bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver microphysiological systems development guidelines for safety risk assessment in the pharmaceutical industry
Authors: Baudy Andreas R. , Otieno Monicah A. , Hewitt Philip , Gan Jinping , Roth Adrian , Keller Douglas , Sura Radhakrishna , Van Vleet Terry R. , Proctor William R.
Published: November 2019

This pharmaceutical industry guidance based on a 3-staged benchmarking strategy aims to help MPS developers and end users identify what could be the most valuable models for safety risk assessment, as well as provide an overview of contexts of use.
Amino acid-based ionic liquids as precursors for the synthesis of chiral nanoporous carbons
Authors: Aloni Sapir Shekef , Perovic Milena , Weitman Michal , Cohen Reut , Oschatz Martin , Mastai Yitzhak
Published: November 2019

The synthesis of chiral nanoporous carbons based on chiral ionic liquids (CILs) of amino acids as precursors is described.
Elaeocarpus tectorius derived phosphorus-doped carbon as an electrode material for an asymmetric supercapacitor
Authors: Nirosha Bose , Selvakumar Rajendran , Jeyanthi Jeyadharmarajan , Vairam Sundararajan
Published: November 2019

Phosphorus-doped activated carbon from unexplored biomass was prepared, and it exhibits excellent electrochemical properties for green energy technology.
Insight into the molecular mechanism that controls the solubility of CH4 in ionic liquids
Authors: Kurnia Kiki Adi , How Choo Jia , Matheswaran Pranesh , Noh Mohd. Hilmi , Alamsjah M. Amin
Published: November 2019

The electrostatic – misfit energy arise from repulsive interaction of CH4 plays a dominant role in determining its solubility in ILs. Modelling using COSMO-RS shows that IL size and van der Walls forces only have marginal influences on CH4 solubility.
Hierarchically porous BiOCl@NiCo2O4 nanoplates as low-cost and highly efficient catalysts for the discoloration of organic contaminants in aqueous media
Authors: Zhi Lihua , Xu Youyuan , Zhang Shengya , Hu Dongcheng , Liu Jiacheng
Published: November 2019

BiOCl@NiCo2O4 exhibits remarkable catalytic activity and stability and can be used to deal with real contaminated water samples.
Synergistic osteogenesis promoted by magnetically actuated nano-mechanical stimuli
Authors: Hao Lili , Li Linlong , Wang Peng , Wang Zongliang , Shi Xincui , Guo Min , Zhang Peibiao
Published: November 2019

Synergistic osteogenesis promoted by magnetically actuated mechanical stimuli, induced by the nano-deformation of IO-OA/PLGA nanocomposites under a SMF.
Chemical synthesis of Shiga toxin subunit B using a next-generation traceless “helping hand” solubilizing tag
Authors: Fulcher James M. , Petersen Mark E. , Giesler Riley J. , Cruz Zachary S. , Eckert Debra M. , Francis J. Nicholas , Kawamoto Eric M. , Jacobsen Michael T. , Kay Michael S.
Published: November 2019

Application of a next-generation semipermanent solubilizing tag linker (Ddap) in the chemical synthesis of Shiga toxin subunit B (StxB).
Stereochemistry, lipid length and branching influences Mincle agonist activity of monoacylglycerides
Authors: Khan Ayesha , Braganza Chriselle D. , Kodar Kristel , Timmer Mattie S. M. , Stocker Bridget L.
Published: November 2019

Structure activity relationship of Monoacylglycerides shows enhanced Mincle agonist activity of ligands withsn-1 stereochemistry and long-lipid chains through IL-8 production in human peripheral blood monocytes.
A polyesteramide library from dicarboxylic acids and 2,2′-bis(2-oxazoline): synthesis, characterization, nanoparticle formulation and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Muljajew Irina , Erlebach Andreas , Weber Christine , Buchheim Johannes R. , Sierka Marek , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: November 2019

A combined experimental andin silicoapproach enabled tailoring of polyesteramides with respect to formation of aqueous nanoparticle dispersions.
A thermotropic poly(ether ketone) based on the p-quaterphenyl unit: evidence for a smectic C phase
Authors: Oladoyinbo Fatai O. , Lewis David F. , Blundell David J. , Colquhoun Howard M.
Published: November 2019

A poly(ether ketone) based on the p-quaterphenyl unit shows liquid crystalline character, forming a smectic C phase from the isotropic melt.
Switchable solvent-controlled divergent synthesis: an efficient and regioselective approach to pyrimidine and dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine derivatives
Authors: Meng Jin-Peng , Wang Wan-Wan , Chen Ying-Lu , Bera Saurav , Wu Jun
Published: November 2019

An efficient solvent-controlled regioselective reaction has been developed. The reaction represents a novel protocol for the divergent one-pot synthesis of pyrimidine and dihydrodibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine derivatives.
Polyelectrolyte character of rigid rod peptide bundlemer chains constructed via hierarchical self-assembly
Authors: Sinha Nairiti J. , Wu Dongdong , Kloxin Christopher J. , Saven Jeffery G. , Jensen Grethe V. , Pochan Darrin J.
Published: November 2019

Hybrid physical-covalent assembly of computationally-designed bundlemers yields polyelectrolyte-like rigid rods displaying rich solution behavior.
An all-textile triboelectric sensor for wearable teleoperated human–machine interaction
Authors: He Qiang , Wu Yufen , Feng Zhiping , Fan Wenjing , Lin Zhiwei , Sun Chenchen , Zhou Zhihao , Meng Keyu , Wu Wenzhuo , Yang Jin
Published: November 2019

An all-textile triboelectric sensor (ATTS) for capturing human gestures and wearable teleoperated human–machine interaction.
A fast-dissolving microneedle array loaded with chitosan nanoparticles to evoke systemic immune responses in mice
Authors: Li Zhilin , He Yingju , Deng Li , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Lin Yunzhu
Published: November 2019

Schematic illustration of fast-dissolving microneedle (MN) arrays loaded with chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) to achieve lymph nodes (LNs) targeted delivery of antigens and adjuvants to induce adaptive immune responses.
D‐band waveguide‐to‐microstrip transition implemented in eWLB packaging technology
Authors: Hassona A. , Vassilev V. , He Z.S. , Zaman A. , Mariotti C. , Dielacher F. , Zirath H.
Published: November 2019

This Letter presents a non‐galvanic D‐band (110–170 GHz) interconnect realised in embedded wafer level ball grid array (eWLB) packaging technology. The interconnect consists of a patch‐radiator‐based waveguide transition implemented using one of the technology's redistribution layers. The patch radiates to a WR‐6.5 standard waveguide perpendicular to its plane. An electromagnetic band‐gap structure realised by metal patches is used to suppress undesired modes and improve the performance of the transition. The proposed solution is experimentally verified, and measurement results show that the transition exhibits an average insertion loss of 2 dB across the frequency range 122–146 GHz which, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, is the lowest reported loss for a D‐band packaging solution in eWLB technology and hence addresses one of the main integration challenges facing millimetre‐wave systems.
High performance floating p‐well carrier stored trench bipolar transistor with L‐shaped shield gates
Authors: Zhang Jinping , Zhao Qian , Wang Kang , Li Zehong , Zhang Bo
Published: November 2019

A novel floating p‐well carrier stored trench bipolar transistor with L‐shaped shield gates (LSG‐FP‐CSTBT) is proposed in this Letter. The proposed device features combinatorial L‐shaped shield gates with a thick oxide layer in the lower part of the trench. Numerical analysis results show that compared to the conventional FP‐CSTBT, the shield effect provided by the LSGs not only improves the trade‐off relationship between the on‐state voltage drop (VCEON) and turn‐off loss (EOFF), but also improves the trade‐off relationship between the turn‐on loss (EON) of the device and reverse recovery dVAK/dt of the antiparallel freewheeling diode. Therefore, improved device performance and reduced electromagnetic interference noise are obtained.
Nanomaterials‐based gas sensors of SF6 decomposed species for evaluating the operation status of high‐voltage insulation devices
Authors: Cui Hao , Zhang Xiaoxing , Zhang Jun , Zhang Ying
Published: November 2019

In recent years, many novel sensing nanomaterials were explored experimentally and theoretically as chemical gas sensors to detect sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) decomposed species with rapid response, high sensitivity and selectivity, as well as low cost, in order to estimate and guarantee the operation status of SF6 insulation devices. However, there has been no systemic review yet to comprehensively understand their sensing mechanism and conclude their sensing application. Such kinds of nanomaterials include traditional carbon‐based materials such as carbon nanotube and graphene, metal oxides such as SnO2, ZnO and TiO2, transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 monolayer and MoTe2 monolayer as well as graphene‐like InN monolayer. A systemic review would be significant to give a profound insight into the exploration of nanomaterial‐based chemical gas sensors in the field of electrical engineering and to help youth scholars first stepping in this field rapidly master the progress inside. Thus, the authors attempt to complete this review here. They are hopeful that this review could provide some guidance to fulfil such purpose in the near future, and it would be full of perspective to explore more novel nanomaterials as defect indicators in SF6 insulated devices. Furthermore, it is their hope that this review could broaden the sensing application of admirable nanomaterials in many fields such as environmental monitoring and pollutant scavenging.
Blind cyclic feature detection with noise elimination in cognitive radios with fast fading
Authors: Jang Won Mee
Published: November 2019

A practical implementation and the maximum likelihood detection analysis of the blind cyclic‐feature detection (BCD) in cognitive radios is presented in this study. The sum of the magnitude squared of the cyclic spectral density (SCSD) is the merit criterion for the maximum likelihood detection. The authors show that the SCSD can be conveniently obtained from the autocorrelation of the power spectral density for a cyclostationary process. Unfortunately, this is not true for a stationary process. For a white Gaussian noise process, the SCSD exhibits non‐zero values for all cyclic frequencies although the noise process does not have any cyclic features. To ameliorate the challenge, the authors introduce noise elimination methods in the BCD. The simulation results show that the receiver operating characteristics of the BCD are considerably superior to the energy detection especially in signal‐to‐noise ratio fluctuation. With a moderately increased computational complexity, the BCD can be very beneficial for millimeter‐wave cognitive radios with fast fading.
Optimal links selection procedure in buffer‐aided relaying for point‐to‐multipoints communications
Authors: Chiti Francesco , Fantacci Romano , Pierucci Laura
Published: November 2019

The increasing diffusion of smart devices has triggered new Internet of Things (IoT) applications, where communications patterns are often in an autonomous mode. Key enabling technologies, such as relaying communications, cell size reduction and multicast communications have been identified to bring the next‐generation IoT to a complete fruition. In particular, the use of relay nodes is expected to be useful for coverage and capacity improvements, as well as to support point‐to‐multipoint services for data disseminating to subscribers communities. To this end, this study proposes a dynamic quorum links selection (DQm) procedure to optimise the throughput for the case of buffer‐aided relaying multicast communications. A theoretical analysis based on the Markov chain framework is provided and validated through simulation results in terms of multicast throughput and relay buffer occupancy for different sizes of the multicast group. The advantages of the proposed DQm procedure have been highlighted by comparing the achieved performance with respect to classical conventional relay scheme. Finally, a protocol for channel state estimation is presented and the impact of the requested overhead on the performance of DQm procedure is shown.
Modelling and numerical solution of ungrounded DC rail traction system load flow using ladder circuit – part II: solution method
Authors: Ku Bih‐Yuan , Liu Jen‐Sen
Published: November 2019

Accurate solution of dc ungrounded rail power system load flow requires detailed modelling of negative path components, resulting in large numbers of circuit nodes and branches. Such modelling complexity incurs heavy computational burden and potential ill numerical conditions when solved by nodal voltage equations. Part I of this study presented a ladder‐circuit model for traction network between substations and a power flow formulation adopted from ac distribution load flow. Part II presents the solution algorithm that harnesses the ladder circuit models to achieve efficient load flow computation and numerical robustness for the entire dc traction system by sequentially solving for power flows of individual substations and wayside ladder circuits. The proposed algorithm requires computational burden linearly proportional to the number of substations, much less than those by nodal voltage equations. The computation results from two transit lines in Taiwan illustrate that the proposed algorithm accomplishes the objectives of computational proficiency, numerical robustness and versatility to train load models and various traction circuit configurations such as branch lines.
Transactive energy system: a review of cyber‐physical infrastructure and optimal scheduling
Authors: Yang Jiakang , Li Yong , Cao Yijia , Tan Yi , Rehtanz Christian
Published: November 2019

Transactive energy system (TES) is an electric infrastructure where the economic and control techniques are combined to manage the generation, power flow and consumption through transaction‐based approaches while considering the reliability constraints of the whole system. TES can have access to reliability and economic efficiency with engaging flexibility provided by distributed energy resources and the demand response. Here, the authors introduce the cyber‐physical infrastructure of a TES, focusing on the energy flow and information processing in the entire system, and then characteristics and benefits of TES are presented in terms of economic efficiency, reliability, environment friendliness and scalability. Furthermore, two main types of transactive agents and their scheduling objectives are presented. The scheduling methods of TES can be categorised into centralised and decentralised optimisation solution techniques and they are discussed.
Enhancing inertia of solar photovoltaic‐based microgrid through notch filter‐based PLL in SRF control
Authors: Panda Rakesh Kumar , Mohapatra Abheejeet , Srivastava Suresh C.
Published: November 2019

Synchronous reference frame (SRF) control strategy for solar photovoltaic (SPV) sources is widely used to deliver maximum power to the grid. However, poor inertia support just after a disturbance and improper phase angle tracking in presence of the harmonics and system unbalance are noticed when the conventional phase‐locked loop (PLL) based SRF control structure is used. In this study, an inertia enhancement method for inverter interfaced SPV sources is proposed, which adjusts only the PLL parameters with a notch filter (NF) in the SRF controller. NF in PLL is used due to its disturbance rejection potential and accurate phase angle tracking, even during system unbalance. The dynamic equation of pseudo induced voltage (PIV) vector with respect to the point of common coupling is derived. The kinematic equation of the PIV angle vector correlates inertia contribution and inverter terminal voltage. The impact of the change in PLL parameters on inertia enhancement is analyzed by validating the proposed technique on a test system in the real‐time digital simulator. The frequency response by the proposed method has been compared with two state‐of‐art methods to prove the superiority of the proposed approach in enhancing the inertia of the SPV source in a microgrid.
Enhancement of dynamic phasor estimation‐based fault location algorithms for AC transmission lines
Authors: Guillen Daniel , Salas Christian , Fernando Sanchez‐Gomez Luis , Castro Luis M.
Published: November 2019

A new technique to improve fault location methods in AC transmission lines is introduced in this study. The identification of fault location is carried out using one‐end fault location algorithms based on impedance through dynamic phasors. This timely approach relies upon the fact that a fault resistance may introduce errors in the distance estimation when a fault takes place. Therefore, active power variations caused by the fault are used to enhance the fault location algorithms, i.e. power losses increase during the fault period for non‐zero fault resistances. The present approach is extensively evaluated, using ATP–EMPT software, which relies upon the computation of a compensation factor associated with the rate of change in the resistance during pre‐fault and fault conditions. This is achieved through the estimated phasors for voltage and current. Furthermore, the dynamic phasor estimation technique Taylor–Kalman–Fourier Filter is compared against a static phasor method. The proposed approach is validated using three fault location algorithms which are evaluated under different fault conditions, such as fault inception, location, and fault resistance. Results show that this proposed technique improves the fault location including fault resistances by 3% with respect to existing approaches.
Development of improved direct current based saturated core fault current limiter in DFIG system for enhancing the low voltage ride‐through capability
Authors: Tripathi Prashant Mani , Chatterjee Kalyan
Published: November 2019

With the increase of electrical energy consumption and associated power grid expansion the complexity in the grid network increases which tends to increase the fault occurrence possibilities. Low voltage ride‐through capability helps the system to achieve the standard of grid code by remaining connected with the grid during fault occurrence. Direct current‐based saturated core fault current limiter (DC‐SCFCL) is a type of fault current limiter with superior influence in fault ride‐through (FRT) capability. It has an arrangement of embedded alternating current coil and direct current (DC) coil across the side and centre of the core limb. However, being more effective in FRT, the ideal DC‐SCFCL has some of its drawback such as development of high voltage across the DC coil and more current difference during fault occurrence. To limit these drawbacks a modified DC‐SCFCL with shorted ring and also working with the coil below its critical temperature has been proposed in this study. The voltage profile, as well as the current profile, has been analysed which comprises its behaviour in all conditions. The proposed technique is applied to DFIG‐based wind energy system to restrict the fault current and enhance the FRT capability.
Frequency stability improvement in wind‐thermal dominated power grids
Authors: Ashouri‐Zadeh Alireza , Toulabi Mohammadreza , Dobakhshari Ahmad Salehi , Ranjbar Ali Mohammad
Published: November 2019

With the proliferation of intermittent renewable energy sources, power systems need to withstand an increasing number of disturbances that may affect system frequency. In this paper, we focus on the effects of high penetration level of wind turbine‐generators (WTG) on the power system operational planning from the frequency point of view. Specifically, an exact formulation for the minimum frequency calculation is presented to increase accuracy and speed of analyses. Then, the effect of WTG's frequency response on the power system frequency stability is investigated to compute the maximum acceptable generation outage as a function of penetration level. Finally, as an application to power system operational planning, the obtained frequency dynamics of the power system and the wind turbine frequency response are integrated into the unit commitment problem. Simulations are performed on the IEEE 39‐bus test system to study the effects of the WTGs on the frequency stability of the system. Results illustrate a more secure and reliable operation of the power system when the wind turbines participate in the frequency regulation task. Moreover, including the frequency response of the wind turbines in the unit commitment problem can reduce the ancillary cost, meanwhile increase the frequency stability of the system.
Quality assessment framework for video contextualisation of personal videos
Authors: Sanap Pratap , Apte Shaila D.
Published: November 2019

The world is witnessing rapid transformations in hardware technology. This will keep on improving day by day. The processing power of every handheld device is significantly improved as well as the storage capacity is increased. With all these advancements, the personal video capture and usage of videos have tremendously increased across many applications. The quality assessment of personal videos has become very important. It is a vital task to design a model for assessing the video quality. A novel methodology for detecting damaged video frames is proposed here. The primary objective of the research is to detect uni‐coloured frames and frames with ice effect. The novel histograms bin comparison technique is proposed for inter‐ and intraframe analysis. The shakiness of the video is calculated using motion estimation. The video quality is also assessed using blur detection as well as contrast calculation to spot useful portion in the video. The proposed framework generates the video quality metadata and supports the contextualisation process.
Semi‐supervised convolutional generative adversarial network for hyperspectral image classification
Authors: Xue Zhixiang
Published: November 2019

To solve the problem of insufficient annotated samples in hyperspectral image classification, the semi‐supervised convolutional generative adversarial network classification model is proposed in this study. The generative adversarial framework constructs an adversarial game, where the generator captures data distribution and generates fake samples, while the discriminator determines whether the input comes from generated or training data. In the proposed method, a deep three‐dimensional (3D) convolutional neural network is used to generate the so‐called fake cube samples and another 3D deep residual network is designed to discriminate the inputs. Furthermore, the generated samples, labelled and unlabelled samples are put into the discriminator for joint training, and the trained discriminator can determine the authenticity of the sample and the class label. This semi‐supervised generative adversarial training strategy can effectively improve the generalisation capability of the deep residual network where the labelled samples are limited. Three widely used hyperspectral images are utilised to evaluate the classification performance of the proposed method: Indian Pines, Pavia University, and Salinas‐A. The classification results reveal that the proposed model can improve the classification performance and achieve competitive results compared with the state‐of‐art methods, especially when there are few training samples.
CPGAN: Conditional patch‐based generative adversarial network for retinal vesselsegmentation
Authors: Rammy Sadaqat Ali , Abbas Waseem , Hassan Naqy‐Ul , Raza Asif , Zhang Wu
Published: November 2019

Retinal blood vessels, the diagnostic bio‐marker of ophthalmologic and diabetic retinopathy, utilise thick and thin vessels for diagnostic and monitoring purposes. The existing deep learning methods attempt to segment the retinal vessels using a unified loss function. However, a difference in spatial features of thick and thin vessels and a biased distribution creates an imbalanced thickness, rendering the unified loss function to be useful only for thick vessels. To address this challenge, a patch‐based generative adversarial network‐based technique is proposed which iteratively learns both thick and thin vessels in fundoscopic images. It introduces an additional loss function that allows the generator network to learn thin and thick vessels, while the discriminator network assists in segmenting out both vessels as a combined objective function. Compared with state‐of‐the‐art techniques, the proposed model demonstrates the enhanced accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves on STARE, DRIVE, and CHASEDB1 datasets.
Support vector machine combined with magnetic resonance imaging for accurate diagnosis of paediatric pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhang Yuling , Wang Shuchang , Qu Shuqiang , Zhang Hongli
Published: November 2019

When performing paediatric pancreatic cancer (PC) diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be interfered by many factors, resulting in poor diagnosis. In order to improve the diagnostic effect of MRI on PC, this study is based on machine learning and combines SVM (support vector machine) and MRI detection with the support of image processing technology and improves the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for PC by the computer‐assisted method. At the same time, in the research, this study combines the characteristics of MRI detection to construct an MRI detection model based on SVM. In addition, this study obtains test samples through data collection, analyses the performance of the algorithm model through actual cases, and combines image processing to improve the detection effect. Studies have shown that the algorithm model proposed in this study can effectively improve the accuracy of MRI diagnosis of PC and provide a theoretical reference for subsequent related research.
Complete and accurate modular numerical computation scheme for multi‐coupled electric drive systems
Authors: Nell Martin , Leuning Nora , Mönninghoff Sebastian , Groschup Benedikt , Müller Fabian , Karthaus Jan , Jaeger Markus , Schröder Michael , Hameyer Kay
Published: November 2019

The accurate computation of multi‐coupled electric drive systems is a complex process. In order to consider a variety of physical effects, their interactions as well as the interactions of different components, multiple fields of science have to be addressed. Numerical simulations help to compute these complex systems and to design machines in the best possible way for its specific application. The numerical computation scheme proposed in this study consists of six main sectors: the rough machine design, the preparation of the finite element method including the characterisation and modelling of materials, the electromagnetic simulation, the mechanical simulation, the control and power electronics and the thermal design and simulation. In each of the main sectors, different effects affecting the machine and the system behaviour can be considered and calculated. Depending on the application, they can be added or removed modularly in order to adapt the simulation effort and the simulation accuracy to the application. A detailed insight into the computation methods and approaches in each of these main sectors and their coupling is given in this study.
New species and new records of camallanid nematodes (Nematoda, Camallanidae) from marine fishes and sea snakes in New Caledonia
Authors: Moravec František , Justine Jean-Lou
Published: November 2019

Recent examinations of camallanid nematodes (Camallanidae) from marine fishes off New Caledonia, collected in the years 2003–2011, revealed the presence of the following five new species of Procamallanus Baylis, 1923, all belonging to the subgenus Spirocamallanus Olsen, 1952: Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) dispar n. sp. from the common ponyfish Leiognathus equulus (type host) and the striped ponyfish Aurigequula fasciata (both Leiognathidae, Perciformes); Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) bothi n. sp. from the leopard flounder Bothus pantherinus (Bothidae, Pleuronectiformes); Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) hexophtalmatis n. sp. from the speckled sandperch Parapercis hexophtalma (Pinguipedidae, Perciformes); Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) synodi n. sp. from the sand lizardfish Synodus dermatogenys (Synodontidae, Aulopiformes); and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) thalassomatis n. sp. from the yellow-brown wrasse Thalassoma lutescens (Labridae, Perciformes). These are described based on light and scanning electron microscopical (SEM) studies. An additional three congeneric nematodes unidentifiable to species are reported from perciform fishes and a shark: Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp. 3 of Moravec et al., 2006, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp. 1, and Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp. 2. Ten fish species are recorded as new hosts for Camallanus carangis Olsen, 1954. Two camallanids, Procamallanus (Spirocamallanus) sp. 3 (subgravid female) and Camallanus carangis (fourth-stage larva) were also found in the digestive tract of the New Caledonian sea krait Laticauda saintgironsi, serving apparently as postcyclic and paratenic hosts, respectively, for these fish nematodes.
Interactive multiobjective DEA target setting using lexicographic DDF
Authors: Soltani Narges , Lozano Sebastián
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a new interactive multiobjective target setting approach based on lexicographic directional distance function (DDF) method is proposed. Lexicographic DDF computes efficient targets along a specified directional vector. The interactive multiobjective optimization approach consists in several iteration cycles in each of which the Decision Making Unit (DMU) is presented a fixed number of efficient targets computed corresponding to different directional vectors. If the DMU finds one of them promising, the directional vectors tried in the next iteration are generated close to the promising one, thus focusing the exploration of the efficient frontier on the promising area. In any iteration the DMU may choose to finish the exploration of the current region and restart the process to probe a new region. The interactive process ends when the DMU finds its most preferred solution (MPS).
Characterization of Electre I choice procedures
Authors: Sanni Mustapha Balewa , Ogouyandjou Carlos , Moussa Freedath Djibril
Published: November 2019

This paper discusses choice procedures that select the set of best alternatives taking into account reflexive binary relations (called pseudo-tournaments in the paper), such as those that can be obtained when constructing an outranking relation à la Electre. The paper contains interesting results which link together the second “exploitation” step in the Electre I outranking method with two choice procedures (Gocha and Getcha choice procedures also known in the literature as Schwartz set and Smith set respectively). A set of results that characterize some properties of the two outranking methods (ElectI and ElectIP choice procedures) is also presented.
Implantatassoziierte Pseudarthrosen – wie kann man sie vermeiden?
Authors: Bühren Volker , Hackl Simon , Augat Peter
Published: November 2019

Für den Erfolg der Knochenbruchheilung spielt die Wahl und Anwendung des Implantats für die Osteosynthese eine entscheidende Rolle. Begünstigende Faktoren für die Entwicklung von Pseudarthrosen sind Fehlstellungen und Instabilitäten, aber auch Infektionen des Implantatlagers. Bei der Auswahl des Implantats sind Lokalisation und Ausmaß der Fraktur sowie die vom Hersteller zugelassenen Indikationen bestimmende Faktoren. Für Gelenkbrüche einerseits und Schaftfrakturen andererseits lassen sich etablierte Prinzipien für Reposition und Fixation definieren. Ein Versagen des Implantats entsteht in der Regel durch Überlastung wegen verbliebener Fehlstellung und bei ausbleibender Frakturheilung, aber auch nach direkten Schädigungen der Metallstruktur zum Beispiel durch Anbohren oder durch mehrfaches Überbiegen. Eine besondere Rolle spielen klinisch offensichtliche wie auch schlummernde Infekte des Implantatlagers. Präventive Maßnahmen zur Verhinderung der Entstehung einer Pseudarthrose müssen im Sinne einer Prozessanalyse alle möglichen implantatbedingten Faktoren konsequent berücksichtigen.
Körperlicher Zustand von Hämodialysepatienten
Authors: Kuhlmann Martin K.
Published: November 2019

Mangelernährung und Sarkopenie sind ein häufiges Problem bei Dialysepatienten mit negativem Einfluss auf die Lebensqualität und -dauer. Wenige Studien haben bislang untersucht, ob der Gesundheitszustand und die Lebensqualität von HD-Patienten (HD: Hämodialyse) durch gezielte Ernährungstherapie kombiniert mit körperlichem Ausdauertraining verbessert werden können.
Acute Impact of Recovery on the Restoration of Cellular Immunological
Homeostasis
Authors: Wahl Patrick , Mathes Sebastian , Bloch Wilhelm , Zimmer Philipp
Published: November 2019

In view of the growing amount of (intense) training in competitive sports, quick
recovery plays a superior role in performance restoration. The aim of the
present study was to compare the effects of active versus passive
recovery during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and sprint interval
training (SIT) protocols on acute alterations of circulating blood cells. Twelve
male triathletes/cyclists performed 1) a HIIT consisting of
4×4 min intervals, 2) a SIT consisting of 4×30s
intervals, separated by either active or passive recovery. Blood samples were
collected immediately before and at 0’, 30’, 60’ and
180’ (minutes) post-exercise. Outcomes comprised leukocytes,
lymphocytes, neutrophils, mixed cell count, platelets, cellular inflammation
markers (neutrophil/lymphocyte-ratio (NLR),
platelet/lymphocyte-ratio (PLR)), and the systemic immune-inflammation
index (SII). In view of HIIT, passive recovery attenuated the changes in
lymphocytes and neutrophils compared to active recovery. In view of SIT, active
recovery attenuated the increase in leukocytes, lymphocytes and absolute mixed
cell count compared to passive recovery. Both protocols, independent of
recovery, significantly increased NLR, PLR and SII up to 3h of recovery compared
to pre-exercise values. The mode of recovery influences short-term alterations
in the circulating fraction of leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and the
mixed cell count, which might be associated with different hormonal and
metabolic stress responses due to the mode of recovery.
Early Warning of Suspected Doping from Biological Passport Based on Multivariate Trends
Authors: Nunes António Júlio , Paixão Paulo , Proença Jorge , Silva RicardoJ.N Bettencourt da
Published: November 2019

The indirect identification of doping in sports can be performed by assessing athletesʼ hematological perturbations from the analysis of blood collected on different occasions. Because prosecution for doping based on this information requires expensive and time-consuming interpretation of blood analysis results by various expert hematologists, mathematical data screening is performed to decide which cases should be forwarded to hematologists. The current Bayesian and univariate screening of data does not process the multivariate trends of blood parameters or take the time interval between samplings into account. This work presents a computational tool that overcomes these limitations by calculating a single score, the hematological perturbation index (HPIx), for which a threshold is defined above which hematologists should be asked to assess the athleteʼs biological passport. The doping detection from this index, normalized for days difference between samplings

based on 3, 4 or 5 consecutive samplings, is associated with true positive result rates (TP) not below 98% and false positive result rates (FP) less than 0.9%. Therefore, this tool can be useful as an early warning system of hematological perturbations to decide which athletes should be more closely monitored and which biological passports should be forwarded to hematologists for medical interpretation of data.
Protein-Degrading Enzymes in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Pu Peidong , Qingyuan Ma , Weishan Wang , Fei Han , Tengyang Ma , Weiping Zhou , Zhoujun Zhu , Mengyu Wang , Chao Wang , Chong Shi
Published: November 2019

Objective TGFβ1 plays an important role in the metabolism of articular cartilage and bone; however, the pathological mechanism and targets of TGFβ1 in cartilage degradation and uncoupling of subchondral bone remodeling remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relationship between TGFβ1 and major protein-degrading enzymes, and evaluated the role of high levels of active TGFβ1 in the thickening of subchondral bone and calcification of articular cartilage.

Materials and Methods The expression of TGFβ1 and protein-degrading enzymes in clinical samples of articular cartilage and subchondral bone obtained from the knee joint of patients with osteoarthritis was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of TGFβ1, MMP-3, MMP-13 and IL-1β in cartilage and subchondral bone tissues were detected by absolute real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of TGFβ1, nestin and osterix in subchondral bone was detected by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The degree of subchondral bone thickening was determined by micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Results Expression of TGFβ1 and cartilage-degrading enzymes was higher in the cartilage-disrupted group than that in the intact group. Furthermore, expression of TGFβ1, nestin and osterix was significantly higher in the OA group than that in the control group. Micro-CT imaging showed that in the OA group, the subchondral bone plate is thickened and the density is increased. The trabecular bone structure is thick plate-like structure, the thickness of the trabecular bone is increased and the gap is small.

Conclusions The data suggest that highly active TGFβ1 activates the expression of cartilage-degrading enzymes. Abnormally activated TGFβ1 may induce formation of the subchondral bone and expansion of the calcified cartilage area, eventually leading to degradation of the cartilage tissue.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Phenolic Extract Modulates Lymphocyte Subsets and Humoral Immune Response in Mice
Authors: Lis Magdalena , Szczypka Marianna , Suszko-Pawłowska Agnieszka , Sokół-Łętowska Anna , Kucharska Alicja , Obmińska-Mrukowicz Bożena
Published: November 2019

This study investigated the effect of hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) phenolic extract on lymphocyte subsets in the lymphoid organs in nonimmunized mice and on humoral immune response in sheep red blood cell-immunized mice. Hawthorn phenolic extract (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) was administered orally five or ten times. Sheep red blood cells were injected 24 h after administration of the last extract dose. The lymphocyte subsets were assessed 24 and 72 h after the last dose. Humoral immune response was determined 4 and 7 days after immunization. Five doses of the extract decreased the percentage of CD4−CD8− and CD4+ thymocytes but elevated the percentage of CD4+CD8+ and CD8+ thymic cells. The extract increased the total number, percentage, and absolute count of T and B splenocytes. When administered five times, it lowered the percentage of T lymphocytes, but boosted the population of B lymphocytes of mesenteric lymph nodes (after 24 h). However, a rise in the population of T lymphocytes was observed 72 h after five and ten doses. The extract administered ten times elevated the number of plaque-forming cells and total anti-sheep red blood cell hemagglutinin titer but reduced the 2-ME-resistant antibody titer (day 7). At the same time, five doses of the extract increased antibody titers. Considering its impact on lymphocyte subsets and humoral immune response, hawthorn extract may be used as an immunomodulator.
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Patel Vihas , Nicastro Jeffrey
Published: November 2019

Although its incidence is decreasing, upper gastrointestinal bleeding represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We present the most common sources of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and treatments.
Comparison of Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Parturients With and Without a Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Freitas Inês Carolina Siqueira , Hintz Micheli Cristiane , Orth Larissa Chaiane , Rosa Tamara Gonçalves da , Iser Betine Moehlecke , Psendziuk Carine
Published: November 2019

Objective The present study aims to compare the maternal and fetal outcomes of parturients with and without a gestational diabetes diagnosis.

Methods A case-control study including parturients with (cases) and without (control) a gestational diabetes diagnosis, who delivered at a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil, between May and August 2018. Primary and secondary data were used. Bivariate analysis and a backward conditional multivariate logistic regression were used to make comparisons between cases and controls, which were expressed by odds ratio (OR), with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) and a statistical significance level of 5%.

Results The cases (n = 47) were more likely to be 35 years old or older compared with the controls (n = 93) (p < 0.001). The cases had 2.56 times greater chance of being overweight (p = 0.014), and a 2.57 times greater chance of having a positive family history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference regarding weight gain, presence of a previous history of gestational diabetes, height, or delivery route. The mean weight at birth was significantly higher in the infants of mothers diagnosed with diabetes (p = 0.01). There was a 4.7 times greater chance of macrosomia (p < 0.001) and a 5.4 times greater chance of neonatal hypoglycemia (p = 0.01) in the infants of mothers with gestational diabetes.

Conclusion Therefore, maternal age, family history of type 2 diabetes, obesity and pregestational overweightness are important associated factors for a higher chance of developing gestational diabetes.
Sellar Colloid Cyst—An Anatomically Aberrant and Diagnostically Challenging Entity: Report of a Rare Case with Literature Review
Authors: Ali Syed Asmat , Gaur Kavita , Srivastava Arvind Kumar , Saran Ravindra Kumar
Published: November 2019

The sellar colloid cyst is a rare entity anatomically occurring at the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. Clinically a cystic sellar lesion with pressure effects usually evokes the suspicion of a pituitary adenoma. We present the case of a middle-aged woman presenting with visual diminution and bilateral optic atrophy, caused by a large sellar lesion, variably intense on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The subsequent histologic diagnosis of a colloid cyst was unexpected. This report highlights the subtle intraoperative and diagnostic features key to diagnosing this rarity. We also discuss a practical differential diagnostic approach relevant to the practicing surgeon and review the existing literature.
Wrapping in Ascending Aortic Aneurysms as an Alternative for Replacement: Is It Beneficial?
Authors: Ostovar Roya , Laux Magdalena L. , Braun Christian , Hartrumpf Martin , Claus Thomas , Schröter Filip , Albes Johannes M.
Published: November 2019

Background Prosthetic replacement of aneurysms of the ascending aorta is the gold standard in terms of long-term stability. Wrapping seems to be a less invasive procedure. It has not yet been shown if it is as safe in terms of long-term outcome.

Methods We present a single-center analysis of our experience over 13 years. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients who received either aortic prosthetic wrapping (AW) or aortic prosthetic replacement (AR) with or without aortic valve replacement and assessed them through phone calls. We used propensity score matching to adjust the baseline of the groups.

Results Before propensity matching, 144 patients received AW and 91 patients underwent AR. Mean age was 64 ± 11.8 years. After propensity score matching and adjusting for significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, logistic EuroSCORE I, and left ventricular function, 69 patients in each group remained for further analysis. Rate of early reoperation due to tamponade, inhospital mortality, and survival rates did not differ. In both groups, the surgically treated aortic segment did not show enlargement, whereas the nontreated aortic arch showed comparable aneurysmatical progression.

Conclusions AW is safe and feasible and can be used in elderly or frail patients in order to avoid an AR. Progression of the remaining native aortic segments occurs, thus requiring strict life-long follow-up to ensure an elective and thus safe approach for appropriate consecutive surgical measures, if required.
Técnica Artroscópica Del Pinzamiento Ulnocarpiano
Authors: Lucas Francisco Javier , Guisasola Eva , Carratalá Rogelio , Miranda Ignacio
Published: November 2019

El pinzamiento ulnocarpiano es una de las causas más frecuentes de dolor en el borde ulnar de la muñeca. Se trata de una patología degenerativa producida por la impactación crónica del cúbito contra el fibrocartílago triangular y la parte ulnar del carpo. La evolución natural de esa enfermedad es progresiva y en diferentes etapas. La técnica quirúrgica consiste en determinar en qué etapa nos encontramos e ir añadiendo gestos quirúrgicos en función de la etapa siendo el objetivo del tratamiento quirúrgico realizar una descompresión de la columna ulnar y reparar las lesiones asociadas. Presentamos la técnica quirúrgica que se realiza desde la fase más inicial hasta la afectación de toda la columna ulnar.
Tratamiento rehabilitador en las inestabilidades mediocarpianas palmares
Authors: Guisasola Lerma Eva , Lucas Garcia Francisco Javier
Published: November 2019

Las inestabilidades mediocarpianas son una patología provocada por la descoordinación en el movimiento entre la hilera proximal y distal del carpo. Las más frecuentes son las inestabilidades palmares (PMCI) y suelen ocasionar un dolor y un clunk muy característico con determinados movimientos de la muñeca. Su diagnóstico en ocasiones no es fácil ya que no existen pruebas de imagen diagnósticas específicas. La primera opción de su tratamiento siempre será conservadora a través de rehabilitación. Actualmente no existen estudios randomizados con series amplias en cuanto a resultados de los tratamientos propuestos dado que no es una patología muy frecuente. En este artículo, se propone un protocolo de trabajo en base a la revisión de los estudios biomecánicos existentes hasta el momento actual.
Emerging Role of Palliative Care in Patients with Advanced Liver Disease
Authors: Jordan Roberta I. , Tandon Puneeta
Published: November 2019

Advanced liver disease is increasing in mortality and morbidity worldwide, as a result of growing alcohol consumption, obesity, and viral hepatitis infection. Alongside efforts to reduce these factors, it is clear that we must identify the considerable palliative care needs of these patients in order to improve quality of life and reduce symptom burden. Our review focuses on the current state of palliative and end-of-life care for patients with advanced liver disease, the significant associated symptom burden in this disease group, identified level of involvement and potential benefits of specialist palliative care, as well as possible barriers to accessing this care. We demonstrate that although palliative care involvement varies considerably worldwide, there is much opportunity for improvement. Further research is needed to determine new interventions and models of care that may improve access for patients with liver disease, including an expansion of providers comfortable with generalist palliative care.