High Impact IS Papers and Researchers in the Pacific Asia Region

As research in information systems (IS) becomes increasingly popular, it is interesting to know the impact of research from the Pacific Asia region and who has contributed more high impact papers. With the assistance of SSCI/SCIE database of Web of Science and Google Scholar, this study investigates the impact of Pacific Asian researchers and their papers by the citation numbers of their published papers in 21 IS journals. Common keywords and theories adopted in the most cited papers are also examined. The results indicate that scholars in Hong Kong, Australia, and Singapore are major contributors in the region. MIS Quarterly publishes most highly cited papers. Papers co-authored across regions are more likely to create high citations. Our findings provide insights into how research reports from Pacific Asian authors have influenced the development of knowledge in information systems. Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/pajais/vol1/iss1/8

Earthquake-Resistant Squat Walls Reinforced with High- Strength Steel

Results are reported from reversed cyclic tests of five large-scale squat wall specimens reinforced with steel bars having a specified yield strength of either 60 or 115 ksi (413 or 792 MPa). Two specimens were designed for a shear stress of 5√fc′ psi (0.42√fc′ MPa) and the other three 9√fc′ psi (0.75√fc′ MPa). Boundary element confining reinforcement complied with the requirements of Chapter 18 of ACI 318-14 in all but one specimen, which had 50% of the required transverse boundary element reinforcement. Specimens constructed with Grade 115 steel had similar strength and exhibited 20% greater drift capacity than those with Grade 60 steel. Use of Grade 115 steel tended to control the softening effect of sliding at the base of the wall and to increase the component of drift due to reinforcement strain penetration into the foundation

Plasma levels in sepsis patients of annexin A1, lipoxin A4, macrophage inflammatory protein-3a, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between the various cytokine responses that occur during sepsis remains controversial. Emerging evidence indicates that the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses are regulated simultaneously from the beginning of sepsis. However, the roles of the novel anti-inflammatory mediators annexin (Anx)A1 and lipoxin (LX)A4 and the proinflammatory cytokines neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-3a have been studied.MethodsIn this study, the plasma levels of AnxA1, LXA4, NGAL, MIP-3a, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-6 in patients with sepsis were determined on admission to the intensive care unit. The patients were classified into survivors and non-survivors based on their outcome on day 28.ResultsAnxA1 and LXA4 levels were decreased in sepsis patients compared with control patients, whereas the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines MIP-3a, NGAL, IL-8, and IL-6 were elevated. Furthermore, a significantly higher level of MIP-3a was detected in nonsurviving patients compared with surviving patients (p < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences between these two groups for the levels of the other mediators. Correlation analysis demonstrated that only NGAL level was closely correlated with the level of IL-6. Univariate analysis indicated that the levels of MIP-3a and IL-8 were independent factors associated with patient survival, but this was not confirmed by the multivariate analysis.ConclusionAnxA1 and LXA4 plasma levels were found to be decreased in sepsis patients, whereas the levels of MIP-3a and NGAL were found to be elevated. This warrants further study in order to determine the clinical implications of these changes

The Uses of a Dual-Band Corrugated Circularly Polarized Horn Antenna for 5G Systems

This paper presents the development of a wide-beam width, dual-band, omnidirectional antenna for the mm-wave band used in 5G communication systems for indoor coverage. The 5G indoor environment includes features of wide space and short range. Additionally, it needs to function well under a variety of circumstances in order to carry out its diverse set of network applications. The waveguide antenna has been designed to be small enough to meet the requirements of mm-wave band and utilizes a corrugated horn to produce a wide beam width. Additionally, it is small enough to integrate with 5G communication products and is easy to manufacture. This design is simple enough to have multi-feature antenna performance and is more useful for the femtocell repeater. The corrugated circularly polarized horn antenna has been designed for two frequency bands; namely, 26.5–30 GHz for the low band and 36–40 GHz for high band. The results of this study show that return-loss is better than 18 dB for both low and high band. The peak gain is 6.1 dBi for the low band and 8.7 dBi for the high band. The beam width is 105 degrees and 77 degrees for the low band and the high band, respectively. The axial ratio is less than 5.2 dB for both low and high band. Generally, traditional circularly polarized antennas cannot meet the requirements for broadband. The designs for the antennas proposed here can meet the requirements of FR2 bandwidths. This feature limits axial ratio performance. The measurement error in the current experiment comes from the high precision control on the size of the ridge

MicroRNA-22 Can Reduce Parathymosin Expression in Transdifferentiated Hepatocytes

Pancreatic acinar cells AR42J-B13 can transdifferentiate into hepatocyte-like cells permissive for efficient hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Here, we profiled miRNAs differentially expressed in AR42J-B13 cells before and after transdifferentiation to hepatocytes, using chip-based microarray. Significant increase of miRNA expression, including miR-21, miR-22, and miR-122a, was confirmed by stem-loop real-time PCR and Northern blot analyses. In contrast, miR-93, miR-130b, and a number of other miRNAs, were significantly reduced after transdifferentiation. To investigate the potential significance of miR-22 in hepatocytes, we generated cell lines stably expressing miR-22. By 2D-DIGE, LC-MS/MS, and Western blot analyses, we identified several potential target genes of miR-22, including parathymosin. In transdifferentiated hepatocytes, miR-22 can inhibit both mRNA and protein expression of parathymosin, probably through a direct and an indirect mechanism. We tested two computer predicted miR-22 target sites at the 3′ UTR of parathymosin, by the 3′ UTR reporter gene assay. Treatment with anti-miR-22 resulted in significant elevation of the reporter activity. In addition, we observed an in vivo inverse correlation between miR-22 and parathymosin mRNA in their tissue distribution in a rat model. The phenomenon that miR-22 can reduce parathymosin protein was also observed in human hepatoma cell lines Huh7 and HepG2. So far, we detected no major effect on several transdifferentiation markers when AR42J-B13 cells were transfected with miR-22, or anti-miR-22, or a parathymosin expression vector, with or without dexamethasone treatment. Therefore, miR-22 appears to be neither necessary nor sufficient for transdifferentiation. We discussed the possibility that altered expression of some other microRNAs could induce cell cycle arrest leading to transdifferentiation

Actinomycosis of the Gallbladder: A Case Report

Introduction: Actinomycosis of the gallbladder is extremely rare and may mimic a malignancy leading to delayed diagnosis and/or inappropriate treatment.Presentation of case: Here we report the case of an 82-year-old man who presented with right upper abdominal discomfort for one month. Radiographically, an ill-defined mass was found in the gallbladder fossa that invaded the adjacent abdominal wall and liver bed. In addition, a stone was found in the gallbladder lumen. The imaging features suggested a gallbladder carcinoma. An initial CT-guided needle biopsy showed an inflammatory process. The subsequent open cholecystectomy revealed a contracted, thick-walled gallbladder surrounded by a soft tissue mass near the fundus. Histologically, the gallbladder revealed acute and chronic cholecystitis and microabscesses containing sulfur granules in the soft tissue mass, which showed Gram-positive filamentous bacilli. Under the diagnosis of gallbladder actinomycosis, the patient received post-operative antibiotics for 7 weeks and was well 5 months after diagnosis.Conclusion: Our case demonstrated that a gallbladder actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis presenting an invasive mass in the gallbladder fossa

Moho Depth Derived from Gravity Data in the Taiwan Strait Area

We have constructed are gional Bouguer gravity anomaly map using marine and land data from Tai wan and the Chinese province of Fuchien, as well as SEASAT altimetry-de rived gravity data for the Tai wan Strait and its surrounding area. The map shows isogals trending generally in a NE-SW direction, conforming with the over all shallower geo logical strike of the strait. Removing gravity effects generated by the water layer and seafloor to pography, the regional Bouguer gravity anomaly is obtained, reflecting the subsurface structure. Moho depth is then computed by the Parker-Oldenburg iterative method from the regional Bouguer gravity data set. Over the strait area, the geometry of the Moho relief is smooth with an average depth of about 30 km, except for the Penghu up lift. Moho depth is shallower in the Taiwan Strait and thickens to ward both sides of the strait. The relatively shallower Moho depth, reaching up to 28 km, is convex up ward underneath the Penghu uplift

In Situ Confocal Raman Mapping Study of a Single Ti-Assisted ZnO Nanowire

In this work, we succeeded in preparing in-plane zinc oxide nanowires using a Ti-grid assisted by the chemical vapor deposition method. Optical spatial mapping of the Confocal Raman spectra was used to investigate the phonon and geometric properties of a single ZnO nanowire. The local optical results reveal a red shift in the non-polar E2 high frequency mode and width broadening along the growth direction, reflecting quantum-confinement in the radial direction