bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical inference for continuous‐time Markov processes with block structure based on discrete‐time network data
Authors: Schweinberger Michael
Published: January 2020

A widely used approach to modeling discrete‐time network data assumes that discrete‐time network data are generated by an unobserved continuous‐time Markov process. While such models can capture a wide range of network phenomena and are popular in social network analysis, the models are based on the homogeneity assumption that all nodes share the same parameters. We remove the homogeneity assumption by allowing nodes to belong to unobserved subsets of nodes, called blocks, and assuming that nodes in the same block have the same parameters, whereas nodes in distinct blocks have distinct parameters. The resulting models capture unobserved heterogeneity across nodes and admit model‐based clustering of nodes based on network properties chosen by researchers. We develop Bayesian data‐augmentation methods and apply them to discrete‐time observations of an ownership network of non‐financial companies in Slovenia in its critical transition from a socialist economy to a market economy. We detect a small subset of shadow‐financial companies that outpaces others in terms of the rate of change and the desire to accumulate stocks of other companies.
Integrating Optimal Vehicle Routing and Control With Load-Dependent Vehicle Dynamics Using a Confidence Bounds for Trees-Based Approach
Authors: Liu T. , Azarm S. , Chopra N.
Published: January 2020

In this paper, a class of vehicle routing problems (VRPs) is considered in which the vehicle dynamical model depends on the chosen route. Specifically, the mass of each vehicle is determined by the loading demands of the locations that the vehicle had previously visited, which leads to variable dynamical models. Hence, an integrated optimal vehicle routing-and-control problem is formulated. The objective function (total cost) considered is a weighted sum of the traveling time and energy consumption cost of the vehicles. A sequential approach can be employed to solve this problem, in which the routing solution is obtained first, followed by finding optimal control costs of all vehicles. However, the sequential approach may not obtain an overall optimal solution, since the routing solution can affect the control cost and vice versa. To the best of our knowledge, an integrated vehicle routing-and-control problem with load-dependent dynamics has not been considered in the literature. Also, there has been no simultaneous routing-and-control solution approach for such a problem. In this paper, a upper confidence bounds for trees (UCT) approach for solving the proposed problem has been implemented. Two test examples are used to demonstrate the proposed approach: (i) a benchmark VRP from the literature, revised in this paper with an embedded optimal control problem, and (ii) a notional integrated routing-and-control problem formulated for a small area based on the New York City street map. For both examples, the proposed approach obtains an improved solution when compared with the sequential approach.
Modeling and Experimental Testing of the Hondamatic Inline Hydromechanical Transmission (iHMT)1
Authors: Hu X. , Jing C. , Li P. Y.
Published: January 2020

A hydromechanical transmission (HMT) is a continuously variable transmission that transmits power both mechanically and hydraulically. A typical HMT consists of a pair of hydraulic pump/motors and a mechanical transmission in parallel, making it bulky and costly. The Hondamatic transmission is a compact alternative HMT design that uses an inline configuration such that the rotation of the piston barrels of the pump and motor is dual-used for mechanical transmission. This is achieved using a two-shafted pump that plays the role of a planetary gear (PG) and a distributor valve mechanism that replaces the valve plates. This paper provides the operating principle of this inline HMT (iHMT) and analyzes its performance through a combination of modeling and experimentation. Specifically, ideal and lossy average models are developed, and the performance of the Hondamatic is characterized experimentally. The lossy model, fitted with seven empirically determined parameters, is capable of predicting the mechanical and volumetric losses at different ratios and operating conditions. The dominant losses are found to be compressibility losses and no-load viscous friction losses, especially on the motor side. These losses are attributed to be the main causes for the unity transmission ratio to be less efficient than expected. The overall efficiency is between 74 and 86% at the conditions tested experimentally and is predicted to be over 70% under most operating conditions and transmission ratios. This analytical and experimental study is the first study in the open literature on this innovative compact inline HMT configuration.
Utilization of Zonal Method for Five-Hole Probe Measurements of Complex Axial Compressor Flows
Authors: Liu Baojie , Qiu Ying , An Guangfeng , Yu Xianjun
Published: January 2020

Five-hole probe is widely used in the measurement of turbomachinery flows, but in the traditional way the measurable angle range is not big enough for some interested flows. In this paper, the zonal method is introduced to an L-shaped five-hole probe to measure axial compressor flows. First, the calibration theory of the zonal method in five-hole probe is presented, and the effects of some factors on the measurement accuracy of the five-hole probe are discussed. The results reveal that the two-step correlation method can yield a highest calibration accuracy, and the calibration angular grid spacing should not exceed 5 deg. While the overlap region seems to have no effect on the measurement accuracy of the five-hole probe using the two-step correlation method. Reynolds number (Re) has obvious influence on the measurement accuracy of the investigated five-hole probe, and this effect could be ignored only when Re is bigger than 6000. Then, the investigated five-hole probe using the zonal method is used to measure the inter-row flows of a low-speed large-scale axial compressor, and the measurement results are compared with the results using the traditional method. Besides, the Re corrected results using the zonal method are also compared. The measured results have shown that the zonal method has prominent advantages relative to the traditional method in measuring the corner stall flows. While there is no need to correct the Re effect if the probe is calibrated in the velocity nearly equivalent to the measured flow.
Using Force Concept Inventory Data to Develop Impactful Class Activities
Authors: Pawl Andrew
Published: January 2020

Examination of my students’ individual gains on the Force Concept Inventory (FCI) over the course of several semesters led to the realization that student pretest knowledge on certain key questions appeared to be correlated to enhanced gain during the class. Acting under the hypothesis that early intervention aimed at helping the class perform better on those select key questions might result in enhanced test-wide gains, I developed two class activities targeted at just one of the key questions. I have tested those activities over the course of four semesters and there is evidence that they significantly increased the class-wide normalized gains on the FCI.
Quadcopter Flights in a Variety of Atmospheres
Authors: Baird William H. , Kersker Benjamin , Padgett Clifford , Secrest Jeffery
Published: January 2020

Quadcopters, or drones, have come into wide use recently for a variety of applications including video inspection of otherwise inaccessible areas, real estate sales, and entertainment. Students are interested in them and in some cases own their own. The combination of high mobility, relatively low price, and autonomous operation is quite compelling. Besides just flying around on Earth, could drones be useful in planetary exploration? Being able to avoid getting stuck (as the Mars rover Spirit did, although after far exceeding its life expectancy) while covering far more of a planet than a ground-based rover would be attractive.
Simulating a Dark Matter Detector in a Physics Classroom
Authors: Wiesner Matthew P. , Sederberg David , Lang Rafael
Published: January 2020

Dark matter comprises most of the matter in the universe, yet physicists are unsure of its nature. A significant effort is devoted in contemporary research to attempts to understand dark matter, making it a both captivating and relevant area of astrophysics to discuss in a classroom setting. What is more, the physics behind these experiments is familiar Newtonian momentum and energy conservation, connecting this cutting-edge research with the standard curriculum. In order to help students to explore the basic ideas behind dark matter detectors, we designed and built an experiment that communicates the main ideas of currently running dark matter detectors while using inexpensive ordinary materials. We focused primarily on the XENON1T dark matter experiment in our lesson, but other leading searches such as the LUX/LZ, Panda-X, and SuperCDMS detectors use identical or at least very similar principles. In this paper we describe XENON1T and how we built and implemented this analogy experiment for use in our outreach program, Saturday Morning Astrophysics at Purdue, a monthly program for students in grades 6-12.
A Simple Model for the Calculation of the Fluid Discharge from a Small Orifice
Authors: Horsch Georgios M.
Published: January 2020

One of the easily accessible results in elementary fluid mechanics is the so-called Torricelli’s theorem (or law), which states that the velocity Uth of the fluid exiting from an orifice at depth h from the free surface of a container filled with fluid, is the same as the velocity of a free-falling body from rest over a height h. This simple result can be verified experimentally by several methods, e.g., by measuring the parabolic path of the free jet exiting from the container and back-calculating its exit velocity. It turns out that the ratio of the experimental velocity, Uexp, to the theoretical velocity, Uth, called the velocity coefficient Cu, varies from 0.95 to 0.99. Yet, if one was to calculate the outflow volumetric flowrate (or discharge or rate of efflux) from the container by multiplying the Torricelli velocity by the cross-section area of the orifice, and compare it to the flowrate derived by dividing the volume of the bucket into which the jet flowed by the time it took to fill the bucket, one would get a large discrepancy, which, in view of the value of Cu, cannot be attributed to the deviation of the experimental velocity from the Torricelli value. This result seems paradoxical. It offers, therefore, an excellent opportunity to clarify important details in the application of simple fluid mechanics equations, and in addition to introduce at an early stage the concept of producing an approximate result through flow modeling, as we shall see below.
Comparing Relativistic and Newtonian Motion Under a Constant Force Using Dimensional Analysis and Calculus
Authors: Frodyma Marc
Published: January 2020

Students have difficulty bridging the conceptual gap between Newtonian and relativistic physics, and, consequently, the teaching of special relativity has been discussed extensively in the literature. A comprehensive list of such references is too large to include, but a brief list is given. In this paper, the author presents several exercises, comparing Newtonian and relativistic solutions to one-dimensional motion of a mass M acted upon by a constant force F. Calculations include the speed, time, and distance of travel for which the Newtonian and relativistic predictions differ by a given percentage. Relativistic motion under a constant force has been discussed previously, but the present treatment has important differences, which will be described below.
A Student-Built Flatness Gauge to Determine if a Fitness Center Employs Thinning Mirrors
Authors: Liby Bruce W. , Heffernan Sean
Published: January 2020

Fitness centers and retail stores have often been accused of using “thinning” mirrors to enhance the images of their clientele. In this paper, the authors build a flatness gauge and use it to measure the curvature of the mirrors at a local fitness center. From these measurements, the image enhancement properties of the mirrors can be determined. The mirrors are found to be thinning, widening, and neutral with no apparent intent in their use or placement.
High-Efficiency Multi-Junction Photovoltaic Cells in School Physics Laboratory
Authors: Bonsignore Gaetano , Agnello Simonpietro , Cannas Marco , Gelardi Franco , Gallitto Aurelio Agliolo
Published: January 2020

Energy consumption in the world is increasing more and more due to the huge energy request coming from emerging countries such as China, India, etc. To face the challenge of sustainability, a solution may be the use of solar energy, since it is the most abundant renewable energy source on Earth. The electromagnetic energy coming from the Sun can be converted into usable energy (electricity) by solar cells, whose conversion efficiency is continuously increasing due to scientific and technological progress. The proposed activity is thought to be carried out with secondary as well as high school students to allow teachers to discuss sustainability issues, and to provide students with an introductory view into modern physics aspects (quantization of energy levels), quantum mechanics (semi-conductor band energies), and radiation-matter interaction. Furthermore, cutting-edge research in physics can reach school students, increasing their interest in scientific studies.
Unlocking student potential: A comparison and ranking task
Authors: Milliano Joe
Published: January 2020

Electric potential is one of the more challenging topics for students to wrap their heads around in the introductory physics sequence. Energy, an already abstract concept, is now made even more opaque. Consider a system of a single charged particle. How much electric potential energy would there be if a second particle were to enter this configuration?
The Barkhausen effect revisited using LEDs
Authors: Lincoln James
Published: January 2020

It has now been over 100 years since Heinrich Barkhausen published his description of a crackling sound heard when a piece of iron is magnetized inside of a coil wired to a set of headphones, and this phenomenon provided evidence for the theory of magnetic domains. Traditionally, this effect is performed as a demonstration by connecting the coil to an audio amplifier, such as one used for electric guitars.
Deficient histone H3 propionylation by BRPF1-KAT6 complexes in neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer
Authors: Yan Kezhi , Rousseau Justine , Machol Keren , Cross Laura A. , Agre Katherine E. , Gibson Cynthia Forster , Goverde Anne , Engleman Kendra L. , Verdin Hannah , De Baere Elfride , Potocki Lorraine , Zhou Dihong , Cadieux-Dion Maxime , Bellus Gary A. , Wagner Monisa D. , Hale Rebecca J. , Esber Natacha , Riley Alan F. , Solomon Benjamin D. , Cho Megan T. , McWalter Kirsty , Eyal Roy , Hainlen Meagan K. , Mendelsohn Bryce A. , Porter Hillary M. , Lanpher Brendan C. , Lewis Andrea M. , Savatt Juliann , Thiffault Isabelle , Callewaert Bert , Campeau Philippe M. , Yang Xiang-Jiao
Published: January 2020

Two lysine acyltransferases govern histone H3 propionylation at lysine 23 in normal and pathological conditions.
Metal or muscle? The future of biologically inspired robots
Authors: Trimmer Barry Andrew
Published: January 2020

Biology has inspired the development of agile robots, and it is now teaching us how to grow machines from living cells.
A vision for future bioinspired and biohybrid robots
Authors: Mazzolai Barbara , Laschi Cecilia
Published: January 2020

Bioinspired and biohybrid robots can help respond to diverse, sustainable application needs.
Identification of Off-Patent Drugs That Show Synergism with Amphotericin B or That Present Antifungal Action against Cryptococcus neoformans and
Candida
spp
Authors: Rossi Suélen Andreia , de Oliveira Haroldo Cesar , Agreda-Mellon Daniel , Lucio José , Mendes-Giannini Maria José Soares , García-Cambero Jesús Pablo , Zaragoza Oscar
Published: January 2020

Amphotericin B (AmB) is the antifungal with the strongest fungicidal activity, but its use has several limitations, mainly associated with its toxicity. Although some lipidic and liposomal formulations that present reduced toxicity are available, their price limits their application in developing countries. Flucytosine (5FC) has shown synergistic effect with AmB for treatment of some fungal infections, such as cryptococcosis, but again, its price is a limitation for its use in many regions. In the present work, we aimed to identify new drugs that have a minor effect on
Cryptococcus neoformans
, reducing its growth in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of AmB.
Antiviral Activity of Tenofovir Alafenamide against HIV-1 with Thymidine Analog-Associated Mutations and M184V
Authors: Margot Nicolas , Ram Renee , Abram Michael , Haubrich Richard , Callebaut Christian
Published: January 2020

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are prodrugs of the HIV-1 nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor tenofovir (TFV).
In vivo
, TAF achieves >4-fold-higher intracellular levels of TFV diphosphate (TFV-DP) compared to TDF. Since thymidine analog-associated mutations (TAMs) in HIV-1 confer reduced TFV susceptibility, patients with TAM-containing HIV-1 may benefit from higher TFV-DP levels delivered by TAF. Moreover, the presence of the M184V mutation increases TFV susceptibility during TDF- or TAF-based therapy.
Evidence of the non-linear nature of skeletal maturation
Authors: Boeyer Melanie E , Leary Emily V , Sherwood Richard J , Duren Dana L
Published: January 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal trajectories of skeletal maturation to determine if children exhibit periods of rapid maturation during normal childhood and adolescence.

Design

Retrospective longitudinal study. Patients: 345 participants, with an average of 25 assessments per participant, between 3 and 20 years of age from the Fels Longitudinal Study.

Main outcome measures

Chronological age (ie, timing) and rate (ie, tempo) of skeletal maturation, as assessed by the Fels Method, at each maturational milestone, as well as the duration of time spent between any two milestones, were calculated for each participant-specific maturational trajectory and compared between three unique, non-linear maturational trajectory types.

Results

More than 81% of participants exhibited a rapid period of skeletal maturation during childhood and/or adolescence, most of whom were characterised by a single maturational spurt during adolescence. Participants with only a single adolescent spurt in skeletal maturation reach adolescent onset and peak approximately 2.8 and 4.2 years earlier, respectively, in boys (p<0.001) and girls (p<0.001), than when compared with participants with both childhood and adolescent spurts. Differences in the timing and tempo of maturational milestones were driven primarily by trajectory type.

Conclusions

Rapid changes in skeletal maturation occur during normal childhood and/or adolescence, indicating the presence of a maturational spurt: a developmental phenomenon that has remained largely uncharacterised. This work highlights patterned changes in the timing, tempo and duration of longitudinal skeletal maturation while simultaneously shifting the paradigm that skeletal maturation progresses linearly.
Non-compaction of ventricular myocardium with polycystic kidney disease with cardiogenic cerebral embolism
Authors: Rani Monu , Rajput Rajesh , Mishra Sanat , Garg Rakesh
Published: January 2020

Non-compaction of ventricular myocardium is a rare cardiomyopathy involving an early arrest of normal compaction of myocardium during fetal ontogenesis. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary nephropathy characterised by multiple renal cysts replacing the renal parenchyma and extrarenal manifestations. Here, we report a case of 65-year-old man, chronic smoker, presented with sudden onset right brachial monoparesis, exertional dyspnoea, orthopnoea, bipedal swelling and diagnosed as a case of ADPKD with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy with acute left ventricular failure and cardiogenic cerebral embolism (no evidence of atrial fibrillation); based on characteristic appearance on two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance. The patient was managed with guideline-directed pharmacotherapy for heart failure and anticoagulation as a secondary stroke prevention measure. Through this case report, we try to discuss the association between two rare entities and individualisation of treatment options available as a case-based approach, as no standard treatment guidelines are available.
Mediastinal metastatic melanoma: an unusual case presentation of recurrent melanoma
Authors: Joyce Catherine , Konrade Elliot , Kenyon Jessup Wade
Published: January 2020

Mediastinal malignant melanoma is rare as both primary and metastatic lesions. We present the case of a 50-year-old man with diagnosis of recurrent melanoma of the mediastinum. Our patient was previously treated for cutaneous melanoma in 2001 with surgical excision. He presented with symptoms of exertional dyspnoea, dull chest pain and non-productive cough for 12 weeks. CT revealed a large heterogeneously enhancing mass, measuring 10.7×7.6 cm, centred within the aortopulmonary window which abutted the adjacent pericardium. Open biopsy of the epicardial mass was performed via left anterior thoracotomy. Immunohistochemical stains performed on the mass were positive for CD99, focally positive for CD56, SOX10, S100 and WT-1. A diagnosis of metastatic melanoma was established. The patient was started on pembrolizumab with pending BRAF testing. V600E and V600K mutations in exon 15 of theBRAFgene were codetected, and the patient was treated with dabrafenib and trametinib.
No benefit from amitriptyline for chronic low back pain?
Authors: Khong Teck K , Lall Kunal
Published: January 2020

DTB commentaries provide an overview of, and commentary on, a clinical trial, systematic review or observational study.
Case of catatonia misdiagnosed with coma
Authors: Fu Rui , Yanfang Chen , Shaohua Cao
Published: January 2020

Catatonia is a state of high-degree psychomotor inhibition in which patients often maintain a constant fixed posture, and generally have unconscious obstacles and various reflex preservation. Patients suffering from severe catatonia will become stiff. Catatonia generally manifests unconsciousness while various reflexes are preserved. Patients show reticence, no food or drink intake, and immobility as signs of complete suppression of speech and movement, and even incontinence. Patients are often first diagnosed in non-psychiatric departments and are more likely to be misdiagnosed as having ‘coma’ or ‘epilepsy’, thus delaying treatment. This article reports a case of a 19-year-old female patient who was misdiagnosed with ‘catatonia’. A month ago, she was admitted to a general hospital of our city because of “intermittent attacks of nausea, vomiting, stupor for 15 years, with one week of exacerbation”. During her hospitalisation, she suddenly appeared was mute, had no food or drink intake, and showed immobility and incontinence, presenting a ‘coma state’. She was transferred to a general hospital in Wuhan to further investigate the cause of her “coma”. After 7 days in the hospital, no abnormal examination results were found and the symptoms were not alleviated. Later, she was transferred to the mental health centre for hospitalisation in this city. The patient was diagnosed as having (1) ‘epileptic psychosis’ and (2) ‘catatonic stupor’. After 3 days of treatment, the patient's recovered consciousness. She was clinically cured and discharged half a month later. We hereby report this case.
Rare case report of Van Gogh syndrome in a patient with paranoid schizophrenia
Authors: Mudgal Varchasvi , Rastogi Pali , Niranjan Vijay , Razdan Ramghulam
Published: January 2020

Self-mutilation is often associated with psychiatric disorders. We describe here a 22-year-old male Indian with decreased sleep, aggressive behaviour, self-muttering, disorganised behaviour, frequent spitting, biting and self-mutilation; he bit off his right ring finger and left thumb (Van Gogh syndrome). Self-harm behaviour was frequently evidenced by family members resulting in various injuries. The patient was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was treated with anti-psychotics which resulted in a decrease in his behavioural disturbances along with treatment for his self-mutilation injuries. Here we discuss Van Gogh syndrome’s presentation of self-mutilation in paranoid schizophrenia and its implications.
Endovascular treatment of wide-necked intracranial aneurysms using the novel Contour Neurovascular System: a single-center safety and feasibility study
Authors: Akhunbay-Fudge Christopher Yusuf , Deniz Kenan , Tyagi Atul Kumar , Patankar Tufail
Published: January 2020

Background and purpose

Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms pose a significant challenge to the treating clinician. The Contour Neurovascular System embolization device is a novel tool for the treatment of such intracranial aneurysms. We report on our experience with this device.

Methods

Prospective clinical and radiological data were collected for all patients treated with the Contour device at our center. All our patients were treated on an elective basis.

Results

We have treated 11 patients successfully with the Contour device to date. All patients were women with a mean (SD) age of 65.0 (6.4) years. In total, four basilar tip, two internal carotid artery, three middle cerebral artery, one anterior communicating artery, and one superior cerebellar artery aneurysms were treated. At 1-year follow-up, complete occlusion (Raymond Class 1) was seen in 55.56% (5/9) of cases, with 44.44% (4/9) having small neck remnants (Raymond Class 2). One patient declined 1-year catheter angiography and another had no further follow-up due to an unrelated medical condition. For six patients, 2-year radiological follow-up is available and shows stability. At 6 weeks, nine of the 11 patients had a modifed Rankin Scale score of 0, with two patients scoring 1 for headaches. Two patients had thromboembolic events, but there were no complications leading to permanent neurological disability or death. We additionally had three patients where the Contour device was attempted but was unable to be successfully used.

Conclusion

Initial results are promising although larger case numbers and longer follow-up are necessary to draw further conclusions on the utility and risk profile of this new device.
Onset and duration of cis‐atracurium neuromuscular block during fentanyl and lidocaine infusions in isoflurane‐anaesthetised dogs
Authors: Ida Keila K , Van‐Wijnsberghe Anne Sophie , Tutunaru Alexandru , Limpens Véronique , Sauvage Aurélie , Serteyn Didier , Sandersen Charlotte
Published: January 2020

Background

This retrospective study assessed the onset and duration of the neuromuscular block (NMB) induced by cis‐atracurium 0.15 mg/kg intravenously with and without fentanyl or lidocaine infusions in 45 isoflurane‐anaesthetised dogs.

Methods

Dogs with neuromuscular function assessed by a calibrated train‐of‐four (TOF) monitor with stimulation (every 13 s) of the peroneal nerve were included. The onset and duration of the NMB were defined as the time from cis‐atracurium administration until TOF=0 and the time during TOF=0 display, respectively.

Results

The NMB onset was shorter during fentanyl (mean±sd) (1.9±0.7 minutes; P=0.0042) and lidocaine (2.0±0.7 minutes; P=0.0154) compared with control (2.9±0.8 minutes). The NMB duration was shorter in the fentanyl (27.5±7.3 minutes; P=0.0491), but not in the lidocaine group (32.3±6.9 minutes; P=0.0790), compared with control (33.7±9.1 minutes). The NMB onset was poorly but significantly correlated with the dose of fentanyl and lidocaine administered before cis‐atracurium (r=−0.3396; P=0.0225). The fentanyl and lidocaine groups received more crystalloid and colloid boluses than the control.

Conclusions

Fentanyl and lidocaine shortened the NMB onset and the former decreased the NMB duration. Further prospective studies are required to clarify whether this was associated with an indirect decrease in blood pressure or a direct interaction between cis‐atracurium and fentanyl and lidocaine.
Effects of functional training and 2 interdisciplinary interventions on maximal oxygen uptake and weight loss of women with obesity: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: La Scala Teixeira Cauê Vazquez , Caranti Danielle Arisa , Oyama Lila Missae , Padovani Ricardo da Costa , Cuesta Maria Gabriela Soria , Moraes Amanda dos Santos , Cerrone Letícia Andrade , Affonso Luiz Henrique Lima , Gil Silvandro dos Santos , dos Santos Ronaldo V. Thomatieli , Gomes Ricardo José
Published: January 2020

Our aim was to analyze and compare functional training, interdisciplinary therapy, and interdisciplinary education on cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and anthropometric characteristics of women with obesity. Forty-four women (age = 39.7 ± 5.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 35.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) completed 30 weeks of intervention randomly assigned to 3 groups: functional training (FT) (n = 14), interdisciplinary therapy (IT) (n = 19), and interdisciplinary education (IE) (n = 11). The FT group participated in the training program (3/week), the IT group received the same training intervention plus nutrition (1/week) and psychology advice (1/week) and physical therapy (1/week). The IE group participated in interdisciplinary lectures on topics related to health promotion (1/month). CF (ergospirometry), anthropometry, and body composition (electrical bioimpedance) were measured pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). CF increased (p ≤ 0.05) significantly (Pre vs. Post) in the FT (7.5%) and IT (10.8%) groups, but not in the IE group (1.8%). Body mass (BM), BMI, relative fat mass, and waist circumference significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased (Pre vs. Post) in IT (−4.4%, −4.4%, −2.3%, and −5.1%, respectively). The IE group showed a significant decrease in BM (−3.7%), BMI (−3.7%), and waist circumference (−3.5%), whereas the FT group promoted significant decrease in waist circumference (−3.4%). In conclusion, functional training increased CF but only interdisciplinary interventions improved the anthropometric profile of women with obesity.

Novelty Interdisciplinary therapy provided more comprehensive adaptations in women with obesity, including morphological variables and CF. Functional training increased CF but reduced only abdominal obesity. Interdisciplinary education provided benefits on morphological variables, but it does not increase CF.
Comparing performance of catch-based and length-based stock assessment methods in data-limited fisheries
Authors: Pons Maite , Cope Jason M. , Kell Laurence T.
Published: January 2020

The quantity of data from many small-scale fisheries is insufficient to allow for the application of conventional assessment methods. Even though in many countries they are moving to closed-loop simulations to assess the performance of different management procedures in data-limited situations, managers in most developing countries are still demanding information on stock status. In this study we use the common metric of harvest rate to evaluate and compare the performance of the following catch-only and length-only assessment models: catch – maximum sustainable yield (Catch-MSY), depletion-based stock reduction analysis (DBSRA), simple Stock Synthesis (SSS), an extension of Catch-MSY (CMSY), length-based spawning potential ratio (LBSPR), length-based integrated mixed effects (LIME), and length-based Bayesian (LBB). In general, results were more biased for slightly depleted than for highly depleted stocks and for long-lived than for short-lived species. Length-based models, such as LIME, performed as well as catch-based methods in many scenarios, and among the catch-based models, the one with the best performance was SSS followed by CMSY.
Measurements of K-shell ionization cross sections of Fe, Ni, and Zn by 7–29 keV electron impact using the thick-target method
Authors: Tian L.X. , Dai C.C. , Liu Y.J.
Published: January 2020

The measurements of K-shell ionization cross sections for Fe, Ni, and Zn were performed using 7–29 keV electron impact on thick targets. Monte Carlo simulations were employed to correct the effects due to the multiple-scattered electrons and bremsstrahlung photons as well as other secondary particles within the thick targets. The so-called Tikhonov regularization method was adopted to deal with the ill-posed inverse problem involved in the thick-target method. The experimental results were compared with the DWBA and PWBA-C-Ex predictions as well as existing experimental data from the literature. It is observed that our experimental data are in better agreement with the theoretical results based on the DWBA model developed by Bote et al.
Quantum coherence under quantum fluctuation of spacetime
Authors: Huang Zhiming
Published: January 2020

We examine the behaviors of quantum coherence (QC) for an uniformly accelerated gravitationally polarizable object interacting with fluctuating quantum gravitational field. We firstly derive the master equation that governs the system evolution. Then we discuss the evolution of QC affected by quantum gravitational fluctuation and acceleration. It is found that, within the framework of open quantum system, the equilibrium state of the gravitationally polarizable object is driven to a thermal incoherent state, which implies an accelerated gravitationally polarizable object immersing in a bath of fluctuating gravitational field can generate Unruh-like effect. In addition, QC under quantum gravitational fluctuation only can last for some time. In general, QC exponentially decays to zero with increasing evolution time and acceleration which is similar to the case of matter field.
Comment on “Comment on Linear confinement of a scalar particle in a Gödel-type space-time”
Authors: Neto Francisco A. Cruz , Soares Camila C. , Castro Luis B.
Published: January 2020

We show that from an appropriate manipulation of the biconfluent Heun differential equation one can obtain the correct expression for the energy eigenvalues for the Klein–Gordon equation without potential in the background of Som–Raychaudhuri space-time with a cosmic string as a particular case ($$k_{L}=0$$kL=0) of Vitória et al. (Eur Phys J C 78(1):44, 2018), in opposition what was stated in a recent paper published in this journal (Ahmed in Eur Phys J C 79(8):682, 2019).
Thermodynamics and susceptibilities of isospin imbalanced QCD matter
Authors: Lu Zhen-Yan , Xia Cheng-Jun , Ruggieri Marco
Published: January 2020

We study the thermodynamics and the susceptibilities of quark matter in the framework of two-flavor Nambu–Jona–Lasinio model at finite isospin chemical potential and temperature. Isospin number density, normalized energy density and trace anomaly are shown to be in good agreement with the available lattice data as well as with the results from chiral perturbation theory at zero temperature. We also study how susceptibilities depend on the isospin chemical potential and on temperature. We find a peak for the chiral, pion, and isospin susceptibilities at the critical isospin chemical potential, $$\mu _I^c(T)$$μIc(T), at the boundary of the phase transition between the normal and pion superfluid phase. Moreover, temperature makes the transition from normal to pion condensed phase smoother. We also note that the pion susceptibility always remains zero in the normal phase while it is finite in the superfluid phase.
Effect of high intense electron beam irradiation on structural and Raman properties of boron carbide micro powder
Authors: Mirzayev M. N. , Abdurakhimov B. A. , Jabarov S. H. , Tashmetov M. Yu. , Demir E. , Tiep N. V. , Ismayilova N. A. , Aliyev Y. I. , Popov E. , Mirzayeva D. M. , Karaaslan S. I. , Georgiev G. I.
Published: January 2020

In the presented work, a boron carbide sample with a purity of 99.9%, particle size [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text]m and a density of [Formula: see text] was used. Boron carbide samples were irradiated with linear electrons in the energy range of 2.5 MeV at the doses of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at room temperature. XRD results show that only in the crystal structure of [Formula: see text] compound, among boron carbide samples irradiated in the dose rate from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] phase transition does not occur. The observed decrease in the lattice parameter values was explained as the strengthening of the bonds as a result of the recombination of defects in the crystal by influencing electron fluence. Dynamics of Raman spectra change and analytic analysis of intensive and duplex modes in various electron fluxes in ([Formula: see text]) CBC-structure were performed and the occurring disorder in Raman active has been identified.
Quantum and dual-tree complex wavelet transform-based image watermarking
Authors: Ghai Deepika , Gianey Hemant Kumar , Jain Arpit , Uppal Raminder Singh
Published: January 2020

Nowadays, multimedia applications are extensively utilized and communicated over Internet. Due to the use of public networks for communication, the multimedia data are prone to various security attacks. In the past few decades, image watermarking has been extensively utilized to handle this issue. Its main objective is to embed a watermark into a host multimedia data without affecting its presentation. However, the existing methods are not so effective against multiplicative attacks. Therefore, in this paper, a novel quantum-based image watermarking technique is proposed. It initially computes the dual-tree complex wavelet transform coefficients of an input cover image. The watermark image is then scrambled using Arnold transform. Thereafter, in the lower coefficient input the watermark image is embedded using quantum-based singular value decomposition (SVD). Finally, the covered image is obtained by applying the inverse dual-tree complex wavelet transform on the obtained coefficients. Comparative analyses are carried out by considering the proposed and the existing watermarking techniques. It has been found that the proposed technique outperforms existing watermarking techniques in terms of various performance metrics.
Multifractal Analysis of African Stock Markets During the 2007–2008 US Crisis
Authors: Tilfani Oussama , El Boukfaoui My Youssef
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we examine the effects of subprime crisis on the largest African stock markets (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco) by testing the fractal market hypothesis. We use a rolling window Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis, and find decline in local Hurst exponent and an increase in short-term trading activity for all considered stock markets during the global financial crisis. We furthermore investigate the interrelationships of African and the American stock markets using multi-scale contagion test. Findings suggest that the cross-correlation of African stock markets increases with American markets becoming higher during the crisis sub-period. However, the presence of contagion or interdependence effects are country and time horizon-dependent. Implications of the results are discussed.
Dielectric Elastomer as a New Material for Electrostatically Actuated Microbeams: Stability Analysis
Authors: Fathalilou Mohammad , Rezaei-Abajelou Pegah , Vefaghi Afsoon , Rezazadeh Ghader
Published: January 2020

Due to the interesting properties such as light weight and high deformation ability, dielectric elastomer (DE) resonators can be good alternatives for conventional silicon resonant beams used in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS). This paper proposes a modeling in which a pre-stretched clamped-clamped DE-based microbeam oscillating above the ground substrate is subjected to an external electrostatic pressure. Using a DE-based beam affects the total rigidity of the system, which may lead to an anticipated saddle-node or pitchfork bifurcation. Hence, the present study tries to analyze the effects of DE properties on changing the stability regime of DE-based microbeams under electrostatic actuation. The stability of the system has been investigated using an eigen-value form of the problem. The effects of DE properties including pre-stress, relative permittivity and voltage value across the electrodes on pull-in or divergence instability as well as the frequency response of the system have been investigated. Moreover, the critical values of the DE voltage as a booster of instability occurrence have been obtained in either the presence or absence of the direct current (DC) voltage. It has been found that the pre-stress and appropriate DE permittivity can provide a needed magnitude of the DE actuating voltage to alter the resonance frequency and stability positions of the structure.
Soluble PTX3 of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuates Hyperoxic Lung Injury by Activating Macrophage Polarization in Neonatal Rat Model
Authors: Kim Miyeon , Kwon Ji Hye , Bae Yun Kyung , Kim Gee-Hye , Um Soyoun , Ha Jueun , Choi Soo Jin , Oh Wonil , Jin Hye Jin
Published: January 2020

Therapeutic treatment of various inflammation-related diseases using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has increased in recent years because of the paracrine action of these cells but shows several limitations. First, MSC-based therapies exhibit varying efficacies; thus, biomarkers should be determined to identify who may benefit from these candidate therapeutic agents. Second, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects is poorly understood. To evaluate the effects of human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (UCB-MSCs) on macrophages, the macrophage cell line NR8383 stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was cocultured by UCB-MSCs. We found that UCB-MSCs mediated changes in macrophage polarization towards M2 from M1 macrophages. To identify the paracrine action underlying the anti-inflammation effect of UCB-MSCs, the secretion of UCB-MSCs exposed to LPS-stimulated NR8383 cells was tested using a biotin label-based 507 antibody array. Among the secreted proteins, we selected pentraxin-related protein PTX3/tumor necrosis factor-inducible gene 14 protein (PTX3) to investigate its association with UCB-MSCs in macrophage polarization. We found that human PTX3 was secreted from UCB-MSCs under inflammation condition and reinforced the M2 macrophage marker via the Dectin-1 receptor by activating MSK1/2 phosphorylation signaling in NR8383 cells. Accordingly, knockdown of PTX3 in UCB-MSCs significantly attenuated their therapeutic effects in a neonatal hyperoxic lung injury resulting in reduced survival, lung alveolarization, M2 marker expression, Dectin-1 levels, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and improved M1 marker expression and inflammatory cytokines compared to control MSC-injected rats. UCB-MSCs show therapeutic potential by controlling macrophage polarization. Interestingly, higher PTX3 levels in UCB-MSCs induced greater improvement in the therapeutic effects than lower PTX3 levels. Collectively, PTX3 is a potential marker with critical paracrine effects for predicting the therapeutic potential of MSC therapy in inflammatory diseases; quality control assessments using PTX3 may be useful for improving the therapeutic effects of UCB-MSCs.
Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control for a 3-DOF Parallel Manipulator with Parameters Uncertainties
Authors: Zhang Haiqiang , Fang Hairong , Zhang Dan , Luo Xueling , Zou Qi
Published: January 2020

Parallel manipulators possess the advantages of being compact structure, high stiffness, stability and high accuracy, so such parallel manipulators have been widely employed in application fields as diverse as parallel kinematic machine, motion simulator platform, medical rehabilitation device, and so on. Due to the complexity of the closed-loop structural system, an accurate dynamic model is very difficult to be derived in the absence of some uncertainties parameters and external disturbances. In order to improve the trajectory tracking accuracy with time-varying and nonlinear parameters, this paper addresses the design and implement of adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control (AFSMC) for a three-degree-of-freedom (DOF) parallel manipulator, where internal force term can be linearly separated into a regression matrix and a parameter vector that contains the estimated errors. Furthermore, fuzzy inference unit is utilized to modify the gain parameters in real-time by using the state feedback from the task space and the adaptive law is performed to update uncertainties in dynamic parameters. The proposed controller is deduced in the sense of Lyapunov theory to guarantee the stability while improving the trajectory tracking performance. Finally, simulation experiment results demonstrate that the proposed control method is insensitive to uncertainties and disturbances and permits to decrease the requirement for the bound of these uncertainties, which validate the effectiveness of the developed control method and exhibit good trajectory tracking performance compared with sliding mode control (SMC) and fuzzy sliding model control (FSMC).
Microscopic Traffic Simulation Calibration Level for Reliable Estimation of Vehicle Emissions
Authors: Kim Jinsoo , Kim Jae Hun , Lee Gunwoo , Shin Hyun-ju , Park Jahng Hyon
Published: January 2020

Vehicle emissions are largely determined by the details of driving behaviours. Accordingly, emissions are often estimated by integrating micro-scale emission models into traffic simulations. Under this approach, it is essential to replicate the actual traffic situation being considered in an emission evaluation using a proper calibration procedure. Most previous research with respect to traffic flow has primarily focused on adjusting the complex combinations of parameters evaluated in these models, but it is not guaranteed that the use of widely used calibration measures can lead more accurate emissions estimates. Accordingly, we propose a systematic guideline for calibration to ensure reliable micro-scale emissions estimates. A calibration procedure is thus established in this paper based on various measure of effect (MOE) compositions (i.e., calibration levels) consisting of aggregated traffic data to identify the level that most reliably estimates micro-scale emissions. Five calibration levels of progressively more detailed measurements are first defined, valid calibration levels are identified, and the reliable calibration level is finally selected based on the available traffic data. The effect of vehicle type (i.e., light vs. heavy vehicles) composition on the estimated emissions is also evaluated for a well-calibrated simulation. We expect that a highly reliable estimation of emissions is possible using this more detailed traffic simulation calibration measurement.