bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurogenic bladder in an adolescent woman with an ovarian tumour: an unusual presentation of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis
Authors: Liou Natasha Soong-Ying , Willmott Fredric
Published: August 2019

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is rarely seen in women with ovarian teratoma. It is characterised by neuropsychiatric symptoms and may also cause autonomic imbalance. We present the case of a 16-year-old nulliparous woman who presented with an acute history of seizures and neurogenic bladder. Antiviral and antiepileptic therapy conferred no therapeutic benefit. A cystic pelvic mass measuring 185×140×92 mm was identified separate from the bladder. Serum titres of NMDA receptor antibodies were significantly elevated. The mass was surgically removed and histology revealed benign ovarian teratoma with NMDA receptors. The patient made a rapid improvement and had full resolution of urinary and neuropsychiatric symptoms within 1 year. This case demonstrates that increased awareness in adolescents is crucial for avoiding symptom dismissal, misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of this condition. Surgical removal of the teratoma should be the first line therapy of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis as this often leads to symptom resolution soon after.
Obstructive retrosternal goitre mimicking severe bronchial asthma in pregnancy
Authors: Loo Guo Hou , Wan Mat Wan R , Muhammad Rohaizak , Azman Mawaddah
Published: August 2019

Acute airway obstruction in pregnancy remains a challenge to manage. Failure of appropriate and timely airway management may lead to maternal morbidity and mortality such as aspiration pneumonitis or worst hypoxaemic cardiopulmonary arrest.1As pregnancy may exacerbate asthma attacks, parturient presenting with wheezing or shortness of breath will commonly be treated as suffering from an asthmatic attack.2However, it is important to note other possible differential diagnoses. Thyroid disease is relatively common in women of childbearing age. The thyroid gland undergoes several changes during pregnancy, which may lead to altered function as well as gland enlargement and cause upper airway obstruction and symptoms similar to a bronchial asthma attack.3 4With that in mind, we report a case of a parturient with long-standing goitre in her second trimester who presented to our institution with acute respiratory symptoms and cardiopulmonary arrest.
Usefulness of multimodality cardiac imaging in a patient with ST elevation myocardial infarction caused by two giant coronary artery aneurysms
Authors: Hayashida Satoshi , Yagi Tsukasa , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Tachibana Eizo
Published: August 2019

Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a rare cause of myocardial infarction. However, only a few studies have investigated this aspect. An 84-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presented with nausea. showed ST elevation in the inferior leads, and coronary angiography revealed two giant CAAs in the right coronary artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention was difficult because of risk of CAA rupture. Thus, these aneurysms were further evaluated using multimodality cardiac imaging to determine the treatment. MRI using late gadolinium enhancement revealed structural features of the aneurysms and the viability of the myocardium. Only antithrombotic medication was administered on the basis of the results of the multimodality cardiac imaging. Here, we report a rare case of a patient diagnosed with ST elevation myocardial infarction caused by thrombosis in giant CAAs using multimodality cardiac imaging, particularly MRI.
Rare presentation of capillary haemangioma
Authors: Sen Saswati , Sahu Sandip Kumar , Lalitha Chennamgere Shivadevappa , Parija Sucheta
Published: August 2019

Conjunctival capillary haemangiomas are very rare above 40 years of age group, with few cases reported in the literature. Adding to the scanty literature of this uncommon vascular tumour, we present the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with a nodular growth in the conjunctiva without any associated systemic diseases or cutaneous lesion. Excisional biopsy of the mass was done. Histopathological examination showed lobulated capillary haemangioma which is very rare in this age group.
Use of the facial artery-based cutaneous island flap (melo-labial flap) for reconstruction of the neopharynx following total laryngectomy: a novel technique
Authors: Gupta Devendra Kumar , Chugh Rajeev , Singh Sanajeet Kumar , Pati Seema
Published: August 2019

Reconstruction of neopharynx after total laryngectomy is a challenging task. Various locoregional flaps like pectoralis major myocutaneos/ latismus dorsi flaps and free flaps have their own limitations and advantages. To overcome this, we used facial artery-based cutaneous island flap (melo-labial flap) for reconstruction of the neopharynx following total laryngectomy (DK Gupta technique). This flap is thin, pliable, without any gravitational pull and without any risk of anastomosis failure and hence has advantage of both locoregional and free flaps and eliminates the limitations of both. It is simple, reproducible and reliable reconstructive option for neopharynx. We present a case report, review of literature and this novel technique for an excellent outcome and recommend to use it as the new workhorse of neopharyngeal reconstruction.
Anatomical and functional outcomes following switching from aflibercept to ranibizumab in neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Europe: SAFARI study
Authors: Gale Richard P , Pearce Ian , Eter Nicole , Ghanchi Faruque , Holz Frank G , Schmitz-Valckenberg Steffen , Balaskas Konstantinos , Burton Ben J L , Downes Susan M , Eleftheriadis Haralabos , George Sheena , Gilmour David , Hamilton Robin , Lotery Andrew J , Patel Nishal , Prakash Priya , Santiago Cynthia , Thomas Saju , Varma Deepali , Walters Gavin , Williams Michael , Wolf Armin , Zakri Rosina H , Igwe Franklin , Ayan Filis
Published: August 2019

Background/Aims

Prospective data on switching anti-vascular endothelial growth factors in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who have previously shown no/partial response are limited. This prospective study assessed the effect of switching from aflibercept to ranibizumab on anatomical and functional outcomes in patients with persistent/recurrent disease activity.

Methods

SAFARI (NCT02161575) was a 6-month, prospective, single-arm study conducted in the UK and Germany. Patients, meeting strict eligibility criteria for one of two subgroups (primary treatment failure or suboptimal treatment response), received 3 monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections (0.5 mg). Thereafter, ranibizumab was administered pro re nata at monthly visits. The primary endpoint was change from baseline (CfB) to day 90 in central subfield retinal thickness (CSRT). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal morphology parameters were assessed.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled (primary treatment failure, 1; suboptimal treatment response, 99). In the overall population, there was a significant CfB in median CSRT of −30.75 µm (95% CI −59.50,–20.50; p<0.0001) to day 90. Improvements were also observed in other quantitative and qualitative optical coherence tomography parameters. In Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters assessed by category, 55% and 59% of patients gained 0–≥15 letters versus baseline at day 90 and day 180, respectively. However, mean improvements in BCVA (CfB) to each time point were small (≤2 letters). No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusion

Switching from aflibercept to ranibizumab led to a significant improvement in CSRT, with ~60% experiencing stabilised/improved BCVA. Therefore, patients with nAMD who have shown a suboptimal response to aflibercept may benefit from switching to ranibizumab.
Pharmacy-based sexual health services: a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff
Authors: Gauly Julia , Ross Jonathan , Hall Isobel , Soda Irekanmi , Atherton Helen
Published: August 2019

Background

Pharmacies are increasingly providing services related to contraception and STIs. Identifying pharmacy staff’ and users’ experiences and attitudes relating to sexual health services is critical to understand users’ needs and examining how pharmacy staff can most effectively contribute to patient-centred care. This systematic review aimed to examine pharmacy staff and pharmacy users’ experiences and attitudes towards the delivery of a large range of sexual health services.

Methods

Seven electronic databases and the reference lists of all included studies were searched in September 2018. Studies giving insight into pharmacy users’ and pharmacy staff’s experiences and attitudes towards the delivery of services related to contraception and STIs were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of included studies and a narrative synthesis applied to analyse evidence.

Results

Nineteen studies were included. Eleven studies looked at pharmacy staff, four at users and four at both groups. Users found services accessible and convenient and staff found service provision feasible. However, several barriers to service delivery were identified including lack of privacy for delivering services, lack of trained staff available to provide services and subjective judgements being made on who should be provided or offered a service.

Discussion

Barriers to service delivery need to be addressed to allow pharmacies to deliver their full potential. Future research on pharmacy-based gonorrhoea and syphilis screening, and hepatitis B vaccination is needed.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018106807.
Cost saving of switching to equivalent inhalers and its effect on health outcomes
Authors: Bloom Chloe I , Douglas Ian , Olney Jack , D'Ancona Grainne , Smeeth Liam , Quint Jennifer K
Published: August 2019

Background

Switching inhalers to cheaper equivalent products is often advocated as a necessary cost saving measure, yet the impact on patient’s health and healthcare utilisation has not been measured.

Methods

We identified asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients from UK primary care electronic healthcare records between 2000 and 2016. A self-controlled case series was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR); comparing outcome rates during the risk period, 3 months after the exposure (financially motivated switch), and control periods (preswitch and postrisk period). Four outcomes were assessed: disease exacerbation, general practitioner consultation, non-specific respiratory events and adverse-medication events. Medication possession ratio (MPR) was calculated to assess adherence. 2017 National Health Service indicative prices were used to estimate cost differences per equivalent dose.

Results

We identified a cohort of 569 901 asthma and 171 231 COPD regular inhaler users, 2% and 6% had been switched, respectively. Inhaler switches between a brand-to-generic inhaler, and all other switches (brand-to-brand, generic-to-generic, generic-to-brand), were associated with reduced exacerbations (brand-to-generic: IRR=0.75, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.88; all other: IRR=0.79, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.88). Gender, age, therapeutic class, inhaler device and inhaler-technique checks did not significantly modify this association (p<0.05). The rate of consultations, respiratory-events and adverse-medication events did not change significantly (consultations: IRR=1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.01; respiratory-events: IRR=0.96, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.97; adverse-medication-events: IRR=1.05, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.15). Adherence significantly increased post-switch (median MPR: pre-switch=54%, post-switch=62%; p<0.001). Switching patients, in the cohort of regular inhaler users, to the cheapest equivalent inhaler, could have saved around £6 million annually.

Conclusion

Switching to an equivalent inhaler in patients with asthma or COPD appeared safe and did not negatively affect patient’s health or healthcare utilisation.
Review of the British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2018, 5–7 December 2018, London, UK
Authors: Goodwin Amanda T , Singanayagam Aran , Jenkins Gisli
Published: August 2019

Introduction

The Winter Meeting of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) is a platform for the latest clinical and scientific research in respiratory medicine. This review summarises some key symposia and presentations from the BTS Winter Meeting 2018.

Methods

Key symposia and research presentations from the BTS Winter Meeting 2018 were attended and reviewed by the authors.

Results

The seminal messages from the latest clinical and scientific research covering a range of respiratory diseases, including asthma, interstitial lung disease, infection, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary vascular disease, pleural disease and occupational lung disease were summarised in this review.

Discussion

The BTS Winter Meeting 2018 brought the very best of respiratory research to an audience of scientists, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. The Winter Meeting continues to be a highlight of the UK respiratory research calendar, and we look forward to the next meeting in December 2019.
Landslide motion assessment including rate effects and thermal interactions: revisiting the Canelles landslide
Authors: Alvarado Mauricio , Pinyol Núria M. , Alonso Eduardo E.
Published: August 2019

The re-activation of a large (40 Mm3) landslide on the valley slopes of a reservoir motivated a research initiative to estimate the risk of a fast-sliding mass moving into the reservoir. A previous simplified analysis had suggested that a joint consideration of strain rate effects on friction and thermal pressurization phenomena in the sliding surface could provide a rational approach to answer the question raised. The paper describes first the capability of strain rate effects on friction to reproduce long-term creeping records of two real cases. The joint and coupled phenomena of creeping motion and thermal pressurization in shearing bands was incorporated into a material point method computational technique for hydromechanical analysis of porous materials. A representative cross section of the Canelles landslide was then analysed, profiting from previous finite element investigations of the landslide. It was found that a rapid rate of landslide acceleration could be a possibility under extreme external actions. However, it was also found that a moderate strain rate effect on the basal residual friction angle could create conditions that avoid the triggering of a fast motion.
Perspective-based search: a new paradigm for bursting the information bubble
Authors: Tabrizi Shayan A. , Shakery Azadeh
Published: August 2019

Nowadays, individuals heavily rely on search engines for seeking information. The presence of information bubbles (filter bubbles and echo chambers) can threaten the effectiveness of these systems in providing unbiased information and damage healthy civic discourse and open-minded deliberation. In this paper, we propose a new paradigm for search that aims at mitigating the information bubble in the search. The paradigm, which we call perspective-based search (PBS), is based on the intuition that in a fair search the user should not be limited to the results corresponding to a specific perspective of the search topic. Briefly, in PBS, different perspectives of the search topic are identified and presented to the user and the user can select a perspective for the search results. In this paper, we focus on the paradigm itself, why it is an appropriate solution, and how it differs from other solutions. We raise new questions and call for research on the paradigm and on providing solutions for implementing its required components. We do not aim at providing any specific implementation for it, although we provide some hints on implementing it. We also provide a survey of the related concepts and methods and discuss their differences with PBS.
Classification of irreducible weak modules over Virasoro vertex operator algebras
Authors: Chen Guobo , Cheng Dejia , Han Jianzhi , Su Yucai
Published: August 2019

The classification of irreducible weak modules over the Virasoro vertex operator algebra [Formula: see text] is obtained in this paper. As one of the main results, we also classify all irreducible weak modules over the simple Virasoro vertex operator algebras [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] are coprime positive integers.
Some inequalities for eigenvalues and symplectic eigenvalues of positive definite matrices
Authors: Bhatia Rajendra
Published: August 2019

We show that for any two [Formula: see text] matrices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] we have the inequality [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] denote the decreasingly ordered singular values and eigenvalues of [Formula: see text]. As an application, we show that for [Formula: see text] real positive definite matrices the symplectic eigenvalues [Formula: see text] under some special conditions, satisfy the inequality [Formula: see text].
Deficient homomorphisms between generalized Verma modules
Authors: Kable Anthony C.
Published: August 2019

A class of homomorphisms between generalized Verma modules that have an unusual degeneracy is identified. Homomorphisms in this class are called deficient homomorphisms. A family of maximally deficient homomorphisms is constructed. A necessary condition on a parabolic subalgebra is identified for the associated category of generalized Verma modules to admit deficient homomorphisms.
Intermediate inflation with non-canonical scalar field in the low anisotropy Universe
Authors: Naderi Mahdieh , Aghamohammadi Ali , Refaei Abdollah , Sheikhahmadi Haidar
Published: August 2019

The behavior of a non-canonical scalar field within an anisotropic Bianchi type I, spatially homogeneous Universe in the framework of the intermediate inflation will be studied. It will be examined on the condition that both the anisotropy and non-canonical sources come together if there is any improvement in compatibility with the observational data originated from Planck 2015. Based on this investigation, it can be observed that automatically a steep potential which can manage inflation in a better way will be obtained. Additionally, as a common procedure for an inflationary study, we shall try to calculate the related inflationary observables such as the amplitude of the scalar perturbations, scalar and tensor spectral indices, tensor-to-scalar ratio, the running spectral index and the number of e-folds. As an exciting part of our results, we will find that our model has a good consistency compared to data resulting from CMB and different Planck results. To justify our claims, the well-known canonical inflationary scenario in an anisotropic Bianchi type I Universe will also be evaluated.
Testing anisotropy and comparison of various supernova data constraints on dark energy model
Authors: Hossienkhani H. , Yousefi H. , Azimi N.
Published: August 2019

We study the possibly existing anisotropy in the accelerating expansion Universe with various supernovae data, the baryon acoustic oscillation and the observational Hubble data. We present combined results from these probes, deriving constraints on the equation of state (EoS), [Formula: see text], of dark energy (DE) and its energy density in the Universe. We fit the cosmological parameters simultaneously employing the maximum likelihood analysis. By combining data and considering anisotropy effects, we find that the EoS of DE are [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] within [Formula: see text] confidence level. Finally, introducing an anisotropy appears to improve the fit to observations with respect to that provided by an isotropic [Formula: see text]CDM model.
Beyond the Standard Model with sum rules
Authors: Ejlli Damian
Published: August 2019

The possibility of physics beyond the Standard Model is studied. The requirement of finiteness of the zero-point energy density and pressure or the requirement of the Lorentz invariance of the zero-point stress-energy tensor in Minkowski space–time, implies regularization sum rules on the number of degrees of freedom and mass of fundamental particles spectrum. The consequences of these sum rules on the existence of particles beyond the Standard Model are studied. If these sum rules are to be satisfied, it is shown that some simple and minimal extensions of the Standard Model such as the two-Higgs-doublet model, right-handed neutrinos, mirror symmetry cannot be complete extensions in their current forms. The only exception is unbroken supersymmetry and may be broken supersymmetry. A comparison between different regularization schemes is also done. It is shown that while all considered regularization schemes give a Lorentz invariant expression for the zero-point stress-energy tensor in Minkowski space, their physical interpretations are quite different.
Blind Joint DOA and Polarization Estimation for Polarization-Sensitive Coprime Arrays Via Reduced-Dimensional Root Finding Approach
Authors: Shen Jinqing , Zhang Xiaofei , He Yi
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we investigate the problem of blind joint multi-parameter estimation for polarization-sensitive coprime linear arrays (PS-CLAs). We propose a reduced-dimensional polynomial root finding approach, which first utilizes the relation between the two subarrays to reconstruct the spectrum function and then converts three-dimensional (3D) total spectral search (TSS) to one-dimensional (1D) TSS. Furthermore, 1D polynomial root finding technique is employed to obtain the ambiguous direction of arrival (DOA) estimates, for further saving the computational cost. Finally, the true DOA estimates can be obtained based on the arrangements with coprime property, and subsequently the polarization parameters can be estimated through pairing. In addition, the matching error of false targets can be avoided due to the relation between the two subarrays. The proposed approach only requires about 0.01% computational complexity of the 1D TSS method to achieve the same estimation performance and behaves better in resolution. Simulations are provided to validate the superiority of the proposed approach.
Superconvergent gradient recovery for virtual element methods
Authors: Guo Hailong , Xie Cong , Zhao Ren
Published: August 2019

Virtual element method is a new promising finite element method using general polygonal meshes. Its optimal a priori error estimates are well established in the literature. In this paper, we take a different viewpoint. We try to uncover the superconvergent property of virtual element methods by doing some local post-processing only on the degrees of freedom. Using the linear virtual element method as an example, we propose a universal gradient recovery procedure to improve the accuracy of gradient approximation for numerical methods using general polygonal meshes. Its capability of serving as a posteriori error estimators in adaptive computation is also investigated. Compared to the existing residual-type a posteriori error estimators for the virtual element methods, the recovery-type a posteriori error estimator based on the proposed gradient recovery technique is much simpler in implementation and it is asymptotically exact. A series of benchmark tests are presented to numerically illustrate the superconvergence of recovered gradient and validate the asymptotic exactness of the recovery-based a posteriori error estimator.
Time-asymptotic convergence rates towards discrete steady states of a nonlocal selection-mutation model
Authors: Cai Wenli , Jabin Pierre-Emmanuel , Liu Hailiang
Published: August 2019

This paper is concerned with large time behavior of solutions to a semi-discrete model involving nonlinear competition that describes the evolution of a trait-structured population. Under some threshold assumptions, the steady solution is shown unique and strictly positive, and also globally stable. The exponential convergence rate to the steady state is also established. These results are consistent with the results in [P.-E. Jabin, H. L. Liu. Nonlinearity 30 (2017) 4220–4238] for the continuous model.
Three-dimensional flows of pore pressure-activated Bingham fluids
Authors: Abbatiello Anna , Los Tomáš , Málek Josef , Souček Ondřej
Published: August 2019

We are concerned with a system of partial differential equations (PDEs) describing internal flows of homogeneous incompressible fluids of Bingham type in which the value of activation (the so-called yield) stress depends on the internal pore pressure governed by an advection–diffusion equation. After providing the physical background of the considered model, paying attention to the assumptions involved in its derivation, we focus on the PDE analysis of the initial and boundary value problems. We give several equivalent descriptions for the considered class of fluids of Bingham type. In particular, we exploit the possibility to write such a response as an implicit tensorial constitutive equation, involving the pore pressure, the deviatoric part of the Cauchy stress and the velocity gradient. Interestingly, this tensorial response can be characterized by two scalar constraints. We employ a similar approach to treat stick-slip boundary conditions. Within such a setting we prove long-time and large-data existence of weak solutions to the evolutionary problem in three dimensions.
Large time behavior in a forager–exploiter model with different taxis strategies for two groups in search of food
Authors: Tao Youshan , Winkler Michael
Published: August 2019

This work deals with a taxis cascade model for food consumption in two populations, namely foragers directly orienting their movement upward the gradients of food concentration and exploiters taking a parasitic strategy in search of food via tracking higher forager densities. As a consequence, the dynamics of both populations are adapted to the space distribution of food which is dynamically modified in time and space by the two populations. This model extends the classical one-species chemotaxis-consumption systems by additionally accounting for a second taxis mechanism coupled to the first in a consecutive manner. It is rigorously proved that for all suitably regular initial data, an associated Neumann-type initial-boundary value problem for the spatially one-dimensional version of this model possesses a globally defined bounded classical solution. Moreover, it is asserted that the considered two populations will approach spatially homogeneous distributions in the large time limit, provided that either the total population number of foragers or that of exploiters is appropriately small.
NUMERICAL STUDY ON FLOW BOILING IN A TREE-SHAPED MICROCHANNEL
Authors: YU WEI , XU LUYAO , CHEN SHUNJIA , YAO FENG
Published: August 2019

A two-dimensional model is developed to numerically study the water flow boiling through a tree-shaped microchannel by VOF method. In this work, the bubble dynamics and flow patterns along the channel are examined. Additionally, the pressure drop, heat transfer performance and the effects of mass flow rate and heat flux on the heat transfer coefficient are analyzed and discussed. The numerical results indicate that, there are three main bubble dynamic behaviors at the wall, namely coalesce-lift-off, coalesce-slide and coalesce-reattachment. At the bifurcation in high branching level, the slug bubbles may coalesce or breakup. The flow patterns of bubbly, bubbly-slug flows occur at low branching level and slug flow occurs at high branching level. The passage of bubbles causes the increasing of fluid temperature and local pressure. Additionally, the pressure drop decreases with the branching level. The flow pattern and channel confinement effect play a vital role in heat transfer performance. The nucleate boiling dominant heat transfer is observed at low branching level, the heat transfer performance is enhanced with increasing branching level from [Formula: see text] to 2. While, at high branching level, the heat transfer performance becomes weaker due to the suppression of nucleate boiling. Moreover, the heat transfer coefficient increases with the mass flow rate and heat flux.
A FRACTAL MODEL FOR KOZENY–CARMAN CONSTANT AND DIMENSIONLESS PERMEABILITY OF FIBROUS POROUS MEDIA WITH ROUGHENED SURFACES
Authors: XIAO BOQI , ZHANG YIDAN , WANG YAN , JIANG GUOPING , LIANG MINGCHAO , CHEN XUBING , LONG GONGBO
Published: August 2019

In this paper, fluid transport through fibrous porous media is studied by the fractal theory with a focus on the effect of surface roughness of capillaries. A fractal model for Kozeny–Carman (KC) constant and dimensionless permeability of fibrous porous media with roughened surfaces is derived. The determined KC constant and dimensionless permeability of fibrous porous media with roughened surfaces are in good agreement with available experimental data and existing models reported in the literature. It is found that the KC constant of fibrous porous media with roughened surfaces increases with the increase of relative roughness, porosity, area fractal dimension of pore and tortuosity fractal dimension, respectively. Besides, it is seen that the dimensionless permeability of fibrous porous media with roughened surfaces decreases with increasing relative roughness and tortuosity fractal dimension. However, it is observed that the dimensionless permeability of fibrous porous media with roughened surfaces increases with porosity. With the proposed fractal model, the physical mechanisms of fluids transport through fibrous porous media are better elucidated.
STRANGE NONCHAOTIC ATTRACTORS IN A QUASIPERIODICALLY-FORCED PIECEWISE SMOOTH SYSTEM WITH FAREY TREE
Authors: SHEN YUNZHU , ZHANG YONGXIANG
Published: August 2019

The existence of strange nonchaotic attractors (SNAs) is verified in a simple quasiperiodically-forced piecewise smooth system with Farey tree. It can be seen that more and more jumping discontinuities appear on the smooth torus and the torus becomes extremely fragmented with the change of control parameter. Finally, the torus becomes an SNA with fractal property. In order to confirm the existence of SNAs in this system, we preliminarily use the estimation of the phase sensitivity exponent, estimation of the largest Lyapunov exponent and rational approximation. SNAs are further characterized by power spectra, recurrence plots, the largest Lyapunov exponents and their variance, the distribution of the finite-time Lyapunov exponents, the spectral distribution function and scaling laws.
GEODESIC DISTANCE ON LALLEY–GATZOURAS CARPETS
Authors: WANG QIN , ZHU YIZHE , PEI QIYANG , XI LIFENG
Published: August 2019

For any Lalley–Gatzouras self-affine carpet, we find out that the length of any curves from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] in the carpet is no less than [Formula: see text].
Stability analysis of Navier–Stokes system
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Mishra T. N. , Tiwari B.
Published: August 2019

Stability analysis of dynamical system is very useful and is able to classify the role of stable and unstable equilibrium points. In this work, Naiver–Stokes system has been studied by using KCC theory. The Jacobi stability and dynamics of the deviation vector near equilibrium points have been also studied. Further, the effect of bifurcation parameter on stability of Navier–Stokes system has been observed and found the limiting conditions for bifurcation. Numerical examples of particular interest have been taken to compare the results of Jacobi stability and linear stability. It is observed that Jacobi stability on the basis of KCC theory is more efficient than the linear stability.
Values of rational functions in small subgroups of finite fields and the identity testing problem from powers
Authors: Mérai László
Published: August 2019

Motivated by some algorithmic problems, we give lower bounds on the size of the multiplicative groups containing rational function images of low-dimensional affine subspaces of a finite field [Formula: see text] considered as a linear space over a subfield [Formula: see text]. We apply this to the recently introduced algorithmic problem of identity testing of “hidden” polynomials [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] over a high degree extension of a finite field, given oracle access to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Exponential sum estimates over prime fields
Authors: Koh Doowon , Mirzaei Mozhgan , Pham Thang , Shen Chun-Yen
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we prove some extensions of recent results given by Shkredov and Shparlinski on multiple character sums for some general families of polynomials over prime fields. The energies of polynomials in two and three variables are our main ingredients.
Rigid local systems with monodromy group the Conway group Co2
Authors: Katz Nicholas M. , Rojas-León Antonio , Tiep Pham Huu
Published: August 2019

We first develop some basic facts about hypergeometric sheaves on the multiplicative group [Formula: see text] in characteristic [Formula: see text]. Certain of their Kummer pullbacks extend to irreducible local systems on the affine line in characteristic [Formula: see text]. One of these, of rank [Formula: see text] in characteristic [Formula: see text], turns out to have the Conway group [Formula: see text], in its irreducible orthogonal representation of degree [Formula: see text], as its arithmetic and geometric monodromy groups.
Transient Response of Irregular Surface by Periodically Distributed Semi-Sine Shaped Valleys: Incident SH Waves
Authors: Panji Mehdi , Mojtabazadeh-Hasanlouei Saeed
Published: August 2019

An advanced direct half-plane time-domain boundary element method (BEM) was applied to obtain the seismic response of a linear elastic irregular surface including periodically distributed semi-sine shaped valleys subjected to propagating obliquely incident plane SH waves. After developing the method for complex multiple surface topographies, some verification examples were solved and compared with those of the published works. Then, the transient response of a rough surface with 2–16 semi-sine shaped valleys was determined as synthetic seismograms. In this regard, the depth ratio of the valleys was sensitized. Finally, amplification patterns of the surface were presented in some cases. The results showed that the method was able to analyze the multipart models in the time-domain. Moreover, the response of the sinusoidal corrugated surfaces was very effective against seismic waves in forming different patterns. The method was recommended to researchers for transient analysis of complex engineering structures and composite materials in nanoscale.
Detecting benign uterine tumors by autofluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy through adjacent healthy cervical tissues
Authors: Huang Maojia , Zhang Zixiao , Wang Xinyi , Xie Yonghui , Fei Yiyan , Ma Jiong , Wang Jing , Chen Li , Mi Lan , Wang Yulan
Published: August 2019

The endogenous fluorophores such as reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in cells and tissues can be imaged by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to show the tissue morphology features, as well as the biomolecular changes in microenvironment. The two important coenzymes in cellular metabolism, NAD(P)H and FAD, can be used to monitor the cellular metabolic status. This work proposed a novel method to study the uterine metabolism at the adjacent site of healthy cervix. It was found that the benign uterine tumors such as leiomyomas and adenomyosis with abnormal cell growth can be detected by measuring the fluorescence lifetime of NAD(P)H and FAD in adjacent healthy cervical tissues. This method opened a novel strategy for afflicted women to undergo the cervical biopsies instead of hysterectomies for detecting tumors, which can preserve the fertility of patients. The FLIM studying on NAD(P)H and FAD indicated the correlation between metabolism and some diseases, including diabetes, hyperthyroidism and obesity. It was also suggested that the metabolic level might be quite different for a patient with a malignant tumor history.
Homotopy perturbation aided optimization procedure with applications to oscillatory fractional order nonlinear dynamical systems
Authors: Khan Najeeb Alam , Hameed Tooba , Ahmed Samreen
Published: August 2019

This paper presents an approximate solution of nonlinear fractional differential equations (FDEs) that exhibit an oscillatory behavior by using a metaheuristic technique. The solutions of the governing equations are approximated by using homotopy perturbation method (HPM) along with the fractional derivative in the Caputo sense. The designed methodology is based on a weighted series of HPM in conjunction with a nature-inspired algorithm. The idea is instantly fascinated by the researchers on the consequent implementation of nature-inspired learning algorithms such as a Cuckoo search algorithm (CSA). The usage of CSA has accelerated the minimized search path of error to the convergent values of the solution. The validity and accuracy of the proposed technique are ascertained by calculating the approximate solution and the error norms which ensure the convergence of the approximation that can be further increased. The critical analysis is also provided by the numerical simulation of two different test models. Discussion of key points has been determined by the tabulation of numerical values and graphs. Comparative study of the results with known numerical technique is also performed.
Empirical likelihood for high-dimensional partially functional linear model
Authors: Jiang Zhiqiang , Huang Zhensheng , Fan Guoliang
Published: August 2019

This paper considers empirical likelihood inference for a high-dimensional partially functional linear model. An empirical log-likelihood ratio statistic is constructed for the regression coefficients of non-functional predictors and proved to be asymptotically normally distributed under some regularity conditions. Moreover, maximum empirical likelihood estimators of the regression coefficients of non-functional predictors are proposed and their asymptotic properties are obtained. Simulation studies are conducted to demonstrate the performance of the proposed procedure and a real data set is analyzed for illustration.
Oncosuppressive Role of RUNX3 in Human Astrocytomas
Authors: Steponaitis Giedrius , Kazlauskas Arunas , Vaitkienė Paulina , Deltuva Vytenis P. , Mikuciunas Mykolas , Skiriutė Daina
Published: August 2019

Background. Gliomas are the most common and aggressive among primary malignant brain tumours with significant inter- and intratumour heterogeneity in histology, molecular profile, and patient outcome. However, molecular targets that could provide reliable diagnostic and prognostic information on this type of cancer are currently unknown. Recent studies show that certain phenotypes of gliomas such as malignancy, resistance to therapy, and relapses are associated with the epigenetic alterations of tumour-specific genes. Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is feasible tumour suppressor gene since its inactivation was shown to be related to carcinogenesis. Aim. The aim of the study was to elucidate RUNX3 changes in different regulation levels of molecular biology starting from epigenetics to function in particular cases of astrocytic origin tumours of different grade evaluating significance of molecular changes of RUNX3 for patient clinical characteristics as well as evaluate RUNX3 reexpression effect to GBM cells. Methods. The methylation status and protein expression levels of RUNX3 were measured by methylation-specific PCR and Western blot in 136 and 72 different malignancy grade glioma tissues, respectively. Lipotransfection and MTT were applied for proliferation assessment in U87-MG cells. Results. We found that RUNX3 was highly methylated and downregulated in GBM. RUNX3 promoter methylation was detected in 69.4% of GBM (n=49) as compared to 0 to 17.2% in I-III grade astrocytomas (n=87). Weighty lower RUNX3 protein level was observed in GMB specimens compared to grade II-III astrocytomas. Correlation test revealed a weak but significant link among Runx3 methylation and protein level. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that increased RUNX3 methylation and low protein level were both associated with shorter patient survival (p<0.05). Reexpression of RUNX3 in U87-MG cells significantly reduced glioma cell viability compared to control transfection. Conclusions. The results demonstrate that RUNX3 gene methylation and protein expression downregulation are glioma malignancy dependent and contribute to tumour progression.
Extended Heronian Mean Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Information for Multiple Attribute Group Decision‐Making
Authors: Shi Minghua , Xiao Yuewen , Wan Qing
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the hesitant fuzzy linguistic multiple attribute group decision‐making (MAGDM) problem with the heterogeneous relationship among the attribute variables that cannot be solved by most existing decision‐making methods. To address this problem, a new operator is introduced based on partitioning attribute variables into different sets according to their interrelationship. This operator is called the extended Heronian mean (EHM) operator. To obtain each expert’s comprehensive values of the alternatives in the hesitant fuzzy linguistic MAGDM problem, we investigate the EHM operator under a hesitant fuzzy linguistic environment and propose the hesitant fuzzy linguistic EHM operator and the hesitant fuzzy linguistic linear support degree weighted EHM operator. In addition, the axiom definition of a linguistic type similarity measure of hesitant fuzzy linguistic term sets is proposed. The weight of the experts can be determined based on this type similarity measure. Finally, a practical case is presented to demonstrate the steps of our method, and a comparison analysis illustrates its feasibility and effectiveness.
A Novel Local Density Hierarchical Clustering Algorithm Based on Reverse Nearest Neighbors
Authors: Liu Yaohui , Liu Dong , Yu Fang , Ma Zhengming
Published: August 2019

Clustering is widely used in data analysis, and density‐based methods are developed rapidly in the recent 10 years. Although the state‐of‐art density peak clustering algorithms are efficient and can detect arbitrary shape clusters, they are nonsphere type of centroid‐based methods essentially. In this paper, a novel local density hierarchical clustering algorithm based on reverse nearest neighbors, RNN‐LDH, is proposed. By constructing and using a reverse nearest neighbor graph, the extended core regions are found out as initial clusters. Then, a new local density metric is defined to calculate the density of each object; meanwhile, the density hierarchical relationships among the objects are built according to their densities and neighbor relations. Finally, each unclustered object is classified to one of the initial clusters or noise. Results of experiments on synthetic and real data sets show that RNN‐LDH outperforms the current clustering methods based on density peak or reverse nearest neighbors.
A Rare and Potentially Fatal Etiology of Hypercalcemia in an Infant
Authors: Sonawalla Ambreen , Tas Vildan , Raisingani Manish , Tas Emir
Published: August 2019

Hypercalcemia is an uncommon finding in children. Hypercalcemia has various etiologies including parathyroid dependent and independent mechanisms. Increased activity of the 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme in granulomatous diseases is a well-defined but an extremely rare cause of hypercalcemia in pediatric patients, particularly in infants. We describe the case of an infant who presented with failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, and hypercalcemia who was initially treated with steroids but was later diagnosed with disseminated histoplasmosis in the absence of an underlying immunodeficiency. Extra caution should be used before considering steroids for the treatment of hypercalcemia and, whenever possible, steroids should not be initiated until a definite etiology is identified.
Bacterial Infections and Their Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Reta Alemayehu , Bitew Kifilie Abebaw , Mengist Abeba
Published: August 2019

Background. Antibiotic resistance is a global challenge in the public health sector and also a major challenge in Ethiopia. It is truly difficult to report bacterial antibiotic resistance pattern in Ethiopia due to the absence of a review which is done comprehensively. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the works of literature on the antibiotic resistance pattern of the specific bacterial isolates that can be obtained from different clinical samples in the context of Ethiopia.Materials and Methods. A web-based search using PubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari, Sci Hub, Scopus and the Directory of Open Access Journals was conducted from April to May 2018 for published studies without restriction in the year of publication. Works of literature potentially relevant to the study were identified by Boolean search technique using various keywords: Bacterial infection, antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic resistance, drug resistance, drug susceptibility, anti-bacterial resistance, Ethiopia. Study that perform susceptibility test from animal or healthy source using <10 isolates and methods other than prospective cross-sectional were excluded.Results. The database search delivered a total of 3459 studies. After amendment for duplicates and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 articles were found suitable for the systematic review. All studies were prospective cross-sectional in nature. The review encompasses 12 gram-positive and 15 gram-negative bacteria with their resistance pattern for around 12 antibiotics. It covers most of the regions which are found in Ethiopia. The resistance pattern of the isolates ranged from 0% up to 100%. The overall resistance ofM. tuberculosisfor antituberculosis drugs ranges from 0% up to 32.6%. The percentage of resistance increases among previously treated tuberculosis cases.Neisseria gonorrhea,S. typhimurium, S. Virchow, Group A Streptococci (GAS), and Group B Streptococci (GBS) were highly susceptible for most of the tested antibiotics. Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureuswas highly resistant to most of the antibiotics with a slightly increased susceptibility to gentamycin.Conclusions. Total bacterial isolates obtained from a different source of sample and geographic areas were 28, includingM. tuberculosis. Majority of the bacterial isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. A continuous monitoring and studies on the multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates are important measures.