bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of the disposable T-piece resuscitator (Neo-Tee): a bench study
Authors: de Groene Lizzy , De Jaegere Anne P , Nijland Olivier J , van Kaam Anton H
Published: February 2019

Objective

The Neo-Tee Infant T-piece resuscitator is a disposable T-piece resuscitator. The aim of this bench study was to assess the accuracy of the Neo-Tee using a measurement set-up and settings mimicking clinical practice.

Study design

Nine Neo-Tee devices were tested using a face mask interface and a manikin. Pressures were set using the built-in manometer and simultaneously measured at the interface. Peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were studied under static conditions and positive pressure ventilation (PPV), using a wide range of clinically relevant flows and pressures. Pressures were measured without adjusting for a possible offset of PIP and PEEP after switching from static pressures to PPV. In an additional subset of measurements, PIP/PEEP offsets on the Neo-Tee manometer after starting PPV were adjusted.

Results

Under static conditions, setting the PEEP level with the Neo-Tee manometer results in overestimation of the true PEEP applied at the airway opening, with a difference of approximately 1.5 cmH2O. When switching to PPV, this difference almost disappears. In contrast to PEEP, PIP levels measured at the airway opening were accurate.

Adjusting PIP and PEEP on the built-in manometer after starting PPV was necessary in all measurements, but this did not improve the accuracy of the targeted pressure delivery, especially for PEEP. A gas flow rate of 5 L/min was insufficient to reach commonly used PEEP levels of 5 cmH2O.

Conclusion

The Neo-Tee T-piece resuscitator is accurate for delivering a static inflation and PPV, but not for delivering continuous positive airway pressure.
People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations prefer early discharge, then treatment at home
Authors: Cook Rob , Thomas Vaughan , Martin Rosie
Published: February 2019

The study

Home treatment of COPD exacerbation selected by DECAF score: a non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation

Echevarria C, Gray J, Hartley T, Miller J, Simpson AJ, Gibson GJ, Bourke SC

Published on 24 April 2018
Thorax
2018;73:713-22

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research—Research for Patient Benefit Programme (project number PB-PG-0213-30105).

To read the full NIHR Signal, go to:
https://discover.dc.nihr.ac.uk/content/signal-000691/hospital-at-home-treatment-for-copd-flare-ups
Multicentre pilot randomised clinical trial of early in-bed cycle ergometry with ventilated patients
Authors: Kho Michelle E , Molloy Alexander J , Clarke France J , Reid Julie C , Herridge Margaret S , Karachi Timothy , Rochwerg Bram , Fox-Robichaud Alison E , Seely Andrew JE , Mathur Sunita , Lo Vincent , Burns Karen EA , Ball Ian M , Pellizzari Joseph R , Tarride Jean-Eric , Rudkowski Jill C , Koo Karen , Heels-Ansdell Diane , Cook Deborah J
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Acute rehabilitation in critically ill patients can improve post-intensive care unit (post-ICU) physical function. In-bed cycling early in a patient’s ICU stay is a promising intervention. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of recruitment, intervention delivery and retention in a multi centre randomised clinical trial (RCT) of early in-bed cycling with mechanically ventilated (MV) patients.

Methods

We conducted a pilot RCT conducted in seven Canadian medical-surgical ICUs. We enrolled adults who could ambulate independently before ICU admission, within the first 4 days of invasive MV and first 7 days of ICU admission. Following informed consent, patients underwent concealed randomisation to either 30 min/day of in-bed cycling and routine physiotherapy (Cycling) or routine physiotherapy alone (Routine) for 5 days/week, until ICU discharge. Our feasibility outcome targets included: accrual of 1–2 patients/month/site; >80% cycling protocol delivery; >80% outcomes measured and >80% blinded outcome measures at hospital discharge. We report ascertainment rates for our primary outcome for the main trial (Physical Function ICU Test-scored (PFIT-s) at hospital discharge).

Results

Between 3/2015 and 6/2016, we randomised 66 patients (36 Cycling, 30 Routine). Our consent rate was 84.6 % (66/78). Patient accrual was (mean (SD)) 1.1 (0.3) patients/month/site. Cycling occurred in 79.3% (146/184) of eligible sessions, with a median (IQR) session duration of 30.5 (30.0, 30.7) min. We recorded 43 (97.7%) PFIT-s scores at hospital discharge and 37 (86.0%) of these assessments were blinded.

Discussion

Our pilot RCT suggests that a future multicentre RCT of early in-bed cycling for MV patients in the ICU is feasible.

Trial registration number

NCT02377830.
The importance of identifying preferred place of death
Authors: Ali Maimoona , Capel Margred , Jones Gareth , Gazi Terri
Published: February 2019

Objectives

The majority of people would prefer to die at home and the stated intentions of both statutory and voluntary healthcare providers aim to support this. This service evaluation compared the preferred and actual place of death of patients known to a specialist community palliative care service.

Design

All deaths of patients (n=2176) known to the specialist palliative care service over a 5-year period were examined through service evaluation to compare the actual place of death with the preferred place of death previously identified by the patient. Triggers for admission were established when the patients did not achieve this preference.

Results

Between 2009 and 2013, 73% of patients who expressed a choice about their preferred place of death and 69.3% who wanted to die at home were able to achieve their preferences. During the course of their illness, 9.5% of patients changed their preference for place of death. 30% of patients either refused to discuss or no preference was elicited for place of death.

Conclusions

Direct enquiry and identification of preferences for end-of-life care is associated with patients achieving their preference for place of death. Patients whose preferred place of death was unknown were more likely to be admitted to hospital for end-of-life care.
Lipid-related genetic polymorphisms significantly modulate the association between lipids and disability progression in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhou Yuan , van der Mei Ingrid A F , Simpson Steve , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Lucas Robyn M , Tettey Prudence , Charlesworth Jac , Kostner Karam , Taylor Bruce V
Published: February 2019

Objective

To investigate whether lipid-related or body mass index (BMI)–related common genetic polymorphisms modulate the associations between serum lipid levels, BMI and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

The association between disability progression (annualised Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change over 5 years, ΔEDSS) and lipid-related or BMI-related genetic polymorphisms was evaluated in a longitudinal cohort (n=184), diagnosed with MS. We constructed a cumulative genetic risk score (CGRS) of associated polymorphisms (p<0.05) and examined the interactions between the CGRS and lipid levels (measured at baseline) in predicting ΔEDSS. All analyses were conducted using linear regression.

Results

Five lipid polymorphisms (rs2013208, rs9488822, rs17173637, rs10401969 and rs2277862) and one BMI polymorphism (rs2033529) were nominally associated with ΔEDSS. The constructed lipid CGRS showed a significant, dose-dependent association with ΔEDSS (ptrend=1.4×10−6), such that participants having ≥6 risk alleles progressed 0.38 EDSS points per year faster compared with those having ≤3. This CGRS model explained 16% of the variance in ΔEDSS. We also found significant interactions between the CGRS and lipid levels in modulating ΔEDSS, including high-density lipoprotein (HDL; pinteraction=0.005) and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein ratio (TC:HDL; pinteraction=0.030). The combined model (combination of CGRS and the lipid parameter) explained 26% of the disability variance for HDL and 27% for TC:HDL.

Interpretation

In this prospective cohort study, both lipid levels and lipid-related polymorphisms individually and jointly were associated with significantly increased disability progression in MS. These results indicate that these polymorphisms and tagged genes might be potential points of intervention to moderate disability progression.
Comparative population genomics unveils candidate genes for athletic performance in Hanoverians
Authors: Asadollahpour Nanaei Hojjat , Ayatollahi Mehrgardi Ahmad , Esmailizadeh Ali
Published: February 2019

Equine athletes have a genetic heritage that has been evolved for millions of years, which provides an opportunity to study the genetics of locomotion pattern and performance in mammals. The Hanoverian, a breed originating in Germany, is arguably among the most athletic of horse breeds, as well as possessing a balanced character and beautiful appearance. Here, we compared the whole genomes of Hanoverian with three other horse breeds (Akhal-Teke, Franches-Montagnes, and Standardbred), using the fixation index (Fst) and cross-population composite likelihood ratio (XP-CLR) methods for testing the multi-locus allele frequency differentiation between populations. We identified 299 and 485 positively selected genes using the Fst and XP-CLR methods, respectively. Further functional analyses showed that the ACTA1 gene is potentially involved in athletic performance in the Hanoverian breed, consistent with its role observed in human population. In addition, three other loci on chromosomes 1 and 20 were identified to be potentially involved in equine physical performance. The selected candidate genes identified in this study may be useful in current breeding efforts to develop improved breeds in regard to athletic performance.
Modeling and analysis of a bolted joint under tension and shear loads
Authors: Nasraoui Mohamed Tahar , Chakhari Jamel , Khalfi Boubaker , Nasri Mustapha
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a prismatic bolted joint subjected to tensile and shear loads is studied. The two applied forces are in the same symmetry plane of the connection. A simplified numerical model is developed, which is constructed from unidirectional finite elements and contact elements. The elastic contact layer of connected parts is represented by a succession of springs. An algorithm computing both the free structure stiffness matrix and the contact stiffness matrix is developed. Due to the shear load, static or kinetic friction can occur at contact surfaces between assembled parts. In each iteration, tangential contact forces are calculated and taken into account in problem solving. A program in C language is developed and used to calculate the model unknowns. Three-dimensional finite element simulations are performed using ANSYS software to verify results obtained by the developed model. The model results are also compared with experimental test data.
Clinopodium chinense Attenuates Palmitic Acid-Induced Vascular Endothelial Inflammation and Insulin Resistance through TLR4-Mediated NF-κB and MAPK Pathways
Authors: Shi Xiaoji , Wang Shanshan , Luan Huiling , Tuerhong Dina , Lin Yining , Liang Jingyu , Xiong Yi , Rui Liangyou , Wu Feihua
Published: February 2019

Elevated palmitic acid (PA) levels are associated with the development of inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction. Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) O. Kuntze has been shown to lower blood glucose and attenuate high glucose-induced vascular endothelial cells injury. In the present study we investigated the effects of ethyl acetate extract of C. chinense (CCE) on PA-induced inflammation and IR in the vascular endothelium and its molecular mechanism. We found that CCE significantly inhibited PA-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Consequently, this led to the inhibition of the following downstream adapted proteins myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor-inducing interferon-[Formula: see text] and TNF receptor-associated factor 6. Moreover, CCE inhibited the phosphorylation of Ikappa B kinase [Formula: see text], nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-[Formula: see text]B), c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular regulated protein kinases, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and subsequently suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-[Formula: see text], interleukin-1[Formula: see text] (IL-1[Formula: see text]) and IL-6. CCE also inhibited IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and ameliorated insulin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1. Moreover, CCE restored serine/threonine kinase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and thus increased insulin-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production in PA-treated HUVECs. This led to reverse insulin mediated endothelium-dependent relaxation, eNOS phosphorylation and NO production in PA-treated rat thoracic aortas. These results suggest that CCE can significantly inhibit the inflammatory response and alleviate impaired insulin signaling in the vascular endothelium by suppressing TLR4-mediated NF-[Formula: see text]B and MAPK pathways. Therefore, CCE can be considered as a potential therapeutic candidate for endothelial dysfunction associated with IR and diabetes.
Distribution of sodium and dynamical heterogeneity in sodium silicate liquid
Authors: Ha N. T. T. , Hong N. V. , Hung P. K.
Published: February 2019

The structural and dynamical properties in sodium silicate liquid were investigated by molecular dynamics method. To clarify the distribution of sodium atoms in model, characteristics of simplex have been investigated. The simulation results reveal that Na2O⋅4SiO2 (NS4) liquid has a lot of simplexes with four sodium atoms inside but about half of simplexes do not have sodium. The spatial distribution of sodium is nonuniform, sodium tends to be in the nonbridging oxygen-simplexes and in larger-radius simplex. Moreover, the sodium density for nonbridging oxygen region is significantly higher than the one for Si-region. Namely, link-cluster function F[Formula: see text](r, t) has been used to clarify dynamical heterogeneity in NS4 liquid. The F[Formula: see text](r, t) for sets of random, immobile and mobile network atoms is quite different, which indicates that the dynamics of network atoms is heterogeneous. The Si–O network has the structure with two separated domains (immobile and mobile domains). These types of domain are significantly different in local microstructure, mobility of atoms and chemical composition.
Spiral dynamics under feedback derived from a square-shaped domain in the complex Ginzburg–Landau equation
Authors: Yuan Guoyong , Wang Xueli , Wang Guangrui , Chen Shaoying , Zhang Hongmei
Published: February 2019

The complex Ginzburg–Landau equation (CGLE) is used to investigate the effect of a nonlocal feedback control on spiral dynamics in oscillatory media, where the feedback is derived from a square-shaped domain, and three kinds of controlled tip trajectories can be found. The tip trajectory usually tends to a square limit cycle concentric with the measuring domain when the initial tip location is near the periphery of the domain. If the spiral tip is initially located in the measuring domain, it will finally be fixed at a point in the domain. For some larger delay time, the spiral tip may have a motion pathway of small limit cycles. For the case of a square-shaped pathway, the modulus function of the feedback signal has a maximum value when the spiral tip approaches the midpoint of each side, and a slower change when the tip is close to each turning point. As the feedback gain is increased, the spiral tip moves along the same pathway with a greater speed, and multiple tips can be generated when the gain is very large. The final trajectory is also affected by the distance between the measuring center and the initial spiral tip, the size of the measuring domain, the delay time, the choice of positive and negative gains and the scaling parameter.
Hydrogen-like impurity, polarization and thickness effect on the properties of a two-level system in a Gaussian confinement potential well with electric-field
Authors: Wuyunqimuge  , Xin Wei , Wang Guo-Sheng , Zhang Ying , Eerdunchaolu
Published: February 2019

We select the asymmetric Gaussian (AG) and the parabolic (P) confinement to describe the along growth direction and perpendicular to growth direction confinement potential (CP) of an electron in a disk-like quantum dot (QD), respectively. Using the Pekar-type variational (PTV) method, we investigate the eigenenergies of the ground and first-excited states (GFES) of the polaron in the QD, changing the QD dimensions. We study the hydrogen-like impurity (HLI) and the polarization effect. Our numerical results show the influence of the QD dimensions on the mean number of phonons, energies, transition frequency and probability. The Coulomb potential of hydrogen-like impurity and the polarization effect of the medium cannot be ignored. We find that the electric field is an indispensable condition for the induced polaron transition. The weak electric field has a strong regulatory function on the transition. AG confinement is more drastic than P confinement in modulating polaron transition properties. This work confirms that the choice of a CP is crucial for the study of polaron transition in nanostructures. This quantum system can be employed as a two-level quantum qubit.
Investigation of electrical transport and magnetoelectric coupling of codoped ferrite–PbZr0.58Ti0.42O3 multiferroic nanocomposites
Authors: Chakraborty Sarit , Mandal S. K. , Saha B.
Published: February 2019

The multiferroic magnetoelectric materials have gained intensive research interest in the recent years due to their prospective applications. In this perspective, the thermally tunable complex impedance, dielectric behavior and room-temperature magnetoelectric coupling of xCo[Formula: see text]Ni[Formula: see text]Fe2O4–(1 - x)PbZr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O3 (x = 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5) nanocomposites have been investigated. A series of samples have been prepared by chemical pyrophoric reaction process. The structural characterization confirms the coexistence of two different types of phases, there is no phase segregation. The temperature-controlled complex impedance analysis reveals that grain boundaries and grain of the nanocomposites are playing a dominating role. The existence of Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization of the nanocomposites causes a high dielectric constant at low frequency. The calculated AC conductivity values with frequency at different temperatures follow the Jonscher’s power-law. A small polaronic hopping contributes largely to the conduction process of the decorated composite. The magnetostriction properties lead to the AC and DC magnetic field-dependent magnetoelectric coupling of the nanocomposites. The magnetoelectric coupling coefficient depends on the concentration of the piezomagnetic phase of the composites.
The L2-Alexander invariant is stronger than the genus and the simplicial volume
Authors: Ben Aribi Fathi
Published: February 2019

We study how the genus, the simplicial volume and the [Formula: see text]-Alexander invariant of Li and Zhang can detect individual knots among all others. In particular, we use various techniques coming from hyperbolic geometry and topology to prove that the [Formula: see text]-Alexander invariant contains strictly more information than the pair (genus, simplicial volume). Along the way, we prove that the [Formula: see text]-Alexander invariant detects the figure-eight knot [Formula: see text], the twist knot [Formula: see text] and an infinite family of cables on the figure-eight knot.
The construction of the space-like surface of constant breadth
Authors: Çi̇mdi̇ker Muradi̇ye , Ünlütürk Yasi̇n
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study is to define an ovaloid surface on the convex closed space-like surfaces of constant breadth when principal curvatures of these surfaces are continuous, non-vanishing functions, and to obtain some special geometrical properties of this ovaloid surface by using the radius of curvature, diameter of the surface in [Formula: see text].
On Climatic Control of Wrap-Around Heat Pipe (WAHP) Enhanced Dehumidifier in Outdoor Air Systems
Authors: Sarkar Mridul
Published: February 2019

Although wrap-around heat pipes (WAHP) are widely used for enhanced dehumidification systems in tropical and hot-humid climates, very few literature resources have actually reported any control methodology applicable for WAHP dehumidifier systems for an entire year’s operation. In the present work, a methodology is proposed for an outdoor air unit equipped with a WAHP-based dehumidifier along with other auxiliary components. For this, the ambient conditions over an entire year are categorized into six constituent regions based on temperature and humidity levels. The proposed method involves defining specific control sequences corresponding to ambient conditions under each psychrometric region for tandem operation of system components. Fundamentally, this establishes a sort of segregated climatic control protocol for maintaining acceptable levels of humidity and temperature inside the conditioned spaces during a whole year’s operations. An energy simulation study is performed for two DOE prototype office buildings with six representative weather locations ranging from extremely hot and humid to dry and hot as per ASHRAE’s climate classification. Results show that a 100% outdoor unit comprising WAHP-based dehumidifier system equipped with proposed climatic controls saves cooling plant energy in a range of 1.5–19%, when compared with a similar WAHP-based outdoor unit without any climatic controls and auxiliary components. The proposed controls also enable the outdoor air unit in maintaining comparatively better indoor environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity), resulting in lesser number of building occupied hours drifting away from prescribed indoor temperature and relative humidity limits than its basic counterpart without any climatic controls. This substantiates the intent and applicability of proposed control methodology for WAHP-based dehumidifier systems.
BPMS-RA
Authors: Pourmirza Shaya , Peters Sander , Dijkman Remco , Grefen Paul
Published: February 2019

A growing number of business process management systems is under development both in academia and in practice. These systems typically are based on modern system engineering principles, such as service-oriented architecture. At the same time, the advent of big data analytics has changed the scope of these systems, including functionality such as data mining. However, existing reference architectures for business process management systems date back 20 years and, consequently, are not up-to-date with these modern developments. To fill the gap, this article proposes an up-to-date reference architecture, called BPMS-RA, for modern business process management systems. BPMS-RA is based on analysis of recent literature and of existing commercial implementations. This reference architecture aims to provide a guideline template for the development of modern-day business process management systems by specifying functions and interfaces that need to be provided by these systems as well as a set of quality criteria that they need to meet.
Analytic Eigensystems for Isotropic Distortion Energies
Authors: Smith Breannan , Goes Fernando De , Kim Theodore
Published: February 2019

Many strategies exist for optimizing non-linear distortion energies in geometry and physics applications, but devising an approach that achieves the convergence promised by Newton-type methods remains challenging. In order to guarantee the positive semi-definiteness required by these methods, a numerical eigendecomposition or approximate regularization is usually needed. In this article, we present analytic expressions for the eigensystems at each quadrature point of a wide range of isotropic distortion energies. These systems can then be used to project energy Hessians to positive semi-definiteness analytically. Unlike previous attempts, our formulation provides compact expressions that are valid both in 2D and 3D, and does not introduce spurious degeneracies. At its core, our approach utilizes the invariants of the stretch tensor that arises from the polar decomposition of the deformation gradient. We provide closed-form expressions for the eigensystems for all these invariants, and use them to systematically derive the eigensystems of any isotropic energy. Our results are suitable for geometry optimization over flat surfaces or volumes, and agnostic to both the choice of discretization and basis function. To demonstrate the efficiency of our approach, we include comparisons against existing methods on common graphics tasks such as surface parameterization and volume deformation.
Recent Advances in Transfer Learning for Cross-Dataset Visual Recognition
Authors: Zhang Jing , Li Wanqing , Ogunbona Philip , Xu Dong
Published: February 2019

This article takes a problem-oriented perspective and presents a comprehensive review of transfer-learning methods, both shallow and deep, for cross-dataset visual recognition. Specifically, it categorises the cross-dataset recognition into 17 problems based on a set of carefully chosen data and label attributes. Such a problem-oriented taxonomy has allowed us to examine how different transfer-learning approaches tackle each problem and how well each problem has been researched to date. The comprehensive problem-oriented review of the advances in transfer learning with respect to the problem has not only revealed the challenges in transfer learning for visual recognition but also the problems (e.g., 8 of the 17 problems) that have been scarcely studied. This survey not only presents an up-to-date technical review for researchers but also a systematic approach and a reference for a machine-learning practitioner to categorise a real problem and to look up for a possible solution accordingly.
20 Years SymbolicData
Authors: Gräbe Hans-Gert
Published: February 2019

The S
ymbolic
D
ata
Project on testing an benchmarking Computer Algebra software grew up from the Special Session on Benchmarking at the 1998 ISSAC conference. During 20 years we collected reserach data and meta information, developed a test framework along the "cross cutting concerns" of modern software engineering and experimented with semantic technologies as a building block of a modern distributed socio-technical research infrastructure in the area of Computer Algebra. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the most important motivations, concepts, steps, efforts and practical achievements of the S
ymbolic
D
ata
Project to contribute to the formation of such a research infrastructure.
Offsets to conics and quadrics
Authors: Caravantes Jorge , Fioravanti Mario , Gonzalez-Vega Laureano , Diaz-Toca Gema
Published: February 2019

A new determinantal presentation of the implicit equation for offsets to non degenerate conics and quadrics is introduced which is specially well suited for intersection purposes.
Homogenized funtf varieties and algebraic frame completion
Authors: Farnsworth Cameron , Rodriguez Jose Israel
Published: February 2019

We introduce homogenized funtf (finite tight unit norm frames) varieties and study the degrees of their coordinate projections. These varieties compactify the affine funtf variety differently from the projectivizations studied in [12]. However, each are the closures (Zariski) of the set of finite tight unit norm frames. Our motivation comes from studying the algebraic frame completion problem.
Estimation of Time‐Averaged Shear Wave Velocity (SWV) to 30 m considering Site SWV Structural Characteristic
Authors: Jiang Zhijun , Li Shengcai , Zhang Lei , Song Tuo , Chen Lingkun
Published: February 2019

The time‐averaged shear wave velocity (SWV) to 30 m (VS30) is a site condition parameter that has been widely used to specify the site class in building codes. However, the penetration depth of some building sites is less than 30 m, and thus, VS30 cannot be determined based on the velocity profiles. To estimate the site parameter VS30 accurately, we examined the effect of the velocity structural characteristic parameter of site profiles, βH, on VS30 by performing a residual analysis. Further, a method to estimate VS30 was established considering the effect of βH, and the validity of the proposed model was assessed based on site data pertaining to Japan and California (USA). The results show that the time‐averaged shear wave velocity to the depth H (H < 30 m), VSH, is weakly correlated with the parameter βH. However, βH has a significant effect on VS30; for the same site VSH, VS30 tended to increase with βH. Compared with the extrapolation method, the proposed model can significantly reduce the standard deviation for the estimation of VS30, while increasing the correlation between the estimated and measured values of VS30. Thus, the estimation accuracy can be significantly improved by considering the effect of βH.
Likelihood-Ratio-Test Methods for Drug Safety Signal Detection from Multiple Clinical Datasets
Authors: Huang Lan , Zalkikar Jyoti , Tiwari Ram
Published: February 2019

Pre- and postmarket drug safety evaluations usually include an integrated summary of results obtained using data from multiple studies related to a drug of interest. This paper proposes three approaches based on the likelihood ratio test (LRT), called the LRT methods, for drug safety signal detection from large observational databases with multiple studies, with focus on identifying signals of adverse events (AEs) from many AEs associated with a particular drug or inversely for signals of drugs associated with a particular AE. The methods discussed include simple pooled LRT method and its variations such as the weighted LRT that incorporates the total drug exposure information by study. The power and type-I error of the LRT methods are evaluated in a simulation study with varying heterogeneity across studies. For illustration purpose, these methods are applied to Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) data with 6 studies for the effect of concomitant use of PPIs in treating patients with osteoporosis and to Lipiodol (a contrast agent) data with 13 studies for evaluating that drug’s safety profiles.
Stunting and Overweight among 12-24-Month-Old Children Receiving Vaccination in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Authors: Giao Huynh , Le An Pham , Truong Vien Nguyen , Van Khanh Tran , Quang Vinh Bui
Published: February 2019

Introduction. Malnutrition and obesity are a double burden on children in developing countries and could induce higher risks of noncommunicable diseases in the long term. In the big cities of Vietnam, both issues are present and share the issue of nutrition problems; the prevalence of malnutrition in children is gradually decreasing while the prevalence of obesity is increasing rapidly. The paper aims to identify the prevalence of stunting and overweight/obesity in apparently healthy young children in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study recruited 12-24-month-old children receiving national vaccination in community health centers in HCMC from February 2016 to July 2017. Sixteen healthcare centers were randomly selected among 8 districts of HCMC. Stunting and overweight were defined by height-for-age z-score <-2 SD and BMI z-score ≥+2 SD. Results. A total of 768 children had mean age of 16.8±4.2 months old, 51.7% boys. The prevalence of stunting and overweight/obesity was 8.2% and 10.7%, respectively. Stunting was associated with older age, boys, and low birth weight of children and occupation of mothers (P <0.05). No associated risk factor was observed for overweight/ obesity status. Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher than the prevalence of stunting in 12-24-month-old children in HCMC. Overweight/obesity would be a public health problem for children in big cities.
Myopic versus Farsighted Behaviors in a Low‐Carbon Supply Chain with Reference Emission Effects
Authors: Wang Jun , Cheng Xianxue , Wang Xinyu , Yang Hongtao , Zhang Shuhua
Published: February 2019

The increased carbon emissions cause relatively climate deterioration and attract more attention of governments, consumers, and enterprises to the low‐carbon manufacturing. This paper considers a dynamic supply chain, which is composed of a manufacturer and a retailer, in the presence of the cap‐and‐trade regulation and the consumers’ reference emission effects. To investigate the manufacturer’s behavior choice and its impacts on the emission reduction and pricing strategies together with the profits of both the channel members, we develop a Stackelberg differential game model in which the manufacturer acts in both myopic and farsighted manners. By comparing the equilibrium strategies, it can be found that the farsighted manufacturer always prefers to keep a lower level of emission reduction. When the emission permit price is relatively high, the wholesale/retail price is lower if the manufacturer is myopic and hence benefits consumers. In addition, there exists a dilemma that the manufacturer is willing to act in a farsighted manner but the retailer looks forward to a partnership with the myopic manufacturer. For a relatively high price of emission permit, adopting myopic strategies results in a better performance of the whole supply chain.
Increased TLR4 Expression Aggravates Sepsis by Promoting IFN-γExpression in CD38−/−Mice
Authors: Li Qi , Wu Chenyi , Liu Zhenlong , Zhang Huiqing , Du Yuna , Liu Yuxiang , Song Kuangyu , Shi Qiaofa , Li Rong
Published: February 2019

Gram-negative bacterial sepsis accounts for up to 50% worldwide sepsis that causes hospital mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common complication of Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, is caused by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an endotoxin in Gram-negative bacteria and is recognized specifically by TLR4, which initiates innate immune response. Also, TLR4 signaling pathway activation is essential in response to LPS infection. CD38 is one of the well-known regulators of innate immunity, whose dysregulation contributes to sepsis. Many studies have proven that an attenuated Gram-positive bacterium induces sepsis in a CD38-blocking model. However, the pathogenesis of Gram-negative bacteria-induced sepsis in a CD38−/−mouse model remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether kidney injury is still attenuated in a LPS-induced CD38−/−sepsis model and identify the potential mechanism. We assess the severity of kidney injury related to proinflammatory cytokine expressions (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in WT and CD38−/−mice. Our results showed more aggravated kidney damage in CD38−/−mice than in WT mice, accompanied with an increase of proinflammatory cytokine expression. In addition, compared with CD38−/−TLR4mutmice, we found an increase of TLR4 expression and mRNA expression of these cytokines in the kidney of CD38−/−mice, although only increased IFN-γlevel was detected in the serum. Taken together, these results demonstrated that an increased TLR4 expression in CD38−/−mice could contribute to the aggravation of AKI through boosting of the production of IFN-γ.
Is Deep Learning for Image Recognition Applicable to Stock Market Prediction?
Authors: Sim Hyun Sik , Kim Hae In , Ahn Jae Joon
Published: February 2019

Stock market prediction is a challenging issue for investors. In this paper, we propose a stock price prediction model based on convolutional neural network (CNN) to validate the applicability of new learning methods in stock markets. When applying CNN, 9 technical indicators were chosen as predictors of the forecasting model, and the technical indicators were converted to images of the time series graph. For verifying the usefulness of deep learning for image recognition in stock markets, the predictive accuracies of the proposed model were compared to typical artificial neural network (ANN) model and support vector machine (SVM) model. From the experimental results, we can see that CNN can be a desirable choice for building stock prediction models. To examine the performance of the proposed method, an empirical study was performed using the S&P 500 index. This study addresses two critical issues regarding the use of CNN for stock price prediction: how to use CNN and how to optimize them.
Cobb Angle Measurement of Spine from X-Ray Images Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Horng Ming-Huwi , Kuok Chan-Pang , Fu Min-Jun , Lin Chii-Jen , Sun Yung-Nien
Published: February 2019

Scoliosis is a common spinal condition where the spine curves to the side and thus deforms the spine. Curvature estimation provides a powerful index to evaluate the deformation severity of scoliosis. In current clinical diagnosis, the standard curvature estimation method for assessing the curvature quantitatively is done by measuring the Cobb angle, which is the angle between two lines, drawn perpendicular to the upper endplate of the uppermost vertebra involved and the lower endplate of the lowest vertebra involved. However, manual measurement of spine curvature requires considerable time and effort, along with associated problems such as interobserver and intraobserver variations. In this article, we propose an automatic system for measuring spine curvature using the anterior-posterior (AP) view spinal X-ray images. Due to the characteristic of AP view images, we first reduced the image size and then used horizontal and vertical intensity projection histograms to define the region of interest of the spine which is then cropped for sequential processing. Next, the boundaries of the spine, the central spinal curve line, and the spine foreground are detected by using intensity and gradient information of the region of interest, and a progressive thresholding approach is then employed to detect the locations of the vertebrae. In order to reduce the influences of inconsistent intensity distribution of vertebrae in the spine AP image, we applied the deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) approaches which include the U-Net, the Dense U-Net, and Residual U-Net, to segment the vertebrae. Finally, the segmentation results of the vertebrae are reconstructed into a complete segmented spine image, and the spine curvature is calculated based on the Cobb angle criterion. In the experiments, we showed the results for spine segmentation and spine curvature; the results were then compared to manual measurements by specialists. The segmentation results of the Residual U-Net were superior to the other two convolutional neural networks. The one-way ANOVA test also demonstrated that the three measurements including the manual records of two different physicians and our proposed measured record were not significantly different in terms of spine curvature measurement. Looking forward, the proposed system can be applied in clinical diagnosis to assist doctors for a better understanding of scoliosis severity and for clinical treatments.
Towards the Establishment of Relationship between Macroeconomic Indicators and Cost of Public Educational Buildings in Ghana
Authors: Oduro Asamoah Richard , Baiden Bernard Kofi , Nani Gabriel
Published: February 2019

Cost of building is usually influenced by several factors; one of such is frequent changes in macroeconomic variables. The purpose of this study is to establish the need to conduct further research on the impact of changes in macroeconomic components on the cost of public educational buildings. The study adopted the qualitative research approach; purposive and snowballing techniques were used in selecting respondents. Questionnaire survey was used to obtain primary data from respondents who were Quantity Surveyors and Estimators. The questionnaires were analyzed through descriptive analysis. Secondary data was obtained through literature review. The study revealed that respondents were satisfied with cost management procedures and practices and mainly relied on cash flow, progress reporting, and project cost control methods as means of monitoring and managing project cost. Relative important index, prime rate, interest rate, and inflation were some of the macroeconomic components that professionals considered having impact on cost. The respondents also recommended further studies on the impact of macroeconomic variability on cost of public buildings.
The Criteria of Underground Rock Structure Failure and Its Implication on Rockburst in Roadway: A Numerical Method
Authors: Guo Xiaofei , Zhao Zhiqiang , Gao Xu , Ma Zhenkai , Ma Nianjie
Published: February 2019

Rockburst in roadway happened along with a large‐scale destruction of the surrounding rock. To study the failure laws of the surrounding rock in the process of rockburst in roadway, the evolution behaviors of the plastic zone and the criteria of large‐scope failure were studied by using FLAC numerical simulation. Meanwhile, the stress response laws of the plastic zone were studied by loading or unloading in a single direction. The results showed that, in the 20 MPa stress environment, large‐scale failure zone would appear when the maximum confining pressure was loaded to 50 MPa or the minimum confining pressure was unloaded to 6 MPa. Loading in the direction of maximum confining pressure or unloading in the direction of minimum confining pressure, when the stresses reached a certain limit, could lead to a large‐scale expansion to the failure zone of the surrounding rock a roadway. Meanwhile, the stress response of the plastic zone became more sensitive, which might easily trigger rockburst in roadway. In addition, two sine qua nonstress conditions for rockburst in roadway were determined: high stress ratio and high stress level. This might provide a theoretical basis for the stress source mechanism of roadway rockburst.
Aminopropyl Functionalised MCM-41: Synthesis and Application for Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II)
Authors: Dinh Du Pham , Hieu Nguyen Trung , To Thuy Chau , Bach Long Giang , Tinh Mai Xuan , Xuan Mau Tran , Quang Khieu Dinh
Published: February 2019

This paper shows a comparison of porous properties of aminopropyl-MCM-41 materials functionalised via the direct and indirect methods. The obtained materials were characterised using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimeter (TGA-DSC), adsorption/desorption isotherms of nitrogen, and Fourier-transfer infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the direct method provided the aminopropyl-MCM-41 material with well-ordered pores and high surface areas but with a lower quantity of grafted 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane than the indirect method. To remove the organic template in the indirect method, solvent extraction with HCl/C2H5OH and calcination at 500°C were used, and the former gave a higher quantity of grafted 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the resulting aminopropyl-MCM-41 materials. The experimental data were applied to the isotherm models of adsorption including Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, and Sips either in the linear or nonlinear form. In order to avoid the bias of the determination coefficient and the error function method, the paired-samples t-test as an alternative method was first proposed to look for the most appropriate adsorption isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd(II) and Pb(II) was 14.08 mg·g−1 and 64.21 mg·g−1, respectively. The mechanism of complexation and isoelectric interaction was suggested to explain the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions on aminopropyl functionalised MCM-41 in the range of pH from 2 to 9.
Efficient Therapeutic Function and Mechanisms of Human Polyclonal CD8+CD103+Foxp3+Regulatory T Cells on Collagen-Induced Arthritis in Mice
Authors: Sun Juan , Yang Yiming , Huo Xiaona , Zhu Beibei , Li Zhenhua , Jiang Xueyu , Xie Rufeng , Gao Li , Sun Ying , Fan Huahua , Zhu Yongming , Yang Jie
Published: February 2019

Objective. To investigate the potential therapeutic effect in a rheumatoid arthritis model of stable human CD8+regulatory T cells (hCD8+Tregs) induced by TGF-β1 and rapamycin (RAPA)in vitro.Methods. Human CD8+T cells were isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and induced/expanded with TGF-β1 and RAPA along with anti-CD3/28 beads and IL-2in vitroand harvested as hCD8+Tregs. The phenotypes, suppressive characteristics, and stability of the hCD8+Tregs in an inflammatory microenvironment were examinedin vitro. Human CD8+Tregs were transfused into an acollagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model, and their therapeutic effects and related mechanisms were investigated.Results. Human CD8+Tregs induced by TGF-β1/RAPA showed high expression of Foxp3 and CD103, exhibited vigorous suppression ability, and were stable in inflammatory microenvironments. In CIA mice, the clinical scores, levels of anti-collagen IgG antibody, and cartilage destruction were significantly reduced after adoptive transfusion with hCD8+Tregs. Moreover, hCD8+Treg treatment significantly reduced the number of Th17 cells, increased the number of CD4+IFN-γ+T cells, and produced self CD4+Foxp3+Tregsin vivo. In anin vitrocell coculture assay, hCD8+Tregs significantly inhibited mouse CD4+effector T cell proliferation, induced mouse CD4+Foxp3+Treg and CD4+IFN-γ+Th1 cell production, reduced Th17 cell development, and downregulated CD80/86 expression on mature DCs (mDCs).Conclusion. TGF-β1/RAPA can induce hCD8+Tregs with stable suppressive characteristics, which could significantly alleviate the severity of CIA based on their stable suppressive ability in an inflammatory microenvironment and further influence the function of other downstream cell subtypes. Human CD8+Tregs might be a therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.
Online Supervisory Control and Resource Management for Energy Harvesting BS Sites Empowered with Computation Capabilities
Authors: Dlamini Thembelihle , Gambín Ángel Fernández , Munaretto Daniele , Rossi Michele
Published: February 2019

The convergence of communication and computing has led to the emergence of multi-access edge computing (MEC), where computing resources (supported by virtual machines (VMs)) are distributed at the edge of the mobile network (MN), i.e., in base stations (BSs), with the aim of ensuring reliable and ultra-low latency services. Moreover, BSs equipped with energy harvesting (EH) systems can decrease the amount of energy drained from the power grid resulting into energetically self-sufficient MNs. The combination of these paradigms is considered here. Specifically, we propose an online optimization algorithm, called Energy Aware and Adaptive Management (ENAAM), based on foresighted control policies exploiting (short-term) traffic load and harvested energy forecasts, where BSs and VMs are dynamically switched on/off towards energy savings and Quality of Service (QoS) provisioning. Our numerical results reveal that ENAAM achieves energy savings with respect to the case where no energy management is applied, ranging from 57% to 69%. Moreover, the extension of ENAAM within a cluster of BSs provides a further gain ranging from 9% to 16% in energy savings with respect to the optimization performed in isolation for each BS.