bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associations of behavioural risk factors with blood lipids profile in Lebanese adults: findings from WHO STEPwise NCD cross-sectional survey
Authors: Mansour Magali , Tamim Hani , Nasreddine Lara , El Khoury Christelle , Hwalla Nahla , Chaaya Monique , Farhat Antoine , Sibai Abla M
Published: August 2019

Objective

To examine associations of behavioural risk factors, namely cigarette smoking, physical activity, dietary intakes and alcohol consumption, with blood lipids profile.

Design and participants

Data drawn from a cross-sectional study involving participants aged 18 years and over (n=363) from the nationwide WHO STEPwise Nutrition and Non-communicable Disease Risk Factor survey in Lebanon.

Measures

Demographic characteristics, behaviours and medical history were obtained from participants by questionnaire. Dietary assessment was performed using a 61-item Culture-Specific Food Frequency Questionnaire that measured food intake over the past year. Lipid levels were measured by the analysis of fasting blood samples (serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)).

Results

Current cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and low physical activity were prevalent among 33.3%, 39.7% and 41.6% of the sample, respectively. The contributions of fat and saturated fat to daily energy intake were high, estimated at 36.5% and 11.4%, respectively. Abnormal levels of TC, TG, VLDL, LDL-C and HDL-C were observed for 55.4%, 31.4%, 29.2%, 47.5% and 21.8% of participants, respectively. Adjusting for potential confounders, cigarette smoking was positively associated with higher odds of TG and VLDL (OR=4.27; 95% CI 1.69 to 10.77; and 3.26; 95% CI 1.33 to 8.03, respectively) with a significant dose–response relationship (p value for trend=0.010 and 0.030, respectively). Alcohol drinking and high saturated fat intake (≥10% energy intake) were associated with higher odds of LDL-C (OR=1.68; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.82 and OR= 1.73; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.93). Physical activity did not associate significantly with any blood lipid parameter.

Conclusion

The demonstrated positive associations between smoking, alcohol drinking and high saturated fat intake with adverse lipoprotein levels lay further evidence for clinical practitioners, public health professionals and dietitians in the development of preventive strategies among subjects with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases in Lebanon and other neighbouring countries with similar epidemiological profile.
Impact of depression on clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Wen Yi , Nan Nan , Song Xian Tao , Tian Jin Fan , Yang Xue Yao
Published: August 2019

Objectives

The objective of this meta-analysis was to assess whether depression in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients is associated with higher risk of adverse outcomes.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched as data sources. We selected prospective cohort studies evaluating the relationship between depression and any adverse medical outcome, including all-cause mortality, cardiac mortality and non-fatal events, from inception to 28 February 2019. Two reviewers independently extracted information and calculated the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with preoperative or postoperative depression compared with non-depressed patients.

Results

Eight studies (n=3297) met our inclusion criteria. Most studies found a positive association between depression and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Meta-analysis yielded an aggregate risk ratio of 1.57 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.92, p<0.0001) for the magnitude of the relation between depression and adverse outcomes.

Conclusions

Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that depression is associated with an increased risk of worse clinical outcome or mortality in patients undergoing PCI. Assessment time and length of follow-up do not have a significant effect on this conclusion.
Antibiotic knowledge, attitudes and practices: new insights from cross-sectional rural health behaviour surveys in low-income and middle-income South-East Asia
Authors: Haenssgen Marco J , Charoenboon Nutcha , Zanello Giacomo , Mayxay Mayfong , Reed-Tsochas Felix , Lubell Yoel , Wertheim Heiman , Lienert Jeffrey , Xayavong Thipphaphone , Khine Zaw Yuzana , Thepkhamkong Amphayvone , Sithongdeng Nicksan , Khamsoukthavong Nid , Phanthavong Chanthasone , Boualaiseng Somsanith , Vongsavang Souksakhone , Wibunjak Kanokporn , Chai-in Poowadon , Thavethanutthanawin Patthanan , Althaus Thomas , Greer Rachel Claire , Nedsuwan Supalert , Wangrangsimakul Tri , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Elliott Elizabeth , Ariana Proochista
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) are crucial in the global response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), but diverse health systems, healthcare practices and cultural conceptions of medicine can complicate global education and awareness-raising campaigns. Social research can help understand LMIC contexts but remains under-represented in AMR research.

Objective

To (1) Describe antibiotic-related knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general population in two LMICs. (2) Assess the role of antibiotic-related knowledge and attitudes on antibiotic access from different types of healthcare providers.

Design

Observational study: cross-sectional rural health behaviour survey, representative of the population level.

Setting

General rural population in Chiang Rai (Thailand) and Salavan (Lao PDR), surveyed between November 2017 and May 2018.

Participants

2141 adult members (≥18 years) of the general rural population, representing 712 000 villagers.

Outcome measures

Antibiotic-related knowledge, attitudes and practices across sites and healthcare access channels.

Findings

Villagers were aware of antibiotics (Chiang Rai: 95.7%; Salavan: 86.4%; p<0.001) and drug resistance (Chiang Rai: 74.8%; Salavan: 62.5%; p<0.001), but the usage of technical concepts for antibiotics was dwarfed by local expressions like ‘anti-inflammatory medicine’ in Chiang Rai (87.6%; 95% CI 84.9% to 90.0%) and‘ampi’in Salavan (75.6%; 95% CI 71.4% to 79.4%). Multivariate linear regression suggested that attitudes against over-the-counter antibiotics were linked to 0.12 additional antibiotic use episodes from public healthcare providers in Chiang Rai (95% CI 0.01 to 0.23) and 0.53 in Salavan (95% CI 0.16 to 0.90).

Conclusions

Locally specific conceptions and counterintuitive practices around antimicrobials can complicate AMR communication efforts and entail unforeseen consequences. Overcoming ‘knowledge deficits’ alone will therefore be insufficient for global AMR behaviour change. We call for an expansion of behavioural AMR strategies towards ‘AMR-sensitive interventions’ that address context-specific upstream drivers of antimicrobial use (eg, unemployment insurance) and complement education and awareness campaigns.

Trial registration number

Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT03241316.
Protocol of a prospective, monocentric phase I/II feasibility study investigating the safety of multimodality treatment with a combination of intraoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection in locally confined or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: the combiCaRe study
Authors: Roth Susanne , Springfeld Christoph , Diener Markus K , Tjaden Christine , Knebel Phillip , Klaiber Ulla , Michalski Christoph W , Mieth Markus , Jäger Dirk , Büchler Markus W , Hackert Thilo
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with an exceptionally poor prognosis. Complete resection of the primary tumour followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the current standard treatment for patients with resectable disease and the only curative treatment option. However, long-term survival remains rare. Tumour cell dissemination due to manipulation during surgery may increase the rate of future metastases and local recurrence, and perioperative chemotherapy might diminish local, distant and circulating minimal residual disease. Yet, safety and feasibility of systemic chemotherapeutic treatments during pancreatic cancer resection have to be evaluated in a first instance.

Methods and analysis

This is a prospective, single-centre phase I/II feasibility study to investigate the safety and tolerability of a combination of intraoperative chemotherapy and surgical resection in pancreatic cancer. Forty patients with locally confined or borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, meeting all proposed criteria will be included. Participants will receive 400 mg/m2calcium folinate over 2 hours and 2000 mg/m25-fluorouracil over 48 hours, started on the day before pancreatic surgery and thus continuing during surgery. Participants will be followed until 60 days after surgery. The primary endpoint is the 30-day overall complication rate according to the Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary endpoints comprise toxicity and treatment associated complications. Patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy will be compared with a propensity score matched contemporary control group of 70 patients with pancreatic cancer receiving the standard treatment. This trial also contains an ancillary translational study to analyse disseminated tumour cells and effects of pharmacological interventions in pancreatic cancer.

Ethics and dissemination

CombiCaRe has been approved by the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (reference number 4042787) and the Medical Ethics Committee of Heidelberg University (reference number AFmo-269/2018). The results of this trial will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00015766).
Family satisfaction with critical care in the UK: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Ferrando Paloma , Gould Doug W , Walmsley Emma , Richards-Belle Alvin , Canter Ruth , Saunders Steven , Harrison David A , Harvey Sheila , Heyland Daren K , Hinton Lisa , McColl Elaine , Richardson Annette , Richardson Michael , Wright Stephen E , Rowan Kathryn M
Published: August 2019

Objective

To assess family satisfaction with intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK using the Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit 24-item (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire, and to investigate how characteristics of patients and their family members impact on family satisfaction.

Design

Prospective cohort study nested within a national clinical audit database.

Setting

Stratified, random sample of 20 adult general ICUs participating in the Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre Case Mix Programme.

Participants

Family members of patients staying at least 24 hours in ICU were recruited between May 2013 and June 2014.

Interventions

Consenting family members were sent a postal questionnaire 3 weeks after the patient died or was discharged from ICU. Up to four family members were recruited per patient.

Main outcome measures

Family satisfaction was measured using the FS-ICU-24 questionnaire.

Main results

A total of 12 346 family members of 6380 patients were recruited and 7173 (58%) family members of 4615 patients returned a completed questionnaire. Overall and domain-specific family satisfaction scores were high (mean overall family satisfaction 80, satisfaction with care 83, satisfaction with information 76 and satisfaction with decision-making 73 out of 100) but varied significantly across adult general ICUs studied and by whether the patient survived ICU. For family members of ICU survivors, characteristics of both the family member (age, ethnicity, relationship to patient (next-of-kin and/or lived with patient) and visit frequency) and the patient (acute severity of illness and receipt of invasive mechanical ventilation) were significant determinants of family satisfaction, whereas, for family members of ICU non-survivors, only patient characteristics (age, acute severity of illness and duration of stay) were significant.

Conclusions

Overall family satisfaction in UK adult general ICUs was high but varied significantly. Adjustment for differences in family member/patient characteristics is important to avoid falsely identifying ICUs as statistical outliers.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN47363549
Factors associated with the occurrence of prehospital medical interventions provided by physicians among non-trauma patients: a single-centre retrospective observational study in Japan
Authors: Abe Tomohiro , Iwatani Kenshi , Aoyama Takeshi , Ameda Tatsunori , Ochiai Hidenobu
Published: August 2019

Objectives

Physician-staffed prehospital units are widely used in many countries. The criteria for predicting fatal injury are well recognised for trauma victims, but there are no criteria for predicting critical condition for non-trauma patients. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with non-trauma cases receiving prehospital interventions by physicians.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Physician-staffed prehospital unit (car) at a single-base hospital in a suburban city in Japan.

Participants

Participants were 1058 non-trauma patients who received prehospital medical examinations from April 2014 to December 2017.

Outcome measures

The outcome was the occurrence of physician-only interventions (POIs) exceeding paramedics’ competencies. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Patient’s age and gender, presumed disease category, type of location of the emergency, time of alarm, activation time, activator’s occupation, time to arrival, transportation time and the destination facility were included as covariates.

Results

POIs were provided to 380 (36%) patients. Patient’s age, presumed disease category, type of location of the emergency, activator’s occupation, time to arrival, transportation time and the destination facility were identified as potential independent factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that patient’s age, presumed disease category, type of location of the emergency, transportation time and destination facility were the significant independent factors. Transportation times of more than 15 min (adjusted ORs (AORs)=4.17, 95% CI 2.59 to 6.72, p<0.01) or 10 to 14 min (AOR=3.66, 95% CI 2.32 to 5.79, p<0.01) and patient age of 40–59 years (AOR=3.16, 95% CI 1.66 to 6.01, p<0.01) were the strongest independent factors.

Conclusions

This study identified the factors associated with non-trauma cases receiving prehospital POIs. Patient’s age, presumed disease category, type of location of the emergency and transportation time are independent factors associated with requiring POIs.
Identification of risk factors affecting catch-up growth after infant congenital heart disease surgery: rationale and design of a multicentre prospective cohort study in China
Authors: Li Lijuan , LI Kuanrong , An Caixia , Fan Jiajie , Guo Changying , Liang Suixin , Guo Yue , Xia Huimin , Chen Xinxin , Zhu Yanna , Hu Chunmei , Si Wenyue , Liang Huiying , Cui Yanqin
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Successful surgical treatment of congenital heart disease improves neonates’ long-term survival and leads to catch-up growth, which however does not occur in part of the patient population for largely undetermined reasons.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, prospective cohort study is being conducted in four paediatric medical institutions in China to collect detailed nutritional, anthropometric and clinical data at perioperative phases and during a 1-year period of follow-up after surgery. The study is expected to recruit approximately 5000 patients by the year of 2023 when the cohort is fully established. The primary endpoint of this study is the occurrence of postoperative catch-up growth, which will be determined in both absolute and relative terms (ie, reduced anthropometric deficits from the reference measures and improved z-scores that have passed the −2 SD cut-offs). Multivariable regression analyses will be performed to identify factors that are statistically significantly associated with the absence of postoperative catch-up growth.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol of this study has been approved by the individual ethics committees of the participating centres (Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Centre (2008071601), the Children’s Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (2018-IRB-094), Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child-Care Hospital (2019-IRB-01) and Zhengzhou Cardiovascular Hospital (2019012001)). Written informed consent from parents will be obtained before study entry. Findings of this study will be disseminated through publications in international peer-reviewed journals and will be presented in academic conferences.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with clinical, neurophysiological, laboratory and radiological outcome for surgical versus non-surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis: the Uppsala Spinal Stenosis Trial (UppSten)
Authors: Pazarlis Konstantinos , Punga Anna , Schizas Nikos , Sandén Bengt , Michaëlsson Karl , Försth Peter
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis is the most common indication for spinal surgery. However, more than one-third of the patients undergoing surgery for lumbar stenosis report dissatisfaction with the results. On the other hand, conservative treatment has shown positive results in some cases. This trial will compare the outcomes of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for lumbar stenosis. The study includes a multidimensional follow-up, aiming to study the association between outcome and other studied parameters, mainly electromyography and nerve conduction. Moreover, it may contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of lumbar stenosis and to the development of future pharmacological treatments.

Methods and analysis

UppSten is a single-centre randomised controlled trial in which 150 patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis will be randomised into one of two treatment arms. The patients in the surgical arm will undergo laminectomy; the patients in the non-surgical arm will be given a structured physical training programme. The primary outcome of the study will be the Oswestry Disability Index. Secondary outcomes will include motor amplitude and degree of denervation activity obtained by means of nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Patient-reported outcome measures will be also used as secondary outcomes. Blood sample analysis and the investigation of potential inflammation markers are the additional secondary outcome parameters. Laboratory evaluation will include blood sample collection before the treatment initiation and after 6 months. Flavum ligament biopsies will be performed in the surgical group. Finally, tertiary outcomes will include neurophysiological measures, the objective walking ability and radiological evaluation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is approved by the Local Ethics Committee (Dnr 2017–506), the Hospital’s Clinical Trials Committee (2018–0001) and the National Biobank Council and Uppsala Biobank (BbA-827-2018-025). The results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT03495661
Identification of influenza urban transmission patterns by geographical, epidemiological and whole genome sequencing data: protocol for an observational study
Authors: Egli Adrian , Saalfrank Claudia , Goldman Nina , Brunner Myrta , Hollenstein Yvonne , Vogel Thomas , Augustin Noémie , Wüthrich Daniel , Seth-Smith Helena M.B. , Roth Elisa , Syedbasha Mohammedyaseen , Mueller Nicola F. , Vogt Dominik , Bauer Jan , Amar-Sliwa Nadezhda , Meinel Dominik M. , Dubuis Olivier , Naegele Michael , Tschudin-Sutter Sarah , Buser Andreas , Nickel Christian H. , Zeller Andreas , Ritz Nicole , Battegay Manuel , Stadler Tanja , Schneider-Sliwa Rita
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Urban transmission patterns of influenza viruses are complex and poorly understood, and multiple factors may play a critical role in modifying transmission. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) allows the description of patient-to-patient transmissions at highest resolution. The aim of this study is to explore urban transmission patterns of influenza viruses in high detail by combining geographical, epidemiological and immunological data with WGS data.

Methods and analysis

The study is performed at the University Hospital Basel, University Children’s Hospital Basel and a network of paediatricians and family doctors in the Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland. The retrospective study part includes an analysis of PCR-confirmed influenza cases from 2013 to 2018. The prospective study parts include (1) a household survey regarding influenza-like illness (ILI) and vaccination against influenza during the 2015/2016 season; (2) an analysis of influenza viruses collected during the 2016/2017 season using WGS—viral genomic sequences are compared with determine genetic relatedness and transmissions; and (3) measurement of influenza-specific antibody titres against all vaccinated and circulated strains during the 2016/2017 season from healthy individuals, allowing to monitor herd immunity across urban quarters. Survey data and PCR-confirmed cases are linked to data from the Statistics Office of the Canton Basel-City and visualised using geo-information system mapping. WGS data will be analysed in the context of patient epidemiological data using phylodynamic analyses, and the obtained herd immunity for each quarter. Profound knowledge on the key geographical, epidemiological and immunological factors influencing urban influenza transmission will help to develop effective counter measurements.

Ethics and dissemination

The study is registered and approved by the regional ethics committee as an observational study (EKNZ project ID 2015–363 and 2016–01735). It is planned to present the results at conferences and publish the data in scientific journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03010007.
Effect of vitamin E in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Amanullah Iram , Khan Yusra Habib , Anwar Iqraa , Gulzar Aqsa , Mallhi Tauqeer Hussain , Raja Ahsan Aftab
Published: August 2019

The efficacy of vitamin E among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unclear. The current qualitative and quantitative analyses aimed to ascertain the efficacy of vitamin E on clinical outcomes of patients with NAFLD. A systematic search of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was performed using databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, EBSCOhost and Ovid) from inception to July 2018. Trials meeting the inclusion criteria were subjected to quality assessment using the Jadad Scoring. All trials meeting the prerequisites information for meta-analysis were subjected to quantitative synthesis of results. Nine RCTs (five in adults and four in children) were included. Four of the five RCTs on adults demonstrated significant improvements in alanine transaminase and other liver function surrogates in patients with NAFLD. On the other hand, only one of the four RCTs conducted on children showed significant improvements in liver functions with the use of vitamin E. Although quantitative synthesis of available data revealed insignificant differences between vitamin E and placebo, still the use of vitamin E improves the level of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase by −1.96 and −0.59, with heterogeneity of I2=67% and I2=0%, respectively. Adjuvant vitamin E therapy provides significant biochemical and histological improvements in adult patients with NAFLD, while paediatric patients showed insignificant efficacy compared with placebo. Lifestyle interventions along with vitamin E can provide much better results. Data, including the impact of vitamin E on hepatic histology, are still lacking. Moreover, the short duration of trials limits the conclusion on the safety and efficacy of proposed treatments.
Synthesis, characterization, and investigation of the antioxidant activity of some 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides bearing sulfonylthioureas moieties
Authors: Harrouche Kamel , Lahouel Asma , Belghobsi Mebrouk , Pirotte Bernard , Khelili Smail
Published: August 2019

A series of 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-1,1-dioxides bearing a sulfonylthiourea moiety were synthesized, characterized, and screened for their antioxidant activity, using six antioxidant analytical assays comparatively to reference compounds, ascorbic acid and quercetin. The results indicated that several compounds demonstrated strong antioxidant activity in DPPH, ABTS, H2O2, and lipid peroxidation assays where some of them were either as active as or more active than reference compounds. However, all compounds were largely less active than references compounds in the reducing power assay. The results indicated that the thiourea moiety probably played a crucial role in the antioxidant activity of the target compounds, as a thiolate ion. The most favorable R1groups were the hydrogen atom and methyl group, followed by phenyl and benzyl groups, whereas the most favorable R2group was iPr, followed by the phenyl and methyl groups. The combination of benzothiadiazine ring with sulfonylthiourea moieties led to valuable new antioxidants, which could be used in the treatment or the prevention of certain diseases or in the field of cosmetics, which needs further investigations in the future.
Effects of environmental conditions on physical and mechanical properties of thermally modified wood
Authors: Cai Chenyang , Heräjärvi Henrik , Haapala Antti
Published: August 2019

The behaviour of industrially modified wood has not been systematically evaluated in controlled exposure conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the equilibrium moisture content (EMC), dimensions, and Brinell hardness of thermally modified wood in different conditions of temperature and relative humidity (RH). Tested materials consisted of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) that were thermally modified according to ThermoWood industrial processes into the classes Thermo-S and Thermo-D. The properties were measured at the following conditions: 20 °C and 65% RH, 10 °C and 90% RH, and 30 °C and 30% RH. The results show that the reduction of EMC and the improvement in dimensional stability are dependent on the degree of thermal modification. Thermal modification was more resistant to moisture absorption at 20 °C and 65% RH than at 10 °C and 90% RH and 30 °C and 30% RH, and the more severe modification decreased the difference among different exposure conditions. The tangential–radial ratio of swelling and shrinkage was higher for thermally modified wood than for nonmodified wood. Brinell hardness of modified Scots pine and Norway spruce did not differ significantly from that of nonmodified wood in normal and dry conditions, but the more humid conditions increased the difference by 12%–17%.
THE IMPACT OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: LE DIEU THANH , PARK HAIL
Published: August 2019

This paper evaluates the impact of demographic change on the economic growth of OECD and non-OECD countries. An annual panel dataset of 71 countries, consisting of 27 advanced economies and 44 emerging economies over the period of 1981–2014, is used. Two types of regression models (panel regression model and panel continuous threshold model) including several demographic variables are used to investigate the effects of demographic structure. The results of this study show the significant difference of the impact of demographic transition on the economic growth of OECD and non-OECD economies.
Prospects for heavy scalar searches at the LHeC
Authors: Rose Luigi Delle , Fischer Oliver , Hammad A.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we study the prospects of the proposed Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) in the search for heavy neutral scalar particles. We consider a minimal model with one additional complex scalar singlet that interacts with the Standard Model (SM) via mixing with the Higgs doublet, giving rise to an SM-like Higgs boson [Formula: see text] and a heavy scalar particle [Formula: see text]. Both scalar particles are produced via vector boson fusion and can be tested via their decays into pairs of SM particles, analogously to the SM Higgs boson. Using multivariate techniques, we show that the LHeC is sensitive to [Formula: see text] with masses between 200 and 800 GeV down to scalar mixing of [Formula: see text].
A comprehensive review on the variants of support vector machines
Authors: Kumar Bagesh , Vyas O. P. , Vyas Ranjana
Published: August 2019

Machine learning (ML) represents the automated extraction of models (or patterns) from data. All ML techniques start with data. These data describe the desired relationship between the ML model inputs and outputs, the latter of which may be implicit for unsupervised approaches. Equivalently, these data encode the requirements we wish to be embodied in our ML model. Thereafter, the model selection comes in action, to select an efficient ML model. In this paper, we have focused on various ML models which are the extensions of the well-known ML model, i.e. Support vector machines (SVMs). The main objective of this paper is to compare the existing ML models with the variants of SVM. Limitations of the existing techniques including the variants of SVM are then drawn. Finally, future directions are presented.
Study of shape, size and temperature-dependent elastic properties of nanomaterials
Authors: Goyal Monika , Gupta B. R. K.
Published: August 2019

The impact of shape, size and temperature on elastic properties of nanomaterials is studied in this work. We have extended the melting temperature expression for nanostructures formulated by Guisbiers et al. and obtained the expression of elastic moduli and thermal expansivity for nanomaterials. An isobaric Tait equation of state is combined with Guisbiers model and the model so obtained is applied to analyze the shape, size and temperature effect on Young’s modulus and thermal expansivity in nanomaterials. The present computed results are compared with the simulated results and available experimental data. The Young’s modulus is observed to decrease as particle size is reduced while thermal expansivity increases with decrease in the size of nanomaterial. The Young’s modulus shows decrease with increase in temperature and decrement is observed maximum in spherical nanomaterials and minimum in nanofilms (NFs). Rate at which modulus is decreasing is found to increase as particle size is reduced. Good consistency of present predicted results with the available theoretical and experimental data is observed. The present calculated results are thus found consistent with the general trend of variation.
Construction Cost Prediction Based on Genetic Algorithm and BIM
Authors: Zhao Liang , Zhang Wei , Wang Wenshun
Published: August 2019

According to the analysis and prediction of engineering cost, a BIM-aided analysis method based on GA network model is proposed. First, we improve the neural network by genetic algorithm; second, according to the engineering feature vector, BIM software is used to train the GA network model; finally, the GA network model reaches a steady state, given prediction of Engineering cost. According to the experimental study of 20 high-rise residential buildings in YJW area, the experimental results show that the proposed GA model combined with BIM auxiliary analysis method can accurately and easily complete the project cost prediction.
A Novel Asymmetrical Reduced Switch Nine-Level Inverter
Authors: Das Madan Kumar , Sinha Akanksha , Jana Kartick Chandra
Published: August 2019

A novel asymmetrical nine-level inverter topology using only six switches along with its generalized structure are presented in this paper. The proposed reduced switch multilevel inverter topology makes use of a lower total standing voltage for a required output voltage as compared to the existing ones. One of the major advantages of the proposed multilevel inverter over other existing topologies is that, the circuit can be extended to a higher-level inverter, by cascading a few proposed inverter modules and can also be extended to the three-phase structure very easily, thereby making the inverter structure simple. In addition to this, the proposed inverter module does not require any additional H-bridge circuit to obtain the negative voltage levels for AC voltage, resulting in reduced voltage stress on the switches. This paper also incorporates an effective technique to determine the total standing voltage as well as the switching and conduction losses of the inverter. The MATLAB/Simulink based proposed nine-level as well as an 81-level inverters are modeled and the simulation results are presented. An experimental prototype of nine-level inverter using six switches is developed and tested to validate the simulation results.
Is holography implicit in canonical gravity?
Authors: Raju Suvrat
Published: August 2019

We conjecture that in asymptotically anti-de Sitter (AdS) space, two solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt (WdW) equation that coincide asymptotically must also coincide in the bulk. This suggests that the essential elements of holography are already present in canonical gravity. Our argument sheds light on why holography works only in gravitational theories, and also on the significance of AdS boundary conditions.
Calculation of Kstopped− absorption yields on light nuclei
Authors: Raeisi Morteza , Esmaili Jafar
Published: August 2019

This paper describes an atomic cascade model which is used to predict the absorption yields for a kaon at low orbits in [Formula: see text]Li,9Be,[Formula: see text]C and [Formula: see text]O nuclei. The calculations show that most of the absorptions occur in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] states so that their contribution adds up to 100% for [Formula: see text]O. However, for all of the targets, absorption in the other states is nearly zero. Also by increasing atomic number of target [Formula: see text], the yield of [Formula: see text] states decreases while it increases for the [Formula: see text] states. The results also display a low sensitivity on the widths of 4[Formula: see text] state (0.1%), in which it is comparable with the natural width of the radiation transition [Formula: see text].
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND THERMAL AGING PERFORMANCE OF Sn WITH 0.7 wt.% Cu and VARIOUS GRAPHENE ADDITIONS
Authors: SUN CAIXIA , ZHANG FENGYUN , ZHANG HONGXIA , ZHANG NIANLONG , LI SHOUYING , DAI JINGJIE , ZHANG HAILONG
Published: August 2019

The effect of graphene content (0.08, 0.16 and 0.33[Formula: see text]wt.%) on the thermal conductivity and thermal aging performance of an Sn based composite material with 0.7[Formula: see text]wt.% Cu and various graphene additions was investigated via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and accelerated thermal aging test. The XRD results showed that the graphene diffraction intensity was weak (approximately 10∘) due to little content and distribution of the graphene on the surface of the composite materials. After thermal aging testing the diffraction intensity on some crystal planes of the composite materials was enhanced, proving that preferential growth occurs on the crystal plane. SEM results showed that before aging testing no whiskers were generated on the surface of the composite materials. After the accelerated thermal aging at 100∘C for 24[Formula: see text]h, whisker growth became apparent in the composite materials. All the whiskers were located in the grains rather than on the grain boundaries of the composite materials. The highest thermal conductivity was obtained at 0.16[Formula: see text]wt.% graphene addition (indicated as 0.16[Formula: see text]wt.% graphene–0.7[Formula: see text]wt.% Cu/Sn). After the accelerated thermal aging at 100∘C for 24[Formula: see text]h, the bamboo-shaped whiskers with a low aspect ratio grew in large quantities on the surface of the 0.16[Formula: see text]wt.% graphene–0.7[Formula: see text]wt.% Cu/Sn composite material, while when the aging was at 100∘C for 366[Formula: see text]h the thermal conductivity decreased from 67[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] to 52[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]. When the graphene addition was 0.33[Formula: see text]wt.% (indicated as 0.33[Formula: see text]wt.% graphene–0.7[Formula: see text]wt.% Cu/Sn) the thermal conductivity maintains a value above 59[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] after the accelerated thermal aging.
Vibration Behavior of Composite Slab with Precast Ribbed Panels due to Transient Impact
Authors: Liu Jiepeng , Huang Shu , Li Jiang , Chen Y. Frank
Published: August 2019

Excessive floor vibrations due to human activities such as heel-drop and jumping can induce annoyance to occupants and cause a serious serviceability problem. Both field tests and finite element analysis were conducted to study the vibration behavior of the composite slab with precast ribbed panels (CSPRP), a relatively new floor system compared with the cast-in-place reinforced concrete (RC) slab. In addition, both heel-drop and jumping impacts were employed to generate the acceleration response of the floor, from which two important vibration characteristics of natural frequencies and damping ratios are obtained. A comparison of the vibration behavior of CSPRPs with RC slabs indicates that the former exhibits more satisfactory perceptibility in terms of vibration. Appropriate coefficients (i.e. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) with the root-mean-square and peak accelerations subjected to heel-drop and jumping excitations are proposed for both CSPRPs and RC slabs. Lastly, an extensive parametric study considering different boundary conditions, floor types, and floor spans was carried out using the finite element method. It is recommended to use CSPRP under 3.3[Formula: see text]m span in order to keep the fundamental frequency above 3.0[Formula: see text]Hz.
UNJ-Rings
Authors: Koşan M. Tamer , Quynh Truong Cong , Žemlička Jan
Published: August 2019

In analogy to the elementwise definitions of UU- and UJ-rings, a ring [Formula: see text] is called UNJ if [Formula: see text]. After presenting several characterizations and properties, we consider the UNJ-rings within many well-studied classes of rings. In particular, we examine Dedekind finite rings, 2-primal rings, (semi)regular rings, [Formula: see text]-regular rings and rings that satisfy the identity [Formula: see text]. Finally, we conclude this paper with group UNJ-rings.
The number of intermediate rings in FIP extension of integral domains
Authors: Ben Nasr Mabrouk , Jaballah Ali
Published: August 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be an extension of integral domains with only finitely many intermediate rings, where [Formula: see text] is not a field and [Formula: see text] is not necessarily the quotient field of [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] is not necessarily integrally closed in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we exactly determine the number of intermediate rings between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and give a way to compute it.
Unitary homogeneous bi-Cayley graphs over finite commutative rings
Authors: Liu Xiaogang , Yan Chengxin
Published: August 2019

Let [Formula: see text] denote the unitary homogeneous bi-Cayley graph over a finite commutative ring [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we determine the energy of [Formula: see text] and that of its complement and line graph, and characterize when such graphs are hyperenergetic. We also give a necessary and sufficient condition for [Formula: see text] (respectively, the complement of [Formula: see text], the line graph of [Formula: see text]) to be Ramanujan.
Generators of the quantum finite W-algebras in type A
Authors: De Sole Alberto , Fedele Laura , Valeri Daniele
Published: August 2019

We prove a conjecture proposed in [A. De Sole, V. G. Kac and D. Valeri, Finite [Formula: see text]-algebras for [Formula: see text], Adv. Math. 327 (2018) 173–224.] describing the Lax type operator [Formula: see text] for the quantum finite [Formula: see text]-algebras of [Formula: see text] in terms of a PBW generating system for the [Formula: see text]-algebra. In doing so, we extend this result to an arbitrary good grading and an arbitrary isotropic subspace of [Formula: see text].
Braiding for categorical algebras and crossed modules of algebras I: Associative and Lie algebras
Authors: Fernández-Fariña A. , Ladra M.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, the categories of braided categorical associative algebras and braided crossed modules of associative algebras are studied. These structures are also correlated with the categories of braided categorical Lie algebras and braided crossed modules of Lie algebras.
EVENT GRAPHS: ADVANCES AND APPLICATIONS OF SECOND-ORDER TIME-UNFOLDED TEMPORAL NETWORK MODELS
Authors: MELLOR ANDREW
Published: August 2019

Recent advances in data collection and storage have allowed both researchers and industry alike to collect data in real time. Much of this data comes in the form of ‘events’, or timestamped interactions, such as email and social media posts, website clickstreams, or protein–protein interactions. This type of data poses new challenges for modeling, especially if we wish to preserve all temporal features and structure. We highlight several recent approaches in modeling higher-order temporal interaction and bring them together under the umbrella of event graphs. Through examples, we demonstrate how event graphs can be used to understand the higher-order topological-temporal structure of temporal networks and capture properties of the network that are unobservable when considering either a static (or time-aggregated) model. We introduce new algorithms for temporal motif enumeration and provide a novel analysis of the communicability centrality for temporal networks. Furthermore, we show that by modeling a temporal network as an event graph our analysis extends easily to non-dyadic interactions, known as hyper-events.
Minimization of the difference of Nuclear and Frobenius norms for noisy low rank matrix recovery
Authors: Cai Yun
Published: August 2019

This paper considers recovery of matrices that are low rank or approximately low rank from linear measurements corrupted with additive noise. We study minimization of the difference of Nuclear and Frobenius norms (abbreviated as [Formula: see text] norm) as a nonconvex and Lipschitz continuous metric for solving this noisy low rank matrix recovery problem. We mainly study two types of bounded observation noisy low rank matrix recovery problems, including the [Formula: see text]-norm bounded noise and the Dantizg Selector noise. Based on the matrix restricted isometry property (abbreviated as M-RIP), we prove that this [Formula: see text] norm-based minimization method can stably recover a (approximately) low rank matrix in the two types bounded noisy low rank matrix recovery problems. In addition, we use the truncated difference of Nuclear and Frobenius norms (denoted as the truncated [Formula: see text] norm) to recover a low rank matrix when the observation noise is the Dantizg Selector noise. We give the stable recovery result for this truncated [Formula: see text] norm minimization in Dantizg Selector noise case when the linear measurement map satisfies the M-RIP condition.
Diffusion models for mixtures using a stiff dissipative hyperbolic formalism
Authors: Boudin Laurent , Grec Bérénice , Pavan Vincent
Published: August 2019

We consider a system of fluid equations for mixtures with a stiff relaxation term of Maxwell–Stefan diffusion type. We use the formalism developed by Chen et al. and derive a limiting system of Fick type, in which the species velocities tend to align with a bulk velocity when the relaxation parameter remains small.
The wave equation near flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker and Kasner Big Bang singularities
Authors: Alho Artur , Fournodavlos Grigorios , Franzen Anne T.
Published: August 2019

We consider the wave equation, [Formula: see text], in fixed flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker and Kasner spacetimes with topology [Formula: see text]. We obtain generic blow up results for solutions to the wave equation toward the Big Bang singularity in both backgrounds. In particular, we characterize open sets of initial data prescribed at a spacelike hypersurface close to the singularity, which give rise to the solutions that blow up in an open set of the Big Bang hypersurface [Formula: see text]. The initial data sets are characterized by the condition that the Neumann data should dominate, in an appropriate [Formula: see text]-sense, up to two spatial derivatives of the Dirichlet data. For these initial configurations, the [Formula: see text] norms of the solutions blow up toward the Big Bang hypersurfaces of FLRW and Kasner with inverse polynomial and logarithmic rates, respectively. Our method is based on deriving suitably weighted energy estimates in physical space. No symmetries of solutions are assumed.
A survey on Hamiltonicity in Cayley graphs and digraphs on different groups
Authors: Lanel G. H. J. , Pallage H. K. , Ratnayake J. K. , Thevasha S. , Welihinda B. A. K.
Published: August 2019

Lovász had posed a question stating whether every connected, vertex-transitive graph has a Hamilton path in 1969. There is a growing interest in solving this longstanding problem and still it remains widely open. In fact, it was known that only five vertex-transitive graphs exist without a Hamiltonian cycle which do not belong to Cayley graphs. A Cayley graph is the subclass of vertex-transitive graph, and in view of the Lovász conjecture, the attention has focused more toward the Hamiltonicity of Cayley graphs. This survey will describe the current status of the search for Hamiltonian cycles and paths in Cayley graphs and digraphs on different groups, and discuss the future direction regarding famous conjecture.
Optimizing Bit-Serial Matrix Multiplication for Reconfigurable Computing
Authors: Umuroglu Yaman , Conficconi Davide , Rasnayake Lahiru , Preusser Thomas B. , Själander Magnus
Published: August 2019

Matrix-matrix multiplication is a key computational kernel for numerous applications in science and engineering, with ample parallelism and data locality that lends itself well to high-performance implementations. Many matrix multiplication-dependent applications can use reduced-precision integer or fixed-point representations to increase their performance and energy efficiency while still offering adequate quality of results. However, precision requirements may vary between different application phases or depend on input data, rendering constant-precision solutions ineffective. BISMO, a vectorized bit-serial matrix multiplication overlay for reconfigurable computing, previously utilized the excellent binary-operation performance of FPGAs to offer a matrix multiplication performance that scales with required precision and parallelism. We show how BISMO can be scaled up on Xilinx FPGAs using an arithmetic architecture that better utilizes six-input LUTs. The improved BISMO achieves a peak performance of 15.4 binary TOPS on the Ultra96 board with a Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC.