bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Mechanical Overloading on Surface Roughness of the Coronary Arteries
Authors: Burton Hanna E. , Espino Daniel M.
Published: January 2019

Background. Surface roughness can be used to identify disease within biological tissues. Quantifying surface roughness in the coronary arteries aids in developing treatments for coronary heart disease. This study investigates the effect of extreme physiological loading on surface roughness, for example, due to a rupture of an artery.Methods. The porcine left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries were dissected ex vivo.Mechanical overloading was applied to the arteries in the longitudinal direction to simulate extreme physiological loading. Surface roughness was calculated from three-dimensional reconstructed images. Surface roughness was measured before and after damage and after chemical processing to dehydrate tissue specimens.Results. Control specimens confirmed that dehydration alone results in an increase of surface roughness in the circumferential direction only. No variation was noted between the hydrated healthy and damaged specimens, in both the longitudinal (0.91±0.26and1.05±0.25 μm) and circumferential (1.46±0.38and1.47±0.39 μm) directions. After dehydration, an increase in surface roughness was noted for damaged specimens in both the longitudinal (1.28±0.33 μm) and circumferential (1.95±0.56 μm) directions.Conclusions. Mechanical overloading applied in the longitudinal direction did not significantly affect surface roughness. However, when combined with chemical processing, a significant increase in surface roughness was noted in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions. Mechanical overloading causes damage to the internal constituents of the arteries, which is significantly noticeable after dehydration of tissue.
Assessment of Dietary Patterns Represents a Potential, Yet Variable, Measure of Inflammatory Status: A Review and Update
Authors: Calle Mariana C. , Andersen Catherine J.
Published: January 2019

Chronic low-grade, systemic inflammation is a well-characterized risk factor in the development of chronic metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Diet could be an effective strategy for reducing inflammation associated with chronic disease. While anti-inflammatory properties of isolated dietary bioactive and functional foods have been routinely studied, the evaluation of dietary patterns on inflammation warrants further review—especially given the recent inclusion of dietary pattern recommendations into dietary guidelines and policies. Therefore, the objective of this narrative review is to examine current evidence linking diet to low-grade, systemic inflammation within the context of chronic disease. Specifically, we provide an update on the findings from human trials that have characterized anti-inflammatory properties of dietary patterns, defined by various methods and indexes. Given the complexity of interpreting results from dietary pattern analysis, we further present recent evidence on the anti-inflammatory roles of isolated bioactive nutrients and functional foods that are common components of distinct dietary patterns, in addition to considerations for interpreting dietary pattern research, population-specific dietary recommendations, and future studies. Overall, we observe a vast range of variability in the evidence from observational studies that have evaluated the relationships between healthy dietary patterns and inflammatory markers. These studies highlight the need for additional intervention studies with study designs that account for metabolic status, diversity in populations, breadth of inflammatory measurements, fasting vs. postprandial effects of diet, and control of confounding factors (e.g., genotype, microbiome profiles, and dietary adherence) in order to better understand the effect that diet has, as a whole, on inflammation. These strategies will help to strengthen diet recommendations aimed at reducing inflammation and chronic disease risk.
Evidence for Clonally Associated Increasing Rates of Azithromycin ResistantNeisseria gonorrhoeaein Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Barros dos Santos Késia T. , Skaf Larissa B. , Justo-da-Silva Livia H. , Medeiros Raphael C. , Francisco Junior Ronaldo da S. , Caniné Maria Cristina A. , Fracalanzza Sergio E. L. , Bonelli Raquel R.
Published: January 2019

Azithromycin is one of the drugs used in the combined therapy for syndromic treatment of gonorrhoea in many countries, including Brazil. Our research group, which receives isolates from clinical laboratories since 2006, has detected, after 2016, a tendency of rising rates of azithromycin resistance, with isolates showing higher minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) than those previously reported in this country. In this study, we report the susceptibility to azithromycin of 93N. gonorrhoeaeisolates obtained between 2014 and 2017. Strains with MIC ≥2μg/mL were characterized according to azithromycin resistance mechanisms and strain typing. Results indicate that azithromycin resistance has emerged in all these years in unrelated MLST-STs, but after 2016 a clonal complex connected with ST1901 has been more frequently detected, grouping isolates with MIC varying from 2 to 64μg/mL, with DelA mutations at themtrRpromoter region associated or not with mutations atrrlalleles. High rates of azithromycin resistance may compromise the use of this drug in the combined therapy with ceftriaxone. Inclusion of Rio de Janeiro in the Brazilian gonococcal surveillance program is important to evaluate if this data indicates an epidemiological phenomenon in the country.
Provincial Grid Investment Scale Forecasting Based on MLR and RBF Neural Network
Authors: Pan Ersheng , Peng Dong , Long Wangcheng , Xue Yawei , Zhao Lang , Li Jinchao
Published: January 2019

Accurate calculation of power grid investment scale is an important work of power grid management. It is very important to power grid efficient development. Due to the characteristics of short data time series, lots of influencing factors, and large change of power grid investment, it is very difficult to calculate grid investment accurately. Firstly, this paper uses hierarchical clustering analysis method to divide the 23 provinces into four classes with considering fifteen power grid influencing factors, then uses spearman’s rank‐order correlation to find out five key influencing factors, and then establishes the regression relationship between the growth rate of investment scale and GDP, permanent population, total social electricity consumption, installed power capacity of operation area, maximum power load, and other growth rates by using the multiple linear regression method (MLR), and the estimation error is corrected by using RBF neural network. Finally, the validity of the model is verified by using data related to power grid investment. The calculation error indicates that the model is feasible and effective.
Project Benefits of Digital Fabrication in Irregular‐Shaped Buildings
Authors: Ham Namhyuk , Lee Sanghyo
Published: January 2019

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the advantages of digital fabrication pertaining to construction project management, in particular, in terms of different project management factors, using case studies of irregular‐shaped buildings in which digital fabrication has versatile applications. This study collected secondary data corresponding to 27 construction projects of irregular‐shaped buildings that implemented digital fabrication. Success criteria were developed based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) to assess the benefits of implementing digital fabrication for management of the considered construction projects of irregular‐shaped buildings. Content analysis was performed to investigate the degree of satisfaction for the success criteria of each project. With this approach, it is possible to see which success criterion appears more times as a positive factor and which ones appear as challenges or problems. Among the positive benefits of digital fabrication on construction project management, quality increase and control appeared in the highest number of projects (17 out of 27 projects) at the highest frequency (26 instances). However, among the negative benefits that were mentioned as challenging or causing difficulties of digital fabrication on construction project management, cost reduction and control appeared in the highest number of projects (14 out of 27 projects) at the highest frequency (21 instances). But it does not mean that the use of digital fabrication was overall negative.
Hydrogen Sulfide as a Novel Regulatory Factor in Liver Health and Disease
Authors: Wu Dong-Dong , Wang Da-Yong , Li Hui-Min , Guo Jian-Cheng , Duan Shao-Feng , Ji Xin-Ying
Published: January 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas smelling of rotten egg, has long been recognized as a toxic gas and environment pollutant. However, increasing evidence suggests that H2S acts as a novel gasotransmitter and plays important roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes in mammals. H2S is involved in many hepatic functions, including the regulation of oxidative stress, glucose and lipid metabolism, vasculature, mitochondrial function, differentiation, and circadian rhythm. In addition, H2S contributes to the pathogenesis and treatment of a number of liver diseases, such as hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, hepatotoxicity, and acute liver failure. In this review, the biosynthesis and metabolism of H2S in the liver are summarized and the role and mechanism of H2S in liver health and disease are further discussed.
Exercise Dose Effects on Body Fat 12 Months after an Exercise Intervention: Follow-up from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Friedenreich Christine M. , Ruan Yibing , Duha Aalo , Courneya Kerry S.
Published: January 2019

Background. Exercise interventions can result in weight loss, which is associated with reductions in disease risk. It is unknown how the volume of exercise prescribed in a one-time exercise intervention impacts long-term body fatness. We compared 24-month body fat changes among postmenopausal women previously prescribed 300 versus 150 minutes/week of exercise in a year-long exercise intervention trial. Methods. The Breast Cancer and Exercise Trial in Alberta (BETA) was a two-centred randomized controlled trial in Alberta, Canada. The trial consisted of a 12-month intervention and 12-month observation period. For the intervention, participants were randomized to either a moderate-volume exercise group (150 min/week) or a high-volume exercise group (300 min/week). Participants in this study were 334 inactive postmenopausal women who had been followed-up to 24 months. The primary outcome for this study was 24-month change in total body fat using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Other measures included weight, waist and hip circumferences, subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat from computed tomography scans, and lean mass. Researchers were blinded to randomization group when measuring body fat. Results. Both groups self-reported ∼180 minutes/week moderate–vigorous activity at 24 months. No statistically significant difference was found in total body fat at 24 months between the two groups. Statistically significant effects (comparing high versus moderate groups) were found for BMI (least-square mean change (95% CI): −0.66 (−0.97, −0.36) versus −0.25 (−0.55, 0.05) kg/m2, P=0.04), waist-to-hip ratio (−0.033 (−0.040, −0.026) versus −0.023 (−0.030, −0.016), P=0.05), and subcutaneous abdominal fat area (−32.18 (−39.30, −25.06) versus −22.20 (−29.34, −15.05) cm2, P=0.04). Conclusion. Prescribing 300 versus 150 minutes/week of exercise to inactive postmenopausal women resulted in some long-term greater decreases in measures of body composition but no overall differences in total body fat loss. This trail is registered with NCT01435005.
Crack Detection and Evolution Law for Rock Mass under SHPB Impact Tests
Authors: Beijing Xie , Ai Dihao , Yang Yu
Published: January 2019

In order to accurately identify and quantitatively calculate the surface cracks of rock mass under SHPB impact loading, an automatic crack detection algorithm was proposed and evaluated by the experiment. In SHPB experiment, cracks on the rock surface can effectively reflect its current state and better analyze the damage process. Firstly, the SHPB system was used to impact 12 groups of rock specimens under different impact velocities. A high‐frame camera with 50,000 FPS was used to capture the damage process of the rock mass; using the manual annotation method, we got a dataset of SHPB damage images including a total of 310 original images and 310 corresponding cracked annotations. Secondly, a deep convolution network model named CrackSHPB was designed based on a deep learning algorithm. The algorithm can automatically identify the crack on the rock surface during impact damage process and further provide a quantitative result of cracks, crack area. Finally, after the crack on the rock surface in each frame image was identified automatically through the model, cracks were quantitatively analyzed by the proposed algorithm, the growth rate of cracks was calculated, and their evolution law was concluded. The crack identification algorithm proposed in this paper can provide a more accurate quantitative method for rock damage by cracks on the rock surface, and evolution law can further explain the failure process of rock at high strain rate.
Adopting a QCA Approach to Investigating the Risks Involved in Megaprojects from Auditing Perspective
Authors: Ma Liang , Zhang Bing , Cui Miao , Jin Ruoyu
Published: January 2019

There is an increase of megaproject construction worldwide. At the same time, risks involved in megaprojects have also become a wide concern. Extending from the macrolevel of qualitative analysis focusing on complexity, politics, and morality, the research conducted the microscopic empirical analysis on twenty-two typical cases by adopting the quality comparative analysis (QCA) from the auditing perspective. Different from the traditional analysis method taking each causation as independent variable, the results in the study revealed that there was complex multiple concurrent causation among eight conditions; additionally, the configuration of those would be divided into six types, among which, the coverage of the three types, namely, project management risk, preliminary and construction risk, and tendering and contract management related risk, was almost eighty percent. Finally, megaproject risks in China were caused by complicated and changeable combination conditions, which would provide a new breakthrough for seeking analyzing megaproject risks through this quantitative analysis method, and indicate the researchers and practitioners to control the megaproject risks from a more systematic way.
Local and Regional Scale Evaluation of the Integrated Urban Land Model by Comparing with the Common Land Model
Authors: Meng Chunlei , Zhang Wenlong
Published: January 2019

Land surface evaporation is not only an important parameter in natural land surface modeling, but a crucial important parameter in urban hydrology modeling. A whole-layer soil evaporation scheme was developed in the integrated urban land model (IUM) to improve the soil evaporation simulation. The impervious surface evaporation (ISE) was used as a component of urban water balance equation. In this paper, the integrated urban land model was validated at one desert site and six urban road sites to emphasize the improvement in the evaporation simulations for arid and urban areas. A sensitivity analysis was implemented in seven basins to expand the utility of the whole layer soil evaporation scheme. For the urban road sites, the validation results indicate that imperious surface evaporation (ISE) plays a crucial role in road surface temperature (RST) simulations on rainy days. For the desert site, the validation results show that the inner layer evaporation is very important in arid regions. For the basins, the analysis results indicate that the relative monthly mean differences in the evapotranspiration (ET) between the simulations with (IUM) and without (Common Land Model (CoLM)) considering the inner layer evaporation range from −8% to 8%, which is proportional to the degree of dryness. In arid areas, especially deserts, the inner layer soil evaporation could not be neglected.
A Hybrid Method for Traffic Incident Duration Prediction Using BOA-Optimized Random Forest Combined with Neighborhood Components Analysis
Authors: Shang Qiang , Tan Derong , Gao Song , Feng Linlin
Published: January 2019

Predicting traffic incident duration is important for effective and real-time traffic incident management (TIM), which helps to minimize traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and secondary incident related to this incident. Traffic incident duration prediction methods often use more input variables to obtain better prediction results. However, the problems that available variables are limited at the beginning of an incident and how to select significant variables are ignored to some extent. In this paper, a novel prediction method named NCA-BOA-RF is proposed using the Neighborhood Components Analysis (NCA) and the Bayesian Optimization Algorithm (BOA)-optimized Random Forest (RF) model. Firstly, the NCA is applied to select feature variables for traffic incident duration. Then, RF model is trained based on the training set constructed using feature variables, and the BOA is employed to optimize the RF parameters. Finally, confusion matrix is introduced to measure the optimized RF model performance and compare with other methods. In addition, the performance is also tested in the absence of some feature variables. The results demonstrate that the proposed method not only has high accuracy, but also exhibits excellent reliability and robustness.
Prevalence of Staphylococcus Species Colonization in Healthy and Sick Cats
Authors: Bierowiec K. , Korzeniowska-Kowal A. , Wzorek A. , Rypuła K. , Gamian A.
Published: January 2019

Staphylococcusis one of the most frequently isolated genera of opportunistic bacteria in animals and human beings. Staphylococci in mammals mostly inhabit the skin and mucous membranes. The objectives of the study were to investigate the distribution of staphylococcal species in healthy and sick cats in order to find diagnostic markers. The risk factors associated with colonization were also explored. Isolates from healthy (n=520) and sick cats (n=67) were identified at the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Swabs from conjunctival sacs, nares, skin, anus, and wounds were investigated using this technique. The diversity of theStaphylococcusspecies was high: 26 and 17 species in healthy and sick cats, respectively, and predominantly coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were isolated. The most frequently observed wereS. felisandS. epidermidisin healthy cats, whereasS. felisandS. haemolyticuswere most often found in sick animals.S. aureusstrains were only isolated from healthy cats, whereas the only coagulase-positiveStaphylococcus(CoPS) which occurred in the sick cats group wasS. pseudintermedius. The sick, more frequently than the healthy animals, were colonized withS. pseudintermediusandS. haemolyticusand the relationship was statistically significant. Mostly, regardless of the state of their health, similarStaphylococcusspecies were isolated from cats; therefore, particular attention should be paid during the interpretation of diagnostic results.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Following Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus in an Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Cozzupoli Grazia Maria , Gui Daniele , Cozza Valerio , Lodoli Claudio , Pennisi Mariano Alberto , Caporossi Aldo , Falsini Benedetto
Published: January 2019

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare infection that spreads rapidly along the subcutaneous soft tissue planes. NF rarely involves the periorbital region due to the excellent blood supply of this region. We report a case of periorbital necrotising fasciitis following herpes zoster (HZ) in an immunocompromised 70-year-old patient with a dramatically rapid evolution into septic shock. In our patient, the surprisingly rapid spread of the bacterial superinfection led the periorbital cellulitis to turn into frank NF within 2 hours, with an overwhelming evolution. Despite the prompt start of a systemic antibiotic therapy and the immediate surgical intervention, the patient had a septic shock; she was treated in ITU for 31 days and then discharged to a medical ward and eventually died for a mix of complications of the medical treatment and comorbidities. This case is unique because any documented cases of periorbital NF triggered by HZ had never led to a septic shock and death. Ophthalmologists should be aware that even common skin lesions caused by shingles can determine a dramatic clinical picture, in presence of predisposing factors.
Fe-TiO2 Nanoparticles Synthesized by Green Chemistry for Potential Application in Waste Water Photocatalytic Treatment
Authors: Solano Ricardo A. , Herrera Adriana P. , Maestre David , Cremades Ana
Published: January 2019

Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles doped with iron ions have been synthesized via the green chemistry method using aqueous extract of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) obtained from Soxhlet extraction and doped by wet impregnation. The TiO2 anatase phase has been doped with Fe3+ (0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 Fe3+ : Ti molar ratio) at 550°C and 350°C, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS) shows nanoparticle clusters and efficiencies of impregnations between 66.5 and 58.4% depending on the theoretical dopant amount. The electron transmission microscopy (TEM) reveals final particle sizes ranging between 7 and 26 nm depending on the presence or not of the dopant. The cathodoluminescence (CL) and photoluminescence (PL) studies of the doped and undoped nanoparticles show a luminescence signal attributed to surface oxygen vacancies (visible CL emission 380–700 nm and PL emission 350–800 nm); additionally, a decrease in emission intensity is observed due the inhibition of the recombination of the photogenerated electron-holes pairs; moreover, nanopowders were analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry of diffuse reflectance, and the absorption edge of the Fe-TiO2 in comparison to undoped TiO2 is extended greatly toward the visible light. The six bands (A1g + 2B1g + 3Eg) found by Raman spectroscopy and the x-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) confirm that synthesized TiO2 is only anatase phase, which is commonly used as a catalyst in waste water treatment, specifically in heterogeneous photocatalytic processes.
Pricing Decisions on Reward-Based Crowdfunding with Bayesian Review System Facing Strategic Consumers
Authors: Chen Yuting , Zhang Rong , Liu Bin
Published: January 2019

Crowdfunding marks a popular and sustainable means by which small and microentrepreneurs obtain financial resources for their innovative project. Consumers increasingly rely on online reviews to make purchase decisions. However, the crowdfunding nowadays lacks a form type of review system. This paper is designed to extend research on the optimal pricing decision with review system for the reward-based crowdfunding. Firstly, a Bayesian analysis is established to construct consumers’ belief update process in presence of review system. Secondly, we take the strategies without the review system as a benchmark to explore the impacts of review system under preannounced pricing and responsive pricing. Finally, through the equilibrium analysis, we find that the review system has a positive impact on the creator under responsive pricing policy. The fraction of favorable review has a large effect on the profit of preannounced pricing. When the fraction is about 80%, the profit is the maximum. Generally speaking, the review system will make more profit for the creator.
Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) on Hydroxyethylcellulose/Polyacrylamide Gel (HEC/PAAm) as a Proposal for a Dermatological Compress: Mathematical Modeling of ASA Release Kinetics
Authors: Castillo-Miranda Claudia Alicia , Castro-Guerrero Carlos Fernando , Velasco-Ocejo Hugo Alberto , Gonzalez-Sanchez Jorge Alberto , Flores-Cerda Gabriel Osmar , Ramos-Galvan Claudia Esmeralda , Rivera-Armenta Jose Luis , Morales-Cepeda Ana Beatriz
Published: January 2019

Currently, acne in adolescents and adults is caused by an infection in follicles caused by hormonal changes, stress, water pollution, air, and earth; the last one comes into contact with the skin through the hands of patients. This project presents the incorporation of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) to the hydroxyethylcellulose/polyacrylamide gel (HEC/PAAm) in the synthesis of gel or by its swelling. The results show us that the incorporation of ASA is possible by both methods; first, the incorporation by synthesis of degradation of the gel is more visible. The infrared spectroscopic analysis shows the functional groups of gel and ASA, 2921 and 2863 cm−1, whose assignments correspond to CH3 and CH2 groups, which are part of both the polymer and the ASA molecule, which confirms the interaction between the two groups. The microscopy photographs (SEM) show on the surface the drug in irregular whitish orthorhombic forms due to swelling; arborescent structures are observed in the case of the incorporation of the ASA drug by synthesis. Swelling kinetics has a Fickian form. The Higuchi model conforms to the release of ASA because the level of confidence is 90%. This gel was allowed to release 0.35 mg/hour, thus allowing the patient to have a continuous form of the release, in the affected area in a short period of time.
Optimization of Working Conditions for Perovskite-Based Gas Sensor Devices by Multiregression Analysis
Authors: Zaza Fabio , Pallozzi Vanessa , Serra Emanuele
Published: January 2019

Environmental degradation and resource depletion drive scientific research priorities to develop technologies for sustainable productive systems. Among them, chemical sensing technology plays a key role for regulating energetic, ecological, and productive efficiency by monitoring and controlling the industrial processes. Semiconducting metal oxide sensors are particularly attractive technology because of their simplicity in function, small size, and projected low cost. The aim of this work is to synthesize Ti-substituted lanthanum ferrite perovskite, LaFe0.8Ti0.2O3, in order to develop a resistive sensor device for monitoring carbon monoxide. Since sensor performances are affected by experimental factors, such as temperature, target gas concentration, and gas flow rate, the aim of the authors was to define the optimum working condition by performing multiple regression analyses. The investigated ranges of operating conditions were temperature from 300 to 480°C, carbon monoxide concentration from 100 to 200 ppm, and inlet-gas flow rate from 40 to 100 cm3/min. The results confirm that the applied systematic analysis is a powerful method for studying the direct and indirect effects of every experimental factor on sensor performance and for computing mathematical models with predictive ability, that are useful tools for defining the optimum chemiresistors’ operating conditions. In addition, mathematical models are able to be used as multiple-factor surface calibration for restive gas sensor devices.
Robust H∞ Fault Detection for Networked Control Systems with Markov Time‐Delays and Data Packet Loss in Both S/C and C/A Channels
Authors: Wang Yan-feng
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the robust H∞ fault detection problem for networked control systems with Markov time‐delays and data packet loss in both S/C and C/A channels. First, the time‐delay from sensor to controller (S/C) and the time‐delay from sensor to actuator (C/A) are described by two different Markov chains. Two random variables obeying the Bernoulli distribution are used to describe the packet loss between the sensor and the controller together between the controller and the actuator. Based on this, a fault detection filter is constructed and the closed‐loop system mathematical model is established. Then, the solution method of the fault detection filter and controller gain matrix is given. The relationship between the probability of successful packet transmission and the ability to suppress external disturbance is obtained. Finally, simulation verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Detection and Prevention of Man-in-the-Middle Spoofing Attacks in MANETs Using Predictive Techniques in Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)
Authors: Sowah Robert A. , Ofori-Amanfo Kwadwo B. , Mills Godfrey A. , Koumadi Koudjo M.
Published: January 2019

A Mobile Ad-Hoc Network (MANET) is a convenient wireless infrastructure which presents many advantages in network settings. With Mobile Ad-Hoc Network, there are many challenges. These networks are more susceptible to attacks such as black hole and man-in-the-middle (MITM) than their corresponding wired networks. This is due to the decentralized nature of their overall architecture. In this paper, ANN classification methods in intrusion detection for MANETs were developed and used with NS2 simulation platform for attack detection, identification, blacklisting, and node reconfiguration for control of nodes attacked. The ANN classification algorithm for intrusion detection was evaluated using several metrics. The performance of the ANN as a predictive technique for attack detection, isolation, and reconfiguration was measured on a dataset with network-varied traffic conditions and mobility patterns for multiple attacks. With a final detection rate of 88.235%, this work not only offered a productive and less expensive way to perform MITM attacks on simulation platforms but also identified time as a crucial factor in determining such attacks as well as isolating nodes and reconfiguring the network under attack. This work is intended to be an opening for future malicious software time signature creation, identification, isolation, and reconfiguration to supplement existing Intrusion Detection Systems (IDSs).
Research on Supply Chain Coordination Based on Block Chain Technology and Customer Random Demand
Authors: Li Yongfei , Wang Bill , Yang Dong
Published: January 2019

Based on disruptive innovation and Stackelberg noncooperative game theory, the paper focuses on supply chain coordination under the combined effects of block chain technology and random demand. Firstly, both a decentralized and a centralized supply chain decision models are built in a single-cycle newsvendor random demand situation. Then, through revenue sharing contract the study designs a brand-new supply chain coordination model which is Del trust, decentralized, and traded anonymously. Furthermore, the numerical comparative analysis on the optimal decision and supply chain coordination are conducted. It is found that the whole supply chain revenue can achieve and even beyond the performance level of the centralized supply chain with effectively expanding sales market and reducing supply chain risk. When the retail price is stable and supply chain is coordinated with revenue sharing mechanism, decentralized supply chain can achieve minimum optimal revenue. Coordination results have effect on short-term revenues of block chain members only. Implications and suggestions for future research in supply chain coordination are provided.
Estimating Rear-End Accident Probabilities with Different Driving Tendencies at Signalized Intersections in China
Authors: Wang Weijie , Li Yingshuai , Lu Jian , Li Yaping , Wan Qian
Published: January 2019

Rear-end accidents are the most common accident type at signalized intersections because of the different driving tendencies in the dilemma zone (DZ), where drivers are faced with indecisiveness of making “stop or go” decisions at yellow onset. In various researches, the number of vehicles in the DZ has been used as a safety indicator—the more the vehicles in the DZ, the higher the probability of rear-end accidents. However, the DZ-associated rear-end accident potential varies depending on drivers’ driving tendencies and the situations (position and speed) at the yellow onset. This study’s primary objective is to explore how the driving tendency impacts the DZ distribution and the probability of rear-end accidents. To achieve this, three types of driving tendencies were classified using K-means clustering analysis based on driving variables. Further, the boundary of the DZ is determined by logistic regression model of drivers’ stop/go decision. Then, we proposed the conditional probability model of rear-end accidents and developed a Monte Carlo simulation framework to calculate the model. The results indicate that the rear-end accident probability is dependent on the driving tendency even at the same position with the same speed in the DZ. The aggressive type has the highest risk probability followed by conservative and then the normal types. The quantitative results of the study can provide the basis for rear-end accident assessments.
An Automated Procedure for Assessing Local Reliability Index and Life‐Cycle Cost of Alternative Girder Bridge Design Solutions
Authors: Venanzi Ilaria , Castellani Riccardo , Ierimonti Laura , Ubertini Filippo
Published: January 2019

Stakeholders of civil infrastructures have to usually choose among several design alternatives in order to select a final design representing the best trade‐off between safety and economy, in a life‐cycle perspective. In this framework, the paper proposes an automated procedure for the estimation of life‐cycle repair costs of different bridge design solutions. The procedure provides the levels of safety locally guaranteed by the selected design solution and the related total life‐cycle cost. The method is based on the finite element modeling of the bridge and uses design traffic models as suggested by international technical standards. Both the global behavior and the transversal cross section of the bridge are analyzed in order to provide local reliability indexes. Several parameters involved in the design, such as geometry and loads and materials’ characteristics, are considered as uncertain. Degradation models are adopted for steel carpentry and rebars. The application of the procedure to a road bridge case study shows its potential in providing local safety levels for different limit states over the entire lifetime of the bridge and the life‐cycle cost of the infrastructure, highlighting the importance of the local character of the life‐cycle cost analysis.
The Dosage of Superplasticizer in Cemented Coal Waste Backfill Material Based on Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Li Qingdong , Feng Guorui , Guo Yuxia , Qi Tingye , Du Xianjie , Wang Zehua , Li Huayun
Published: January 2019

Cemented coal waste backfill material (CCWBM) is developed for backfilling the goaf in coal mines. As fresh CCWBM slurry is generally transported into underground openings through a pipeline, the fluidity of fresh slurry becomes one of the most important properties. Adding superplasticizer is considered to improve the flow performance of the slurry without alerting the mechanical performance of filling body. The dosage of superplasticizer (SP) is related to filling cost, thus response surface methodology (RSM) is adopted to study the influence of material composition on SP when target slump is 250 mm. The effects of fly ash content, fine gangue ratio, and mass concentration on SP are analyzed using the software of Design-Expert and central composite design (CCD), and models are established for SP. Results show that the SP model coincides greatly with the test results and can be applied to analyze and predict SP in CCWBM. Mass concentration, fly ash content, and fine gangue ratio influence SP from high to low. The interaction of fine gangue ratio and mass concentration between SP is the most significant. The fact that the improved aggregate space model can be applied to analyze the fluidity of CCWBM is proved too. The research results provide guidance for the design and preparation of CCWBM with favourable performance and low cost in practical production.
A Supply Chain‐Logistics Super‐Network Equilibrium Model for Urban Logistics Facility Network Optimization
Authors: Su Yongyi , Qin Jin , Yang Peng , Jiang Qiwei
Published: January 2019

The logistics facility decisions may be the most critical and most difficult of the decisions needed to realize an efficient supply chain since these decisions have significant effects on the logistics costs generated in the logistics network. We establish a logistics super network equilibrium integrating urban logistics facilities with members of traditional supply chain network, using the variational inequality theory. This model takes into account the behavior of logistics facilities and the transactions between retailers and logistics facilities are examined in this paper. Furthermore, we obtain the equilibrium condition of the system, and the economic explanation and algorithm are given. Finally, some verification examples are provided to verify the solution and decision‐making application.
An Unusual Case of Collagenous Gastritis: Incidental Finding in a Patient Presenting with Dysphagia
Authors: Liao Chiu-Hsiang , Saddik Maruf , Ip Stephen
Published: January 2019

Collagenous gastritis is a condition characterized by subepithelial deposition of collagen in the gastric mucosa. This condition is rare, with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. Patients with collagenous gastritis typically present with pain or diarrhea. Here, we present a case of a young woman with dysphagia who was found to have esophageal webs and an incidental finding of diffuse gastritis with a cobblestone appearance of the mucosa on endoscopy. Subsequent histology demonstrated features of collagenous gastritis, including mucosal inflammatory infiltrates and collagen deposition. This is one of the few case reports of incidental collagenous gastritis and highlights the importance of judicious use of biopsies.
Decreased Expression of Cannabinoid Receptors in the Eutopic and Ectopic Endometrium of Patients with Adenomyosis
Authors: Shen Xue , Duan Hua , Wang Sha , Gan Lu , Xu Qian , Li Jin-Jiao
Published: January 2019

Objective. Adenomyosis is a common gynecologic benign disease that may have a life-long negative impact on women. Previous studies have indicated that the endocannabinoid system may participate in the progress of endometriosis. Our research aims to analyze the expression patterns of the typical cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), the main constituents of the endocannabinoid system, in endometrial samples derived from patients diagnosed as adenomyosis or not. Methods. Eutopic and corresponding ectopic endometrium from 45 premenopausal women diagnosed as adenomyosis and normal endometrium from 34 age-matched women lacking evidence of adenomyosis were examined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to determine the CB1 and CB2 expression levels. Results. In either the proliferative or the secretory phase, CB1 and CB2 protein and mRNA levels were both significantly lower in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium of adenomyosis when compared with normal endometrium. For women with adenomyosis, CB1 and CB2 protein and mRNA levels were much lower in the ectopic endometrium than the eutopic in both phases of the cycle. Both CB1 and CB2 protein and mRNA levels were increased during the secretory phase in normal endometrium, while CB1 lost its cyclic variation in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium from patients diagnosed as adenomyosis. Conclusion. The decreased expression of CB1 and CB2 in the eutopic and ectopic endometrium from patients diagnosed as adenomyosis suggests that cannabinoid receptors may participate in the pathogenesis of adenomyosis.
Swimming as Treatment of Scapular Dyskinesis
Authors: Ramos Max Rogerio Freitas , Junior Yonder Archanjo Ching San , de Souza Leonardo Antunes Bellot
Published: January 2019

Scapular dyskinesis is quite frequent and can lead to shoulder pain. The diagnosis is essentially clinical. The main cause is muscle imbalance, between the trapezius, rhomboids, and pectoralis minor. In these cases, rehabilitation is the best treatment. We present a case of a young male patient with dyskinesis due to axonal involvement of the long thoracic nerve and paresis of the anterior serratus muscle. After a swimming program to increase muscular strength and imbalance, he experienced pain reduction and functional recovery of the upper limb, with reduction of the winged scapula.
Synthesis of Hybrid Fluoroquinolone-Boron Complexes and Their Evaluation in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Hernández-López Hiram , Sánchez-Miranda Griselda , Araujo-Huitrado Jorge Gustavo , Granados-López Angelica Judith , López Jesús Adrián , Leyva-Ramos Socorro , Chacón-García Luis
Published: January 2019

Quinolones are a family of antimicrobial agents that have been used in antibacterial and anticancer chemotherapy. Fluoroquinolone targets DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes affecting several cellular processes, like cell death and proliferation; the best way to act is in the form of carboxylic acid or, recently, as quinolone-metal complex. In this work, the use of boron is shown as an alternative of metal to form a complex by incorporating to fluoroquinolone as an electron withdrawing substituent to activate the C-7 position chemoselectively for the production of new fluoroquinolone hybrids and test their effects on cell proliferation. Fluoroquinolone-boron complexes were synthesized according to the Gould–Jacobs cyclization method, and five hybrid fluoroquinolone-boron compounds were obtained by SNAr reaction, yielding 31 to 46%, at 80°C, and in 10 to 25 hours of reaction. The effect of the five fluoroquinolone-boron hybrids was evaluated in cervical cancer cell lines by cell proliferation assay. 7-hydantoin-fluoroquinolone-boron and 7-dihydropyridine-fluoroquinolone-boron complexes showed the strongest effect according to dose-response assay, respectively. The fluoroquinolone-boron hybrid complex showed proliferation inhibition in SiHa and CasKi cells, opening the possibility to use them as potential agents for the treatment of cancer.
The Effect of Walnut Flour on the Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Wheat Bread
Authors: Almoraie Noha M.
Published: January 2019

The study was carried out to demonstrate the effect of walnut flour enhancement on the physical, nutritional, and sensory quality of bread. Walnut flour was prepared by soaking, deshelling, oven drying, and sieving whole walnuts. The wheat flour was supplemented with walnut flour by 0, 20, 30, 40, and 50% of the total amount. Standard procedures were taken to estimate the proximate composition of wheat and walnut flour and bread samples. A comparison between the control and supplemented bread was made, where the physical characteristics (weight, volume, and specific volume) and sensory quality were checked. The enhanced bread, where the percentage was between 20 and 50%, appeared to have a significant increase in protein, fat, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid and a decrease in carbohydrate and fibre values. Increased walnut flour replacement showed that physical properties, loaf volume and specific loaf volume, have declined. The sensory attributes between the unsupplemented and supplemented bread showed major differences. As an outcome, substituting 30% walnut flour gave the best overall quality of bread acceptability.
L-Carnitine Reduces Oxidative Stress and Promotes Cells Differentiation and Bone Matrix Proteins Expression in Human Osteoblast-Like Cells
Authors: Terruzzi Ileana , Montesano Anna , Senesi Pamela , Villa Isabella , Ferraretto Anita , Bottani Michela , Vacante Fernanda , Spinello Alice , Bolamperti Simona , Luzi Livio , Rubinacci Alessandro
Published: January 2019

Bone fragility and associated fracture risk are major problems in aging. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play a key role in the development of bone fragility. Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). L-Carnitine (L-C), a fundamental cofactor in lipid metabolism, has an important antioxidant property. Several studies have shown how L-C enhances osteoblastic proliferation and activity. In the current study, we investigated the potential effects of L-C on mitochondrial activity, ROS production, and gene expression involved in osteoblastic differentiation using osteoblast-like cells (hOBs) derived from elderly patients. The effect of 5mM L-C treatment on mitochondrial activity and L-C antioxidant activity was studied by ROS production evaluation and cell-based antioxidant activity assay. The possible effects of L-C on hOBs differentiation were assessed by analyzing gene and protein expression by Real Time PCR and western blotting, respectively. L-C enhanced mitochondrial activity and improved antioxidant defense of hOBs. Furthermore, L-C increased the phosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Additionally, L-C induced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT and the main kinases involved in osteoblastic differentiation and upregulated the expression of osteogenic related genes, RUNX2, osterix (OSX), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteopontin (OPN) as well as OPN protein synthesis, suggesting that L-C exerts a positive modulation of key osteogenic factors. In conclusion, L-C supplementation could represent a possible adjuvant in the treatment of bone fragility, counteracting oxidative phenomena and promoting bone quality maintenance.
Determinants of Maternal Death in a Pastoralist Area of Borena Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: Unmatched Case-Control Study
Authors: Sara Jarso , Haji Yusuf , Gebretsadik Achamyelesh
Published: January 2019

Background. Globally, more than 830 maternal deaths happen daily, and nearly, all of these occur in developing countries. Similarly, in Ethiopia, maternal mortality is still very high. Studies done in pastoralist women are almost few. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the determinant factors of maternal death in the pastoralist area of Borena zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods. Community-based unmatched case-control study was conducted on 236 mothers (59 maternal deaths (cases) and 177 controls). The sample included pregnant women aged 15–49 years from September 2014 to March 2017. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from Maternal Death Surveillance and Response Technical Guideline, entered into the EpiData, exported into SPSS for analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed to determine contributing factors of maternal death and control potential confounding variables. Results. About 51 (86%) of all maternal deaths were due to direct obstetric causes. Of this, hemorrhage (45%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (23%), and obstructed labor (18%) were the leading direct causes of maternal deaths. Husbands who had no formal education were 5 times higher compared with their counterparts (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI: 1.6–16). Mothers who were not attending ANC were 5 times more at risk for death than those who attend (AOR 5.3, 95% CI 2.3–12.1). Mothers who gave birth at home/on transit were twice to die compared to health facility delivery (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 2.4–6) that were contributing factors of maternal deaths. Conclusions. Husband’s level of education, lack of antenatal care, and home delivery were the factors contributing to maternal deaths in the zone. Frequent and tailored antenatal care, skilled delivery, and access to education also need due attention.