bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ion Storage in Nanoconfined Interstices Between Vertically Aligned Nanotubes in Electric Double-Layer Capacitors
Authors: Dive Aniruddha , Banerjee Soumik
Published: August 2017

Ionic liquids are considered promising electrolytes for developing electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) with high energy density. To identify optimal operating conditions, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of N-methyl-N-propyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (mppy+ TFSI−) ionic liquid confined in the interstices of vertically aligned carbon nanostructures mimicking the electrode structure. We modeled various surface charge densities as well as varied the distance between nanotubes in the array. Our results indicate that high-density ion storage occurs within the noninteracting double-layer region formed in the nanoconfined domain between charged nanotubes. We determined the specific arrangement of these ions relative to the nanotube surface and related the layered configuration to the molecular structure of the ions. The pitch distance of the nanotube array that enables optimal mppy+ TFSI− storage and enhanced capacitance is determined to be 16 Å.
On the Force Coefficients of a Flooded, Open Ends Short Length Squeeze Film Damper: From Theory to Practice (and Back)
Authors: Andrés Luis San , Den Sean , Jeung Sung-Hwa
Published: August 2017

Gas turbine aircraft engine manufacturers push for simple squeeze film damper (SFD) designs, short in length, yet able to provide enough damping to ameliorate rotor vibrations. SFDs employ orifices to feed lubricant directly into the film land or into a deep groove. The holes, acting as pressure sources (or sinks), both disrupt the film land continuity and reduce the generation of squeeze film dynamic pressure. Overly simple predictive formulations disregard the feedholes and deliver damping (C) and inertia (M) force coefficients not in agreement with experimental findings. Presently, to bridge the gap between simple theory and practice, the paper presents measurements of the dynamic forced response of an idealized SFD that disposes of the feedholes altogether. The short-length SFD, whose diameter D = 127 mm, has one end submerged (flooded) within a lubricant bath and the other end exposed to ambient. ISO VG 2 lubricant flows by gravity through the film land of length L = 25.4 mm and clearance c = 0.122 mm. From dynamic load tests over excitation frequency range 10–250 Hz, experimental damping coefficients (CXX, CYY) from the flooded damper agree well with predictions from the classical open ends model with a full film for small amplitude whirl motions (r/c ≪ 1), centered and off-centered. Air ingestion inevitably occurs for large amplitude motions (r/c > 0.4), thus exacerbating the difference between predictions and tests results. For reference, identical tests were conducted with a practical SFD supplied with lubricant (Pin = 0.4 bar) via three orifice feedholes, 120 deg apart at the film land midplane. A comparison of test results shows as expected that, for small amplitude (r/c ∼ 0.05) orbits, the flooded damper generates on average 30% more damping than the practical configuration as the latter's feedholes distort the generation of pressure. For large amplitude motions (r/c > 0.4), however, the flooded damper provides slightly lesser damping and inertia coefficients than the SFD with feedholes whose pressurized lubricant delivery alleviates air ingestion in the film land. The often invoked open ends SFD classical model is not accurate for the practical engineered design of an apparently simple mechanical element.
Modal Analyses of an Axial Turbine Blisk With Intentional Mistuning
Authors: Beirow Bernd , Figaschewsky Felix , Kühhorn Arnold , Bornhorn Alfons
Published: August 2017

The potential of intentional mistuning to reduce the maximum forced response is analyzed within the development of an axial turbine blisk for ship diesel engine turbocharger applications. The basic idea of the approach is to provide an increased aerodynamic damping level for particular engine order (EO) excitations and mode shapes without any significant distortions of the aerodynamic performance. The mistuning pattern intended to yield a mitigation of the forced response is derived from an optimization study applying genetic algorithms. Two blisk prototypes have been manufactured a first one with and another one without employing intentional mistuning. Hence, the differences regarding the real mistuning and other modal properties can be experimentally determined and evaluated as well. In addition, the experimental data basis allows for updating structural models which are well suited to compute the forced response under operational conditions. In this way, the real benefit achieved with the application of intentional mistuning is demonstrated.
Identification of categories of liquid sounds
Authors: Guyot Patrice , Houix Olivier , Misdariis Nicolas , Susini Patrick , Pinquier Julien , André-Obrecht Régine
Published: August 2017

Sounds involving liquid sources are part of everyday life. They form a category of sounds easily identified by human listeners in different experimental studies. Unlike acoustic models that focus on bubble vibrations, real life instances of liquid sounds, such as sounds produced by liquids with or without other materials, are very diverse and include water drop sounds, noisy flows, and even solid vibrations. The process that allows listeners to group these different sounds in the same category remains unclear. This article presents a perceptual experiment based on a sorting task of liquid sounds from a household environment. It seeks to reveal the cognitive subcategories of this set of sounds. The clarification of this perceptive process led to the observation of similarities between the perception of liquid sounds and other categories of environmental sounds. Furthermore, the results provide a taxonomy of liquid sounds on which an acoustic analysis was performed that highlights the acoustical properties of the categories, including different rates of air bubble vibration.
Dopant occupancy and UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy of Mg (0, 4, 5 and 6 mol.%):Dy:LiNbO3crystal
Authors: Dai Li , Liu Chunrui , Han Xianbo , Wang Luping , Tan Chao , Yan Zhehua , Xu Yuheng
Published: August 2017

A series of Dy:LiNbO3crystals with x mol.% Mg[Formula: see text] ions (x =0, 4, 5 and 6 mol.%) were grown by the Czochralski method. The effective segregation coefficient of Mg[Formula: see text] and Dy[Formula: see text] ions was studied by the inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra and Judd–Ofelt theory were used to investigate their spectroscopic properties. J–O intensity parameters ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]) and larger spectroscopic quality factor (X = 2.26) for Mg:(6 mol.%)Dy:LiNbO3crystals were obtained.
A FRACTAL PERMEABILITY MODEL COUPLING BOUNDARY-LAYER EFFECT FOR TIGHT OIL RESERVOIRS
Authors: WANG FUYONG , LIU ZHICHAO , JIAO LIANG , WANG CONGLE , GUO HU
Published: August 2017

A fractal permeability model coupling non-flowing boundary-layer effect for tight oil reservoirs was proposed. Firstly, pore structures of tight formations were characterized with fractal theory. Then, with the empirical equation of boundary-layer thickness, Hagen–Poiseuille equation and fractal theory, a fractal torturous capillary tube model coupled with boundary-layer effect was developed, and verified with experimental data. Finally, the parameters influencing effective liquid permeability were quantitatively investigated. The research results show that effective liquid permeability of tight formations is not only decided by pore structures, but also affected by boundary-layer distributions, and effective liquid permeability is the function of fluid type, fluid viscosity, pressure gradient, fractal dimension, tortuosity fractal dimension, minimum pore radius and maximum pore radius. For the tight formations dominated with nanoscale pores, boundary-layer effect can significantly reduce effective liquid permeability, especially under low pressure gradient.
A link between torse-forming vector fields and rotational hypersurfaces
Authors: Chen Bang-Yen , Verstraelen Leopold
Published: August 2017

Torse-forming vector fields introduced by Yano [On torse forming direction in a Riemannian space, Proc. Imp. Acad. Tokyo 20 (1944) 340–346] are natural extension of concurrent and concircular vector fields. Such vector fields have many nice applications to geometry and mathematical physics. In this paper, we establish a link between rotational hypersurfaces and torse-forming vector fields. More precisely, our main result states that, for a hypersurface [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], the tangential component [Formula: see text] of the position vector field of [Formula: see text] is a proper torse-forming vector field on [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] is contained in a rotational hypersurface whose axis of rotation contains the origin.
Deflection angle of light by wormholes using the Gauss–Bonnet theorem
Authors: Jusufi Kimet
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we have investigated the deflection angle of light by wormholes using a new geometrical method known as Gibbons–Werner method (GW). In particular, we have calculated the deflection angle of light in the weak limit approximation in two wormhole space–time geometries: Ellis wormhole and Janis–Newman–Winnicour (JNW) wormhole. We have employed the famous Gauss–Bonnet theorem (GBT) to the Ellis wormhole optical geometry and JNW wormhole optical geometry, respectively. By using GBT, we computed the deflection angles in leading orders by these wormholes and our results were compared with the ones in the literature.
Short interval results for certain arithmetic functions
Authors: Bordellès Olivier
Published: August 2017

Using estimates on Hooley’s [Formula: see text]-function and a short interval version of the celebrated Dirichlet hyperbola principle, we derive an asymptotic formula for a class of arithmetic functions over short segments. Numerous examples are also given.
Tetranitrophthalocyanine Zinc/TiO2 Nanofibers Organic–Inorganic Heterostructures with Enhanced Visible Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Zhang Q. , Zhou S. , Fu S. F. , Wang X. Z.
Published: August 2017

2,9,16,23-tetranitrophthalocyanine zinc (TNZnPc)/TiO2 organic–inorganic heterostructures were successfully fabricated by a simple combination method of electrospinning technique and solvothermal processing. These photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, UV–Vis, energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The photocatalytic studies revealed that the TNZnPc/TiO2 organic–inorganic heterostructures exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of photodegradation of rhodamine B compared with pure TiO2 nanofibers under visible-light irradiation. Further studies indicate that the photosynergistic effect of organic–inorganic heterostructures can remarkably enhance the photoinduced interfacial charge transfer, thereby increasing the charge separation during the photocatalytic reaction.
Stimulated Raman scattering microscopy for rapid brain tumor histology
Authors: Yang Yifan , Chen Lingchao , Ji Minbiao
Published: August 2017

Rapid histology of brain tissues with sufficient diagnostic information has the great potential to aid neurosurgeons during operations. Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) microscopy is an emerging label-free imaging technique, with the intrinsic chemical resolutions to delineate brain tumors from normal tissues without the need of time-consuming tissue processing. Growing number of studies have shown SRS as a “virtual histology” tool for rapid diagnosis of various types of brain tumors. In this review, we focus on the basic principles and current developments of SRS microscopy, as well as its applications for brain tumor imaging.
Research and application of the virtual simulation system teaching method in NC machining course
Authors: Li Yongxiang , Lu Xiaoping , Yu Cong , Guo Haixia , Zhang Dan
Published: August 2017

Virtual simulation technology has become one of the most popular technologies in the field of engineering education after the multimedia information technology in recent years. This paper, based on the comprehensive integrated simulation and verification module of UG NX software, describes and discusses a novel virtual simulation system teaching (VSST) for numerically controlled machining to support the student engineering training to achieve the theoretical knowledge and practical techniques in numerically controlled machining. The findings of a study designed to evaluate the impact of VSST for the development of numerically controlled machining course are presented here. In addition, analysis of the follow-up surveys indicates that the VSST method enables to provide the concrete experience of interaction between the students and the simulation environment and to further stimulate students’ interest in learning, so that the students who used VSST achieve significantly higher results than their co-workers.
Modeling the impact of migrated population on human-to-human transmission of Ebola virus disease
Authors: Tandon Abhinav , Banerjee Sankha
Published: August 2017

A nonlinear SEIR mathematical model is developed to investigate the impact of migrated population, infected with Ebola virus, on human-to-human transmission of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in a disease-free area. In view of the dynamics of Ebola virus disease, here, the infected class is supposed to be divided into subclasses, viz. primary and secondary infected. The proposed model is analyzed qualitatively using the stability theory of differential equations and quantitatively using numerical simulation. The obtained results, qualitatively and quantitatively, suggest that migration and contact rates play an important role in controlling the spreading of disease. Critical values for migration and contact rates are evaluated and it is revealed that if these rates go beyond their critical values, it leads to delay in the stabilization of the system. It is also found that primary reproductive number increases with increase in migration rate. Besides this, the approximate time required to attain stability of the disease model system is also determined. The model analysis recommends quarantining the noninfected from the secondary infected in order to control the spreading out of disease.
Conformal Gravity Solutions to Standard Gravity Problems
Authors: O’Brien James G. , Chaykov Spasen , Chiarelli Thomas L. , Saintable Taylor , Harrington Justin
Published: August 2017

Gravitational theories outside standard general relativity have been drawing increased attention over the past several years, mostly due to the lack of direct observational evidence of dark matter. With some recent very high level dark matter searches continuing, and the parameter space to search decreasing has lead to a new interest in rethinking gravity at the largest of scales. As an alternative gravitational theory, conformal gravity has enjoyed much of the success of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) in predicting phenomenology, but differs dramatically in its initial construction. In this work, we explore some recent advances in conformal gravity, which help to build the case for support of such an alternative theory. Here, we highlight conformal gravity’s success in fitting new rotation curves, its ability to explain velocity dispersions in clusters, the initial steps towards gravitational lensing and finally, some preliminary work on explaining universal centripetal acceleration trends in galaxies.
Dark Matter in a Bimetric Portal
Authors: Hadjimichef Dimiter
Published: August 2017

One of the great mysteries in current physics is the nature of dark matter. Arguments are brought forward to consider a form dark matter, manifested as a broken local dual symmetry of a bimetric spin-2 theory in the Fierz representation.
Limits on the Anomalous Speed of Gravitational Waves From Binary Pulsars
Authors: Velten Hermano , Jiménez Jose Beltrán , Piazza Federico
Published: August 2017

A large class of modified theories of gravity used as models for dark energy predict a propagation speed for gravitational waves which can differ from the speed of light. This difference of propagations speeds for photons and gravitons has an impact in the emission of gravitational waves by binary systems. Thus, we revisit the usual quadrupolar emission of binary system for an arbitrary propagation speed of gravitational waves and obtain the corresponding period decay formula. We then use timing data from the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar and obtain that the speed of gravitational waves can only differ from the speed of light at the percentage level. This bound places tight constraints on dark energy models featuring an anomalous propagations speed for the gravitational waves.
Magnetized Neutron Stars
Authors: de Souza Gibran H. , Kemp Ernesto , Chirenti Cecilia
Published: August 2017

In this work we show the results for numerical solutions of the relativistic Grad-Shafranov equation for a typical neutron star with 1.4 solar masses. We have studied the internal magnetic field considering both the poloidal and toroidal components, as well as the behavior of the field lines parametrized by the ratio between these components of the field.
Highly Magnetized Neutron Stars in a Many-body Forces Formalism
Authors: Gomes Rosana O. , Vasconcellos Cesar A. Z. , Franzon Bruno , Schramm Stefan , Dexheimer Veronica
Published: August 2017

In this work, we study the effects of different magnetic field configurations in neutron stars described by a many-body forces formalism (MBF model). The MBF model is a relativistic mean field formalism that takes into account many-body forces by means of a meson field dependence of the nuclear interaction coupling constants. We choose the best parametrization of the model that reproduces nuclear matter properties at saturation and also describes massive neutron stars. We assume matter to be in beta-equilibrium, charge neutral and at zero temperature. Magnetic fields are taken into account both in the equation of state and in the structure of the stars by the self-consistent solution of the Einstein-Maxwell equations. We assume a poloidal magnetic field distribution and calculate its effects on neutron stars, showing its influence on the gravitational mass and deformation of the stars.
Delta Resonance Coupling with Walecka’s Mesons: Implications to Stellar Matter EoS
Authors: Gomes William Silva , de Oliveira José Carlos Teixeira , Rodrigues Hilário , Duarte Sérgio B.
Published: August 2017

In this work we have obtained the equation of state to the highly asymmetric dense stellar matter, using the nonlinear Walecka model in the mean field approximation. We discussed the implication of changes in coupling constant of the delta baryonic resonance on the observable of the neutron star. A detailed analysis of the equation of state and of the baryonic effective mass in respect to changes in the delta coupling constants is carried out. We focus attention on a new aspect observed for pressure when varying the baryonic density of the medium; a first order phase transition like a liquid-gas phase transition was observed for an acceptable range of delta coupled constant values. We have explored the implication of this aspect for the neutron star structure and their maximum masses.
Rotation-Driven Phase Transitions in the Cores of Pulsars
Authors: Mellinger Richard D. , Spinella William , Weber Fridolin , Contrera Gustavo A. , Orsaria Milva
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we discuss the impact of rotation on the particle composition of rotating neutron stars (pulsars). Particular emphasis is put on the formation of quark matter during stellar spin-down, driven by continuous gravitational compression. Our study is based on modern models for the nuclear equation of state whose parameters are tightly constrained by nuclear data, neutron star masses, and the latest estimates of neutron star radii.
Braking Indices of Pulsars Obtained in the Presence of an Effective Force
Authors: Magalhães Nadja S. , Okada André S. , Frajuca Carlos
Published: August 2017

The theoretical calculation of braking indices of pulsars is still an open problem. In this work we present a study on this issue which adapts the model that assumes that pulsars are rotating magnetic dipoles by introducing a compensating component in the energy conservation equation of the system. Such component relates to an effective force that varies with the first power of the tangential velocity of the pulsar’s crust. We tested the proposed model using data available.
Nucleosynthesis in Strange Star Mergers
Authors: Paulucci Laura , Horvath Jorge E. , Benvenuto Omar
Published: August 2017

The possible existence of deconfined matter in the cores of neutron stars has been studied for over three decades without a firm indication either for or against this proposition. Analysis mostly rely on the comparison of mass-radius curves obtained for different compositions with observational data on the mass of the most massive objects of this kind accurately determined. Nevertheless, there are other possibilities for indirectly studying the internal composition of this class of compact objects, e.g, analyzing cooling behavior, X-ray bursts, supernova’s neutrinos. We present calculations on the expected nucleosynthesis spectra for the strange star-strange star merger scenario as means to test the strange quark matter hypothesis and its realization inside such objects. This would result very different from the typical r-process nucleosynthesis expected in neutron star mergers since the high temperature deconfinement of strange matter would produce large amounts of neutrons and protons and the mass buildup would proceed in a Big-Bang nucleosynthesis like scenario. The neutron to proton ratio would allow to reach the iron peak only, a very different prediction from the standard scenario. The resultant light curve indicate it may be compatible with that of a kilonova depending on the specific details of the ejecta.
Ansatz for Dense Matter Equation of State
Authors: Alloy Marcelo D. , Menezes Débora P. , Malheiro Manuel
Published: August 2017

The aim of the present work is to try to find an equation of state (EoS) directly from the solution of the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equations subject to known observational constraints to the maximum mass and corresponding radius and baryonic mass. Hence, instead of solving the TOV equations with an EoS that enters as input, we obtain an EoS as output.
Study of the Homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter Equation in the 2+1 Minkowski Space
Authors: Gigante Vitor , Nogueira Jorge H. Alvarenga , Ydrefors Emanuel , Gutierrez Cristian
Published: August 2017

The problem of a relativistic bound-state system consisting of two scalar bosons interacting through the exchange of another scalar boson, in 2+1 space-time dimensions, has been studied. The Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE) was solved by adopting the Nakanishi integral representation (NIR) and the Light-Front projection. The NIR allows us to solve the BSE in Minkowski space, which is a big and important challenge, since most of non-perturbative calculations are done in Euclidean space, e.g. Lattice and Schwinger-Dyson calculations. We have in this work adopted an interaction kernel containing the ladder and cross-ladder exchanges. In order to check that the NIR is also a good representation in 2+1, the coupling constants and Wick-rotated amplitudes have been computed and compared with calculations performed in Euclidean space. Very good agreement between the calculations performed in the Minkowski and Euclidean spaces has been found. This is an important consistence test that allows Minkowski calculations with the Nakanishi representation in 2+1 dimensions. This relativistic approach will allow us to perform applications in condensed matter problems in a near future.
Low Energy KN Interaction in the Fock-Tani Formalism
Authors: Folador Bruna Cesira , Hadjimichef Dimiter
Published: August 2017

The Fock-Tani formalism is a first principle method to obtain effective interactions from microscopic Hamiltonian. Originally derived for meson-meson or baryon-baryon scattering, we present the corresponding equations for meson-baryon scattering. In particular we shall obtain the low energy cross sections for the [Formula: see text] channel.
X(1835) Decay in the Fock-Tani Formalism
Authors: Cavagnoli Rafael , da Silva Daniel T. , da Silva Mario L. L.
Published: August 2017

In this work we have obtained an effective Hamiltonian to describe the strong decay of pseudoscalar glueball, where the microscopic interaction between the constituent gluons have been taking into account. The pseudoscalar glueball candidate we have considered here is the [Formula: see text] resonance. In our calculation the [Formula: see text] was a pure glueball.
The Brazilian Science Data Center (BSDC)
Authors: de Almeida Ulisses Barres , Bodmann Benno , Giommi Paolo , Brandt Carlos H.
Published: August 2017

Astrophysics and Space Science are becoming increasingly characterised by what is now known as “big data”, the bottlenecks for progress partly shifting from data acquisition to “data mining”. Truth is that the amount and rate of data accumulation in many fields already surpasses the local capabilities for its processing and exploitation, and the efficient conversion of scientific data into knowledge is everywhere a challenge. The result is that, to a large extent, isolated data archives risk being progressively likened to “data graveyards”, where the information stored is not reused for scientific work.

Responsible and efficient use of these large data-sets means democratising access and extracting the most science possible from it, which in turn signifies improving data accessibility and integration. Improving data processing capabilities is another important issue specific to researchers and computer scientists of each field. The project presented here wishes to exploit the enormous potential opened up by information technology at our age to advance a model for a science data center in astronomy which aims to expand data accessibility and integration to the largest possible extent and with the greatest efficiency for scientific and educational use. Greater access to data means more people producing and benefiting from information, whereas larger integration of related data from different origins means a greater research potential and increased scientific impact.

The project of the BSDC is preoccupied, primarily, with providing tools and solutions for the Brazilian astronomical community. It nevertheless capitalizes on extensive international experience, and is developed in full cooperation with the ASI Science Data Center (ASDC), from the Italian Space Agency, granting it an essential ingredient of internationalisation. The BSDC is Virtual Observatory-complient and part of the “Open Universe”, a global initiative built under the auspices of the United Nations.
Crafting Interactive Decoration
Authors: Benford Steve , Koleva Boriana , Quinn Anthony , Thorn Emily-Clare , Glover Kevin , Preston William , Hazzard Adrian , Rennick-Egglestone Stefan , Greenhalgh Chris , Mortier Richard
Published: August 2017

We explore the crafting of interactive decoration for everyday artefacts. This involves adorning them with decorative patterns that enhance their beauty while triggering digital interactions when scanned with cameras. These are realized using an existing augmented reality technique that embeds computer readable codes into the topological structures of hand-drawn patterns. We describe a research through design process that engaged artisans to craft a portfolio of interactive artefacts, including ceramic bowls, embroidered gift cards, fabric souvenirs, and an acoustic guitar. We annotate this portfolio with reflections on the crafting process, revealing how artisans addressed pattern, materials, form and function, and digital mappings throughout their craft process. Further reflection on our portfolio reveals how they bridged between human and system perceptions of visual patterns and engaged in a deep embedding of digital interactions into physical materials. Our findings demonstrate the potential for interactive decoration, distilling the craft knowledge involved in creating aesthetic and functional decoration, highlight the need for transparent computer vision technologies, and raise wider issues for HCI’s growing engagement with craft.
Query Nesting, Assignment, and Aggregation in SPARQL 1.1
Authors: Kaminski Mark , Kostylev Egor V. , Grau Bernardo Cuenca
Published: August 2017

Answering aggregate queries is a key requirement of emerging applications of Semantic Technologies, such as data warehousing, business intelligence, and sensor networks. To fulfil the requirements of such applications, the standardization of SPARQL 1.1 led to the introduction of a wide range of constructs that enable value computation, aggregation, and query nesting. In this article, we provide an in-depth formal analysis of the semantics and expressive power of these new constructs as defined in the SPARQL 1.1 specification, and hence lay the necessary foundations for the development of robust, scalable, and extensible query engines supporting complex numerical and analytics tasks.
Securing Speech Noise Reduction in Outsourced Environment
Authors: Yakubu Abukari M. , Maddage Namunu C. , Atrey Pradeep K.
Published: August 2017

Cloud data centers (CDCs) are becoming a cost-effective method for processing and storage of multimedia data including images, video, and audio. Since CDCs are physically located in different jurisdictions, and are managed by external parties, data security is a growing concern. Data encryption at CDCs is commonly practiced to improve data security. However, to process the data at CDCs, data must often be decrypted, which raises issues in security. Thus, there is a growing demand for data processing techniques in encrypted domain in such an outsourced environment. In this article, we analyze encrypted domain speech content processing techniques for noise reduction. Noise contaminates speech during transmission or during the acquisition process by recording. As a result, the quality of the speech content is degraded. We apply Shamir’s secret sharing as the cryptosystem to encrypt speech data before uploading it to a CDC. We then propose finite impulse response digital filters to reduce white and wind noise in the speech in the encrypted domain. We prove that our proposed schemes meet the security requirements of efficiency, accuracy, and checkability for both semi-honest and malicious adversarial models. Experimental results show that our proposed filtering techniques for speech noise reduction in the encrypted domain produce similar results when compared to plaintext domain processing.
Complexity Correlation-Based CTU-Level Rate Control with Direction Selection for HEVC
Authors: Zhou Mingliang , Zhang Yongfei , Li Bo , Lin Xupeng
Published: August 2017

Rate control is a crucial consideration in high-efficiency video coding (HEVC). The estimation of model parameters is very important for coding tree unit (CTU)-level rate control, as it will significantly affect bit allocation and thus coding performance. However, the model parameters in the CTU-level rate control sometimes fails because of inadequate consideration of the correlation between model parameters and complexity characteristic. In this study, we establish a novel complexity correlation-based CTU-level rate control for HEVC. First, we formulate the model parameter estimation scheme as a multivariable estimation problem; second, based on the complexity correlation of the neighbouring CTU, an optimal direction is selected in five directions for reference CTU set selection during model parameter estimation to further improve the prediction accuracy of the complexity of the current CTU. Third, to improve their precision, the relationship between the model parameters and the complexity of the reference CTU set in the optimal direction is established by using least square method (LS), and the model parameters are solved via the estimated complexity of the current CTU. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the accuracy of the CTU-level rate control and thus the coding performance; the proposed scheme consistently outperforms HM 16.0 and other state-of-the-art algorithms in a variety of testing configurations. More specifically, up to 8.4% and on average 6.4% BD-Rate reduction is achieved compared to HM 16.0 and up to 4.7% and an average of 3.4% BD-Rate reduction is achieved compared to other algorithms, with only a slight complexity overhead.
New Diagnosis of AIDS Based on Salmonella enterica subsp. I (enterica) Enteritidis (A) Meningitis in a Previously Immunocompetent Adult in the United States
Authors: Elton Andrew C. , Levin James , Lazio Matthew P.
Published: August 2017

Salmonella meningitis is a rare manifestation of meningitis typically presenting in neonates and the elderly. This infection typically associates with foodborne outbreaks in developing nations and AIDS-endemic regions. We report a case of a 19-year-old male presenting with altered mental status after 3-day absence from work at a Wisconsin tourist area. He was febrile, tachycardic, and tachypneic with a GCS of 8. The patient was intubated and a presumptive diagnosis of meningitis was made. Treatment was initiated with ceftriaxone, vancomycin, acyclovir, dexamethasone, and fluid resuscitation. A lumbar puncture showed cloudy CSF with Gram negative rods. He was admitted to the ICU. CSF culture confirmed Salmonella enterica subsp. I (enterica) Enteritidis (A). Based on this finding, a 4th-generation HIV antibody/p24 antigen test was sent. When this returned positive, a CD4 count was obtained and showed 3 cells/mm3, confirming AIDS. The patient ultimately received 38 days of ceftriaxone, was placed on elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (Genvoya) for HIV/AIDS, and was discharged neurologically intact after a 44-day admission.
Operating Time Division for a Bus Route Based on the Recovery of GPS Data
Authors: Wang Jian , Cao Yang
Published: August 2017

Bus travel time is an important source of data for time of day partition of the bus route. However, in practice, a bus driver may deliberately speed up or slow down on route so as to follow the predetermined timetable. The raw GPS data collected by the GPS device equipped on the bus, as a result, cannot reflect its real operating conditions. To address this concern, this study first develops a method to identify whether there is deliberate speed-up or slow-down movement of a bus. Building upon the relationships between the intersection delay, link travel time, and traffic flow, a recovery method is established for calculating the real bus travel time. Using the dwell time at each stop and the recovered travel time between each of them as the division indexes, a sequential clustering-based time of day partition method is proposed. The effectiveness of the developed method is demonstrated using the data of bus route 63 in Harbin, China. Results show that the partition method can help bus enterprises to design reasonable time of day intervals and significantly improve their level of service.
iTRAQ‐Based Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of the Protective Effect of Yinchenwuling Powder on Hyperlipidemic Rats
Authors: Zhang Zheyu , Wang Wenbo , Jin Ling , Cao Xin , Jian Gonghui , Wu Ning , Xu Xia , Yao Ye , Wang Dongsheng
Published: August 2017

Yinchenwuling powder (YCL) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine formula to modulate lipid levels. In this study, we established hyperlipidemic rat models and treated them with YCL. The serum concentrations of lipid, malondialdehyde (MDA), endothelin‐1 (ET‐1), and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) were measured. Adventitia‐free vascular proteins between hyperlipidemic rats and YCL‐treated rats were identified using iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomics research approach. Proteins with 1.3‐fold difference were analyzed through bioinformatics, and proteomic results were verified by Western blot. The results showed that the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL‐C, ET‐1, and MDA were significantly decreased, whereas the HDL‐C and CGRP levels were significantly increased in the YCL‐treated group. Proteomics technology identified 4,382 proteins, and 15 proteins were selected on the basis of their expression levels and bioinformatics. Of these proteins, 2 (Adipoq and Gsta1) were upregulated and 13 (C3, C4, C6, Cfh, Cfp, C8g, C8b, Lgals1, Fndc1, Fgb, Fgg, Kng1, and ApoH) were downregulated in the YCL‐treated rats. Their functions were related to immunity, inflammation, coagulation and hemostasis, oxidation and antioxidation, and lipid metabolism and transport. The validated results of ApoH were consistent with the proteomics results. This study enhanced our understanding on the therapeutic effects and mechanism of YCL on hyperlipidemia.
Isolation of Fibroblast-Activation Protein-Specific Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts
Authors: Huang Yingying , Zhou Sufang , Huang Yong , Zheng Duo , Mao Qiqi , He Jian , Wang Yiwei , Xue Dabing , Lu Xiaoling , Yang Nuo , Zhao Yongxiang
Published: August 2017

The current study is to develop a gentle and efficient method for purification of fibroblast-activation protein positive (FAP+) cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) from tumor tissues. Fresh tissues were isolated from BALB/c-Nude mice bearing human liver cancer cell line (HepG2), fully minced and separated into three parts, and digested with trypsin digestion and then treated with collagenase type IV once, twice, or thrice, respectively. Finally, the cells were purified by using FAP magnetic beads. The isolated CAFs were grown in culture medium and detected for the surface expression of fibroblast-activation protein (FAP). The number of adherent cells which were obtained by digestion process with twice collagenase type IV digestion was (5.99±0.18) × 104, much more than that with the only once collagenase type IV digestion (2.58±0.41) × 104 (P<0.0001) and similar to thrice collagenase type IV digestion. The percentage of FAP+ CAFs with twice collagenase type IV digestion (38.5%) was higher than that with the only once collagenase type IV digestion (20.0%) and little higher than thrice collagenase type IV digestion (37.5%). The FAP expression of CAFs was quite different from normal fibroblasts (NFs). The fibroblasts isolated by the innovation are with high purity and being in wonderful condition and display the features of CAFs.
Self-Adaptive Artificial Bee Colony for Function Optimization
Authors: Tang Mingzhu , Long Wen , Wu Huawei , Zhang Kang , Shardt Yuri A. W.
Published: August 2017

Artificial bee colony (ABC) is a novel population-based optimization method, having the advantage of less control parameters, being easy to implement, and having strong global optimization ability. However, ABC algorithm has some shortcomings concerning its position-updated equation, which is skilled in global search and bad at local search. In order to coordinate the ability of global and local search, we first propose a self-adaptive ABC algorithm (denoted as SABC) in which an improved position-updated equation is used to guide the search of new candidate individuals. In addition, good-point-set approach is introduced to produce the initial population and scout bees. The proposed SABC is tested on 12 well-known problems. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed SABC algorithm has better search ability with other several ABC variants.
Informing Nutrition Care in the Antenatal Period: Pregnant Women’s Experiences and Need for Support
Authors: Bookari Khlood , Yeatman Heather , Williamson Moira
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to provide insights into Australian women’s experiences in gaining nutrition information during pregnancy. Individual semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 17 pregnant (across all trimesters) and 9 postpartum women in five Australian states. Data were transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Women valued nutrition information, actively sought it, and passively received it mainly from three sources: healthcare providers (HCPs), media, and their social networks. Women reported HCPs as highest for reliability but they had limited time and indifferent approaches. Various media were easily and most frequently accessed but were less reliable. Social networks were considered to be the least reliable and least accessed. Women reported becoming overwhelmed and confused. This in turn influenced their decisions (pragmatic/rational) and their eating behaviours (“overdo it,” “loosen it,” “ignore it,” and “positive response”). Individual and environmental barriers impacted their application of knowledge to dietary practice. Women wanted more constructive and interactive engagement with their HCPs. This study identified the need to establish and maintain mutually respectful environments where women feel able to raise issues with their HCPs throughout their pregnancies and where they are confident that the information they receive will be accurate and meet their needs.
Insight into Natural History of Congenital Vitiligo: A Case Report of a 23-Year-Old with Stable Congenital Vitiligo
Authors: Casey Chelsea , Weis Stephen E.
Published: August 2017

Vitiligo is a disorder of skin pigmentation. It affects approximately 1% of the world’s population. Vitiligo occurs equally between the sexes with no racial predilections. The majority of cases are acquired and arise between the second and third decades of life. Acquired vitiligo has an unpredictable clinical course. Congenital vitiligo is rare with few reported cases. Due to the rarity of congenital vitiligo, little is known about the clinical course. For patients with acquired or congenital vitiligo, the psychosocial burden can have a profound impact on quality of life. The unknown course of congenital vitiligo can exacerbate the feelings of distress and embarrassment. We report of a case of congenital vitiligo that has been stable for 23 years. The patient had no associated autoimmune disease. The pathogenesis of congenital vitiligo is unknown. This case may be useful to assist clinicians caring for newborns with congenital vitiligo in reassuring parents.
Dynamic Learning from Adaptive Neural Control of Uncertain Robots with Guaranteed Full-State Tracking Precision
Authors: Wang Min , Zhang Yanwen , Ye Huiping
Published: August 2017

A dynamic learning method is developed for an uncertain n-link robot with unknown system dynamics, achieving predefined performance attributes on the link angular position and velocity tracking errors. For a known nonsingular initial robotic condition, performance functions and unconstrained transformation errors are employed to prevent the violation of the full-state tracking error constraints. By combining two independent Lyapunov functions and radial basis function (RBF) neural network (NN) approximator, a novel and simple adaptive neural control scheme is proposed for the dynamics of the unconstrained transformation errors, which guarantees uniformly ultimate boundedness of all the signals in the closed-loop system. In the steady-state control process, RBF NNs are verified to satisfy the partial persistent excitation (PE) condition. Subsequently, an appropriate state transformation is adopted to achieve the accurate convergence of neural weight estimates. The corresponding experienced knowledge on unknown robotic dynamics is stored in NNs with constant neural weight values. Using the stored knowledge, a static neural learning controller is developed to improve the full-state tracking performance. A comparative simulation study on a 2-link robot illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Adenocarcinoma Ex Goblet Cell Carcinoid of Appendix: Two Case Reports
Authors: Wang Yu-Ting , Li Yi-Ru , Ke Tuan-Ying
Published: August 2017

Adenocarcinoma ex goblet cell carcinoid is a rare tumor incidentally found in specimens of appendicitis. Most patients present with acute abdomen, similar to acute appendicitis. Here we present two cases, which were found incidentally after operation. We give a brief summary about clinical and biological behavior of this entity.
New Insights about Pulmonary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: Review of the Literature and Two Case Reports
Authors: Mesquita Romeu Duarte , Sousa Marta , Trinidad Carmen , Pinto Eugénia , Badiola Iosu Antón
Published: August 2017

Pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH) is a rare neoplasm of vascular origin. There are three different major imaging patterns identified in thoracic manifestation of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: (1) multiple pulmonary nodules; (2) multiple pulmonary reticulonodular opacities; and (3) diffuse infiltrative pleural thickening. Radiographically, presence of bilateral multiple nodules is the most common pattern of presentation. The diagnosis is made on the basis of histopathological findings and confirmed by positive immunohistochemistry staining. Although the prognostic factors for PEH have not yet been well established, a better prognosis is usually associated with the multinodular pattern. We report two different imagological presentations of this rare disease, based on two institutional experiences, along with a review of the relevant literature.
Ponatinib as a Valid Alternative Strategy in Patients with Blast Crisis-Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Not Eligible for Allogeneic Stem Cells Transplantation and/or Conventional Chemotherapy: Report of a Case
Authors: Bucelli Cristina , Cattaneo Daniele , Ferla Valeria , Zappa Manuela , Benedittis Caterina de , Soverini Simona , Iurlo Alessandra
Published: August 2017

Currently, imatinib and dasatinib are the only tyrosine-kinase inhibitors approved in the US and Europe for the treatment of blast crisis of chronic myeloid leukemia (BC-CML) at diagnosis, while ponatinib is the only inhibitor used in patients bearing T315I mutation. Here we report the case of a 61-year-old man diagnosed with B-cell lymphoid BC-CML, initially treated with imatinib 800 mg day and then with dasatinib 140 mg day because of intolerance. A complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) was achieved at three months; however, three months later a relapse was observed, and the T315I mutation was detected. Ponatinib 45 mg once daily was then started together with a short course of chemotherapy. Bone marrow evaluation after six months of therapy showed the regaining of CCyR, together with the achievement of a deep molecular response. However, one year from ponatinib start the patient experienced a new disease relapse; he was effectively treated with ponatinib and chemotherapy once again, but in the meanwhile an ischemic stroke was detected. This case report confirms the high efficacy of ponatinib monotherapy in BC-CML patients, representing a valid option for non-allogeneic stem cells transplantation eligible cases and the only one available for those carrying the T315I mutation.
The Use of a Novel Heart Failure Agent in the Treatment of Pregnancy-Associated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gaddipati Vamsi C. , Patel Aarti A. , Cohen Adam J.
Published: August 2017

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an uncommon, pregnancy-related form of dilated cardiomyopathy that is associated with development of new-onset left ventricular dysfunction. Its etiology is presently unknown, but current standard of care involves the use of typical drug therapy for the treatment of heart failure. Pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy (PACM) is a similar condition that refers to patients who develop such symptoms prior to the last month of pregnancy. We report the case of a nulliparous Caucasian female who develops early, severe PACM during her first pregnancy with postpartum persistence of New York Heart Association class II-III symptoms despite medical therapy. The use of the novel heart failure agent, sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto), is initiated with near-complete resolution of her symptoms.