bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and Modeling Study of the Fabrication of Mg Nano-Sculpted Films by Magnetron Sputtering Combined with Glancing Angle Deposition
Authors: Liang Hui , Geng Xi , Li Wenjiang , Panepinto Adriano , Thiry Damien , Chen Minfang , Snyders Rony
Published: June 2019

Today, Mg is foreseen as one of the most promising materials for hydrogen storage when prepared as nano-objects. In this context, we have studied the fabrication of Mg nano-sculpted thin films by magnetron sputtering deposition in glancing angle configuration. It is demonstrated that the microstructure of the material is controllable by tuning important deposition parameters such as the tilt angle or the deposition pressure which both strongly affect the shadowing effect during deposition. As an example, the angle formed by the column and the substrate and the intercolumnar space varies between ~20° to ~50° and ~45 to ~120 nm, respectively, when increasing the tilt angle from 60° to 90°. These observations are highlighted by modeling the growth of the material using kinetic Monte Carlo methods which highlights the role of surface diffusion during the synthesis of the coating. This work is a first step towards the development of an air-stable material for hydrogen storage.
Information Entropy Theory Applied to the Dip-Phenomenon Analysis in Open Channel Flows
Authors: Mirauda Domenica , Russo Maria Grazia
Published: June 2019

The knowledge of the fluid discharge in free surface flows requires a great number of velocity measurements along the whole cross-section, taking up a large amount of time, using expensive equipment, and employing specialized labor. To overcome these obstacles, various models have been developed thus far that show how to estimate the mean velocity through the maximum velocity. In three-dimensional open channels, the maximum velocity can be located below the free surface because of the presence of secondary flows mainly originating by the sidewalls, an occurrence known as dip-phenomenon. In this condition, predicting the maximum velocity position is quite difficult and has always represented a challenge to most hydraulic engineers and researchers. In the present study, a mathematical model derived from the information entropy theory is proposed to evaluate the velocity-dip-position over the entire cross-section of both wide and narrow open channels, thus overcoming the limitations of the existing methods. Large literature measurement sets, collected in uniform and non-uniform flows, were used to test the validity of the model, showing good agreement with the experimental data and providing an accurate estimation of the dip-position.
Implementation of a Portable Electromyographic Prototype for the Detection of Muscle Fatigue
Authors: De la Peña Sandra , Polo Aura , Robles-Algarín Carlos
Published: June 2019

Surface electromyography (sEMG) applied to the sports training area makes possible the observation of fatigue as well as the generation of muscular strength, through the study of changes in signal characteristics, such as peak-to-peak amplitude, mean frequency and median, among others. In this sense, this work presents the design of a portable prototype for the acquisition and processing of electromyographic (EMG) signals aimed at the detection of muscle fatigue in athletes. Using two Bluetooth Bee modules, a wireless communication was performed in order to send the muscular electrical activity of the skin surface to a user interface developed in LabVIEW. A group of players from the Volleyball team of the Universidad del Magdalena, performed a series of exercise routines with dynamic contractions and as they experienced fatigue, samples were taken of the contractions made. The tests were performed on the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscles. The analysis of fatigue under dynamic conditions of the two parameters studied, in frequency and time, showed that it is more pertinent to estimate fatigue indices in the frequency domain.
Nonlinear Distortion Cancellation using Predistorter in MIMO-GFDM Systems
Authors: Jayati Ari Endang , Wirawan  , Suryani Titiek , Endroyono
Published: June 2019

Generalized frequency division multiplexing (GFDM) with offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OQAM) is an alternative non-orthogonal modulation scheme for future generation wireless broadband systems. The nonlinearity of high power amplifiers (HPAs) has a very significant effect on the performance of GFDM systems. In this paper, we investigate the effects of nonlinear distortion on the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-GFDM system when the signal is passed the HPA, which is modeled with amplitude and phase distortion. The effects of nonlinear distortion due to the HPA include amplitude distortion, phase distortion, and the spread of signal constellations. These effects also produce harmonic signals and intermodulation outside the frequency band which results in spectral spread. This will then reduce the performance of the MIMO-GFDM system. The contributions of this paper concern three key areas. Firstly, we investigate the effects of nonlinear distortion on the MIMO-GFDM system. We also derive the new closed-form expression bit error rate (BER) in MIMO-GFDM systems that use a memoryless HPA, which is modeled using the Saleh model when passed through the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. This model was chosen because it is simple and has AM/AM and AM/PM curves. Secondly, we propose the application of techniques for the linearization of each HPA predistorter on the transmitter side of the MIMO-GFDM system separately. This predistorter is able to compensate for nonlinear distortion caused by the HPA without memory operating in the saturation region. The main contribution of this paper is to investigate the predistorter, which can linearize nonlinear distortion in MIMO-GFDM transmitters. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated in terms of spectrum analysis, PAPR analysis, a constellation diagram, and bit error rate (BER) analysis. The simulation results show that the proposed predistorter design succeeds in compensating for nonlinear distortions caused by the HPA for large input back-off (IBO) values.
Accurate Rigid Body Localization Using DoA Measurements from a Single Base Station
Authors: Zhou Biao , Yao Xiaofeng , Yang Le , Yang Shangyi , Wu Shaojie , Kim Youngok , Ai Lingyu
Published: June 2019

Rigid body localization (RBL) is to simultaneously estimate the position and attitude of a rigid target. In this paper, we focus on the RBL problem using a single base station (BS) and direction of arrival (DoA) measurements. Several wireless sensors are mounted on the rigid body of interest, and their topology information is known a priori. The single BS measures the DoAs of wireless sensor signals and fuses them with the sensor topology information to estimate the position and orientation of the rigid body and achieve RBL. We propose two RBL methods, namely, the observation matching (OM) algorithm and topology matching (TM) algorithm with refinement. The emerging participatory searching algorithm (PSA) is adopted in both methods to solve the nonlinear matching problems. Simulations show that, compared with the existing approach, the OM method can achieve better RBL accuracy under high DoA noise levels, while the performance of the TM algorithm with refinement is closer to the constrained Cramér–Rao bound (CCRB) under low DoA noise levels.
Secondary Freeform Lens Device Design with Stearic Acid for A Low-Glare Mosquito-Trapping System with Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Tseng Wei-Hsiung , Hsiao Wei-Cheng , Juan Diana , Chan Cheng-Han , Hsiao Wen-Sheng , Ma Hsin-Yi , Lee Hsiao-Yi
Published: June 2019

Dengue fever is a public health issue of global concern. Taiwan is located in the subtropical region featuring humid and warm weather, which is conducive to the breeding of mosquitoes and flies. Together with global warming and the increasing frequency of international exchanges, in addition to the outbreak of pandemics and dengue fever, the number of people infected has increased rapidly. This study is dedicated to the development of a new mosquito-trapping system. Research has shown that specific wavelengths, colors, and temperatures are highly attractive to both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. In this study, we create equipment which effectively improves the trapping capabilities of mosquitoes in a wider field. The design of the special Secondary Freeform Lens Device (SFLD) is used to expand the range for trapping mosquitoes and create illumination uniformity; it also directs light downward for the protection of users’ eyes. In addition, we use the correct amount of stearic acid as a mosquito attractant to allow a better control effect against mosquitoes during the day. In summary, when the UV LED mosquito trapping system is combined with a quadratic free-form lens, the experimental results show that the system can extend the capture range to 100 π m2 in which the number of captured mosquitoes is increased by about 350%.
Multipath Ghost Suppression Based on Generative Adversarial Nets in Through-Wall Radar Imaging
Authors: Jia Yong , Song Ruiyuan , Chen Shengyi , Wang Gang , Guo Yong , Zhong Xiaoling , Cui Guolong
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we propose an approach that uses generative adversarial nets (GAN) to eliminate multipath ghosts with respect to through-wall radar imaging (TWRI). The applied GAN is composed of two adversarial networks, namely generator G and discriminator D. Generator G learns the spatial characteristics of an input radar image to construct a mapping from an input to output image with suppressed ghosts. Discriminator D evaluates the difference (namely, the residual multipath ghosts) between the output image and the ground-truth image without multipath ghosts. On the one hand, by training G, the image difference is gradually diminished. In other words, multipath ghosts are increasingly suppressed in the output image of G. On the other hand, D is trained to improve in evaluating the diminishing difference accompanied with multipath ghosts as much as possible. These two networks, G and D, fight with each other until G eliminates the multipath ghosts. The simulation results demonstrate that GAN can effectively eliminate multipath ghosts in TWRI. A comparison of different methods demonstrates the superiority of the proposed method, such as the exemption of prior wall information, no target images with degradation, and robustness for different scenes.
New Perspective on Performances and Limits of Solar Fresh Air Cooling in Different Climatic Conditions
Authors: Abrudan Ancuta C. , Pop Octavian G. , Serban Alexandru , Balan Mugur C.
Published: June 2019

The study carried out by simulation, concerns the thermal behavior of an office building’s solar fresh air cooling system, based on a LiBr-H2O absorption chiller in different climatic conditions. The coefficient of performance (COP) and the solar fraction were considered performance parameters and were analyzed with respect to the operating limits—the risk of crystallization and maintaining at least a minimum degassing zone. A new correlation between the required solar hot temperature and the cooling water temperature was established and then embedded in another new correlation between the COP and the cooling water temperature that was used in simulations during the whole cooling season corresponding to each location. It was found that—the solar hot water should be maintained in the range of (80–100) °C depending on the cooling water temperature, the COP of the solar LiBr-H2O absorption chiller with or without cold storage tank could reach (76.5–82.4)% depending on the location, and the solar fraction could reach (29.5–62.0)% without cold storage tank and could exceed 100% with cold storage tank, and the excess cooling power being available to cover other types of cooling loads—through the building envelope, from lighting, and from occupants, etc.
Joint Location-Dependent Pricing and Request Mapping in ICN-Based Telco CDNs For 5G
Authors: Jin Mingshuang , Luo Hongbin , Gao Shuai , Feng Bohao
Published: June 2019

Telco content delivery networks (CDNs) have envisioned building highly distributed and cloudified sites to provide a high-quality CDN service in the 5G era. However, there are still two open problems to be addressed. First, telco CDNs are operated upon the underlay network evolving towards information-centric networking (ICN). Different from CDNs that perform on the application layer, ICN enables information-centric forwarding to the network layer. Thus, it is challenging to take advantage of the benefits of both ICN and CDN to provide a high-quality content delivery service in the context of ICN-based telco CDNs. Second, bandwidth pricing and request mapping issues in ICN-based telco CDNs have not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, we first propose an ICN-based telco CDN framework that integrates the information-centric forwarding enabled by ICN and the powerful edge caching enabled by telco CDNs. Then, we propose a location-dependent pricing (LDP) strategy, taking into consideration the congestion level of different sites. Furthermore, on the basis of LDP, we formulate a price-aware request mapping (PARM) problem, which can be solved by existing linear programming solvers. Finally, we conduct extensive simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of our design.
Validation of the Component Model for Prediction of Moisture Sorption Isotherms of Two Herbs and other Products
Authors: Chen Chiachung
Published: June 2019

Sorption isotherm is an essential property for the processing of biological materials. In this study, a component model for the prediction of the sorption isotherm was evaluated. In order to validate this component model, the moisture sorption isotherms for Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers and the orchid Anoectochilus formosanus Hayata were determined. The sorption isotherm was measured by using the equilibrium relative humidity technique for five temperatures. Seven sorption isotherm models were selected with four quantitative criteria and residual plots to evaluate fitting ability and prediction performance for these products. The results indicated that the sorption temperature did not significantly affect the adsorption isotherm. The Caurie and Henderson equations could be used for C. morifolium flowers and A. formosanus Hayata. The isotherm data of raw bamboo, elecampe and three varieties of corn kernels from the literature were adopted to validate the component model. Comparing with the predicted values of component values and actual isotherm moisture, the component model has good predictive ability at the aw range smaller than 0.7. Considering the practical application, the aw range below 0.7 is the main range for the processing of agricultural products, and the predictive values of this component model could be helpful for food engineering and for the food industry.
A Note on Pivotality
Authors: Pan Addison
Published: June 2019

This note provides simple derivations of the equilibrium conditions for different voting games with incomplete information. In the standard voting game à la Austen-Smith and Banks (1996), voters update their beliefs, and, conditional on their being pivotal, cast their votes. However, in voting games such as those of Ellis (2016) and Fabrizi, Lippert, Pan, and Ryan (2019), given a closed and convex set of priors, ambiguity-averse voters would select a prior from this set in a strategy-contingent manner. As a consequence, both the pivotal and non-pivotal events matter to voters when deciding their votes. In this note, I demonstrate that for ambiguous voting games the conditional probability of being pivotal alone is no longer sufficient to determine voters’ best responses.
Optimal Majority Rule in Referenda
Authors: Cheng Qingqing , Li Ming
Published: June 2019

Adopting the group turnout model of Herrera and Mattozzi, J. Eur. Econ. Assoc. 2010, 8, 838–871, we investigate direct democracy with supermajority rule and different preference intensities for two sides of a referendum: Reform versus status quo. Two parties spend money and effort to mobilize their voters. We characterize the set of pure strategy Nash equilibria. We investigate the optimal majority rule that maximizes voters’ welfare. Using an example, we show that the relationship between the optimal majority rule and the preference intensity is not monotonic—the optimal majority rule is initially decreasing and then increasing in the preference intensity of the status quo side. We also show that when the preference intensity of the status quo side is higher, the easiness to mobilize voters on the status quo side is lower, or the payoff that the reform party receives is higher, the optimal majority rule is more likely to be supermajority.
Energy Reduction of a Tsunami Current through a Hybrid Defense System Comprising a Sea Embankment Followed by a Coastal Forest
Authors: Ali Hasan Muhammad Rashedunnabi , Tanaka Norio
Published: June 2019

The 2011 Great East Japan tsunami revealed the limit of using natural or artificial infrastructures as a single tsunami countermeasure. In recent tsunami mitigation strategy, interest in a hybrid defense system (combination of natural and artificial infrastructures) rather than a single defense structure is growing, and a pilot project has already started in Japan. Clarification of flow structures within the hybrid defense system is necessary for designing an improved mitigation system. In addition, when a hydraulic jump is expected, its position should be restricted to a protected area for the resilience of the hybrid defense system. This study performed flume tests to elucidate the mitigation effect of a hybrid defense system comprising an embankment model (EM), followed by different types of single-layer emergent forest models (SLM) or vertical double-layer forest models (DLM). Different types of hydraulic jumps were observed within the defense system, jump position and their characteristics dominated the energy reduction downstream of SLM or DLM. Experimental results showed that this hybrid defense system reduced the flow energy to 30% and 40% of maximum for SLM and DLM, respectively, compared to only the single EM. Moreover, the position of the hydraulic jump was near the EM in the combination of EM and DLMs.
Chondrogenic Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells under Controllable Serum-Free Conditions
Authors: Lach Michał Stefan , Wroblewska Joanna , Kulcenty Katarzyna , Richter Magdalena , Trzeciak Tomasz , Suchorska Wiktoria Maria
Published: June 2019

The repair of damaged articular cartilage using currently available implantation techniques is not sufficient for the full recovery of patients. Pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-based therapies could bring new perspectives in the treatment of joint diseases. A number of protocols of in vitro differentiation of iPSC in chondrocytes for regenerative purposes have been recently described. However, in order to use these cells in clinics, the elimination of animal serum and feeder cells is essential. In our study, a strictly defined and controllable protocol was designed for the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (BG01V, ND 41658*H, GPCCi001-A) in chondrocyte-like cells in serum- and a feeder cell-free system, using the embryoid bodies step. The extension of the protocol and culture conditions (monolayer versus 3D culture) was also tested after the initial 21 days of chondrogenic differentiation. Promotion of the chondrogenic differentiation in 3D culture via the elevated expression of genes related to chondrogenesis was achieved. Using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining techniques, the increased deposition of the specific extracellular matrix was indicated. As a result, chondrocyte-like cells in the early stages of their differentiation using pellet culture under fully controlled and defined conditions were obtained.
Crazy Little Thing Called Sox—New Insights in Oligodendroglial Sox Protein Function
Authors: Wittstatt Jan , Reiprich Simone , Küspert Melanie
Published: June 2019

In the central nervous system, oligodendrocytes wrap axons with myelin sheaths, which is essential for rapid transfer of electric signals and their trophic support. In oligodendroglia, transcription factors of the Sox protein family are pivotal regulators of a variety of developmental processes. These include specification, proliferation, and migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells as well as terminal differentiation to mature myelinating oligodendrocytes. Sox proteins are further affected in demyelinating diseases and are involved in remyelination following damage of the central nervous system. Here we summarize and discuss latest findings on transcriptional regulation of Sox proteins, their function, target genes, and interaction with other transcription factors and chromatin remodelers in oligodendroglia with physiological and pathophysiological relevance.
Development of Molecular Markers for Detection of Acidovorax citrulli Strains Causing Bacterial Fruit Blotch Disease in Melon
Authors: Islam Md. Rafiqul , Hossain Mohammad Rashed , Kim Hoy-Taek , Jesse Denison Michael Immanuel , Abuyusuf Md. , Jung Hee-Jeong , Park Jong-In , Nou Ill-Sup
Published: June 2019

Acidovorax citrulli (A. citrulli) strains cause bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) in cucurbit crops and affect melon significantly. Numerous strains of the bacterium have been isolated from melon hosts globally. Strains that are aggressively virulent towards melon and diagnostic markers for detecting such strains are yet to be identified. Using a cross-inoculation assay, we demonstrated that two Korean strains of A. citrulli, NIHHS15-280 and KACC18782, are highly virulent towards melon but avirulent/mildly virulent to the other cucurbit crops. The whole genomes of three A. citrulli strains isolated from melon and three from watermelon were aligned, allowing the design of three primer sets (AcM13, AcM380, and AcM797) that are specific to melon host strains, from three pathogenesis-related genes. These primers successfully detected the target strain NIHHS15-280 in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays from a very low concentration of bacterial gDNA. They were also effective in detecting the target strains from artificially infected leaf, fruit, and seed washing suspensions, without requiring the extraction of bacterial DNA. This is the first report of PCR-based markers that offer reliable, sensitive, and rapid detection of strains of A. citrulli causing BFB in melon. These markers may also be useful in early disease detection in the field samples, in seed health tests, and for international quarantine purposes.
Stilbene Compounds Inhibit Tumor Growth by the Induction of Cellular Senescence and the Inhibition of Telomerase Activity
Authors: Lee Yu-Hsuan , Chen Yu-Ying , Yeh Ya-Ling , Wang Ying-Jan , Chen Rong-Jane
Published: June 2019

Cellular senescence is a state of cell cycle arrest characterized by a distinct morphology, gene expression pattern, and secretory phenotype. It can be triggered by multiple mechanisms, including those involved in telomere shortening, the accumulation of DNA damage, epigenetic pathways, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and so on. In current cancer therapy, cellular senescence has emerged as a potent tumor suppression mechanism that restrains proliferation in cells at risk for malignant transformation. Therefore, compounds that stimulate the growth inhibition effects of senescence while limiting its detrimental effects are believed to have great clinical potential. In this review article, we first review the current knowledge of the pro- and antitumorigeneic functions of senescence and summarize the key roles of telomerase in the regulation of senescence in tumors. Second, we review the current literature regarding the anticancer effects of stilbene compounds that are mediated by the targeting of telomerase and cell senescence. Finally, we provide future perspectives on the clinical utilization of stilbene compounds, especially resveratrol and pterostilbene, as novel cancer therapeutic remedies. We conclude and propose that stilbene compounds may induce senescence and may potentially be used as the therapeutic or adjuvant agents for cancers with high telomerase activity.
Signal Transduction in Ribosome Biogenesis: A Recipe to Avoid Disaster
Authors: Piazzi Manuela , Bavelloni Alberto , Gallo Angela , Faenza Irene , Blalock William L.
Published: June 2019

Energetically speaking, ribosome biogenesis is by far the most costly process of the cell and, therefore, must be highly regulated in order to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure. Not only must ribosomal RNA (rRNA) synthesis, ribosomal protein (RP) transcription, translation, and nuclear import, as well as ribosome assembly, be tightly controlled, these events must be coordinated with other cellular events, such as cell division and differentiation. In addition, ribosome biogenesis must respond rapidly to environmental cues mediated by internal and cell surface receptors, or stress (oxidative stress, DNA damage, amino acid depletion, etc.). This review examines some of the well-studied pathways known to control ribosome biogenesis (PI3K-AKT-mTOR, RB-p53, MYC) and how they may interact with some of the less well studied pathways (eIF2α kinase and RNA editing/splicing) in higher eukaryotes to regulate ribosome biogenesis, assembly, and protein translation in a dynamic manner.
Exogenous Administration of Low-Dose Lipopolysaccharide Potentiates Liver Fibrosis in a Choline-Deficient l-Amino-Acid-Defined Diet-Induced Murine Steatohepatitis Model
Authors: Nakanishi Keisuke , Kaji Kosuke , Kitade Mitsuteru , Kubo Takuya , Furukawa Masanori , Saikawa Soichiro , Shimozato Naotaka , Sato Shinya , Seki Kenichiro , Kawaratani Hideto , Moriya Kei , Namisaki Tadashi , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: June 2019

Various rodent models have been proposed for basic research; however, the pathogenesis of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is difficult to closely mimic. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to play a pivotal role in fibrosis development during NASH progression via activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. This study aimed to clarify the impact of low-dose LPS challenge on NASH pathological progression and to establish a novel murine NASH model. C57BL/6J mice were fed a choline-deficient l-amino-acid-defined (CDAA) diet to induce NASH, and low-dose LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected thrice a week. CDAA-fed mice showed hepatic CD14 overexpression, and low-dose LPS challenge enhanced TLR4/NF-κB signaling activation in the liver of CDAA-fed mice. LPS challenge potentiated CDAA-diet-mediated insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis with upregulated lipogenic genes, and F4/80-positive macrophage infiltration with increased proinflammatory cytokines. It is noteworthy that LPS administration extensively boosted pericellular fibrosis with the activation of hepatic stellate cells in CDAA-fed mice. Exogenous LPS administration exacerbated pericellular fibrosis in CDAA-mediated steatohepatitis in mice. These findings suggest a key role for LPS/TLR4 signaling in NASH progression, and the authors therefore propose this as a suitable model to mimic human NASH.
A Novel Improved Bat Algorithm Based on Hybrid Parallel and Compact for Balancing an Energy Consumption Problem
Authors: Nguyen Trong-The , Pan Jeng-Shyang , Dao Thi-Kien
Published: June 2019

This paper proposes an improved Bat algorithm based on hybridizing a parallel and compact method (namely pcBA) for a class of saving variables in optimization problems. The parallel enhances diversity solutions for exploring in space search and sharing computation load. Nevertheless, the compact saves stored variables for computation in the optimization approaches. In the experimental section, the selected benchmark functions, and the energy balance problem in Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Results compared with the other methods in the literature demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves a practical method of reducing the number of stored memory variables, and the running time consumption.
Coupled Least Squares Support Vector Ensemble Machines
Authors: Wornyo Dickson Keddy , Shen Xiang-Jun
Published: June 2019

The least squares support vector method is a popular data-driven modeling method which shows better performance and has been successfully applied in a wide range of applications. In this paper, we propose a novel coupled least squares support vector ensemble machine (C-LSSVEM). The proposed coupling ensemble helps improve robustness and produce good classification performance than the single model approach. The proposed C-LSSVEM can choose appropriate kernel types and their parameters in a good coupling strategy with a set of classifiers being trained simultaneously. The proposed method can further minimize the total loss of ensembles in kernel space. Thus, we form an ensemble regressor by co-optimizing and weighing base regressors. Experiments conducted on several datasets such as artificial datasets, UCI classification datasets, UCI regression datasets, handwritten digits datasets and NWPU-RESISC45 datasets, indicate that C-LSSVEM performs better in achieving the minimal regression loss and the best classification accuracy relative to selected state-of-the-art regression and classification techniques.
Combined Albumin-Bilirubin Grade and Skeletal Muscle Mass as a Predictor in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Yoh Kazunori , Iwata Yoshinori , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Kishino Kyohei , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Takata Ryo , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Ishii Noriko , Yuri Yukihisa , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: June 2019

We aimed to compare the prognostic impact among albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, the Child-Pugh classification and our proposed combined ALBI grade and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) grading system in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 468, 254 males and 214 females) using the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. SMM was tested using bioimpedance analysis. Male subjects with skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) <7.0 cm2/m2 and female subjects with SMI <5.7 cm2/m2 were defined as having low SMM. Patients with ALBI grade 1, 2 and 3 were given 1, 2 and 3 points. Patients with and without low SMM were given 1 and 0 point, respectively. The sum of the point of ALBI (1, 2, or 3) and SMM (0 or 1) was defined as the ALBI-SMM grade. The value obtained with the AIC for survival by the ALBI-SMM grade was the lowest among three assessment methods (AIC: 513.418 in ALBI grade, 533.584 in Child-Pugh classification and 493.72 in ALBI-SMM grade). In time-dependent ROC analysis, all area under the ROCs of the ALBI-SMM grade in each time point were the highest among three assessment methods. In conclusion, the ALBI-SMM grading system can be helpful for LC patients.
Extremes of Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Grąt Michał , Krasnodębski Maciej , Krawczyk Marek , Stypułkowski Jan , Morawski Marcin , Wasilewicz Michał , Lewandowski Zbigniew , Grąt Karolina , Patkowski Waldemar , Zieniewicz Krzysztof
Published: June 2019

The aim of this retrospective observational study was to evaluate outcomes of patients with extremely advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation. A total of 285 HCC patients after liver transplantation were screened for eligibility based on either intrahepatic dissemination (≥10 tumors) or macrovascular invasion. Tumor recurrence was the primary end-point. The study cohort comprised 26 patients. Median recurrence-free survival was 23.2 months with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (p = 0.038), higher AFP model score (p = 0.001), prolonged graft ischemia (p = 0.004), and younger donor age (p = 0.016) being significant risk factors. Median recurrence-free survival of HBV-negative and HBV-positive patients was 29.8 and 9.3 months, respectively (p = 0.053). In patients with macrovascular invasion, recurrence-free survival at 3 years was 46.3% with no specific predictors. Tumor size (p = 0.044), higher AFP model score (p = 0.019), prolonged graft ischemia (p = 0.016), and younger donor age (p = 0.041) were significant risk factors in patients with intrahepatic dissemination. Superior 3-year outcomes were observed in patients with intrahepatic dissemination and tumor size <3.5 cm (83.3%, p = 0.027) and HBV-negative patients with ischemia <9.7 h (85.7%, p = 0.028). In conclusion, patients with extremely advanced HCCs are remarkably heterogeneous with respect to their profile of tumor recurrence risk. This heterogeneity is largely driven by factors other than standard predictors of post-transplant HCC recurrence.
Early Clinical Predictors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Results from the EPISTOP Study
Authors: Moavero Romina , Benvenuto Arianna , Emberti Gialloreti Leonardo , Siracusano Martina , Kotulska Katarzyna , Weschke Bernhard , Riney Kate , Jansen Floor , Feucht Martha , Krsek Pavel , Nabbout Rima , Jansen Anna , Wojdan Konrad , Borkowska Julita , Sadowski Krzystof , Hertzberg Christoph , Hulshof Hanna , Samueli Sharon , Benova Barbora , Aronica Eleonora , Kwiatkowski David , Lagae Lieven , Jozwiak Sergiusz , Curatolo Paolo ,   on behalf of the EPISTOP Consortium
Published: June 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly prevalent in subjects with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), but we are not still able to reliably predict which infants will develop ASD. This study aimed to identify the early clinical markers of ASD and/or developmental delay (DD) in infants with an early diagnosis of TSC. We prospectively evaluated 82 infants with TSC (6–24 months of age), using a detailed neuropsychological assessment (Bayley Scales of Infant Development—BSID, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule—ADOS), in the context of the EPISTOP (Long-term, prospective study evaluating clinical and molecular biomarkers of EPIleptogenesiS in a genetic model of epilepsy—Tuberous SclerOsis ComPlex) project (NCT02098759). Normal cognitive developmental quotient at 12 months excluded subsequent ASD (negative predictive value 100%). The total score of ADOS at 12 months clearly differentiated children with a future diagnosis of ASD from children without (p = 0.012). Atypical socio-communication behaviors (p < 0.001) were more frequently observed than stereotyped/repetitive behaviors in children with ASD at 24 months. The combined use of BSID and ADOS can reliably identify infants with TSC with a higher risk for ASD at age 6–12 months, allowing for clinicians to target the earliest symptoms of abnormal neurodevelopment with tailored intervention strategies.
The Impact of Lubricant Film Thickness and Ball Bearings Failures
Authors: Marko Matthew David
Published: June 2019

An effort was made to find a relationship between the lubricant thickness at the point of contact of rolling element ball bearings, and empirical equations to predict the life for bearings under constant motion. Two independent failure mechanisms were considered, fatigue failure and lubricant failure resulting in seizing of the roller bearing. A theoretical formula for both methods was established for the combined probability of failure using both failure mechanisms. Fatigue failure was modeled with the empirical equations of Lundberg and Palmgren and standardized in DIN/ISO281. The seizure failure, which this effort sought to investigate, was predicted using Greenwood and Williamson’s theories on surface roughness and asperities during lubricated contact. These two mechanisms were combined, and compared to predicted cycle lives of commercial roller bearing, and a clear correlation was demonstrated. This effort demonstrated that the Greenwood–Williams theories on the relative height of asperities versus lubricant film thickness can be used to predict the probability of a lubricant failure resulting in a roller bearing seizing during use.
Using a Three-Dimensional Reduction Method in the High-Efficiency Grain Selector and Corresponding Grain Selection Mechanism
Authors: Zhu Xintao , Wang Fu , Zhang Shuaipeng , Wittenzellner Tobias , Frieß Jessica , Ma Dexin , Bührig-Polaczek Andreas
Published: June 2019

In the development of a high-efficiency grain selector, the spiral selectors are widely used in Ni-based single crystal (SX) superalloys casting to produce single crystal turbine blades. For the complex three-dimensional structure of the spiral, a 2D grain selector was designed to investigate in this paper. As a result, the parameters of two-dimensional grain selection bond and the corresponding grain selection mechanism were established, and the three-dimensional grain selection bond was designed again by means of two-dimensional coupling optimization parameters.
Forming Limit Stress Diagram Prediction of Pure Titanium Sheet Based on GTN Model
Authors: Huang Tao , Zhan Mei , Wang Kun , Chen Fuxiao , Guo Junqing , Li Yanyang , Song Zhuo , Bai Luge
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the initial values of damage parameters in the Gurson–Tvergaard–Needleman (GTN) model are determined by a microscopic test combined with empirical formulas, and the final accurate values are determined by finite element reverse calibration. The original void volume fraction (f0), the volume fraction of potential nucleated voids (fN), the critical void volume fraction (fc), the void volume fraction at the final failure (fF) of material are assigned as 0.006, 0.001, 0.03, 0.06 according to the simulation results, respectively. The hemispherical punch stretching test of commercially pure titanium (TA1) sheet is simulated by a plastic constitutive formula derived from the GTN model. The stress and strain are obtained at the last loading step before crack. The forming limit diagram (FLD) and the forming limit stress diagram (FLSD) of the TA1 sheet under plastic forming conditions are plotted, which are in good agreement with the FLD obtained by the hemispherical punch stretching test and the FLSD obtained by the conversion between stress and strain during the sheet forming process. The results show that the GTN model determined by the finite element reverse calibration method can be used to predict the forming limit of the TA1 sheet metal.
Studies on Pitting Corrosion of Al-Cu-Li Alloys Part II: Breakdown Potential and Pit Initiation
Authors: Ghanbari Elmira , Saatchi Alireza , Lei Xiaowei , Macdonald Digby D.
Published: June 2019

Prediction of the accumulated pitting corrosion damage in aluminum-lithium (Al-Li) is of great importance due to the wide application of these alloys in the aerospace industry. The Point Defect Model (PDM) is arguably one of the most well-developed techniques for evaluating the electrochemical behavior of passive metals. In this paper, the passivity breakdown and pitting corrosion performance of AA 2098-T851 was investigated using the PDM with the potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) technique in NaCl solutions at different scan rates, Cl− concentrations and pH. Both the PDM predictions and experiments reveal linear relationships between the critical breakdown potential (Ec) of the alloy and various independent variables, such as a C l − and pH. Optimization of the PDM of the near-normally distributed Ec as measured in at least 20 replicate experiments under each set of conditions, allowing for the estimation of some of the critical parameters on barrier layer generation and dissolution, such as the critical areal concentration of condensed cation vacancies (ξ) at the metal/barrier layer interface and the mean diffusivity of the cation vacancy in the barrier layer (D). With these values obtained—using PDM optimization—in one set of conditions, the Ec distribution can be predicted for any other set of conditions (combinations of a Cl − , pH and T). The PDM predictions and experimental observations in this work are in close agreement.
Double Crack Damage Identification of Welded Steel Structure Based on LAMB WAVES of S0 Mode
Authors: Hu Muping , Sun Xiaodan , He Jian , Zhan Yangyang
Published: June 2019

Steel structures are widely used in large-span bridges, offshore platforms, mining equipment and other large-scale buildings. The damage of steel structures will cause significant safety risks in a project. Therefore, it is of great significance to identify and study damage to steel structures. In this study, the propagation of Lamb waves in a steel plate with double cracks is simulated. Using finite element analysis and experimental study, damage identification and damage imaging of double crack damage to a steel plate are performed, and the numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Considering the reflection and transmission of Lamb waves at the welding seam, the location and imaging of crack damage in a welded steel plate are also studied. The imaging results obtained from simulation and experiment show high level in accuracy. By comparing the amplitude of the signal in the propagation process, it is concluded that the transmission energy at the weld seam decreases.
Role of Operating Conditions in a Pilot Scale Investigation of Hollow Fiber Forward Osmosis Membrane Modules
Authors: Sanahuja-Embuena Victoria , Khensir Gabriel , Yusuf Mohamed , Andersen Mads Friis , Nguyen Xuan Tung , Trzaskus Krzysztof , Pinelo Manuel , Helix-Nielsen Claus
Published: June 2019

Although forward osmosis (FO) membranes have shown great promise for many applications, there are few studies attempting to create a systematization of the testing conditions at a pilot scale for FO membrane modules. To address this issue, hollow fiber forward osmosis (HFFO) membrane modules with different performances (water flux and solute rejection) have been investigated at different operating conditions. Various draw and feed flow rates, draw solute types and concentrations, transmembrane pressures, temperatures, and operation modes have been studied using two model feed solutions—deionized water and artificial seawater. The significance of the operational conditions in the FO process was attributed to a dominant role of concentration polarization (CP) effects, where the selected draw solute and draw concentration had the biggest impact on membrane performance due to internal CP. Additionally, the rejection of the HFFO membranes using three model solutes (caffeine, niacin, and urea) were determined under both FO and reverse osmosis (RO) conditions with the same process recovery. FO rejections had an increase of 2% for caffeine, 19% for niacin, and 740% for urea compared to the RO rejections. Overall, this is the first extensive study of commercially available inside-out HFFO membrane modules.
Continuous Casting
Authors: Vynnycky Michael
Published: June 2019

Continuous casting is a process whereby molten metal is solidified into a semi-finished billet, bloom, or slab for subsequent rolling in finishing mills; it is the most frequently used process to cast not only steel, but also aluminum and copper alloys [...]
Electron Donor and Acceptor Influence on the Nonlinear Optical Response of Diacetylene-Functionalized Organic Materials (DFOMs): Density Functional Theory Calculations
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Hussain Riaz , Hussain Ajaz , Ali Bakhat , Jaleel Farrukh , Imran Muhammad , Assiri Mohammed Ali , Usman Khan Muhammad , Ahmed Saeed , Abid Saba , Haq Sadia , Saleem Kaynat , Majeed Shumaila , Jahrukh Tariq Chaudhary
Published: June 2019

Herein, we report the quantum chemical results based on density functional theory for the polarizability (α) and first hyperpolarizability (β) values of diacetylene-functionalized organic molecules (DFOM) containing an electron acceptor (A) unit in the form of nitro group and electron donor (D) unit in the form of amino group. Six DFOM 1–6 have been designed by structural tailoring of the synthesized chromophore 4,4′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl) dianiline (R) and the influence of the D and A moieties on α and β was explored. Ground state geometries, HOMO-LUMO energies, and natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of all DFOM (R and 1–6) were explored through B3LYP level of DFT and 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The polarizability (α), first hyperpolarizability (β) values were computed using B3LYP (gas phase), CAM-B3LYP (gas phase), CAM-B3LYP (solvent DMSO) methods and 6-31G(d,p) basis set combination. UV-Visible analysis was performed at CAM-B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Results illustrated that much reduced energy gap in the range of 2.212–2.809 eV was observed in designed DFOM 1–6 as compared to parent molecule R (4.405 eV). Designed DFOM (except for 2 and 4) were found red shifted compared to parent molecule R. An absorption at longer wavelength was observed for 6 with 371.46 nm. NBO analysis confirmed the involvement of extended conjugation and as well as charge transfer character towards the promising NLO response and red shift of molecules under study. Overall, compound 6 displayed large <α> and βtot, computed to be 333.40 (a.u.) (B3LYP gas), 302.38 (a.u.) (CAM-B3LYP gas), 380.46 (a.u.) (CAM-B3LYP solvent) and 24708.79 (a.u.), 11841.93 (a.u.), 25053.32 (a.u.) measured from B3LYP (gas), CAM-B3LYP (gas) and CAM-B3LYP (DMSO) methods respectively. This investigation provides a theoretical framework for conversion of centrosymmetric molecules into non-centrosymmetric architectures to discover NLO candidates for modern hi-tech applications.
Tales of the Unexpected: The Case of Zirconium(IV) Complexes with Desferrioxamine
Authors: Savastano Matteo , Bazzicalupi Carla , Ferraro Giovanni , Fratini Emiliano , Gratteri Paola , Bianchi Antonio
Published: June 2019

The Zr4+ complexes with desferrioxamine (H3DFO) and its derivatives are the only 89Zr-based imaging agents for proton emission tomography (PET) that have been used so far in clinical trials. Nevertheless, a complete speciation of the Zr4+/H3DFO system in solution has never been performed and the stability constants of the relevant complexes are still unknown. Here we report, for the first time, the speciation of this system in water, performed by potentiometric titrations, and the determination of the stability constants of all complexes formed in the pH range 2.5–11.5. Surprisingly, although desferrioxamine gives rise to very stable 1:1 complexes with Zr4+ (logK = 36.14 for Zr4+ + DFO3− = [ZrDFO]+), 2:2 and 2:3 ones are also formed in solution. Depending on the conditions, these binuclear complexes can be main species in solution. These results were corroborated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and MALDI mass spectrometry analyses of complex solutions. Information on complex structures was obtained by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Tuning the Doping Ratio and Phase Transition Temperature of VO2 Thin Film by Dual-Target Co-Sputtering
Authors: Chen Xu , Wu Mingfei , Liu Xingxing , Wang Ding , Liu Feng , Chen Yuwei , Yi Fei , Huang Wanxia , Wang Shaowei
Published: June 2019

A new simple way for tuning the phase transition temperature (PTT) of VO2 thin films has been proposed to solve the problem of changing the doping ratio by using the dual-target co-sputtering method. A series of samples with W doping ratios of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% have been fabricated by sputtering V films with the power of pure and 2% W-doped V targets from 500 W: 0 W, 500 W: 250 W, 500 W: 500 W, 250 W: 500 W to 0 W: 500 W respectively and then annealed in an oxygen atmosphere to form VO2. The XRD results of both pure and W-doped VO2 samples reveal that VO2 forms and is the main component after annealing. The PTT can be tuned by controlling the sputtering power ratio of the pure and doped targets. It can be tuned easily from 64.3 °C to 36.5 °C by using the pure and 2% W-doped targets for demonstration, with W doping ratios from 0% to 2%. It is also valid for other doping elements and is a promising approach for the large-scale production of sputtering.