2 cells. These results indicated that AKT-PPARγ signaling pathway mediated HG-induced lipid deposition by upregulating CD36 expression in HK-2 cells and that inhibition of AKT-PPARγ signaling pathway had the potential beneficial effects of reducing lipid deposition in diabetic kidney.
Role of18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Newly Found Suspected Malignant Solitary Pulmonary Lesions in Patients Who Have Received Curative Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yu Xiaozhou , Song Xiuyu , Zhu Lei , Chen Wei , Dai Dong , Li Xiaofeng , Xu Wengui
Published: April 2017

Background. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is recommended for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with suspected malignant pulmonary lesions. This study aims to systematically discuss the18F-FDG-PET/CT diagnosis of solitary pulmonary lesions that are strongly suspected to be malignant in CRC patients who have previously undergone curative therapy.Methods. This retrospective study involved 49 consecutive CRC patients who had previously undergone curative therapy and then underwent PET/CT for the investigation of solitary pulmonary lesions that were strongly suspected to be malignant.Results. Pathological examination confirmed the presence of pulmonary metastases (29 patients, 59.2%), primary lung cancer (15 patients, 30.6%), and benign pulmonary disease (5 patients, 10.2%). Small lung lesions, advanced pathological stage, adjuvant chemotherapy after CRC surgery, solitary pulmonary lesions with lower border irregularity, higher carcinoembryonic antigen level, and the lack of concomitant mediastinal lymph node metastasis were more likely to be associated with pulmonary metastasis than with primary lung cancer. None of these factors was independently significant in the multivariate analysis.Conclusion. Clinicopathological characteristics help to differentiate metastasis and primary lung cancer to some extent during the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary lesions suspected to be malignant in this group of patients. This may provide valuable information to clinicians.
Using Hierarchical Latent Dirichlet Allocation to Construct Feature Tree for Program Comprehension
Authors: Sun Xiaobing , Liu Xiangyue , Duan Yucong , Li Bin
Published: April 2017

Program comprehension is an important task faced by developers during software maintenance. With the increasing complexity of evolving systems, program comprehension becomes more and more difficult. In practice, programmers are accustomed to getting a general view of the features in a software system and then finding the interesting or necessary files to start the understanding process. Given a system, developers may need a general view of the system. The traditional view of a system is shown in a package-class structure which is difficult to understand, especially for large systems. In this article, we focus on understanding the system in both feature view and file structure view. This article proposes an approach to generate a feature tree based on hierarchical Latent Dirichlet Allocation (hLDA), which includes two hierarchies, the feature hierarchy and file structure hierarchy. The feature hierarchy shows the features from abstract level to detailed level, while the file structure hierarchy shows the classes from whole to part. Empirical results show that the feature tree can produce a view for the features and files, and the clustering of classes in the package in our approach is better (in terms of recall) than the other clustering approach, that is, hierarchical clustering.
Wnt5a Signaling in Normal and Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Zhou Yan , Kipps Thomas J. , Zhang Suping
Published: April 2017

Wnt5a is involved in activating several noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, which can inhibit or activate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in a receptor context-dependent manner. Wnt5a signaling is critical for regulating normal developmental processes, including stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, and polarity. Moreover, the aberrant activation or inhibition of Wnt5a signaling is emerging as an important event in cancer progression, exerting both oncogenic and tumor suppressive effects. Recent studies show the involvement of Wnt5a signaling in regulating normal and cancer stem cell self-renewal, cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In this article, we review recent findings regarding the molecular mechanisms and roles of Wnt5a signaling in stem cells in embryogenesis and in the normal or neoplastic breast or ovary, highlighting that Wnt5a may have different effects on target cells depending on the surface receptors expressed by the target cell.
Level of Knowledge and Practice of Mothers on Minimum Dietary Diversity Practices and Associated Factors for 6–23-Month-Old Children in Adea Woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia
Authors: Agize Andualem , Jara Dube , Dejenu Getiye
Published: April 2017

Background. Globally, undernutrition is responsible for at least 35% of deaths in children less than 5 years of age and estimated 6% of under-five deaths can be prevented by ensuring optimal complementary feeding especially the dietary diversity and meal frequency. In Ethiopia, 5% of children were fed according to minimum standards with respect to food diversity.Objective. To assess the level of knowledge and practice of mothers on dietary diversity practices and associated factors for children 6–23 months in Adea woreda.Methods. Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A sample of 730 mothers who have children in the age group of 6–23 months were selected using systematic sampling. Logistic regression model was fitted in order to identify factors associated with knowledge and practice of dietary diversity practice.Result. Of the total 700, 357 (51%) were knowledgeable on dietary diversity but 112 (16%) practiced appropriate dietary diversity practice for their 6–23-month-old children. Husbands’ education (AOR = 2.79, 95% CI = (1.55, 5.00)), mothers’ age, and marital status were significantly associated with knowledge of mothers. Mothers’ age, husbands’ education, marital status, and knowledge of mothers were significantly associated with mothers’ dietary diversity for 6–23-month-old children.Conclusion. This study showed that approximately half of the mothers have good knowledge on minimum dietary diversity for children 6–23 months old and very low proportion of children 6–23 months old received diversified meal according to Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators. It was identified that different factors are responsible for this discrepancy.
Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from a Manifesting Carrier of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Characterization of Their X-Inactivation Status
Authors: Miyagoe-Suzuki Yuko , Nishiyama Takashi , Nakamura Miho , Narita Asako , Takemura Fusako , Masuda Satoru , Minami Narihiro , Murayama Kumiko , Komaki Hirofumi , Goto Yu-ichi , Takeda Shin’ichi
Published: April 2017

Three to eight percent of female carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) develop dystrophic symptoms ranging from mild muscle weakness to a rapidly progressive DMD-like muscular dystrophy due to skewed inactivation of X chromosomes during early development. Here, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) from a manifesting female carrier using retroviral or Sendai viral (SeV) vectors and determined their X-inactivation status. Although manifesting carrier-derived iPS cells showed normal expression of human embryonic stem cell markers and formed well-differentiated teratomas in vivo, many hiPS clones showed bi-allelic expression of the androgen receptor (AR) gene and loss of X-inactivation-specific transcript and trimethyl-histone H3 (Lys27) signals on X chromosomes, suggesting that both X chromosomes of the hiPS cells are in an active state. Importantly, normal dystrophin was expressed in multinucleated myotubes differentiated from a manifesting carrier of DMD-hiPS cells with XaXa pattern. AR transcripts were also equally transcribed from both alleles in induced myotubes. Our results indicated that the inactivated X chromosome in the patient’s fibroblasts was activated during reprogramming, and XCI occurred randomly during differentiation.
Antioxidant, Anti‐Inflammatory, and Analgesic Activities of Agrimonia eupatoria L. Infusion
Authors: Santos Telmo N. , Costa Gustavo , Ferreira J. Pinto , Liberal Joana , Francisco Vera , Paranhos António , Cruz Maria T. , Castelo-Branco M. , Figueiredo I. Vitória , Batista M. Teresa
Published: April 2017

Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria L.) (Ae) is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and oxidative related diseases. Therefore, this study focuses on the anti‐inflammatory and analgesic potential of Ae infusion (AeI). Phenolic compounds characterization was achieved by HPLC‐PDA‐ESI/MSn. To evaluate antioxidant potential, 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and SNAP assays were used. In vitro anti‐inflammatory activity of AeI was investigated in LPS‐stimulated macrophages by measuring the NO production. In vivo anti‐inflammatory activity was validated using the mouse carrageenan‐induced paw edema model. Peripheral and central analgesic potential was evaluated using the acetic acid‐induced writhing and hot‐plate tests, respectively, as well as the formalin assay to assess both activities. The safety profile was disclosed in vitro and in vivo, using MTT and hematoxylin assays, respectively. Vitexin, quercetin O‐galloyl‐hexoside, and kaempferol O‐acetyl‐hexosyl‐rhamnoside were referred to in this species for the first time. AeI and mainly AePF (Ae polyphenolic fraction) showed a significant antiradical activity against all tested radicals. Both AeI and AePF decreased NO levels in vitro, AePF being more active than AeI. In vivo anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities were verified for both samples at concentrations devoid of toxicity. Agrimony infusion and, mainly, AePF are potential sources of antiradical and anti‐inflammatory polyphenols.
Improving Completeness of Inpatient Medical Records in Menelik II Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Tola Kasu , Abebe Haftom , Gebremariam Yemane , Jikamo Birhanu
Published: April 2017

Introduction. The incompleteness of medical records is a significant problem that affects the quality of health care services in many hospitals of Ethiopia. Improving the completeness of patient’s records is an important step towards improving the quality of healthcare. Methods. Pre- and postintervention study was conducted to assess improvement of inpatient medical record completeness in Menelik II Referral Hospital from September 2015 to April 2016. Simple random sampling technique was used. Data was collected using data extraction checklist and independent sample t-test was used to compare statistical difference that exists between pre- and postintervention outcomes at confidence interval of 95% and P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. The overall inpatient medical record completeness was found to be 84% after intervention. An enhancement of completeness and reporting of inpatient medical record completeness increased significantly from the baseline 73% to 84% during postintervention evaluation at P value < 0.05. Conclusion and Recommendation. The finding of this project suggests that a simple set of interventions comprising inpatient medical record format and training healthcare provider showed a significant improvement in inpatient medical record completeness. The Quality Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the study hospital are recommended to design and launch intervention programs to improve medical record completeness.
Sliding Mode Control of Discrete Chaotic System Based on Multimodal Function Series Coupling
Authors: Hu Fengjun
Published: April 2017

A new sliding mode control model of discrete chaotic systems based on multimodal function series coupling is proposed to overcome the shortcomings of the standard PSO algorithm in multimodal function optimization. Firstly, a series coupled PSO algorithm (PP algorithm) based on multimodal function is constructed, which is optimized by multipeak solution on the basis of the standard PSO algorithm. Secondly, the improved PSO algorithm is applied to search all the extreme points in the feasible domain. Thirdly, the Powell method is used to perform the local optimization of the search results, and the newly generated extreme points are added to the extreme point database according to the same peak judgment operator. Finally, the long training time of PP algorithm can be overcome by the characteristics of fast convergence rate of the cloud mutation model. And also, both the population size and the redundancy can be reduced. Then, the clonal selection algorithm is used to keep the diversity of the population effectively. Simulation results of the sliding mode control of discrete chaotic systems show that the improved PSO algorithm obviously improves the response speed, overshoot, and so on.
Genomic Analysis of Thymic Epithelial Tumors Identifies Novel Subtypes Associated with Distinct Clinical Features
Authors: Lee Hyun-Sung , Jang Hee-Jin , Shah Rohan , Yoon David , Hamaji Masatsugu , Wald Ori , Lee Ju-Seog , Sugarbaker David J. , Burt Bryan M.
Published: April 2017

Purpose: To reconcile the heterogeneity of thymic epithelial tumors (TET) and gain deeper understanding of the molecular determinants of TETs, we set out to establish a clinically relevant molecular classification system for these tumors.

Experimental Design: Molecular subgrouping of TETs was performed in 120 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas using a multidimensional approach incorporating analyses of DNA mutations, mRNA expression, and somatic copy number alterations (SCNA), and validated in two independent cohorts.

Results: Four distinct molecular subtypes of TETs were identified. The most commonly identified gene mutation was a missense mutation in General Transcription Factor II-I (GTF2I group), which was present in 38% of patients. The next group was identified by unsupervised mRNA clustering of GTF2I wild-type tumors and represented TETs enriched in expression of genes associated with T-cell signaling (TS group; 33%). The remaining two groups were distinguished by their degree of chromosomal stability (CS group; 8%) or instability (CIN group; 21%) based upon SCNA analyses. Disease-free survival and overall survival were favorable in the GTF2I group and unfavorable in the CIN group. These molecular subgroups were associated with TET histology and clinical features including disease-free survival. Finally, we demonstrate high expression of PD1 mRNA and correlation of PD1 and CD8A in the TS subgroup.

Conclusions: Molecular subtyping of TETs is associated with disease-free and overall survival. Classification of TETs by a molecular framework could aid in the refinement of staging and in the discovery and development of rational treatment options for patients with TETs. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4855–64. ©2017 AACR.
A Presurgical Study of Lecithin Formulation of Green Tea Extract in Women with Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Lazzeroni Matteo , Guerrieri-Gonzaga Aliana , Gandini Sara , Johansson Harriet , Serrano Davide , Cazzaniga Massimiliano , Aristarco Valentina , Macis Debora , Mora Serena , Caldarella Pietro , Pagani Gianmatteo , Pruneri Giancarlo , Riva Antonella , Petrangolini Giovanna , Morazzoni Paolo , DeCensi Andrea , Bonanni Bernardo
Published: April 2017

Epidemiologic data support an inverse association between green tea intake and breast cancer risk. Greenselect Phytosome (GSP) is a lecithin formulation of a caffeine-free green tea catechin extract. The purpose of the study was to determine the tissue distribution of epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) and its effect on cell proliferation and circulating biomarkers in breast cancer patients. Twelve early breast cancer patients received GSP 300 mg, equivalent to 44.9 mg of EGCG, daily for 4 weeks prior to surgery. The EGCG levels were measured before (free) and after (total) enzymatic hydrolysis by HPLC-MS/MS in plasma, urine, breast cancer tissue, and surrounding normal breast tissue. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline, before the last administration, and 2 hours later. Repeated administration of GSP achieved levels of total EGCG ranging from 17 to 121 ng/mL in plasma. Despite a high between-subject variability, total EGCG was detectable in all tumor tissue samples collected up to 8 ng/g. Median total EGCG concentration was higher in the tumor as compared with the adjacent normal tissue (3.18 ng/g vs. 0 ng/g, P = 0.02). Free EGCG concentrations ranged from 8 to 65.8 ng/mL in plasma (P between last administration and 2 hours after <0.001). Free EGCG plasma levels showed a significant positive correlation with the Ki-67 decrease in tumor tissue (P = 0.02). No change in any other biomarkers was noted, except for a slight increase in testosterone levels after treatment. Oral GSP increases bioavailability of EGCG, which is detectable in breast tumor tissue and is associated with antiproliferative effects on breast cancer tissue. Cancer Prev Res; 10(6); 363–9. ©2017 AACR.
Delayed Dispersal and Immigration in Equatorial Sakis (Pithecia aequatorialis): Factors in the Transition from Pair- to Group-Living
Authors: Porter Amy M. , Grote Mark N. , Isbell Lynne A. , Fernandez-Duque Eduardo , Fiore Anthony Di
Published: April 2017

Saki monkeys (Pithecia spp.) live in pairs and small groups, sometimes with more than 1 same-sex adult. Previous studies have not been able to distinguish additional, unrelated adults from adult-sized offspring, but both can influence social relationships and mating strategies, albeit in different ways. In this study, we documented the immigration of an adult male equatorial saki (P. aequatorialis) into a group following the departure of the previous resident male. At immigration, the group contained an adult female, her 5-year-old (adult age) and 1.5-year-old daughters, and her 1-month-old infant. We used nearest neighbor, approach, grooming, playing, aggression, and copulation data to describe the social dynamics between the immigrant male and the 2 adult females. In the 12 months following his arrival, the immigrant male tended to be closer to and groom the adult daughter more than the mother, but he mated with both females. Both females interacted more with the immigrant male than with each other, and both females eventually reproduced. These observations provide evidence that in equatorial sakis, adult offspring may delay dispersal and reproduce within their natal group, thus transitioning from groups of reproductive pairs to groups with more than 1 reproductive adult of the same sex.
Cytogenetic Characterization of Brown Howler Monkeys, Alouatta guariba clamitans (Atelidae, Platyrrhini): Meiotic Confirmation of an X1X1X2X2X3X3/X1X2X3Y1Y2 Sex Chromosome System
Authors: Steinberg Eliana R. , Fortes Vanessa B. , Rossi Luis F. , Murer Laurete , Lovato Maristela , Merani Maria S. , Mudry Marta D.
Published: April 2017

For brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans), diploid chromosome numbers varying from 2n = 45 to 2n = 52, with XX/XY, X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y, and X1X1X2X2X3X3/X1X2X3Y1Y2 sex chromosome systems have been described by mitotic studies but still await confirmation by meiotic analyses. We analyzed 3 male individuals sampled in the wild (in the municipality of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil) as well as 1 male and 1 female individual in captivity at the São Braz breeding center. Peripheral blood samples and testicular biopsies were taken. We found different diploid numbers for both sexes in somatic cells, 2n = 45,X1X2X3Y1Y2 in males and 2n = 46,X1X1X2X2X3X3 in females, with 4 metacentric (9-12), 7 submetacentric (1-6, 8), and 9 acrocentric autosomal chromosome pairs (13-20, 22). X1 and X2 were submetacentric chromosomes, while X3, Y1, and Y2 were acrocentric ones. Spermatocyte microspreads were examined for synaptonemal complexes. Pachytene spermatocyte analysis was done to verify the chromosome number and morphologies observed in mitotic karyotypes. Immunodetection was performed using anti-SMC3 and anti-CREST antibodies. The presence of a sex chromosome pentavalent X1X2X3Y1Y2 in the males was confirmed by C-banding in metaphase I and by immunodetection in prophase I by the clear identification of 5 centromeres. The G-banded karyotype corresponded to that previously described for A. g. clamitans in the south of Brazil (Curitiba, Parana State, and Blumenau, Santa Catarina State) and for the Misiones Province, Argentina.
ADULT Phenotype and rs16864880 in the TP63 Gene: Two New Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Kawasaki de Araujo Tânia , Lustosa-Mendes Elaine , dos Santos Ana P. , Coelho Molck Miriam , Mazzariol Volpe-Aquino Roberta , Gil-da-Silva-Lopes Vera L.
Published: April 2017

The TP63 gene has been described in 5 overlapping limb malformation disorders, including a rare autosomal dominant ectodermal disorder named acro-dermato-ungual-lacrimal-tooth (ADULT) syndrome. This article describes 2 patients with ectrodactyly and variable features related to ectodermal dysplasia/ADULT syndrome, and the polymorphism rs16864880 in the TP63 gene, which was not present in their parents. The role of this variant in the genesis of this condition is discussed, based upon a review of 40 cases. The results suggested that rs16864880 may not be directly related to ADULT syndrome. However, it is not possible to exclude its participation in gene interactions in the limb development pathway.
Telecommunications Network Measurements of Online Gambling Behavior in Switzerland: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Bitar Raoul , Nordt Carlos , Grosshans Martin , Herdener Marcus , Seifritz Erich , Mutschler Jochen
Published: April 2017

Background: Methodological shortcomings of gambling studies relying on self-report or on data sets derived from gambling operators tend to result in biased conclusions. The aim of this study was to analyze online gambling behavior using a novel network database approach. Methods: From October 13 to October 26, 2014, telecommunications network data from a major telecommunications provider in Switzerland were analyzed. Netflows between mobile devices and a poker operator were quantified to measure the gambling duration and session number. Results: Time spent gambling during night and working hours was compared between devices with longest (red group), intermediate (orange group), and shortest gambling time (green group). Online gambling behavior differed depending on overall gambling time, F (2, 3,143). Night and working hours gambling was the highest in the red group (53%), compared to the orange (50.1%) and the green groups (41.5%). Post hoc analyses indicated significant differences between the orange and green groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the red and orange groups (p = 0.850), and the red and green groups (p = 0.053). Conclusions: On mobile devices, distinct gambling patterns were observed depending on the overall gambling time. This methodology could also be used to investigate online gaming, social media use, and online pornography.
Abnormal Remodeling of Subcutaneous Small Arteries Is Associated With Early Diastolic Impairment in Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Khavandi Kaivan , Aghamohammadzadeh Reza , Luckie Matthew , Brownrigg Jack , Alam Uazman , Khattar Rajdeep , Malik Rayaz A. , Heagerty Anthony M. , Greenstein Adam S.
Published: April 2017

Background

Small artery pathophysiology is frequently invoked as a cause of obesity‐related diastolic heart failure. However, evidence to support this hypothesis is scant, particularly in humans.

Methods and Results

To address this, we studied human small artery structure and function in obesity and looked for correlations between vascular parameters and diastolic function. Seventeen obese patients with metabolic syndrome and 5 control participants underwent echocardiography and subcutaneous gluteal fat biopsy. Small arteries were isolated from the biopsy and pressure myography was used to study endothelial function and wall structure. In comparison with the control group, small arteries from obese participants exhibited significant endothelial dysfunction, assessed as the vasodilatory response to acetylcholine and also pathological growth of the wall. For the obese participants, multiple regression analysis revealed an association between left atrial volume and both the small artery wall thickness (β=0.718,
P
=0.02) and wall‐to‐lumen ratio (β=0.605,
P
=0.02). Furthermore, the E:E′ ratio was associated with wall‐to‐lumen ratio (β=0.596,
P
=0.02) and inversely associated with interleukin‐6 (β=−0.868,
P
=0.03). By contrast, endothelial function did not correlate with any of the echocardiographic parameters studied.

Conclusions

Although the small arteries studied were not cardiac in origin, our results support a role for small artery remodeling in the development of diastolic dysfunction in humans. Further direct examination of the structure and function of the myocardial resistance vasculature is now warranted, to elucidate the temporal association between metabolic risk factors, small artery injury, and diastolic impairment.