Transcatheter aortic valve implantation： a revolution in the therapy of elderly and high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAV1） represents a real revolution in the field of interventional cardiology for the treatment of elderly or high-risk surgical patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Today, TAVI seems to play a key and a reliable role in the treatment of intermediate and maybe low-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. TAVI has also evolved from a complex and hazardous procedure into an effective and safe therapy by the development of new generation devices. This article aims to review the background and future of TAVI, elinieal trials and registries with old and new generation TAVI devices and to focus on some open issues related to post-procedural outcomes.

Characteristics of the May 12,2008 Wenchuan M_S8.0 Earthquake Sequence and Discussion on Relevant Problems

The aftershock activity of the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan Ms8.0 Earthquake Sequence shows an obvious segmented feature. Most of the large aftershocks were distributed in the north and south parts of the aftershock zone. Thrusting was dominant with a small amount of strike-slip component in the south part. The aftershock activity decayed gradually, presenting the sequence features of a mainshock-aftershock pattern. The north part was the ending area of the malnshock fracture where strike-slipping was dominant, showing an obvious swarm feature. Therefore it became the major area for large aftershocks. The modulation of the earth tide on aftershock activity is remarkable; most large aftershocks occur during the period of flood and neap tide. The time period around 16：00 was the dominant occurring time for large aftershocks. The p-value, a parameter of modified Omori formula, increases gradually with time, and reaches about 1 at the end. Based on previous study, the sequence patterns, magnitude of maximum aftershock, as well as the duration of aftershock activity has been discussed. The primary results also show that the magnitude difference between the maiushock and the maximum aftershock is proportional to the rupture size of the maiushock for huge earthquakes of about Ms8.0. This means that when the magnitudes of the earthquakes are nearly the same, large rupture size corresponds to sufficient energy release.

On the construction of cryptographically strong Boolean functions with desirable trade-off

This paper proposes a practical algorithm for systematically generating strong Boolean functions (f:GF(2) n →GF(2)) with cryptographic meaning. This algorithm takes bent function as input and directly outputs the resulted Boolean function in terms of truth table sequence. This algorithm was used to develop two classes of balanced Boolean functions, one of which has very good cryptographic properties:nl(f)=2 2k?1?2k+2k?2 (n=2k), with the sum-of-squares avalanche characteristic off satisfying σf=24k+23k+2+23k-2 and the absolute avalanche characteristic off satisfying σf=24k+23k+2+23k-2. This is the best result up to now compared to existing ones. Instead of bent sequences, starting from random Boolean functions was also tested in the algorithm. Experimental results showed that starting from bent sequences is highly superior to starting from random Boolean functions. Key words Boolean functions - Bent sequences - Nonlinearity - GAC - PC - Balancedness Document code A CLC number TP301.6

Traffic An o ma ly De te ctio n in Backbone Networks Using C la s s ifica tio n o f M u Itid ime n s io n a I Time Series of Entropy

Detecting traffic anomalies is essential for diagnosing attacks. HighSp eed Backbone Net works （HSBN） require Traffic Anomaly Detection Systems （TADS） which are accurate （high detec tion and low false positive rates） and efficient. The proposed approach utilizes entropy as traffic distributions metric over some traffic dimensions. An efficient algorithm, having low computational and space complexity, is used to estimate entro py. Entropy values over all dimensions are

Policy driven and multi-agent based fault tolerance for Web services

This paper proposes a policy driven and multi-agent based model to enhance the fault tolerance and recovery capabilities of Web services in distributed environment. The evaluation function of fault specifications and the corresponding handling mechanisms of the services are both defined in policies, which are expressed in XML. During the implementation of the services,the occurrences of faults are monitored by the service monitor agent through the local knowledge on the faults. Such local knowledge is dynamically generated by the service policy agent through querying and parsing the service policies from the service policies repository. When the fault occurs, the service process agent will focus on the process of fault handling and service recovery, which will be directed with the actions defined in the policies upon the specific conditions. Such a policy driven and multi-agent based fault handling approach can address the issues of flexibility, automation and availability.

Estimation of Ordered Means of Two Normal Distributions with Ordered Variances

The authors consider the problem of estimating the ordered means of two normal distributions with unknown ordered variances. The authors discuss the estimation of two ordered means, individually, in terms of stochastic domination and MSE （mean squared error）. The authors show that in estimating the mean with larger variance, the usual estimator under order restriction on means can be improved upon. However, in estimating the mean with smaller variance, the usual estimator can＇t be improved upon even under MSE. The authors also discuss simultaneous estimation problem of two ordered means when unknown variances are ordered.

New and rare lignicolous hyphomycetes from Zhejiang Province, China

Sporidesmiopsis zhejiangensis sp. nov. and Spadicoides americana were found on submerged wood from streams in Zhejiang Province, China. Sporidesmiopsis zhejiangensis is characterized by obclavate to fusiform, 5-6-distoseptate, versicolor-ous, verruculose conidia with an apical mucilaginous sheath. Spadicoides americana is a new record to China. These taxa are described and illustrated, and morphological differences between these species and their similar species were summarized.

The 0 ,1 - Distribution of the First CoordinateSequences Derived from ML- Sequences over Z/(2~e)

The 0,1 distribution of the first coordinate sequences derived from the maximal lenght sequences (ML sequences) over Z/(2~e) is exactly given.

Strategies and Principles of Distributed Machine Learning on Big Data

The rise of big data has led to new demands for machine learning （ML） systems to learn complex mod- els, with millions to billions of parameters, that promise adequate capacity to digest massive datasets and offer powerful predictive analytics （such as high-dimensional latent features, intermediate repre- sentations, and decision functions） thereupon. In order to run ML algorithms at such scales, on a distrib- uted cluster with tens to thousands of machines, it is often the case that significant engineering efforts are required-and one might fairly ask whether such engineering truly falls within the domain of ML research. Taking the view that ＂big＂ ML systems can benefit greatly from ML-rooted statistical and algo- rithmic insights-and that ML researchers should therefore not shy away from such systems design-we discuss a series of principles and strategies distilled from our recent efforts on industrial-scale ML solu- tions. These principles and strategies span a continuum from application, to engineering, and to theo- retical research and development of big ML systems and architectures, with the goal of understanding how to make them efficient, generally applicable, and supported with convergence and scaling guaran- tees. They concern four key questions that traditionally receive little attention in ML research： How can an ML program be distributed over a cluster？ How can ML computation be bridged with inter-machine communication？ How can such communication be performed？ What should be communicated between machines？ By exposing underlying statistical and algorithmic characteristics unique to ML programs but not typically seen in traditional computer programs, and by dissecting successful cases to reveal how we have harnessed these principles to design and develop both high-performance distributed ML software as well as general-purpose ML frameworks, we present opportunities for ML researchers and practitioners to further shape and enlarge the area that lies between ML and systems..

Failure behavior of horseshoe-shaped tunnel in hard rock under high stress:Phenomenon and mechanisms

A particle flow code(PFC) was first applied to examining the mechanical response of a horseshoe-shaped opening in prismatic rock models under biaxial compression. Next, an improved complex variable method was proposed to derive the stress distribution around the opening. Lastly, a case study of tunnel failure caused by rock burst in Jinping Ⅱ Hydropower Station was further analyzed and discussed. The results manifest that a total of four types of cracks occur around the opening under low lateral confining stress, namely, the primary-tensile cracks on the roof-floor, sidewall cracks on the sidewalls, secondary-tensile cracks on the corners and shear cracks along the diagonals. As the confining stress increases, the tensile cracks gradually disappear whilst the spalling failure becomes severe. Overall, the failure phenomenon of the modelled tunnel agrees well with that of the practical headrace tunnel, and the crack initiation mechanisms can be clearly clarified by the analytical stress distribution.

Golay Pair Aided Timing Synchronization Algorithm for Distributed MIMO-OFDM System

In order to solve the problem of inaccurate synchronization for distributed multiple-input multiple-output(MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) system in both multipath and low signal to noise ratio(SNR) channels, a golay pair aided timing synchronization(GPATS) method is proposed in this paper. A new synchronous training sequence based on the golay pair with guard interval is designed in GPATS method. By utilizing the unique properties of the new training sequence, the different timing point and the inter-transmitter delays(ITD) are obtained at the receiver. Simulation results show that, compared with the traditional synchronization approaches, the proposed algorithm can provide high accuracy in detecting different time offsets caused by the distributed transmitters of the MIMO-OFDM system, especially over multipath and low SNR channels.

Invited Paper: The Audacity of Fiber-Wireless(FiWi) Networks: Revisited for Clouds and Cloudlets

There is a growing awareness among industry players of reaping the benefits of mobile-cloud convergence by extending today's unmodified cloud to a decentralized two-level cloud-cloudlet architecture based on emerging mobile-edge computing(MEC) capabilities. In light of future 5G mobile networks moving toward decentralization based on cloudlets, intelligent base stations, and MEC, the inherent distributed processing and storage capabilities of radio-and-fiber(R&F) networks may be exploited for new applications, e.g., cognitive assistance, augmented reality, or cloud robotics. In this paper, we first revisit fiber-wireless(Fi Wi) networks in the context of conventional clouds and emerging cloudlets, thereby highlighting the limitations of conventional radio-overfiber(Ro F) networks such as China Mobile's centralized cloud radio access network(C-RAN) to meet the aforementioned trends. Furthermore, we pay close attention to the specific design challenges of data center networks and revisit our switchless arrayedwaveguide grating(AWG) based network with efficient support of east-west flows and enhanced scalability.

Carnap＇s Thought on Inductive Logic

Although we often see references to Carnap＇s inductive logic even in modern literatures, seemingly its confusing style has long obstructed its correct understanding. So instead of Carnap, in this paper, I devote myself to its necessary and sufficient commentary. In the beginning part （Sections 2-5）, I explain why Carnap began the study of inductive logic and bow he related it with our thought on probability （Sections 2-4）. Therein, I trace Carnap＇s thought back to Wittgenstein＇s Tractatus as well （Section 5）. In the succeeding sections, I attempt the simplest exhibition of Carnap＇s earlier system, where his original thought was thoroughly provided. For this purpose, minor concepts to which researchers have not paid attention are highlighted, for example, m-function （Section 8）, in-correlation （Section 10）, C-correlate （Section 10）, statistical distribution （Section 12）, and fitting sequence （Section 17）. The climax of this paper is the proof of theorem （56）. Through this theorem, we will be able to overview Carnap＇s whole system.

Realization of finite precision chaotic systems via internal perturbation

A method of controllable internal perturbation inside the chaotic map is proposed to solve the problem in chaotic systems caused by finite precision.A chaotic system can produce large amounts of initial-sensitive,non-cyclical pseudo-random sequences.However,the finite precision brings short period and odd points which obstruct application of chaos theory seriously in digital communication systems.Perturbation in chaotic systems is a possible efficient method for solving finite precision problems,but former researches are limited in uniform distribution maps.The proposed internal perturbation can work on both uniform and non-uniform distribution chaotic maps like Chebyshev map and Logistic map.By simulations,results show that the proposed internal perturbation extends sequence periods and eliminates the odd points,so as to improve chaotic performances of perturbed chaotic sequences.

On the Second Borel-Cantelli Lemma for α-mixing Sequences of Events

In this paper, we give some conditions on diverging rate of series of the probabilities and converging rate of series of the α-mixing coefficients for sequences of events, under which the conclusion of the Second Borel-Cantelli Lemma holds. As corollaries, some moment conditions are obtained, under which the strong law of large numbers holds for sequences of identically distributed random variables.

On Spatial Distribution Pattern of Broccoli Clubroot Disease and and the Sampling Technique

[Objective] To further improve the prediction and forecast and continuous control ability of broccoli clubroot disease. [Methods] The spatial distribution pattern of diseased or infected plants was analyzed using the least square method, fre- quency distribution, aggregation index, m＊-m regression analysis and Taylor＇s pow- er law model. [Result] The field distribution of broccoli plants with clubroot disease tended to be aggregated distribution, m＇-m regression analysis showed that the el- ementary composition of the spatial distribution of diseased or infected plants was individual colony, the individuals attracted each other; the disease had obvious dis- ease focus in the field, and the individual colony showed uniform distribution pattern in the field. Taylor＇s power law showed that the spatial pattern of individual dis- eased or infected plant with clubroot disease tended to be uniform distribution with the increase of the density. On the basis of this, Iwao optimal theoretical sampling model and sequential sampling model were established, namely N =273.954 1/m- 59.698 5, To （N）=0.368 4N±1.926 8√N, respectively, it meant that when surveying N plants, if the accumulative incidence rate exceeded upper bound, the field can be set as control object; if the accumulative incidence rate didn＇t reach lower bound, it can be set as uncontrol field; if the accumulative incidence rate was between upper bound and lower bound, it should be surveyed continuously until the maximum sample size （mo=0.368 4） appeared, that was, the disease incidence was 15%, so the sampling number should be 684 plants. [Conclusion] The research results had very important instructive meaning for disease control.

Controlling Nonlinear Dynamics in Continuous Crystallizers

Crystallization is used to produce vast quantities of materials. For several applications, continuous crystallization is often the best operation mode because it is able to reproduce better crystal size distributions than other operation modes. Nonlinear oscillation in continuous industrial crystallization processes is a well-known phenomenon leading to practical difficulties such that control actions are necessary. Nonlinear oscillation is a consequence of the highly nonlinear kinetics, different feedbacks between the variables and elementary processes taking place in crystallizers units, and the non-equilibrium thermodynamic operation. In this paper the control of a continuous crystallizer model that displays oscillatory behavior is addressed via two practical robust control approaches： （i） modeling error compensation, and （ii） integral high order sliding mode control. The controller designs are based on the reduced-order model representation of the population balance equations resulting after the application of the method of moments. Numerical simulations show good closed-loop performance and robustness properties

The Benefits of Using Google Cloud Computing for Developing Distributed Applications

IT as a dynamic filed changes very rapidly; efficient management of such systems for the most of the companies requires handling tremendous complex situations in terms of hardware and software setup. Hardware and software itself changes quickly with the time and keeping them updated is a difficult problem for the most of the companies; the problem is more emphasized for the companies having large infrastructure of IT facilities such as data centers which are expensive to be maintained. Many applications run on the company premises which require well prepared staff for successfully maintaining them. With the inception of Cloud Computing many companies have transferred their applications and data into cloud computing based platforms in order to have reduced maintaining cost, easier maintenance in terms of hardware and software, reliable and securely accessible services. The benefits of building distributed applications using Google infrastructure are conferred in this paper.

Screening Programs for Cervical Cancer： Investigation ＂SWOT＂ in Calabria

（Screening programs for cervical cancer： a ＂SWOT＂ investigation in the Calabria Region）---The low adherence to screening programs for cervical cancer in Calabria, was analyzed by performing a SWOT analysis with concerned health professionals. The survey shows that screening organized in Calabria is active and well regulated, the human and financial resources are scarce and the healthcare management has paid little attention to the prevention of women＇s cancers. In the perspective of a necessary improvement of the regional system of screening, it would be appropriate to enable promotion strategies and more effective communication, overcoming possible cultural factors hindering.

Impact of redox-stratification on the diversity and distribution of bacterial communities in sandy reef sediments in a microcosm

Relationships between microbial communities and geochemical environments are important in marine microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. Although biogeochemical redox stratification has been well documented in marine sediments, its impact on microbial communities remains largely unknown. In this study, we applied denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE） and clone library construction to investigate the diversity and stratification of bacterial communities in redox-stratified sandy reef sediments in a microcosm. A total of 88 Operational Taxonomic Units （OTU） were identified from 16S rRNA clone libraries constructed from sandy reef sediments in a laboratory microcosm. They were members of nine phyla and three candidate divisions, including Proteobacteria （Alphas, Beta-, Gamma-, Delta-, and Epsilonproteobacteria）, Aetinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Spirochaetes, and the candidate divisions WS3, SO31 and AO19. The vast majority of these phylotypes are related to clone sequences from other marine sediments, but OTUs of Epsilonproteobacteria and WS3 are reported for the first time from permeable marine sediments. Several other OTUs are potential new bacterial phylotypes because of their low similarity with reference sequences. Results from the 16S rRNA, gene clone sequence analyses suggested that bacterial communities exhibit clear stratification across large redox gradients in these sediments, with the highest diversity found in the anoxic layer （15-25 mm） and the least diversity in the suboxic layer （3-5 mm）. Analysis of the nosZ, and amoA gene libraries also indicated the stratification of denitrifiers and nitrifiers, with their highest diversity being in the anoxic and oxic sediment layers, respectively. These results indicated that redox-stratification can affect the distribution of bacterial communities in sandy reef sediments.