bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INDOOR MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION AND ITS RELATION TO PHYSICAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS AT SELECTED LIBRARIES IN PAHANG
Authors: A. Hizrri, , H. Khadijah, , N. Noor Faizul Hadry, , A. Norhidayah, , M. A. Mohd Shukri,
Published: December 2015

Library contains huge collection of books that can undergo biodeterioration process after period of time. Due to this  biological reaction, the existence of airborne particulate matters and microbes in the air of the library can be disturbed and elevated, thus can cause health implications to occupants. Therefore, it is an urge to assess and understand the correlation between physical indoor air quality (IAQ) characteristics, airborne pollutants and microbial contaminants in different library settings and locations. This study was carried out at three different libraries, which are Library A (Gambang as suburban area), Library B (Kuantan as urban area) and Library C (Pekan as rural area). The physical IAQ characteristics and particulate matter (PM) monitoring were assessed by using IAQ Meter and DustMate respectively. Surface Air System IAQ (SAS IAQ) was used to collect the airborne microbes. The microbial contamination was further assessed and identified in the laboratory by using API 20E and API 20 Strep while SPSS was used to analyze the relationship of physical IAQ characteristics, airborne pollutants and airborne microbes contaminants. The scientific method protocol and standard reference limits were compared based on Industrial Code of Practise on Indoor Air Quality, 2010 (ICOP, 2010) regulated by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH). Respirable PM in Library A and CFU counts in Library A and C exceeded the standard limit with the value of 0.30 mg/m3, 2744 CFU/m3 and 1833 CFU/m3 respectively. Significant differences (p <0.05) between the selected libraries were observed among relative humidity (p=0.001), inhalable PM (p=0.001), thoracic PM (p=0.001), respirable PM (p=0.01), CO2 reading (p=0.001) and CFU counts (p=0.01). This study demonstrated Library C has poor air quality as the reading for CO2 and CFU counts are very high compared with the other two libraries. The bacterial identification findings indicated that Gram positive bacteria were abundant compared to Gram negative bacteria. Aerococcus viridans is the most dominant type of bacteria isolated in all the libraries.
ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF RHIZOSPHERIC BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH LEMONGRASS FOR POTENTIAL BIOREMEDIATION
Authors: Sanusi Najwa Husna , Ing Chia Phang , Nordin Noor Faizul Hadry
Published: December 2015

Contamination of soil and groundwater pollution is a severe problem, has been attracting considerable public attention over the last decades. With the demand for green and cleaner technology for remediation process, there is an increased interest in moving away from conventional technologies towards bioremediation technologies. Rhizospheric zone is a suitable place for harboring bacteria that are capable to utilize chemical compounds which will be used either to facilitate growth of bacteria or the host plants. Identification of the specific microbial members should allow for better strategies to enhance biodegradation. This study aimed to isolate and identify the rhizospheric associated microbes of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), a plant that commonly available in South East Asia, which could be used in future research on degradation studies of dibenzofuran. This probably is due to their ability to harbor large numbers of bacteria on their highly branched root systems. A total of 68 strains of dibenzofuran (DF)- degrading bacteria isolated from the rhizospheric soil of lemon grass from 2 different unpolluted sites were characterized. The isolates showed the ability to utilize dibenzofuran as the sole carbon and energy source up to 40 ppm. Identification of the isolates based on 16S rRNA gene sequence assigned them as members of the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, among which those of the genera, Proteobacteria were most abundant. The presented results indicated the potential of these bacterial isolates in bioremediation of dibenzofuran-contaminated soil.
ISOLATION OF BACTERIA FROM THE ACIDIC PEAT SWAMP FOREST SOIL AND THEIR LIGNIN DEGRADATION POTENTIAL
Authors: Mohamad Roslan Muhamad Aidilfitri , Amirudin Nur Azam , Zainal Abidin Zaima Azira , Mohd Omar Suhaila
Published: December 2015

The tropical peat swamp forest in Malaysia has reduced significantly due to increasing pressure for development and demand for agricultural land. Pekan peat swamp forest is part of the 200,000 hectares of peat swamp forest located in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. While more extensive studies were done on flora and fauna, the study on microbial diversity in this habitat is very limited. The highly acidic environment, low concentrations of nutrients and anoxic condition of the peat are among challenges that hampered the cultivation of microorganism from this environment. In this study two types of agar-based medium, M1 minimal medium (M1) and peat water medium (PW) supplemented with glucose, methanol and lignin were used to isolate bacteria from the peat sediment. In comparison to M1, the use of PW has resulted with higher number of isolates with different morphologies. The PW mainly contains the acidic peat water that was collected from the sampling location. Based on the growth on medium supplemented with lignin, selected isolates were identified using 16s rDNA sequencing. At least three of the isolates showed sequence similarity to Burkholderia sp., which is one of the common species, studied on their ligninase-producing abilities. The results from this study serve as the preliminary data for further work on growth characteristics and enzymatic potential of isolates from acidic peat swamp soil.
PREDICTING THE VARIABILITY OF COPPER AND ZINC IN LEAF AND SOIL OF OIL PALM PLANTED ON A 12 HA LAND USING GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY
Authors: Tajudin Nur Shuhada , Musa Mohamed Hanafi , Abu Seman Idris , Balasundram Sivakumar
Published: December 2015

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is an important economic tree crops in the tropic. However, more than 95 % of oil palms grown in Southeast Asia are on acid, low fertility and highly weathered soils. Optimum value of micronutrients in the soil was required to enhance the efficiency of use of macro-nutrients. Hence, to observe and predict the fertility status of the oil palm plantation area, a 12 hectare study site was used and a total of 60 geo-referenced soil and leaf samples were collected for determinations of pH and selected micronutrients of Cu and Zn content. The data were explored and mapped using geostatistic and Geographic Information System (GIS). The study area had acidic type of soil with pH ranged from 3.25-5.85. The analysis showed that almost 78% of the study area had high content of Cu in soil, while another 22% of area was low to moderate in Cu. However, Cu content in leaf were categorized as insufficient as 100% of the area was observed to have Cu less than 3 ppm. About 80% of the study area showed a low to moderate content of Zn in soil, while another 20% of area showed a high content of Zn. Zinc content in leaf ranged from optimum to high categories. However, this value did not reach the excess level of Zn (50 ppm). These results suggest that, this plantation area need a site specific management approach in order to increase its crop productivity in regards to nutrient management. As a preliminary recommendation, a zone management practice would be applied in future as it is beneficial in term of protecting the environment from excessive fertilizer.
THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL LIVE ROCK AS SUBTRATE FOR CORAL SPAT AND EPIBENTHIC ORGANISMS
Authors: Y. Muhammad Hamizan, , S. Shahbudin, , Hadry Noor Faizul , Y. Mahfuzah, , R. Rafindde, , K. Mohd Fikri Akmal, , R. Mohd Husaini,
Published: December 2015

Over-exploitation on natural live rock promotes the degradation of ocean ecosystem. This concern has been raised since harvesting may reduce the density of marine ornamentals and degrade marine habitat quality. This study aims to develop artificial live rocks (ALR) that potentially to be used as one of the alternatives to reduce the overharvesting activity toward natural live rocks. The study was conducted at Bidong Island, Terengganu started from April to October 2014. There were 2 types of ALR used in this study; rough and smooth surfaces. A total of 64 pieces of ALR were deployed in April 2014 and retrieved in June, August and October 2014 respectively. Identification in terms of coral spat species and macrobenthic organisms was done after the each retrieval. Coral spat was identified based on the morphology of their columella, septa and corallite wall by using Dinolight Digital Camera. Four species of coral juveniles (Pocillopora damicornis, Stylophora pistillata, Seriatopora hystrix and Acropora millepora) were found attached on ALR surfaces. Whereby, there were 11 phyla of epibenthic organisms were found to attach on ALR which dominated by turf algae and red algae. Percentage coverage of epibenthic calculated using Coral Point Count with Excel extension (CPCe) shown ALR was dominated by turf algae after 2 months (69%) and 4 months (20%) of deployment respectively. Afterward, Red algae (31%) dominated after 6 months of deployment. There was significant difference between coral species and the surfaces (p<0.05). However, no significant difference between types of surfaces with sessile macrobenthic organisms (p>0.05). This finding showed that ALR has a potential to be upgraded as artificial reef towards marine habitat restoration.
BEACH-FACE MORPHODYNAMICS OF DIFFERENT MORPHOLOGICAL SETTING ALONG TELUK CHEMPEDAK TO KUALA PAHANG, MALAYSIA
Authors: Mustapa Mohd Zaini , Saad Shahbudin , Abdul Hadi Muhammad Salihi , Yunus Kamaruzzaman , Sapon Noraisyah
Published: December 2015

The present study on beach morphology and its profile dynamics was carried out to categorize the morphodynamic classification of selected beaches in Pahang, comprising the areas from Teluk Chempedak to Kuala Pahang. Beach stations were monitored monthly for a complete 1-year cycle; beginning from February 2012 to February 2013 at 12 corresponding stations established at random morphological intervals. Based on the results obtained, which include the granulometric analysis and beach surface topography, three main beach classes have been differentiated: reflective, intermediate and dissipative beaches. The reflective beaches exhibits rather high degree beach slopes and coarse-grain sand sizes compared to intermediate and dissipative classes.
EVALUATION OF THREE DIMENSIONAL CONSTRUCT ENGINEERED FROM POLY(LACTIC-CO-GLYCOLIC ACID)/FIBRIN HYBRID SCAFFOLD USING RABBIT BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS FOR OSTEOCHONDRAL DEFECT REPAIR
Authors: Abdul Rahman Rozlin , Mohamad Sukri Norhamiza , Md Nazir Noorhidayah , Ahmad Radzi Muhammad Aa’zamuddin , Zulkifly Ahmad Hafiz , Che Ahmad Aminudin , Abdul Rahman Suzanah , Sha’ban Munirah
Published: December 2015

Articular cartilage has poor repair capacity due to its avascular and aneural properties and has relatively few cells. This study investigated the ability of autologous implantation approach using three dimensional (3D) constructs engineered from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seeded on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with or without fibrin as cells carrier for the repair of osteochondral defect in rabbit model. The engineered 3D constructs – PLGA/Fibrin/BMSCs and PLGA/BMSCs – were cultured for 3 weeks in vitro and implanted autologously to the osteochondral defect created in the rabbit knee. The in vivo constructs were harvested and evaluated by means of gross observation, histology assessment, gene expression study, sulphated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) production assay and biomechanical evaluation at 6 and 12 weeks post implantation. The results showed that the osteochondral defects treated with the PLGA/Fibrin/BMSCs constructs exhibited better repairment, more cartilaginous extracellular matrix, higher sGAG production, superior compressive strength and more intense expression of chondrogenic marker genes than the PLGA/BMSCs group. This study suggested that the PLGA/Fibrin/BMSCs has the potential to treat osteochondral defect and may be presented as a viable therapeutic option for those who would be in need from the life-extending benefits of tissue replacement or repair.
CHARACTERIZATION OF COLLAGEN (IV) MRNA IN CELL LINES OF BREAST CANCER
Authors: Mat Yusof Afzan , Mohammad Mardhiah , Syed Bahrom Sharifah Norbaizura , Mohideen Syahirah Kaja , Roshdi Ridhwan , Parman Adibah
Published: December 2015

Breast cancer incidence rate has increased in the 5 recent years with 14% increases in mortality. The structural change in the collagen chain has led to alterations in the cancer cells. Various biological processes, such as differentiation or gene expression, are regulated through extracelullar matrix (ECM)[1]. The restructuring of the collagenous architecture in the hypoxic microenvironment may influence the invasive growth of the cancer cells. With the increased stress within the cell, the invasion of cancer cells into the ECM was triggered. This cell lines model would enable the exploration of the relationship between the extracellular matrices component and the tumor proliferation. The aim of this study is to characterize the collagen (IV) mRNA expression in the breast cancer cell.  Breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines were cultured and harvested upon confluent. The RNA was extracted from the cell lines and then the cDNA were synthesized. The collagen (IV) mRNA levels in breast cancer cell lines were measured using real time PCR and GAPDH was used as an internal control. The level of COL4A2 (IV) mRNA expression was higher compared with COL4A1 (IV) mRNA. The level of COL4A5 (IV) mRNA was reduced significantly in breast cancer cells lines. Overall, the expression of COL4A1-A6 (IV) was reduced. The reduced amount of collagen (IV) in breast cancer cell lines suggested that the collagen was restructured and this has triggered the tumor invasion into the ECM.
SEQUENCE AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS GENOTYPE VII ISOLATED IN MALAYSIA DURING 1999-2012
Authors: Shohaimi Syamsiah Aini , Ahmad Raus Raha , Geok Huai Ong , Mohamed Asmayatim Basirah , Nayan Nursyuwari , Mat Yusuf Afzan
Published: December 2015

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a contagious viral disease of many avian species particularly domestic poultry, and is responsible for causing significant economic losses to the poultry industry in Southeast Asia including Malaysia. Here we report the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of NDV that has been circulating in Malaysia. A total of 151 NDV isolates were selected during 1999-2012 throughout Malaysia and were characterized phylogenetically. The partial region of matrix (M) and fusion (F) protein of NDV was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR, directly sequenced and compared genetically to the published sequences obtained from GenBank. The deduced amino acid sequence of the F protein cleavage site revealed the presence of three different motifs; 112RRRKRF117, 112RRQKRF117 typical for velogenic strains while 112GKQGRL117 indicates it is from avirulent strain or lentogenic strain. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that 13 isolates belonged to genotype I, 2 to genotype III, 6 to genotype VI, 1 to genotype VIII and 129 to genotype VII. Isolates belonging to genotype VII were further divided into five subgenotypes; VIIa, VIIb, VIId, VIIe and VIIh. Based on the phylogenetic tree and geographical data, it is found that NDV genotype VIIb and VIIe were isolated in 1999 while in year 2000 to 2009, most of the NDV isolates were NDV genotype VIId originated from China. No subgenotype VIId viruses were recovered after 2009 in Malaysia. In 2010-2012, NDV outbreaks were caused by subgenotypes VIIa and VIIh in Peninsular Malaysia. Interestingly, these subgenotypes have been isolated in East Malaysia since 2002 but did not cause major outbreak.  These information points to the existence of multiple genotypes of NDV in Malaysia especially genotype VII and these findings emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance of NDV in Malaysia.
Sex differences in vascular endothelial function and health in humans: impacts of exercise
Authors: Green Daniel J. , Hopkins Nicola D. , Jones Helen , Thijssen Dick H. J. , Eijsvogels Thijs M. H. , Yeap Bu B.
Published: December 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This brief review discusses potential sex differences in arterial function across the age span, with special emphasis on the effects of oestrogen and testosterone on the vascular endothelium.

What advances does it highlight?

We discuss the relationship between the impacts of sex hormones on arterial function and health in the context of epidemiological evidence pertaining to the menopause and ageing. Studies performed in humans are emphasized, alongside insights from animal studies. Findings suggest that the combination of exercise and hormone administration should be potentially synergistic or additive in humans.

This brief review presents historical evidence for the purported impacts of male and female sex hormones on the vasculature in humans, including effects on macro‐ and microvascular function and health. Impacts of ageing on hormonal changes and arterial function are considered in the context of the menopause. Physiological data are presented alongside clinical outcomes from large trials, in an attempt to rationalize disparate findings along the bench‐to‐bedside continuum. Finally, the theoretical likelihood that exercise and hormone treatment may induce synergistic and/or additive vascular adaptations is developed in the context of recent laboratory studies that have compared male and female responses to training. Differences between men and women in terms of the impact of age and cardiorespiratory fitness on endothelial function are addressed. Ultimately, this review highlights the paucity of high‐quality and compelling evidence regarding the fundamental impact, in humans, of sex differences on arterial function and the moderating impacts of exercise on arterial function, adaptation and health at different ages in either sex.
Clinical and radiological results after coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction for type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation using three different techniques. A retrospective study
Authors: Vascellari Alberto , Schiavetti Stefano , Battistella Giuseppe , Rebuzzi Enrico , Coletti Nicolò
Published: December 2015

Purpose: the purpose of this retrospective study was to present the outcomes of three different techniques for the treatment of type III acromioclavicular joint dislocations: arthroscopic TightRope (TR), arthroscopic GraftRope (GR), and open reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligament using the Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS).

Methods: eighteen patients underwent clinical and radiological evaluations after a mean follow-up time of 43 months. The following clinical outcome measures were considered: the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand outcome measure (DASH), the Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS), and the Constant score (CS). On X-rays, the CC distance was measured.

Results: the median DASH score at follow-up was 12.5 in the TR group, 5 in the GR group, and 4.2 in the LARS group. The median NCS value was 88 in the TR group, 88 in the GR group, and 91 in the LARS group. The median CS was 100 in the TR group, 95 in the GR group, and 94.5 in the LARS group. The mean CC distance was 10.3 mm in the TR group, 13.8 in the GR group, and 16.6 in the LARS group.

Conclusions: all three techniques proved to be reliable in providing good clinical outcomes, although none of the studied techniques demonstrated reliability in maintaining anatomical reduction after surgery.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a novel porcine xenograft: the initial Italian experience
Authors: Zaffagnini Stefano , Grassi Alberto , Muccioli Giulio Maria Marcheggiani , Di Sarsina Tommaso , Raggi Federico , Benzi Andrea , Marcacci Maurilio
Published: December 2015

At the current state of the art in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, multiple techniques have been presented but none has given clearly defined and improved results.

One of the main issues concerns the choice of graft. The concept of using xenograft tissue, defined as a graft tissue from one species and destined for implantation in an unlike species, was introduced in order to try to overcome the mechanical and biological concerns associated with synthetic materials and the safety and quality concerns and availability problems of allograft tissue. Xenograft tissue carries the risk of producing an immunological reaction. In order to try to overcome or attenuate the immune response against porcine xenograft tissue, the Z-Process® (Aperion Biologics Inc, San Antonio, Texas, USA) has been developed and used to produce the Z-Lig® family of devices for ACL reconstruction procedures. Z-Lig® is a tendon graft with or without bone blocks, sourced from animal tissue in a manner consistent with what has normally been sourced from human tissue, and processed to overcome anti-Gal-mediated rejection and to attenuate other immunological recognition in humans. All this while ensuring sterility, viral inactivation and preservation of mechanical proprieties appropriate for an ACL reconstruction device. The Z-Lig® device has been tested in skeletally mature monkeys and given interesting and promising results from the preclinical performance and safety profile point of view. On this basis, it was possible to proceed with the first clinical trial involving humans, which gave similar encouraging results.

The Z-Lig® device has also been implanted in Italy at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute in Bologna, as a part of international multicenter prospective randomized blinded controlled study aimed at comparing xenograft with allograft tissue.
La imagen en el contexto de la violencia en Colombia: Un acercamiento a distintas perspectivas.
Authors: Castaño Giraldo Etna Mairen , Avella Estrada Alejandra , Arango Alejandra , Sanchez Carlos
Published: December 2015

El presente artículo hace parte de los avances del proyecto de investigación Imagen, violencia política y formación: perspectivas de análisis en Colombia, adscrito al centro de investigaciones de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional ; el cual, tuvo como propósito llevar a cabo un estado del arte de los estudios sobre el lugar de la imagen en relación a la violencia política en Colombia. En este artículo se presenta el trabajo de varios autores que entre el  2000 y 2010  han adelantado investigaciones en torno a dos categorías de análisis: imagen y violencia; para finalmente, señalar rasgos comunes entre distintas perspectivas que ofrecen formas de comprensión de la imagen y su vínculo con la violencia política en el contexto colombiano. 
The Effect of Intensity on 3-Dimensional Kinematics and Coordination in Front-Crawl Swimming
Authors: de Jesus Kelly , Sanders Ross , de Jesus Karla , Ribeiro João , Figueiredo Pedro , Vilas-Boas João P. , Fernandes Ricardo J.
Published: December 2015

Background:

Coaches are often challenged to optimize swimmers’ technique at different training and competition intensities, but 3-dimensional (3D) analysis has not been conducted for a wide range of training zones.

Purpose:

To analyze front-crawl 3D kinematics and interlimb coordination from low to severe swimming intensities.

Methods:

Ten male swimmers performed a 200-m front crawl at 7 incrementally increasing paces until exhaustion (0.05-m/s increments and 30-s intervals), with images from 2 cycles in each step (at the 25- and 175-m laps) being recorded by 2 surface and 4 underwater video cameras. Metabolic anaerobic threshold (AnT) was also assessed using the lactate-concentration–velocity curve-modeling method.

Results:

Stroke frequency increased, stroke length decreased, hand and foot speed increased, and the index of interlimb coordination increased (within a catch-up mode) from low to severe intensities (P ≤ .05) and within the 200-m steps performed above the AnT (at or closer to the 4th step; P ≤ .05). Concurrently, intracyclic velocity variations and propelling efficiency remained similar between and within swimming intensities (P > .05).

Conclusions:

Swimming intensity has a significant impact on swimmers’ segmental kinematics and interlimb coordination, with modifications being more evident after the point when AnT is reached. As competitive swimming events are conducted at high intensities (in which anaerobic metabolism becomes more prevalent), coaches should implement specific training series that lead swimmers to adapt their technique to the task constraints that exist in nonhomeostatic race conditions.
Evaluation of a Kinematically-Driven Finite Element Footstrike Model
Authors: Hannah Iain , Harland Andy , Price Dan , Schlarb Heiko , Lucas Tim
Published: December 2015

A dynamic finite element model of a shod running footstrike was developed and driven with 6 degree of freedom foot segment kinematics determined from a motion capture running trial. Quadratic tetrahedral elements were used to mesh the footwear components with material models determined from appropriate mechanical tests. Model outputs were compared with experimental high-speed video (HSV) footage, vertical ground reaction force (GRF), and center of pressure (COP) excursion to determine whether such an approach is appropriate for the development of athletic footwear. Although unquantified, good visual agreement to the HSV footage was observed but significant discrepancies were found between the model and experimental GRF and COP readings (9% and 61% of model readings outside of the mean experimental reading ± 2 standard deviations, respectively). Model output was also found to be highly sensitive to input kinematics with a 120% increase in maximum GRF observed when translating the force platform 2 mm vertically. While representing an alternative approach to existing dynamic finite element footstrike models, loading highly representative of an experimental trial was not found to be achievable when employing exclusively kinematic boundary conditions. This significantly limits the usefulness of employing such an approach in the footwear development process.
Gröbner–Shirshov bases method for Gelfand–Dorfman–Novikov algebras
Authors: Bokut L. A. , Chen Yuqun , Zhang Zerui
Published: December 2015

We establish Gröbner–Shirshov base theory for Gelfand–Dorfman–Novikov algebras over a field of characteristic [Formula: see text]. As applications, a PBW type theorem in Shirshov form is given and we provide an algorithm for solving the word problem of Gelfand–Dorfman–Novikov algebras with finite homogeneous relations. We also construct a subalgebra of one generated free Gelfand–Dorfman–Novikov algebra which is not free.
Majority reinforcement number
Authors: Hamid I. Sahul , Prabhavathy S. Anandha
Published: December 2015

A two-valued function [Formula: see text] defined on the vertices of a graph [Formula: see text], is a majority dominating function if the sum of its function values over at least half the closed neighborhoods is at least one. That is, for at least half the vertices [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] consists of [Formula: see text] and every vertex adjacent to [Formula: see text]. The majority domination number of a graph [Formula: see text], denoted [Formula: see text], is the minimum value of [Formula: see text] over all majority dominating functions [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. The majority reinforcement number of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is defined to be the minimum cardinality [Formula: see text] of a set [Formula: see text] of edges such that [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we initiate the study of majority reinforcement number and determine the exact values of [Formula: see text] for paths and cycles.
Localization Correction to Anomalous Hall Effect in the Perpendicular CoFeB Thin Films
Authors: Ding Jinjun , Yang Xiaofei , Zhu Tao
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we reported an obvious weak localization (WL) effect in perpendicular CoFeB sandwiched by Ta and MgO layers. The WL correction to the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) arises when the sheet resistance is larger than 1.5[Formula: see text]k[Formula: see text]. Furthermore, it is found that the mechanism of AHE is strongly related to the characteristic of the granularity in the MgO/CoFeB/Ta thin films. Both skew scattering and side jump mechanisms will give comparable contribution in the high disorder regime.
Team Project Experiences in Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS)
Authors: Ellis Heidi J. C. , Hislop Gregory W. , Jackson Stoney , Postner Lori
Published: December 2015

Providing students with the professional, communication, and technical skills necessary to contribute to an ongoing software project is critical, yet often difficult in higher education. Involving student teams in real-world projects developed by professional software engineers for actual users is invaluable. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has emerged as an important approach to creating, managing, and distributing software products. Involvement in a FOSS project provides students with experience developing within a professional environment, with a professional community, and has the additional benefit that all communication and artifacts are publicly accessible. Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS) projects benefit the human condition in some manner. They can range from disaster management to microfinance to election-monitoring applications. This article discusses the benefits and challenges of students participating in HFOSS projects within the context of undergraduate computing degree programs. This article reports on a 6-year study of students' self-reported attitudes and learning from participation in an HFOSS project. Results indicate that working on an HFOSS project increases interest in computing. In addition, students perceive that they are gaining experience in developing software in a distributed environment with the attendant skills of communication, distributed teamwork, and more.
Constructing Complex Search Tasks with Coherent Subtask Search Goals
Authors: Wang Ting-Xuan , Lu Wen-Hsiang
Published: December 2015

Nowadays, due to the explosive growth of web content and usage, users deal with their complex search tasks by web search engines. However, conventional search engines consider a search query corresponding only to a simple search task. In order to accomplish a complex search task, which consists of multiple subtask search goals, users usually have to issue a series of queries. For example, the complex search task “travel to Dubai” may involve several subtask search goals, including reserving hotel room, surveying Dubai landmarks, booking flights, and so forth. Therefore, a user can efficiently accomplish his or her complex search task if search engines can predict the complex search task with a variety of subtask search goals. In this work, we propose a complex search task model (CSTM) to deal with this problem. The CSTM first groups queries into complex search task clusters, and then generates subtask search goals from each complex search task cluster. To raise the performance of CSTM, we exploit four web resources including community question answering, query logs, search engine result pages, and clicked pages. Experimental results show that our CSTM is effective in identifying the comprehensive subtask search goals of a complex search task.
Simple, Fast and Deterministic Gossip and Rumor Spreading
Authors: Haeupler Bernhard
Published: December 2015

We study gossip algorithms for the rumor spreading problem, which asks each node to deliver a rumor to all nodes in an unknown network. Gossip algorithms allow nodes only to call one neighbor per round and have recently attracted attention as message efficient, simple, and robust solutions to the rumor spreading problem.

A long series of papers analyzed the performance of uniform random gossip in which nodes repeatedly call a random neighbor to exchange all rumors with. A main result of this investigation was that uniform gossip completes in
O
(log
n
/Φ) rounds where Φ is the conductance of the network. Nonuniform random gossip schemes were devised to allow efficient rumor spreading in networks with bottlenecks. In particular, [Censor-Hillel et al., STOC&12] gave an
O
(log
3
n
) algorithm to solve the 1-local broadcast problem in which each node wants to exchange rumors locally with its 1-neighborhood. By repeatedly applying this protocol, one can solve the global rumor spreading quickly for all networks with small diameter, independently of the conductance.

All these algorithms are inherently randomized in their design and analysis. A parallel research direction has been to reduce and determine the amount of randomness needed for efficient rumor spreading. This has been done via lower bounds for restricted models and by designing gossip algorithms with a reduced need for randomness, for instance, by using pseudorandom generators with short random seeds. The general intuition and consensus of these results has been that randomization plays a important role in effectively spreading rumors and that at least a polylogarithmic number of random bit are crucially needed.

In this article improves over the state of the art in several ways by presenting a
deterministic
gossip algorithm that solves the the
k
-local broadcast problem in 2(
k
+ log
2
n
) log
2
n
rounds. Besides being the first efficient deterministic solution to the rumor spreading problem this algorithm is interesting in many aspects: It is simpler, more natural, more robust, and faster than its randomized pendant and guarantees success with certainty instead of with high probability. Its analysis is furthermore simple, self-contained, and fundamentally different from prior works.
Embedding of Large Boolean Functions for Reversible Logic
Authors: Soeken Mathias , Wille Robert , Keszocze Oliver , Miller D. Michael , Drechsler Rolf
Published: December 2015

Reversible logic represents the basis for many emerging technologies and has recently been intensively studied. However, most of the Boolean functions of practical interest are irreversible and must be embedded into a reversible function before they can be synthesized. Thus far, an optimal embedding is guaranteed only for small functions, whereas a significant overhead results when large functions are considered. We study this issue in this article. We prove that determining an optimal embedding is coNP-hard already for restricted cases. Then, we propose heuristic and exact methods for determining both the number of additional lines and a corresponding embedding. For the approaches, we considered sum of products and binary decision diagrams as function representations. Experimental evaluations show the applicability of the approaches for large functions. Consequently, the reversible embedding of large functions is enabled as a precursor to subsequent synthesis.
Substitution-Permutation Networks, Pseudorandom Functions, and Natural Proofs
Authors: Miles Eric , Viola Emanuele
Published: December 2015

This article takes a new step towards closing the gap between pseudorandom functions (PRF) and their popular, bounded-input-length counterparts. This gap is both quantitative, because these counterparts are more efficient than PRF in various ways, and methodological, because these counterparts usually fit in the substitution-permutation network paradigm (SPN), which has not been used to construct PRF.

We give several candidate PRF

F
i

that are inspired by the SPN paradigm. Most of our candidates are more efficient than previous ones. Our main candidates are as follows.

—
F
1
: {0,1}

n

→ {0,1}

n

is an SPN whose S-box is a random function on
b
bits given as part of the seed. We prove that
F
1
resists attacks that run in time ≤ 2

ϵb

.

—
F
2
: {0,1}

n

→ {0,1}

n

is an SPN where the S-box is (patched) field inversion, a common choice in practical constructions. We show that
F
2
is computable with boolean circuits of size
n
⋅ log

O
(1)

n
and that it has exponential security 2

Ω(
n
)

against linear and differential cryptanalysis.

—
F
3
: {0,1}

n

→ {0,1} is a nonstandard variant on the SPN paradigm, where “states” grow in length. We show that
F
3
is computable with TC
0
circuits of size
n
1 + ϵ
, for any ϵ > 0, and that it is almost 3-wise independent.

—
F
4
: {0,1}

n

→ {0,1} uses an extreme setting of the SPN parameters (one round, one S-box, no diffusion matrix). The S-box is again (patched) field inversion. We show that
F
4
is computable by circuits of size
n
⋅ log

O
(1)

n
and that it fools all parity tests on ≤2

0.9
n

outputs.

Assuming the security of our candidates, our work narrows the gap between the Natural Proofs barrier and existing lower bounds in three models: circuits, TC
0
circuits, and Turing machines.
Revisiting Asynchronous Linear Solvers
Authors: Avron Haim , Druinsky Alex , Gupta Anshul
Published: December 2015

Asynchronous methods for solving systems of linear equations have been researched since Chazan and Miranker's [1969] pioneering paper on chaotic relaxation. The underlying idea of asynchronous methods is to avoid processor idle time by allowing the processors to continue to make progress even if not all progress made by other processors has been communicated to them.

Historically, the applicability of asynchronous methods for solving linear equations has been limited to certain restricted classes of matrices, such as diagonally dominant matrices. Furthermore, analysis of these methods focused on proving convergence in the limit. Comparison of the asynchronous convergence rate with its synchronous counterpart and its scaling with the number of processors have seldom been studied and are still not well understood.

In this article, we propose a randomized shared-memory asynchronous method for general symmetric positive definite matrices. We rigorously analyze the convergence rate and prove that it is linear and is close to that of the method's synchronous counterpart if the processor count is not excessive relative to the size and sparsity of the matrix. We also present an algorithm for unsymmetric systems and overdetermined least-squares. Our work presents a significant improvement in the applicability of asynchronous linear solvers as well as in their convergence analysis, and suggests randomization as a key paradigm to serve as a foundation for asynchronous methods.
Revocable Quantum Timed-Release Encryption
Authors: Unruh Dominique
Published: December 2015

Timed-release encryption is a kind of encryption scheme in which a recipient can decrypt only after a specified amount of time
T
(assuming that we have a moderately precise estimate of his computing power). A
revocable
timed-release encryption is one where, before the time
T
is over, the sender can “give back” the timed-release encryption, provably loosing all access to the data. We show that revocable timed-release encryption without trusted parties is possible using quantum cryptography (while trivially impossible classically).

Along the way, we develop two proof techniques in the quantum random oracle model that we believe may have applications also for other protocols.

Finally, we also develop another new primitive,
unknown recipient encryption
, which allows us to send a message to an unknown/unspecified recipient over an insecure network in such a way that at most one recipient will get the message.
Solving Linear Programs without Breaking Abstractions
Authors: Anderson Matthew , Dawar Anuj , Holm Bjarki
Published: December 2015

We show that the ellipsoid method for solving linear programs can be implemented in a way that respects the symmetry of the program being solved. That is to say, there is an algorithmic implementation of the method that does not distinguish, or make choices, between variables or constraints in the program unless they are distinguished by properties definable from the program. In particular, we demonstrate that the solvability of linear programs can be expressed in fixed-point logic with counting (FPC) as long as the program is given by a separation oracle that is itself definable in FPC. We use this to show that the size of a maximum matching in a graph is definable in FPC. This settles an open problem first posed by Blass, Gurevich and Shelah [Blass et al. 1999]. On the way to defining a suitable separation oracle for the maximum matching program, we provide FPC formulas defining canonical maximum flows and minimum cuts in undirected capacitated graphs.
Multioccupant Activity Recognition in Pervasive Smart Home Environments
Authors: Benmansour Asma , Bouchachia Abdelhamid , Feham Mohammed
Published: December 2015

Human activity recognition in ambient intelligent environments like homes, offices, and classrooms has been the center of a lot of research for many years now. The aim is to recognize the sequence of actions by a specific person using sensor readings. Most of the research has been devoted to activity recognition of single occupants in the environment. However, living environments are usually inhabited by more than one person and possibly with pets. Hence, human activity recognition in the context of multioccupancy is more general, but also more challenging. The difficulty comes from mainly two aspects: resident identification, known as data association, and diversity of human activities. The present survey article provides an overview of existing approaches and current practices for activity recognition in multioccupant smart homes. It presents the latest developments and highlights the open issues in this field.
The shallows
Authors: Weikle Dee A. B.
Published: December 2015

Each year, Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) chooses a book to read as a whole campus, called The Common Read. In 2014-2015 the book chosen was "The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains." Three professors wrote a response that was then read aloud and discussed at a lunch presentation on campus. The questions the responders were asked included: How do we use the internet and related technology well? How do we opt out of cultural changes that aren't life giving? How do we retain the ability to read and engage the 'long-form' book? What does academic excellence mean in an age of The Shallows?
Swimming Droplets
Authors: Maass Corinna C. , Krüger Carsten , Herminghaus Stephan , Bahr Christian
Published: December 2015

Swimming droplets are artificial microswimmers based on liquid droplets that show self-propelled motion when immersed in a second liquid. These systems are of tremendous interest as experimental models for the study of collective dynamics far from thermal equilibrium. For biological systems, such as bacterial colonies, plankton, or fish swarms, swimming droplets can provide a vital link between simulations and real life. We review the experimental systems and discuss the mechanisms of self-propulsion. Most systems are based on surfactant-stabilized droplets, the surfactant layer of which is modified in a way that leads to a steady Marangoni stress resulting in an autonomous motion of the droplet. The modification of the surfactant layer is caused either by the advection of a chemical reactant or by a solubilization process. Some types of swimming droplets possess a very simple design and long active periods, rendering them promising model systems for future studies of collective behavior.
Antler and Body Size in Black-Tailed Deer: An Analysis of Cohort Effects
Authors: Thalmann Johanna C. , Bowyer R. Terry , Aho Ken A. , Weckerly Floyd W. , McCullough Dale R.
Published: December 2015

For long-lived species, environmental factors experienced early in life can have lasting effects persisting into adulthood. Large herbivores can be susceptible to cohort-wide declines in fitness as a result of decreases in forage availability, because of extrinsic factors, including extreme climate or high population densities. To examine effects of cohort-specific extrinsic factors on size of adults, we performed a retrospective analysis on harvest data of 450 male black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) over 19 years in central California, USA. We determined that population density of females had a more dominant effect than did precipitation on body size of males. Harvest of female deer resulted in increases in the overall size of males, even though a 6-year drought occurred during that treatment period. Body size was most influenced by female population density early in life, while antler size was highly affected by both weather early in life and the year directly before harvest. This study provides insights that improve our understanding of the role of cohort effects in body and antler size by cervids; and, in particular, that reduction in female population density can have a profound effect on the body and antler size of male deer.
Tualang Honey Protects against BPA-Induced Morphological Abnormalities and Disruption of ERα, ERβ, and C3 mRNA and Protein Expressions in the Uterus of Rats
Authors: Mohamad Zaid Siti Sarah , Kassim Normadiah M. , Othman Shatrah
Published: December 2015

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that can disrupt the normal functions of the reproductive system. The objective of the study is to investigate the potential protective effects of Tualang honey against BPA-induced uterine toxicity in pubertal rats. The rats were administered with BPA by oral gavage over a period of six weeks. Uterine toxicity in BPA-exposed rats was determined by the degree of the morphological abnormalities, increased lipid peroxidation, and dysregulated expression and distribution of ERα, ERβ, and C3 as compared to the control rats. Concurrent treatment of rats with BPA and Tualang honey significantly improved the uterine morphological abnormalities, reduced lipid peroxidation, and normalized ERα, ERβ, and C3 expressions and distribution. There were no abnormal changes observed in rats treated with Tualang honey alone, comparable with the control rats. In conclusion, Tualang honey has potential roles in protecting the uterus from BPA-induced toxicity, possibly accounted for by its phytochemical properties.
Lactoferrin: A Modulator for Immunity against Tuberculosis Related Granulomatous Pathology
Authors: Actor Jeffrey K.
Published: December 2015

There is great need for a therapeutic that would limit tuberculosis related pathology and thus curtail spread of disease between individuals by establishing a “firebreak” to slow transmission. A promising avenue to increase current therapeutic efficacy may be through incorporation of adjunct components that slow or stop development of aggressive destructive pulmonary pathology. Lactoferrin, an iron‐binding glycoprotein found in mucosal secretions and granules of neutrophils, is just such a potential adjunct therapeutic agent. The focus of this review is to explore the utility of lactoferrin to serve as a therapeutic tool to investigate “disruption” of the mycobacterial granuloma. Proposed concepts for mechanisms underlying lactoferrin efficacy to control immunopathology are supported by data generated based on in vivo models using nonpathogenic trehalose 6,6′‐dimycolate (TDM, cord factor).