bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel ALU Circuit based on Reversible Logic
Authors: Banerjee Arindam , Das Debesh Kumar
Published: November 2019

We propose a new ALU circuit based on reversible logic. The ALU circuit implements two addition methodologies. The outputs are generated at some fixed lines for each arithmetic or logic function. A satisfactory tradeoff is achieved between the line count and the quantum cost. Reduction in ancillary inputs and garbage outputs causes a decrease in fabrication cost. The proposed designs outperform the earlier designs with respect to delay, line count and number of operations. The libraries NOT–CNOT–V–[Formula: see text] are used to optimize the quantum cost of the proposed designs.
HEDGING OPTIONS IN A DOUBLY MARKOV-MODULATED FINANCIAL MARKET VIA STOCHASTIC FLOWS
Authors: SIU TAK KUEN , ELLIOTT ROBERT J.
Published: November 2019

The hedging of a European-style contingent claim is studied in a continuous-time doubly Markov-modulated financial market, where the interest rate of a bond is modulated by an observable, continuous-time, finite-state, Markov chain and the appreciation rate of a risky share is modulated by a continuous-time, finite-state, hidden Markov chain. The first chain describes the evolution of credit ratings of the bond over time while the second chain models the evolution of the hidden state of an underlying economy over time. Stochastic flows of diffeomorphisms are used to derive some hedge quantities, or Greeks, for the claim. A mixed filter-based and regime-switching Black–Scholes partial differential equation is obtained governing the price of the claim. It will be shown that the delta hedge ratio process obtained from stochastic flows is a risk-minimizing, admissible mean-self-financing portfolio process. Both the first-order and second-order Greeks will be considered.
Wrinkling Analysis of Pre-Stressed Rectangular Membranes Using Element-Free Galerkin Method
Authors: Unnikrishnan K. R. , Praveen Krishna I. R. , Arun C. O.
Published: November 2019

In this study, element-free Galerkin method (EFGM), a meshless method, is proposed for wrinkling analysis of pre-stressed rectangular membranes. The mathematical model for studying wrinkling of pre-stressed membranes is derived by considering the bending stiffness, though it is negligible. Moving least-square approximation for deflection is constructed by considering three degrees of freedom per node. Essential boundary conditions are imposed using scaled transformation matrix method. Initially, compression-induced buckling of a homogeneous thin plate without pre-stress is solved to validate the method and then a pre-stressed homogeneous membrane is analyzed for both compression-induced and shear-induced wrinkling. Capabilities of the proposed method for membrane analysis are compared with that of the finite element method (FEM). Comparative study on wrinkling analysis using EFGM and different FEM element types in a commercial FEM package shows that in lower modes both methods show satisfying consistency in eigenvalues with respect to the total of number of nodes, while at higher modes EFGM shows better consistency than FEM. Further, the study is extended to wrinkling of nonhomogeneous membranes subjected to linearly-varying in-plane load. The results obtained from EFGM analysis is compared and found to be matching well with those available in the literature.
Design, Optimization and Nonlinear Response Control Analysis of the Mega Sub-Controlled Structural System (MSCSS) Under Earthquake Action
Authors: Abdulhadi Mustapha , Xun’an Zhang , Fan Buqiao , Moman Muhammad
Published: November 2019

The lately proposed mega sub-controlled structure (MSCSS) remarkably improved the seismic resistance ability and reduced vibration effects much more than the mega substructure (MSS). However, the controlling effectiveness and its optimization remain a significant concern. In this paper, a new configuration of MSCSS is analyzed in which viscous dampers are optimally arranged between mega-frame and substructural frame and optimal damper parameters are investigated. Also, rubber bearings are designed and introduced at the top of the additional column to ease the horizontal constraints between the additional column and mega-floor beam and improve the structural design of MSCSS, so that the structure has a larger span and further reduces the structural response. The result showed that optimal parameters of the damper and its optimal arrangement have a significant influence in the control effectiveness of MSCSS. Furthermore, the addition of a rubber bearing at the top of the additional column improves the mechanical behavior of the column and further reduces the acceleration response of both the mega-frame structure and the substructure. This paper also shows that the percentage reduction of the acceleration is more within the substructure than at the mega-frame structure. The seismic response of this structure under El Centro is less than the Taft (NE) wave and the percentage reduction is more under the Taft wave than under the El Centro wave.
FORECASTING REALIZED VOLATILITY DYNAMICALLY BASED ON ADJUSTED DYNAMIC MODEL AVERAGING (AMDA) APPROACH: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA’S STOCK MARKET
Authors: YUAN PING
Published: November 2019

In this study, we forecast the realized volatility of the CSI 300 index using the heterogeneous autoregressive model for realized volatility (HAR-RV) and its various extensions. Our models take into account the time-varying property of the models’ parameters and the volatility of realized volatility. The adjusted dynamic model averaging (ADMA) approach, is used to combine the forecasts of the individual models. Our empirical results suggest that ADMA can generate more accurate forecasts than DMA method and alternative strategies. Models that use time-varying parameters have greater forecasting accuracy than models that use the constant coefficients.
Choosing Among Pro-Poor Policy Options in the Delivery of Municipal Water Services
Authors: Cook Joseph , Fuente David , Whittington Dale
Published: November 2019

The poor are most likely to suffer from a service provider that cannot reliably supply high-quality water through the piped network. Effectively assisting the poor is a key component of a successful tariff reform process. This paper provides practical, up-to-date advice that water utilities, municipalities, central governments, and donors can use to design and implement pro-poor policies for municipal water supply in low- and middle-income countries. After mapping contextual factors for a given situation and outlining the set of pro-poor policy alternatives, we use a simplified typology to diagnose common types of situations a water provider might be facing, provide policy recommendations, highlight potential policy mistakes, and discuss the challenges that policymakers are likely to face.
Crustal structure of the central sector of the NE Brazilian equatorial margin
Authors: Tamara Javier , McClay Ken R. , Hodgson Neil
Published: November 2019

The central equatorial Brazilian margin is divided into the Amazon and Barreirinhas divergent segments separated by the Pará-Maranhão transform segment. Analysis of regional 2D seismic lines allowed the definition of the crustal architecture of the margin. In the study area, the Barreirinhas segment has a proximal domain with a 30–35 km-thick continental crust, a 20–40 km-wide necked domain where the crust thins to 10 km, and an outboard domain with hyperextended continental crust. The Pará-Maranhão and Amazon segments consist of exhumation domains and their transition to ocean crust. Their structural styles indicate that this is a magma-poor passive margin with oceanic crust formed in a slow spreading centre. The Pará-Maranhão segment is bounded by two branches of the Saint Paul Fracture Zone that displace crustal domains with structures that document the transition from the distal part of a transform margin to an oceanic fracture zone. Two groups of post-rift volcanic complexes have been identified in the exhumation and oceanic domains, and whose distribution is controlled by the fracture zones. Late Cretaceous–Recent gravitationally-driven slide systems and mass-transport deposits indicate long-lived margin collapse and sediment redistribution fundamentally controlled by the underlying crustal structure of this part of the northeastern Brasilian passive margin.
Microfossil assemblages as key to reconstruct sea-level fluctuations, cooling episodes and palaeogeography: The Albian to Maastrichtian of Boreal and Peri-Tethyan Russia
Authors: Vishnevskaya Valentina S. , Kopaevich Ludmila F.
Published: November 2019

The main palaeogeographic features of the Late Cretaceous Eastern European Platform and its southern framework are reconstructed mainly based on micropalaeontological data. An integrated foraminiferal–radiolarian zonation for the Upper Albian–Maastrichtian serves as a basis for palaeogeographic reconstructions and as a framework for the interpretation of palaeoclimate and sea-level trends. The study focuses on time slices of late Albian–Cenomanian, Turonian–Coniacian and Santonian–Campanian intervals. The late Albian was characterized by the gradual disappearance of a meridional seaway and the opening of connections into the Tethys Ocean and parts of the Peri-Tethys seas during the Cenomanian. As a result, mainly carbonate sedimentation prevailed during middle Turonian–Santonian times, characterized by high global sea-level. A cold Boreal water influence can be discerned not only along the northern margin of the Eastern European Platform, but as far south as the Northern Caucasus during certain time intervals, particularly during the Campanian. The Western Siberia Boreal Basin also influenced the study area, giving evidence of cooler-water episodes through the Palaeo-Ural territory and the Turgai Seaway.
Design and Analysis of Delay-Tolerant Intelligent Intersection Management
Authors: Zheng Bowen , Lin Chung-Wei , Shiraishi Shinichi , Zhu Qi
Published: November 2019

The rapid development of vehicular network and autonomous driving technologies provides opportunities to significantly improve transportation safety and efficiency. One promising application is centralized intelligent intersection management, where an intersection manager accepts requests from approaching vehicles (via vehicle-to-infrastructure communication messages) and schedules the order for those vehicles to safely crossing the intersection. However, communication delays and packet losses may occur due to the unreliable nature of wireless communication or malicious security attacks (e.g., jamming and flooding), and could cause deadlocks and unsafe situations. In our previous work, we considered these issues and proposed a delay-tolerant intersection management protocol for intersections with a single lane in each direction. In this work, we address key challenges in efficiency and deadlock when there are multiple lanes from each direction, and propose a delay-tolerant protocol for general multi-lane intersection management. We prove that this protocol is deadlock free, safe, and satisfies the liveness property. Furthermore, we extend the traffic simulation suite SUMO with communication modules, implement our protocol in the extended simulator, and quantitatively analyze its performance with the consideration of communication delays. Finally, we also model systems that use smart traffic lights with various back-pressure scheduling methods in SUMO, including the basic back-pressure control, the capacity-aware back-pressure control, and the adaptive max-pressure control. We then compare our delay-tolerant intelligent intersection protocol with smart traffic lights that use the three back-pressure scheduling methods, in the case of a network of interconnected intersections. Simulation results demonstrate that our approach significant outperforms the smart traffic lights under normal operation (i.e., when the communication delay is not too large).
Review of "Algorithms of oppression: how search engines reinforce racism," by Noble, S. U. (2018). New York, New York: NYU Press.
Authors: Zobel Gregory
Published: November 2019

Read and considered thoughtfully, Safiya Umoja Noble'sAlgorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racismis devastating. It reduces to rubble the notion that technology is neutral and ideology-free. Noble's crushing the neutrality myth does several things. First, this act lays foundations for her argument: only if you recognize and understand that technology is built with, and integrates, bias, can you then be open to her primary thesis: search engines advance discriminatory and often racist content. Second, it banishes a convenient response for many self-identified meritocratic Silicon Valley "winners" and their supporters. Post-reading, some individuals may retain their beliefs in a neutral and ideology-free technology in spite of the overwhelming evidence and citations Noble brings to bear. Effective countering of Noble's claims is unlikely to occur. For professionals working in technology, information, argumentation, and/or rhetorical studies,Algorithms of Oppressionis refreshing. Agonistic towards structural racism and its defenses, single-minded in its evidentiary presentation, collaborative in its acknowledgement of others' scholarship and research, Noble models many academic, critical, and social moves. Technology scholars and writers will find inAlgorithms of Oppressiona masterful mentor text on how to be an activist researcher scholar. Noble also makes this enjoyable reading. It is uncommon to find academic books that can simultaneously be read, used, and applied by academics and non-academics alike.
Data Sets, Modeling, and Decision Making in Smart Cities
Authors: Ma Meiyi , Preum Sarah M. , Ahmed Mohsin Y. , Tärneberg William , Hendawi Abdeltawab , Stankovic John A.
Published: November 2019

Cities are deploying tens of thousands of sensors and actuators and developing a large array of smart services. The smart services use sophisticated models and decision-making policies supported by Cyber Physical Systems and Internet of Things technologies. The increasing number of sensors collects a large amount of city data across multiple domains. The collected data have great potential value, but has not yet been fully exploited. This survey focuses on the domains of transportation, environment, emergency and public safety, energy, and social sensing. This article carefully reviews both the data sets being collected across 14 smart cities and the state-of-the-art work in modeling and decision making methodologies. The article also points out the characteristics, challenges faced today, and those challenges that will be exacerbated in the future. Key data issues addressed include heterogeneity, interdisciplinary, integrity, completeness, real-timeliness, and interdependencies. Key decision making issues include safety and service conflicts, security, uncertainty, humans in the loop, and privacy.
A System-level Behavioral Detection Framework for Compromised CPS Devices
Authors: Babun Leonardo , Aksu Hidayet , Uluagac A. Selcuk
Published: November 2019

Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) play a significant role in our critical infrastructure networks from power-distribution to utility networks. The emerging smart-grid concept is a compelling critical CPS infrastructure that relies on two-way communications between smart devices to increase efficiency, enhance reliability, and reduce costs. However,
compromised devices
in the smart grid poses several security challenges. Consequences of propagating fake data or stealing sensitive smart grid information via compromised devices are costly. Hence, early behavioral detection of compromised devices is critical for protecting the smart grid’s components and data. To address these concerns, in this article, we introduce a novel and configurable system-level framework to identify compromised smart grid devices. The framework combines system and function call tracing techniques with signal processing and statistical analysis to detect compromised devices based on their behavioral characteristics. We measure the efficacy of our framework with a realistic smart grid substation testbed that includes both resource-limited and resource-rich devices. In total, using our framework, we analyze six different types of compromised device scenarios with different resources and attack payloads. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed framework is the first in detecting compromised CPS smart grid devices with system and function-level call tracing techniques. The experimental results reveal an excellent rate for the detection of compromised devices. Specifically, performance metrics include accuracy values between 95% and 99% for the different attack scenarios. Finally, the performance analysis demonstrates that the use of the proposed framework has minimal overhead on the smart grid devices’ computing resources.
Dynamic QBF Dependencies in Reduction and Expansion
Authors: Beyersdorff Olaf , Blinkhorn Joshua
Published: November 2019

We provide the first proof complexity results for QBF dependency calculi. By showing that the reflexive resolution path dependency scheme admits exponentially shorter Q-resolution proofs on a known family of instances, we answer a question first posed by Slivovsky and Szeider in 2014 [37]. Further, we conceive a method of QBF solving in which dependency recomputation is utilised as a form of inprocessing. Formalising this notion, we introduce a new version of Q-resolution in which a dependency scheme is applied dynamically. We demonstrate the further potential of this approach beyond that of the existing static system with an exponential separation. Last, we show that the same picture emerges in an analogous approach to the universal expansion paradigm.
TOP
Authors: Yan Li , Shen Haiying
Published: November 2019

Traffic congestion control is pivotal for intelligent transportation systems. Previous works optimize vehicle speed for different objectives such as minimizing fuel consumption and minimizing travel time. However, they overlook the possible congestion generation in the future (e.g., in 5 minutes), which may degrade the performance of achieving the objectives. In this article, we propose a vehicle Trajectory–based driving speed OPtimization strategy (
TOP
) to minimize vehicle travel time and meanwhile avoid generating congestion. Its basic idea is to adjust vehicles’ mobility to alleviate road congestion globally.
TOP
has a framework for collecting vehicles’ information to a central server, which calculates the parameters depicting the future road condition (e.g., driving time, vehicle density, and probability of accident). Based on the collected information, the central server also measures the friendship among the vehicles and considers the delay caused by red traffic signals to help estimating the vehicle density of the road segments. The server then formulates a non-cooperative Stackelberg game considering these parameters, in which when each vehicle aims to minimize its travel time, the road congestion is also proactively avoided. After the Stackelberg equilibrium is reached, the optimal driving speed for each vehicle and the expected vehicle density that maximizes the utilization of the road network are determined. Our real trace analysis confirms some characteristics of vehicle mobility to support the design of
TOP
. Extensive trace-driven experiments show the effectiveness and superior performance of
TOP
in comparison with other driving speed optimization methods.
Fast and Practical Snippet Generation for RDF Datasets
Authors: Liu Daxin , Cheng Gong , Liu Qingxia , Qu Yuzhong
Published: November 2019

Triple-structured open data creates value in many ways. However, the reuse of datasets is still challenging. Users feel difficult to assess the usefulness of a large dataset containing thousands or millions of triples. To satisfy the needs, existing abstractive methods produce a concise high-level abstraction of data. Complementary to that, we adopt the extractive strategy and aim to select the optimum small subset of data from a dataset as a snippet to compactly illustrate the content of the dataset. This has been formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem in our previous work. In this article, we design a new algorithm for the problem, which is an order of magnitude faster than the previous one but has the same approximation ratio. We also develop an anytime algorithm that can generate empirically better solutions using additional time. To suit datasets that are partially accessible via online query services (e.g., SPARQL endpoints for RDF data), we adapt our algorithms to trade off quality of snippet for feasibility and efficiency in the Web environment. We carry out extensive experiments based on real RDF datasets and SPARQL endpoints for evaluating quality and running time. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of our proposed algorithms.
Designing an Immersive Environment from the User's Perspective
Authors: Dzbenski Michael A.
Published: November 2019

This review examines Casey Fictum's "VR UX: 100 Pages of VR UX, Design, Sound, Storytelling, Movement & Controls." Fictum creates a fast-paced, concise guide for readers looking to create virtual reality environments centered around the consumers who use the technology. The book interlaces technical information, imaginative storytelling, testing protocols, checklists, and amusing stories. This gives the reader perspective through the lens of a true expert in the fields of virtual reality, experience creation, head-mounted displays, and field-testing the technology. The review evaluates the strengths of the book and analyzes the author's process in creating and evaluating meaningful content that is comfortable for the targeted virtual reality user.
Aging and Lung Disease
Authors: Cho Soo Jung , Stout-Delgado Heather W.
Published: November 2019

People worldwide are living longer, and it is estimated that by 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years of age will nearly double. Natural lung aging is associated with molecular and physiological changes that cause alterations in lung function, diminished pulmonary remodeling and regenerative capacity, and increased susceptibility to acute and chronic lung diseases. As the aging population rapidly grows, it is essential to examine how alterations in cellular function and cell-to-cell interactions of pulmonary resident cells and systemic immune cells contribute to a higher risk of increased susceptibility to infection and development of chronic diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. This review provides an overview of physiological, structural, and cellular changes in the aging lung and immune system that facilitate the development and progression of disease.
Loop analysis of the anal sphincter complex in fecal incontinent patients using functional luminal imaging probe
Authors: Zifan Ali , Mittal Ravinder K. , Kunkel David C. , Swartz Jessica , Barr Garrett , Tuttle Lori J.
Published: November 2019

Cardiac loops have been used extensively to study myocardial function. With changes in cardiac pump function, loops are shifted to the right or left. Functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) recordings allow for loop analysis of the anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle (PRM) function. The goal was to characterize anal sphincter area-pressure/tension loop changes in fecal incontinence (FI) patients. Fourteen healthy subjects and 14 patients with FI were studied. A custom-designed FLIP was placed in the vagina and then in the anal canal, and deflated in 20-ml steps, from 90 to 30 ml. At each volume, subjects performed maximal voluntary squeezes. Area-pressure (AP) and area-tension (AT) loops were generated for each squeeze cycle. Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the anal sphincter and PRM were obtained to determine the relationship between anal sphincter muscle damage and loop movements. With the increase in bag volume, AP loops and AT loops shifted to the right and upward in normal subjects (both anal and vaginal). The shift to the right was greater, and the upward movement was less in FI patients. The difference in the location of AP loops and AT loops was statistically significant at volumes of 50 ml to 90 ml ( P < 0.05). A similar pattern was found in the vaginal loops. There is a significant relationship between the damage to the anal sphincter and PRM, and loop location of FI patients. We propose AP and AT loops as novel ways to assess the anal sphincter and PRM function. Such loops can be generated by real-time measurement of pressure and area within the anal canal.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We describe the use of area-pressure (AP) and area-tension (AT)-loop analysis of the anal sphincters and puborectalis muscles in normal subjects and fecal incontinent patients using the functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP). There are differences in the magnitude of the displacement of the loops with increase in the FLIP bag volume between normal subjects and patients with fecal incontinence. The latter group shifts more to the right in AP and AT space.
Traumatic Pelvic Ring Injury following Childbirth with Complete Pubic Symphysis Diastasis
Authors: Seidman Aaron , Brossy Kelley , Faulkner Alfred , Taylor Jeffrey
Published: November 2019

Case. Traumatic pelvic ring injury following childbirth is a rare but debilitating condition. We present a case of a 28-year-old female who sustained a traumatic pelvic ring injury following childbirth with a complete pubic symphysis separation of 5.6 cm treated successfully with nonoperative management. Conclusion. Operative and nonoperative treatments for traumatic pelvic ring injuries following childbirth have been described without universal adoption of a uniform treatment modality. We hope this case study adds to the collection of data to help guide medical decision-making in the future as surgeons encounter patients with similar orthopedic injuries.
Shear Stress Promotes Arterial Endothelium-Oriented Differentiation of Mouse-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Huang Yan , Chen Xiaofang , Che Jifei , Zhan Qi , Ji Jing , Fan Yubo
Published: November 2019

Establishment of a functional vascular network, which is required in tissue repair and regeneration, needs large-scale production of specific arterial or venous endothelial cells (ECs) from stem cells. Previous in vitro studies by us and others revealed that shear stress induces EC differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells. In this study, we focused on the impact of different magnitudes of shear stress on the differentiation of mouse-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) towards arterial or venous ECs. When iPSCs were exposed to shear stress (5, 10, and 15 dyne/cm2) with 50 ng/mL vascular endothelial growth factor and 10 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor, the expression levels of the general EC markers and the arterial markers increased, and the stress amplitude of 10 dyne/cm2 could be regarded as a proper promoter, whereas the venous and lymphatic markers had little or no expression. Further, shear stress caused cells to align parallel to the direction of the flow, induced cells forming functional tubes, and increased the secretion of nitric oxide. In addition, Notch1 was significantly upregulated, and the Notch ligand Delta-like 4 was activated in response to shear stress, while inhibition of Notch signaling by DAPT remarkably abolished the shear stress-induced arterial epithelium differentiation. Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to appropriate shear stress facilitated the differentiation of mouse iPSCs towards arterial ECs via Notch signaling pathways, which have potential applications for both disease modeling and regenerative medicine.
Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Transplantation Attenuates Inflammation and Promotes Liver Regeneration after Ischemia-Reperfusion and Hemihepatectomy in Swine
Authors: Jiao Zhihui , Ma Yajun , Liu Xiaoning , Ge Yansong , Zhang Qianzhen , Liu Boyang , Wang Hongbin
Published: November 2019

Aim. To study the anti-inflammatory and liver regenerative effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) on a porcine model of ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and hemihepatectomy. Methods. Eighteen healthy Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into the sham-operated (sham), untreated IR injury (IRI), and ADSC-transplanted (ADSC) groups. Hepatic IR was established by laparoscopic hemihepatectomy. ADSCs were transplanted directly into the liver parenchyma after the surgery. Hepatic inflammation and liver regeneration were evaluated by histopathological examination and assessment of relevant cytokines and other factors. Results. ADSC transplantation successfully ameliorated the IRI-induced histopathological damage and the high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In addition, the ADSCs enhanced the expression of the anti-inflammatory IL-10, regenerative factors including HGF, Cyclin D1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and angiogenic factors like VEGF, ANG-1, and ANG-2. Conclusions. ADSCs attenuated the hepatic IRI-induced inflammatory response and promoted liver regeneration.
Ranirestat Improved Nerve Conduction Velocities, Sensory Perception, and Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density in Rats with Overt Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Authors: Asano Saeko , Himeno Tatsuhito , Hayami Tomohide , Motegi Mikio , Inoue Rieko , Nakai-Shimoda Hiromi , Miura-Yura Emiri , Morishita Yoshiaki , Kondo Masaki , Tsunekawa Shin , Kato Yoshiro , Kato Koichi , Naruse Keiko , Nakamura Jiro , Kamiya Hideki
Published: November 2019

Distal sensory-motor polyneuropathy is one of the most frequent diabetic complications. However, few therapies address the etiology of neurodegeneration in the peripheral nervous systems of diabetic patients. Several metabolic mechanisms have been proposed as etiologies of this polyneuropathy. In this study, we revisited one of those mechanisms, the polyol pathway, and investigated the curative effects of a novel strong aldose reductase inhibitor, ranirestat, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with preexisting polyneuropathy. Twelve weeks after the onset of diabetes, rats which had an established polyneuropathy were treated once daily with a placebo, ranirestat, or epalrestat, over 6 weeks. Before and after the treatment, nerve conduction velocities and thermal perception threshold of hindlimbs were examined. After the treatment, intraepidermal fiber density was evaluated. As an ex vivo assay, murine dorsal root ganglion cells were dispersed and cultured with or without 1 μmol/l ranirestat for 48 hours. After the culture, neurite outgrowth was quantified using immunological staining. Sensory nerve conduction velocity increased in diabetic rats treated with ranirestat (43.3±3.6 m/s) compared with rats treated with placebo (39.8±2.3). Motor nerve conduction velocity also increased in the ranirestat group (45.6±3.9) compared with the placebo group (38.9±3.5). The foot withdrawal latency to noxious heating was improved in the ranirestat group (17.7±0.6 seconds) compared with the placebo group (20.6±0.6). The decrease in the intraepidermal fiber density was significant in the diabetic placebo group (21.6±1.7/mm) but not significant in the diabetic ranirestat group (26.2±1.2) compared with the nondiabetic placebo group (30.3±1.5). Neurite outgrowth was promoted in the neurons supplemented with ranirestat (control 1446±147 μm/neuron, ranirestat 2175±149). Ranirestat improved the peripheral nervous dysfunctions in rats with advanced diabetic polyneuropathy. Ranirestat could have potential for regeneration in the peripheral nervous system of diabetic rats.
Analysis of Interarch Tooth Size Relationship in Nepalese Subjects with Normal Occlusion and Malocclusions
Authors: Mishra Rajeev Kumar , Kafle Dashrath , Gupta Rahul
Published: November 2019

Introduction. A proportional relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth size is required for achieving good finish with proper overjet and overbite postorthodontic treatment. The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the anterior and overall Bolton’s ratio in Nepalese population, to compare Bolton’s ratio between subjects with normal occlusion, Class I malocclusion, and Class II malocclusion, to compare these results with Bolton’s norm, and to determine the frequency of clinically significant (beyond 2 SD) tooth size discrepancy compared to Bolton’s norm. Materials and Methods. The study models of the subjects with normal occlusion and Angle’s Class I malocclusion and Class II malocclusion and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were retrieved from department archives. An electronic digital caliper was used to measure mesiodistal tooth size of the maxillary and mandibular teeth anterior to the second molars. The study sample of 120 study models consisted of the normal occlusion group (n = 31), Class I malocclusion group (n = 47), and Class II malocclusion group (n = 42). These measurements were then used to obtain Bolton’s ratio in three groups of subjects. Bolton’s ratio of study groups was compared with each other and with Bolton’s original ratio. Results. The differences in tooth size ratio of the study groups were not significant statistically, when the groups were compared on the basis of malocclusion or gender. Statistically significant differences were exclusively observed between the study groups and Bolton’s original sample for the anterior ratio. The frequency of the clinically significant tooth size ratio discrepancy was lower for the overall ratio (9.1%) compared to the anterior ratio (22.5%). Conclusions. Bolton’s analysis on the Nepalese population sample shows that there was no significant difference observed on the anterior and overall tooth size ratios when these were compared based on Angle’s malocclusion classes or gender. The clinically significant anterior tooth size discrepancy was more prevalent than that of the overall ratio.
A New Minimize Matrix Computation Coding Method for Distributed Storage Systems
Authors: Yin Chao , Lv Haitao , Li Tongfang , Qu Xiaoping , Wang Jianzong , Gao Guangyong
Published: November 2019

With the number of nodes increasing in scale, the requirements of storage space enlarge sharply in distributed storage systems. Failure‐tolerance schemes such as Reed–Solomon codes (RS codes in short) and Cauchy Reed–Solomon codes (CRS codes in short) are used to save storage space. However, these failure‐tolerance schemes severely degrade the system performance. In this paper, we propose optimal RS codes (OptRS codes in short) based on RS codes and CRS codes that can offer better performance for encoding and decoding as well as maximizing the utilization of storage space. OptRS codes can speed up the matrix computation which is regarded as the most important factor to impact the efficiency of coding by transferring the matrix computation from the Galois field mapping to the XOR operation. OptRS codes employ an algorithm called row elimination scheme (RE scheme in short), which can eliminate the same XOR operation to minimize the number of XOR operations. We analyze optimal matrices (OM in short) in theory, which prove the optimal performance of OptRS codes over the Galois field. Our method is implemented on the top of the distributed storage system, and code parameters were carefully chosen. The test result shows that OptRS codes can improve the performance in different data block numbers, parity block numbers, block size, normal reading, and degraded reading, compared with RS codes and CRS codes.
Memetic Variable Clustering and Its Application
Authors: Ni JiaCheng , Li Li
Published: November 2019

Clustering analysis is an important and difficult task in data mining and big data analysis. Although being a widely used clustering analysis technique, variable clustering did not get enough attention in previous studies. Inspired by the metaheuristic optimization techniques developed for clustering data items, we try to overcome the main shortcoming of k‐means‐based variable clustering algorithm, which is being sensitive to initial centroids by introducing the metaheuristic optimization. A novel memetic algorithm named MCLPSO (Memetic Comprehensive Learning Particle Swarm Optimization) based on CLPSO (Comprehensive Learning Particle Swarm Optimization) has been studied under the framework of memetic computing in our previous work. In this work, MCLPSO is used as a metaheuristic approach to improve the k‐means‐based variable clustering algorithm by adjusting the initial centroids iteratively to maximize the homogeneity of the clustering results. In MCLPSO, a chaotic local search operator is used and a simulated annealing‐ (SA‐) based local search strategy is developed by combining the cognition‐only PSO model with SA. The adaptive memetic strategy can enable the stagnant particles which cannot be improved by the comprehensive learning strategy to escape from the local optima and enable some elite particles to give fine‐grained local search around the promising regions. The experimental result demonstrates a good performance of MCLPSO in optimizing the variable clustering criterion on several datasets compared with the original variable clustering method. Finally, for practical use, we also developed a web‐based interactive software platform for the proposed approach and give a practical case study—analyzing the performance of semiconductor manufacturing system to demonstrate the usage.
Adaptive Multipath Selection-Based Markov Chain in the Heterogeneous Internet of Things
Authors: Wu Huan , Wen Xiangming , Lu Zhaoming , Nie Yao , Huang Shuyang
Published: November 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new heterogeneous system integrated by the various end users (sensors and terminals) with different technologies. However, the limiting factor is bandwidth in the IoT due to the exploding end users and the network bandwidth requirements. A novel IoT model, which integrates the power-line carrier (PLC) and the wireless network (WN), is proposed to solve the bandwidth problem from the architecture, especially in the areas lacking network facilities. In addition, we exploit an effective virtual layer (EVL) which allows the different end users to access the system model seamlessly. Then, the attractor selection algorithm based on Markov chain (MASA) is employed to select an optimal path among the PLC or WN. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed system model has the smaller average queuing delay than other algorithms and makes the model more stable and robust.
Load Characteristics and Modeling Methods for the Flow Regulator of a Solid Ducted Rocket
Authors: Wang An , Zeng Qinghua
Published: November 2019

The load characteristics for the flow regulator of a solid ducted rocket are discussed in this paper. The mechanism and the influence factor of the load in the flow regulator were studied both theoretically and experimentally, and the system load and the working load were divided according to the mechanism. Additionally, the load influence on the working quality of the flow regulator and the ducted rocket were analyzed. System modeling of the flow regulator was carried out based on the working mechanism of the gas generator and the Stribeck friction model, and models of the actuator, gas generator, and load were built. Furthermore, considering the identification of the model parameters and the inapplicability of the conventional Stribeck identification method to the flow regulator, a new Stribeck model parameter identification method was proposed. A sine wave was used as the signal source, and specially designed devices were used to accomplish the switch of the working condition. Through the use of the genetic algorithm, the rotational inertia and parameters of the system load and working load were identified by stages. Finally, the validation of the identification method was carried out with a simulation.
Multiobjective Optimization of Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Plastic Composite Bumper Based on Adaptive Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Gao Dawei , Liang Haotian , Shi Guijie , Cao Liqin
Published: November 2019

Genetic algorithm (GA) is a common optimization technique that has two fatal limitations: low convergence speed and premature convergence to the local optimum. As an effective method to solve these drawbacks, an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) considering adaptive crossover and mutation operators is proposed in this paper. Verified by two test functions, AGA shows higher convergence speed and stronger ability to search the global optimal solutions than GA. To meet the crashworthiness and lightweight demands of automotive bumper design, CFRP material is employed in the bumper beam instead of traditional aluminum. Then, a multiobjective optimization procedure incorporating AGA and the Kriging surrogate model is developed to find the optimal stacking angle sequence of CFRP. Compared with the conventional aluminum bumper, the optimized CFRP bumper exhibits better crashworthiness and achieves 43.19% weight reduction.
Zika Virus Alters the Viscosity and Cytokines Profile in Human Colostrum
Authors: de Quental Ocilma B. , França Eduardo L. , Honório-França Adenilda C. , Morais Tassiane C. , Daboin Blanca E. G. , Bezerra Italla M. P. , Komninakis Shirley V. , de Abreu Luiz C.
Published: November 2019

The resurgence of cases of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, accompanied by epidemic of microcephaly in Brazil, has aroused worldwide interest in understanding the biological mechanisms of the virus that allow patient management and the viral dissemination control. Colostrum and human milk are possible sources of virus spread. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of ZIKV infection on rheological parameters and inflammatory cytokines of colostrum. The prospective cohort study included 40 puerperal donors of colostrum, divided into 2 groups: control (without ZIKV infection, n=20) and a group infected with ZIKV during the gestational period (n=20). Analyses were performed for the detection of ZIKV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition to obtaining the rheological parameters and quantification of IL-10 and IL-6 cytokines by flow cytometry, ZIKV and other flaviviruses were not detected in colostrum. However, maternal infection reflected increased viscosity, decreased levels of IL-10, and elevated levels of IL-6. The higher viscosity may represent a mechanical barrier that hinders the spread of the virus. The lower levels of anti-inflammatory mediators and higher inflammatory cytokines may possibly alter the viscosity, and it seems the higher viscosity represents a possible mechanism of adaptation of breastfeeding against a response to ZIKV.
An Incremental Self-Adaptive Wood Species Classification Prototype System
Authors: Zhao Peng , Li Zhen-Yu , Li Yue
Published: November 2019

The present wood species classification systems can usually process the limited wood species quantity. We propose a novel incremental self-adaptive wood species classification system to solve the above-mentioned issue. The visible/near-infrared (VIS/NIR) spectrometer is used to pick up the spectral curves of wood samples for the subsequent wood species classification. First, when new wood samples of unknown wood species are added, they are classified as an unknown category by our one-class classifier, Support Vector Data Description (SVDD), while the existent wood species are classified as a known category by the SVDD. Second, the wood samples of known species are sent into the BP neural network for subsequent wood species classification. Third, the new wood samples of unknown species are sent into the Clustering by Fast Search and Find of Density Peaks (CFSFDP) algorithm for the unsupervised clustering, and the clustering result is evaluated by the internal and external norms. Last, if one cluster of one unknown species has an adequate amount of wood samples, these wood samples are removed and identified by human experts or other schemes to ensure to get the correct wood species name. Then, these wood samples are considered as a new known species and are sent into the classifiers, SVDD and BP neural network, to train them again. Experiments on 13 wood species prove the effectiveness of our prototype system with an overall classification accuracy of above 95%.
Association between Cyclothymic Affective Temperament and Age of Onset of Hypertension
Authors: Körösi Beáta , Vecsey-Nagy Milán , Kolossváry Márton , Nemcsik-Bencze Zsófia , Szilveszter Bálint , László Andrea , Batta Dóra , Gonda Xénia , Merkely Béla , Rihmer Zoltán , Maurovich-Horvat Pál , Eörsi Dániel , Torzsa Péter , Nemcsik János
Published: November 2019

Affective temperaments represent a biologically stable core of emotional reactivity and have previously been associated with hypertension and arterial stiffening. The age, when hypertension is initiated, is influenced by different factors, but the role of personality traits in this regard is not clarified yet. Our aim was to study the association between affective temperaments and the age at onset of hypertension. In this cross-sectional study, 353 patients were included. After the evaluation of history, patients completed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire. We used linear regression analysis to identify predictors of the age of onset of hypertension in the whole cohort and in male and female subpopulations. The independent predictors of the age at onset of hypertension were male sex (B = −4.57 (95% CI = −1.40 to −7.74)), smoking (B = −4.31 (−7.41 to −1.22)), and positive family history (B = −6.84 (−10.22 to −3.45)). In women, cyclothymic temperament score was an independent predictor of the initiation of hypertension (B = −0.83 (−1.54 to −0.12)), while this association was absent in men. Besides traditional factors, cyclothymic affective temperament might contribute to the earlier initiation of hypertension in women.
Effects of Motor Training on Accuracy and Precision of Jaw and Finger Movements
Authors: Chen Yinan , Wu Song , Tang Zhengting , Zhang Jinglu , Wang Lin , Yu Linfeng , Wang Kelun , Svensson Peter
Published: November 2019

Objective. To compare the effects of training of jaw and finger movements with and without visual feedback on precision and accuracy. Method. Twenty healthy participants (10 men and 10 women; mean age 24.6±0.8 years) performed two tasks: a jaw open-close movement and a finger lifting task with and without visual feedback before and after 3-day training. Individually determined target positions for the jaw corresponded to 50% of the maximal jaw opening position, and a fixed target position of 20 mm was set for the finger. Movements were repeated 10 times each. The variability in the amplitude of the movements was expressed as percentage in relation to the target position (Daccu—accuracy) and as coefficient of variation (CVprec—precision). Result. Daccu and CVprec were significantly influenced by visual feedback (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively) and reduced after training jaw and finger movements (P<0.001). Daccu (P=0.004) and CVprec (P=0.019) were significantly different between jaw and finger movements. The relative changes in Daccu (P=0.017) and CVprec (P=0.027) were different from pretraining to posttraining between jaw and finger movements. Conclusion. The accuracy and precision of standardized jaw and finger movements are dependent on visual feedback and appears to improve more by training in the trigeminal system possibly reflecting significant neuroplasticity in motor control mechanisms.