bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual Human Motion Extension Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Qu Shi , Xu Tinxin , Ma Liang , Liu Jianxun
Published: April 2020

Aiming at the problem of virtual human motion reuse, the concept of motion extension is proposed, which includes lengthways extension and transverse extension. The lengthways extension extends motion along the time, and generates more frames from existing motion. The transverse extension extends motion to other characters, and multiple characters motion is generated by single character motion. Each motion in the group is similar and different from each other. Motion extension provides unified solution to important issues such as motion prediction, motion repair, and group motion. We construct the Bayesian network of the virtual human motion, which studies and reduces the dimension of the virtual human motion, and propose a method of motion extension based on Bayesian network. Experiments show that our method can generate more realistic virtual human motion based on existing motion, and provide support for the application of virtual human in the fields of bio-engineering, medicine and military.
Super-resolution Restoration of Single Vehicle Image Based on ESPCN-VISR Model
Authors: Xu Mengxi , Du Xinyu , Wang Danhua
Published: April 2020

In the process of image acquisition monitoring in vehicle license plate recognition system, the accuracy of license plate recognition will decrease which is caused by the complicated application scenarios, poor performance of the equipment and system, and the degeneration of surveillance images. In order to overcome the shortcoming, a super-resolution restoration method for single vehicle image based on efficient sub-pixel convolutional neural network (ESPCN) model is proposed (hereinafter referred to as ESPCN-VISR method). In the experiments, ESPCN-VISR method was proved to be superior by four indexes of quantitative assessment which are peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity (SSIM), vehicle license plate recognition accuracy (VLPRA), and calculation time of reconstruction (CTR). Compared with the methods based on sparse dictionary learning and deep convolutional neural network SRCNN, the ESPCN-VISR method can improve the performance of vehicle license plate recognition system with vehicle license plate sample image dataset LPI-1000.
Maneuvering Target Tracking Based on Multiple-model Multipath Bernoulli Filter
Authors: Qin Yong , Liu Yong , Li Kangjie , Zou Baojuan , Liu Baohong
Published: April 2020

Aiming at the problem of maneuvering single target tracking in over the horizon radar system under the clutter environment, a novel multiple-model multipath Bernoulli filter (MM-MPBF) algorithm is proposed. First, the multipath target measurement model is established based on the finite set statistics, and then combining the multiple models method with the multipath Bernoulli filter to deal with the single maneuvering target tracking problem in over the horizon radar system. Finally, the simulation experiment is used to verify the performance of the MM-MPBF algorithm.
Dynamic Trilateral Game Model for Attack Graph Security Game
Authors: Hu Chenao , Yan Xuefeng
Published: April 2020

Internal threats have a huge impact on the attack graph security game. The failure of the MTD model defence measures would be caused by the existence of internal users with certain authority. Dynamic trilateral game model was proposed to extend the original two-part game model. By materializing internal threats, the uncertainty of two-part game model was eliminated, which was expressed as the probability equation used by the players in the observation state process. And the relationship between the offensive and defensive sides became indirect. The user strategy, based on mixed strategy game model, was proposed to increase the coupling between stealth attack and internal threats. The income matrix was dynamically constructed to measure the behavioural outcomes of users and attackers. User behavioural references were obtained through dynamic programming. For the defender, the heuristic strategy in the model reduces the complexity of parties’s behaviour through random sampling. Experiments were carried out on the attack graph model under various game settings. Compared with the two-part game model, our model’s experimental results showed that the cyber security risks were reduced by 17.9% and 18.8% respectively on the strong and weak structural attack graph.
Visual Simulation of Building Wind Environment Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Ren Jiaqian
Published: April 2020

Wind environment visualization research is of great significance to building energy conservation. In this paper, the wind environment simulation of the building group is carried out by CFD software. The wind environment status of the building group is determined by the assumptions and analysis of the wind speed, building group layout, building height, and ground roughness in summer and winter. The results show that under the typical wind speed and wind direction in summer, the wind environment of the project is good, and there is basically no vortex or windless area of the site. About 70% of the open window can be opened. Under the typical wind speed and wind direction in winter, the wind speed of the pedestrian area is within 3m/s. Except for the first row of buildings, the wind pressure difference between the windward and leeward surfaces is basically between 1 and 6Pa.
Synchronization for a Fuzzy Cellular Neural Networks with Mixed Time Delays
Authors: Halik Azhar , Mahemuti Rouzimaimaiti
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the general decay synchronization (GDS) for fuzzy cellular neural networks (FCNNs). Compared with previous research results, constant time delays and distributed time delays are taken into consideration. By using the Lyapunov function method and some inequality techniques, several sufficient conditions are derived on the GDS for FCNNs. Ultimately, a numerical example is also carried out to validate the practicability and feasibility of our proposed results.
Design and Implementation of Intelligent Singer Recognition System
Authors: Ge Can , Li Juanjuan , Liu Lina , Li Gukai , Yang Guoxing , Tang Hui , Yang Hanlin , Xia Yifan , Bao Rui , Zhang Haiyu
Published: April 2020

An intelligent singer recognition system was designed to identify the singer. The scheme established a song library at first, then used MATLAB to extract Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) from each song in the song library, moreover, set up characteristic parameters pattern base and trained the pattern base by Vector Quantization (VQ) to obtain the final codebook base. Finally, it can correctly classify the singer based on Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) matching reference characteristic parameters pattern with test pattern. Test results showed that the system’s recognition rate is up to 90%.
Design and Preliminary Evaluation of A Biomimetic Underwater Robot with Undulating Fin Propulsion
Authors: Liu Lei , Li Yaxin , Wang Yu , Ma Xinyu
Published: April 2020

Biomimetic undulating fin propulsion systems have the advantages for enhancing the maneuverability and efficiency of underwater robot when compared with conventional driving forms. However, there are still some defects existing in this approach, such as low speed and difficulty in depth control. This paper presents the mechanical design, control system design and experimental evaluation of a biomimetic underwater robot with undulating fin propulsion. First, a 3D model of the robot was established in CATIA. According to the kinematic model of the fins, the design of undulating fin propulsion system have been optimized and the phase control method has been proposed to fit with the design. Next, a control system with hybrid structure switching between autonomous mode and remote mode has been implemented to address the problem that the robot is out of control in underwater environment due to the attenuation of radio signals. Finally, the underwater locomotion performance of the robot has been validated in a swimming pool. The result indicates that the robot can achieve multiple degree of freedoms (DOFs) motions by controlling the kinematic parameters of the fin and was able to swim as fast as 31.6 cm/s (nearly 0.8 body length per second).
Automatic Segmentation for Virtual Human Motion
Authors: Qu Shi , Xu Tinxin , Ma Liang , Liu Jianxun
Published: April 2020

A technique of automatic segmentation for motion data has been proposed, which describes high-dimensional motion with low-dimensional motion character and automatically segments the motion capture data by detecting changes of motion character. Gaussian Process Latent Variable Models has been used to reduce dimension for motion data. In this model, the motion data has been mapped from observation space to latent space. The character function of motion has been constructed in the latent space, and it has excellence including sensitive to all joints, simple construction, and so on. The motion data segmentation points can be detected to complete motion segmentation after analyzing character function by geometry character. The technique in this paper has well adaptation and high correct rate as shown in experiments.
Fault Detection and Isolation of the Electro-Mechanical Actuator Based on BIT
Authors: Yang Tao , Cao Xinlei , Yang Jinpeng
Published: April 2020

Large UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) for scout and strike is a new trend in modern battlefield because of economy in use, high attendance and low casualty, whose safety is of top concern. EMA (Electromechanical Actuator), as the key component, impacts on UAV a lot. Its performance decides whether the flight is safe or not. In this paper, BIT (Built-In Test) function is designed according to characteristics of EMA with dual-redundancy used for scout and strike UAV. Based on the BIT analysis and BIT design principle, the BIT test methods are brought up. Thanks to the BIT design, the corresponding fault detection and fault isolation of EMA are available which are presented in details. The paper tells the faults that can be detected and then describe how to isolate them. In order to verify the validity of BIT design and the effectiveness of fault detection as well as fault isolation, the corresponding experimental platform is built and several experiments are conducted. The results show that the rates of fault detection, fault isolation and false alarm is desirable. The methods in this paper is feasible and effective.
Stacking Position Allocation Model Based on Automatic Rail Crane
Authors: Rong Jia , Ji Shouwen , Zhao Qianru , Guo Dong
Published: April 2020

In order to reduce the energy consumption of the automated container terminal, based on the operation of the container in the yard, this paper used the travel distance of the automatic rail crane to represent the energy consumption problem to study the problem of container allocation. Under the premise that the operating time of inbound container was known, this paper took the number of pressurized containers as a limiting condition, and established the allocation model of the storage space to minimize the travel distance of the automatic rail crane. Considering that the model had a large calculation scale and was an NP-hard problem, a genetic algorithm was used to solve it. Example analysis results show that the model and algorithm can effectively reduce the travel distance of the automatic rail crane by 17.02% under the premise of controlling the number of pressure boxes.
Research on Continuous Power Shift Process of Hydro-Mechanical Continuously Variable Transmission
Authors: Guo Zhanzheng , Sun Dongmei , Xu Liyou , Xu Ruiliang
Published: April 2020

Which through the state switch of shifting mechanism and combined with speed regulation of hydraulic transmission system, the shift of Hydro-Mechanical continuously variable transmission (HMCVT) is realized. The traditional method of shift is short intervals or cross, which will easily lead to power interruption and affects the shift quality. In this study, the continuous power-shift is realized in the method of short overlap between segments. The continuous power shift process of HMCVT is studied in theory. The result of theoretical research is verified on the test bench, which provided suggestions for better shift quality and making control strategy.
Research on Control Methods of Six-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Authors: Zhu Jianguang , Chu Xu
Published: April 2020

Compared with three-phase motors, multi-phase motor speed control systems have many advantages, which make them have good prospects in many fields, such as the control system of electric vehicle power equipment. In these control systems, it is necessary for the motor to have a wider speed range. This paper takes six-phase permanent magnet synchronous motors as the research object, and analyzes several control methods of vector control theory for permanent magnet synchronous motor control based on the derivation of its mathematical model, including i

d
= 0 control, maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control, and flux weakening control. Finally, MATLAB / Simulink is used for simulation research, and the advantages and disadvantages of different control methods are compared. In this paper, a strategy of MTPA control below the base speed and flux weakening control above the base speed is proposed, which not only reduces the copper consumption of the motor, but also expands the speed-up range of the permanent magnet synchronous motor.
Precision Positioning Control Based on Two-coordinate Incremental Encoder
Authors: Mao Guangyang , Zhang Xianmin , Xie Lingbo
Published: April 2020

To increase the working space of atomic force microscopy, this article presents a precision positioning stage. The structure of this stage is optimized to decrease the largest deformation. The coreless linear motor and two-coordinate incremental encoder are selected to build full-closed loop control. The two-coordinate encoder can measure two-direction position signals which can be sent to the controller. Through the interpolation and digitizing electronics, resolution of control can satisfy precision positioning. The full-closed loop control can also decrease straightness error and improve trajectory tracking accuracy.
The Effect of the Ring on the Buckling of Stiffened Cylindrical Shells
Authors: Zhang Dong , Liu Mingkun , Wang Jun , Liang Wei
Published: April 2020

An analysis on the stringer-stiffened cylindrical shell with a large interval ring is described. The buckling of the shell under axial compression is forecasted by the method of the Ultimate Load Method, to simplify the interconnection on steadiness between shell and stringers. Although the shell between stringers is semi-empirical modeled, the buckling of the stringers which are bolstered with the other stiffened component ring is analytically solved. It is show that support effect of the ring on the stiffened cylindrical shell is quantized by a ring coefficient. The buckling load of the stringer-stiffened cylindrical shell is calculated on the different length. Finally, the ring coefficient is used to explants the so-called shielding panel effect ring. The present results could be an important reference for the design of stiffened shell under axial compression.
Effect of vegetable oils as cutting fluid on wear of carbide cutting tool insert in a milling process
Authors: Nasution Arya R. , Fuadi Z. , Hasanuddin I. , Kurniawan R.
Published: April 2020

This research focusses on the effect of vegetable oils, i.e. crude palm oil (CPO) and coconut oil (CO), used as the cutting fluid on the wear of carbide cutting tool insert in a face milling process. The performances of the tool, in term of wear and the surface roughness of the workpiece, were investigated and compared to those resulting from a similar milling process but using conventional cutting fluid, which is a commercial soluble oil emulsion (SOE). The results show that at the spindle speed of 360 rpm and the feed rate of 80 mm/min, the tool wear was smaller in the case of CO than that in the case of CPO cutting fluid, which is 0.16 mm2 compared to 0.40 mm2, respectively. The tool worn area in these cases are still larger than that in the case of SOE, which is 0.09 mm2. However, at higher spindle speed of 490 rpm and feed rate of 80 mm/min, the smallest tool worn area occurred for the case of CO cutting fluid, which is 0.04 mm2, compared to 0.1 mm2 and 0.11 mm2 for the case of CPO and SOE cutting fluids, respectively. As for the workpiece, the achieved surface roughness, Ra, were relatively similar for all the evaluated cases.
LEAN Production Management Model based on Organizational Culture to Improve Cutting Process Efficiency in a Textile and Clothing SME in Peru
Authors: Cespedes-Pino R , Hurtado-Laguna J , Macassi-Jaurequi I , Raymundo-Ibañez C , Dominguez F
Published: April 2020

In recent years, homegrown SMEs have had low production levels when compared with Chinese garment imports, losing their competitive advantage in the domestic market. SMEs represent 96% of garment companies in Peru and have a positive impact on the creation of jobs. The search for a technique to improve SME output was conducted in various studies; however, the efforts did not bear fruit over time. Thus, this article seeks to improve the low production efficiency in textile and clothing SMEs. Therefore, we proposed a model and validated it in the production area of a denim clothing manufacturing company in Peru. We conducted business diagnostics and found a production efficiency problem. Later, we adapted the Lean production management model to the prevailing organizational culture. The main result was that the company’s production efficiency increased from 68% to 71%. Finally, employee commitment, along with the combination of the Lean model and organizational culture, allowed the improvements to stand the test of time after their implementation.
Maintenance Management Model under the TPM approach to Reduce Machine Breakdowns in Peruvian Giant Squid Processing SMEs
Authors: Gallesi-Torres A , Velarde-Cabrera A , León-Chavarri C , Raymundo-Ibañez C , Dominguez F
Published: April 2020

In recent years, the giant squid processing industry in Peru exhibited a 59% increase in exports with respect to 2018. According to estimates, this industry generates approximately 30,900 jobs per year. However, some SMEs experience low productivity, such as the PECEPE company, due to plant downtime. This represents 26% of the available time, which translates into the loss of 1760 tons every year. The most constraining external factor the sector faces is uncertainty in resource availability caused by changing weather conditions and informal fishing activities. Although there is a large number of research studies on the fishing industry and resource extraction, literature on processing plant operations is scarce. Within this context, this study seeks to promote a high impact sector in Peru, as well as fostering processing plant competitiveness and productivity. Hence, to address these issues, the authors propose a maintenance management model under the TPM approach. As part of the results from model implementation, a 39% decrease was reported in plant downtime, while maintenance costs also decreased by 16%, which, in turn, increased machine availability and production by 784 tons per year.
A framework for developing lot-sizing and scheduling model for multiproduct
Authors: Badri Huda Muhamad , Khamis Nor Kamaliana , Jameelah Ghazali Mariyam
Published: April 2020

This paper considers the issue of lot-sizing and scheduling for multi-product production facilities using flexible flow lines. Flexible flow lines are also called flow lines with parallel machines at several or all stages of production with various products. The problem encountered in the company produce machine sparepart is a scheduling that is not optimal such as work rules that are not systematic causing a long of manufacturing time, but it also does not systematically result in scheduling a plan that is not optimal lot-sizing. In solving the problem, this paper proposes adjustments to scheduling planning and lot-sizing to improve the company performance. The objective of this study is to minimize processing time and production cost so as to satisfy customers. The expectation of the conceptual framework of the lot-sizing model and scheduling model is to be able to optimize lot-sizing and scheduling to achieve multi-objective goals of production time and production cost as a result of decisions related to many machine and lot size.
Warehouse management model using FEFO, 5s, and chaotic storage to improve product loading times in small- and medium-sized non-metallic mining companies
Authors: Espinoza-Camino P , Macassi-Jaurequi I , Raymundo-Ibañez C , Dominguez F
Published: April 2020

This article addresses one of the main problems faced by small- and medium-sized business in the non-metallic mining sector in Peru. These companies own warehouses and face the major problem of failing to deliver orders correctly and in a timely manner. This problem usually occurs when the business grows from a small- to medium-sized company in a short span of time; this situation leads to new processes within warehouses that are mostly not standardized. Besides, facilities are no longer optimal in space and the workers are not properly trained. The case study shows that the orders were not delivered on time due to factors such as lack of product identification, although the products have an expiration date and a warehouse without signaling and surrounded by traffic. To tackle this situation, a labeling process has been designed for the products, an adequate distribution technique is used in the warehouse through a newly designed warehouse layout, and a First Expired, First Out system has been implemented. Similarly, the design is accompanied by the 5s tool to provide a basis for order and continuous improvement. The results show that deliveries with delays were reduced from 38% to 10%. These results show that companies can grow rapidly and maintain quality of service through orderly management.
Production management model through MPS and line balancing to reduce the non-fulfillment of orders in lingerie clothing MSEs in Peru
Authors: Flores-Andrade K , Guardia-Miranda R , Castro-Rangel P , Raymundo-Ibañez C , Perez M
Published: April 2020

The focus of this research is to establish control and planning management in the sewing production process of lingerie clothing to better prepare companies for demand growth. The lack of improvement tools in this sector, the lack of staff training and a lack of quality culture has led to companies, especially MYPES, not being able to meet the established delivery times and non-fulfillment of orders with the customers, which represents 80% of dissatisfied orders due to the limited production capacity and non-productive time in the plant. This problem is due to limited production capacity, deficient production planning, and lack of materials. In order to solve this problem, industrial engineering tools were used. The application of these tools improved production from 79% to 95%.
Analysis of electricity energy savings with Grid-Tie system connected to utility grid
Authors: Away Y , Adria A , Syahrizal  , Rizal M S , Walidainy H
Published: April 2020

The microgrid consists of at least one energy source that is connected to a load in a relatively small area. In practice, microgrid are divided into two types, off-grid systems or often said to be standalone systems and on-grid systems that are connected to utility networks. The use of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic, has become an alternative energy for the problem of electricity energy deficits. This research examines the possibility of saving power consumption from the network using a grid-tie inverter (GTI) power converter in a microgrid configuration so synchronization can be made between renewable energy systems and utility networks. The integration of photovoltaic energy resources with the grid system will increase the value of electricity capacity while reducing the use of fossil fuels, as well as a positive impact where the use of renewable energy can reduce energy use and bills to be paid. Integration of grid tie testing carried out without a load can convert the power generated by almost 90% distributed in the utility network, while testing with a load using a grid tie system, can save power up to 70% of the energy supplied by the utility network.
User requirements elicitation in web-based Participatory Geographic Information System interface design
Authors: Sofyan Z , Zulkifli  , Bustami
Published: April 2020

This ongoing work is aimed to collect a set of specific user requirements to develop a participatory web-based Geographic Information System using the User Centered Design approach. By using several techniques of requirement specification as the part of the User Centered Design such as observation of user behavior, interview session and paper prototyping design for testing user interaction, this initial stage in the development of the application could identify the important features to increase the usability of the application. These key features needed by the user are divided into three categories; the type of available maps, the data input features, and the data management features. The categories founded will help the system developer prioritize the important features to create an application to support spatial-based planning and to support the coordination between government agencies in Banda Aceh Municipality.
Implementation of SMS Gateway in the Flood Notification System using Raspberry Pi
Authors: Satria D , Yana S , Munadi R , Syahreza S , Yusibani E , Hidayat T
Published: April 2020

Flood disaster has become a national disaster that often occurs in the world today. Indonesia is one country that has a lot of flooding. The cause of the flooding is human error in environmental care. To overcome floods in the short term is to build a flood disaster mitigation system to anticipate more victims. This study aims to create an SMS gateway-based flood notification system. This mitigation system was built using ultrasonic sensors and rain sensors as input components, Raspberry Pi mini-computers as processors and GSM modems as outputs. This research resulted in a prototype of a flood notification system that can send SMS when floods occur. Tests have been carried out by varying the height of the water, which is between 0cm to 20cm. SMS will be sent to users when the water level is at 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, and 20cm. In prototype testing used a scale between 0 cm to 20 cm. From several tests conducted, the system has been able to send SMS to users. This research has provided innovations in the field of flood disaster mitigation using GSM communication systems and Raspberry Pi-based data processing.
Structural style of the North Sumatra basin, offshore Aceh
Authors: Muchlis  , Elders Chris
Published: April 2020

The Offshore North Sumatra Basin is an underexplored basin. Only a limited amount of exploration has occurred in the past resulting in the discovery of one economic field that is currently producing, a number of uneconomic discoveries and some unsuccessful wells. This is reflected in limited geological studies of the area. This paper demonstrates the importance of N-S trending faults associated with Basin formation in the Oligocene, continued fault activity in the late Oligocene and both compressional and extensional reactivation in the Miocene.
Application of precast foamed concrete panels for the structural deck of green roof system
Authors: Munir A , Muslimsyah  , Afifuddin M , Mahlil
Published: April 2020

Rapid development in urban areas has caused many environmental problems, one of which is the phenomenon of urban heat island (UHI) which results in excessive energy usage. The building sector is the most responsible for energy use, which accounts for 40% of total energy consumption. A green roof is a sustainable solution to solve the problems related to urban heat islands. To reduce more structural self-weight, lightweight foamed concrete could be applied as a roof construction material. This paper presents experimental results on the structural behavior of a U-shape precast panel made of lightweight foamed. Three foamed concrete panels in the U-shaped form having different width dimensions of 200mm, 400mm and 600mm with a clear span of 1800 mm were cast and tested until failure under a double mid-span concentrated load. The panels were considered as a simple U-shaped beam filled with a growing medium for a green roof system. This result shows a potential use of foamed concrete for roof deck structure integrated with a green roof system. The U-shaped panel with a width of 400mm is the optimal form of the three tested specimens for the structural roof deck of the green roof system.
Effect of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) on Polysulfone/Zeolite membrane for the removal of copper ions
Authors: Hamid S A , Ismail S
Published: April 2020

The influence of anionic surfactant, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) on Polysulfone (PSf) polymer impregnated with zeolite adsorbent for removing copper ions from aqueous solution is the main focus of this paper. The flat sheet membrane was prepared via blending and phase inversion methods. Different amount of SDS (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt%, and 7 wt%) were added into the polymer casting solution. Batch adsorption and continuous filtration studies were carried out to study the effect of SDS dosage on PSf/zeolite membrane for the removal of copper ion. The membrane characterizations such as pure water flux (PWF), water contact angle (WCA) and mean pore size were investigated. From the study, it was found that the presence of a high amount of SDS could enhance adsorption efficiency (99 %) by shortening the equilibrium time with adsorption of 9.4 mg/g. Filtration study indicates that a lower amount of SDS (1 wt%) results in high rejection value (70 %) of copper metal ions from the solution. Besides, as the amount of SDS increase, the PWF increases from 0 L/m2h to 100 L/m2h, WCA decreases from 94.8° to 46.4° and the pore size of membrane increases from 0.082 μm to 2.530 μm.
Preparing of Carbon Nanodots from Binchotan Carbon by Electrochemically Sonification and Dialysis
Authors: Syarif Nirwan , Rohendi Dedi , Haryati Sri , Tin Lee Chew
Published: April 2020

This paper reports the research of preparing an aqueous solution of binchotan carbon electrochemically and followed by its purification through sonification and dialysis. Binchotan rod and platinum plate were used as anode and cathode. The electrodes were placed on both sides of beaker glass that contained 200 ml of 14 M sulphuric acid, oxalic acid and phosphoric acid solutions as electrolytes, respectively. The potential between anode and cathode was 14 V. The solution was moved from beaker glass after 24 hours, filtered to produce a solid product for further examinations. The solid was washed with distilled water until pH 7, dried in 100 °C ovens. Two types of materials were examined, i.e. the product before and after the purification. The solid was then characterized by its morphology, crystallography, and surface functional groups by SEM, XRD, and FT-IR. The morphology of the binchotan after running the electro-oxidation process generally were aggregates and dots. Both shapes were reduced in size after purification. The diffractogram showed a significant change at 2θ=14°-44° meaning that the purification process changes the crystallography of carbon. The FTIR showed the presence of a functional group of aromatic, carboxylic, alkene, and alcohol on the surface of the carbon.
Grouping of Retention Index on Gas Chromatography using Cluster Analysis
Authors: Husna I , Rusyana A , Muslem  , Idroes G M , Suhendraand R , Idroes R
Published: April 2020

Retention index data consisting of 146 compounds commonly found in fuels are used to analyze the level of a psycho-chemical property similarity with cluster analysis methods. Cluster analysis is applied based on the temperature and column dependencies. The results show that the retention index was divided into four groups. The first group consists of benzene and cycloalkanes. The retention index of the compound shows high-temperature dependence and dependence on small column polarity. The second group consists of aromatic compounds and compounds that contain N, S, O. The retention index of these compounds shows dependence on temperature and polarity of large columns. The third group consists of aromatic compounds and hydrocarbons. The retention index of hydrocarbon compounds shows temperature dependence smaller than N, S, O. compounds and also the dependence on small column polarity. And the fourth group consists of only two compounds namely n-Hentriacontane and chrysene. The retention index of the two compounds shows a significant temperature dependence.
Modeling sequences with quantum states: a look under the hood
Authors: Bradley Tai-Danae , Stoudenmire E M , Terilla John
Published: April 2020

Classical probability distributions on sets of sequences can be modeled using quantum states. Here, we do so with a quantum state that is pure and entangled. Because it is entangled, the reduced densities that describe subsystems also carry information about the complementary subsystem. This is in contrast to the classical marginal distributions on a subsystem in which information about the complementary system has been integrated out and lost. A training algorithm based on the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) procedure uses the extra information contained in the reduced densities and organizes it into a tensor network model. An understanding of the extra information contained in the reduced densities allow us to examine the mechanics of this DMRG algorithm and study the generalization error of the resulting model. As an illustration, we work with the even-parity dataset and produce an estimate for the generalization error as a function of the fraction of the dataset used in training.
Antibiotic Stewardship Implementation and Antibiotic Use at Hospitals With and Without On-site Infectious Disease Specialists
Authors: Livorsi Daniel J , Nair Rajeshwari , Lund Brian C , Alexander Bruce , Beck Brice F , Goto Michihiko , Ohl Michael , Vaughan-Sarrazin Mary S , Goetz Matthew B , Perencevich Eli N
Published: April 2020

Background

Many US hospitals lack infectious disease (ID) specialists, which may hinder antibiotic stewardship efforts. We sought to compare patient-level antibiotic exposure at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals with and without an on-site ID specialist, defined as an ID physician and/or ID pharmacist.

Methods

This retrospective VHA cohort included all acute-care patient admissions during 2016. A mandatory survey was used to identify hospitals’ antibiotic stewardship processes and their access to an on-site ID specialist. Antibiotic use was quantified as days of therapy per days present and categorized based on National Healthcare Safety Network definitions. A negative binomial regression model with risk adjustment was used to determine the association between presence of an on-site ID specialist and antibiotic use at the level of patient admissions.

Results

Eighteen of 122 (14.8%) hospitals lacked an on-site ID specialist; there were 525 451 (95.8%) admissions at ID hospitals and 23 007 (4.2%) at non-ID sites. In the adjusted analysis, presence of an ID specialist was associated with lower total inpatient antibacterial use (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, .85–.99). Presence of an ID specialist was also associated with lower use of broad-spectrum antibacterials (0.61; .54–.70) and higher narrow-spectrum β-lactam use (1.43; 1.22–1.67). Total antibacterial exposure (inpatient plus postdischarge) was lower among patients at ID versus non-ID sites (0.92; .86–.99).

Conclusions

Patients at hospitals with an ID specialist received antibiotics in a way more consistent with stewardship principles. The presence of an ID specialist may be important to effective antibiotic stewardship.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays Reverted to Positive in 25 Discharged Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Yuan Jing , Kou Shanglong , Liang Yanhua , Zeng Jianfeng , Pan Yanchao , Liu Lei
Published: April 2020

We report the observation that 14.5% of COVID-19 patients had positive RT-PCR testing again after discharge. We describe correlations between laboratory parameters and treatment duration (P = .002) and time to virus recrudescence (P = .008), suggesting the need for additional measures to confirm illness resolution in COVID-19 patients.
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Inpatient and Outpatient Settings in the United States, 2015–2018
Authors: Tenforde Mark W , Chung Jessie , Smith Emily R , Talbot H Keipp , Trabue Christopher H , Zimmerman Richard K , Silveira Fernanda P , Gaglani Manjusha , Murthy Kempapura , Monto Arnold S , Martin Emily T , McLean Huong Q , Belongia Edward A , Jackson Lisa A , Jackson Michael L , Ferdinands Jill M , Flannery Brendan , Patel Manish M
Published: April 2020

Background

Demonstration of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalized illness in addition to milder outpatient illness may strengthen vaccination messaging. Our objective was to compare patient characteristics and VE between United States (US) inpatient and outpatient VE networks.

Methods

We tested adults with acute respiratory illness (ARI) for influenza within 1 outpatient-based and 1 hospital-based VE network from 2015 through 2018. We compared age, sex, and high-risk conditions. The test-negative design was used to compare vaccination odds in influenza-positive cases vs influenza-negative controls. We estimated VE using logistic regression adjusting for site, age, sex, race/ethnicity, peak influenza activity, time to testing from, season (overall VE), and underlying conditions. VE differences (ΔVE) were assessed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) determined through bootstrapping with significance defined as excluding the null.

Results

The networks enrolled 14 573 (4144 influenza-positive) outpatients and 6769 (1452 influenza-positive) inpatients. Inpatients were older (median, 62 years vs 49 years) and had more high-risk conditions (median, 4 vs 1). Overall VE across seasons was 31% (95% CI, 26%–37%) among outpatients and 36% (95% CI, 27%–44%) among inpatients. Strain-specific VE (95% CI) among outpatients vs inpatients was 37% (25%–47%) vs 53% (37%–64%) against H1N1pdm09; 19% (9%–27%) vs 23% (8%–35%) against H3N2; and 46% (38%–53%) vs 46% (31%–58%) against B viruses. ΔVE was not significant for any comparison across all sites.

Conclusions

Inpatients and outpatients with ARI represent distinct populations. Despite comparatively poor health among inpatients, influenza vaccination was effective in preventing influenza-associated hospitalizations.
Segmental Histological Normalisation Occurs in Ulcerative Colitis but Does Not Improve Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Christensen Britt , Hanauer Stephen B , Gibson Peter R , Turner Jerrold R , Hart John , Rubin David T
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Complete histological normalisation and reduction of inflammation severity in patients with ulcerative colitis are associated with improved clinical outcomes, but the clinical significance of normalisation of only segments of previously affected bowel is not known. We examined the prevalence, pattern, predictors, and clinical outcomes associated with segmental histological normalisation in in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Methods

Medical records of patients with confirmed ulcerative colitis and more than one colonoscopy were sought. Segmental histological normalisation was defined as histological normalisation of a bowel segment [rectum, left-sided or right-sided colon] that had previous evidence of chronic histological injury. We assessed the variables influencing these findings and whether segmental normalisation was associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Results

Of 646 patients, 32% had segmental and 10% complete histological normalisaton when compared with their maximal disease extent. Most [88%] had segmental normalisation in a proximal-to-distal direction. Others had distal-to-proximal or patchy normalisation. On multivariate analysis, only current smoking [p = 0.040] and age of diagnosis ≤16 years [p = 0.028] predicted segmental histological normalisation. Of 310 who were in clinical remission at initial colonoscopy, 77 [25%] experienced clinical relapse after median 1.3 [range 0.06–7.52] years. Only complete histological normalisation of the bowel was associated with improved relapse-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08–0.68; p = 0.008].

Conclusions

Segmental histological normalisation occurs in 32% of patients with ulcerative colitis and is increased in those who smoke or were diagnosed at younger age. Unlike complete histological normalisation, segmental normalisation does not signal improved clinical outcomes.
Interleukin-34 Stimulates Gut Fibroblasts to Produce Collagen Synthesis
Authors: Franzè Eleonora , Dinallo Vincenzo , Laudisi Federica , Di Grazia Antonio , Di Fusco Davide , Colantoni Alfredo , Ortenzi Angela , Giuffrida Paolo , Di Carlo Sara , Sica Giuseppe S , Di Sabatino Antonio , Monteleone Giovanni
Published: April 2020

Background and Aim

The mechanisms underlying the formation of intestinal fibrostrictures [FS] in Crohn’s disease [CD] are not fully understood, but activation of fibroblasts and excessive collagen deposition are supposed to contribute to the development of FS. Here we investigated whether interleukin-34 [IL-34], a cytokine that is over-produced in CD, regulates collagen production by gut fibroblasts

Methods

IL-34 and its receptor macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor 1 [M-CSFR-1] were evaluated in inflammatory [I], FS CD, and control [CTR] ileal mucosal samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR], western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. IL-34 and M-CSFR-1 expression was evaluated in normal and FS CD fibroblasts. Control fibroblasts were stimulated with IL-34 in the presence or absence of a MAP kinase p38 inhibitor, and FS CD fibroblasts were cultured with a specific IL-34 antisense oligonucleotide, and collagen production was evaluated by RT-PCR, western blotting, and Sircol assay. The effect of IL-34 on the wound healing capacity of fibroblasts was evaluated by scratch test.

Results

We showed enhanced M-CSFR-1 and IL-34 RNA and protein expression in FS CD mucosal samples as compared with ICD and CTR samples. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that stromal cells were positive for M-CSFR-1 and IL-34. Enhanced M-CSFR-1 and IL-34 RNA and protein expression was seen in FS CD fibroblasts as compared with CTR. Stimulation of control fibroblasts with IL-34 enhanced COL1A1 and COL3A1 expression and secretion of collagen through a p38 MAP kinase-dependent mechanism, and wound healing. IL-34 knockdown in FS CD fibroblasts was associated with reduced collagen production and wound repair.

Conclusions

Data indicate a prominent role of IL-34 in the control of intestinal fibrogenesis.
Sex differences in incidence of respiratory symptoms and management by general practitioners
Authors: Groeneveld Johanna M , Ballering Aranka V , van Boven Kees , Akkermans Reinier P , Olde Hartman Tim C , Uijen Annemarie A
Published: April 2020

Background

Differences between women and men play an important role in lung physiology and epidemiology of respiratory diseases, but also in the health care processes.

Objective

To analyse sex differences in patients encountering their general practitioner (GP) with respiratory symptoms with regard to incidence, GP’s management and final diagnoses.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study, using data of the Dutch Practice Based Research Network. All patients who encountered their GP from 01-07-2013 until 30-06-2018 with a new episode of care starting with a reason for encounter in the respiratory category (R) of the ICPC-2 classification were included (n = 16 773). Multi-level logistic regression was used to analyse influence of patients’ sex on management of GPs with adjustment for possible confounders.

Results

We found a significant higher incidence of respiratory symptoms in women than in men: 230/1000 patient years [95% confidence interval (CI) 227–232] and 186/1000 patient years (95% CI 183–189), respectively. When presenting with cough, GPs are more likely to perform physical examination [odds ratio (OR) 1.22; 95% CI 1.11–1.35] and diagnostic radiology (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.08–1.44), but less likely to prescribe medication (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.82–0.95) in men. When visiting the GP with dyspnoea, men more often undergo diagnostic imaging (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.05–1.66) and are more often referred to a specialist (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.13–1.62).

Conclusions

Women encounter their GP more frequently with respiratory symptoms than men and GPs perform more diagnostic investigations in men. We suggest more research in general practice focussing on sex differences and possible confounders.
Long-term effects of stump removal and tree species composition on the diversity and structure of soil fungal communities
Authors: Modi Dixi , Simard Suzanne , Bérubé Jean , Lavkulich Les , Hamelin Richard , Grayston Sue J
Published: April 2020

Stump removal is a common forest management practice used to reduce the mortality of trees affected by the fungal pathogen-mediated root disease, Armillaria root rot, but the impact of stumping on soil fungal community structure is not well understood. This study analyzed the long-term impact of stumping and tree species composition on the abundance, diversity and taxonomic composition of soil fungal communities using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) marker-based DNA metabarcoding in a 48-year-old trial at Skimikin, British Columbia. A total of 108 samples were collected from FH (fermented and humus layers), and soil mineral horizons (A and B) from stumped and unstumped plots of six tree species treatments (pure stands and admixtures of Douglas-fir, western red-cedar and paper birch). Fungal α-diversity in the A horizon significantly increased with stumping regardless of tree species composition, while β-diversity was significantly affected by stumping in all the horizons. We also observed that the relative abundance of the saprotrophic fungal community declined while that of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community increased with stumping. In conclusion, increase in ectomycorrhizal fungal associations, which are positively associated with tree productivity, suggests that stumping can be considered a good management practice for mitigating root disease and promoting tree regeneration.