bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic Resonance Biomarkers in Neonatal Encephalopathy (MARBLE): a prospective multicountry study
Authors: Lally Peter J , Pauliah Shreela , Montaldo Paolo , Chaban Badr , Oliveira Vania , Bainbridge Alan , Soe Aung , Pattnayak Santosh , Clarke Paul , Satodia Prakash , Harigopal Sundeep , Abernethy Laurence J , Turner Mark A , Huertas-Ceballos Angela , Shankaran Seetha , Thayyil Sudhin
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Despite cooling, adverse outcomes are seen in up to half of the surviving infants after neonatal encephalopathy. A number of novel adjunct drug therapies with cooling have been shown to be highly neuroprotective in animal studies, and are currently awaiting clinical translation. Rigorous evaluation of these therapies in phase II trials using surrogate MR biomarkers may speed up their bench to bedside translation. A recent systematic review of single-centre studies has suggested that MR spectroscopy biomarkers offer the best promise; however, the prognostic accuracy of these biomarkers in cooled encephalopathic babies in a multicentre setting using different MR scan makers is not known.

Methods and analysis

The MR scanners (3 T; Philips, Siemens, GE) in all the participating sites will be harmonised using phantom experiments and healthy adult volunteers before the start of the study. We will then recruit 180 encephalopathic infants treated with whole body cooling from the participating centres. MRI and spectroscopy will be performed within 2 weeks of birth. Neurodevelopmental outcomes will be assessed at 18–24 months of age. Agreement between MR cerebral biomarkers and neurodevelopmental outcome will be reported. The sample size is calculated using the ‘rule of 10’, generally used to calculate the sample size requirements for developing prognostic models. Considering 9 parameters, we require 9×10 adverse events, which suggest that a total sample size of 180 is required.

Ethics and dissemination

Human Research Ethics Committee approvals have been received from Brent Research Ethics Committee (London), and from Imperial College London (Sponsor). We will submit the results of the study to relevant journals and offer national and international presentations.

Trial registration number

Clinical Trials.gov Number:NCT01309711.
Observation for assessment of clinician performance: a narrative review
Authors: Yanes Arianna F , McElroy Lisa M , Abecassis Zachary A , Holl Jane , Woods Donna , Ladner Daniela P
Published: October 2015

Background

Video recorded and in-person observations are methods of quality assessment and monitoring that have been employed in high risk industries. In the medical field, observations have been used to evaluate the quality and safety of various clinical processes. This review summarises studies utilising video recorded or in-person observations for assessing clinician performance in medicine and surgery.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE (PubMed) was conducted using a combination of medical subject headings (MeSH) terms. Articles were included if they described the use of in-person or video recorded observations to assess clinician practices in three categories: (1) teamwork and communication between clinicians; (2) errors and weaknesses in practice; and (3) compliance and adherence to interventions or guidelines.

Results

The initial search criteria returned 3215 studies, 223 of which were identified for full text review. A total of 69 studies were included in the final set of literature. Observations were most commonly used in data dense and high risk environments, such as the emergency department or operating room. The most common use was for assessing teamwork and communication factors.

Conclusions

Observations are useful for the improvement of healthcare delivery through the identification of clinician lapses and weaknesses that affect quality and safety. Limitations of observations include the Hawthorne effect and the necessity of trained observers to capture and analyse the notes or videos. The comprehensive, subtle and sensitive information observations provided can supplement traditional quality assessment methods and inform targeted interventions to improve patient safety and the quality of care.
Accounting for a lame cow
Authors: Brown Richard
Published: October 2015

THIS series gives readers the opportunity to consider and contribute to discussion of some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. Each month, a case scenario is presented, followed by discussion of some of the issues involved.

In addition, a possible way forward is suggested; however, there is rarely a cut‐and‐dried answer in such cases, and readers may wish to suggest an alternative approach. This month's dilemma, ‘Accounting for a lame cow’, was submitted and is discussed by Richard Brown. Readers with comments to contribute are invited to send them as soon as possible, so that they can be considered for publication in the next issue. Discussion of the dilemma ‘“Off colour” alpaca’, which was published in the September issue of In Practice, appears on page 487.

The series is being coordinated by Siobhan Mullan, of the University of Bristol. It is hoped it will provide a framework that will help practices find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.
Comments on the dilemma in the September issue: ‘“Off colour” alpaca’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: October 2015

The dilemma in the September issue concerned an ‘off colour’ alpaca in a paddock next to the one you were working in; you were attending to one of your client's sheep. The owner told you that the alpaca had been ‘off colour’ recently, but when you offered to examine the animal, the owner refused. You were aware that the area had a high rate of TB and had recently had a TB breakdown in a group of alpacas (IP, September 2015, vol 37, pp 430‐431). Andrea Turner suggested that a possible way forward might be to phone the owner in a couple of days to check up on the animal. If there was no improvement or the animal had deteriorated, and the owner still refused a visit, you could highlight that the welfare of the animal was likely to have been compromised and that it was possible that it might be suffering from bovine TB. Biosecurity and isolation of the animal should be discussed, along with the possibility of voluntary TB testing. Mentioning that the RSPCA might have to be involved on animal welfare grounds, or the APHA due to potential TB infection, might be enough to persuade the owner to allow you to examine the animal.
The rise of neoliberalism: how bad economics imperils health and what to do about it
Authors: Labonté Ronald , Stuckler David
Published: October 2015

The 2008 global financial crisis, precipitated by high-risk, under-regulated financial practices, is often seen as a singular event. The crisis, its recessionary consequences, bank bailouts and the adoption of ‘austerity’ measures can be seen as a continuation of a 40-year uncontrolled experiment in neoliberal economics. Although public spending and recapitalisation of failing banks helped prevent a 1930s-style Great Depression, the deep austerity measures that followed have stifled a meaningful recovery for the majority of populations. In the short term, these austerity measures, especially cuts to health and social protection systems, pose major health risks in those countries under its sway. Meanwhile structural changes to the global labour market, increasing under-employment in high-income countries and economic insecurity elsewhere, are likely to widen health inequities in the longer term. We call for four policy reforms to reverse rising inequalities and their harms to public health. First is re-regulating global finance. Second is rejecting austerity as an empirically and ethically unjustified policy, especially given now clear evidence of its deleterious health consequences. Third, there is a need to restore progressive taxation at national and global scales. Fourth is a fundamental shift away from the fossil fuel economy and policies that promote economic growth in ways that imperil environmental sustainability. This involves redistributing work and promoting fairer pay. We do not suggest these reforms will be politically feasible or even achievable in the short term. They nonetheless constitute an evidence-based agenda for strong, public health advocacy and practice.
Giving something back
Authors: Varga Gabriel
Published: October 2015

Gabriel Varga leads the team that developed AFSCAN – the African Small Companion Animal Network, which aims to ‘transform the veterinary landscape across Africa’. Dr Varga's veterinary journey began in Košice, which at the time was part of Czechoslovakia; he is now director of business operations for Zoetis north Europe
Enhanced thermoelectric properties of the hole-doped Bi2−xKxSr2Co2Oy ceramics
Authors: Gao Feng , He Qinglin , Cao Ruijuan , Wu Fang , Hu Xing , Song Hongzhang
Published: October 2015

In this paper, the influence of K element doping on the thermoelectric properties of the [Formula: see text] (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20) samples prepared by the solid-state reaction method were investigated from 333 K to 973 K. It was shown that due to the p-type K doping the electrical resistivity of the doped sample can be reduced remarkably as compared with the undoped sample, especially for the optimum doped sample [Formula: see text]. The Seebeck coefficients of the K doped samples have only a slight decrease as compared with the undoped sample. As a result of the remarkable reduction of the electrical resistivity the power factor of the doped sample have a significant improvement. The thermal conductivity of the samples is depressed due to the defects caused by K doping. As an overall result, the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of the [Formula: see text] sample reaches a maximum value of 0.3 at 973 K, being 93% higher than that of the undoped sample.
Self-accelerating matter waves
Authors: Yuce C.
Published: October 2015

The free particle Schrödinger equation admits a nontrivial self-accelerating Airy wave packet solution. Recently, the Airy beams that freely accelerate in space was experimentally realized in photonics community. Here, we present self-accelerating waves for the Bose–Einstein condensate in a time-dependent harmonic oscillator potential. We show that parity and time reversal symmetries for self-accelerating waves are spontaneously broken.
A Constrained Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Boundary Search and Archive
Authors: Liu Hai-Lin , Peng Chaoda , Gu Fangqing , Wen Jiechang
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we propose a decomposition-based evolutionary algorithm with boundary search and archive for constrained multi-objective optimization problems (CMOPs), named CM2M. It decomposes a CMOP into a number of optimization subproblems and optimizes them simultaneously. Moreover, a novel constraint handling scheme based on the boundary search and archive is proposed. Each subproblem has one archive, including a subpopulation and a temporary register. Those individuals with better objective values and lower constraint violations are recorded in the subpopulation, while the temporary register consists of those individuals ever found before. To improve the efficiency of the algorithm, the boundary search method is designed. This method makes the feasible individuals with a higher probability to perform genetic operator with the infeasible individuals. Especially, when the constraints are active at the Pareto solutions, it can play its leading role. Compared with two algorithms, i.e. CMOEA/D-DE-CDP and Gary’s algorithm, on 18 CMOPs, the results show the effectiveness of the proposed constraint handling scheme.
BOUNDARY DIMENSIONS OF FRACTAL TILINGS
Authors: OUYANG PEICHANG , YI HUA , DENG ZHIYUN , HUANG XUAN , YU TAO
Published: October 2015

A fractal tiling is a tiling which possesses self-similarity and the boundary of which is a fractal. In this paper, we investigate the boundary dimension of [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-tilings. We first derive an explicit recursion formula for the boundary edges of [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-tilings. Then we present an analytical expression for their fractal boundary dimensions using matrix methods. Results indicate that, as [Formula: see text] increases, the boundaries of [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-tilings will degenerate into general Euclidean curves. The method proposed in this paper can be extended to compute the boundary dimensions of other kinds of fractal tilings.
A New Explicit Time Integration Scheme for Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
Authors: Rezaiee-Pajand Mohammad , Karimi-Rad Mahdi
Published: October 2015

An explicit time integration method is presented for the linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses of structures. Using two parameters and employing the Taylor series expansion, a family of second-order accurate methods for the solution of dynamic problems is derived. The proposed scheme includes the central difference method as a special case, while damping is shown to exert no effect on the solution accuracy. The proposed method is featured by the following facts: (i) the relative period error is almost zero for specific values of the parameters; (ii) the numerical dissipation contained can help filter out spurious high-frequency components; and (iii) the crucial lower modes are generally unaffected in the integration. Although the proposed method is conditionally stable, it has an appropriate region of stability, and is self-starting. The numerical tests indicate the improved performance of the proposed technique over the central difference method.
On normal subgroups with consecutive G-class sizes
Authors: Shao Changguo , Jiang Qinhui
Published: October 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and [Formula: see text] be a normal subgroup of [Formula: see text]. If the set [Formula: see text] is composed by consecutive integers, then [Formula: see text] is either nilpotent or a quasi-Frobenius group with abelian kernel and complements. This is a generalization of Theorem 2 of [A. Beltrán, M. J. Felipe and C. G. Shao, [Formula: see text]-divisibility of conjugacy class sizes and normal [Formula: see text]-complements, J. Group Theory 18 (2015) 133–141].
Theoretical insight into the interplay between lithium and halogen–hydride bonds: Anab initiostudy
Authors: Vatanparast Morteza , Taghizadeh Mohammad Taghi , Parvini Elahe
Published: October 2015

Quantum chemical calculations have been performed to analyze the intermolecular interactions in the ternary NCLi ⋯ NCX ⋯ HMgY complexes ( X = F , Cl , Br ; Y = H , F , Cl , Br , Li ). A cooperative effect is observed between the lithium and halogen–hydride bonds in these complexes. The cooperative energy ranges from -1.81 kJ/mol to -5.21 kJ/mol, -3.59 kJ/mol to -9.86 kJ/mol and -4.77 kJ/mol to -14.27 kJ/mol for X = F , Cl and Br , respectively (at MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level). The geometrical and interaction energies analysis reveal that the lithium bond has a greater enhancing effect on the halogen–hydride bond. The results of many-body analysis indicate that two- and three-body interaction energies have a positive contribution to the total interaction energy. The electronic characteristics of the complexes have been analyzed through molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), atoms in molecules (AIM), electron localization function (ELF) and natural bond orbital (NBO) methodologies.
ARE ENTREPRENEURS’ NETWORKS DYNAMIC? A REPLICATION STUDY TESTING CHANGES IN ENTREPRENEURS’ NETWORKS DURING NEW VENTURE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: SULLIVAN DIANE M.
Published: October 2015

Entrepreneurs’ networks are important for resource acquisition during early venturing. Interestingly, resource needs rapidly change during early venture development, which may necessitate a change in entrepreneurs’ networks. This study examines how the size of an early-stage entrepreneur’s network affects the subsequent structural (e.g., size) and content (e.g., knowledge diversity) character of their network. Additionally, how the strength of an early-stage entrepreneur’s network ties affects the subsequent structural (e.g., size and tie strength) and content (e.g., knowledge diversity) character of their network is explored. Data from the PSED-I were used to analyze the relationships. Results suggest the relationship between network size at time one and network size at time two is positive. Results further suggest a negative relationship between the number of weak ties at time one and the number of strong ties at time two. In addition, a positive relationship was found between network size at time one and network knowledge diversity at time two. Overall, this study contributes by providing a replication of results from recent work examining dynamics of entrepreneurs’ networks and it extends research on the topic by testing proposals utilizing panel data and through integrating novel theoretical perspectives.
One-Step Fabrication of Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Cr (VI) in Living Cells
Authors: Zhang Dan , Jiang Yingnan , Wang Chuanxi
Published: October 2015

A one-step facile method of synthesizing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) has been demonstrated, whereby fluorescent CDs are produced through hydrothermal treatment of glucose in the presence of H3BO3 with a fluorescence quantum yield of 14.5%. It is found that spherical CDs have an average size of 3.7[Formula: see text]nm as well as good monodispersion in aqueous solution. The added Cr (VI) selectively leads to the inner filter effect (IFE)-based fluorescence quenching of the CDs. Such fluorescence responses can be used for well quantifying Cr (VI) in the range of 0.05–200[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M. Significantly, the CDs possess negligible cytotoxicity, excellent biocompatibility and high selectivity. All these features are favorable for label-free monitoring of Cr (VI) in complex biological samples. It was then successfully applied for the fluorescence imaging of intracellular Cr (VI). As an efficient chemosensor, the CDs hold great promise in broadening their applications in biological systems.
MaxDiff Priority Estimations with and without HB-MNL
Authors: Lipovetsky Stan , Conklin Michael
Published: October 2015

Maximum difference (MaxDiff) is a discrete choice modeling approach widely used in marketing research for finding utilities and preference probabilities among multiple alternatives. It can be seen as an extension of the paired comparison in Thurstone and Bradley–Terry techniques for the simultaneous presenting of three, four or more items to respondents. A respondent identifies the best and the worst ones, so the remaining are deemed intermediate by preference alternatives. Estimation of individual utilities is usually performed in a hierarchical Bayesian (HB)-multinomial-logit (MNL) modeling. MNL model can be reduced to a logit model by the data composed of two specially constructed design matrices of the prevalence from the best and the worst sides. The composed data can be of a large size which makes logistic modeling less precise and very consuming in computer time and memory. This paper describes how the results for utilities and choice probabilities can be obtained from the raw data, and instead of HB methods the empirical Bayes techniques can be applied. This approach enriches MaxDiff and is useful for estimations on large data sets. The results of analytical approach are compared with HB-MNL and several other techniques.
Groundwater and Economic Dynamics, Shadow Rents and Shadow Prices: The Punjab
Authors: Smith Rodney B. W. , Nelson Harumi , Roe Terry L.
Published: October 2015

This study investigates the effect of electricity subsidies on economic and groundwater dynamics. The analysis follows from a dynamic, multisector and general equilibrium model in which both aquifer hydrology dynamics in the Punjab region of India and capital accumulation across India are endogenous. The model predicts Punjabi aquifer depletion which has distinct regional impacts and slight spillovers on the rest of the Indian economy. From the Punjab perspective, electricity subsidies encourage higher levels of groundwater extraction than one would observe in the absence of the subsidy. In turn, the higher levels of groundwater extraction increase agriculture's ability to compete for labor and other farm inputs. Even with the subsidy, however, as the economy transitions to the long run equilibrium, groundwater tables fall and more electricity is needed to supply the same amount of water used in the previous period. These forces slowly diminish agriculture's ability to compete for resources and the sector eventually loses resources to the rest of the economy and in turn, agricultural income falls over time. These dynamics are accentuated when the subsidy is removed, leading to a more rapid decline in Punjabi agricultural income.

Our empirical findings suggest eliminating the 'electricity for irrigation' subsidy leads to double gains: An environmental gain and an economic gain. The environmental gain is a slower rate of aquifer depletion over time relative to a subsidy world. Removing the subsidy discourages production of high water-intensive crops, thus slowing the rate of groundwater extraction. Although removing the subsidy increases agricultural production costs, it makes electricity less expensive for competing sectors, namely manufacturing, which in turn leads, over time, to increased electricity, capital and labor demand from manufacturing. This reallocation of resources to more productive sectors in the economy leads to an increase in Punjabi gross state domestic product, as compared to the case where electricity is subsidized. The empirical results suggest removing Punjabi electricity subsidies entails trade-offs between agricultural and manufacturing income and has implications for long term water use. Empirical results also suggest that correctly calculating the "stock" value of a natural resource requires macroeconomic data and hence, may be impossible to conduct in a partial equilibrium setting.
Edge-centric Computing
Authors: Garcia Lopez Pedro , Montresor Alberto , Epema Dick , Datta Anwitaman , Higashino Teruo , Iamnitchi Adriana , Barcellos Marinho , Felber Pascal , Riviere Etienne
Published: October 2015

In many aspects of human activity, there has been a continuous struggle between the forces of centralization and decentralization. Computing exhibits the same phenomenon; we have gone from mainframes to PCs and local networks in the past, and over the last decade we have seen a centralization and consolidation of services and applications in data centers and clouds. We position that a new shift is necessary. Technological advances such as powerful dedicated connection boxes deployed in most homes, high capacity mobile end-user devices and powerful wireless networks, along with growing user concerns about trust, privacy, and autonomy requires taking the control of computing applications, data, and services away from some central nodes (the "core") to the other logical extreme (the "edge") of the Internet. We also position that this development can help blurring the boundary between man and machine, and embrace social computing in which humans are part of the computation and decision making loop, resulting in a human-centered system design. We refer to this vision of human-centered edge-device based computing as
Edge-centric Computing
. We elaborate in this position paper on this vision and present the research challenges associated with its implementation.
Carnitine supplementation in high-fat diet-fed rats does not ameliorate lipid-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo
Authors: Wessels Bart , van den Broek Nicole M. A. , Ciapaite Jolita , Houten Sander M. , Wanders Ronald J. A. , Nicolay Klaas , Prompers Jeanine J.
Published: October 2015

Muscle lipid overload and the associated accumulation of lipid intermediates play an important role in the development of insulin resistance. Carnitine insufficiency is a common feature of insulin-resistant states and might lead to incomplete fatty acid oxidation and impaired export of lipid intermediates out of the mitochondria. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that carnitine supplementation reduces high-fat diet-induced lipotoxicity, improves muscle mitochondrial function, and ameliorates insulin resistance. Wistar rats were fed either normal chow or a high-fat diet for 15 wk. One group of high-fat diet-fed rats was supplemented with 300 mg·kg−1·day−1l-carnitine during the last 8 wk. Muscle mitochondrial function was measured in vivo by31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and ex vivo by high-resolution respirometry. Muscle lipid status was determined by1H MRS (intramyocellular lipids) and tandem mass spectrometry (acylcarnitines). High-fat diet feeding induced insulin resistance and was associated with decreases in muscle and blood free carnitine, elevated levels of muscle lipids and acylcarnitines, and an increased number of muscle mitochondria that showed an improved capacity to oxidize fat-derived substrates when tested ex vivo. This was, however, not accompanied by an increase in muscle oxidative capacity in vivo, indicating that in vivo mitochondrial function was compromised. Despite partial normalization of muscle and blood free carnitine content, carnitine supplementation did not induce improvements in muscle lipid status, in vivo mitochondrial function, or insulin sensitivity. Carnitine insufficiency, therefore, does not play a major role in high-fat diet-induced muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo.
Enhanced Photovoltaic Properties of the Solar Cells Based on Cosensitization of CdS and Hydrogenation
Authors: He Hongcai , Yang Kui , Ren Shuangshuang , Liu Tao , Wang Ning
Published: October 2015

The hydrogenated TiO2 porous nanocrystalline film is modified with CdS quantum dots by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method to prepare the cosensitized TiO2 solar cells by CdS quantum dots and hydrogenation. The structure and topography of the composite photoanode film were confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. With deposited CdS nanoparticles, UV absorption spectra of H:TiO2 photoanode film indicated a considerably enhanced absorption in the visible region. The cosensitized TiO2 solar cell by CdS quantum dots and hydrogenation presents much better photovoltaic properties than either CdS sensitized TiO2 solar cells or hydrogenated TiO2 solar cells, which displays enhanced photovoltaic performance with power conversion efficiency (η) of 1.99% (Jsc = 6.26 mA cm−2, Voc = 0.65 V, and FF = 0.49) under full one‐sun illumination. The reason for the enhanced photovoltaic performance of the novel cosensitized solar cell is primarily explained by studying the Nyquist spectrums, IPCE spectra, dark current, and photovoltaic performances.
Power Flows and Efficiency of Output Compound e-CVT
Authors: Bottiglione Francesco , Mantriota Giacomo
Published: October 2015

Hybridization is the most promising vehicular technology to get significant improvements of the vehicle efficiency and performance in the short-term. Mechanical transmissions for hybrid vehicles are very often multiple modes transmission, which permit improving the performance in different working conditions. In this context, optimal design and control of these transmissions are a key point to improve the performance of the vehicles, and mathematical models which supports the design can play an important role in this field. In this work, an approach for evaluating the performance of Output Compound Split e-CVT (electric Continuously Variable Transmission) in steady-state is proposed. This approach, in addition to a kinematic analysis of the device, leads to the calculation of the internal power circulation modes and the efficiency of the device in different working conditions.
Dynamics of Planar Systems That Model Stage-Structured Populations
Authors: Lazaryan N. , Sedaghat H.
Published: October 2015

We study a general discrete planar system for modeling stage-structured populations. Our results include conditions for the global convergence of orbits to zero (extinction) when the parameters (vital rates) are time and density dependent. When the parameters are periodic we obtain weaker conditions for extinction. We also study a rational special case of the system for Beverton-Holt type interactions and show that the persistence equilibrium (in the positive quadrant) may be globally attracting even in the presence of interstage competition. However, we determine that with a sufficiently high level of competition, the persistence equilibrium becomes unstable (a saddle point) and the system exhibits period two oscillations.
Ultradrawing and Ultimate Tenacity Properties of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene Composite Fibers Filled with Nanosilica Particles with Varying Specific Surface Areas
Authors: Yeh Jen-taut , Wang Chuen-Kai , Huang Lu-Kai , Tsai Chih-Chen , Lai Wei-Yu
Published: October 2015

Original and/or functionalized nanosilica particles with a quoted specific surface area of 100, 300, and 600 m2/g, respectively, were used to investigate the influence of specific surface areas of nanosilica particles on ultradrawing and ultimate tensile properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), UHMWPE/nanosilica, and UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica fibers. The specific surface areas of well‐dispersed functionalized nanosilica particles in UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica fibers can positively affect their ultradrawing, orientation, ultimate tensile properties, and “micro‐fibrils” morphologies. Excellent orientation and ultimate tensile properties of UHMWPE/nanofiller fibers can be prepared by ultradrawing the UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica as‐prepared fibers with optimal contents of the best prepared functionalized nanosilica particles well dispersing in the as‐prepared fibers. The ultimate tensile strength value of the best prepared UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica drawn fiber reaches 7.6 GPa, which is about 2.3 times of those of the best prepared UHMWPE drawn fiber without addition of any nanofiller. Specific surface area, morphological and Fourier transform infrared analyses of original and functionalized nanosilica particles, and/or investigations of thermal, orientation factor, and ultimate tensile properties of as‐prepared and/or drawn UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica fibers were performed to understand the above improved ultradrawing and ultimate tensile properties of the UHMWPE/functionalized nanosilica as‐prepared and/or drawn fibers.
A Simplified Output Regulator for a Class of Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Models
Authors: Hernández-Cortés Tonatiuh , Meda Campaña Jesús A. , Páramo Carranza Luis A. , Gómez Mancilla Julio C.
Published: October 2015

This paper is devoted to solve the regulation problem on the basis of local regulators, which are combined using “new” membership functions. As a result, the exact tracking of references is achieved. The design of linear local regulators is suggested in this paper, but now adequate membership functions are computed in order to ensure the proper combination of the local regulators in the interpolation regions. These membership functions, which are given as mathematical expressions, solve the fuzzy regulation problem in a relative simple way. The form of the new membership functions is systematically derived for a class of Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems. Some numerical examples are used to illustrate the viability of the proposed approach.
Patterns Exploration on Patterns of Empirical Herbal Formula of Chinese Medicine by Association Rules
Authors: Huang Li , Yuan Jiamin , Yang Zhimin , Xu Fuping , Huang Chunhua
Published: October 2015

Background. In this study, we use association rules to explore the latent rules and patterns of prescribing and adjusting the ingredients of herbal decoctions based on empirical herbal formula of Chinese Medicine (CM). Materials and Methods. The consideration and development of CM prescriptions based on the knowledge of CM doctors are analyzed. The study contained three stages. The first stage is to identify the chief symptoms to a specific empirical herbal formula, which can serve as the key indication for herb addition and cancellation. The second stage is to conduct a case study on the empirical CM herbal formula for insomnia. Doctors will add extra ingredients or cancel some of them by CM syndrome diagnosis. The last stage of the study is to divide the observed cases into the effective group and ineffective group based on the assessed clinical effect by doctors. The patterns during the diagnosis and treatment are selected by the applied algorithm and the relations between clinical symptoms or indications and herb choosing principles will be selected by the association rules algorithm. Results. Totally 40 patients were observed in this study: 28 patients were considered effective after treatment and the remaining 12 were ineffective. 206 patterns related to clinical indications of Chinese Medicine were checked and screened with each observed case. In the analysis of the effective group, we used the algorithm of association rules to select combinations between 28 herbal adjustment strategies of the empirical herbal formula and the 190 patterns of individual clinical manifestations. During this stage, 11 common patterns were eliminated and 5 major symptoms for insomnia remained. 12 association rules were identified which included 5 herbal adjustment strategies. Conclusion. The association rules method is an effective algorithm to explore the latent relations between clinical indications and herbal adjustment strategies for the study on empirical herbal formulas.
Acupuncture for Vascular Dementia: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shi Guang-Xia , Li Qian-Qian , Yang Bo-Feng , Liu Yan , Guan Li-Ping , Wu Meng-Meng , Wang Lin-Peng , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: October 2015

In this trial, patients who agreed to random assignment were allocated to a randomized acupuncture group (R‐acupuncture group) or control group. Those who declined randomization were assigned to a nonrandomized acupuncture group (NR‐acupuncture group). Patients in the R‐acupuncture group and NR‐acupuncture group received up to 21 acupuncture sessions during a period of 6 weeks plus routine care, while the control group received routine care alone. Cognitive function, activities of daily living, and quality of life were assessed by mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), and dementia quality of life questionnaire (DEMQOL), respectively. All the data were collected at baseline, after 6‐week treatment, and after 4‐week follow‐up. No significant differences of MMSE scores were observed among the three groups but pooled‐acupuncture group had significant higher score than control group. Compared to control group, ADL score significantly decreased in NR‐acupuncture group and pooled‐acupuncture group. For DEMQOL scores, no significant differences were observed among the three groups, as well as between pooled‐acupuncture group and control group. Additional acupuncture to routine care may have beneficial effects on the improvements of cognitive status and activities of daily living but have limited efficacy on health‐related quality of life in VaD patients.
Research of Control Strategy in the Large Electric Cylinder Position Servo System
Authors: Liu Yongguang , Gao Xiaohui , Yang Xiaowei
Published: October 2015

An ideal positioning response is very difficult to realize in the large electric cylinder system that is applied in missile launcher because of the presence of many nonlinear factors such as load disturbance, parameter variations, lost motion, and friction. This paper presents a piecewise control strategy based on the optimized positioning principle. The combined application of position interpolation method and modified incremental PID with dead band is proposed and applied into control system. The experimental result confirms that this combined control strategy is not only simple to be applied into high accuracy real-time control system but also significantly improves dynamic response, steady accuracy, and anti-interference performance, which has very important significance to improve the smooth control of the large electric cylinder.
Archaeal Nucleic Acid Ligases and Their Potential in Biotechnology
Authors: Chambers Cecilia R. , Patrick Wayne M.
Published: October 2015

With their ability to catalyse the formation of phosphodiester linkages, DNA ligases and RNA ligases are essential tools for many protocols in molecular biology and biotechnology. Currently, the nucleic acid ligases from bacteriophage T4 are used extensively in these protocols. In this review, we argue that the nucleic acid ligases from Archaea represent a largely untapped pool of enzymes with diverse and potentially favourable properties for new and emerging biotechnological applications. We summarise the current state of knowledge on archaeal DNA and RNA ligases, which makes apparent the relative scarcity of information onin vitroactivities that are of most relevance to biotechnologists (such as the ability to join blunt- or cohesive-ended, double-stranded DNA fragments). We highlight the existing biotechnological applications of archaeal DNA ligases and RNA ligases. Finally, we draw attention to recent experiments in which protein engineering was used to modify the activities of the DNA ligase fromPyrococcus furiosusand the RNA ligase fromMethanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, thus demonstrating the potential for further work in this area.
End-Effector Trajectory Tracking Control of Space Robot withL2Gain Performance
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Wang Dayi , Wei Chunling , Xiao Bing
Published: October 2015

This paper presents a novel solution to the control problem of end-effector robust trajectory tracking for space robot. External disturbance and system uncertainties are addressed. For the considered robot operating in free-floating mode, a Chebyshev neural network is introduced to estimate system uncertainties and external disturbances. An adaptive controller is then proposed. The closed-loop system is guaranteed to be ultimately uniformly bounded. The key feature of this proposed approach is that, by choosing appropriate control gains, it can achieve any given small level ofL2gain disturbance attenuation from external disturbance to system output. The tracking performance is evaluated through a numerical example.
Researches on Mathematical Relationship of Five Elements of Containing Notes and Fibonacci Sequence Modulo 5
Authors: Chen Zhaoxue
Published: October 2015

Considering the five periods and six qi’s theory in TCM almost shares a common basis of stem‐branch system with the five elements of containing notes, studying the principle or mathematical structure behind the five elements of containing notes can surely bring a novel view for the five periods and six qi’s researches. By analyzing typical mathematical rules included in He tu, Luo shu, and stem‐branch theory in TCM as well as the Fibonacci sequence especially widely existent in the biological world, novel researches are performed on mathematical relationship between the five elements of containing notes and the Fibonacci sequence modulo 5. Enlightened by elementary Yin or Yang number grouping principle of He tu, Luo shu, the 12534 and 31542 key number series of Fibonacci sequence modulo 5 are obtained. And three new arrangements about the five elements of containing notes are then introduced, which have shown close relationship with the two obtained key subsequences of the Fibonacci sequence modulo 5. The novel discovery is quite helpful to recover the scientific secret of the five periods and six qi’s theory in TCM as well as that of whole traditional Chinese culture system, but more data is needed to elucidate the TCM theory further.
Voltage Sources in 2D Fourier-Based Analytical Models of Electric Machines
Authors: Hannon Bert , Sergeant Peter , Dupré Luc
Published: October 2015

The importance of extensive optimizations during the design of electric machines entails a need for fast and accurate simulation tools. For that reason, Fourier-based analytical models have gained a lot of popularity. The problem, however, is that these models typically require a current density as input. This is in contrast with the fact that the great majority of modern drive trains are powered with the help of a pulse-width modulated voltage-source inverter. To overcome that mismatch, this paper presents a coupling of classical Fourier-based models with the equation for the terminal voltage of an electric machine, a technique that is well known in finite-element modeling but has not yet been translated to Fourier-based analytical models. Both a very general discussion of the technique and a specific example are discussed. The presented work is validated with the help of a finite-element model. A very good accuracy is obtained.
Analytical Solution of Heat Conduction for Hollow Cylinders with Time-Dependent Boundary Condition and Time-Dependent Heat Transfer Coefficient
Authors: Tu Te-Wen , Lee Sen-Yung
Published: October 2015

An analytical solution for the heat transfer in hollow cylinders with time-dependent boundary condition and time-dependent heat transfer coefficient at different surfaces is developed for the first time. The methodology is an extension of the shifting function method. By dividing the Biot function into a constant plus a function and introducing two specially chosen shifting functions, the system is transformed into a partial differential equation with homogenous boundary conditions only. The transformed system is thus solved by series expansion theorem. Limiting cases of the solution are studied and numerical results are compared with those in the literature. The convergence rate of the present solution is fast and the analytical solution is simple and accurate. Also, the influence of physical parameters on the temperature distribution of a hollow cylinder along the radial direction is investigated.
Active Compounds of Rhubarb Root and Rhizome in Animal Model Experiments of Focal Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Liu Ai-ju , Song Liang , Li Yan , Zhang Xiao-guang , Chen Zi-xian , Huang Li-bo , Zhang Hong-feng , Zheng Guo-qing
Published: October 2015

Rhubarb root and rhizome (RRR) has been clinically used for stroke at least 2000 years and is still used in modern times in both China and elsewhere worldwide. The objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of active compounds of RRR (ACRRR) for experimental ischemic stroke. Studies of ACRRR in animal models of ischemic stroke were identified from 5 databases until April 2014. Study quality for each included article was evaluated according to the CAMARADES 10-item checklist. Outcome measures were neurological deficit score and infarct size. All the data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1 software. As a result, 20 studies were identified describing procedures involving 577 animals. The quality score of studies ranges from 2 to 6, and the median was 3.4. Six studies showed significant effects of ACRRR for improving infarct size compared with model group (P<0.01). Six studies indicated significant effects of ACRRR for improving the neurological deficit scores according to Zea longa criterion or eight-point criterion (P<0.01). In conclusion, these findings demonstrated a possible efficacy of ACRRR that have potential neuroprotective effect for experimental ischemic stroke. However, these apparently positive findings should be interpreted with caution because of the methodological flaws.
HER2 Status in Premalignant, Early, and Advanced Neoplastic Lesions of the Stomach
Authors: Ieni A. , Barresi V. , Rigoli L. , Caruso R. A. , Tuccari G.
Published: October 2015

Objectives. HER2 expression in gastric cancer (GC) has received attention as a potential target for therapy with Trastuzumab. We reviewed the current knowledge on HER2 status in premalignant gastric lesions and in early (EGC) and advanced (AGC) GC to discuss the possible pathogenetic and prognostic roles of HER2 overexpression in GC.Results. HER2 overexpression was documented in gastric low-grade (LG) and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-IEN), with higher frequency in gastric type dysplasia. HER2 overexpression was significantly associated with disease recurrence and poor prognosis in EGC representing an independent risk factor for lymph node metastases. HER2 overexpression was more frequent in AGC characterized by high grade, advanced stage, and high Ki-67 labeling index. The discordance in HER2 status was evidenced between primitive GC and synchronous or metachronous metastases.Conclusions. HER2 overexpression in premalignant gastric lesions suggests its potential involvement in the early steps of gastric carcinogenesis. The assessment of HER2 status in EGC may be helpful for the identification of patients who are at low risk for developing nodal metastases. Finally, the possible discordance in HER2 status between primary GC and its synchronous metastases support routine assessment of HER2 both in the primary GC and in its metastatic lesions.
Robustness Analysis of Hybrid Stochastic Neural Networks with Neutral Terms and Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Wu Chunmei , Hu Junhao , Li Yan
Published: October 2015

We analyze the robustness of global exponential stability of hybrid stochastic neural networks subject to neutral terms and time-varying delays simultaneously. Given globally exponentially stable hybrid stochastic neural networks, we characterize the upper bounds of contraction coefficients of neutral terms and time-varying delays by using the transcendental equation. Moreover, we prove theoretically that, for any globally exponentially stable hybrid stochastic neural networks, if additive neutral terms and time-varying delays are smaller than the upper bounds arrived, then the perturbed neural networks are guaranteed to also be globally exponentially stable. Finally, a numerical simulation example is given to illustrate the presented criteria.
A New Hybrid Algorithm for Bankruptcy Prediction Using Switching Particle Swarm Optimization and Support Vector Machines
Authors: Lu Yang , Zeng Nianyin , Liu Xiaohui , Yi Shujuan
Published: October 2015

Bankruptcy prediction has been extensively investigated by data mining techniques since it is a critical issue in the accounting and finance field. In this paper, a new hybrid algorithm combining switching particle swarm optimization (SPSO) and support vector machine (SVM) is proposed to solve the bankruptcy prediction problem. In particular, a recently developed SPSO algorithm is exploited to search the optimal parameter values of radial basis function (RBF) kernel of the SVM. The new algorithm can largely improve the explanatory power and the stability of the SVM. The proposed algorithm is successfully applied in the bankruptcy prediction problem, where experiment data sets are originally from the UCI Machine Learning Repository. The simulation results show the superiority of proposed algorithm over the traditional SVM-based methods combined with genetic algorithm (GA) or the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm alone.
The Effects of Chinese Medicine on Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signal Pathway under High Glucose Condition
Authors: Liu Wei , Liang Xiaochun , Yang Dan
Published: October 2015

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and a series of complications. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a complex protein interaction network, which is also a key regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. Many scholars have found that high glucose can activate the Wnt signaling pathway. However, the effects of activation of this pathway in the presence of high glucose levels during the progression of diabetes still remained unclear. Here, we provide a review of the study on the effects of high glucose state on the Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway and the influence of Chinese medicine on it.