bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UBE2A-related X-linked intellectual disability
Authors: Stevenson Roger E. , Chudley Albert E. , Srivastava Anand K. , Rodriguez Jayson , Friez Michael J. , Schwartz Charles E.
Published: September 2018

UBE2A-related X-linked intellectual disability is characterized by a distinctive facial phenotype (dense eyebrows and eyelashes, synophrys, hypertelorism, upslanted palpebral fissures, wide mouth, and thin lips), generalized hirsutism, hypoplastic genitalia, short stature, hypotonia, seizures, and severe intellectual disability. Five affected males in two families are described here and compared with the previously reported 17 males in eight families. The new cases are notable for the absence of nail dystrophy, previously considered a defining manifestation, and for the presence of hypogammaglobulinemia and adult-onset ataxia.
Implementation and Dissemination of a Department of Veterans Affairs Oral Care Initiative to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Among Nonventilated Patients
Authors: Munro Shannon , Haile-Mariam Aida , Greenwell Carole , Demirci Sevtap , Farooqi Owais , Vasudeva Shikha
Published: September 2018

Implementation and dissemination of an oral care initiative enhanced the safety and well-being of Veterans at the Salem VA Medical Center by reducing the risk of non–ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP). The incidence rate of non–ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia decreased from 105 cases to 8.3 cases per 1000 patient-days (by 92%) in the initial VA pilot, yielding an estimated cost avoidance of $2.84 million and 13 lives saved in 19 months postimplementation. The team was successful in translating this research into a meaningful quality improvement intervention in 8 VA hospitals (in North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia) that has promoted effective and consistent delivery of oral care across hospital service lines and systems, improved the health of Veterans, and driven down health care costs associated with this largely preventable illness. The steps needed for successful replication and dissemination of this nurse-led, evidence-based practice are summarized in this article.
Start Together, Stay Together
Authors: Bernard Noreen , Martyn Kristy K.
Published: September 2018

Consumerism and globalism are driving the demand for new business and education models. Nurse executives in all work environments are facing the need to innovate and implement new service models in a nimble and rapid manner. This article highlights the current and future state of nursing education and clinical practice integration through the lens of an academic-practice partnership, by demonstrating the benefit of a unified approach to nurse residencies. Through adaption and creation of a shared culture, education and service can work effectively together in the development of a pipeline for future nurses in a wide array of nursing roles. As partners, they can demonstrate the nursing profession's ability to meet the health needs of consumers at a local, national, and global level. Agile evolution of the traditional nurse residency model is an imperative for professional nursing practice.
Juvenile Tree Shrews Do Not Maintain Emmetropia in Narrow-band Blue Light
Authors: Gawne Timothy J. , Ward Alexander H. , Norton Thomas T.
Published: September 2018

SIGNIFICANCE

In spectrally broad-band light, an emmetropization mechanism in post-natal eyes uses visual cues to modulate the growth of the eye to achieve and maintain near emmetropia. When we restricted available wavelengths to narrow-band blue light, juvenile tree shrews (diurnal dichromatic mammals closely related to primates) developed substantial refractive errors, suggesting that feedback from defocus-related changes in the relative activation of long- and short-wavelength–sensitive cones is essential to maintain emmetropia.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of narrow-band ambient blue light on refractive state in juvenile tree shrews that had completed initial emmetropization (decrease from hyperopia toward emmetropia).

METHODS

Animals were raised in fluorescent colony lighting until they began blue-light treatment at 24 days of visual experience, at which age they had achieved age-normal low hyperopia (mean ± SEM refractive error, 1.2 ± 0.5 diopters). Arrays of light-emitting diodes placed atop the cage produced wavelengths of 457 (five animals) or 464 nm (five animals), flickered in a pseudo-random pattern (temporally broad band). A third group of five animals was exposed to steady 464-nm blue light. Illuminance on the floor of the cage was 300 to 500 human lux. Noncycloplegic autorefractor measures were made daily for a minimum of 11 days and up to 32 days. Seven age-matched animals were raised in colony light.

RESULTS

The refractive state of all blue-treated animals moved outside the 95% confidence limits of the colony-light animals' refractions. Most refractions first moved toward hyperopia. Then the refractive state decreased monotonically and, in some animals, passed through emmetropia, becoming myopic.

CONCLUSIONS

From the tree shrew cone absorbance spectra, the narrow-band blue light stimulated both long-wavelength–sensitive and short-wavelength–sensitive cones, but the relative activation would not change with the refractive state. This removed feedback from longitudinal chromatic aberration that may be essential to maintain emmetropia.
Rationale and Design of Distance-Based Training to Persuade Local Health Department Employees that Addressing Social Determinants of Health Is Their Job, Too
Authors: Bernstein Melissa F. , Cinnick Samantha E. , Franzosa Emily , Murrman Marita K. , Freudenberg Nicholas
Published: September 2018

Public health workers in local health departments frequently rate skills needed to address social determinants of health among their top training needs. These workers have the ability to impact social determinants of health, but many may believe this responsibility is not part of their job description or that they do not have the necessary skills or resources. Guided by the Elaboration Likelihood Model of Persuasion and employing the case study method of instruction, the Region 2 Public Health Training Center designed a 45-minute, self-paced, online training module, titled Strategies to Advance Health Equity: How Health Departments Can Promote Living Wages, to persuade public health workers that addressing social determinants of health, especially those related to income disparities, is part of their day-to-day responsibilities. This article describes the module design, promising preliminary assessment data, and the formal evaluation plan.
Making Strides Toward Health Equity: The Experiences of Public Health Departments
Authors: Narain Kimberly Danae Cauley , Zimmerman Frederick J. , Richards Jessica , Fielding Jonathan E. , Cole Brian L. , Teutsch Steven M. , Rhoads Natalie
Published: September 2018

Objectives:

We explored the definition of health equity being used by public health departments and the extent of engagement of public health departments in activities to improve health equity, as well as facilitators and barriers to this work.

Design:

We conducted 25 semistructured qualitative interviews with lead public health officials (n = 20) and their designees (n = 5). All interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed.

Setting:

We conducted interviews with respondents from local public health departments in the United States (April 2017-June 2017).

Participants:

Respondents were from local or state public health departments that were members of the Big Cities Health Coalition, accredited or both.

Results:

Many departments were using a definition of health equity that emphasized an equal opportunity to improve health for all, with a special emphasis on socially disadvantaged populations. Improving health equity was a high priority for most departments and targeting the social determinants of health was viewed as the optimal approach for improving health equity. Having the capacity to frame issues of health equity in ways that resonated with sectors outside of public health was seen as a particularly valuable skill for facilitating cross-sector collaborations and promoting work to improve health equity. Barriers to engaging in work to improve health equity included lack of flexible and sustainable funding sources as well as limited training and guidance on how to conduct this type of work.

Conclusions:

Work to improve health equity among public health departments can be fostered and strengthened by building capacity among them to do more targeted framing of health equity issues and by providing more flexible and sustained funding sources. In addition, supporting peer networks that will allow for the exchange of resources, ideas, and best practices will likely build capacity among public health departments to effectively do this work.
Opportunities to Improve Employee Satisfaction Within State and Local Public Health Agencies
Authors: Wisniewski Janna M. , Jacinto Corey , Yeager Valerie A. , Castrucci Brian , Chapple-McGruder Theresa , Gould Elizabeth
Published: September 2018

Context:

Public health agencies will likely struggle to staff at necessary levels, given ongoing workforce shortages, the potential for mass retirement, and expanding responsibility. Although the majority of public health workers are satisfied with their jobs overall, it is critical to understand the degree to which they are satisfied and identify factors that contribute to any dissatisfaction that occurs.

Objective:

This study identified opportunities for public health agencies to improve work environments and, in turn, improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Design:

Using data from the 2014 Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey, we analyze responses to the survey question, “If you wish, you may provide comments below about your level of job satisfaction.” The 2966 responses (2389 from state and 542 from local public health agencies) that indicated a negative disposition were examined to understand employee dissatisfaction.

Setting:

The survey was administered to a representative sample of state health departments and convenience samples of local health departments.

Participants:

Responses from employees of state and local health departments are considered.

Main Outcome Measures:

The most frequently occurring themes overall were identified. In addition, responses describing weaknesses in organizational support (specifically training, communication, workload, and innovation) were summarized.

Results:

The most frequently occurring themes were as follows: (1) salary, specifically in relation to the merit system, performance evaluation, and workload; (2) job security with emphasis on funding, organizational transformation, and politics/government; and (3) career development related to the merit system, performance evaluation, and management. Respondents also reported opportunities in the areas of training, communication, workload, and innovation to improve satisfaction levels.

Conclusions:

These findings serve as a call to action for leaders in health departments as well as national public health leaders to remedy the concerns raised in their responses. Some of the solutions are within the realm of public health agency leadership, but some may fall within the realm of governors and public health leaders at the federal level. It is important to share these findings so that appropriate decision makers can address public health workforce retention and recruitment issues in the interest of retaining valuable employees.
Earlier Phases of Bone Scintigraphy Can Better Delineate the Extent of Soft Tissue Involvement of Bone Metastasis
Authors: Çayir Derya , Bozkurt Mehmet , Gültekin Salih Sinan , Karaçalioğlu Alper Özgür
Published: September 2018

Three-phase bone scintigraphy is sometimes of great value in the detection of uncharacteristic metastases and assists the management of patients in terms of primary focus detection. While evaluating the skeletal system with whole-body bone scintigraphy, other system pathologies may also be detected incidentally. In this case, we present the extraordinary findings on the 3-phase MDP bone scintigraphy and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging of the complicated bone metastases in a patient with thyroid carcinoma.
Laparoscopic Partial Splenectomy: A Safe and Feasible Treatment for Splenic Benign Lesions
Authors: Chen Junqiang , Yu Shian , Xu Longtang
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to explore the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic partial splenectomy in treating splenic benign lesions (SBL).

Materials and Methods:

A total of 16 SBL patients clearly diagnosed before surgery (8 cases of splenic cysts, 5 cases of splenic lymphangioma, and 3 cases of splenic hemangioma) underwent 2D or 3D laparoscopic partial splenectomy from October 2013 to August 2016. The diameters of the SBL were 5 to 17 cm with an average of 8.7 cm; 12 cases were located in the upper pole of the spleen, and 4 cases were located in the lower pole of the spleen.

Results:

All 16 patients successfully completed laparoscopic partial splenectomy, and no patients required conversion to an open operation. There were 3 cases of resection using the 3D laparoscope. There were 14 cases of resection of half of the spleen and 2 cases of partial resection of the lower spleen. The operation time was 110 to 195 minutes with an average time of 157 minutes. The amount of intraoperative blood loss was 80 to 200 mL, and no patients required blood transfusion. The postoperative abdominal drainage time was 3 to 5 days, and no abdominal bleeding, pancreatic leakage, subphrenic infection, or other complications occurred; the postoperative hospital stay lasted 5 to 6 days.

Conclusions:

Laparoscopic partial splenectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of splenic benign lesions.
Comparison of the Physiological Effect of Billroth-I and Roux-en-Y Reconstruction Following Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy
Authors: Toyomasu Yoshitaka , Ogata Kyoichi , Suzuki Masaki , Yanoma Toru , Kimura Akiharu , Kogure Norimichi , Ohno Tetsuro , Kamiyama Yoichi , Mochiki Erito , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: September 2018

Background:

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) is a widely used minimally invasive surgery. Following LDG, Billroth-I (B-I) provides physiological reconstruction by preserving the duodenal passage but results in a high incidence of reflux esophagitis that decreases postoperative quality of life. Because of this, Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction is often considered the first choice after LDG. However, very few studies have investigated differences in physiological function between B-I and R-Y after LDG. We hypothesized that B-I would outperform R-Y in clinical and physiological outcomes, including nutrition parameters.

Methods:

We compared hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, Vitamin B12, 25(OH)-Vitamin D (V-D), body weight, and gastric emptying after LDG in patients with either B-I or R-Y reconstruction.

Results:

The levels of hemoglobin in the B-I group were significantly higher than that in the R-Y group at all time points later than 6 months postsurgery. The ferritin levels were significantly higher in the B-I group at all time points later than 9 months postsurgery. The concentration of serum V-D in the B-I group was significantly higher than that in the R-Y group at 1 year 6 months, 1 year 9 months, and 2 years after surgery. Gastric emptying in the R-Y group was significantly slower than in the B-I group.

Conclusions:

Our data indicate that B-I leads to less postsurgical iron deficiency anemia and V-D deficiency compared with R-Y reconstruction. Furthermore, gastric emptying was preserved in B-I reconstruction compared with R-Y reconstruction. In conclusion, after LDG, B-I reconstruction seems to cause fewer nutritional complications than R-Y reconstruction.
Fournier's gangrene: not as lethal as previously thought? A case series
Authors: Heijkoop Bridget , Parker Natalie , Spernat Daniel
Published: September 2018

Background

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a necrotizing fasciitis involving the perineum, external genitalia or perianal area. A rare condition with a historically high mortality rate (20–40%), our objective was to provide an up to date mortality rate for patients treated with multimodal therapy in a tertiary referral centre.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospective database of FG patients treated at our tertiary referral centre was conducted. The primary end point was survival. Secondary end points included total hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), number and type of procedures as well as considering co‐morbidities at presentation as potential predisposing factor. Results were compared to those in current literature.

Results

Between 2012 and 2017, 15 patients were diagnosed with FG at our tertiary referral centre. One was excluded as decision to palliate was made at presentation. Of the remaining 14 patients, 13 survived representing a mortality rate of 7%. In surviving patients, total LOS was between 10 and 71 days, with a mean LOS of 36 days and median LOS of 34 days. Eight required ICU with ICU LOS between 1 and 42 days, with a mean of 10 and median of 4. Number of debridement procedures ranged from 3 to 17 with a mean and median of 6. Six patients required adjunctive procedures and 10 required reconstructive procedures.

Conclusion

While a prolonged admission and multiple operations are expected, early diagnosis and aggressive multimodal treatment may result in a significantly better survival outcome than those quoted in previous literature.
Inpatient rehabilitation did not positively affect 6‐month patient‐reported outcomes after hip or knee arthroplasty
Authors: Hutchinson Adam G. , Gooden Benjamin , Lyons Matthew C. , Roe Justin P. , O'Sullivan Michael D. , Salmon Lucy J. , Martina Kaka , Pinczewski Leo A.
Published: September 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to compare patient‐reported outcomes 6 months after hip or knee arthroplasty in subjects who were discharged to home compared to those who attended inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods

Seven hundred and forty‐eight consecutive total hip or knee replacement patients were identified from a prospective database. Preoperative and 6‐month post‐operative patient‐reported outcome measures were recorded. Forty‐four patients discharged directly to home were cohort matched by age, gender, procedure and surgeon to 44 patients from the cohort who received inpatient care. Patient outcomes were compared using SPSS version 24 software.

Results

Both cohorts saw significant improvements from baseline at 6 months. Median length of rehabilitation for the inpatient group was 7 days (4–16 days). There was no significant difference between the groups based on patient‐reported outcomes. There was a clinically significant difference (P = 0.047) in the body mass index of the Home Group (mean = 27) to Rehab Group (mean = 29).

Conclusion

Our study has shown that inpatient rehabilitation after hip or knee arthroplasty did not positively affect 6‐month patient‐reported satisfaction, expectation, pain, quality of life, activities of daily living scores, when compared with subjects who were discharged direct to home. A significant average saving of $5600 per patient with the use of home discharge is a promising avenue for health cost reduction, and health resource distribution.
Numerical Analysis of an Instrumented Turbine Blade Cascade
Authors: Ubald Bryn N. , Cui Jiahuan , Watson Rob , Tucker Paul G. , Shahpar Shahrokh
Published: September 2018

The measurement accuracy of the temperature/pressure probe mounted at the leading edge of a turbine/compressor blade is crucial for estimating the fuel consumption of a turbo-fan engine. Apart from the measurement error itself, the probe also introduces extra losses. This again would compromise the measurement accuracy of the overall engine efficiency. This paper utilizes high-fidelity numerical analysis to understand the complex flow around the probe and quantify the loss sources due to the interaction between the blade and its instrumentation.

With the inclusion of leading edge probes, three dimensional flow phenomena develop, with some flow features acting in a similar manner to a jet in cross flow. The separated flow formed at the leading edge of the probe blocks a large area of the probe bleed-hole, which is one of the reasons why the probe accuracy can be sensitive to Mach and Reynolds numbers. The addition of 4% free stream turbulence is shown to have a marginal impact on the jet trajectory originated from the probe bleedhole. However, a slight reduction is observed in the size of the separation bubble formed at the leading edge of the probe, preceding the two bleedhole exits. The free stream turbulence also has a significant impact on the size of the separation bubble near the trailing edge of the blade. With the addition of the free stream turbulence, the loss observed within the trailing edge wake is reduced. More than 50% of the losses at the cascade exit are generated by the leading edge probe. A breakdown of the dissipation terms from the mean flow kinetic energy equation demonstrates that the Reynolds stresses are the key terms in dissipating the counter rotating vortex pairs with the viscous stresses responsible for the boundary layer.
A State-of-the-Art Review on Empirical Data Collection for External Governed Pedestrians Complex Movement
Authors: Shi Xiaomeng , Ye Zhirui , Shiwakoti Nirajan , Grembek Offer
Published: September 2018

Complex movement patterns of pedestrian traffic, ranging from unidirectional to multidirectional flows, are frequently observed in major public infrastructure such as transport hubs. These multidirectional movements can result in increased number of conflicts, thereby influencing the mobility and safety of pedestrian facilities. Therefore, empirical data collection on pedestrians’ complex movement has been on the rise in the past two decades. Although there are several reviews of mathematical simulation models for pedestrian traffic in the existing literature, a detailed review examining the challenges and opportunities on empirical studies on the pedestrians complex movements is limited in the literature. The overall aim of this study is to present a systematic review on the empirical data collection for uni- and multidirectional crowd complex movements. We first categorized the complex movements of pedestrian crowd into two general categories, namely, external governed movements and internal driven movements based on the interactions with the infrastructure and among pedestrians, respectively. Further, considering the hierarchy of movement complexity, we decomposed the externally governed movements of pedestrian traffic into several unique movement patterns including straight line, turning, egress and ingress, opposing, weaving, merging, diverging, and random flows. Analysis of the literature showed that empirical data were highly rich in straight line and egress flow while medium rich in turning, merging, weaving, and opposing flows, but poor in ingress, diverging, and random flows. We put emphasis on the need for the future global collaborative efforts on data sharing for the complex crowd movements.
Existence of Weak Solutions for Fractional Integrodifferential Equations with Multipoint Boundary Conditions
Authors: Gou Haide , Li Baolin
Published: September 2018

By combining the techniques of fractional calculus with measure of weak noncompactness and fixed point theorem, we establish the existence of weak solutions of multipoint boundary value problem for fractional integrodifferential equations.
Dexmedetomidine Inhibits Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels via α2-Adrenoceptors in Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons
Authors: Im Sang-Taek , Jo Youn Yi , Han Gayoung , Jo Hyun Jung , Kim Yong Ho , Park Chul-Kyu
Published: September 2018

Dexmedetomidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist, is widely used as a sedative and analgesic agent in a number of clinical applications. However, little is known about the mechanism by which it exerts its analgesic effects on the trigeminal system. Two types of voltage-gated sodium channels, Nav1.7 and Nav1.8, as well as α2-adrenoceptors are expressed in primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion (TG). Using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, we investigated the effects of dexmedetomidine on voltage-gated sodium channel currents (INa) via α2-adrenoceptors in dissociated, small-sized TG neurons. Dexmedetomidine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of INa in small-sized TG neurons. INa inhibition by dexmedetomidine was blocked by yohimbine, a competitive α2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Dexmedetomidine-induced inhibition of INa was mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as this effect was blocked by intracellular perfusion with the G protein inhibitor GDPβ-S. Our results suggest that the INa inhibition in small-sized TG neurons, mediated by the activation of Gi/o protein-coupled α2-adrenoceptors, might contribute to the analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine in the trigeminal system. Therefore, these new findings highlight a potential novel target for analgesic drugs in the orofacial region.
Accessing the Power of Tests Based on Set-Indexed Partial Sums of Multivariate Regression Residuals
Authors: Somayasa Wayan
Published: September 2018

The intention of the present paper is to establish an approximation method to the limiting power functions of tests conducted based on Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Cramér-von Mises functionals of set-indexed partial sums of multivariate regression residuals. The limiting powers appear as vectorial boundary crossing probabilities. Their upper and lower bounds are derived by extending some existing results for shifted univariate Gaussian process documented in the literatures. The application of multivariate Cameron-Martin translation formula on the space of high dimensional set-indexed continuous functions is demonstrated. The rate of decay of the power function to a presigned value α is also studied. Our consideration is mainly for the trend plus signal model including multivariate set-indexed Brownian sheet and pillow. The simulation shows that the approach is useful for analyzing the performance of the test.
Hemosuccus Pancreaticus: A Rare Bleeding Pseudoaneurysm of the Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Treated with Embolization
Authors: Wang Luke L. , Bauman Zachary M.
Published: September 2018

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a very rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and can be life-threatening if not managed appropriately. Still thought to be a surgical problem, advances in medical therapy now afford these patients the opportunity to undergo less-invasive angiography techniques to manage this illness when it occurs. Here, we present a case of hemosuccus pancreaticus safely managed with liquid N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization.
Aqueous Extract of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae Exerts Anxiolytic Effects during Nicotine Withdrawal via Improvement of Amygdaloid CRF/CRF1R Signaling
Authors: Gu Changhong , Zhao ZhengLin , Zhu Xiaodong , Wu Tong , Lee Bong Hyo , Jiao Yu , Lee Chul Won , Jung Dae Hwa , Yang Chae Ha , Zhao Rongjie , Kim Sang Chan
Published: September 2018

Anxiety during nicotine withdrawal (NicW) is a key risk factor for smoking relapse. Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), which is a prototypical hypnotic‐sedative herb in Oriental medicine, has been clinically used to treat insomnia and general anxiety disorders for thousands of years. Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of the aqueous extract of SZS (AESZS) on NicW‐induced anxiety in male rats that received subcutaneous administrations of nicotine (Nic) (0.4 mg/kg, twice a day) for 7 d followed by 4 d of withdrawal. During NicW, the rats received four intragastric treatments of AESZS (60 mg/kg/d or 180 mg/kg/d). AESZS dose‐dependently attenuated NicW‐induced anxiety‐like behaviors in the elevated plus maze (EPM) tests and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS inhibited NicW‐induced increases in plasma corticosterone. Additionally, the protein and mRNA expressions of corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) and CRF type 1 receptor (CRF1R) increased in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) during NicW, but these changes were suppressed by 180 mg/kg/d AESZS. A post‐AESZS infusion of CRF into the CeA abolished the attenuation of anxiety by AESZS and 180 mg/kg/d AESZS suppressed NicW‐induced increases in norepinephrine and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxy‐phenylglycol levels in the CeA. The present results suggest that AESZS ameliorated NicW‐induced anxiety via improvements in CRF/CRF1R and noradrenergic signaling in the CeA.
One‐to‐Many Relationship Based Kullback Leibler Divergence against Malicious Users in Cooperative Spectrum Sensing
Authors: Gul Noor , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Akbar Sadiq , Kamran Muhammad , Rasool Imtiaz
Published: September 2018

The centralized cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) allows unlicensed users to share their local sensing observations with the fusion center (FC) for sensing the licensed user spectrum. Although collaboration leads to better sensing, malicious user (MU) participation in CSS results in performance degradation. The proposed technique is based on Kullback Leibler Divergence (KLD) algorithm for mitigating the MUs attack in CSS. The secondary users (SUs) inform FC about the primary user (PU) spectrum availability by sending received energy statistics. Unlike the previous KLD algorithm where the individual SU sensing information is utilized for measuring the KLD, in this work MUs are identified and separated based on the individual SU decision and the average sensing statistics received from all other users. The proposed KLD assigns lower weights to the sensing information of MUs, while the normal SUs information receives higher weights. The proposed method has been tested in the presence of always yes, always no, opposite, and random opposite MUs. Simulations confirm that the proposed KLD scheme has surpassed the existing soft combination schemes in estimating the PU activity.
Effect of Planting Material Type on Experimental Trial Quality and Performance Ranking of Sugarcane Genotypes
Authors: Moraes Michel Choairy de , Ribeiro Guimarães Ana Carolina , Perecin Dilermando , Sainz Manuel Benito
Published: September 2018

In recent years, the use of presprouted setts (MPB, which stands for “mudas pre-brotadas” in Portuguese) to establish commercial sugarcane nurseries has grown in Brazil. MPB and single-bud setts (SBS) have the advantage of requiring less planting material and enabling a higher multiplication rate of the source material as compared with the conventional multibud sett (MBS) planting system. Sugarcane breeding programs could also potentially benefit from the precise spacing afforded by MPB or SBS planting materials, by reducing trial variability. However, the effect of planting material type on the performance ranking and consequent selection of sugarcane clones in a breeding program has not been previously investigated. We present results on possible interactions between genotype and the type of planting material (MPB, MBS, or SBS) on key performance parameters, like sugar content, cane yield, and sugar yield, in the context of the intermediate phase of a sugarcane breeding program. Our results indicate that trial quality does not necessarily improve with the use of MPB or SBS planting materials and that type of planting material has a significant effect on the ranking of sugarcane genotypes, and this needs to be taken into consideration when considering the use of new planting technologies in breeding trials of vegetatively propagated crops such as sugarcane.
Feasibility Study of PV-Wind-Fuel Cell Hybrid Power System for Electrification of a Rural Village in Ethiopia
Authors: Hailu Kebede Mikias , Bekele Beyene Getachew
Published: September 2018

As the energy consumption is increasing in an alarming rate and peoples and international communities are well aware of environmental protection, alternative (i.e., renewable and fuel cell based) distributed generation (DG) systems have attracted increased interest. Wind-based and photovoltaic- (PV-) based power generation are two of the most promising renewable energy technologies. Fuel cell (FC) systems also show great potential in DG applications due to their fast technological development and the merits they have, such as high efficiency, zero or low emissions (of pollutant gases), and flexible modular structure. In this work, the techno-economic feasibility study (using HOMER) of emission-free hybrid power system of solar, wind, and fuel cell power source unit for a given rural village in Ethiopia called Nifasso (latitude of 9°58′40″N and longitude of 39°50′3″E with an estimated population of 1059) that can meet the electricity demand in a sustainable manner has been studied. The main power for the hybrid system comes from the solar and wind energy while the fuel cell and rechargeable batteries are used as a secondary and primary energy back up units, respectively. We can say storage as primary and secondary based on the sequence of operation. Hence, when there is shortage, first the battery discharges to fulfill the load demand and if the battery reaches to its allowable minimum capacity, it will stop further discharging and the fuel cell will operate so as to convert the stored hydrogen into electricity. In the result, different feasible alternative solutions have been obtained with a narrow range of COE which are better than the previously studied PV-wind-Genset hybrid set ups.
Characterization of Sludge Deposits from Refineries and Gas Plants: Prerequisite Results Requirements to Facilitate Chemical Cleaning of the Particular Equipment
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Rasha A. , Sitepu Husin
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the method developed by the authors to separate the inorganic materials from the hydrocarbon of the sludge deposits, which is fast and can accurately identify very small quantities of inorganic materials, has been extended to characterize the 12 types of sludge samples collected from (a) a regeneration overhead acid gas condenser, (b) water draw-off pump’s suction strainer in a gas plant, and (c) condenser, inside vessels of inlet head, and head coiler tube equipment at gas plants. The results revealed that the major phases are (a) iron sulfide corrosion products with the hydrocarbon type of mixture of diesel and lube oil for a condenser and (b) carbonate scale in the form of calcium carbonate with the hydrocarbon type of lubricant oil for sludge deposits from a suction strainer for pumps, and drilling mud in the form of barium sulfate with no organic hydrocarbon or polymer for sludge samples from a water recycling pump. Moreover, the major phases for inorganic materials built up in a condenser, inside the vessel’s inlet head, and the head coiler tube revealed that iron oxide corrosion products are found in the steam drum, and iron sulfate corrosion products are built up in the condenser. The presence of dissolved oxygen in the boiler feed water is indicated by a high wt% of iron oxide corrosion product in the form of magnetite (Fe3O4), which appeared in the inorganic materials built up in the condenser steam drum. Knowing accurately which phases and their wt% were involved in the inorganic materials can guide the field engineers to facilitate efficient cleaning of the equipment by drawing up the right procedures and taking preventive action to stop the generation of those particular sludge deposits.
Suppressing Numerical Oscillation for Nonlinear Hyperbolic Equations by Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Zhao Yong , Yu Peng-Yao , Su Shao-Juan , Wang Tian-Lin
Published: September 2018

In the numerical solution for nonlinear hyperbolic equations, numerical oscillation often shows and hides the real solution with the progress of computation. Using wavelet analysis, a dual wavelet shrinkage procedure is proposed, which allows one to extract the real solution hidden in the numerical solution with oscillation. The dual wavelet shrinkage procedure is introduced after applying the local differential quadrature method, which is a straightforward technique to calculate the spatial derivatives. Results free from numerical oscillation can be obtained, which can not only capture the position of shock and rarefaction waves, but also keep the sharp gradient structure within the shock wave. Three model problems—a one-dimensional dam-break flow governed by shallow water equations, and the propagation of a one-dimensional and a two-dimensional shock wave controlled by the Euler equations—are used to confirm the validity of the proposed procedure.
Effect of Silver Nanowire Plasmons on Graphene Oxide Coatings Reduction for Highly Transparent Electrodes
Authors: Yan Xingzhen , Zhou Lu , Chu Xuefeng , Wang Huan , Yang Fan , Wang Chao , Chi Yaodan , Yang Xiaotian
Published: September 2018

We prepared transparent conducting composite electrodes composed of silver nanowires (Ag NWs) and reduced graphene oxide (r-GO). We present a simple approach to welding the cross-positions of the Ag NWs by applying pressure at a relatively low temperature (100°C). We examined the Ag NWs/r-GO composite films in terms of their transmission, conductivity, and stability. The plasmonic features of the Ag NWs were used to assist the ultraviolet (UV) light-induced reduction of the GO coating. The r-GO coatings used to form Ag NWs/r-GO composite structures increased the conductivity of the film by providing more efficient electron conductive pathways. The G/D intensity ratios of the GO and r-GO produced by the UV light-induced method without and with Ag NWs were 0.95, 1.01, and 1.04, respectively. The lowest sheet resistance of the composite films was 7 ohm/sq with approximately 82% transparency in the visible spectrum region. No degradation of the films was observed after 2 months. This excellent environmental stability might facilitate applications of Ag NWs/r-GO composite films in optoelectronic devices.
Construction and Stability of Riesz Bases
Authors: Bai Yulin , Wang Wanyi , Wang Guixia , Ge Suqin
Published: September 2018

We construct some new Riesz bases and consider the stability of them. The investigation is based on the stability of Riesz bases of cosines and sines in the Hilbert space L2[0,π].
On the Effective Reducibility of a Class of Quasi-Periodic Linear Hamiltonian Systems Close to Constant Coefficients
Authors: Xue Nina , Zhao Wencai
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we consider the effective reducibility of the quasi-periodic linear Hamiltonian system x˙=A+εQt,εx, ε∈0,ε0, where A is a constant matrix with possible multiple eigenvalues and Q(t,ε) is analytic quasi-periodic with respect to t. Under nonresonant conditions, it is proved that this system can be reduced to y˙=A⁎ε+εR⁎t,εy, ε∈0,ε⁎, where R⁎ is exponentially small in ε, and the change of variables that perform such a reduction is also quasi-periodic with the same basic frequencies as Q.
A Case of Lyme Carditis Presenting with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Kennel Peter J. , Parasram Melvin , Lu Daniel , Zisa Diane , Chung Samuel , Freedman Samuel , Knorr Katherine , Donahoe Timothy , Markowitz Steven M. , Halazun Hadi
Published: September 2018

We report a case of a 20-year-old man who presented to our institution with a new arrhythmia on a routine EKG. Serial EKG tracings revealed various abnormal rhythms such as episodes of atrial fibrillation, profound first degree AV block, and type I second degree AV block. He was found to have positive serologies for Borrelia burgdorferi. After initiation of antibiotic therapy, the atrial arrhythmias and AV block resolved. Here, we present a case of Lyme carditis presenting with atrial fibrillation, a highly unusual presentation of Lyme carditis.
Switching MIMO System with Adaptive OFDM Modulation for Indoor Visible Light Communication
Authors: Guo Xinyue , Zhang Keer , Huang Xufa
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a switching multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) system combining with adaptive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation for high-speed indoor visible light communications. The adaptive OFDM modulation, which is realized by power and bit allocation on OFDM subchannels, is utilized to achieve the maximum channel capacity under a given target bit error rate (BER). Meanwhile, the MIMO mode switches between spatial multiplexing and transmit diversity adapting to the channel correlation, where the modulation order solved by adaptive OFDM modulation is chosen as the switching criterion. Experimental results validate data rates improvement over the pure spatial multiplexing and the pure transmit diversity system, where BERs are all below the 7% preforward error correction (pre-FEC) threshold of 3.8 × 10−3 in experiments.
A Case of Invasive Gastrointestinal Mycotypha Infection in a Patient with Neutropenia
Authors: Trachuk Polina , Szymczak Wendy A. , Muscarella Peter , Sarwar Uzma N.
Published: September 2018

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis is a rare life-threatening infection to which neutropenic patients are especially vulnerable. Mycotypha microspora is a mucormycete that has not been described as a human pathogen. We discuss the successful eradication of gastrointestinal Mycotypha microspora in a neutropenic patient with simultaneous pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection.
Lipids and the Permeability and Antimicrobial Barriers of the Skin
Authors: Wertz Philip W.
Published: September 2018

The primary purpose of the epidermis of terrestrial vertebrates is to produce the stratum corneum, which serves as the interface between the organism and the environment. As such, the stratum corneum provides a permeability barrier which both limits water loss through the skin and provides a relatively tough permeability barrier. This provides for a degree of resistance to mechanical trauma and prevents or limits penetration of potentially harmful substances from the environment. The stratum corneum consists of an array of keratinized cells embedded in a lipid matrix. It is this intercellular lipid that determines the permeability of the stratum corneum. The main lipids here are ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. In addition, the skin surface of mammals, including humans, is coated by a lipid film produced by sebaceous glands in the dermis and secreted through the follicles. Human sebum consists mainly of squalene, wax monoesters, and triglycerides with small proportions of cholesterol and cholesterol esters. As sebum passes through the follicles, some of the triglycerides are hydrolyzed by bacteria to liberate free fatty acids. Likewise, near the skin surface, where water becomes available, some of the ceramides are acted upon by an epithelial ceramidase to liberate sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, and 6-hydroxysphingosine. Some of the free fatty acids, specifically lauric acid and sapienic acid, have been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. Also, the long-chain bases have broad spectrum antibacterial activity.
Prevalence of Human Sapovirus in Low and Middle Income Countries
Authors: Magwalivha Mpho , Kabue Jean-Pierre , Traore Afsatou Ndama , Potgieter Natasha
Published: September 2018

Background. Sapovirus (SV) infection is a public health concern which plays an important role in the burden of diarrhoeal diseases, causing acute gastroenteritis in people of all ages in both outbreaks and sporadic cases worldwide.Objective/Study Design. The purpose of this report is to summarise the available data on the detection of human SV in low and middle income countries. A systematic search on PubMed and ScienceDirect database for SV studies published between 2004 and 2017 in low and middle income countries was done. Studies of SV in stool and water samples were part of the inclusion criteria.Results. From 19 low and middle income countries, 45 published studies were identified. The prevalence rate for SV was 6.5%. A significant difference (P=0) in SV prevalent rate was observed between low income and middle income countries. Thirty-three (78.6%) of the studies reported on children and 8 (19%) studies reported on all age groups with diarrhoea. The majority (66.7%) of studies reported on hospitalised patients with acute gastroenteritis. Sapovirus GI was shown as the dominant genogroup, followed by SV-GII.Conclusion. The detection of human SV in low and middle income countries is evident; however the reports on its prevalence are limited. There is therefore a need for systematic surveillance of the circulation of SV, and their role in diarrhoeal disease and outbreaks, especially in low and middle income countries.
The Effect of Season and Weather on Orthopaedic Trauma: Consult Volume Is Significantly Correlated with Daily Weather
Authors: Wilson J. M. , Staley C. A. , Boden A. L. , Boissonneault A. R. , Schwartz A. M. , Schenker M. L.
Published: September 2018

Introduction. On-call orthopedic clinicians have long speculated that daily consult volume is closely correlated with weather. While prior studies have demonstrated a relationship between weather and certain fracture types, the effect of weather on total orthopaedic consult volume has not yet been examined. The aim of this study was to investigate this relationship.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed orthopaedic consult data from 405 consecutive days at an urban, level one trauma center. The number, mechanism of injury, and type of consult were collected, along with daily weather data (temperature, wind, and precipitation). Statistical analysis was then performed to determine the relationship between weather and orthopaedic trauma consults.Results. A total of 4543 consults were received during the study period. There was a significant difference in total number of consults between months of the year (p<0.001). A post hoc analysis revealed that this was due to increased volume in the summer months relative to the winter months (i.e., August 13.7 consults/day; January 9.3 consults/day). Average daily temperature and consult volume were also positively correlated (p<0.001, r= 0.30). While there was no significant association between precipitation and total consult volume, when there was over 0.25 inches of rain, there were less penetrating trauma (p=0.034) and motorcycle collision consults (p=0.013).Conclusion. Weather parameters, specifically average temperature and precipitation, were found to be associated with daily orthopedic consult type and volume. Additionally, consult volume varies significantly between months of the year. Because trauma centers are often resource scarce, this is an important relationship to understand for proper resource allocation.
Higher-Spin Symmetries and Deformed Schrödinger Algebra in Conformal Mechanics
Authors: Toppan Francesco , Valenzuela Mauricio
Published: September 2018

The dynamical symmetries of 1+1-dimensional Matrix Partial Differential Equations with a Calogero potential (with/without the presence of an extra oscillatorial de Alfaro-Fubini-Furlan, DFF, term) are investigated. The first-order invariant differential operators induce several invariant algebras and superalgebras. Besides the sl(2)⊕u(1) invariance of the Calogero Conformal Mechanics, an osp2∣2 invariant superalgebra, realized by first-order and second-order differential operators, is obtained. The invariant algebras with an infinite tower of generators are given by the universal enveloping algebra of the deformed Heisenberg algebra, which is shown to be equivalent to a deformed version of the Schrödinger algebra. This vector space also gives rise to a higher-spin (gravity) superalgebra. We furthermore prove that the pure and DFF Matrix Calogero PDEs possess isomorphic dynamical symmetries, being related by a similarity transformation and a redefinition of the time variable.