bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Returning to work after multimodal treatment in glioblastoma patients
Authors: Starnoni Daniele , Berthiller Julien , Idriceanu Tania-Mihaela , Meyronet David , d’Hombres Anne , Ducray François , Guyotat Jacques
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Although multimodal treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) has resulted in longer survival, uncertainties exist regarding health-related quality of life and functional performance. Employment represents a useful functional end point and an indicator of social reintegration. The authors evaluated the rate of patients resuming their employment and the factors related to work capacity.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective study of working-age patients treated with surgery and radiochemotherapy between 2012 and 2015. Data were collected before and after surgery and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Employment was categorized according to the French Socio-Professional Groups and analyzed regarding demographic and clinical data, performance status, socio-professional category, radiological features, type, and quality of resection.

RESULTS

A total of 125 patients, mean age 48.2 years, were identified. The mean follow-up was 20.7 months with a median survival of 22.9 months. Overall, 21 patients (18.3%) went back to work, most on a part-time basis (61.9%). Of the patients who were alive at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after diagnosis, 8.7%, 13.8%, 15.3%, and 28.2%, respectively, were working. Patients going back to work were younger (p = 0.03), had fewer comorbidities (p = 0.02), and had a different distribution of socio-professional groups, with more patients belonging to higher occupation categories (p = 0.02). Treatment-related symptoms (36.2%) represented one of the main factors that prevented the resumption of work. Employment was strongly associated with performance status (p = 0.002) as well as gross-total removal (p = 0.04). No statistically significant difference was found regarding radiological or molecular features and the occurrence of complications after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

GBM diagnosis and treatment has a significant socio-professional impact with only a minority of patients resuming work, mostly on a part-time basis.
On Graph Algorithms for Degeneracy Test and Recursive Description of Stream Ciphers
Authors: Wang Lin , Hu Zhi
Published: June 2018

Keystreams of a degenerate stream cipher can be generated by another stream cipher of less bits, and recursive description of stream ciphers is useful in cryptanalysis. Two algorithms are proposed based on directed graphs informing whether each pair of bits are related in the state transition: One tests two categories of degenerate synchronous additive stream ciphers, particularly for realistic stream ciphers with sparse transition equations; the other finds a recursive description of a given stream cipher. Specially, the latter algorithm has to balance the efficiency and the number of sequences for a recursive description, and a sufficient condition is given to test degeneracy based on the recursive description.
Correlates of Subjective Cognitive Decline in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Older Adults
Authors: Flatt Jason D. , Johnson Julene K. , Karpiak Stephen E. , Seidel Liz , Larson Britta , Brennan-Ing Mark
Published: June 2018

Background:

Little is known about subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults.

Objectives:

To examine SCD and its association with dementia risk factors, other physical and psychosocial health factors in LGBT older adults.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study of SCD was conducted with LGBT older adults, aged 50 and older ( n = 210). SCD was categorized based on endorsement of memory problems and one other cognitive domain. Hierarchical logistic regression examined the associations between demographic factors, dementia risk factors, other health and psychosocial factors, and SCD.

Results:

Nearly 25% of LGBT older adults were classified as having SCD. LGBT older adults who were people of color (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1– 7.8), depressed (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.3– 6.9), or reported having functional impairment (OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.1– 6.5) were significantly more likely to be classified as having SCD (Nagelkerke pseudo R2 = 0.27).

Conclusion:

Depression and functional impairment should be considered when screening LGBT older adults for cognitive impairment and dementia. Future research on the cognitive impairment and dementia risk in LGBT older adults is needed.
Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenoside Rf on Amyloid-β-Induced Neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Du Yehong , Fu Min , Wang Yu Tian , Dong Zhifang
Published: June 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ). Aβ accumulation leads to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation, axonal injury, synapse loss, and neuronal apoptosis. Thus, reducing Aβ levels should exert a neuroprotective effect against AD. Ginsenoside Rf, an extract from Panax notoginseng, has potent anti-fatigue, anti-nociception, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation properties. However, it is unclear whether ginsenoside Rf is effective in the treatment of AD. Here, we reported that ginsenoside Rf could significantly attenuate Aβ-induced apoptosis in N2A cells, as reflected by a dramatic increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and decrease in Ca2 + concentration, reactive oxygen species, and active caspase-3 expression. Meanwhile, ginsenoside Rf could alleviate the Aβ-induced inflammation reaction, such as the decrease of interferon-gamma (IFN- γ) and active caspase-1 expression and the increase of interleukin-13. Furthermore, we also found that Rf is able to accelerate Aβ clearance and subsequently reduces Aβ level in N2A cells stably transfected with human Swedish mutant APP695 (N2A-APP). More importantly, daily Rf treatment (20 mg/kg, i.p.) throughout the experiment dramatically improved spatial learning and memory in Aβ42-induced mouse model of AD. Taken together, these results indicate that ginsenoside Rf may decrease Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and memory decline via anti-inflammatory response during AD development, suggesting that Rf may be a potential therapeutic agent for treating AD.
Effective magnetic decoupling control realization for rotary-linear switched reluctance motors utilized in drilling tools
Authors: Safdarzadeh O. , Afjei E. , Torkaman H.
Published: June 2018

Rotary-linear motors which produce linear and rotary motions simultaneously have coupled magnetic paths. In this paper, coupling of a Rotary-Linear Switched Reluctance Motor (RLSRM) is studied and formulated. Then, an algorithm based on inductance profiles of the motor phases is proposed to decouple the motions – rotary and linear movements. This algorithm is developed from two excitation modes which produce the linear force and rotary torque, independently. Therefore, the control on the rotary and linear motions is realized by controlling the torque and force, respectively. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is applied to the RLSRM model and the obtained results are utilized in the algorithm. A control flowchart is presented for applying the motion modes. The algorithm is implemented on a microcontroller and applied to a fabricated model. Experimental results are measured to verify effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm.
Comparative analysis of current under static and dynamic eccentricity in 3-phase induction motors on parallel branches
Authors: Zhou Yang , Bao Xiaohua , Wang Chunyu , Di Chong
Published: June 2018

Eccentricity problem is always ineluctable in rotating electric machine, especially in large electric machine. Hence, the influence of eccentricity in operating machine is necessary to be investigated. According to the investigation, current of different parallel branches are varied under the same eccentricity. This paper focuses on comparative current analysis on two types of parallel branches in consideration of static and dynamic eccentricities. Parallel branch model in circumferential position is established for analysis and explanation of branch current due to eccentricity. Stator winding current and rotor wingding current are worked out under static and dynamic eccentricity at two types of parallel branches. Their winding losses are calculated for comparison, respectively. Finite element model simulations are used for validation.
High pressure cell for Bio-SANS studies under sub-zero temperatures or heat denaturing conditions
Authors: Teixeira S.C.M. , Leāo J.B. , Gagnon C. , McHugh M.A.
Published: June 2018

The 2nd biennial International Society for Sample Environment (ISSE) School included training on high pressure (HP) cells for Soft Matter studies. Neutron research centers are responding to a growing need for HP experimental data, relevant to a broad range of applications in bioscience, biotechnology and others. The importance of disseminating designs and operating protocols, to support concerted efforts towards the advancement of sample environment instrumentation across research centers, was repeatedly acknowledged at the ISSE school. The liquid insertion HP system for SANS, currently used at the NIST Center for Neutron Research for solutions of biological macromolecules, is described here. Emphasis is placed on the context of subzero temperature studies and the design challenges. The current model of the HP system – HP up to 3.5 kbar and −18°C < T < +80°C – uses sample volumes of 2.7 ml to cover an accessible q-range of 0.001–0.6 Å−1.
Precision Medicine in Parkinson’s Disease – Exploring Patient-Initiated Self-Tracking
Authors: Riggare Sara , Hägglund Maria
Published: June 2018

Background:

Individually tailored healthcare, in the form of precision medicine, holds substantial potential for the future of medicine, especially for a complex disorder like Parkinson’s disease (PD). Patient self-tracking is an under-researched area in PD.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore patient-initiated self-tracking in PD and discuss it in the context of precision medicine.

Methods:

The first author used a smartphone app to capture finger-tapping data and also noted times for medication intakes.

Results:

Data were collected during four subsequent days. Only data from the first two days were complete enough to analyze, leading to the realization that the collection of data over a period of time can pose a significant burden to patients. From the first two days of data, a dip in finger function was observed around the time for the second medication dose of the day.

Conclusions:

Patient-initiated self-tracking enabled the first author to glean important insights about how her PD symptoms varied over the course of the day. Symptom tracking holds great potential in precision medicine and can, if shared in a clinical encounter, contribute to the learning of both patient and clinician. More work is needed to develop this field and extra focus needs to be given to balancing the burden of tracking for the patient against any expected benefit.
Review of Research on the Application of Ferrocement in Composite Precast Slabs
Authors: Yardim Yavuz
Published: June 2018

Ferrocement has had a long history since it was first patented in 1856. Its significant benefits as construction material have been proven with numerous theoretical and experimental studies throughout the world for many years. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the studies on mechanical properties of ferrocement as used in precast and composite precast slabs. Additionally, this paper identifies and prioritizes the most advantageous designs for precast and composite precast ferrocement slabs and reviews the improved characteristics of ferrocement in comparison to traditional reinforced concrete concerning first crack load, ductility, capacity, whole-life cost benefits, and versatile application. Flexible options for different types of applications with its thin structural form provided by ferrocement and its contribution to the first crack load and ductility were discussed. The paper concludes by summarizing success-full uses and the advantages of ferrocement composite applications in precast structures.
A Comparative Study on Violent Sloshing with Complex Baffles Using the ISPH Method
Authors: Zheng Xing , You Yi , Ma Qingwei , Khayyer Abbas , Shao Songdong
Published: June 2018

The Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method has become one of the most promising methods for violent wave impact simulations. In this paper, the incompressible SPH (ISPH) method will be used to simulate liquid sloshing in a 2D tank with complex baffles. Firstly, the numerical model is validated against the experimental results and the simulations from commercial CFD software STAR-CCM+ for a sloshing tank without any baffle. Then various sloshing tanks are simulated under different conditions to analyze the influence of the excitation frequency and baffle configuration. The results show that the complex baffles can significantly influence the impact pressures on the wall caused by the violent sloshing, and the relevant analysis can help find the engineering solutions to effectively suppress the problem. The main purpose of the paper is to study the practical importance of this effect.
An Experimental Technology of Drying and Clean Combustion of Biomass Residues
Authors: Al-Kassir Awf , Coelho Pedro , García-Sanz-Calcedo Justo , Moral Francisco J. , Kassir Al-Karany Raúl , Yusaf Talal
Published: June 2018

In the present study, the drying and combustion of solid biomass residues are developed. The combustion of the residues inside a boiler and a stove have been done. We used three types of solid biomass residues (i.e., cork, pine pellet and olive pomace). These residues have been dried by using screw dryers. Experimental installation has been used for a series of thermal drying tests of the residues by measuring the temperature inside the dryer and their moisture contents. A laboratory screw dryer was used to dry the olive pomace by using hot gases from a chimney of a biomass stove. Elemental and proximate analyses, as well as the higher heating value (HHV) of the raw materials, have been determined. In the experiments, moisture content variation of the residues and drying temperatures are obtained. These residues are dried several times under the same drying conditions to achieve the final moisture content rate. On the other hand, the temperature of combustion chamber of the boiler has been measured under different conditions. It has been found that by increasing hot gas temperature, the drying rate is increased. Finally, it has been found that the drying of these residues increases their calorific values and reduces the emissions.
An Intelligent Fault Diagnosis Approach Considering the Elimination of the Weight Matrix Multi-Correlation
Authors: An Zenghui , Li Shunming , Wang Jinrui , Qian Weiwei , Wu Qijun
Published: June 2018

Faults in bearings and gearboxes, which are widely used in rotating machines, can lead to heavy investment and productivity loss. Accordingly, a fault diagnosis system is necessary to ensure a high-performance transmission. However, as mechanical fault diagnosis enters the era of big data, it can be difficult to apply traditional fault diagnosis methods because of the massive computation cost and excessive reliance on human labor. Meanwhile, unsupervised learning has been shown to have excellent performance in processing machanical big data. In this paper, an unsupervised learning method known as sparse filtering is applied, the multi-correlation of a weight matrix is investigated, and a method that is more suitable for the feature extraction of signals is proposed. The main contribution of our work is the modification of original method. First, to understand the non-monotonicity testing accuracies of the original method, the physical interpretation of input dimensions is studied. Second, using the physical interpretation, an overfitting phenomenon is discovered and examined. Third, to reduce the overfitting phenomenon, a method which eliminates the multi-correlation of the weight matrix is proposed. Finally, bearing and gear datasets are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method; experimental results show that the proposed method can achieve a superior performance in comparison to the original sparse filtering model.
Spontaneous Brillouin Scattering Spectrum and Coherent Brillouin Gain in Optical Fibers
Authors: Laude Vincent , Beugnot Jean-Charles
Published: June 2018

Brillouin light scattering describes the diffraction of light waves by acoustic phonons, originating from random thermal fluctuations inside a transparent body, or by coherent acoustic waves, generated by a transducer or from the interference of two frequency-detuned optical waves. In experiments with optical fibers, it is generally found that the spontaneous Brillouin spectrum has the same frequency dependence as the coherent Brillouin gain. We examine the origin of this similarity between apparently different physical situations. We specifically solve the elastodynamic equation, giving displacements inside the body, under a stochastic Langevin excitation and in response to a coherent optical force. It is emphasized that phase matching is responsible for temporal and spatial frequency-domain filtering of the excitation, leading in either case to the excitation of a Lorentzian frequency response solely determined by elastic loss.
Roadmap Modeling and Assessment Approach for Defense Technology System of Systems
Authors: Lu Hui , You Hanlin
Published: June 2018

Advanced defense technology plays a crucial role in safeguarding national safety and development interests. Aiming to handle the problems of current research and development (R&D) management approaches faced with the rocketing complexities of system of systems, the authors propose a novel roadmap modeling and assessment methodology through studying the driving forces of general technology development and analyzing realistic requirements of defense technology management in this article. First, a requirement decomposition framework is designed based on multi-view theories and text-mining tools are used to construct a multi-layer knowledge-flow network model. Second, the contribution rates of requirement elements at different levels are evaluated using a multi-criteria decision-making approach and the node importance is assessed based on the topological structure of multi-layer network. Third, it is utilized to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approaches that illustrative examples of the technology requirements in maritime security strategy investigating and a dual-layer knowledge-flow network consists of patents that belong to the “Coherent Light Generator (CLC)” classification from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database and the related academic papers from Web of Science. Finally, the contributions, potential applications, and drawbacks of this work are discussed and research outlooks are provided.
Cluster Sampling Filters for Non-Gaussian Data Assimilation
Authors: Attia Ahmed , Moosavi Azam , Sandu Adrian
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a fully non-Gaussian filter for sequential data assimilation. The filter is named the “cluster sampling filter”, and works by directly sampling the posterior distribution following a Markov Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) approach, while the prior distribution is approximated using a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Specifically, a clustering step is introduced after the forecast phase of the filter, and the prior density function is estimated by fitting a GMM to the prior ensemble. Using the data likelihood function, the posterior density is then formulated as a mixture density, and is sampled following an MCMC approach. Four versions of the proposed filter, namely C ℓ MCMC , C ℓ HMC , MC- C ℓ HMC , and MC- C ℓ HMC are presented. C ℓ MCMC uses a Gaussian proposal density to sample the posterior, and C ℓ HMC is an extension to the Hamiltonian Monte-Carlo (HMC) sampling filter. MC- C ℓ MCMC and MC- C ℓ HMC are multi-chain versions of the cluster sampling filters C ℓ MCMC and C ℓ HMC respectively. The multi-chain versions are proposed to guarantee that samples are taken from the vicinities of all probability modes of the formulated posterior. The new methodologies are tested using a simple one-dimensional example, and a quasi-geostrophic (QG) model with double-gyre wind forcing and bi-harmonic friction. Numerical results demonstrate the usefulness of using GMMs to relax the Gaussian prior assumption especially in the HMC filtering paradigm.
Line Integral Solution of Differential Problems
Authors: Brugnano Luigi , Iavernaro Felice
Published: June 2018

In recent years, the numerical solution of differential problems, possessing constants of motion, has been attacked by imposing the vanishing of a corresponding line integral. The resulting methods have been, therefore, collectively named (discrete) line integral methods, where it is taken into account that a suitable numerical quadrature is used. The methods, at first devised for the numerical solution of Hamiltonian problems, have been later generalized along several directions and, actually, the research is still very active. In this paper we collect the main facts about line integral methods, also sketching various research trends, and provide a comprehensive set of references.
Affective Congruence between Sound and Meaning of Words Facilitates Semantic Decision
Authors: Aryani Arash , Jacobs Arthur M.
Published: June 2018

A similarity between the form and meaning of a word (i.e., iconicity) may help language users to more readily access its meaning through direct form-meaning mapping. Previous work has supported this view by providing empirical evidence for this facilitatory effect in sign language, as well as for onomatopoetic words (e.g., cuckoo) and ideophones (e.g., zigzag). Thus, it remains largely unknown whether the beneficial role of iconicity in making semantic decisions can be considered a general feature in spoken language applying also to “ordinary” words in the lexicon. By capitalizing on the affective domain, and in particular arousal, we organized words in two distinctive groups of iconic vs. non-iconic based on the congruence vs. incongruence of their lexical (meaning) and sublexical (sound) arousal. In a two-alternative forced choice task, we asked participants to evaluate the arousal of printed words that were lexically either high or low arousing. In line with our hypothesis, iconic words were evaluated more quickly and more accurately than their non-iconic counterparts. These results indicate a processing advantage for iconic words, suggesting that language users are sensitive to sound-meaning mappings even when words are presented visually and read silently.
The Cellular p53 Inhibitor MDM2 and the Growth Factor Receptor FLT3 as Biomarkers for Treatment Responses to the MDM2-Inhibitor Idasanutlin and the MEK1 Inhibitor Cobimetinib in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Seipel Katja , Marques Miguel A. T. , Sidler Corinne , Mueller Beatrice U. , Pabst Thomas
Published: June 2018

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is inactivated in a large variety of cancer cells. Cellular p53 inhibitors like the mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) commonly suppress the p53 function in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, fms like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) growth factor signaling pathways including the mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) cascade (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK) are highly active in AML cells. Consequently, the combined administration of MDM2 and MEK inhibitors may present a promising anti-leukemic treatment strategy. Here we assessed the MDM2 antagonist idasanutlin and the MEK1 inhibitor cobimetinib as single agents and in combination in a variety of AML cell lines and primary AML blast cells for their ability to induce apoptosis and cell death. AML cell lines and blast cells comprised all major AML subtypes based on the mutational status of TP53, FLT3 and NPM1 genes. We observed a considerably varying anti-leukemic efficacy of idasanutlin and cobimetinib. AML cells with high sensitivity to the single compounds as well as to the combined treatment emerged with normal karyotype, wild-type TP53 and elevated FLT3 and MDM2 protein levels. Our data indicate that AML cells with normal karyotype (NK) and wild-type status of TP53 with elevated FLT3 and MDM2 expression emerge to be most sensitive to the combined treatment with cobimetinib and idasanutlin. FLT3 and MDM2 are biomarkers for treatment response to idasanutlin and cobimetinib in AML.
Good Guy or Bad Guy? The Duality of Wild-Type p53 in Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer Origin, Treatment, and Recurrence
Authors: McGowan Eileen M. , Lin Yiguang , Hatoum Diana
Published: June 2018

“Lactation is at one point perilously near becoming a cancerous process if it is at all arrested”, Beatson, 1896. Most breast cancers arise from the milk-producing cells that are characterized by aberrant cellular, molecular, and epigenetic translation. By understanding the underlying molecular disruptions leading to the origin of cancer, we might be able to design novel strategies for more efficacious treatments or, ambitiously, divert the cancerous process. It is an established reality that full-term pregnancy in a young woman provides a lifetime reduction in breast cancer risk, whereas delay in full-term pregnancy increases short-term breast cancer risk and the probability of latent breast cancer development. Hormonal activation of the p53 protein (encode by the TP53 gene) in the mammary gland at a critical time in pregnancy has been identified as one of the most important determinants of whether the mammary gland develops latent breast cancer. This review discusses what is known about the protective influence of female hormones in young parous women, with a specific focus on the opportune role of wild-type p53 reprogramming in mammary cell differentiation. The importance of p53 as a protector or perpetrator in hormone-dependent breast cancer, resistance to treatment, and recurrence is also explored.
The Role of JMY in p53 Regulation
Authors: Adighibe Omanma , Pezzella Francesco
Published: June 2018

Following the event of DNA damage, the level of tumour suppressor protein p53 increases inducing either cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Junctional Mediating and Regulating Y protein (JMY) is a transcription co-factor involved in p53 regulation. In event of DNA damage, JMY levels also upregulate in the nucleus where JMY forms a co-activator complex with p300/CREB-binding protein (p300/CBP), Apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (ASPP) and Stress responsive activator of p53 (Strap). This co-activator complex then binds to and increases the ability of p53 to induce transcription of proteins triggering apoptosis but not cell cycle arrest. This then suggests that the increase of JMY levels due to DNA damage putatively “directs” p53 activity toward triggering apoptosis. JMY expression is also linked to increased cell motility as it: (1) downregulates the expression of adhesion molecules of the Cadherin family and (2) induces actin nucleation, making cells less adhesive and more mobile, favouring metastasis. All these characteristics taken together imply that JMY possesses both tumour suppressive and tumour metastasis promoting capabilities.
Fluorescent, Bioluminescent, and Optogenetic Approaches to Study Excitable Physiology in the Single Cardiomyocyte
Authors: Broyles Connor N. , Robinson Paul , Daniels Matthew J.
Published: June 2018

This review briefly summarizes the single cell application of classical chemical dyes used to visualize cardiomyocyte physiology and their undesirable toxicities which have the potential to confound experimental observations. We will discuss, in detail, the more recent iterative development of fluorescent and bioluminescent protein-based indicators and their emerging application to cardiomyocytes. We will discuss the integration of optical control strategies (optogenetics) to augment the standard imaging approach. This will be done in the context of potential applications, and barriers, of these technologies to disease modelling, drug toxicity, and drug discovery efforts at the single-cell scale.
Developments in Quantum Probability and the Copenhagen Approach
Authors: Jaeger Gregg
Published: June 2018

In the Copenhagen approach to quantum mechanics as characterized by Heisenberg, probabilities relate to the statistics of measurement outcomes on ensembles of systems and to individual measurement events via the actualization of quantum potentiality. Here, brief summaries are given of a series of key results of different sorts that have been obtained since the final elements of the Copenhagen interpretation were offered and it was explicitly named so by Heisenberg—in particular, results from the investigation of the behavior of quantum probability since that time, the mid-1950s. This review shows that these developments have increased the value to physics of notions characterizing the approach which were previously either less precise or mainly symbolic in character, including complementarity, indeterminism, and unsharpness.
On the Explanation of Born-Rule Statistics in the de Broglie-Bohm Pilot-Wave Theory
Authors: Norsen Travis
Published: June 2018

The de Broglie-Bohm pilot-wave theory promises not only a realistic description of the microscopic world (in particular, a description in which observers and observation play no fundamental role) but also the ability to derive and explain aspects of the quantum formalism that are, instead, (awkwardly and problematically) postulated in orthodox versions of quantum theory. Chief among these are the various “measurement axioms” and in particular the Born rule expressing the probability distribution of measurement outcomes. Compared to other candidate non-orthodox quantum theories, the pilot-wave theory suffers from something of an embarrassment of riches in regard to explaining the Born rule statistics, in the sense that there exist, in the literature, not just one but two rather compelling proposed explanations. This paper is an attempt to critically review and clarify these two competing arguments. We summarize both arguments and also survey some objections that have been given against them. In the end, we suggest that there is somewhat less conflict between the two approaches than existing polemics might suggest, and that indeed elements from both arguments may be combined to provide a unified and fully-compelling explanation, from the postulated dynamical first principles, of the Born rule.
Energy and Entropy Measures of Fuzzy Relations for Data Analysis
Authors: Di Martino Ferdinando , Sessa Salvatore
Published: June 2018

We present a new method for assessing the strength of fuzzy rules with respect to a dataset, based on the measures of the greatest energy and smallest entropy of a fuzzy relation. Considering a fuzzy automaton (relation), in which A is the input fuzzy set and B the output fuzzy set, the fuzzy relation R1 with greatest energy provides information about the greatest strength of the input-output, and the fuzzy relation R2 with the smallest entropy provides information about uncertainty of the input-output relationship. We consider a new index of the fuzziness of the input-output based on R1 and R2. In our method, this index is calculated for each pair of input and output fuzzy sets in a fuzzy rule. A threshold value is set in order to choose the most relevant fuzzy rules with respect to the data.
Evaluating Molecular Evolution of Kerogen by Raman Spectroscopy: Correlation with Optical Microscopy and Rock-Eval Pyrolysis
Authors: Khatibi Seyedalireza , Ostadhassan Mehdi , Tuschel David , Gentzis Thomas , Carvajal-Ortiz Humberto
Published: June 2018

Vitrinite maturity and programmed pyrolysis are conventional methods to evaluate organic matter (OM) regarding its thermal maturity. Moreover, vitrinite reflectance analysis can be difficult if prepared samples have no primary vitrinite or dispersed widely. Raman spectroscopy is a nondestructive method that has been used in the last decade for maturity evaluation of organic matter by detecting structural transformations, however, it might suffer from fluorescence background in low mature samples. In this study, four samples of different maturities from both shale formations of Bakken (the upper and lower members) Formation were collected and analyzed with Rock-Eval (RE) and Raman spectroscopy. In the next step, portions of the same samples were then used for the isolation of kerogen and analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Results showed that Raman spectroscopy, by detecting structural information of OM, could reflect thermal maturity parameters that were derived from programmed pyrolysis. Moreover, isolating kerogen will reduce the background noise (fluorescence) in the samples dramatically and yield a better spectrum. The study showed that thermal properties of OM could be precisely reflected in Raman signals.
Influence of Grain Size Heterogeneity and In-Situ Stress on the Hydraulic Fracturing Process by PFC2D Modeling
Authors: Han Zhenhua , Zhou Jian , Zhang Luqing
Published: June 2018

A modified fluid-mechanically coupled algorithm in PFC2D was adopted in this article to study the influence of grain size heterogeneity and in-situ stress on hydraulic fracturing behavior. Simulated results showed that the in-situ stress and grain size heterogeneity significantly affect the initiation, growth, and spatial distribution of the hydraulic fractures: (1) the initiation and breakdown pressure are gradually reduced with the increase of the grain size heterogeneity; (2) with increased in-situ stress, the initiation and breakdown pressure increase, and the reduction effect of grain size heterogeneity on the breakdown pressure becomes more obvious; (3) in grain size homogeneous rock, the initiation pressure decreases with increasing in-situ stress ratio, however, the initiation pressure of grain size heterogeneous rock is almost unaffected by the in-situ stress ratio; (4) The in-situ stress ratio and grain size heterogeneity affect the spatial distribution of hydraulic fractures simultaneously. When the in-situ stress ratio is larger than 1, the hydraulic fractures propagate substantially along the direction of the maximum principal stress. When the in-situ stress ratio is 1, the initiation position and extension direction of hydraulic fractures are random and complex fracture networks can easily develop in a grain size homogeneous model.
Optimal Charging of Electric Vehicles with Trading on the Intraday Electricity Market
Authors: Naharudinsyah Ilham , Limmer Steffen
Published: June 2018

Trading on the energy market is a possible way to reduce the electricity costs of charging electric vehicles at public charging stations. In many European countries, it is possible to trade electricity until shortly before the period of delivery on so called intraday electricity markets. In the present work, the potential for reducing the electricity costs by trading on the intraday market is investigated using the example of the German market. Based on simulations, the authors reveal that by optimizing the charging schedule together with the trading on the intraday electricity market, the costs can be reduced by around 8% compared to purchasing all the required energy from the energy supplier. By allowing the charging station operator to resell the energy to the intraday electricity market, an additional cost reduction of around 1% can be achieved. Besides the potential cost savings, the impacts of the trading unit and of the lead time of the intraday electricity market on the costs are investigated. The authors reveal that the achievable electricity costs can be strongly affected by the lead time, while the trading unit has only a minor effect on the costs.
Experimental Investigation of Static Stall Hysteresis and 3-Dimensional Flow Structures for an NREL S826 Wing Section of Finite Span
Authors: Sarlak Hamid , Frère Ariane , Mikkelsen Robert , Sørensen Jens N.
Published: June 2018

Flow characteristics of an S826 airfoil at different Reynolds numbers, ranging from 40,000–400,000 (based on airfoil chord length) and angles of attack from −10–25 degrees are thoroughly investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel. The airfoil’s lift and drag polars are first measured, and with a focus on pitching the airfoil in upstroke and downstroke orders, static stall hysteresis is identified in selected experiments at Reynolds numbers below 100,000 near the stall angle and subsequently investigated. Experiments using wire-generated free stream turbulence are conducted, and the hysteresis effects are shown to disappear when introducing a free stream turbulence of less than 2.5%. Further, spanwise flow is detected by comparing lift and drag values measured using both surface pressure integration at one cross section as well as integral force gauge measurement, and the surface oil flow visualization technique is subsequently used to study the 3D flow topologies formed on the airfoil. The formation of distinct stall cells on the suction side of the airfoil is observed at Reynolds numbers above 100,000 near the stall angle. By repeating the experiments, stall cells are proven to be reproduceable, although the identical geometries are necessarily not retained in abscence of surface impurities such as tapes. The effect of disturbances on the stall cells is investigated by utilizing roughness elements on the airfoil surface, and it is found that while such disturbances tend to change the shape of the stall cells, they do not contribute to the creation, nor destruction of the cells. Polar and visualisation measurements are also used to study flow separation, and it is observed that the separation location, as well as the laminar separation bubble, moves towards the leading edge when increasing the angle of attack.
Epigenetic Targeting of Aberrant Transcriptional Modulation in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Hamdan Feda H. , Johnsen Steven A.
Published: June 2018

While the mortality rates of cancer are generally declining, pancreatic cancer persists to be an exception with a 5-year-survival rate of less than 7%. Late diagnosis and resistance to conventional therapies contribute to high mortality rates in spite of the remarkable recent advances in cancer management and research. Consequently, there is an urgent need to find new and unconventional therapeutic targets to improve prognosis and survival of pancreatic cancer patients. In this review, we discuss the transcriptional effects of the most widely used epigenetic inhibitors in pancreatic cancer focusing on Bromodomain and Extraterminal domain (BET) and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which are currently highly promising therapeutic options. We suggest that these inhibitors can be better utilized at lower doses which exploit their transcriptional modulatory effects on pancreatic cancer transcriptional programs directed by specific factors such as MYC and Forkhead Box A1 (FOXA1), rather than simply based on their anti-proliferative effects. This approach can potentially help avoid the intolerable adverse events frequently elicited by the use of these treatments at higher doses. In particular, we underscore the crucial role of distal regulatory elements in mediating the specific effects of these epigenetic inhibitors and propose using them in a more selective and prudent manner.
Adverse Genetic Correlations and Impacts of Silviculture Involving Wood Properties: Analysis of Issues for Radiata Pine
Authors: D. Burdon Rowland , R. Moore John
Published: June 2018

Plantation forestry is now an imperative to meet wood requirements efficiently on the finite land available for wood production. Three main determinants of profitability are productivity, price per unit of wood harvested, and harvest age (the sooner the better). The first two are largely self-evident, while reducing harvest age lowers the effective cost of growing wood. Among these determinants, however, are strong interplays which include trade-offs. Key trade-offs involve adverse genetic correlations between various wood properties and growth-rate variables, and adverse effects on the wood quality of silvicultural interventions that raise site productivity and/or reduce harvest age. Moreover, the adverse effects of silviculture on wood properties tend to be accompanied by heightened expressions of genetic variation in wood properties. The trade-offs involve both increasing the percentage of corewood (‘juvenile wood’) and some more direct effects on wood quality. The pervasiveness of the trade-offs, and the heightened genetic expression, accentuate the call for genetic selection to defend wood quality. Such selection, however, will entail some costs in the appropriate emphasis on breeding for productivity. In this paper we review these issues, identify gaps in research information and offer guidance for tree breeders and silviculturists. While radiata pine is the special case, the applicability to some other species is briefly discussed.
Engineering a Costume for Performance Using Illuminated LED-Yarns
Authors: Hardy Dorothy , Moneta Andrea , Sakalyte Viktorija , Connolly Lauren , Shahidi Arash , Hughes-Riley Theodore
Published: June 2018

A goal in the field of wearable technology is to blend electronics with textile fibers to create garments that drape and conform as normal, with additional functionality provided by the embedded electronics. This can be achieved with electronic yarns (E-yarns), in which electronics are integrated within the fibers of a yarn. A challenge is incorporating non-stretch E-yarns with stretch fabric that is desirable for some applications. To address this challenge, E-yarns containing LEDs were embroidered onto the stretch fabric of a unitard used as part of a carnival costume. A zig-zag pattern of attachment of E-yarns was developed. Tensile testing showed this pattern was successful in preventing breakages within the E-yarns. Use in performance demonstrated that a dancer was unimpeded by the presence of the E-yarns within the unitard, but also a weakness in the junctions between E-yarns was observed, requiring further design work and reinforcement. The level of visibility of the chosen red LEDs within black E-yarns was low. The project demonstrated the feasibility of using E-yarns with stretch fabrics. This will be particularly useful in applications where E-yarns containing sensors are required in close contact with skin to provide meaningful on-body readings, without impeding the wearer.
The Genetic Architecture Underlying the Evolution of a Rare Piscivorous Life History Form in Brown Trout after Secondary Contact and Strong Introgression
Authors: Jacobs Arne , Hughes Martin R. , Robinson Paige C. , Adams Colin E. , Elmer Kathryn R.
Published: June 2018

Identifying the genetic basis underlying phenotypic divergence and reproductive isolation is a longstanding problem in evolutionary biology. Genetic signals of adaptation and reproductive isolation are often confounded by a wide range of factors, such as variation in demographic history or genomic features. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) in the Loch Maree catchment, Scotland, exhibit reproductively isolated divergent life history morphs, including a rare piscivorous (ferox) life history form displaying larger body size, greater longevity and delayed maturation compared to sympatric benthivorous brown trout. Using a dataset of 16,066 SNPs, we analyzed the evolutionary history and genetic architecture underlying this divergence. We found that ferox trout and benthivorous brown trout most likely evolved after recent secondary contact of two distinct glacial lineages, and identified 33 genomic outlier windows across the genome, of which several have most likely formed through selection. We further identified twelve candidate genes and biological pathways related to growth, development and immune response potentially underpinning the observed phenotypic differences. The identification of clear genomic signals divergent between life history phenotypes and potentially linked to reproductive isolation, through size assortative mating, as well as the identification of the underlying demographic history, highlights the power of genomic studies of young species pairs for understanding the factors shaping genetic differentiation.
Volcanic Plume Impact on the Atmosphere and Climate: O- and S-Isotope Insight into Sulfate Aerosol Formation
Authors: Martin Erwan
Published: June 2018

The impact of volcanic eruptions on the climate has been studied over the last decades and the role played by sulfate aerosols appears to be major. S-bearing volcanic gases are oxidized in the atmosphere into sulfate aerosols that disturb the radiative balance on earth at regional to global scales. This paper discusses the use of the oxygen and sulfur multi-isotope systematics on volcanic sulfates to understand their formation and fate in more or less diluted volcanic plumes. The study of volcanic aerosols collected from air sampling and ash deposits at different distances from the volcanic systems (from volcanic vents to the Earth poles) is discussed. It appears possible to distinguish between the different S-bearing oxidation pathways to generate volcanic sulfate aerosols whether the oxidation occurs in magmatic, tropospheric, or stratospheric conditions. This multi-isotopic approach represents an additional constraint on atmospheric and climatic models and it shows how sulfates from volcanic deposits could represent a large and under-exploited archive that, over time, have recorded atmospheric conditions on human to geological timescales.
Perspectives on Biological Monitoring in Environmental Health Research: A Focus Group Study in a Native American Community
Authors: Gonzales Melissa , King Elanda , Bobelu Jeanette , Ghahate Donica M. , Madrid Teresa , Lesansee Sheri , Shah Vallabh
Published: June 2018

Background: Reliance on natural resources brings Native American communities into frequent contact with environmental media, which, if contaminated, represents an exposure route for environmental pollutants. Native American communities vary in their perspectives on research and relatively little is known about the range of perspectives regarding the use of biological samples for environmental exposure assessment. Methods: Thirty-one members of Zuni Pueblo (median age = 40.0 years, range = 26–59 years) participated a series of four focus groups. Qualitative themes emerging from the focus group discussion transcripts were identified by content analysis. Results: Emergent themes included adequate informed consent, traditional beliefs, and personal choice. Conclusions: The discussions reinforced the central role of traditional values in the decision to participate in research involving biological samples for environmental exposure assessment. Decision-making required a balance between the perceived value of the proposed project and its purpose, with cultural perspectives surrounding the biological sample requested. We examine the potential for study bias and include recommendations to aid in the collaborative identification and control of unintended risks posed by the use of biological samples in environmental health studies in native communities.