bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A REVIEW OF SENSOR TECHNOLOGY AND SENSOR FUSION METHODS FOR MAP-BASED LOCALIZATION OF SERVICE ROBOT
Authors: Thol Yong Lim , Che Fai Yeong , Su Lee Ming Eileen
Published: July 2016

Service robot is currently gaining traction, particularly in hospitality, geriatric care and healthcare industries. The navigation of service robots requires high adaptability, flexibility and reliability. Hence, map-based navigation is suitable for service robot because of the ease in updating changes in environment and the flexibility in determining a new optimal path. For map-based navigation to be robust, an accurate and precise localization method is necessary. Localization problem can be defined as recognizing the robot’s own position in a given environment and is a crucial step in any navigational process. Major difficulties of localization include dynamic changes of the real world, uncertainties and limited sensor information. This paper presents a comparative review of sensor technology and sensor fusion methods suitable for map-based localization, focusing on service robot applications.
AUTOMATED BRAIN LESION CLASSIFICATION USING HYBRID FUZZY C-MEANS WITH CORRELATION TEMPLATE AND WAVELET TRANSFORM
Authors: Muda Ayuni Fateeha , Mohd Saad Norhashimah , Yin Fen Low , Abdullah Abdul Rahim , Waeleh Nazreen
Published: July 2016

This paper presents a new technique for automatically detecting and characterizing major brain lesions for diffusion-weighted imaging. The analytical framework consists of pre-processing, segmentation, features extraction and classification. For segmentation process, Fuzzy C-Means integrated with correlation template are proposed to detect the lesion region. The algorithm performance is evaluated using Jaccard and both false positive and false negative rates. Next, the features from wavelet transform are extracted from the region and fed into the rule-based classifier. Results demonstrated that FCM with correlation template offered the best performance for acute stroke segmentation with the highest rate of 0.77 Jaccard index. The classification accuracy for acute stroke, tumor, chronic stroke and necrosis are 94%, 97, 63% and 60%. In conclusion, the proposed hybrid analysis has the potential to be explored as a computer-aided tool to detect and diagnose of human brain lesion.
A NEW DATA EMBEDDING METHOD FOR MPEG LAYER III AUDIO STEGANOGRAPHY
Authors: Bazyar Mohsen , Sudirman Rubita
Published: July 2016

A new method of MP3 steganography is proposed with emphasis on increasing the steganography capacity of the carrier medium. This paper proposes a data embedding algorithm to hide more information for compressed bitstream of MP3 audio files. The sign bits of Huffman codes are selected as the stego-object according to the Huffman coding characteristic in region of Count1. Embedding process does not require the main MP3 audio file during the extraction of hidden message and the size of MP3 file cannot be changed in this step. Our proposed method caused much higher information embedding capacity with lower computational complexity compared with MP3Stego tools. Experimental results show an excellent imperceptibility for the new algorithm.
CHARACTERIZATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH PREFERRED AND NON-PREFERRED GRAPHIC RULE DURING DRAWING
Authors: Kosnan Hanis Zafirah , Mat Safri Norlaili , Zakaria Nor Aini , Khalid Puspa Inayat
Published: July 2016

This paper aims to investigate the functional connectivity in brain among young children during employment of preferred and non-preferred rule when drawing basic drawing task using Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) and to determine the most significant parameter in differentiating the two groups using handwriting dynamic features and brain activity based on statistical analysis and principle component analysis (PCA). Twelve subjects between 5 and 6 years old were selected randomly. All subjects were asked to gaze and trace four different unlined shapes. The brain signals were recorded using an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine during drawing tasks. Result showed that subjects who employed preferred graphic rule (Control) when performing gazing and tracing tasks were better at visual processing when compared to those that used graphic rule in haphazard fashion. Besides, significant difference was found in frequency domain when subjects used graphic rule in rule governed fashion when compared to relaxing activity. The contrast was found when subject used graphic rule in haphazard fashion. Results from PCA showed most significant parameter (gamma/high gamma) in differentiating between the two groups (employed graphic rule vs. non-graphic) was found in tracing task.
PERFORMANCE PREDICTION OF WORKING MEMORY RETENTION USING EVENT-RELATED POTENTIAL SIGNAL TOWARDS CHILDREN
Authors: Mohd Tumari Siti Zubaidah , Sudirman Rubita
Published: July 2016

This study is to investigate the Event-Related Potentials (ERP) from the background of Electroencephalograph (EEG) signal for working memory retention by using visual stimuli. The proposed analysis of ERP signal is to predict the performance of working memory retention for various frequency bands such as gamma, beta, alpha, theta and delta. This study is intended to process the EEG data into ERP data and analyze the ERP signal based on power spectrum density. This method is applied to data of normal children with age between 7 to 12 years old. Result showed that alpha power band increases during working memory retention towards visual stimuli compared to the other frequency band. 9 years old has the highest amplitude alpha power compared to the other group of age. Therefore, the alpha power band at the prefrontal cortex will be used for the next analysis of the working memory retention.
3D SURFACE RECONSTRUCTION FROM A SINGLE UNCALIBRATED 2D IMAGE
Authors: Mohd Sobani Siti Syazalina , Mahmood Nasrul Humaimi , Zakaria Nor Aini
Published: July 2016

This paper described a simple computation to reconstruct 3D surface using a single uncalibrated 2D image from a digital camera as an image acquisition device that also focused on fast processing. An object is placed on a table with black background for the digital camera to shoot an image of the object. Image segmentation methods are applied in order to obtain the shape of the object from silhouette. The concept Radon transform is adopted to generate sinograms of the object and it is then inverse Radon transform is used to construct 2D cross-section of the object layer by layer. Canny edge detection helps to get the outline of each cross-section and coordinate points are extracted forming 3D point cloud from the image slices. 3D surface of the object is then reconstructed using Delaunay triangulation to connect each point with another. The results obtained from this project are satisfying regarding the processing time with recognizable shape and also strengthened with considerably low percentage error in the calculation for all six objects used in the experiment.
INVESTIGATION INTO RISK PERCEPTION OF MOTORCYCLISTS IN PENANG BY INTEGRATING A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY WITH COGNITIVE MAPPING
Authors: Abdul Sukor Nur Sabahiah , Zakaria Muhammad Redho , Choy Peng Ng
Published: July 2016

This study investigates the risk perception of motorcyclists based on two types of surveys, namely a questionnaire and cognitive mapping. The respondents comprised 138 motorcyclists who commute to work in Penang using the motorcycle as their main means of transportation. The main finding of this study is that different methods of survey will yield different results with regard to motorcyclists’ risk perception of road accidents. According to the questionnaire survey, the motorcyclists perceived that the attitude of other road users was the main contributor to motorcycle accidents, while the cognitive mapping revealed that the condition of the roads was the cause of accidents. This study also suggests that by analysing the motorcyclists’ risk perception, potential accident locations can be detected earlier and countermeasures can be taken to prevent accidents.
Quantifying Variability in Lumbar L4-L5 Soft Tissue Properties for Use in Finite-Element Analysis
Authors: Coombs Dana J. , Rullkoetter Paul J. , Laz Peter J.
Published: July 2016

Soft tissue structures of the L4-L5 level of the human lumbar spine are represented in finite-element (FE) models, which are used to evaluate spine biomechanics and implant performance. These models typically use average properties; however, experimental testing reports variation up to 40% in ligament stiffness and even greater variability for annulus fibrosis (AF) properties. Probabilistic approaches enable consideration of the impact of intersubject variability on model outputs. However, there are challenges in directly applying the variability in measured load–displacement response of structures to a finite-element model. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to perform a comprehensive review of the properties of the L4-L5 structures and to develop a probabilistic representation to characterize variability in the stiffness of spinal ligaments and parameters of a Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden constitutive material model of the disk. The probabilistic representation was determined based on direct mechanical test data as found in the literature. Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine the uncertainty of the Holzapfel–Gasser–Ogden constitutive model. A single stiffness parameter was defined to characterize each ligament, with the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) being the stiffest, while the posterior longitudinal ligament and interspinous ligament (ISL) had the greatest variation. The posterior portion of the annulus fibrosis had the greatest stiffness and greatest variation up to 300% in circumferential loading. The resulting probabilistic representation can be utilized to include intersubject variability in biomechanics evaluations.
Poisson Mesh Reconstruction for Accurate Object Tracking With Low-Fidelity Point Clouds
Authors: Garrett Timothy , Debernardis Saverio , Oliver James , Radkowski Rafael
Published: July 2016

Tracking refers to a set of techniques that allows one to calculate the position and orientation of an object with respect to a global reference coordinate system in real time. A common method for tracking with point clouds is the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, which relies on the continuous matching of sequential sampled point clouds with a reference point cloud. Modern commodity range cameras provide point cloud data that can be used for that purpose. However, this point cloud data is generally considered as low-fidelity and insufficient for accurate object tracking. Mesh reconstruction algorithms can improve the fidelity of the point cloud by reconstructing the overall shape of the object. This paper explores the potential for point cloud fidelity improvement via the Poisson mesh reconstruction (PMR) algorithm and compares the accuracy with a common ICP-based tracking technique and a local mesh reconstruction operator. The results of an offline simulation are promising.
Design of SUV Differential Braking Controller Considering the Interactions of Driver and Control System
Authors: Zhu Shenjin , He Yuping
Published: July 2016

This paper presents the design and validation of a differential braking controller for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) using driver-in-the-loop real-time simulations. SUVs are constructed with high ground clearance, which is the main reason for their high rollover rate. A nonlinear 3 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) SUV model with the Dugoff’s tire model is generated to design a differential braking controller. The desired states will be decided using a 2-DOF bicycle model and the automated lane-keeping control results derived from the vehicle velocity and the curvature of the road to negotiate. Actual vehicle states, observed from the nonlinear model, may deviate from the desired ones. A nonlinear robust controller, namely sliding model controller (SMC), is designed to minimize the state error so as to improve the performance measures, e.g., yaw stability. The proposed controller constructed in Labview software is integrated with a virtual SUV developed in CarSim package for co-simulations. The effectiveness of the controller is first investigated using the emulated sine-with-dwell maneuver specified in FMVSS 126. The overall SUV performance depends not only on the control scheme, but on its interaction with the human driver. To investigate the interaction of the driver and the controller, the dynamics of the overall system is simulated using driver-software-in-the-loop real-time simulations (DSIL) under a double-line-change (DLC) maneuver emulated on the DSIL platform in the Multidisciplinary Vehicle Systems Design Laboratory (MVSDL) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). The simulations show that, even equipped with the electronic stability control (ESC) system, the driver still plays an important role in the vehicle dynamics. The simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed differential braking controller for enhancing the lateral stability of the SUV. Furthermore, the research discloses important interactions of the driver and the ESC system, and a driver’s training program is highly recommended.
Mobility and Energy Efficiency of Military Tactical Vehicle With Hybrid-Electric Driveline System
Authors: Vantsevich Vladimir V. , Paldan Jesse R. , Gray Jeremy P.
Published: July 2016

In this paper, a technical concept is described for a power transmitting unit to control the split of power between the drive axles of a 4×4 hybrid-electric vehicle. This new power transmitting unit uses a planetary gear set and eddy current brake to provide a continuously variable gear ratio that can be integrated into the vehicle driveline between the transfer case and front axle. The paper details the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the device, including its operation mode, its mathematical model built from the equations of the planetary gear set and eddy current brake, the optimization equation by which the device will be controlled to improve vehicle slip efficiency, as well as its torque and electrical current usage. Computer simulations are performed on a mathematical model of a 4×4 military truck using the power transmitting unit in conjunction with a series hybrid-electric configuration transmission.
Employing Adaptive Mesh Refinement for Simulating the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Mixing Process
Authors: Bramlette Richard , Langness Chenaniah , Mangus Michael , Depcik Christopher
Published: July 2016

One significant emissions issue of compression ignition engines that directly influences human health is the production of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Once produced, these species are difficult to convert catalytically in the exhaust and often require a complex aftertreatment system to mitigate their release into the environment. The common methodology by the internal combustion engine community to reduce the amount of NOx is to employ Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) in order to dilute the intake mixture with inert species (e.g., water). This lowers the combustion temperature lessening the thermal NO production mechanism. Improper mixing of EGR with the intake (species in-homogeneity, low levels of mixing turbulence, etc.) can lead to significant cylinder-to-cylinder variation in combustion temperatures and NOx emissions, making it more difficult to achieve regulatory standards.

In this effort, a three-dimensional (3-D), transient, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed in order to more accurately model the mixing of EGR and intake for a single-cylinder test engine. Mixing is achieved for this engine by using a small rectangular box in which clean air and engine exhaust for controlled recirculation are mixed prior to engine intake. A matrix of computational analyses at different engine loads, and simulation types (large eddy and Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes) at 25% EGR were performed to check computational time and agreement with experimental measurements. Moreover, this effort employs the use of adaptive mesh techniques in order to understand their usage and validate correct implementation for later endeavors including more complex geometries, such as the manifold of a multi-cylinder engine. The simulation results indicate that mass flow rate and temperature of the mixture as it leaves the mixing box agree to within 3% of experimental values. Furthermore, pressures at the air and EGR inlet boundaries showed agreement to around 1% and 12%, respectively, with the experimental measuring points indicated as the reason for the difference. In addition, species mixing of carbon monoxide was uniform to within 440 ppm. Finally, the use of the models may also account for a prior discrepancy in the output power of the single-cylinder engine test stand.
Design Optimization of Car-Trailer Combinations With Electronic Stability Systems
Authors: Sun Tao , He Yuping
Published: July 2016

To date, Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controllers based on linear vehicle models have been researched and developed for improving the lateral stability of car-trailer (CT) combinations. However, in the LQR controller design, there is no a systematic way to determine the weighting factors of the performance index. Generally, the weighting factors are selected using trial and error based on designer’s experience. In order to facilitate the LQR controller design, a new method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is presented to determine the appropriate weighting factors in the LQR controller design. To examine the proposed method, a controller for an active trailer differential braking (ATDB) system of a car-trailer (CT) system is designed and examined. The simulation results indicate that compared with the LQR controller based on the weighting factors derived from the conventional trial and error method, the controller developed using the proposed method exhibits better performance.
Tire Force Estimation With Strain Gauge Measurement
Authors: Pylypchuk Valery , Chen Shih-Ken , Moshchuk Nikolai
Published: July 2016

This paper provides a brief analytical overview of the existing methodologies for estimation of tire forces and proposes a new simple and effective methodology with sensor measurement such as elastic strains on different suspension parts. Although such an approach requires specific modeling and signal processing, it incorporates the wheel dynamics and avoids dealing with the rotating wheels. Validation using a 7DOF vehicle model and CarSim model showed good results comparing the estimated vertical tire forces and the actual tire forces obtained directly from the models. Initial vehicle tests point to the importance of sensor locations due to the complexity of 3D elastic strain fields near suspension mounts. Detailed finite element and experimental studies are required in order to optimize sensor positions, so any effects causing variations of such positions can be compensated by parameter adjustments based on specifically designed calibrating tests.
Enhancement of Occupant Safety During Frontal Collisions Using New Vehicle/Occupant Interaction Modelling With VDC Systems and Smart Structures
Authors: Elkady Mustafa , Elmarakbi Ahmed
Published: July 2016

The aim of this paper is to enhance crashworthiness in the case of vehicle-to-barrier full frontal collision using vehicle dynamics control systems integrated with an extendable bumper. The work carried out in this paper includes developing and analyzing a new vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model and a multi-body occupant mathematical model to capture the occupant kinematics during full frontal collision. Different cases of vehicle dynamics control systems have been used during the collision to show their effect on the occupant dynamic response. The occupant deceleration and the occupant’s chest and head rotational acceleration are used as injury criteria. It is shown from the numerical simulations that the occupant behaviour can be captured and analysed quickly and accurately. Furthermore, it is shown that the vehicle dynamics control systems (VDCS) can affect the crash characteristics positively and the occupant safety is improved.
A Review of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)
Authors: Kartha Balagovind N. K. , Gopal Vinod Kumar , Narayanan Akilesh , Suresh Sidhu , Jayaprakash Vinayak
Published: July 2016

This technical paper provides a literature review on Hybrid Electric Vehicles and various hybrid topologies associated with it. Different kinds of hybrids are available in different parts of the world in various brand names. The main aim of this review is to identify the pros and cons of some prominent topologies that could pave a way to the proposition of new and efficient design. Results from the study indicate that hybrids have a potential to bridge the gap between pure gasoline vehicles to plug in electric vehicles leaving behind time for the technology to mature and to make improvements in the infrastructure for Eco-friendly vehicles.
Experimental Investigation of Two Stroke Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine
Authors: Sapate K. D. , Tikekar A. N.
Published: July 2016

From its inception, the two-stroke cycle SI engine has been criticized for its high specific fuel consumption and too high level of emission of unburnt hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) during scavenging. These engines are used mainly due to its positive advantages of simplicity, low cost, higher power to weight ratio, low maintenance etc. for example, in two wheelers, outboard motor boats etc. In the present innovation, fuel is injected through injector mounted on the cylinder block facing spark plug, directly into the cylinder after closing both the inlet end exhaust port. The quantity of fuel injection is decided by developed electronic fuel injection control circuit based on two important parameters of engine namely load and speed. In this circuit, two input sensors namely throttle position sensor and speed & crank sensor is used along with developed software to control the quantity of fuel injection. After long experimentation with different locations of injector, sensors, etc., for selected two stroke engine, it has been observed that the power output has improved by 5%, reduction of fuel consumption by 20%, a reduction of HC and CO by 35% and 25% respectively, in injection mode.
Aerodynamic Simulation of Evacuated Tube Transport Trains With Suction at Tail
Authors: Pandey Brijesh Kumar , Mukherjea Sujay Kumar
Published: July 2016

Steady Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations for two dimensional flow using standard k-ε turbulence modeling was solved with the help of FLUENT 14 software to simulate the flow around a train in an evacuated tunnel. Suction mechanism at the rear end was applied to study the additional reduction effect of the aerodynamic drag on the vehicle. It was observed that coefficient of drag was decreasing with the increase of suction speed. Similar investigations have also been performed by taking different shapes of the head and tail of the vehicle at the same blockage ratio under different pressures of evacuation. It was found that with the decrease of ambient pressure the aerodynamic drag reduced for any geometrical shape. Investigations have also been performed on the wake structure with respect to wake size.
Obstacles loom along path to the end of AIDS
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2016

International meeting highlights clash between ambitious goals and wobbly funding.
Rethinking the North American wolf
Authors: Morell Virginia
Published: July 2016

Genome sequencing suggests two endangered wolf species are coyote hybrids.
Response to Comment on “Multiple repressive mechanisms in the hippocampus during memory formation”
Authors: Cho Jun , Yu Nam-Kyung , Kim V. Narry , Kaang Bong-Kiun
Published: July 2016

Mathew
et al
. propose that many candidate genes identified in our study may reflect the events in the choroid plexus (ChP) potentially included in hippocampal samples. We reanalyze our data and find that the ChP inclusion is unlikely to affect our major conclusions regarding the basal suppression of translational machinery or the early translational repression (at 5 to 10 minutes). As Mathew
et al
. examined for a subset of genes at 4 hours, we agree that the late suppression may partly reflect the events in the ChP. Although the precise contribution of anatomical sources remains to be clarified, our behavioral analyses indicate that the late-phase suppression of these genes may contribute to memory formation.
Countering imprecision in precision medicine
Authors: Hey Spencer Phillips , Kesselheim Aaron S.
Published: July 2016

Better coordination is needed to study complex interventions
Intentional equity
Authors: Córdova France A.
Published: July 2016

Over a decade ago, when I was chief scientist at the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, I spoke at a conference called Women and Science: Celebrating Achievements, Charting Challenges. I lauded women working in astrophysics, government, and science policy in the United States and elsewhere, but said that progress was mixed—the veneer of success for women across the sciences, and in science leadership, was too thin across the globe. What has changed since then? Cultural barriers, a lack of enlightened policies, and the need for role models and support systems still exist worldwide. However, today there is good reason to be optimistic. The international scientific community is coming together intentionally to acknowledge and tackle gender equity.
Generation of Long-Lived Bone Marrow Plasma Cells Secreting Antibodies Specific for the HIV-1 gp41 Membrane-Proximal External Region in the Absence of Polyreactivity
Authors: Donius Luke R. , Cheng Yuxing , Choi Jaewon , Sun Zhen-Yu J. , Hanson Melissa , Zhang Michael , Gierahn Todd M. , Marquez Susanna , Uduman Mohammed , Kleinstein Steven H. , Irvine Darrell , Love J. Christopher , Reinherz Ellis L. , Kim Mikyung
Published: July 2016

An effective preventive vaccine is highly sought after in order to stem the current HIV-1 pandemic. Both conservation of contiguous gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) amino acid sequences across HIV-1 clades and the ability of anti-MPER broadly neutralizing antibodies (BNAbs) to block viral hemifusion/fusion establish the MPER as a prime vaccination target. In earlier studies, we described the development of an MPER vaccine formulation that takes advantage of liposomes to array the MPER on a lipid bilayer surface, paralleling its native configuration on the virus membrane while also incorporating molecular adjuvant and CD4 T cell epitope cargo. Here we demonstrate that several immunizations with MPER/liposomes induce high levels of bone marrow long-lived plasma cell (LLPC) antibody production. Single-cell immunoglobulin gene retrieval analysis shows that these plasma cells are derived from a germ line repertoire of B cells with a diverse representation of immunoglobulin genes, exhibiting antigen-driven positive selection. Characterization of LLPC recombinant monoclonal antibodies (rMAbs) indicates that antigen recognition is achieved through convergence on a common epitopic focus by utilizing various complementarity-determining region H3 (CDRH3) lengths. Importantly, the vast majority of rMAbs produced from these cells lack polyreactivity yet manifest antigen specificity in the context of lipids, shaping MPER-specific paratopes through selective pressure. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the MPER is a vaccine target with minimal risk of generating off-target autoimmunity.

IMPORTANCE
A useful vaccine must generate desired long-term, antigen-specific antibody responses devoid of polyreactivity or autoreactivity. The common polyreactive features of some HIV-1 BNAbs have raised concern about elicitation of anti-MPER antibodies. Utilizing single-LLPC repertoire analysis and biophysical characterization of anti-MPER rMAbs, we show that their fine specificities require a structural fitness of the antibody combining site involving heavy and light chain variable domains shaped by somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation of B cells in the germinal center. Perhaps more importantly, our results demonstrate that the majority of MPER-specific antibodies are not inherently polyspecific and/or autoreactive, suggesting that polyreactivity of MPER-specific antibodies is separable from their antigen specificity.
Protocol for study of financial incentives for smoking cessation in pregnancy (FISCP): randomised, multicentre study
Authors: Berlin Noémi , Goldzahl Léontine , Jusot Florence , Berlin Ivan
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with adverse perinatal and postnatal health outcomes. The efficacy of nicotine replacement therapies in helping pregnant smokers to quit is not clearly demonstrated; therefore new interventions should be proposed and assessed. Financial incentives rewarding abstinence from tobacco smoking is one of the promising options.

Objective

To assess the efficacy of financial incentives on smoking abstinence among French pregnant smokers.

Methods and analysis

Participants:pregnant smokers aged ≥18 years, smoking at least five manufactured or three roll-your-own cigarettes per day, and pregnant for <18 weeks of amenorrhoea (WA).Setting:participants will be recruited, included and followed-up at monthly face-to-face visits in 16 maternity wards in France.Interventions:participants will be randomised to a control or an intervention group. After a predefined quit date, participants in the control group will receive €20 vouchers at the completion of each visit but no financial incentive for smoking abstinence. Participants in the intervention group will be rewarded for their abstinence by vouchers on top of the €20 show-up fee. The amount of reward for abstinence will increase as a function of duration of abstinence to stimulate longer periods of abstinence.Main outcome measure: complete abstinence from quit date to the last predelivery visit.Secondary outcome measures:point prevalence abstinence, time to relapse to smoking, birth weight, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth.Main data analysis:outcomes will be analysed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. The ITT population is defined as all randomised smoking pregnant women.

Ethics and dissemination

The research protocol was approved by the ethics committee (Comité de Protection des Personnes, CPP) of the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital on 15 May 2015, and Amendment No 1 was approved on 13 July 2015. Results will be presented at scientific meetings and published.

Trial registration number

NCT02606227; Pre-results.
Genomic ancestry as a predictor of haemodynamic profile in heart failure
Authors: Bernardez-Pereira Sabrina , Gioli-Pereira Luciana , Marcondes-Braga Fabiana G , Santos Paulo Caleb Junior Lima , Spina Joceli Mabel Rocha , Horimoto Andréa Roseli Vançan Russo , Santos Hadassa Campos , Bacal Fernando , Fernandes Fábio , Mansur Alfredo Jose , Pietrobon Ricardo , Krieger José Eduardo , Mesquita Evandro Tinoco , Pereira Alexandre Costa
Published: July 2016

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess the association between genetic ancestry, self-declared race and haemodynamic parameters in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods

Observational, cross-sectional study. Eligible participants were aged between 18 and 80 years; ejection fraction was ≤50%. Patients underwent genetic analysis of ancestry informative markers, echocardiography and impedance cardiography (ICG). Race was determined by self-classification into two groups: white and non-white. Genomic ancestry was estimated using a panel of 101 348 polymorphic markers and three continental reference populations (European, African and Native American).

Results

Our study included 362 patients with HF between August 2012 and August 2014. 123 patients with HF declared themselves as white and 234 patients declared themselves as non-white. No statistically significant differences were found regarding the ICG parameters according to self-declared race. The Amerindian ancestry was positively correlated with systolic time ratio (r=0.109, p<0.05). The thoracic fluid content index (r=0.124. p<0.05), E wave peak (r=0.127. p<0.05) and E/e′ ratio (r=0.197. p<0.01) were correlated positively with African ancestry. In multiple linear regression, African ancestry remained associated with the E/e′ ratio, even after adjustment to risk factors.

Conclusions

The African genetic ancestry was associated with worse parameters of diastolic function; the Amerindian ancestry correlated with a worse pattern of ventricular contractility, while self-declared colour was not helpful to infer haemodynamic profiles in HF.

Trials registration number

NTC02043431.
Educational needs and preferences of young European clinicians and physician researchers working in the field of rheumatology
Authors: Beyer Christian , Ramiro Sofia , Sivera Francisca , Mandl Peter , Machado Pedro M , Ospelt Caroline , Moltó Anna , Radner Helga , Iagnocco Annamaria , Bijlsma Johannes W , Lundberg Ingrid E
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To understand the educational needs and preferences of young clinicians and physician researchers in the field of rheumatology in Europe.

Methods

An international online survey was performed as a joint venture of ESCET and EMEUNET. The survey assessed the acceptance of and the access to the current European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) educational portfolio, as well as the unmet educational needs and learning preferences among individuals below the age of 40 years working in rheumatology in Europe.

Results

Among 568 European clinicians and physician researchers, 65% indicated that the existing EULAR educational portfolio adequately covers their educational needs. Within the EULAR portfolio, the online course on rheumatic diseases and the postgraduate course were the most appreciated. Participants were very much in favour of new educational courses on imaging techniques, and 63% of participants indicated a particular interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound. A strong interest in refresher (60%) and general review (55%) courses was observed. Lack of funding was considered the major obstacle to participating in existing EULAR programmes. Finally, participants showed diverse preferences regarding learning modalities with common interests in live courses and conferences.

Conclusions

EULAR's training opportunities are well appreciated among young clinicians and physician researchers in rheumatology. The results from this survey will help to develop EULAR's future educational portfolio.
The short-term impact of abundant fruit upon deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), southern red-backed vole (Myodes gapperi), and woodland jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) populations
Authors: Dracup Evan C. , Keppie Daniel M. , Forbes Graham J.
Published: July 2016

Fruit has been identified as an important and potentially population-restricting food for southern red-backed voles (Myodes gapperi (Vigors, 1830)), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)), and woodland jumping mice (Napaeozapus insignis (Miller, 1891)). We added domestic dried strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa (Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (pro sp.)) and European black currants (Ribes nigrum L.), which have native analogues and are preferred foods of these rodents, to white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) plantations from May through August 2011 and 2012 to test fruit and fruit-based carbohydrate’s short-term (1–2 years) impact on these rodent populations. We used mark–recapture to estimate density, percentages of population that were juvenile and breeding female, mean home-range size, and body mass during spring and summer of both years, and fecundity via placental scars from euthanized females in summer 2012. Fruit enhancement had no apparent effect on our species’ fecundity, proportion of breeding females or juveniles during spring and summer of either year, nor were there differences among these metrics in spring 2012 following 2011 fruit additions. Overall, there were no impacts to the short-term adult population dynamics for any species during fruit addition. We are led to believe that short-term pulses of fruit and (or) fruit-based carbohydrate abundance do little to influence temperate forest small-mammal populations.
Fast Single-Image Dehazing Method Based on Luminance Dark Prior
Authors: Shi Zhenghao , Zhu Meimei , Xia Zheng , Zhao Minghua
Published: July 2016

Images captured in hazy weather are usually of poor quality, which has a negative effect on the performance of outdoor computer imaging systems. Therefore, haze removal is critical for outdoor imaging applications. In this paper, a quick single-image dehazing method based on a new effective image prior, luminance dark prior, was proposed. This new image prior arose from the observation that most local patches in the luminance image of a haze-free outdoor YUV color space image usually contain pixels of very low intensity, which is similar to the dark channel prior used with HE for RGB images. Using this new prior, a transmission map was used to estimate the thickness of the haze in an image directly from the luminance component of the YUV color image. To obtain a transmission map with a clear edge outline and depth layer of scene objects, a joint filter containing a bilateral filter and Laplacian operator was employed. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method unveiled details and recovered vivid colors even in heavily hazy regions, and provided superior visual effects to many other existing methods.
Do alien particles exist, and can they be detected?
Authors: Gasperini M.
Published: July 2016

We may call “alien particles” those particles belonging to the matter/field content of a [Formula: see text]-dimensional brane other than the [Formula: see text]-brane (or stack of branes) sweeping the spacetime in which we live. They can appear in our spacetime at the regions of intersection between our and their brane. They can be identified (or not) as alien matter depending on their properties, on the physical laws governing their evolution in the “homeland” brane, and on the details of our detection techniques.
Leaf Recognition for Plant Classification Using Direct Acyclic Graph Based Multi-Class Least Squares Twin Support Vector Machine
Authors: Tomar Divya , Agarwal Sonali
Published: July 2016

As most of the plant species are at the risk of extinction, the task of plant identification has become a challenging process and an active area of research. In this paper, we propose a leaf recognition system for plant species classification using leaf image data through a novel direct acyclic graph based multi-class least squares twin support vector machine (DAG-MLSTSVM) classifier. Hybrid feature selection (HFS) approach is used to obtain the best discriminant features for the recognition of individual plant species. Leaves are recognized on the basis of shape and texture features. The experimental results indicate that the proposed DAG-MLSTSVM based plant leaf recognition system is highly accurate and having faster processing speed as compared to artificial neural network and direct acyclic graph based support vector machine.
Optomechanical entanglement of a macroscopic oscillator by quantum feedback
Authors: Wu E , Li FengZhi , Zhang XueFeng , Ma YongHong
Published: July 2016

We propose a scheme to generate the case of macroscopic entanglement in the optomechanical system, which consist of Fabry–Perot cavity and a mechanical oscillator by applying a homodyne-mediated quantum feedback. We explore the effect of feedback on the entanglement in vacuum and coherent state, respectively. The results show that the introduction of quantum feedback can increase the entanglement effectively between the cavity mode and the oscillator mode.
Global modeling and simulation of vehicle to analyze the inertial parameters effects
Authors: Abbassi Younes , Ait-Amirat Youcef , Outbib Rachid
Published: July 2016

This paper mainly studies the comparison of the global vehicle models and the effects of the inertial parameters due to the center of gravity (CG) positions when we consider that the vehicle has only one CG. This paper proposes a new nonlinear model vehicle model which considers both unsprung mass and sprung mass CG. The CG positions and inertial parameters effects are analyzed in terms of the published vehicle dynamics models. To this end, two 14 degree-of-freedom (DOF) vehicle models are developed and compared to investigate the vehicle dynamics responses due to the different CG height and inertial parameters concepts. The proposed models describe simultaneously the vehicle motion in longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions as well as roll, pitch and yaw of the vehicle about corresponding axis. The passive and active moments and the forces acting on the vehicle are also described and they are considered as a direct consequence of acceleration, braking and steering maneuvers. The proposed model [Formula: see text] takes both the CG of sprung mass, unsprung mass and total vehicle mass into account. The second model [Formula: see text] assumes that the vehicle is one solid body which has a single CG as reported in majority of literature. The two vehicle models are compared and analyzed to evaluate vehicle ride and handling dynamic responses under braking/acceleration and cornering maneuvers. Simulation results show that the proposed model [Formula: see text] could offer analytically some abilities and driving performances, as well as improved roll and pitch in a very flexible manner compared to the second model [Formula: see text].
Intrinsic Activation of Human Motoneurons: Possible Contribution to Motor Unit Excitation
Authors: Gorassini Monica , Yang Jaynie F. , Siu Merek , Bennett David J.
Published: July 2016

The main purpose of this study was to estimate the contribution of intrinsic activation of human motoneurons (e.g., by plateau potentials) during voluntary and reflexive muscle contractions. Pairs of motor units were recorded from either the tibialis anterior or soleus muscle during three different conditions: 1) during a brief muscle vibration followed by a slow relaxation of a steady isometric contraction; 2) during a triangular isometric torque contraction; and 3) during passive sinusoidal muscle stretch superimposed on a steady isometric contraction. In each case, the firing rate of a tonically firing control motor unit was used as a measure of the effective synaptic excitation (i.e., synaptic drive) to a slightly higher-threshold test motor unit that was recruited and de-recruited during a contraction trial. The firing rate of the control unit was compared at recruitment and de-recruitment of the test unit. This was done to determine whether the estimated synaptic drive needed to recruit a motor unit was less than the amount needed to sustain firing as a result of an added depolarization produced from intrinsic sources. After test unit recruitment, the firing rate of the control unit could be decreased significantly (on average by 3.6 Hz from an initial recruitment rate of 9.8 Hz) before the test unit was de-recruited during a descending synaptic drive. Similar decreases in control unit rate occurred in all three experimental conditions. This represents a possible 40% reduction in the estimated synaptic drive needed to maintain firing of a motor unit compared with the estimated amount needed to recruit the unit initially. The firing rates of both the control and test units were modulated together in a highly parallel fashion, suggesting that the unit pairs were driven by common synaptic inputs. This tight correlation further validated the use of the control unit firing rate as a monitor of synaptic drive to the test motor unit. The estimates of intrinsically mediated depolarization of human motoneurons (≈40% during moderate contractions) are consistent with values obtained for plateau potentials obtained from intracellular recordings of motoneurons in reduced animal preparations, although various alternative mechanisms are discussed. This suggests that similar intrinsic conductances provide a substantial activation of human motoneurons during moderate physiological activity.
Intrinsic Activation of Human Motoneurons: Reduction of Motor Unit Recruitment Thresholds by Repeated Contractions
Authors: Gorassini Monica , Yang Jaynie F. , Siu Merek , Bennett David J.
Published: July 2016

The main purpose of this study was to examine whether facilitation of human motor unit recruitment by repeated voluntary contractions is mediated, in part, by time and activity-dependent increases in the intrinsic excitability of the parent motoneuron. To do this, pairs of tibialis anterior or soleus motor units were recorded during slowly increasing and then decreasing voluntary contractions. The firing rate of the lower-threshold motor unit of the pair (control unit) was used as a measure of effective synaptic excitation (i.e., drive) to the motoneurons. This rate was used to estimate the recruitment threshold of the higher-threshold unit of the pair (test unit). The test unit was repeatedly recruited and de-recruited in a series of contractions, and the interval between the de-recruitment and re-recruitment of the test unit (interactivation interval) was systematically varied between 0.6 and 60 s. An increase in intrinsic excitability of a unit was considered to have occurred if the level of estimated synaptic input (as measured by the firing rate of the control motor unit) needed to recruit a unit was reduced. At short interactivation intervals (1–2 s), the control unit firing frequency was significantly lower when the test unit was recruited on the second contraction, compared with the first (by 3.9 Hz or a 64% reduction). This suggested that the intrinsic excitability of the test motor unit had increased during the second contraction because it could be recruited at a much lower level of estimated synaptic drive. Longer interaction intervals (2–6 s) produced less recruitment facilitation. At even longer interactivation intervals (>6 s) there was no significant facilitation (time constant of effect was 4.8 s). In some motor units, the effect of this short-term facilitation appeared to be so pronounced that it resulted in reversing the order of de-recruitment with the other initially lower-threshold motor units. Such reversals were occasionally observed for orderly re-recruitment. The time course and behavior of the observed short-term facilitation of motor unit discharge was qualitatively similar to the warm-up phenomenon of plateau potentials seen in motoneurons of reduced preparations (e.g., 4–6 s). The possibility of warm-up contributing to the time and activity-dependent facilitation of human motor unit recruitment is discussed.
Effect of the Glial Envelope on Extracellular K+Diffusion in Olfactory Glomeruli
Authors: Goriely Anita R. , Secomb Timothy W. , Tolbert Leslie P.
Published: July 2016

In many species, including vertebrates and invertebrates, first-order olfactory neuropils are organized into spherical glomeruli, partially enveloped by glial borders. The effect of this characteristic organization on olfactory information processing is poorly understood. The extracellular concentration of potassium ions ([K+]) must rise around olfactory receptor axons in specific glomeruli following odor-induced activation. To explore the time course and magnitude of K+accumulation and possible effects of such accumulation on neural activity within and among glomeruli, we developed a theoretical model to simulate the diffusion of K+in extracellular spaces of the glomeruli of the moth Manduca sexta. K+released by activated axons was assumed to diffuse through the extracellular spaces in glomeruli and the glial borders that surround them. The time-dependent diffusion equations were solved in spherical coordinates using a finite-difference method. The results indicate that the glial envelope forms a significant barrier to the spread of K+between neighboring glomeruli, thus reducing the likelihood of cross-talk between glomeruli, and may cause elevation of extracellular [K+] to levels that influence neural activity within the activated glomerulus for many seconds. Such effects could enhance olfactory discrimination and sensitivity, respectively.