bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro-Abrasive Water Jet and Micro-WEDM Process Chain Assessment for Fabricating Microcomponents
Authors: Modica Francesco , Basile Vito , Viganò Francesco , Arleo Francesco , Annoni Massimiliano , Fassi Irene
Published: February 2019

The capability to manufacture high-precision components with microscale features is enhanced by the combination of different micromanufacturing processes in a single process chain. This study explores an effective process chain that combines micro-abrasive water jet (μ-AWJ) and microwire electrical discharge machining (μ-WEDM) technologies. An experimental spring component is chosen as a leading test case, since fine geometric features machining and low roughness on the cut walls are required. The advantages deriving from the two technologies combination are discussed in terms of machining time, surface roughness, and feature accuracy. First, the performances of both processes are assessed by experimentation and discussed. Successively, different process chains are conceived for fabricating two test cases with different sizes, displaying some useful indications that can be drawn from this experience.
Experimental Study of the Wake Regions in Wind Farms
Authors: Hasan Alaa S. , Jackson Randall S. , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: February 2019

It is desired, through this work, to investigate in detail the scenario that takes place behind a single wind turbine unit by focusing on three parameters; average axial wind velocity component, velocity deficit, and total turbulence intensity. The testing was done at mainstream velocity, U∞, of 5.2 m/s, u and v velocity components were captured by x-probe dual-sensor hot wire anemometer. A massive amount of point data was obtained, which then processed by a matlab script to plot the desired contours through the successive transverse sections along the entire length of the test section. By monitoring the previously mentioned flow parameters, the regions of low velocity and high turbulence can be avoided, while the location of the subsequent wind turbine is selected. The estimation of the distance, at which the inlet flow field will restore its original characteristics after being mixed through the rotor blades, is very important as this is the distance that should separate two successive turbines in an inline configuration wind farm to guarantee the optimum performance and to extract the maximum power out of the subsequent array of turbines. It is found that the hub height axial velocity recovery at six rotor diameters downstream distance is only 82%. This fact means that the power extraction out of the downstream turbine in an inline configuration wind farm is only 55% of the upstream turbine if the same free stream velocity and blade design are adopted.
Comparison and Recommendations for Use of Dientamoeba fragilis Real-Time PCR Assays
Authors: Gough Rory , Ellis John , Stark Damien
Published: February 2019

Dientamoeba fragilis
is a gastrointestinal trichomonad parasite whose pathogenicity is yet to be determined. The difficulty involved in microscopically diagnosing
D. fragilis
in feces led to the development of real-time PCR methodologies for the detection of
D. fragilis
in stool samples.
A Simple Microfluidic Assay for Diagnosing Tuberculous Meningitis in HIV-Uninfected Patients
Authors: Park Joung Ha , Jin Choong Eun , Koo Bonhan , Kwon Ji-Soo , Cha Hye Hee , Kim Ji Yeun , Noh Geun Su , Koo Yong Seo , Jeon Sang-Beom , Lee Sang-Ahm , Shin Yong , Kim Sung-Han
Published: February 2019

We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a
s
imple and
l
abel-free pathogen enrichment method using homobifunctional
i
midoesters (HI) and a
m
icrofluidic system, called the SLIM assay, followed by real-time PCR from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-uninfected patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Patients with suspected TBM were prospectively enrolled in a tertiary hospital in an intermediate tuberculosis (TB)-burden country during a 30-month period.
The Extended C-Terminal Region of Influenza C Virus Nucleoprotein Is Important for Nuclear Import and Ribonucleoprotein Activity
Authors: Tang Yun-Sang , Lo Chun-Yeung , Mok Chris Ka-Pun , Chan Paul Kay-Sheung , Shaw Pang-Chui
Published: February 2019

As a member of the
Orthomyxoviridae
family, the polymerase complex of the influenza C virus structurally resembles its influenza A and influenza B virus counterparts, but the nucleoprotein differs by possessing an extra C-terminal region. We have characterized this region in view of nuclear import and interaction with the importin α protein family. Our results demonstrate the functional significance of a previously uncharacterized region on
Orthomyxoviridae
nucleoprotein (NP). Based on this work, we propose that importin α binding to influenza C virus NP is regulated by a long bipartite nuclear localization signal. Since the sequence of influenza D virus NP shares high homology to that of the influenza C virus, this work will also shed light on how influenza D virus NP functions.
Cuts Both Ways: Proteases Modulate Virulence of Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
Authors: Palmer Lauren D. , Skaar Eric P.
Published: February 2019

Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) is a major cause of foodborne gastrointestinal illness. EHEC uses a specialized type III secretion system (T3SS) to form attaching and effacing lesions in the colonic epithelium and outcompete commensal gut microbiota to cause disease.
A Novel, Drug Resistance-Independent, Fluorescence-Based Approach To Measure Mutation Rates in Microbial Pathogens
Authors: Shor Erika , Schuyler Jessica , Perlin David S.
Published: February 2019

Measurements of mutation rates—i.e., how often proliferating cells acquire mutations in their DNA—are essential for understanding cellular processes that maintain genome stability. Many traditional mutation rate measurement assays are based on detecting mutations that cause resistance to a particular drug. Such assays typically work well for laboratory strains but have significant limitations when comparing clinical or environmental isolates that have various intrinsic levels of drug tolerance, which confounds the interpretation of results. Here we report the development and validation of a novel method of measuring mutation rates, which detects mutations that cause loss of fluorescence rather than acquisition of drug resistance. Using this method, we measured the mutation rates of clinical isolates of fungal pathogen
Candida glabrata
. This assay can be adapted to other organisms and used to compare mutation rates in contexts where unequal drug sensitivity is anticipated.
Large Circular Plasmids from Groundwater Plasmidomes Span Multiple Incompatibility Groups and Are Enriched in Multimetal Resistance Genes
Authors: Kothari Ankita , Wu Yu-Wei , Chandonia John-Marc , Charrier Marimikel , Rajeev Lara , Rocha Andrea M. , Joyner Dominique C. , Hazen Terry C. , Singer Steven W. , Mukhopadhyay Aindrila
Published: February 2019

Plasmidomes have been typically studied in environments abundant in bacteria, and this is the first study to explore plasmids from an environment characterized by low cell density. We specifically target groundwater, a significant source of water for human/agriculture use. We used samples from a well-studied site and identified hundreds of circular plasmids, including one of the largest sizes reported in plasmidome studies. The striking similarity of the plasmid-borne ORFs in terms of taxonomical and functional classifications across several samples suggests a conserved plasmid pool, in contrast to the observed variability in the 16S rRNA-based microbiome distribution. Additionally, the stress response to environmental factors has stronger conservation via plasmid-borne genes as marked by abundance of metal resistance genes. Last, identification of novel and diverse plasmids enriches the existing plasmid database(s) and serves as a paradigm to increase the repertoire of biological parts that are available for modifying novel environmental strains.
Comparative Genome Analysis of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Isolate of Avian Sequence Type 167
Escherichia coli
Strain Sanji with Novel
In Silico
Serotype O89b:H9
Authors: Zeng Xiancheng , Chi Xuelin , Ho Brian T. , Moon Damee , Lambert Christine , Hall Richard J. , Baybayan Primo , Wang Shihua , Wilson Brenda A. , Ho Mengfei
Published: February 2019

E. coli
strain Sanji is the first sequenced and analyzed genome of the recently emerged pathogenic XDR strains with sequence type ST167 and novel
in silico
serotype O89b:H9. Comparison of the genomes of Sanji with other ST167 strains revealed distinct sets of different plasmids, mobile IS elements, and antibiotic resistance genes in each genome, indicating that there exist multiple paths toward achieving XDR. The emergence of these pathogenic ST167
E. coli
strains with diverse XDR capabilities highlights the difficulty of preventing or mitigating the development of XDR properties in bacteria and points to the importance of better understanding of the shared underlying virulence mechanisms and physiology of pathogenic bacteria.
Carbon Fate and Flux in
Prochlorococcus
under Nitrogen Limitation
Authors: Szul Martin J. , Dearth Stephen P. , Campagna Shawn R. , Zinser Erik R.
Published: February 2019

Photosynthetic microbes are the predominant sources of organic carbon in the sunlit regions of the ocean. During photosynthesis, nitrogen and carbon metabolism are coordinated to synthesize nitrogen-containing organics such as amino acids and nucleic acids. In large regions of the ocean, nitrogen is thought to limit the growth of phytoplankton. The impact of nitrogen limitation on the synthesis of organic carbon is not well understood, especially for the most abundant photosynthetic organism in the nitrogen-limited regions of the ocean,
Prochlorococcus
. This study compares the carbon metabolism of nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-limited
Prochlorococcus
spp. to determine how nitrogen availability influences inorganic carbon assimilation into an organic form. Metabolomics and physiological data revealed that cells under nitrogen limitation have reduced metabolic flux and total carbon fixation rates while maintaining elevated metabolite pool levels and releasing a larger proportion of total fixed carbon to the environment.
How does knowledge of the blood supply to an intracardiac tumour help?
Authors: Gupta Prabha Nini , Sagar Nishant , Ramachandran Ritesh , Rajeshekharan Velenurre Rajagopalan
Published: February 2019

Myxoma is a common benign tumour found in the heart. On reviewing literature, we found some left atrial myxomas receive blood supply from the right coronary artery. Performing a coronary angiogram in a cardiac tumour has the following uses: (1) it shows the vascularity that can be ligated by the surgeon at operation; (2) if there is a blood supply visible, it may not be an intracardiac thrombus; (3) the coronary angiogram may detect a myxoma even before an echocardiogram does so; (4) some myxomas may bleed into the right atrium or left atrium and this may be seen on coronary angiography. We show here the neovascularity of a left atrial myxoma and its blood supply from the right coronary artery. We recommend that all routine coronary angiograms be reviewed carefully for any signs of tumour vascularity or tumour blush as this would prevent missing early myxomas. Echocardiography is the gold standard for detection of myxomas but literature has a number of intracardiac tumours that were detected only by the tumour blush. Some left atrial tumours have been treated by occluding their blood supply.The absence of a blood supply on coronary angiography could rule out a benign cardiac tumour that usually has a blood supply.
Phacomorphic glaucoma in a high myope with phakic intraocular lens
Authors: Sidhu Talvir , Desai Arjun , Gagrani Meghal , Dada Tanuj
Published: February 2019

We report a case of a young, one-eyed woman with high myopia who presented to our emergency department with sudden onset painful diminution of vision in the right eye after undergoing laser treatment. Her right eye had a phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation 4 years back and her left eye had absent light perception. She was diagnosed as right eye lens induced secondary angle closure glaucoma with pIOL touching the corneal endothelium and left eye atrophic bulbi. She was admitted under eye emergency for medical intraocular pressure control followed by pIOL explantation with lens aspiration of the cataractous lens and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.
Sentinel bruising as a presentation of metastatic melanoma
Authors: Steele Lloyd , Yeoh Chit Cheng
Published: February 2019

A 46-year-old man presented with a 4-week history of bruising with subcutaneous nodules and weight loss. He also had a 2-week history of progressive back and hip pain. He had been diagnosed with stage Ib cutaneous melanoma 30 months previously, which had been fully excised. A sentinel lymph node biopsy was negative. On examination, there were five skin lesions at different stages. Each had spontaneously appeared as a bruise with a central subcutaneous nodule, and the bruising then faded to leave a persistent subcutaneous nodule. Excision of one of the nodules demonstrated a 4.5 mm diameter partly necrotic melanoma deposit in the dermis. CT scan of the head, chest, abdomen and pelvis showed widespread metastases. This rare presentation of cutaneous malignant melanoma metastases has been termed ‘sentinel bruising’. There are fewer than 10 cases reported in the literature.
Management of perinatal depression with non-drug interventions
Authors: Johansen Sara L , Robakis Thalia K , Williams Katherine Ellie , Rasgon Natalie L
Published: February 2019

Perinatal depression is a common disorder that has been associated with serious risks to mother and child. Recently, screening for depression in pregnant and postpartum women has increased, as has the development of new psychotherapy and non-drug treatment modalities. Matching patients to treatments can be challenging, and although research into personalized treatment of major depression in the general population has increased, no published guidelines focus on personalized treatment approaches to perinatal depression. In particular, guidelines on non-drug treatments are lacking. This review summarizes the evidence on personalized non-drug treatment of perinatal depression, how to incorporate patients’ preferences, novel treatments under investigation, and the potential role of biomarkers in matching patients to treatment. The review provides recommendations for future research in personalized care of perinatal depression.
Protocol for a prospective cohort study of assessing postoperative cognitive changes after total hip and knee arthroplasty in the Greater Toronto area
Authors: Choi Stephen , Avramescu Sinziana , Orser Beverley A , Au Shelly
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Cognitive changes after anaesthesia and surgery, such as delirium and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), are common and lead to poor outcomes and increased healthcare costs. While several interventions for delirium exist, there are no effective treatment strategies for POCD. Understanding the risks and contributing factors may offer clinicians unique opportunities to better identify and develop preventative interventions for those at higher risk. Elderly patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery are at high risk of developing postoperative delirium (PD) and POCD. The incidence of POCD has not been rigorously studied in the total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) population. Therefore, we have designed a prospective, observational cohort study to assess POCD in patients undergoing THA/TKA, both increasingly common procedures. The incidence of PD and POCD in a high volume, tertiary care arthroplasty centre will be determined and associated risk factors will be identified.

Methods and analysis

Cognitive function will be tested with a computer-based cognitive assessment tool [CogState Brief Battery], preoperatively at baseline and postoperatively while in hospital at (<3 days), 6 weeks and 4.5 months. The primary outcome is the incidence of postoperative cognitive decline at 4.5 months. Logistic regression analysis is planned to test the association of POCD with several potential risk factors. In addition, delirium will be assessed preoperatively and postoperatively in the hospital using the Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM).

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol for this prospective observational study was approved by the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Research Ethics Board (REB#: 040–2017). Recruitment commenced in May 2017 and will continue until 2019. The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and in scientific meetings.

Trial registration number

NCT03147937.
Geographical disparities in emergency department presentations for acute respiratory infections and risk factors for presenting: a population-based cohort study of Western Australian children
Authors: Barnes Rosanne , Blyth Christopher C , de Klerk Nicholas , Lee Wei Hao , Borland Meredith L , Richmond Peter , Lim Faye J , Fathima Parveen , Moore Hannah C
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Studies examining acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in emergency department (EDs), particularly in rural and remote areas, are rare. This study aimed to examine the burden of ARIs among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children presenting to Western Australian (WA) EDs from 2002 to 2012.

Method

Using a retrospective population-based cohort study linking ED records to birth and perinatal records, we examined presentation rates for metropolitan, rural and remote Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children from 469 589 births. We used ED diagnosis information to categorise presentations into ARI groups and calculated age-specific rates. Negative binomial regression was used to investigate association between risk factors and frequency of ARI presentation.

Results

Overall, 26% of presentations were for ARIs. For Aboriginal children, the highest rates were for those aged <12 months in the Great Southern (1233 per 1000 child-years) and Pilbara regions (1088 per 1000 child-years). Rates for non-Aboriginal children were highest in children <12 months in the Southwest and Kimberley (400 and 375 per 1000 child-years, respectively). Presentation rates for ARI in children from rural and remote WA significantly increased over time in all age groups <5 years. Risk factors for children presenting to ED with ARI were: male, prematurity, caesarean delivery and residence in the Kimberley region and lower socio-economic areas.

Conclusion

One in four ED presentations in WA children are for ARIs, representing a significant out-of-hospital burden with some evidence of geographical disparity. Planned linkages with hospital discharge and laboratory detection data will aid in assessing the sensitivity and specificity of ARI diagnoses in ED.
Obscuring effect of coding developmental disability as the underlying cause of death on mortality trends for adults with developmental disability: a cross-sectional study using US Mortality Data from 2012 to 2016
Authors: Landes Scott D , Stevens James Dalton , Turk Margaret A
Published: February 2019

Objective

To determine whether coding a developmental disability as the underlying cause of death obscures mortality trends of adults with developmental disability.

Design

National Vital Statistics System 2012–2016 US Multiple Cause-of-Death Mortality files.

Setting

USA.

Participants

Adults with a developmental disability indicated on their death certificate aged 18 through 103 at the time of death. The study population included 33 154 adults who died between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016.

Primary outcome and measures

Decedents with a developmental disability coded as the underlying cause of death on the death certificate were identified using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision code for intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or other developmental disability. Death certificates that coded a developmental disability as the underlying cause of death were revised using a sequential underlying cause of death revision process.

Results

There were 33 154 decedents with developmental disability: 7901 with intellectual disability, 11 895 with cerebral palsy, 9114 with Down syndrome, 2479 with other developmental disabilities and 1765 with multiple developmental disabilities. Among all decedents, 48.5% had a developmental disability coded as the underlying cause of death, obscuring higher rates of choking deaths among all decedents and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease among decedents with Down syndrome.

Conclusion

Death certificates that recorded the developmental disability in Part I of the death certificate were more likely to code disability as the underlying cause of death. While revising these death certificates provides a short-term corrective to mortality trends for this population, the severity and extent of this problem warrants a long-term change involving more precise instructions to record developmental disabilities only in Part II of the death certificate.
Development and psychometric testing of an instrument for measuring social participation of adolescents: study protocol of a prospective mixed-methods study
Authors: Baerwalde Tim , Gebhard Britta , Hoffmann Laura , Roick Julia , Martin Olaf , Neurath Anna-Lena , Fink Astrid
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Social participation is an important part of a young person’s life. It influences the social experience, social-emotional development and dimensions of competence experience. This applies to people with or without physical disabilities or chronic diseases. Currently, there is no reliable assessment tool for measuring social participation of adolescents in Germany although social participation is a central goal of rehabilitation. The aim of this study is to develop, test and pilot an instrument that assesses social participation for adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years and to start a psychometric test.

Methods and analysis

In a sequential mixed-methods study, adolescents with and without physical disabilities or chronic diseases are asked about their experiences with social participation as well as the individual significance of self-determination through semistructured interviews. The perspective of adolescents is supplemented by focus groups that will be conducted first with experts from social paediatric care and second with legal guardians. Based on this, an assessment instrument will be developed, evaluated and implemented in exemplary social paediatric centres (SPCs) and rehabilitation clinics and psychometrically tested in a pilot study.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the revised Helsinki Declaration. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Committee at the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg. The developed assessment instrument can be used in science to identify disadvantaged groups and to compensate for the disadvantages that could impair development. For this purpose, the results will be presented at scientific conferences and published in international peer-reviewed journals. In practice, the instrument can be used to determine the goals of rehabilitation together with the adolescents and to evaluate the achievement of these goals. For this, implementation workshops and further training will be organised and carried out in children’s rehabilitation clinics and SPCs.

Trial registration number

DRKS00014739; Pre-results.
Current health status and history of traumatic brain injury among Ohio adults
Authors: Manchester Kara , Corrigan John D. , Singichetti Bhavna , Huang Lihong , Bogner Jennifer , Yi Honggang , Yang Jingzhen
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Lifetime history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) with loss of consciousness (LOC) is prevalent in 21% of adult, non-institutionalised residents of Ohio. Prior history has been associated with lower incomes, inability to work and disability. The current study sought to evaluate the relationship between lifetime history and adverse health conditions.

Methods

Data came from the 2014 Ohio Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System, which included a state-specific module eliciting lifetime history of TBI.

Results

Non-institutionalised adults living in Ohio who have had at least one TBI with LOC were more likely to report fair or poor health, more days of poor health, more days when poor health limited activities, being diagnosed with a chronic condition and having less than 7 hours of sleep per night. The relationship with increasing number of TBIs was monotonic, with the likelihood of adverse health increasing as the number increased. A similar relationship was observed for increasing severity of the worst lifetime TBI. Experiencing a first TBI before age 15 was associated with poorer health but was not statistically different than incurring a first after age 15.

Conclusions

Adults who have experienced TBI with LOC in their lifetime are two to three times more likely to experience adverse health conditions when compared with same age-matched, sex-matched and race-matched adults without such history. These findings support re-examining the public health burden of TBI in light of lifetime exposure and not just the consequences of an index injury.
Central and peripheral hadron–nucleus collisions in the Additive Quark Model
Authors: Arakelyan G. H. , Shabelski Yu. M. , Shuvaev A. G.
Published: February 2019

Peripheral nucleon–nucleus collisions occur at high energies mainly through the interaction with one constituent quark from the incident nucleon. The central collisions should involve all three constituent quarks and each of them can interact several times. We calculate the average number of quark–nucleus interactions for both the cases in good agreement with the experimental data on [Formula: see text]-meson, [Formula: see text] and all charged secondaries productions in [Formula: see text] collisions at LHC energy [Formula: see text] TeV.
On the existence of exotic matter in classical Newtonian mechanics
Authors: Rahman Sabbir A.
Published: February 2019

According to Newton’s law of gravitation, the force between two particles depends upon their inertial, as well as their active and passive gravitational masses. For ordinary matter, all three of these are equal and positive. We consider here the more general case where these quantities are equal in magnitude for a given particle but can differ in sign. The resulting set of possible interactions allows each particle type to be assigned to one of precisely four different classes, and the results of N-body simulations show that the corresponding dynamics can give rise to a fairly rich spectrum of possible outcomes, some of which are familiar from nature at various scales. Total energy and momentum are conserved by all of these interactions if the definitions of momentum and kinetic and potential energy are suitably generalized.
Diamagnetism versus paramagnetism of charged ideal spin-1/2 fermions in a harmonic trap under a uniform magnetic field
Authors: Li Yushan , Liu Hongyan
Published: February 2019

Magnetic properties of harmonically trapped charged ideal spin-1/2 fermions in a uniform magnetic field are studied. It is shown that the magnetism of charged spin-1/2 fermions can be explained by a competition between the diamagnetic and paramagnetic effects, where a variable spin factor is introduced to describe the strength of paramagnetic effect. As the spin factor increases, a crossover from diamagnetic region to paramagnetic region appears. Moreover, the critical values of spin factor are obtained at low-temperature and under weak magnetic field, respectively. Spin-1/2 fermions display distinct magnetic behaviors from spinless case.
Ground state and thermal entanglement between two two-level atoms interacting with a nondegenerate parametric amplifier: Different sub-spaces
Authors: Mojaveri B. , Dehghani A. , Fasihi M. A. , Mohammadpour T.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a Hamiltonian model that includes interaction of two coupled two-level atoms with a nondegenerate parametric amplifier in a cavity is introduced. By using the two-mode squeezing operator and under a certain condition, the introduced Hamiltonian is reduced to a generalized Jaynes–Cummings Hamiltonian. The constants of motion of system imply the existence of a decomposition of the system’s Hilbert space [Formula: see text] into a direct sum of three infinite dimensional sub-spaces, as [Formula: see text]. This decomposition enables us to study ground and thermally induced entanglement between the atoms in each of the sub-spaces as well as whole Hilbert space. The effect of atom–atom and atom–photon couplings on the degree of ground state and thermal entanglement are also investigated using the concurrence measure. It is found that in the subspaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for all experimental values of parameters of the system, the atoms are disentangled. It is also observed that in the total space [Formula: see text] the ground state entanglement is always zero, while in the subspace [Formula: see text] it is at its maximum value. Moreover, it is found that in the subspace [Formula: see text] thermal entanglement between the atoms is robust against temperature.
Research on the Linear Acceleration Sensor Signal Acquisition Technology Based on the High-Order Anti-Aliasing Cauer Filter
Authors: Hou Zhuo , Shen Sanmin , Ye Yong , Deng Jiahao , Liu Yuting , Meng Qing , Duan Zuodong
Published: February 2019

A linear acceleration sensor integrated into an inertial measurement unit and its signal processing technology are presented in this paper. Based on the characteristics of the acceleration sensor, before analog-to-digital conversion, a design method for optimizing and conditioning the output signal in levels of frequency with the high-order anti-aliasing Cauer filter is proposed. Compared with the previously published papers, here we not only focus on the anti-aliasing filtering effect under a single channel, but also pay more attention to the anti-aliasing filtering effect with more data to the same type of channels with the same cut-off frequency and different types of channels with different cut-off frequencies. Similar to other kinds of filters, this paper points out that the high-order anti-aliasing Cauer filter also has its inherent delay characteristic. And this paper also reveals the qualitative relationship between frequency and time delay in different testing environments by using various delay test data. Compared with the previously published papers, through the simple solution processing with the true attitude data, this paper further estimates the error of simple attitude signal processing.
Gravity from micro-equilibration
Authors: Hubeny Veronika E. , Rota Massimiliano
Published: February 2019

We suggest a mechanism for the emergence of classical dynamical spacetime from an underlying quantum gravitational system. This is an example of a more general process, which we name micro-equilibration, and which can be thought of as local thermalization of entanglement. Applied in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, we propose that this dynamical process underlies generic evolution towards CFT states whose gravitational dual describes smooth bulk geometries. Hence, contrary to common expectation, such “geometric” CFT states are in fact typical in this sense. Correspondingly, they can be characterized by a specific universal entanglement structure resulting from micro-equilibration of a generic quantum state.
Tests of Alternative Asset Pricing Models Using Individual Security Returns and a New Multivariate F-Test
Authors: Rahman Shafiqur , Schneider Matthew J.
Published: February 2019

This paper examines relative performance of alternative asset pricing models using individual security returns. The standard multivariate test used in studies comparing the performance of asset pricing models requires the number of stocks to be less than the number of time series observations, which requires grouping stocks into portfolios. This results in a loss of disaggregate stock information. We apply a different statistical test to overcome this problem and to investigate relative performance of alternative asset pricing models using individual security returns instead of portfolio returns. Our findings suggest that a parsimonious six-factor model that includes the momentum and orthogonal value factors outperforms all other models based on a number of measures as well as the average [Formula: see text]-test. Unlike the standard multivariate test, we find that the average [Formula: see text]-test has superior power to discriminate among competing models and does not reject all tested models.
An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm with Adaptive Inertia Weights
Authors: Li Mi , Chen Huan , Wang Xiaodong , Zhong Ning , Lu Shengfu
Published: February 2019

The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is simple to implement and converges quickly, but it easily falls into a local optimum; on the one hand, it lacks the ability to balance global exploration and local exploitation of the population, and on the other hand, the population lacks diversity. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an improved adaptive inertia weight particle swarm optimization (AIWPSO) algorithm. The AIWPSO algorithm includes two strategies: (1) An inertia weight adjustment method based on the optimal fitness value of individual particles is proposed, so that different particles have different inertia weights. This method increases the diversity of inertia weights and is conducive to balancing the capabilities of global exploration and local exploitation. (2) A mutation threshold is used to determine which particles need to be mutated. This method compensates for the inaccuracy of random mutation, effectively increasing the diversity of the population. To evaluate the performance of the proposed AIWPSO algorithm, benchmark functions are used for testing. The results show that AIWPSO achieves satisfactory results compared with those of other PSO algorithms. This outcome shows that the AIWPSO algorithm is conducive to balancing the abilities of the global exploration and local exploitation of the population, while increasing the diversity of the population, thereby significantly improving the optimization ability of the PSO algorithm.
A Facile One-Pot Stepwise Hydrothermal Method for the Synthesis of 3D MoS2/RGO Composites with Improved Lithium Storage Properties
Authors: Wang Bingning , Liu Xuehua , Xu Binghui , Li Yanhui , Xiu Dan , Guo Peizhi , Li Hongliang
Published: February 2019

Three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (RGO) matrix decorated with nanoflowers of layered MoS2 (denoted as 3D MoS2/RGO) have been synthesized via a facile one-pot stepwise hydrothermal method. Graphene oxide (GO) is used as precursor of RGO and a 3D GO network is formed in the first-step of hydrothermal treatment. At the second stage of hydrothermal treatment, nanoflowers of layered MoS2 form and anchor on the surface of previously formed 3D RGO network. In this preparation, thiourea not only induces the formation of the 3D architecture at a relatively low temperature, but also works as sulfur precursor of MoS2. The synthesized composites have been investigated with XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman spectra, TGA, N2 sorption technique and electrochemical measurements. In comparison with normal MoS2/RGO composites, the 3D MoS2/RGO composite shows improved electrochemical performance as anode material for lithium-ion batteries. A high reversible capacity of 930[Formula: see text]mAh[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] after 130 cycles under a current density of 200[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] as well as good rate capability and superior cyclic stability have been observed. The superior electrochemical performance of the 3D MoS2/RGO composite as anode active material for lithium-ion battery is ascribed to its robust 3D structures, enhanced surface area and the synergistic effect between graphene matrix and the MoS2 nanoflowers subunit.
The Influence of Dispersion State of Graphene Sheets on the Microstructure and Thermal Conductivity of Free-Standing Reduced Graphene Oxide Films
Authors: Wang Xiaorui , Jin Shuangling , Zhang Rui , Liu Yan , Wang Jiangcan , Hu Zhen , Lu Wangzhao , Yang Shuo , Jin Minglin , Qiao Wenming , Ling Licheng
Published: February 2019

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) aqueous dispersions were synthesized from GO suspensions with hydrazine as reducing agent via a microwave-hydrothermal process in ammonia solution. The rGO films were fabricated by vacuum filtration of above dispersions. When the weight ratio of hydrazine to GO (R[Formula: see text]) increases from 0.125 to 9, the dispersion stability of rGO nanosheets in hydrazine/ammonia solution degrades gradually, the surfaces of resultant films become rough from smooth and large interspaces turn up in the transverse section. With the increasing of R[Formula: see text], the C/O atomic ratio and orientation degree of (002) plane of rGO films increase, and the in-plane thermal conductivity also increases, achieving a maximum value of 1056[Formula: see text]W/m K when R[Formula: see text] is 3.375, then decreases because large interspaces in the rGO film with higher reduction degree greatly limit the thermal transport due to the severe phonon scatterings at the sheets boundaries.
Mathematical approaches for optimization of dengue fever dynamics
Authors: Murad Didar , Badshah Noor , Syed Muhammad Ali
Published: February 2019

Background and Objective: For dengue outbreak prevention and vectors reduction, fundamental role of control parameters like vaccination against dengue virus in human population and insecticide in mosquito population have been addressed theoretically and numerically. For this purpose, an existing model was modified to optimize dengue fever. Methodology: Using Pontryagin’s maximum principle, the dynamics of infection for the optimal control problem was addressed, further, defined cost functional, established existence of optimal control, stated Hamiltonian for characterization of optimization. Results: Numerical simulations for optimal state variables and control variables were performed. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that with low cost of control variables, state variable such as recovered population increases gradually and decrease other state variables for host and vector population.
Experimental Investigation on the Vibration Reduction Characteristics of an Optimized Heavy‐Haul Railway Low‐Vibration Track
Authors: Zeng Zhiping , Wang Jundong , Yin Huatuo , Shen Shiwen , Shuaibu Abdulmumin Ahmed , Wang Weidong
Published: February 2019

Heavy‐haul railway has been developed rapidly in many countries in the world due to its great social and economic benefits. One of the key technologies for heavy‐haul railway is the reduction of vibration on the track structures and its surrounding due to impact load induced by the train in service. The vibration behaviors of two kinds of low‐vibration track (LVT) systems for heavy‐haul railway are investigated in this paper. Firstly, two indoor full‐scale low‐vibration track models (new LVT and traditional LVT), which include rail, fastener, bearing block, rubber boot, track slab, and foundation base, were constructed according to design drawings. Secondly, the vibration responses of the different track components under the impact excitation of a dropping wheelset were measured. Thirdly, the time‐domain characteristics of each track component of the two LVTs were compared by the acquired vibration time‐history curves. Finally, the frequency‐domain distribution was analyzed, and the vibration reduction performance was evaluated by the comprehensive time‐frequency analysis results. The results show the new LVT has lower vibration acceleration, shorter duration of vibration period, lower vibration frequency of track components, and most importantly an obvious vibration reduction effect on the ground. The research results are useful to further optimize the design of LVT to reduce the vibration under train impact load.
Finocyl Grain Design Using the Genetic Algorithm in Combination with Adaptive Basis Function Construction
Authors: Mesgari Saeed , Bazazzadeh Mehrdad , Mostofizadeh Alireza
Published: February 2019

This study deals with the application of optimization in Finocyl grain design with ballistic objective functions using a genetic algorithm. The classical sampling method is used for space filling; a level-set method is used for simulating the evaluation of a burning surface of the propellant grain. An algorithm is developed beside the level-set code that prepares the initial grain configuration using a computer-aided design (CAD) to export generated models to the level-set code. The lumped method is used to perform internal ballistic analysis. A meta-model is used to surrogate the level-set method in an optimization design loop. Finally, a case study is done to verify the proposed algorithm. Observed results show that the grain design method reduced the design time significantly, and this algorithm can be used in designing any grain type.
Thermal Design of Large-Power Focal Plane Components for a Microsatellite Based on Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet
Authors: Xie Xiaoguang , Jin Guang , Xu Minglin
Published: February 2019

A high-resolution microsatellite’s focal plane components have high heat flux and a long working time. In order to solve the heat-dissipation problem of a microsatellite’s focal plane components under the condition of narrow space, this paper uses a new type of ultralight and super-high thermal conductivity Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet to make a thin and flexible thermal conduction strip. Such a strip is used to design the thermal control scheme for a fully passive, modular, and fast integration of the focal plane components. Analysis and test results show that under the conditions of an installation space of ≤0.5 mm and the mass of the thermal conduction strip of ≤20 g, the focal plane components work continuously for 600 s; the maximum temperature of the CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor is 31.8°C. Five groups of CMOS sensors had a temperature nonuniformity no higher than 1°C. The application of the new PGS (Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet) provides a new solution for the related space thermal design.
Implementation and Validation of an Analytical Method for Lincomycin Determination in Feathers and Edible Tissues of Broiler Chickens by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Maddaleno Aldo , Pokrant Ekaterina , Yanten Francisca , San Martin Betty , Cornejo Javiera
Published: February 2019

Recent studies have detected different antimicrobial residues in broiler chicken feathers, where they persisted for longer periods of time and at greater concentrations than in edible tissues. However, until today, lincomycin behaviour in this nonedible tissue has not been assessed yet. Considering this, an analytical methodology to detect and quantify this antibiotic concentration in feathers, muscle, and liver tissues from broiler chickens was implemented and in-house validated. The methodology will allow the determination of the bioaccumulation of this highly persistent antibiotic in feathers of treated birds. For this purpose, 98% lincomycin and 95% lincomycin D3 standards were used. Methanol was selected as the extraction solvent, and Chromabond® Florisil® cartridges were used for the clean-up stage. The separation of analytes was performed through the analytical column SunFire C18 with a running time of 4 minutes, and the instrumental analysis was performed through an LC-MS/MS, with a liquid chromatograph Agilent® 1290 Infinity, coupled to an AB SCIEX® API 5500 mass spectrometer. An internal protocol for an in-house validation was designed based on recommendations from Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and the Guidance document on the estimation of limit of detection and limit of quantification for measurements in the field of contaminants in feed and food. The average retention time for lincomycin was 2.255 min (for quantifier ion, 126.0). The calibration curves showed a coefficient of determination (r2) greater than 0.99 for all matrices, while recovery levels ranged between 98% and 101%. The limit of detection (LOD) calculated was of 19, 22, and 10 μg·kg−1, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was of 62, 73, and 34 μg·kg−1 in feathers, muscle, and liver, respectively. This method detects lincomycin in the studied matrices, confidently and accurately, as it is required for designing analytical studies of drug residues in edible and nonedible tissues, such as feathers.
Acid Stress Triggers Resistance to Acetic Acid-Induced Regulated Cell Death throughHog1Activation Which RequiresRTG2in Yeast
Authors: Guaragnella Nicoletta , Stirpe Mariarita , Marzulli Domenico , Mazzoni Cristina , Giannattasio Sergio
Published: February 2019

Acid stress causes resistance to acetic acid-induced regulated cell death (AA-RCD) in budding yeast, resulting in catalase activation. In order to explore the molecular determinants of evasion of AA-RCD triggered by acid stress adaptation, we studied the involvement and the possible interplay of the master regulator of transcription high-osmolarity glycerol 1 (HOG1) andRTG2, a positive regulator of theRTG-dependent mitochondrial retrograde signaling. Viability, DNA fragmentation, and ROS accumulation have been analyzed in wild-type and mutant cells lackingHOG1and/orRTG2. Catalase activity and transcription ofCTT1andCTA1, coding the cytosolic and peroxisomal/mitochondrial catalase, respectively, as well asHog1phosphorylation, were also analyzed. Our results show thatHOG1is essential for resistance to AA-RCD and its activation results in the upregulation ofCTT1, but notCTA1, transcription during acid stress adaptation.RTG2is required forHog1-dependentCTT1upregulation upon acid stress, despite failure ofRTGpathway activation. We give evidence thatRtg2has a cytoprotective role and can act as a general cell stress sensor independent of Rtg1/3-dependent transcription.
Numerical Study of Heat Transfer in Trefoil Buried Cable with Fluidized Thermal Backfill and Laying Parameter Optimization
Authors: Fu Chen-Zhao , Si Wen-Rong , Quan Lei , Yang Jian
Published: February 2019

Trefoil buried cable is one of the important cable arrangements for the underground transmission line, and its heat transfer performance is relatively poor. By filling with fluidized thermal backfill material (FTB) around trefoil buried cables, the heat transfer would be efficiently enhanced, while the filling cost should also be considered. In the present study, the heat transfer process in the FTB trefoil buried cables is numerically studied, where the cable core loss and eddy current loss in the cable were coupled for the simulation. The heat transfer performances and ampacities for trefoil buried cables with different back fill materials were analysed and compared with each other. Then, the laying parameters for the parabolic‐type FTB trefoil buried cables were optimized with the radial basis function neural network (RBNN) and genetic algorithm (GA). Firstly, it is found that, with FTB material, the maximum temperature in the cable core is obviously reduced, and the cable ampacity is greatly improved as compared with the cables buried around natural soil (NS). Secondly, when compared with flat‐type FTB model, the heat transfer rate in the cable with parabolic‐type FTB laying method would be slightly reduced, while the FTB amount used for the buried cables is greatly reduced. Finally, as for parabolic‐type FTB trefoil buried cables, with proper design of geometric parameters (s1 = 0.290 m, s2 = 0.302 m, and l = 0.3 m with I = 1300 A) for the FTB laying cross section, the overall performance for the cable was optimized.