bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fault detection for PV systems using Teager–Kaiser energy operator
Authors: Khoshnami A. , Sadeghkhani I.
Published: September 2018

Owing to economical and environmental concerns, the photovoltaic (PV) technology has been significantly developed over the past few years. To ensure the safe operation of PV systems, it is necessary to develop effective fault detection techniques. Low‐fault current of high‐impedance, low‐mismatch, and low‐irradiance faults may lead to they remain undetected, resulting in potential fire hazard and energy loss. The use of blocking diodes and operation of maximum power point tracking algorithm increase the difficulty of PV fault detection. Using the Teager–Kaiser energy operator, a novel index to detect the challenging PV fault conditions without any prior information about the PV array and the training data set is proposed. The proposed index can differentiate the string‐to‐ground, string‐to‐string, and open‐circuit faults from partial shadings in both grid‐connected and islanded modes of operations. Simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink environment validate the performance of the proposed fault detection index.
Accelerated ultraviolet weathering investigation on micro‐/nano‐SiO2 filled silicone rubber composites
Authors: Nazir Muhammad Tariq , Phung Bao Toan
Published: September 2018

This study attempts to elucidate whether the addition of micro and/or nano‐silica (SiO2) particles can enhance the resistance of pure polydimethylsiloxane against synergistic effects of UV, temperature and high‐voltage stress. Four types of composites (U‐SR, M‐SR, MN‐SR and N‐SR) are fabricated by adding micro and/or nano‐silica particles and then subjected to multi‐stress degradation in a test chamber. Results show that there is an apparent surface discoloration in the form of yellowish pale tint and a significant resistance to hydrophobicity reduction is offered by N‐SR and MN‐SR followed by M‐SR and U‐SR. Scanning electron microscopy and surface roughness findings proclaimed that N‐SR and MN‐SR offer excellent resistance against filler exposure and an increase in surface roughness. There is a minor reduction in absorbance level of Si (CH3)2 and Si–O–Si functional groups of composites but interestingly, hydrophilic hydroxyl group absorbance level is found higher in the U‐SR comparatively. Furthermore, dielectric response measurements indicate considerable sensitivity to weathering with N‐SR and MN‐SR giving the lowest dielectric loss. Results indicate that the addition of nano‐silica to pure and micro‐silica filled SR can enhance its UV weathering resistance considerably by building an effective UV shielding layer.
Effects of liquids immersion and drying on the surface properties of HTV silicone rubber: characterisation by contact angle and surface physical morphology
Authors: Gao Yanfeng , Liang Xidong , Bao Weining , Li Shaohua , Wu Chao , Liu Yingyan , Cai Yuanji
Published: September 2018

High‐temperature vulcanised (HTV) silicone rubber composite insulator has been widely used in extra‐high and ultra‐high transmission lines due to its excellent electrical and mechanical performance. In practice use, liquids may encounter the composite insulator intermittently and can lead to the degradation and deterioration of silicone rubber. In the present research, the effects of liquids immersion and subsequent drying on the surface properties of HTV silicone rubber were investigated by means of the contact angle measurement and surface physical morphology measurement which was further analysed in terms of the discrete wavelet transform method, multiresolution signal decomposition algorithm, and three‐dimensional fractal dimension calculation. Based on the experimental results, the mechanism of the loss and recovery of the hydrophobicity of HTV silicone rubber surface during the liquids immersion and subsequent drying processes were further explained by taking into consideration the embedded water molecules (and/or hydrated ions) on the HTV silicone rubber surface and the synergy of the increase in roughness/fractal dimension and low molecular weight siloxanes diffusion. This study is helpful for better understanding of the change of surface properties of HTV silicone rubber caused by environmental and electrical stresses.
Review of the current challenges and methods to mitigate power quality issues in single‐phase microgrids
Authors: Micallef Alexander
Published: September 2018

Distributed generation (DG) in the form of renewable energy sources is being integrated into single‐phase low‐voltage (LV) microgrids to produce energy closer to the consumer. The formation of LV microgrids enables to achieve high‐energy efficiency and improve the reliability of the electrical supply. However, the combined power which is injected by the DG units into the grid can cause power quality issues, particularly during islanded operation. The main power quality issues related to single‐phase microgrids are: reactive power exchange; voltage and frequency fluctuation; and current and voltage harmonic distortion. Amongst the methods which were identified in the literature to mitigate these issues, primary and secondary control loops implemented in the DG units themselves are the most common solution to date. Emerging grid technologies such as the electrical spring have also been proposed as alternative technologies, which could potentially mitigate certain issues through the decentralised operation. Although various research studies have been proposed concerning power quality aspects in three‐phase microgrids, not all of these solutions can be applied directly to their single‐phase counterparts. The aim of this study is to investigate recent developments in this area and to provide a critical review of methods to mitigate power quality issues in single‐phase microgrids.
Survey of amplitude‐aided multi‐target tracking methods
Authors: Bae Seung‐Hwan
Published: September 2018

An amplitude‐aided multi‐target tracking (MTT) exploits amplitude as well as spatial features for MTT. Compared to MTT using a spatial feature only, it can maintain its performance even in densely cluttered environment because more accurate association is achieved by using both features for likelihood evaluation between tracks and measurements. Therefore, the goal of this study is to review the state‐of‐the‐art amplitude‐aided MTT methods and compare each other extensively. For a fair comparison, a unified MTT framework is developed, and various methods are implemented and compared based on the same framework. On the challenging visual MTT datasets, the implemented methods are evaluated for several aspects such as accuracy, speed, sensitivity, and stability. Moreover, this study presents a summary of the extensive evaluation and guideline to select an appropriate method for amplitude‐aided tracking.
Natal molecular cloud of SNR Kes 41. Complete characterisation
Authors: Supan L. , Castelletti G. , Supanitsky A. D. , Burton M. G. , Wong G. F. , Braiding C.
Published: September 2018

Using high-resolution data of the 12CO and 13CO (J = 1–0) line emission from the Mopra Southern Galactic Plane CO Survey in conjunction with neutral hydrogen observations from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS) and mid-infrared Spitzer data, we have explored the large-scale environment of the supernova remnant Kes 41. On the basis of these data, we identified for the first time the parent cloud of Kes 41 in its whole extension and surveyed the HII regions, masers, and the population of massive young stellar objects in the cloud. The whole unveiled giant cloud, located at the kinematic distance of 12.0 ± 3.6 kpc, whose average total mass and size are ~10–30 × 105 M⊙ and ~ 26′, also shines in γ-rays, as revealed by the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi satellite. We determined a high average proton density ~500–1000 cm−3 in the large molecular complex, of which protons from the neutral atomic and ionised gases comprise only ~15%.
Reflector features and physics consideration issued from the Jules Horowitz Reactor design analyses
Authors: Privas Edwin , Chabert Laurent
Published: September 2018

Mechanic solicitations induced by neutron and photon interactions have to be featured for components lifespan determination. TechnicAtome is in charge of both the design and building on behalf of CEA of the 100 MW Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR). This modular Material Testing Reactor is under construction in southern France, with radioisotope production and material testing capabilities. Inner core components have been designed based on mechanical and thermohydraulic considerations. Both studies require neutronic physical quantities like the neutron flux and deposited energies. The JHR reflector is outside the primary loop and is composed of beryllium. Gamma shields are partially positioned between the reflector and the core to reduce photon heating on aluminum structures. The design is completed and this paper deals with the neutronic and photonic impacts on the reflector. A Monte Carlo methodology based on the MCNP code was developed to model the reactor and enhance fluxes and energy deposited maps. MCNPs mesh options are used over the detailed geometry model. The convolution with mechanical meshes enables to determine neutronic parameters on local structures, material by material. Time required for such modeling is very long if one requires results on every mesh with a maximum uncertainty of 2% (1σ). To reduce time calculation by a factor 3.5 on refined meshes, MCNP biasing methods have been used. Spatial distribution of the gamma heating shows the importance of the interface with the surrounding area. For example, photon and neutron interactions close to the gamma shield create numerous photons with lower energy adding heating at the shield interfaces. In order to keep high flux in the experimental part of the reflector, gamma shields are not continuously set around the reactor vessel. Consequently, some photon leakage arises in the reflector area, with limited impact on aluminum structures. The overall thermal flux map shows local effects and gradients that have to be taken into account by the physics studies. Material swellings are deduced from the fluxes on all reflector structures.
A time dependent Stokes interface problem: well-posedness and space-time finite element discretization
Authors: Voulis Igor , Reusken Arnold
Published: September 2018

In this paper a time dependent Stokes problem that is motivated by a standard sharp interface model for the fluid dynamics of two-phase flows is studied. This Stokes interface problem has discontinuous density and viscosity coefficients and a pressure solution that is discontinuous across an evolving interface. This strongly simplified two-phase Stokes equation is considered to be a good model problem for the development and analysis of finite element discretization methods for two-phase flow problems. In view of theunfitted finite element methods that are often used for two-phase flow simulations, we are particularly interested in a well-posed variational formulation of this Stokes interface problem in a Euclidean setting. Such well-posed weak formulations, which are not known in the literature, are the main results of this paper. Different variants are considered, namely one with suitable spaces of divergence free functions, a discrete-in-time version of it, and variants in which the divergence free constraint in the solution space is treated by a pressure Lagrange multiplier. The discrete-in-time variational formulation involving the pressure variable for the divergence free constraint is a natural starting point for a space-time finite element discretization. Such a method is introduced and results of numerical experiments with this method are presented.
Impact of a residential program on the psychological needs, motivation and physical activity of obese adults: A controlled trial based on Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Boiché Julie , Gourlan Mathieu , Rubin Léna
Published: September 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the increased benefits of a Self Determination Theory (SDT)-based motivational component on psychological needs’ fulfillment, self-determined motivation and Physical Activity (PA) of obese patients taking part in a rehabilitation program. Methods: Fourty-nine obese adults (mean age = 52 years, mean BMI = 38.25 kg/m2) attended a 3-week residential intervention. Patients in the Motivation group (n = 24) received a standard care plus SDT-based intervention (i.e., improved supervised PA sessions + a 1-hour motivational session). Patients in the Control group (n = 25) only benefited from standard care. Psychological needs and motivation were measured at baseline, at the end of the program and one month after. PA was measured at baseline and one month after the end of the program. Repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to compare the evolution of the variables between groups. Results: The results indicated that participants from both groups displayed significant changes in their perceived autonomy, relatedness, intrinsic motivation and integrated regulation between the beginning and the end of the program. Next, participants from both groups showed a decrease in perceived relatedness between the end of the program and one month after. Last, the participants from the Motivation group reported greater increase of their PA scores between the beginning of the program and one month after as compared to those in the Control group. Conclusions: Obesity interventions should integrate motivational components in order to promote behavior maintenance after programs have ended.
Alkoholentzug auf einer offenen Station
Authors: Conrad Carsten
Published: September 2018

In der Entgiftung sind Menschen mit einer Abhängigkeitserkrankung häufig ambivalent in ihren Gefühlen und ihrem Verhalten. Um den Absprung aus der Sucht zu
schaffen, benötigen sie in der Regel eine räumliche Abgrenzung zum bisherigen sozialen Umfeld und eindeutig formulierte Verhaltensregeln. Unser Autor geht der
Frage nach, wie das Setting einer offenen suchttherapeutischen Station mit diesen Zielen vereinbar ist.
Lipid Levels Related to Osteoporosis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wu Yujie , Xing Xuenong , Ye Shandong , Chen Chao , Wang Jumei
Published: September 2018

Objective Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterizedby reduced bone mass, deteriorated bone structure. Various studies have tried to evaluate the association between lipid level and osteoporosis, but the results were proved to be controversial. The objectives of this study are to assess the correlation between BMD and serum lipid levels, to determine independent variables associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia in men and postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and methods All participants of the study were carried out biochemical analysis of blood and the analysis of the lipid profile that included total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG). Physical examination and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry examination were performed. Multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate associations between serum TC and TG levels and the osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Results The level of serum TG was directly correlated with BMD at the lumbar spine in all patients in multiple linear regression models. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, decreased level of serum TG was independent risk factor for osteoporosis(p=0.022) in T2D patients. It also showed that a greater BMI was protective factor for osteoporosis (p=0.019) and lower level of β-CTX was an independent risk factor for osteopenia (p=0.008) and osteoporosis (p=0.001) in T2D patients.

Conclusion Among Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, the decreased level of serum TG might indicate a risk of osteoporosis. Further research is needed to confirm the finding and to clarify the contradictions identified.
Novel Fluorescent Fluorene-Containing Conjugated Polymers: Synthesis, Photophysical Properties, and Application for the Detection of Common Bisphenols
Authors: Levine Mindy , Jones Daniel , Vallee Ryan
Published: September 2018

Eight new fluorescent conjugated polymers were synthesized by the Suzuki polycondensation reaction of 9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diboronic acid bis(1,3-propanediol) ester and a conjugated dihalogenated monomer. The photophysical properties of these polymers were investigated as well-dissolved solutions in chloroform and as nanoparticle suspensions in water. Several of the polymers had large Stokes shifts (greater than 100 nm) and others demonstrated unique changes in the fluorescence properties in aggregated verse nonaggregated forms. Preliminary applications of these polymers in the detection of common bisphenols are also reported.
Veterinary Cuttable Plate in a Plate-Rod Construct for Repair of Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures in the Cat
Authors: Gérard Fabien , Vedrine Bertrand
Published: September 2018

Objective This study evaluated retrospectively the effectiveness of the veterinary cuttable plate (VCP) in a plate-rod construct, for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats.

Materials and Methods A total of 29 cats with diaphyseal femoral fracture underwent stabilization with a VCP-rod construct.

Results Fractures were classified as type A (7/29), type B (11/29) and type C (11/29) following the AO classification. Biological osteosynthesis was elected in three type B and 10 type C fractures, and open approach in the other cases. Pin diameter was 2 mm (n = 16) or 2.5 mm (n = 13); this corresponded to a percentage of pin occupation of 39.9 and 53.0% of the intramedullary cavity respectively. The 2.0/2.7-mm VCP and 2-mm screws were used in all cases. The median length of the VCP was 12 holes, and the median number of screws placed in the plate was 6. The median number of cortices engaged per fragment was 6. Ninety-nine percent of the screws were bicortical. Quadriceps contracture was an unacceptable functional outcome in one cat. Follow-up was available in 20 cases. Complete bone healing was assessed in 16/20 cases with a functional outcome considered as full in 17/20, acceptable in 2/20, and unacceptable in 1/20. Telephonic owner outcome assessment was available for five more cats and was considered as full in all cases.

Clinical Significance The VCP-rod construct is effective to manage all configurations of diaphyseal femoral fracture in cats. The high amount of screw holes per unit length of a VCP allows bicortical screws placement without interfering with the intramedullary rod.
Monitoring of Blood Pressure is not Enough to Avoid Neonatal Postoperative Encephalopathy
Authors: Lubián López Simón , Zuazo Ojeda Amaya , Jimenez Gómez Gema , Benavente Fernández Isabel
Published: September 2018

Background Neonatal encephalopathy with seizures after general anesthesia not occurring in infants undergoing cardiac or major neurosurgery is very uncommon. An ischemic origin due to cerebral hypoperfusion from perioperative hypotension has been suggested, but there is a lack of a consensus definition for intraoperatory hypotension in neonates.

Case Report We report the first case of neonatal encephalopathy with seizures in a neonate with anorectal malformation. He underwent a colostomy with caudal anesthesia combined with light general anesthesia. Intraoperative systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure values were considered normal. Thirty-two hours after the intervention, the patient presented electroclinical seizures. Diffusion-weighted imaging showed bilateral involvement with reduced diffusivity in the watershed areas of the middle cerebral artery and posterior cerebral artery.

Conclusion Perioperative monitoring of blood pressure is not enough in neonatal surgery. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in infants with noncardiac congenital anomalies after neonatal surgery and long-term follow-up is required.
Apixaban Interacts with Haemoglobin: Effects on Its Plasma Levels
Authors: Sacco Monica , Lancellotti Stefano , Berruti Federico , Arcovito Alessandro , Bellelli Andrea , Ricciardelli Tiziana , Autiero Ida , Cavallo Luigi , Oliva Romina , De Cristofaro Raimondo
Published: September 2018

The direct oral anticoagulant apixaban (APX), a strong factor Xa inhibitor, binds also to plasma proteins, especially albumin, and minimally to α1-acid glycoprotein. Although APX can cross the red cell membrane, due to its chemical structure, and could bind to haemoglobin (Hb), no investigation was performed on this possible phenomenon that could affect the APX plasma concentration and thus its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We addressed this issue by (1) measuring the levels of APX and haematological/biochemical parameters in 90 patients on APX therapy; (2) assessing the effect of APX on oxygen saturation curves of Hb; (3) testing the direct APX binding to Hb by fluorescence spectroscopy and a zinc-induced precipitation of Hb coupled to a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method; and (4) simulating in silico by molecular docking the APX interaction with human Hb. In a multivariable analysis, Hb was the only independent variable significantly and inversely associated in 90 patients with APX peak plasma level, at variance with patients treated with rivaroxaban (n = 86) and dabigatran (n = 34) therapy. APX causes a progressive left-shift of the oxygen dissociation curve of purified Hb solution, with a Kd ≅300 µM. Fluorescence- and HPLC-based assays concordantly showed that APX binds to Hb with a Kd ≅350 µM. Finally, docking simulations showed that APX can fit into in the central cavity of Hb. These findings support the hypothesis that APX does bind to Hb, which, due to its millimolar concentration in blood, can act as ‘buffer’ for the drug and consequently affect its free plasma level.
Long Term Follow-up after Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for the Treatment of Cushing's Disease
Authors: Todeschini Alexandre Bossi , Santos Américo Rubens Leite dos , Dolci Ricardo Landini Lutaif , Lima Junior José Viana , Scalissi Nilza Maria , Lazarini Paulo Roberto
Published: September 2018

Introduction Surgery has been the standard treatment for Cushing's disease. Currently, the endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is the most widely used technique. However, among some endocrinologists and neurosurgeons used to the microscope assisted technique, there are still questions about the effectiveness and safety of transitioning to the EEA. We aim to show our initial experience with such transition.

Method Retrospective review of medical records of patients, who underwent EEA in our center as a first treatment for Cushing's disease, and with a minimum 18 months of follow-up, from March 2004 to March 2014

Results Our cohort had 16 patients (14 females and 2 males), with a mean age of 33.7 years. The mean follow-up was 52.0 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified an adenoma in 93.8% of the patients (56.2% microadenomas and 37.5% macroadenomas). Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was observed in two patients (12.5%). No new neurological deficits were present after surgery. The early remission and sustained remission rates after a single procedure were 87.5 and 68.75%, respectively. Weight reduction, improved control of blood pressure, and lower serum glucose levels were documented in 68.75, 60, and 55.5% of patients, respectively, after remission.

Conclusion Despite the need for specialized training, equipment and team building by ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and neurosurgery, the transition from microscope assisted pituitary surgery to endoscopic endonasal approach is possible and safe. The clinical outcomes, even in the early years, are similar to the previous microscope assisted treatment, and over time, with greater experience and knowledge, there is a tendency for improvement.
Docking of Meprin α to Heparan Sulphate Protects the Endothelium from Inflammatory Cell Extravasation
Authors: Biasin Valentina , Wygrecka Malgorzata , Bärnthaler Thomas , Jandl Katharina , Jain Pritesh , Bálint Zoltán , Kovacs Gabor , Leitinger Gerd , Kolb-Lenz Dagmar , Kornmueller Karin , Peters Florian , Sinn Katharina , Klepetko Walter , Heinemann Akos , Olschewski Andrea , Becker-Pauly Christoph , Kwapiszewska Grazyna
Published: September 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by increased pulmonary pressure and vascular remodelling as a consequence of smooth muscle cell proliferation, endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammatory infiltrates. Meprin α is a metalloproteinase whose substrates include adhesion and cell–cell contact molecules involved in the process of immune cell extravasation. In this study, we aimed to unravel the role of meprin α in PAH-induced vascular remodelling. Our results showed that meprin α was present in the apical membrane of endothelial cells in the lungs and pulmonary arteries of donors and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) patients. Elevated circulating meprin α levels were detected in the plasma of IPAH patients. In vitro binding assays and electron microscopy confirmed binding of meprin α to the glycocalyx of human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAECs). Enzymatic and genetic approaches identified heparan sulphate (HS) as an important determinant of the meprin α binding capacity to hPAEC. Meprin α treatment protected from excessive neutrophil infiltration and the protective effect observed in the presence of neutrophils was partially reversed by removal of HS from hPAEC. Importantly, HS levels in pulmonary arteries were decreased in IPAH patients and binding of meprin α to HS was impaired in IPAH hPAEC. In summary, our results suggest a role of HS in docking meprin α to the endothelium and thus in the modulation of inflammatory cell extravasation. In IPAH, the decreased endothelial HS results in the reduction of meprin α binding which might contribute to enhanced inflammatory cell extravasation and potentially to pathological vascular remodelling.
Pro-Coagulant and Pro-Thrombotic Effects of Paclitaxel Mediated by Red Blood Cells
Authors: Kim Keunyoung , Chang Youn-Kyeong , Bian Yiying , Bae Ok-Nam , Lim Kyung-Min , Chung Jin-Ho
Published: September 2018

Background Paclitaxel is one of the most widely used anti-cancer drugs, but numerous case reports of thrombotic events in the cancer patients using paclitaxel raise concern over its pro-thrombotic risk.

Materials and Methods We investigated whether paclitaxel can elicit pro-thrombotic properties in red blood cells (RBCs) through phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure and microvesicle (MV) release.

Results In freshly isolated human RBCs, paclitaxel induced thrombin generation through PS exposure and MV release, whereas either coagulation factors or platelets were unaffected. Paclitaxel-induced PS exposure in RBC was mediated by scramblase activation which was induced by calcium-independent protein kinase C (PKC)ζ activation. Paclitaxel also increased RBC-endothelial cell adhesion and RBC aggregate formation which can also contribute to thrombosis. Indeed, intravenous administration of paclitaxel to rats induced PS exposure and PKCζ activation in RBCs in vivo which ultimately promoted venous thrombus formation.

Conclusion These results demonstrated that paclitaxel may elicit pro-thrombotic properties in RBCs through PS exposure and MV release, which can ultimately promote thrombus formation.
Patient-Reported Treatment Satisfaction with Dabigatran versus Warfarin in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation in China
Authors: Geng Yan-Ping , Lan Di-Hui , Liu Nian , Du Xin , Zheng Danni , Tang Ri-Bo , Long De-Yong , Yu Rong-Hui , Sang Cai-Hua , Bai Rong , Jiang Chen-Xi , Li Song-Nan , Guo Xue-Yuan , Wang Wei , Xia Shi-Jun , Chang San-Shuai , Dong Jian-Zeng , Chen Ai-Hua , Ma Chang-Sheng
Published: September 2018

Background Anti-coagulant therapy satisfaction for patients with atrial fibrillation is a critical issue, which impacts on their treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. The disadvantages of long-term warfarin treatment are well-described, and novel oral anti-coagulants have become an alternative option.

Materials and Methods We compared patient-reported treatment satisfaction with dabigatran versus warfarin in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients in China. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Anti-Clot Treatment Scale (ACTS) questionnaire, which included a 12-item ACTS Burdens scale and a 3-item ACTS Benefits scale.

Results Among 834 patients, 246 patients (29.5%) were taking dabigatran and the others were on warfarin. Propensity score matching was employed to identify 182 patient pairs with balanced baseline characteristics. The global ACTS Burdens score and the global ACTS Benefits score were comparable between the dabigatran and warfarin groups (44.86 ± 3.95 vs. 44.28 ± 3.51, p = 0.423; 11.49 ± 2.92 vs. 11.42 ± 3.03, p = 0.194, respectively). The monthly cost of dabigatran was significantly higher compared with that of warfarin due to a lack of insurance coverage (USD 176.78 ± 9.15 vs. USD 2.49 ± 0.76, p = 0.000). The discontinuation rate of dabigatran was significantly higher than warfarin at the 6-month follow-up (33.5% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.003). Adjusted logistic regression showed that dabigatran was associated with a significant greater odds of non-persistence (odds ratio: 2.13, 95% confidence interval: 1.27–3.59, p = 0.004).

Conclusion Dabigatran therapy in patients with NVAF in China associated with no improvement in satisfaction and a higher discontinuation rate compared with warfarin therapy largely due to increased economic burden.
Anaesthetic Management of a Patient with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms and Type IV Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Agrawal Sanket , Gupta Shailesh , Bhagat Hemant , Gandhi Komal , Singla Navneet
Published: September 2018

Takayasu's arteritis (TA), also known as pulseless disease, is a granulomatous panarteritis affecting large vessels, predominantly the aorta and its main branches. Twenty percent of TA cases present with central nervous system involvement. It typically manifests as cerebral ischemia or stroke, when central nervous system disease is present. There are rare reports of intracranial aneurysms in adults with TA. We report the anesthetic management of a 16-year old female patient with TA type IV with multiple cerebral aneurysm with subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Psychotherapy training across Europe – status quo
Authors: Weiss E. , Beezhold J. , Eraslan D. , Gerber S. , Hanon C. , Mihai A.
Published: September 2018

Psychotherapy is an essential part of being a psychiatrist. International professional associations including the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), European Psychiatric Association (EPA), Union of European Medical Specialists (UEMS), European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) are involved in sustaining the role of psychotherapy training as part of psychiatric education as a matter of policy. This article presents results of a survey by trainees from different European countries concerning the postgraduate training in psychotherapy. We explore how national or international organisations have influenced and changed psychotherapy training in this region. Short descriptions of the situation in a few European countries offer an overview of different approach. There is no “one size fits all” solution concerning the training in psychotherapy like part of psychiatric training; however local resources and international exchanges could be used towards harmonising standards and quality.
Effect of neutron and γ-ray on charge-coupled device for vacuum/extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy in deuterium discharges of large helical device
Authors: Liu Y. , Morita S. , Oishi T. , Goto M.
Published: September 2018

A charge-coupled device (CCD) is widely used as a detector of vacuum spectrometers in fusion devices. Recently, a deuterium plasma experiment has been initiated in a Large Helical Device (LHD). Totally 3.7 × 1018 neutrons have been yielded with energies of 2.45 MeV (D-D) and 14.1 MeV (D-T) during the deuterium experiment over four months. Meanwhile, γ-rays are radiated from plasma facing components and laboratory structural materials in a wide energy range, i.e., 0.01-12.0 MeV, through the neutron capture. It is well known that these neutrons and γ-rays bring serious problems to the CCD system. Then, several CCDs of vacuum ultraviolet/extreme ultraviolet/X-ray spectrometers installed at different locations on LHD for measurements of spectra and spatial profiles of impurity emission lines are examined to study the effect of neutrons and γ-rays. An additional CCD placed in a special shielding box made of 10 cm thick polyethylene contained 10% boron and 1.5 cm thick lead is also used for the detailed analysis. As a result, it is found that the CCD has no damage in the present neutron yield of LHD, while the background noise integrated for all pixels of CCD largely increases, i.e., 1-3 × 108 counts/s. The data analysis of CCD in the shielding box shows that the background noise caused by the γ-ray is smaller than that caused by the neutron, i.e., 41% from γ-rays and 59% from neutrons. It is also found that the noise can be partly removed by an accumulation of CCD frames or software programming.
Effect of resistivity on small edge localized mode
Authors: Wu N. , Chen S. Y. , Mou M. L. , Tang C. J.
Published: September 2018

The effect of resistivity on small edge localized mode (ELM) is investigated based on the peeling-ballooning three-field module of BOUT++. The ELM size increases with increasing resistivity, which is attributed to both linear growth rate and turbulence intensity. In the high resistivity case, a large linear growth rate causes a fierce initial collapse of pedestal, and the short duration of the zonal flow results in weak turbulence suppression, leading to more additional energy loss in the turbulence transport phase. This work is expected to provide some reference on understanding small ELM.
Defect-driven extreme magnetoresistance in an I-Mn-V semiconductor
Authors: Yang Junjie , Wegner Aaron , Brown Craig M. , Louca Despina
Published: September 2018

The search for appropriate materials for technological applications is challenging, as real materials are subject to uncontrolled doping and thermal effects. Tetragonal NaMnBi of the I-Mn-V class of antiferromagnetic semiconductors with a Néel transition (TN), above room temperature, can exhibit an extreme magnetoresistance (MR), greater than 10 000% at 2 K and 600% at room temperature and 9 T by quenching disorder into the system. Coupled with the large MR is a re-orientation of the magnetic moment, from a collinear spin arrangement along c to a canted one along the (011) crystallographic axis. The extreme MR is observed in samples with about 15% of Bi vacancies which in turn effectively introduces charge carriers into the lattice, leading to a drastic change in the electronic transport, from semiconducting to metallic, and to the very large MR under the magnetic field. In the absence of Bi defects, the MR is severely suppressed, suggesting that the hybridization of the Mn and Bi orbitals may be key to the field induced large MR. This is the only material of its class that exhibits the extreme MR and may potentially find use in microelectronic devices.
Harmonic and power loss minimization in power systems incorporating renewable energy sources and locational marginal pricing
Authors: Gbadamosi Saheed Lekan , Nwulu Nnamdi I. , Sun Yanxia
Published: September 2018

In composite expansion planning, improving the efficiency and power quality of power supplied from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) is highly essential. Therefore, this paper focuses on developing an optimal power flow optimization model for minimizing power loss and harmonics emanating from RES with emphasis on reducing their impact on the Locational Marginal Prices. In order to assess the magnitude of harmonics, grid modelling and simulation with RES such as wind and solar energy were carried out using the Electrical Transient Analyzer Program 12.6.0 software. The proposed mixed integer nonlinear programming mathematical model was solved using the Outer Approximation Algorithm solver in the advanced interactive multidimensional modelling system, and the efficiency of the model was tested on the modified IEEE 6 bus and 24 bus system. The results obtained from simulations reveal the efficiency of the proposed model in terms of effective cost reduction, nodal marginal price reduction, minimization of harmonic losses, and additional lines in the power system network.
Note: A compact low-vibration high-performance optical shutter for precision measurement experiments
Authors: Huang Pan-Wei , Tang Biao , Xiong Zong-Yuan , Zhong Jia-Qi , Wang Jin , Zhan Ming-Sheng
Published: September 2018

The optical shutter is an important component for atom-interferometry-based precision measurements. To decrease its vibration noise and improve its performance, we present a compact design with a direct current motor and a photodetector inserted in a compact aluminum structure. The photodetector in the blade is driven by the motor to move either in or out of the way of the laser beam. This design can suppress laser intensity fluctuation down to 0.26% over 6 h in the method of sample and hold proportional-integral-derivative feedback. It is also quiet via an electrical braking process which not only reduces its vibration noise by an order of magnitude but also quickens and stabilizes its switching performance. The shutter has a switching time of 0.8 ms and an activation delay of 8 ms with low jitters. Besides, the shutter can work for over ten million cycles normally and reliably.
Flow-induced oscillations of low-aspect-ratio flexible plates with various tip geometries
Authors: Jin Yaqing , Kim Jin-Tae , Hong Liu , Chamorro Leonardo P.
Published: September 2018

The distinctive oscillations and induced wake of wall-mounted thin plates with flat, elliptic, and aristate tips were experimentally studied under nearly uniform flows for various Cauchy numbers, Ca. Particle tracking velocimetry and planar particle image velocimetry were used to characterize the dynamics of the plates and surrounding flow. The results show that the oscillations of the plates were dominated by their natural frequency across Ca. The structures underwent distinctive reconfigurations which led to asymmetric distributions of the tip fluctuations with respect to the equilibrium position. Interestingly, the oscillation intensity of the plates reached a local maximum at a critical Cauchy number Cacri, which increased with narrower tip. This is explained with a basic model that accounts for the nonlinear structure bending and the flow fluctuations in the vicinity of the structures. The very near wake was characterized by two recirculation regions at sufficiently low Ca, one at the base of the plates and another right above it extending up to the tip. However, the recirculation region near the tip eventually vanished under large structure bending at sufficiently high Ca, which led to increased mean shear. Also, the turbulence levels were dominated by the streamwise component of the velocity fluctuations around the tips, where the aristate tip induced the lowest levels.
Mode-coupling instability in a single-layer complex plasma crystal: Strong damping regime
Authors: Nosenko V. , Zhdanov S. K. , Carmona-Reyes J. , Hyde T. W.
Published: September 2018

Mode-coupling instability (MCI) in a single-layer complex plasma crystal was studied experimentally in the regime of strong neutral gas damping. To trigger MCI, the discharge power was reduced at constant gas pressure. Surprisingly, at the onset of MCI the mean interparticle spacing became larger and the normalized neutral gas damping rate marginally increased. A steady-state regime where MCI occurred but was suppressed by the neutral gas friction was observed. Suppressed MCI caused heating up of the plasma crystal but did not lead to its melting. A theoretical model is proposed which describes well our experimental observations.
Laser-induced breakdown thermometry via time-of-arrival measurements of associated acoustic waves
Authors: Lee Jungwun , Bong Cheolwoo , Lee Seok Hwan , Im Seong-kyun , Bak Moon Soo
Published: September 2018

In this study, laser-induced breakdown thermometry based on time-of-arrival measurements of associated acoustic waves is proposed. Two laser-induced breakdowns were produced, separated by a known distance, and the arrivals of the resulting acoustic waves were measured using a high-frequency-response microphone installed in the same plane and line as the breakdowns. Because the speed of acoustic waves is a function of temperature, the temperatures of the region between and including the laser-induced breakdowns could be determined by measuring the arrival times of the acoustic waves from the two breakdowns. Experiments were conducted while varying the temperature of air from 300 to 1000 K, and the results were compared to those measured using a k-type thermocouple. The proposed method becomes calibration-free once the species composition is given. The temperature was measured with an accuracy of ±16 K under the studied conditions.
Walking droplets correlated at a distance
Authors: Nachbin André
Published: September 2018

Bouncing fluid droplets can walk on the surface of a vibrating bath forming a wave-particle association. Walking droplets have many quantum-like features. Research efforts are continuously exploring quantum analogues and respective limitations. Here, we demonstrate that two oscillating particles (millimetric droplets) confined to separate potential wells exhibit correlated dynamical features, even when separated by a large distance. A key feature is the underlying wave mediated dynamics. The particles’ phase space dynamics is given by the system as a whole and cannot be described independently. Numerical phase space histograms display statistical coherence; the particles’ intricate distributions in phase space are statistically indistinguishable. However, removing one particle changes the phase space picture completely, which is reminiscent of entanglement. The model here presented also relates to nonlinearly coupled oscillators where synchronization can break out spontaneously. The present oscillator-coupling is dynamic and can change intensity through the underlying wave field as opposed to, for example, the Kuramoto model where the coupling is pre-defined. There are some regimes where we observe phase-locking or, more generally, regimes where the oscillators are statistically indistinguishable in phase-space, where numerical histograms display their (mutual) most likely amplitude and phase.
Numerical analysis of pulsed magnetic field diffusion dynamics in gold cone target
Authors: Morita Hiroki , Sunahara Atsushi , Arikawa Yasunobu , Azechi Hiroshi , Fujioka Shinsuke
Published: September 2018

Strong magnetic fields from a few hundred to a thousand tesla have been produced in a laboratory by using high-intensity laser beams. This strong magnetic field in a laboratory becomes a powerful tool to perform experiments in the fields such as laboratory astrophysics and nuclear fusion research. The diffusion dynamics of a pulsed magnetic field in a target is a key phenomenon for experiments with the laser-produced magnetic field. Here, we have developed a two-dimensional (2D) electromagnetic dynamics simulation code with consideration of inductive heating to simulate spatiotemporally resolved 2D profiles of the applied magnetic field in a target. The application of an external kilo-tesla-level magnetic field to a gold-cone-attached target is a promising scheme for the enhancement of heating efficiency of the fast-ignition inertial confinement fusion scheme. Our simulation revealed that the magnetic field heats the gold cone due to the inductive heating and penetrates the gold cone during its pulse duration. The developed simulation code is generally useful for designing and analyzing experiments using a strong magnetic field.
Layered metamaterial offers enhanced ultrasonic imaging
Authors: Cesare Chris
Published: September 2018

A porous metamaterial lens achieves subwavelength resolution without anomalous dips in transmission.
Predicting polymorphism in molecular crystals using orientational entropy
Authors: Piaggi Pablo M. , Parrinello Michele
Published: September 2018

Significance

Small organic molecules often exhibit an amazing polymorphism. Since most drugs are based on organic molecules, this has important practical consequences. Not only does the deliverability of the drugs depend on the crystal structure but also different polymorphs can be separately patented. We address this problem by appropriately designed enhanced sampling simulations that start from the liquid and let the system crystallize spontaneously at the freezing temperature. In such a way entropy effects are automatically included. We successfully apply the method to the cases of urea and naphthalene and discover that entropy plays an important role.
Life after delisting: The Collingwood Harbour story
Authors: Krantzberg Gail , Rich Michele
Published: September 2018

The authors of Annex 2 in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement recognized that the federal governments needed to cooperate with state and provincial governments, and ensure the public is consulted throughout the development and implementation of the Remedial Action Plans. This article demonstrates how public involvement in Remedial Action Plans is much more than consultation, that it enables participatory decision-making and capacity building. The story of the completion of the Collingwood Harbour Remedial Action Plan and its subsequent legacy in the form of the Environment Network, illustrates that with the proper effort directed to citizen engagement and public ownership of this process, a legacy of entrepreneurial innovation can be achieved that builds the capacity to sustain environmental recovery in support of enhancing the community and the economy.
Factoring the higher dimensional quasiconformal mappings
Authors: He Zhengxu , Liu Jinsong
Published: September 2018

With the aid of the logarithmic spiral mapping, we constructn(≥3)n(\geq 3)-dimensional quasiconformal homeomorphisms which admit no minimal factorizations in linear, inner, or outer dilatations.
Tip60 complex promotes expression of a differentiation factor to regulate germline differentiation in femaleDrosophila
Authors: McCarthy Alicia , Deiulio Aron , Martin Elliot Todd , Upadhyay Maitreyi , Rangan Prashanth
Published: September 2018

Germline stem cells (GSCs) self-renew and differentiate to sustain a continuous production of gametes. In the female Drosophila germ line, two differentiation factors, bag of marbles ( bam) and benign gonial cell neoplasm ( bgcn), work in concert in the stem cell daughter to promote the generation of eggs. In GSCs, bam transcription is repressed by signaling from the niche and is activated in stem cell daughters. In contrast, bgcn is transcribed in both the GSCs and stem cell daughters, but little is known about how bgcn is transcriptionally modulated. Here we find that the conserved protein Nipped-A acts through the Tat interactive protein 60-kDa (Tip60) histone acetyl transferase complex in the germ line to promote GSC daughter differentiation. We find that Nipped-A is required for efficient exit from the gap phase 2 (G2) of cell cycle of the GSC daughter and for expression of a differentiation factor, bgcn. Loss of Nipped-A results in accumulation of GSC daughters . Forced expression of bgcn in Nipped-A germline-depleted ovaries rescues this differentiation defect. Together, our results indicate that Tip60 complex coordinates cell cycle progression and expression of bgcn to help drive GSC daughters toward a differentiation program.