bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Medical Risk Perception and Risk Taking Change with Age?
Authors: Hanoch Yaniv , Rolison Jonathan J. , Freund Alexandra M.
Published: September 2016

Across adulthood, people face increasingly more risky medical problems and decisions. However, little is known about changes in medical risk taking across adulthood. Therefore, the current cross‐sectional study investigated age‐related differences in medical risk taking with N = 317 adults aged 20–77 years using newly developed scenarios to assess medical risk taking, and additional measures designed to evaluate risk‐taking behavior in the medical domain. Greater expected benefits on the Domain‐Specific Risk‐Taking Scale—Medical (DOSPERT‐M) predicted more active risk taking, whereas higher perceived risk predicted less active risk taking. Next, we examined differences in active and passive risk taking, where passive risk taking refers to risk taking that is associated with inaction. Age was associated with less passive risk taking, but not with active risk taking, risk perception, or expected benefits on the DOSPERT‐M. Participants were overall more likely to opt for taking medical action than not, even more so for a scenario about a vaccine for a deadly flu than for a scenario about a chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Overall, participants were more likely to accept medication (vaccine or chemotherapy) for their child than for themselves. Increasing age was associated with a lower likelihood of accepting the treatment or vaccine for oneself. Taken together, our study provides important insights about changes in medical risk taking across adulthood when people face an increasing number of complex and risky medical decisions.
Integrating Entropy‐Based Naïve Bayes and GIS for Spatial Evaluation of Flood Hazard
Authors: Liu Rui , Chen Yun , Wu Jianping , Gao Lei , Barrett Damian , Xu Tingbao , Li Xiaojuan , Li Linyi , Huang Chang , Yu Jia
Published: September 2016

Regional flood risk caused by intensive rainfall under extreme climate conditions has increasingly attracted global attention. Mapping and evaluation of flood hazard are vital parts in flood risk assessment. This study develops an integrated framework for estimating spatial likelihood of flood hazard by coupling weighted naïve Bayes (WNB), geographic information system, and remote sensing. The north part of Fitzroy River Basin in Queensland, Australia, was selected as a case study site. The environmental indices, including extreme rainfall, evapotranspiration, net‐water index, soil water retention, elevation, slope, drainage proximity, and density, were generated from spatial data representing climate, soil, vegetation, hydrology, and topography. These indices were weighted using the statistics‐based entropy method. The weighted indices were input into the WNB‐based model to delineate a regional flood risk map that indicates the likelihood of flood occurrence. The resultant map was validated by the maximum inundation extent extracted from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery. The evaluation results, including mapping and evaluation of the distribution of flood hazard, are helpful in guiding flood inundation disaster responses for the region. The novel approach presented consists of weighted grid data, image‐based sampling and validation, cell‐by‐cell probability inferring and spatial mapping. It is superior to an existing spatial naive Bayes (NB) method for regional flood hazard assessment. It can also be extended to other likelihood‐related environmental hazard studies.
A Framework for Assessing Uncertainty Associated with Human Health Risks from MSW Landfill Leachate Contamination
Authors: Mishra Harshit , Karmakar Subhankar , Kumar Rakesh , Singh Jitendra
Published: September 2016

Landfilling is a cost‐effective method, which makes it a widely used practice around the world, especially in developing countries. However, because of the improper management of landfills, high leachate leakage can have adverse impacts on soils, plants, groundwater, aquatic organisms, and, subsequently, human health. A comprehensive survey of the literature finds that the probabilistic quantification of uncertainty based on estimations of the human health risks due to landfill leachate contamination has rarely been reported. Hence, in the present study, the uncertainty about the human health risks from municipal solid waste landfill leachate contamination to children and adults was quantified to investigate its long‐term risks by using a Monte Carlo simulation framework for selected heavy metals. The Turbhe sanitary landfill of Navi Mumbai, India, which was commissioned in the recent past, was selected to understand the fate and transport of heavy metals in leachate. A large residential area is located near the site, which makes the risk assessment problem both crucial and challenging. In this article, an integral approach in the form of a framework has been proposed to quantify the uncertainty that is intrinsic to human health risk estimation. A set of nonparametric cubic splines was fitted to identify the nonlinear seasonal trend in leachate quality parameters. LandSim 2.5, a landfill simulator, was used to simulate the landfill activities for various time slices, and further uncertainty in noncarcinogenic human health risk was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation followed by univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses.
Systemic Risk in the Insurance Sector: A Review and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Eling Martin , Pankoke David Antonius
Published: September 2016

This article reviews the extant research on systemic risk in the insurance sector and outlines new areas of research in this field. We summarize and classify 48 theoretical and empirical research papers from both academia and practitioner organizations. The survey reveals that traditional insurance activity in the life, nonlife, and reinsurance sectors neither contributes to systemic risk nor increases insurers’ vulnerability to impairments of the financial system. However, nontraditional activities (e.g., credit default swap underwriting) might increase vulnerability, and life insurers might be more vulnerable than nonlife insurers due to higher leverage. Whether nontraditional activities also contribute to systemic risk is not entirely clear; however, the activities with the potential to contribute to systemic risk include underwriting financial derivatives and providing financial guarantees. This article is not only likely of interest to academics but also highly relevant for the industry, regulators, and policymakers.
Disk Lubricants of Ultimate Design
Authors: Kasai Paul H.
Published: September 2016

In disk drives of current generation, the thickness of the disk lubricant has been reduced to the level of a sub-monomolecular film. For a mono- or a sub-monomolecular film of a perfluoropolyether terminated with a primary hydroxyl unit at both ends, each lubricant molecular chain is chemically bound to the carbon substrate at both termini, and if it has a hydrocarbon sector inserted at its center, the hydrocarbon sectors would assemble at the top of the film. They are thus poised most aptly to react as a Lewis base (an electron donor) to the Lewis acid centers on the slider thus abating the Lewis acid-catalyzed lubricant degradation.
Evaluation of Fluorescence Emitting Characteristics of a Micro Particle by Illumination Angle Scanning Utilizing a Resin-Based Monolithic TAS Chip
Authors: Ohkubo Toshifumi , Terada Nobuyuki , Yoshida Yoshikazu
Published: September 2016

It has long been thought that an optical sensor, such as a light waveguide implemented total analysis system (TAS), is one of the functional components that will be needed to realize a “ubiquitous human healthcare system” in the near future. We have already proposed the fundamental structure for a light waveguide capable of illuminating a living cell or particle running along a microfluidic channel, as well as of detecting fluorescence even from the extremely weak power of such a minute particle. In order to develop novel functions to detect the internal structure of living cells conveniently, an angular scanning method that sequentially changes the direction of illumination of the minute cell or particle may be crucial. In this research paper, we investigated fluorescence detection from moving resin particles by switching direction of laser power illumination by radially arranged outlet portions of several light waveguides, as a step-by-step examination toward this novel scanning method. To cost effectively construct an experimental system able to incorporate a mechanism of switching illumination direction, we utilized a monolithic resin-based TAS chip[1] with plural waveguide pairs whose outlet portions were arranged radially and inlet portions were arranged in parallel, and a forced vibration mechanism on an optical fiber tip by a piezoelectric actuator. With this chip and system, we constructed an experimental system to detect extremely weak fluorescence using micro particles with a fluorescent substance attached and an optical TAS chip that incorporated a microfluidic channel and five pairs of laser-power-delivering light waveguide.
Modeling and Analysis of Touch on the Flexible Ultra-Thin Touch Panel by Using the Finite Element Method
Authors: Chao Paul C.-P. , Chou Kuo-Yu , Wu Chang-Xian , Chen Chuan-Xin , Lu Yi-Chuan , Li Chien-Ju , Chen Heng-Yin
Published: September 2016

The work employs the finite element method to model the finger touch on the flexible ultra-thin touch panel for analyzing the touch signal. The touch signal generates the ghost points when the fingers multi-touch on the flexible ultra-thin touch panel. The simulation of minimizing the top layer (over cover) thickness based on the model is conducted in order to eliminate the ghost points. The simulation results show the over cover thickness should be larger than 107 μm to eliminate the ghost points. Further, we propose the method to solve the ghost points and minimize the over cover thickness. The simulation results conducted in this proposed method show that the over cover thickness can be reduced further to 65 μm.
Identification of Hysteresis Dynamics Using Duffing-Like and Bouc-Wen Models
Authors: Yeh Hung-Ping , Chien Yuan-Che , Tu Jia-Ying
Published: September 2016

Two methods of identifying hysteresis behavior for dynamic systems is introduced and compared in this paper, which are Duffing-like and Bouc-Wen models. Many structural and mechanical systems including the unwanted hysteresis dynamics, such as rubber isolators, magnetoresistive sensors, and magnetorheological dampers, complicate the design, analysis, control, and application work. Hysteresis can be said a general property of dynamic systems, and many mathematical models have been proposed in the material, mechanical, and civil engineering literature, in order to identify the hysteresis dynamics. However, some of the models used in literature, including discontinuous and piecewise terms, are not able to duplicate the hysteresis dynamics accurately. In addition, the complicated and coupling effects of the parameters renders the identification work inefficient and inaccurate. As a result, these models still present difficulty in the process of mechanical design, parameter analysis, and control implementation.

The innovative Duffing-like model has been proposed, which is developed based on the original Duffing equation and is a second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Parameters are decoupled in the model, such that the linear and nonlinear effects of the parameters on the hysteresis curve can be investigated. By adjusting the parameters individually, the stiffness, damping, and yielding dynamics are observed. By understanding the influence of each parameter, it is able to advance a standard process for identifying the hysteresis behavior for different dynamic systems. Therefore, in order to reflect the advantages of Duffing-like model, this paper compares the Duffing-like and Bouc-Wen models. Bouc-Wen model was proposed in literature since 1997, and a variety of modification, identification, and application work based on the Bouc-Wen model haven been discussed. However, the Bouc-Wen model is essentially a discontinuous equation and the parameters do not have explicit physical meaning. Therefore, the efficacy of control application using the Bouc-Wen model is very limited. In order to show can compare the Duffing-like and Bouc-Wen models, the parameter identification procedure and numerical simulation results are presented in the paper. In addition, the hysteresis system of a 400-N magnetorheological damper is used as an example for the identification and simulation study. The simulation results show that the Bouc-Wen model, which contains discontinuous functions and difficult-to-track parameters, is not able to provide a reliable basis for parameter tuning. In contract, the Duffing-like model allows the physical meaning of the parameters to be defined in a systematic manner.
A 3.2 mW Mixed-Signal Readout Circuit for an Organic Vertical Nano-Junctions Sensor
Authors: Chao Paul C.-P. , Su Chin-I , Tran Trong-Hieu , Zan Hsiao-Wen
Published: September 2016

A new sensitivity organic vertical nano-junctions (VNJ) sensor for ammonia detection and its readout system are presented in this study. The designed ammonia sensor, VNJP3HT diode, is a simple structure with real-time response, high reproducibility and low-cost sensor. Along with the designed sensor, a precision and robust readout circuit is designed and successfully implemented as the proposed chip in this study. To utilize for a novel organic bio-chip, a particular readout system is presented that can acquire signal, compute and display concentration values of ammonia without using microcontroller. The chip is fabricated by the TSMC 0.18-μm 1P6M 3.3V mixed-signal CMOS process technique for verification. Experiment results show that the average resolution is 70.48mV/log (ppm) in a short transient time response, 50 seconds, as compared to prior study, 200 seconds. Error rate, average noise and detection rate reliability are 2.86%, 123 μVrms, and 99.6%, respectively. This chip could be suitable for application in cars, cell phones, watches, etc.
IPI Noise Reduction by Image Mask Using DNA Coding Method in Holographic Data Storage System
Authors: Kim Jang Hyun , Yang Hyunseok
Published: September 2016

A holographic data storage system (HDSS) is very important field in the storage system device. Many researchers study the HDSS about image processing algorithm for reduction of image noise. In this work, we proposed an intelligence virtual mask, parameter values of virtual image mask generated using DNA coding method, it is available to decrease the IPI noise in HDSS. In this paper, an intensity distribution of laser beam in our HDSS is controlled by the virtual mask with an intelligence algorithm. The virtual mask value is changed arbitrarily in real-time with suggested DNA coding method in the HDSS.
Investigating deformable image registration and scatter correction for CBCT‐based dose calculation in adaptive IMPT
Authors: Kurz Christopher , Kamp Florian , Park Yang‐Kyun , Zöllner Christoph , Rit Simon , Hansen David , Podesta Mark , Sharp Gregory C. , Li Minglun , Reiner Michael , Hofmaier Jan , Neppl Sebastian , Thieke Christian , Nijhuis Reinoud , Ganswindt Ute , Belka Claus , Winey Brian A. , Parodi Katia , Landry Guillaume
Published: September 2016

Purpose

This work aims at investigating intensity corrected cone‐beam x‐ray computed tomography (CBCT) images for accurate dose calculation in adaptive intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for prostate and head and neck (H&N) cancer. A deformable image registration (DIR)‐based method and a scatter correction approach using the image data obtained from DIR as prior are characterized and compared on the basis of the same clinical patient cohort for the first time.

Methods

Planning CT (pCT) and daily CBCT data (reconstructed images and measured projections) of four H&N and four prostate cancer patients have been considered in this study. A previously validated Morphons algorithm was used for DIR of the planning CT to the current CBCT image, yielding a so‐called virtual CT (vCT). For the first time, this approach was translated from H&N to prostate cancer cases in the scope of proton therapy. The warped pCT images were also used as prior for scatter correction of the CBCT projections for both tumor sites. Single field uniform dose and IMPT (only for H&N cases) treatment plans have been generated with a research version of a commercial planning system. Dose calculations on vCT and scatter corrected CBCT (CBCTcor) were compared by means of the proton range and a gamma‐index analysis. For the H&N cases, an additional diagnostic replanning CT (rpCT) acquired within three days of the CBCT served as additional reference. For the prostate patients, a comprehensive contour comparison of CBCT and vCT, using a trained physician's delineation, was performed.

Results

A high agreement of vCT and CBCTcor was found in terms of the proton range and gamma‐index analysis. For all patients and indications between 95% and 100% of the proton dose profiles in beam's eye view showed a range agreement of better than 3 mm. The pass rate in a (2%,2 mm) gamma‐comparison was between 96% and 100%. For H&N patients, an equivalent agreement of vCT and CBCTcor to the reference rpCT was observed. However, for the prostate cases, an insufficient accuracy of the vCT contours retrieved from DIR was found, while the CBCTcor contours showed very high agreement to the contours delineated on the raw CBCT.

Conclusions

For H&N patients, no considerable differences of vCT and CBCTcor were found. For prostate cases, despite the high dosimetric agreement, the DIR yields incorrect contours, probably due to the more pronounced anatomical changes in the abdomen and the reduced soft‐tissue contrast in the CBCT. Using the vCT as prior, these inaccuracies can be overcome and images suitable for accurate delineation and dose calculation in CBCT‐based adaptive IMPT can be retrieved from scatter correction of the CBCT projections.
A π-gel scaffold for assembling fullerene to photoconducting supramolecular rods
Authors: Nair Vishnu Sukumaran , Mukhopadhyay Rahul Dev , Saeki Akinori , Seki Shu , Ajayaghosh Ayyappanpillai
Published: September 2016

Highly photoconductive crystalline supramolecular rods are obtained by the self-assembly of C
60
in a soft-gel scaffold.
Native phasing of x-ray free-electron laser data for a G protein–coupled receptor
Authors: Batyuk Alexander , Galli Lorenzo , Ishchenko Andrii , Han Gye Won , Gati Cornelius , Popov Petr A. , Lee Ming-Yue , Stauch Benjamin , White Thomas A. , Barty Anton , Aquila Andrew , Hunter Mark S. , Liang Mengning , Boutet Sébastien , Pu Mengchen , Liu Zhi-jie , Nelson Garrett , James Daniel , Li Chufeng , Zhao Yun , Spence John C. H. , Liu Wei , Fromme Petra , Katritch Vsevolod , Weierstall Uwe , Stevens Raymond C. , Cherezov Vadim
Published: September 2016

Anomalous signal from sulfur atoms present in most proteins was used for de novo phasing of XFEL data and solving a GPCR structure.
Additive lattice kirigami
Authors: Castle Toen , Sussman Daniel M. , Tanis Michael , Kamien Randall D.
Published: September 2016

We generalize lattice kirigami by adding material inside cuts and rejoining material across new families of cuts in a sheet.
A Clonal Lineage of Fusarium oxysporum Circulates in the Tap Water of Different French Hospitals
Authors: Edel-Hermann Véronique , Sautour Marc , Gautheron Nadine , Laurent Julie , Aho Serge , Bonnin Alain , Sixt Nathalie , Hartemann Philippe , Dalle Frédéric , Steinberg Christian
Published: September 2016

Fusarium oxysporum
is typically a soilborne fungus but can also be found in aquatic environments. In hospitals, water distribution systems may be reservoirs for the fungi responsible for nosocomial infections.
F. oxysporum
was previously detected in the water distribution systems of five French hospitals. Sixty-eight isolates from water representative of all hospital units that were previously sampled and characterized by translation elongation factor 1α sequence typing were subjected to microsatellite analysis and full-length ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) sequence typing. All but three isolates shared common microsatellite loci and a common two-locus sequence type (ST). This ST has an international geographical distribution in both the water networks of hospitals and among clinical isolates. The ST dominant in water was not detected among 300 isolates of
F. oxysporum
that originated from surrounding soils. Further characterization of 15 isolates by vegetative compatibility testing allowed us to conclude that a clonal lineage of
F. oxysporum
circulates in the tap water of the different hospitals.

IMPORTANCE
We demonstrated that a clonal lineage of
Fusarium oxysporum
inhabits the water distribution systems of several French hospitals. This clonal lineage, which appears to be particularly adapted to water networks, represents a potential risk for human infection and raises questions about its worldwide distribution.
Crz1p Regulates pH Homeostasis in Candida glabrata by Altering Membrane Lipid Composition
Authors: Yan Dongni , Lin Xiaobao , Qi Yanli , Liu Hui , Chen Xiulai , Liu Liming , Chen Jian
Published: September 2016

The asexual facultative aerobic haploid yeast
Candida glabrata
is widely used in the industrial production of various organic acids. To elucidate the physiological function of the
C. glabrata
transcription factor Crz1p (CgCrz1p) and its role in tolerance to acid stress, we deleted or overexpressed the corresponding gene,
CgCRZ1
. Deletion of
CgCRZ1
resulted in a 60% decrease in the dry weight of cells (DCW) and a 50% drop in cell viability compared with those of the wild type at pH 2.0. Expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes was also significantly downregulated. Consequently, the proportion of C
18:1
fatty acids, the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, and the ergosterol content decreased by 30%, 46%, and 30%, respectively. Additionally, membrane integrity, fluidity, and H
+
-ATPase activity were reduced by 45%, 9%, and 50%, respectively. In contrast, overexpression of CgCrz1p increased C
18:1
and ergosterol contents by 16% and 40%, respectively. Overexpression also enhanced membrane integrity, fluidity, and H
+
-ATPase activity by 31%, 6%, and 20%, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of pH buffering, the DCW and pyruvate titers increased by 48% and 60%, respectively, compared to that of the wild type. Together, these results suggest that CgCrz1p regulates tolerance to acidic conditions by altering membrane lipid composition in
C. glabrata
.

IMPORTANCE
This study provides insight into the metabolism of
Candida glabrata
under acidic conditions, such as those encountered during the industrial production of organic acids. We found that overexpression of the transcription factor CgCrz1p improved viability, biomass, and pyruvate yields at a low pH. Analysis of plasma membrane lipid composition indicated that CgCrz1p might play an important role in its integrity and fluidity and that it enhanced the pumping of protons in acidic environments. We propose that altering the structure of the cell membrane may provide a successful strategy for increasing
C. glabrata
productivity at a low pH.
Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Arabidopsis thaliana Accession Landsberg
erecta
, Assembled from Single-Molecule, Real-Time Sequencing Data
Authors: Stadermann Kai Bernd , Holtgräwe Daniela , Weisshaar Bernd
Published: September 2016

A publicly available data set from Pacific Biosciences was used to create an assembly of the chloroplast genome sequence of the
Arabidopsis thaliana
genotype Landsberg
erecta
. The assembly is solely based on single-molecule, real-time sequencing data and hence provides high resolution of the two inverted repeat regions typically contained in chloroplast genomes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Marine Sponge Symbiont Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea IPB1, Isolated from Hilo, Hawaii
Authors: Sakai-Kawada Francis E. , Yakym Christopher J. , Helmkampf Martin , Hagiwara Kehau , Ip Courtney G. , Antonio Brandi J. , Armstrong Ellie , Ulloa Wesley J. , Awaya Jonathan D.
Published: September 2016

We report here the 6.0-Mb draft genome assembly of
Pseudoalteromonas luteoviolacea
strain IPB1 that was isolated from the Hawaiian marine sponge
Iotrochota protea
. Genome mining complemented with bioassay studies will elucidate secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways and will help explain the ecological interaction between host sponge and microorganism.
Sea-surface temperature evolution across Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a
Authors: Naafs B.D.A. , Pancost R.D.
Published: September 2016

Atmospheric CO2 possibly doubled during Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE) 1a, likely in response to submarine volcanic outgassing. Despite being important for our understanding of the consequences of carbon cycle perturbations, the response of the climate system to this increase in greenhouse forcing is poorly constrained. Here we provide a new sea-surface temperature (SST) record from the mid-latitude proto–North Atlantic based on the organic geochemical TEX86 paleothermometer. Using different calibrations, including the newly developed Bayesian Spatially-varying Regression (BAYSPAR) deep-time analogue approach, we demonstrate that SSTs increased by ∼2–4 °C during OAE 1a and decreased by ∼4–6 °C at its end, both simultaneous with changes in δ13Corg, which we argue reflects changes in pCO2. We demonstrate that a clear latitudinal SST gradient prevailed during OAE 1a, contrary to the generally accepted view that a nearly flat SST gradient existed during OAE 1a and the Early Cretaceous. These results are more consistent with climate model simulations of the Cretaceous that have failed to produce flat SST gradients.
Factors Affecting Whether Or Not Cancer Patients Consider Using Acupuncture
Authors: Oh Byeongsang , Eade Thomas , Kneebone Andrew , Pavlakis Nick , Clarke Stephen , Eslick Guy , River Jo , Back Michael
Published: September 2016

Objective

To explore the factors associated with utilisation of an acupuncture service in a tertiary oncology setting in an Australian public hospital.

Method

Cancer patients attending oncology clinics at a university teaching hospital were invited to participate in the evaluation of acupuncture services from June 2014 to May 2015. Patients had a prior diagnosis of cancer (albeit at different stages) and were planning to receive, or were already receiving, systemic and/or radiation cancer treatment.

Results

The majority (81%) of participants indicated that they would consider the use of acupuncture during their cancer treatment. The most common reasons given for not considering acupuncture included adequate control of symptoms already with medical treatment, inconvenient clinic timing, and needle phobia. The main reasons given for considering acupuncture use included its perceived capability of reducing fatigue, boosting energy levels, improving immune function, and reducing pain and anxiety. Patients considering acupuncture use also demonstrated significantly higher levels of stress (p<0.001), anxiety and depression (p<0.001), fatigue (p<0.001), and lower global quality of life (p<0.01) compared to those who were not considering acupuncture.

Conclusions

The findings show that demand for acupuncture by cancer patients is high. A substantial proportion of cancer patients intend to use acupuncture to manage cancer and/or cancer treatment-related symptoms. Discussion with patients about acupuncture and other complementary therapies during the consultation may improve cancer care.
Innovation in tools for safe manual handling in a Hong Kong private hospital
Authors: Har Man Fai , Lam Kenneth Howard , Pang Tak Ting , Mak Chung Yee , Tam Sze Wah , Tsang Pok Faan , Lau Hong Ting , Wong Ching Leong , Wu Wing Yee
Published: September 2016

Staff in the healthcare industry are susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries due to frequent manual handling procedures. The study describes the systematic approach in proactive risk assessment of occupational safety and innovative design of appropriate tools to minimise the risk of injury to staff in a private hospital in Hong Kong. As a result, 4 tools to cater to specific manual handling procedures were developed by an in-house engineering team. The study highlights the benefits of incorporating innovations in tool (re)design to enhance safe manual handling in a hospital setting.
Sandesh combihandle: a modification of a standard laryngoscope handle for usage either as a short or a standard long handle
Authors: Udupi Sandesh
Published: September 2016

A modification of laryngoscope handle ‘Sandesh combihandle’ is described which can be used either as a short handle or as a standard long handle to overcome the difficulties and problems associated with swapping between the 2 handles during laryngoscopy.
Avoiding alert fatigue in pulmonary embolism decision support: a new method to examine ‘trigger rates’
Authors: Press Anne , Khan Sundas , McCullagh Lauren , Schachter Andy , Pardo Salvatore , Kohn Nina , McGinn Thomas
Published: September 2016

A clinical decision support system (CDSS) is integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) and allows physicians to easily use a clinical decision support (CDS) tool. However, often CDSSs are integrated into the EHR with poor adoption rates. One reason for this is secondary to ‘trigger fatigue’. Therefore, we developed a new and innovative usability process named ‘sensitivity and specificity trigger analysis’ (SSTA) as part of our larger project around a pulmonary embolism decision support tool. SSTA will enable programmers to examine optimal trigger rates prior to the integration of a CDS tool into the EHR, by using a formal method of analysis. We performed a retrospective chart review. The outcome of interest was physician ordering of a CT angiography (CTA). Phrases that signify common symptoms associated with pulmonary embolism were assessed as possible triggers for the CDSS tool. We then analysed each trigger's ability to predict physician ordering of a CTA. We found that the most sensitive way to trigger the Pulmonary Embolism CDS tool while still maintaining a high specificity was by combining 1 or more pertinent symptoms with 1 or more elements of the Wells criteria. This study explored a unique methodology, SSTA, used to limit inaccurate triggering of a CDS tool prior to integration into the EHR. This methodology can be applied to other studies aiming to decrease triggering rates and increase adoption rates of previously validated CDSS tools.
EGFR Gene Copy Number as a Predictive/Biomarker for Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Receiving Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhang Yiwen , Tang Hailing , He Jianxing
Published: September 2016

Epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR) gene copy number has been proposed as a candidate biomarker for predicting treatment response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched until October 21, 2015 using the following search terms: lung neoplasms/lung cancer/non-small cell lung cancer/NSCLC, EGFR, gene amplification, copy number, erlotinib, gefitinib, tyrosine-kinase inhibitor/TKI, predictor. 17 studies were included in the analysis with a total of 2047 patients. The overall analysis found that increased EGFR gene copy number was associated with higher overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS; p values ≤0.008) compared with patients without a high EGFR gene copy number. Subgroup analysis found that in a population of patients who were primarily Caucasian, a higher EGFR gene copy number was also associated with increased ORR, OS, and PFS (p values ≤0.018). The results were similar in a population of Asian patients, except that a higher EGFR gene copy number was not associated with improved OS (p=0.248). Sensitivity analysis indicated that no one study overly influenced the results and that the findings are robust. The result of the analysis found that EGFR gene copy number was associated with increased OS and PFS, supporting the idea that EGFR gene copy number is a biomarker for response to EGFR-TKI therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis in adulthood: fulfilment of classification criteria for adult rheumatic diseases, long-term outcomes and predictors of inactive disease, functional status and damage
Authors: Oliveira-Ramos Filipa , Eusébio Mónica , M Martins Fernando , Mourão Ana Filipa , Furtado Carolina , Campanilho-Marques Raquel , Cordeiro Inês , Ferreira Joana , Cerqueira Marcos , Figueira Ricardo , Brito Iva , Canhão Helena , Santos Maria José , Melo-Gomes José A , Fonseca João Eurico
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To determine how adult juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients fulfil classification criteria for adult rheumatic diseases, evaluate their outcomes and determine clinical predictors of inactive disease, functional status and damage.

Methods

Patients with JIA registered on the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) older than 18 years and with more than 5 years of disease duration were included. Data regarding sociodemographic features, fulfilment of adult classification criteria, Health Assessment Questionnaire, Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index—articular (JADI-A) and Juvenile Arthritis Damage Index—extra-articular (JADI-E) damage index and disease activity were analysed.

Results

426 patients were included. Most of patients with systemic JIA fulfilled criteria for Adult Still's disease. 95.6% of the patients with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarthritis and 57.1% of the patients with RF-negative polyarthritis matched criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 38.9% of the patients with extended oligoarthritis were classified as RA while 34.8% of the patients with persistent oligoarthritis were classified as spondyloarthritis. Patients with enthesitis-related arthritis fulfilled criteria for spondyloarthritis in 94.7%. Patients with psoriatic arthritis maintained this classification. Patients with inactive disease had lower disease duration, lower diagnosis delay and corticosteroids exposure. Longer disease duration was associated with higher HAQ, JADI-A and JADI-E. Higher JADI-A was also associated with biological treatment and retirement due to JIA disability and higher JADI-E with corticosteroids exposure. Younger age at disease onset was predictive of higher HAQ, JADI-A and JADI-E and decreased the chance of inactive disease.

Conclusions

Most of the included patients fulfilled classification criteria for adult rheumatic diseases, maintain active disease and have functional impairment. Younger age at disease onset was predictive of higher disability and decreased the chance of inactive disease.
Development of a vaccine against Streptococcus agalactiae in fish based on truncated cell wall surface anchor proteins
Authors: Liu H. , Zhang S. , Shen Z. , Ren G. , Liu L. , Ma Y. , Zhang Y. , Wang W.
Published: September 2016

Streptococcus agalactiae is an important fish pathogen and a leading cause of major economic losses to the aquaculture industry worldwide. In the present study, the two truncated recombinant proteins of cell wall surface anchor family of S agalactiae, CWSAP465 and CWSAP1035, were expressed in Escherichia coli, and their immunogenicity and efficacy against the bacterium were evaluated in tilapia and turbot. The results showed that the prokaryotic expression of the two constructs, p32a‐CWSAP465 and p32a‐CWSAP1035, gave rise to a high yield of soluble proteins with good immunogenicity. The immunisation‐challenge study revealed that tilapia and turbot immunised with recombinant truncated proteins produced high levels of antibodies with a peak at four weeks after immunisation and were protected from a challenge by a virulent S agalactiae at a dose of 1×109 colony forming units/ml. The recombinant truncated proteins had higher efficacy than the whole‐cell inactivated vaccine. Therefore, the study demonstrated that CWSAP465 and CWSAP1035 are two viable vaccine candidates against S agalactiae in fish.
Hawking radiation via tunneling from Born–Infeld AdS black hole
Authors: Li Gu-Qiang
Published: September 2016

The tunneling radiation of particles from Born–Infeld anti-de Sitter black holes is studied by using the Parikh–Wilczek method and the emission rate of a particle is calculated. It is shown that the emission rate is related to the change of the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of the black hole and the emission spectrum deviates from the purely thermal spectrum but is consistent with an underlying unitary theory.
Edge states at phase boundaries and their stability
Authors: Asorey M. , Balachandran A. P. , Pérez-Pardo J. M.
Published: September 2016

We analyze the effects of Robin-like boundary conditions on different quantum field theories of spin 0, 1/2 and 1 on manifolds with boundaries. In particular, we show that these conditions often lead to the appearance of edge states. These states play a significant role in physical phenomena like quantum Hall effect and topological insulators. We prove in a rigorous way the existence of spectral lower bounds on the kinetic term of different Hamiltonians, even in the case of Abelian gauge fields where it is a non-elliptic differential operator. This guarantees the stability and consistency of massive field theories with masses larger than the lower bound of the kinetic term. Moreover, we find an upper bound for the deepest edge state. In the case of Abelian gauge theories, we analyze a generalization of Robin boundary conditions. For Dirac fermions, we analyze the cases of Atiyah–Patodi–Singer and chiral bag boundary conditions. The explicit dependence of the bounds on the boundary conditions and the size of the system is derived under general assumptions.
Transversely Hessian foliations and information geometry
Authors: Boyom Michel Nguiffo , Wolak Robert A.
Published: September 2016

A family of probability distributions parametrized by an open domain [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] defines the Fisher information matrix on this domain which is positive semi-definite. In information geometry, the standard assumption has been that the Fisher information matrix tensor is positive definite defining in this way a Riemannian metric on [Formula: see text]. It seems to be quite a strong condition. In general, not much can be said about the Fisher information matrix tensor. To develop a more general theory, we weaken the assumption and replace “positive definite” by the existence of a suitable torsion-free connection. It permits us to define naturally a foliation with a transversely Hessian structure. We develop the theory of transversely Hessian foliations along the lines of the classical theory.
Fusion of Visible and Thermal Images Using a Directed Search Method for Face Recognition
Authors: Seal Ayan , Bhattacharjee Debotosh , Nasipuri Mita , Gonzalo-Martin Consuelo , Menasalvas Ernestina
Published: September 2016

A new image fusion algorithm based on the visible and thermal images for face recognition is presented in this paper. The new fusion algorithm derives the benefit from both the modalities images. The proposed fusion process is the weighted sum of thermal and visible face information with two weighting factors [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The weighting factors are calculated using a directed search algorithm automatically. The proposed fusion framework is evaluated through extensive experiments using UGC-JU face database. Experiments are of three fold. Firstly, individual modalities images are used separately for human face recognition. Secondly, fused face images using the proposed method are used for recognition purpose. The highest level of accuracy achieved by using the proposed method is about 98.42%. Lastly, the three existing fusion methods are applied on the same face database for comparison with the results of the proposed method. All the results demonstrate significant performance improvements in recognition over individual modalities and some of the existing fusion approaches, suggesting that fusion is a viable approach that deserves further study and consideration.
Population Decomposition-Based Greedy Approach Algorithm for the Multi-Objective Knapsack Problems
Authors: Yuan Jiawei , Liu Hai-Lin , Peng Chaoda
Published: September 2016

Despite the effectiveness of the decomposition-based multi-objective evolutional algorithm (MOEA/D-M2M) in solving continuous multi-objective optimization problems (MOPs), its performance in addressing 0/1 multi-objective knapsack problems (MOKPs) has not been fully explored. In this paper, we use MOEA/D-M2M with an improved greedy repair strategy to solve MOKPs. It first decomposes an MOKP into a number of simple optimization subproblems and solves them in a collaborative way. Each subproblem has its own subpopulation, and then an improved greedy strategy is introduced to improve the performance of the proposed algorithm on MOKPs. Therein, a weight vector chosen randomly from a corresponding subpopulation is utilized to repair infeasible individuals or improve feasible individuals to have a better fitness, which improves the convergence of the population. Experimental studies on a set of test instances indicate that the MOEA/D-M2M with the improved greedy strategy is superior to MOGLS and MOEA/D in terms of finding better approximations to the Pareto front.
Switching Dynamics Between Two Movement Patterns Varies According to Time Interval
Authors: Hirakawa Takehito , Suzuki Hiroo , Okumura Motoki , Gohara Kazutoshi , Yamamoto Yuji
Published: September 2016

This study investigated the regularity that characterizes the behavior of dissipative dynamical systems excited by external temporal inputs for pointing movements. Right-handed healthy male participants were asked to continuously point their right index finger at two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) located in the oblique left and right directions in front of them. These movements were performed under two conditions: one in which the direction was repeated and one in which the directions were switched on a stochastic basis. These conditions consisted of 12 tempos (30, 36, 42, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 63, 66, 69, and 72 beats per minute). Data from the conditions under which the input pattern was repeated revealed two different trajectories in hyper-cylindrical state space [Formula: see text], whereas the conditions under which the inputs were switched induced transitions between the two trajectories, which were considered to be excited attractors. The transitions between the two excited attractors were characterized by a self-similar structure. Moreover, the correlation dimensions increased as the tempos increased. These results suggest a relationship of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] is the switching-time length; i.e. the condition) between temporal input and pointing behavior and that continuous pointing movements are regular rather than random noise.
Quasiperiodicity and Chaos in a Generalized Nosé–Hoover Oscillator
Authors: Rech Paulo C.
Published: September 2016

This paper reports on an investigation of the two-dimensional parameter-space of a generalized Nosé–Hoover oscillator. It is a mathematical model of a thermostated harmonic oscillator, which consists of a set of three autonomous first-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations. By using Lyapunov exponents to numerically characterize the dynamics of the model at each point of this parameter-space, it is shown that dissipative quasiperiodic structures are present, embedded in a chaotic region. The same parameter-space is also used to confirm the multistability phenomenon in the investigated mathematical model.
Asymptotic Behavior of a Nonautonomous p-Laplacian Lattice System
Authors: Gu Anhui , Kloeden Peter E.
Published: September 2016

The existence of a pullback attractor for the nonautonomous [Formula: see text]-Laplacian type equations on infinite lattices is established under certain natural dissipative conditions. In particular, there is no restriction on the power index [Formula: see text] of the nonlinearity relative to the index [Formula: see text]. The forward limiting behavior is also discussed and, under suitable assumptions on the time dependent terms, the lattice system is shown to be asymptotically autonomous with its pullback attractor component sets converging upper semi-continuously to the autonomous global attractor of the limiting autonomous system.
Arc-transitive abelian regular covering graphs
Authors: Ma Jicheng
Published: September 2016

A lot of attention has been paid recently to the construction of symmetric covers of symmetric graphs. After a new approach given by Conder and the author [Arc-transitive abelian regular covers of cubic graphs, J. Algebra 387 (2013) 215–242], the group of covering transformations can be extended to more general abelian groups rather than cyclic or elementary abelian groups. In this paper, by using the Conder–Ma approach, we investigate the symmetric covers of 4-valent symmetric graphs. As an application, all the arc-transitive abelian regular covers of the 4-valent complete graph [Formula: see text] which can be obtained by lifting the arc-transitive subgroups of automorphisms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are classified.
Intuitionistic Fuzzy Probabilistic Aggregation Operators Based on the Choquet Integral: Application in Multicriteria Decision-Making
Authors: Sirbiladze Gia , Badagadze Otar
Published: September 2016

Associated Intuitionistic Fuzzy Probabilistic Averaging (As-IFPA) and Associated Intuitionistic Fuzzy Probabilistic Geometric (As-IFPG) operators based on the Choquet integral and an associated probability class of a fuzzy measure are constructed. Propositions on the correctness of the extensions are proved: (1) The As-IFPA (As-IFPG) operator for the fuzzy measure — capacity of order two coincides with the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Choquet Averaging (Intuitionistic Fuzzy Choquet Geometric) operator; (2) The As-IFPA (As-IFPG) operator coincides with the Intuitionistic Fuzzy Probabilistic Averaging (Intuitionistic Fuzzy Probabilistic Geometric) operator when a probability measure is used in the role of a fuzzy measure. Connections between the constructed operators and the compositions of dual triangular norms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are constructed. The conjugate connections between the constructed operators are shown. Two illustrative examples on the applicability of the As-IFPA and As-IFPG operators are presented. Several variants of the new operators (1) for the decision-making problem regarding the fiscal policy of a country; (2) for the decision-making problem regarding the best global supplier selection according to the core competencies of suppliers for a manufacturing company are used. Interactions and dependencies among all the combinations of the criteria in the decision-making process are considered.
(Invited) The Effects of Laser Ablation Texturing and Nanoparticles on Anodic Nanotube and Porous Film Formation
Authors: Kolasinski Kurt W , Znamensky Dmitry A. , Ganas Abbie S , Snodgrass Harrison M. , Sturgeon Grant J. , Hernández-Pozos José Luis
Published: September 2016

Al, Cu, Ni, Sn, Ti and Zn have been textured by the application of laser ablation. Laser ablation creates structures such as pits, pillars as well as crystalline nanoparticles and aggregations of these nanoparticles. Subsequently these textured substrates are subjected to high-voltage anodization. TiO2 nanotube formation is quite facile conforming to the initial substrate topology, some time also forming nanotube pills. Increased reaction rates induced by ablation induced surface area increase, nanoparticle deposition and lattice defects can aid the growth of new phases, which are dependent on the solution chemistry, e.g. Al2O3 vs (NH4)2AlF4 in switching from an aqueous to an ethylene glycol-based electrolyte. A porous F-doped ZnO film was produced by anodization of an ablated Zn substrate. The structures of films formed in this manner differ from those produced by conventional anodization.