bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated Quantitative Verification for Service-Based System Design: A Visualization Transform Tool Perspective
Authors: Gao Honghao , Miao Huaikou , Liu Lilan , Kai Jinyu , Zhao Kun
Published: September 2018

Service-based systems are a new software mode for distributed business processes integration. It is difficult for traditional testing methods to verify the functional and nonfunctional requirements of software. To address this problem, this paper proposes a visual verification platform to quantitatively compute the reliability and cost for evaluating the performance of service-based systems in the design phase. First, an extended automata model namely Probabilistic Reward Labeled Transition System (PRLTS) is proposed to formalize both the functional behaviors and nonfunctional features. Then, the formal language of probabilistic model checker PRISM is introduced to show the grammar of the target verification codes that we want to transform. Second, XML description tags of Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) is parsed to generate the functional behaviors using different kinds of transformation rules, based on which the probability matrix and reward concept are employed to denote the service’s reliability and cost, respectively. Third, the PRLTS model is turned into the input language of PRISM, where the graphic description language DOT of Graphviz is used as an intermediary to display system behaviors in a visual way. The model layout allows the designer to manually adjust the behaviors of the PRLTS model, where verification codes can be dynamically updated according to the changes in modified information. Fourth, to perform quantitative verification, the verification property in the form of the Probabilistic Computation Tree Logic (PCTL) formula can be automatically generated when the requirement model of the service-based system is inputted, during which the threshold value of qualitative property will be initially computed and returned as a recommended value. This allows the user to modify the qualitative property in an interactive way. Furthermore, experimental analysis of the real-world case study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed method. Thus, our platform provides guidance for quantitative verification and graphical visualization for effectively generating formal models and checking the quantitative properties for service-based systems.
Student body gesture recognition based on Fisher broad learning system
Authors: Shi Yafei , Wei Yantao , Pan Donghui , Deng Wei , Yao Huang , Chen Tiantian , Zhao Gang , Tong Mingwen , Liu Qingtang
Published: September 2018

Observing student body gesture has been widely used to assess teaching effectiveness over the past few decades. However, manual observation is not suitable for the automatic data analysis in the field of learning analytics. Consequently, a student body gesture recognition method based on Fisher Broad Learning System (FBLS) and Local Log-Euclidean Multivariate Gaussian (L2EMG) is proposed in this paper. FBLS is designed by introducing the discriminative information into the hidden layer of Broad Learning System (BLS) and reducing the dimensionality of hidden-layer representations. FBLS has superiorities in accuracy and speed. In addition, L2EMG, which is a highly distinctive descriptor, characterizes the local image with a multivariate Gaussian distribution. So L2EMG features are fed into the FBLS for recognition in this paper. Extensive experimental results on self-built dataset show that the proposed student body gesture recognition method obtains better results than other benchmarking methods.
The economized monic Chebyshev polynomials for solving weakly singular Fredholm integral equations of the first kind
Authors: Shoukralla E. S. , Markos M. A.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a numerical method for solving a certain class of Fredholm integral equations of the first kind, whose unknown function is singular at the end-points of the integration domain, and has a weakly singular logarithmic kernel with analytical treatments of the singularity. To achieve this goal, the kernel is parametrized, and the unknown function is assumed to be in the form of a product of two functions; the first is a badly-behaved known function, while the other is a regular unknown function. These two functions are approximated by using the economized monic Chebyshev polynomials of the same degree, while the given potential function is approximated by monic Chebyshev polynomials of the same degree. Further, the two parametric functions associated to the parametrized kernel are expanded into Taylor polynomials of the first degree about the singular parameter, and an asymptotic expression is created, so that the obtained improper integrals of the integral operator become convergent integrals. Thus, and after using a set of collocation points, the required numerical solution is found to be equivalent to the solution of a linear system of algebraic equations. From the illustrated example, it turns out that the proposed method minimizes the computational time and gives a high order accuracy.
Efficiency changes index in the network data envelopment analysis with non-radial model
Authors: Esfidani Samaneh , Lotfi Farhad Hosseinzadeh , Razavyan Shabnam , Ebrahimnejad Ali
Published: September 2018

Evaluating the efficiency and the performance of decision making units (DMUs) at different time periods is one of the most critical and important issues of managers. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a powerful non-parametric technique to measure the relative efficiency of a set of DMUs where each DMU consumes multiple inputs to produce multiple outputs. In many DEA applications, DMUs are considered as systems with a two-stage structure. In these situations, two-stage DEA models are used to measure the efficiencies of these systems. In many of such systems, the simultaneous presence of two stages is not necessary for the final product and the shortcoming of one stage is compensated by another stage. Therefore, this paper will use compensatory property of the sum operator and will propose the additive model to measure the multi-period efficiency of these systems under the constant returns to scale (CRS) assumption. In addition, based on the obtained efficiencies, the new efficiency changes Indexes (ECIs) related to the whole system and the first and second stages between two periods will be proposed that have circularity property. Furthermore, ECI of the whole system (and stages) for two periods is defined as the difference between the efficiencies in these periods. Moreover, positive changes (or negative changes), or unchanged in the efficiency of stages will be concluded by the positive changes (or negative changes), or unchanged of the whole system. Finally, the data of 21 non-life insurance industry in Taiwan are used to describe our suggested model that extracted from the extant literature.
Incomparability graphs of dismantable lattices
Authors: Nimbhorkar Shriram K. , Deshmukh Vidya S.
Published: September 2018

We prove some characterizations of the incomparability graphs of some dismantlable lattices. We discuss the realizability of some standard graphs as a graph of a dismantlable lattice. We also find the minimum covering energy of the incomparability graph of some dismantlable lattices.
Groups whose bipartite divisor graph for character degrees has four or fewer vertices
Authors: Moosavi S. A.
Published: September 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite group and [Formula: see text] be the set of nonlinear irreducible character degrees of [Formula: see text]. Suppose that [Formula: see text] is the set of primes dividing some elements of [Formula: see text]. The bipartite divisor graph for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], is a graph whose vertices are the disjoint union of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and a vertex [Formula: see text] is connected to a vertex [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we consider groups whose graph has four or fewer vertices. We show that all these groups are solvable and determine the structure of these groups. We also provide examples of any possible graph.
A semantic recommendation system for cancer-related articles
Authors: Wang Charles C. N. , Chung Yun-Lung , Chang I-Seng , Tsai Jeffrey J. P.
Published: September 2018

There have been an enormous number of publications on cancer research. These unstructured cancer-related articles are of great value for cancer diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. The aim of this study is to introduce a recommendation system. It combines text mining (LDA) and semantic computing (GloVe) to understand the meaning of user needs and to increase the recommendation accuracy.
Production geochemistry: fluids don't lie and the devil is in the detail
Authors: van Bergen Pim F. , Gordon Marc
Published: September 2018

The application of production geochemistry techniques has been shown to provide abundant and often low-cost high-value fluid information that helps to maximize and safeguard production. Critical aspects to providing successful data relate to the appropriate sampling strategy and sampling selection which are generally project-aim-specific. In addition, the continuous direct integration of the production geochemistry data with subsurface and surface understanding is pivotal. Examples from two specific areas have been presented including: (a) the effective use of IsoTubes in the production realm; and (b) the application of geochemical fingerprinting primarily based on multidimensional gas chromatography. Mud gas stable carbon isotopes from low-cost IsoTubes have been shown to be very effective in recognizing within-well fluid compartments, as well as recognizing specific hydrocarbon seals in overburden section, including the selective partial seal for only C
2+
gas species. With respect to geochemical fingerprinting, examples have been presented related to reservoir surveillance including compartmentalization, lateral and vertical connectivity, as well as fluid movements and fault/baffle breakthrough. The production-related examples focus on fluid allocation within a single well, as well as on its application for pipeline residence times, fluid identification and well testing.
Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Effects of Moringa oleifera (Moringa) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) Methanolic Extracts against Strains of Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Arévalo-Híjar Lucía , Aguilar-Luis Miguel Ángel , Caballero-García Stefany , Gonzáles-Soto Néstor , Del Valle-Mendoza Juana
Published: September 2018

Objective. To evaluate antibacterial and cytotoxic effect of 2 methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera against strains of Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) in vitro. Methods. The methanolic extracts of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera were prepared in vitro. The antibacterial effect of the extracts against Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated using the agar diffusion technique. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the microdilution method and the cytotoxicity using the cellular line MDCK. Results. The methanolic extract with the most antibacterial effect during the first 24 and 48 hours against Enterococcus faecalis was Moringa oleifera, evidencing a growth inhibition zone of 35.5 ± 1.05 and 44.83 ± 0.98, respectively. The MIC for both extracts was 75 µg/ml. The bactericidal effect of the Azadirachta indica extract was found at a concentration of 25 µg/ml and a concentration of 75 µg/ml for Moringa extract. Conclusions. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera both have an antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis strains during the first 24 and 48 hours. None of the extracts exhibited toxicity against the cell lines under low concentrations.
Jiedu Sangen Decoction Inhibits Migration and Invasion of Colon Cancer SW480 Cells via Suppressing Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Zhang Kai , Peng Tao , Yan Qingying , Sun Leitao , Miao Haojun , Yuan Li , Hong Yuxin , Zhou Mengmeng , Guo Kaibo , Zhang Leyin , Fang Jing , Shen Minhe , Ruan Shanming
Published: September 2018

Jiedu Sangen Decoction (JSD), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been widely used in China to treat gastrointestinal cancer, especially as an adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of JSD and Jiedu Sangen aqueous extract (JSAE) in colon cancer cells and explored the underlining mechanisms by cytotoxicity assay, scratch assay, transwell migration assay, matrigel invasion assay, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and western blot analysis. We demonstrated that JSAE inhibited the growth of colon cancer SW480 cells in a dose‐dependent manner and JSAE repressed cancer cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) was reversed by JSAE via enhancing E‐cadherin expression and attenuating protein levels of EMT promoting factors such as N‐cadherin, Slug, and ZEB1. These findings provided the first experimental evidence confirming the efficacy of JSAE in repressing invasion and metastasis of CRC and paving a way for the broader use of JSD in clinic.
Study on the Equilibrium Discriminant Model of Urban Agglomeration Transport Supply and Demand Structure
Authors: Liu Z. Y. , Li C. B. , Jian M. Y.
Published: September 2018

In order to study the adaptability of urban agglomeration transport supply and demand structure, and to provide the basis for decision-makers when optimizing the structure of transport supply and demand in urban agglomeration, this paper proposed and verified a structure equilibrium theory on the basis of entropy theory. Firstly, based on the analysis of the influencing factors, an urban agglomeration transport demand structure model was established using entropy theory. Secondly, according to the actual passenger and freight turnover of urban agglomeration, a transport supply structure model was proposed with entropy theory. Then, by comparing the two entropy models, the equilibrium state of an urban agglomeration transport structure was analyzed. Finally, HuBaoOr urban agglomeration was taken as an example to verify the science and effectiveness of this discriminant model. The research in this paper lays a theoretical foundation for the achievement of urban agglomeration transport equilibrium structure and for realizing the best economic benefits and social benefits.
Pheochromocytoma in Congenital Cyanotic Heart Disease
Authors: Aresta Carmen , Butera Gianfranco , Tufano Antonietta , Grassi Giorgia , Luzi Livio , Benedini Stefano
Published: September 2018

Studies on genome-wide transcription patterns have shown that many genetic alterations implicated in pheochromocytoma-paraganglioma (P-PGL) syndromes cluster in a common cellular pathway leading to aberrant activation of molecular response to hypoxia in normoxic conditions (the pseudohypoxia hypothesis). Several cases of P-PGL have been reported in patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD). Patients affected with CCHD have an increased likelihood of P-PGL compared to those affected with noncyanotic congenital heart disease. One widely supported hypothesis is that chronic hypoxia represents the determining factor supporting this increased risk. We report the case of a 23-year-old woman affected with congenital tricuspid atresia surgically by the Fontan procedure. The patient was admitted to hospital with hypertensive crisis and dyspnea. Chest computed tomography revealed, incidentally, a 6-cm mass in the left adrenal lodge. Increased levels of noradrenaline (NA) and its metabolites were detected (plasma NA 5003.7 pg/ml, n.v.<480; urinary NA 1059.5 µg/24 h, n.v.<85.5; urinary metanephrine 489 µg/24 h, n.v.<320). The patient did not report any additional symptom related to catecholamine excess. The left adrenal tumor showed abnormal accumulation when 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy was performed. A 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed no significant metabolic activity in the left adrenal gland but intense uptake in the supra- and subdiaphragmatic brown adipose tissue, probably due to noradrenergic-stimulated glucose uptake. The patient underwent left open adrenalectomy after preconditioning with α- and β-blockers and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma (Ki-67<5%). Screening for germline mutations did not show any genes mutation (investigated mutations: RET, TMEM127, MAX, SDHD, SDHC, SDHB, SDHAF2, SDHA, and VHL). Clinicians should consider P-PGL when an unexplained clinical deterioration occurs in CCHD patients, even in the absence of typical paroxysmal symptoms.
Unbiased Minimum Variance Estimation for Discrete-Time Systems with Measurement Delay and Unknown Measurement Disturbance
Authors: Guan Yu , Song Xinmin
Published: September 2018

This paper addresses the state estimation problem for stochastic systems with unknown measurement disturbances whose any prior information is unknown and measurement delay resulting from the inherent limited bandwidth. For such complex systems, the Kalman-like one-step predictor independent of unknown measurement disturbances is designed based on the linear unbiased minimum variance criterion and the reorganized innovation analysis approach. One simulation example shows the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Cyclic Behavior of Confined Cement‐Stabilized Rammed Earth Walls
Authors: Yang Xinlei , Wang Hailiang , Zhao Ziliang
Published: September 2018

Rammed earth is widely utilized in both developed and developing countries due to its low embodied energy and good natural moisture buffering of indoor environments. However, its application in seismic active regions was limited owing to its intrinsically low resistance to dynamic actions. This paper presents the test results of four cement‐stabilized rammed earth walls with confining tie‐column elements under cyclic loading, aiming at assessing the cyclic behavior of proposed rammed earth walls with confining tie‐column elements. The test results revealed that the proposed confining tie‐column elements could significantly improve the cyclic behavior of cement‐stabilized rammed earth wall, exhibiting good strength and ductility.
Airflow and Particle Deposition in Acinar Models with Interalveolar Septal Walls and Different Alveolar Numbers
Authors: Xi Jinxiang , Talaat Mohamed , Tanbour Hesham , Talaat Khaled
Published: September 2018

Unique features exist in acinar units such as multiple alveoli, interalveolar septal walls, and pores of Kohn. However, the effects of such features on airflow and particle deposition remain not well quantified due to their structural complexity. This study aims to numerically investigate particle dynamics in acinar models with interalveolar septal walls and pores of Kohn. A simplified 4-alveoli model with well-defined geometries and a physiologically realistic 45-alveoli model was developed. A well-validated Lagrangian tracking model was used to simulate particle trajectories in the acinar models with rhythmically expanding and contracting wall motions. Both spatial and temporal dosimetries in the acinar models were analyzed. Results show that collateral ventilation exists among alveoli due to pressure imbalance. The size of interalveolar septal aperture significantly alters the spatial deposition pattern, while it has an insignificant effect on the total deposition rate. Surprisingly, the deposition rate in the 45-alveoli model is lower than that in the 4-alveoli model, indicating a stronger particle dispersion in more complex models. The gravity orientation angle has a decreasing effect on acinar deposition rates with an increasing number of alveoli retained in the model; such an effect is nearly negligible in the 45-alveoli model. Breath-holding increased particle deposition in the acinar region, which was most significant in the alveoli proximal to the duct. Increasing inhalation depth only slightly increases the fraction of deposited particles over particles entering the alveolar model but has a large influence on dispensing particles to the peripheral alveoli. Results of this study indicate that an empirical correlation for acinar deposition can be developed based on alveolar models with reduced complexity; however, what level of geometry complexity would be sufficient is yet to be determined.
Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Presenting with Severe, Recurrent Hypothermic Episodes
Authors: Hansen Jonas Juul , Beier Ommen Hans , Gormsen Lars Christian , d’Amore Francesco Annibale , Hjørnet Kamper Peter Martin
Published: September 2018

We report a case presenting with recurrent episodes of severe hypothermia preceding the diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. The episodes of hypothermia were accompanied by other symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, mainly hypotension, which could be caused by autonomic neuropathy as part of a paraneoplastic syndrome. In comparison with previous reports describing an association between the presence of hypothermia and an adverse outcome, the present patient has responded well to lymphoma-specific treatment and is currently in an ongoing complete remission. Due to the peculiar cyclic pattern of the hypothermic episodes presented in this case, we hypothesize whether intermittent release of disease-related chemo- and cytokines could be a plausible pathogenetic explanation.
User Presence Inference via Encrypted Traffic of Wireless Camera in Smart Homes
Authors: Ji Xiaoyu , Cheng Yushi , Xu Wenyuan , Zhou Xinyan
Published: September 2018

Wireless cameras are widely deployed in smart homes for security guarding, baby monitoring, fall detection, and so on. Those security cameras, which are supposed to protect users, however, may in turn leak a user’s personal privacy. In this paper, we reveal that attackers are able to infer whether users are at home or not, that is, the user presence, by eavesdropping the traffic of wireless cameras from distance. We propose HomeSpy, a system that infers user presence by inspecting the intrinsic pattern of the wireless camera traffic. To infer the user presence, HomeSpy first eavesdrops the wireless traffic around the target house and detects the existence of wireless cameras with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network. Then, HomeSpy infers the user presence using the bitrate variation of the wireless camera traffic based on a cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM) algorithm. We implement HomeSpy on the Android platform and validate it on 20 cameras. The evaluation results show that HomeSpy can achieve a successful attack rate of 97.2%.
Homogeneity Test and Correction of Daily Temperature and Precipitation Data (1978–2015) in North China
Authors: Shen Lingling , Lu Li , Hu Tianjie , Lin Runsheng , Wang Ji , Xu Chong
Published: September 2018

Homogeneity of climate data is the basis for quantitative assessment of climate change. By using the MASH method, this work examined and corrected the homogeneity of the daily data including average, minimum, and maximum temperature and precipitation during 1978–2015 from 404/397 national meteorological stations in North China. Based on the meteorological station metadata, the results are analyzed and the differences before and after homogenization are compared. The results show that breakpoints are present pervasively in these temperature data. Most of them appeared after 2000. The stations with a host of breakpoints are mainly located in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province, where meteorological stations are densely distributed. The numbers of breakpoints in the daily precipitation series in North China during 1978–2015 also culminated in 2000. The reason for these breakpoints, called inhomogeneity, may be the large-scale replacement of meteorological instruments after 2000. After correction by the MASH method, the annual average temperature and minimum temperature decrease by 0.04°C and 0.06°C, respectively, while the maximum temperature increases by 0.01°C. The annual precipitation declines by 0.96 mm. The overall trends of temperature change before and after the correction are largely consistent, while the homogeneity of individual stations is significantly improved. Besides, due to the correction, the majority series of the precipitation are reduced and the correction amplitude is relatively large. During 1978–2015, the temperature in North China shows a rise trend, while the precipitation tends to decrease.
Flexural Toughness of High‐Performance Concrete with Basalt and Polypropylene Short Fibres
Authors: Smarzewski Piotr
Published: September 2018

In this work, an investigation is made to evaluate the flexural toughness of hybrid fibre‐reinforced high‐performance concrete (HPC) containing different combinations of basalt (B) and polypropylene (P) fibres. The experimental studies consisted of the three‐point flexural tests on notched beam specimens. The specimens incorporated basalt/polypropylene (BP) fibres in 11 mixtures with proportions of 0/0, 100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100% by volume at total volume fractions of 1 and 2%. The evaluation of the experimental results was done according to the CECS 13:2009 and PCS (postcrack strength) methods. The results indicate that high‐performance concrete containing basalt/polypropylene fibre mixtures of 50/50% and with only polypropylene fibre content of 0/100% can be pronounced as the most appropriate combinations to be used in high‐performance concrete for flexural toughness.
Urinoma: Prompt Diagnosis and Treatment Can Prevent Abscess Formation, Hydronephrosis, and a Progressive Loss of Renal Function
Authors: Goldwasser Jason , Wahdat Razwana , Espinosa James , Lucerna Alan
Published: September 2018

This case describes a 70-year-old female who presented with right flank pain around the site where a stent had been placed in her right kidney at an outside hospital several months earlier. The patient arrived tachycardic with a leukocytosis and a lactic acidosis. Further imaging revealed a very hydronephrotic right kidney and an extremely large fluid collection in the right retroperitoneum extending into the right flank consistent with leakage of urine from the obstructed right kidney. Prompt treatment of this rare phenomenon is crucial for delay in medical care can lead to abscess, hydronephrosis, electrolyte instability, and a progressive loss of renal function. Treatment for small urinomas is usually conservative as the collection will most often be reabsorbed. Larger urinomas even without systemic signs often necessitate more aggressive medical treatment. A drainage catheter can be placed with ultrasound or CT guidance. Percutaneous nephrostomy tubes are often used as well for additional drainage and decompression. Fluid culture is recommended to guide antibiotic treatment.
Probability‐Weighted Optimal Control for Nonlinear Stochastic Vibrating Systems with Random Time Delay
Authors: Hu R. C. , Lü Q. F. , Wang X. F. , Ying Z. G. , Huan R. H.
Published: September 2018

A probability‐weighted optimal control strategy for nonlinear stochastic vibrating systems with random time delay is proposed. First, by modeling the random delay as a finite state Markov process, the optimal control problem is converted into the one of Markov jump systems with finite mode. Then, upon limiting averaging principle, the optimal control force is approximately expressed as probability‐weighted summation of the control force associated with different modes of the system. Then, by using the stochastic averaging method and the dynamical programming principle, the control force for each mode can be readily obtained. To illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control, the stochastic optimal control of a two degree‐of‐freedom nonlinear stochastic system with random time delay is worked out as an example.
Local Binary Patterns Descriptor Based on Sparse Curvelet Coefficients for False-Positive Reduction in Mammograms
Authors: Pawar Meenakshi M. , Talbar Sanjay N. , Dudhane Akshay
Published: September 2018

Breast Cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women across the globe. Automatic detection of breast cancer using Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system suffers from false positives (FPs). Thus, reduction of FP is one of the challenging tasks to improve the performance of the diagnosis systems. In the present work, new FP reduction technique has been proposed for breast cancer diagnosis. It is based on appropriate integration of preprocessing, Self-organizing map (SOM) clustering, region of interest (ROI) extraction, and FP reduction. In preprocessing, contrast enhancement of mammograms has been achieved using Local Entropy Maximization algorithm. The unsupervised SOM clusters an image into number of segments to identify the cancerous region and extracts tumor regions (i.e., ROIs). However, it also detects some FPs which affects the efficiency of the algorithm. Therefore, to reduce the FPs, the output of the SOM is given to the FP reduction step which is aimed to classify the extracted ROIs into normal and abnormal class. FP reduction consists of feature mining from the ROIs using proposed local sparse curvelet coefficients followed by classification using artificial neural network (ANN). The performance of proposed algorithm has been validated using the local datasets as TMCH (Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital) and publicly available MIAS (Suckling et al., 1994) and DDSM (Heath et al., 2000) database. The proposed technique results in reduction of FPs from 0.85 to 0.02 FP/image for MIAS, 4.81 to 0.16 FP/image for DDSM, and 2.32 to 0.05 FP/image for TMCH reflecting huge improvement in classification of mammograms.
Effect of Polymer‐Ceramic Fibre Interphase Design on Coupling Factor in Low Fibre Volume Content Piezoelectric Composites
Authors: Lusiola Tony , Oberle Sophie , Gorjan Lovro , Clemens Frank
Published: September 2018

In this work, we investigated different short molecule polymer coatings in piezoelectric ceramic‐polymer composites with low fibre volume contents. Modifying the interphase between the piezoelectric PZT (lead zirconate titanate) fibre and the epoxy matrix thus enhances the electromechanical coupling factor for 1–3 ultrasound transducers with low fibre contents. It is known that the electromechanical coupling factor can be increased by precoating a ceramic fibre with a soft interlayer polymer [1‐1‐3]. In this paper, we investigate the so‐called 1‐1‐1‐3 composites composed of a ferroelectric ceramic fibre (core), a soft polymer layer (e.g., fatty acids, amides, waxes, or oils), an epoxy resin shell, and an epoxy resin matrix. Some soft polymer layers allowed the free movement of the ferroelectric fibres reducing blocking or clamping by the inactive polymeric matrix, resulting in higher electromechanical coupling factors (kt) for composites with low fibre volume contents. Using an oil‐based interlayer, the dielectric constant can be significantly increased. The lowest fibre push‐out stress could be achieved with the paraffin interlayer; however, no correlation with the coupling factor could be observed.
Screening Selected Solanum Plants as Potential Rootstocks for the Management of Root-Knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita)
Authors: Okorley Benjamin A. , Agyeman Charles , Amissah Naalamle , Nyaku Seloame T.
Published: September 2018

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) represent agricultural pest of many economic crops, including tomatoes and potatoes. They advance a complex parasitic relationship with roots of tomato plants leading to modification of host structural and physiological functions in addition to significant yield loss. Resistance in solanaceous plants to RKNs has been identified and associated with the possession of Mi gene. The reaction of four Solanum rootstocks (S. aethiopicum L., S. macrocarpon L., S. lycopersicum L.“Mongal F1,” and S. lycopersicum L. “Samrudhi F1”) was evaluated in pots and in a natural Meloidogyne spp.-infested field in a two-year trial (2015–2016), to identify RKN-resistant rootstock(s), which can be utilized in tomato grafting as a management measure against these nematodes. A rootstock’s reaction to RKNs was assessed using root gall scores (GSs), egg count/g of root, and reproductive factors (Rfs) at the end of 6 and 12 weeks after transplanting (wat) in infested fields, respectively. Solanum macrocarpon, S. aethiopicum, and Mongal F1 showed tolerant responses with reduced root galling and low to high reproductive factors in pot and field experimentation. Although Samrudhi F1 was resistant in both pot and field trials and consistently decreased nematode root galling (<1.00) and reproduction (Rf < 1.00), it failed to significantly increase yield, as compared with the highest yield obtained by the tolerant rootstock, Mongal F1 (870.3 and 1236.6 g/plant, respectively). Evaluation of the four rootstocks against four (0, 500, 1,000, and 5000) RKN inocula levels (Juveniles) showed no significant differences among the growth parameters (fresh and dry shoot and root weights). Root-knot nematode-susceptible tomato varieties, for example, Pectomech F1, a popular tomato variety in Ghana, can be grafted onto the RKN-resistant and RKN-tolerant rootstocks for increased yields.
Real-Time Microwave, Dielectric, and Optical Sensing of Lincomycin and Tylosin Antibiotics in Water: Sensor Fusion for Environmental Safety
Authors: Mason Alex , Soprani Matteo , Korostynska Olga , Amirthalingam Abitami , Cullen Jeff , Muradov Magomed , Carmona Estefania Núñez , Sberveglieri Giorgio , Sberveglieri Veronica , Al-Shamma’a Ahmed
Published: September 2018

Antibiotics are widely used to prevent and treat bacterial infections in livestock animals, aquaculture, and humans. However, the unconditional use of those drugs as a growth promoter for livestock animals and the wrong usage as a treatment for infections in humans has led to high antibiotics pollution, especially in water resources. The elevated presence of antibiotics in water has resulted in the phenomenon known as the bacterial antibiotics resistance. To prevent ecological catastrophe, continuous real-time monitoring of water sources is necessary. The aim of this research work is to compare the abilities of three different techniques: novel electromagnetic wave spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and capacitance sensing system for the real-time detection and quantification of antibiotics in water. Tylosin and lincomycin antibiotics were selected to the study, as both are regularly found in water sources. Two novel microwave sensor configurations were used: a planar sensor with interdigitated electrode pattern and a hairpin resonator sensor, as a means of real-time water analysis. Reflected S11 power signals were analyzed in GHz frequency range for microwave sensors. In parallel, UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used, where change in the optical absorbance was used as an indicator of water pollution, whereas change in the value of a capacitance in low frequency range has signalled the change in the dielectric properties of the solution. It was found that in all cases the changes in the measured parameters were dependent on both the type of antibiotic present in water and on its concentration. Fusion of all these techniques into a comprehensive sensing platform provides adequate real-time assessment of the water pollution with antibiotics and would allow adequate management of environment for safety and sustainable development. In particular, the lowest lincomycin samples’ concentration, 0.25 μg/l, was measured with a hairpin resonator sensor, while the lowest tylosin samples’ concentration, 0.20 μg/l, was measured with an IDE sensor. Since concentration in groundwater were 0.36 μg/l of lincomycin and 1.5 μg/l of tylosin, it is demonstrating a high-sensing platform utility.
Mass Spectra and Decay Constants of Heavy-Light Mesons: A Case Study of QCD Sum Rules and Quark Model
Authors: Mutuk Halil
Published: September 2018

We visited mass spectra and decay constants of pseudoscalar and vector heavy-light mesons (B, Bs, D, and DS) in the framework of QCD sum rule and quark model. The harmonic oscillator wave function was used in quark model while a simple interpolating current was used in QCD sum rule calculation. We obtained good results in accordance with the available experimental data and theoretical studies.
Deep Learning Hash for Wireless Multimedia Image Content Security
Authors: Zheng Yu , Zhu Jiezhong , Fang Wei , Chi Lian-Hua
Published: September 2018

With the explosive growth of the wireless multimedia data on the wireless Internet, a large number of illegal images have been widely disseminated in wireless networks, which seriously endangers the content security of wireless networks. However, how to identify and classify illegal images quickly, accurately, and in real time is a key challenge for wireless multimedia networks. To avoid illegal images circulating on the Internet, each image needs to be detected, extracted features, and compared with the image in the feature library to verify the legitimacy of the image. An improved image deep learning hash (IDLH) method to learn compact binary codes for image search is proposed in this paper. Specifically, there are three major processes of IDLH: the feature extraction, deep secondary search, and image classification. IDLH performs image retrieval by the deep neural networks (DNN) as well as image classification with the binary hash codes. Different from other deep learning-hash methods that often entail heavy computations by using a conventional classifier, exemplified by K nearest neighbor (K-NN) and support vector machines (SVM), our method learns classifiers using binary hash codes, which can be learned synchronously in training. Finally, comprehensive experiments are conducted to evaluate IDLH method by using CIFAR-10 and Caltech 256 image library datasets, and the results show that the retrieval performance of IDLH method can effectively identify illegal images.
Hydroxysafflor Yellow A: A Promising Therapeutic Agent for a Broad Spectrum of Diseases
Authors: Ao Hui , Feng Wuwen , Peng Cheng
Published: September 2018

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is one of the major bioactive and water‐soluble compounds isolated from Carthami Flos, the flower of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). As a natural pigment with favorable medical use, HSYA has gained extensive attention due to broad and effective pharmacological activities since first isolation in 1993. In clinic, the safflor yellow injection which mainly contains about 80% HSYA was approved by the China State Food and Drug Administration and used to treat cardiac diseases such as angina pectoris. In basic pharmacology, HSYA has been proved to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological effects that include, but not limited to, cardiovascular effect, neuroprotection, liver and lung protection, antitumor activity, metabolism regulation, and endothelium cell protection. Although a great number of studies have been carried out to prove the pharmacological effects and corresponding mechanisms of HYSA, a systemic review of HYSA has not yet been seen. Here, we provide a comprehensive summarization of the pharmacological effects of HYSA. Together with special attention to mechanisms of actions, this review can serve as the basis for further researches and developments of this medicinal compound.
Combined Approach of Cryoablation and Stent-In-Stent Technique for Removal of an Embedded Esophageal Stent
Authors: Chandnani Madhuri , Cohen Jonah , Berzin Tyler M.
Published: September 2018

Self-expanding removable stents are used for the treatment of esophageal strictures. Partially covered metal stents become embedded in the esophageal wall due to mucosal tissue reaction providing good anchorage. This can also lead to extreme difficulty in the removal of such stents. Several different individual techniques have been used in literature for removal of these esophageal stents. Ours is the first case using a combination of cryoablation and stent-in-stent technique for removal of an extremely difficult case of embedded esophageal stent.
Experimental Optimization of Annular Polishing Parameters for Silicon Carbide
Authors: Liu Yuan , Han La , Liu Haiying , Shi Yikai , Zhang Junjie
Published: September 2018

Machined surface quality has a strong impact on the functionality of silicon carbide‐based components and devices. In the present work, we first analytically investigate the complex coupling of motions in annular polishing based on the Preston equation, which derives the influential parameters for material removal. Subsequently, we conduct systematic annular polishing experiments of reaction‐bonded silicon carbide to investigate the influence of derived parameters on polished surface quality, which yield optimized polishing parameters for achieving ultralow surface roughness of reaction‐bonded silicon carbide.
Impaired Autophagy of GABAergic Interneurons in Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Yin Yuhua , Yi Min-Hee , Kim Dong Woon
Published: September 2018

Neuropathic pain (NP) is caused by lesions of the peripheral fibers and central neurons in the somatosensory nervous system and affects 7–10% of the general population. Although the distinct cause of neuropathic pain has been investigated in primary afferent neurons over the years, pain modulation by central sensitization remains controversial. NP is believed to be driven by cell type-specific spinal synaptic plasticity in the dorsal horn. Upon intense afferent stimulation, spinothalamic tract neurons are potentiated, whereas GABAergic interneurons are inhibited leading to long-term depression. Growing evidences suggest that the inhibition of GABAergic neurons plays pivotal roles in the manifestation of neuropathic and inflammatory pain states. Downregulation of GABA transmission and impairment of GABAergic interneurons in the dorsal horn are critical consequences after spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. These impairments in GABAergic interneurons may be associated with dysfunctional autophagy, resulting in neuropathic pain. Here, we review an emerging number of investigations that suggest a pivotal role of impaired autophagy of GABAergic interneurons in NP. We discuss relevant research spurring the development of new targets and therapeutic agents of NP and emphasize the need for a multidisciplinary approach to manage NP in the future.
The Wall Apposition Evaluation for a Mechanical Embolus Retrieval Device
Authors: Gu Xuelian , Qi Yongxiang , Erdman Arthur G.
Published: September 2018

A computational evaluation approach to the wall apposition of a cerebral mechanical emboli retrieval device (MERD) is presented. The typical enclosed multilattice structure, manufactured from the thin-walled Nitinol tube, consists of repeated “V”-shaped unit cells. During interventional thrombectomy, the MERD system is delivered inside an artery stenosis segment to capture emboli and restore cerebral blood flow. The wall apposition, which deteriorates during embolus capture, occurs during system migration along the tortuous intracranial vessel. The commercial finite element analysis (FEA) solver ABAQUS 6.10 Standard and user subroutine (UMAT/Nitinol) are utilized to study the ability to remain in close contact with the curved vessel wall during migration. In this numerical analysis, the influence of the contacting interference loadings on structure deformation and strain field distribution is obtained and analyzed. The results indicate that the middle segment of the MERD seriously contracts or collapses inside the curved vessel. In addition, the peak strain is in the apex flow-prone region and maintains at the safe range.
Endobronchial One-Way Valve Therapy Facilitates Weaning from Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in a Patient with ARDS and Persistent Air Leak
Authors: Ghiani Alessandro , Hansen Matthias , Tsitouras Konstantinos , Neurohr Claus
Published: September 2018

Prolonged pulmonary air leak (PAL) is a common clinical problem, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are numerous reports of treatment of PAL using endobronchial valves (EBV) in respiratory stable patients, but only few reports on critically ill patients, and there is virtually no practical knowledge in the treatment of PAL in mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), treated with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO). We describe a case where EBV placement was performed in a patient with ARDS and PAL, treated with mechanical ventilation and vvECMO. Despite a lung protective ventilation strategy, a persistent air leak along with a large left-sided pneumothorax was observed. After bronchoscopic localisation of the fistula, two endobronchial valves were inserted into the left upper lobe, leading to an immediate decrease in the air flow and reexpansion of the left lung. During the following two weeks, the patient was weaned from vvECMO, and after another three weeks, complete liberation from mechanical ventilation was accomplished. EBV placement seems to be a safe method even in the presence of coagulopathy and may facilitate mechanical ventilation and weaning from vvECMO in patients with ARDS and PAL.
FDA Approval: Blinatumomab for Patients with B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Morphologic Remission with Minimal Residual Disease
Authors: Jen Emily Y. , Xu Qing , Schetter Aaron , Przepiorka Donna , Shen Yuan Li , Roscoe Donna , Sridhara Rajeshwari , Deisseroth Albert , Philip Reena , Farrell Ann T. , Pazdur Richard
Published: September 2018

On March 29, 2018, the FDA granted accelerated approval for blinatumomab (Blincyto; Amgen, Inc.) for the treatment of adults and children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP ALL) in first or second complete remission with minimal residual disease (MRD) greater than or equal to 0.1%. Blinatumomab is a CD3xCD19 bispecific antibody approved previously for the treatment of relapsed or refractory BCP ALL. The basis for this accelerated approval was a single-arm trial. For the 86 patients in first and second complete remission with MRD ≥ 0.1%, conversion to MRD < 0.01% was achieved after one cycle of blinatumomab by 85.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 73.8%, 93.0%] and 72.0% (95% CI: 50.6%, 87.9%), respectively, and the estimated median hematologic relapse-free survivals (RFS) were 35.2 months (95% CI: 0.4–53.5) and 12.3 months (95% CI: 0.7–42.3), respectively. Hematologic RFS was considered substantial independent of whether patients underwent subsequent allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The safety profile for blinatumomab was established in prior studies, and no new safety signals were observed in the new population. Cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity remain significant risks. The FDA is requiring confirmation of clinical benefit in a randomized trial.