bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimum Permanent Magnets Configuration in Flat-Quasi Linear Permanent Magnet Generators
Authors: Wijaya Fransisco Danang , Azhari Budi , Stephanus Harnoko
Published: March 2017

Flat-quasi type of linear permanent magnet generators (LPMGs) have been considered to be applied for several applications, such for wave energy conversion and free piston combustion engine. One of the important issues concerning LPMG is the permanent magnets configuration, due to its effects to the generator’s excitation performance. In this paper, a 1 kW flat-quasi LPMG would be designed and built. During the process, optimum permanent magnets configuration was required and researched. The optimum configuration considered the output power and resulted cogging force. Invetigation was then conducted by modifying several variables, including poles’ arrangement, pole length, number of pole, and pole skewing angle. The modification constraints were total permanent magnets’ volume and generator dimension. The results showed that permanent magnet configuration with halbach arrangement, pole length equals 55% of the slot pitch length, and 61.19o skewing angle produced the optimum output values.
Texture Fusion for Batik Motif Retrieval System
Authors: Nurhaida Ida , Wei Hong , A. M. Zen Remmy , Manurung Ruli , M. Arymurthy Aniati
Published: March 2017

This paper systematically investigates the effect of image texture features on batik motif retrieval performance. The retrieval process uses a query motif image to find matching motif images in a database. In this study, feature fusion of various image texture features such as Gabor, Log-Gabor, Grey Level Co-Occurrence Matrices (GLCM), and Local Binary Pattern (LBP) features are attempted in motif image retrieval. With regards to performance evaluation, both individual features and fused feature sets are applied. Experimental results show that optimal feature fusion outperforms individual features in batik motif retrieval. Among the individual features tested, Log-Gabor features provide the best result. The proposed approach is best used in a scenario where a query image containing multiple basic motif objects is applied to a dataset in which retrieved images also contain multiple motif objects. The retrieval rate achieves 84.54% for the rank 3 precision when the feature space is fused with Gabor, GLCM and Log-Gabor features. The investigation also shows that the proposed method does not work well for a retrieval scenario where the query image contains multiple basic motif objects being applied to a dataset in which the retrieved images only contain one basic motif object.
Improvement of Tuning Fork Gyroscope Drive-mode Oscillation Matched using a Differential Driving Suspension Frame
Authors: Nguyen Van Thang , Tan Tran-Duc , Vu Ngoc Hung , Chu Duc Trinh
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a novel design of a vibration tuning fork gyroscope (TFG) based on a differential driving suspension coupling spring between two gyroscopes. The proposed TFG is equivalent to a transistor differential amplifier circuit. The mechanical vibrations of driving frames are, therefore, well matched. The matching level depends on stiffness of spring. When three various TFG structures respond to differential stiffness of spring, their the driving frame mechanical vibration is well matched in case the input excitation driving differential phase is less than 3.5°, 2.5°, and 4°, respectively. The fabricated tuning fork gyroscope linearly operates in the range from -200 to +200 degree/s with the resolution of about 0.45 mV/degree/s.
ISAR Image Classification with Wavelet and Watershed Transforms
Authors: Mamatha B. , Valli Kumar V.
Published: March 2017

Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar images are playing a significant role in classification of sea and air targets. First we acquire the ISAR images of targets using a sensor like radar and extract the characteristics of targets from the ISAR images in the form of feature vectors. The computed feature vectors are used for classification of targets. In this work, widely used and efficient segmentation tool Watershed transform and the multi resolution technique wavelet transform are explored to derive the target features. An artificial neural network based classifier is used for classification. The Wavelet analysis divides the information of an image into approximation and detail sub signals. The approximate and three detail sub signal values are taken as feature vectors and given as input to the classifier for ship ISAR image classification. The widely used segmentation technique, Watershed transform is applied to the ISAR images. The wavelet coefficients are computed for the segmented ISAR images and used as feature vectors for classification of the ISAR images. Also, the statistical moments mean and standard deviation are computed for the color ISAR images itself, taken in RGB format. These statistical color moments are used as feature vector.  The classification accuracy is compared for the feature vectors.
Using the Fuzzy Logic to Find Optimal Centers of Clusters of K-means
Authors: Kadhim Oleiwi Wed
Published: March 2017

Techniques of data mining that used in the medical diagnosis a number of diseases like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. The great importance emerging fields for providing diagnosis and a profounder understanding of medical data, its coms from Data mining in medical field .researcher attempts to solve real world health problems in the prognosis and treatment of diseases, by using Healthcare data mining. In this research, the algorithm of k-means is used for grouping medical data, the problem of k-means is to find optimal centers of clusters so, and fuzzy logic is used to get optimal centers of clusters.
Model-based Automatic Segmentation of Ascending Aorta from Multimodality Medical Data
Authors: Seada Noha , Hamad Safwat , Mostafa Mostafa G. M.
Published: March 2017

Automatic Ascending Aorta Segmentation is one of the important steps towards automatic segmentation of the whole cardiac tree. This paper presents a novel approach for the automatic segmentation of the ascending aorta from two imaging modalities: CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography) and PC-MRI (Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Images). The novel approach is an algorithm that works without the need for setting manual seed points or applying preprocessing steps or setting a region of interest. Instead, the proposed algorithm automatically detects and segments the ascending aorta using an ascending aorta model built from its anatomical features. The proposed segmentation algorithm begins with aorta detection through features model fitting augmented with Hough transform, where the ascending aorta is identified from the descending aorta and any other circular structures based on the proposed model. After detection, the whole ascending aorta is segmented up from the aortic arch down to the ostia points using a novel automatic seeded region growing algorithm. The proposed algorithm is fully automatic, works in real-time and robust as parameters used are the same for all the tested datasets. The detection and segmentation of the ascending aorta succeeded in all test cases acquired from the two imaging modalities; proving the robustness of the proposed ascending aorta model and algorithm for the automatic segmentation process even on data from different modalities and different scanner types. The accuracy of the segmentation has a mean Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 94.72% for CTA datasets and 97.13% for PC-MRI datasets.
Response Based Comparative Analysis of Two Inverter Fed Six Phase PMSM Drive by Using PI and Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: Tomer Anurag Singh , Dubey Saty Prakash
Published: March 2017

This Paper gives a complete modeling and simulation of a two inverter fed six phase permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system, Then response based comparative analysis is done on starting torque ,settling time, Steady state current at various speed levels and torque levels by changing  proportional- integral (PI) controller to  Fuzzy logic controller. The PI controller has some disadvantages like, more settling time, sluggish response due to sudden change in load torque etc. So an intelligent controller, based on fuzzy logic is introduced which replaces the PI-controller and its drawbacks. The performance of both the controller has been investigated and studied by comparing the different plots obtained by setting various speed level both incremented and decremented speed  , at different load conditions like No-load, fix load and dynamic load through Matlab/Simulink environment. Finally it is concluded from the result that fuzzy logic based controller is robust, reliable gives quick response with high starting torque and more effective than the conventional PI controller. It is also observed that both the proposed model can also run above rated speed significantally.
Development of Automatic Mold Shot Measurement and Management System for Smart Factory
Authors: Shin Hyun-Jun , Kim Sung-Jin , Jeon Min-Ho , Oh Chang-Heon
Published: March 2017

Many small- and medium-sized car-part manufacturers are either still managing their mold manually or rarely managing it, and therefore, experience significant manufacturing cost and loss in time. In such a situation, a module has been developed in the present work which can count the number of mold used. Such a module is extremely important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) applying which in the production line they will be able to manage the mold life cycle and improve product quality. This is expected to have both direct and indirect effects on their business activities. The developed system uses a photo sensor, distance measurement sensor, Atmega128 MCU, tablet pc and Bluetooth communication module. The actual module developed in this study was set up on a molding equipment for test and data were collected using an existing tablet PC. The test showed that the number of shots increased when the upper mold touched the lower mold. The maximum and minimum value between the upper and lower molds could be adjusted with the automatic mold shot measurement and management system. Therefore, any molding equipment with various upper-lower gaps will be able to apply the newly developed system.
Face Song Player According to Facial Expressions
Authors: Lee Samule , Shin Seong-Yoon
Published: March 2017

Contemporary people have highly insufficient time and means of relieving their stress. Provision of a program that can solve such stress in daily life would make one’s life substantially more enjoyable. In this thesis, Face Song Player, which is a system that recognizes the facial expression of an individual and plays music that is appropriate for such person, is presented. It studies information on the facial contour lines and extracts an average, and acquires the facial shape information. MUCT DB was used as the DB for learning. For the recognition of facial expression, an algorithm was designed by using the differences in the characteristics of each of the expressions on the basis of expressionless images. Facial expression is extracted by acquiring information on the eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, mouth, lips and nasal cheeks for expressions of happiness, surprise and sorrow as well as absence of expression. There is an advantage of being able to obtain a substantial effect with very low cost through this system.
Performance Forecasting of Share Market using Machine Learning Techniques: A Review
Authors: Kamley Sachin , Jaloree Shailesh , Thakur R.S.
Published: March 2017

Forecasting share performance becomes more challenging issue due to the enormous amount of valuable trading data stored in the stock database. Currently, existing forecasting methods are insufficient to analyze the share performance accurately. There are two main reasons for that: First, the study of existing forecasting methods is still insufficient to identify the most suitable methods for share price prediction. Second, the lack of investigations made on the factors affecting the share performance. In this regard, this study presents a systematic review of the last fifteen years on various machine learning techniques in order to analyze share performance accurately. The only objective of this study is to provide an overview of the machine learning techniques that have been used to forecast share performance. This paper also highlights a how the prediction algorithms can be used to identify the most important variables in a share market dataset. Finally, we could have succeeded to analyze share performance effectively. It could bring benefits and impacts to researchers, society, brokers and financial analysts.
On Usable Speech Detection by Linear Multi-Scale Decomposition for Speaker Identification
Authors: Ghezaiel Wajdi , Ben Slimane Amel , Ben Braiek Ezzedine
Published: March 2017

Usable speech is a novel concept of processing co-channel speech data. It is proposed to extract minimally corrupted speech that is considered useful for various speech processing systems. In this paper, we are interested for co-channel speaker identification (SID). We employ a new proposed usable speech extraction method based on the pitch information obtained from linear multi-scale decomposition by discrete wavelet transform. The idea is to retain the speech segments that have only one pitch detected and remove the others. Detected Usable speech was used as input for speaker identification system. The system is evaluated on co-channel speech and results show a significant improvement across various Target to Interferer Ratio (TIR) for speaker identification system.
Five-Phase Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Motor Fed by Fault Tolerant Five Phase Voltage Source Inverter
Authors: Kesraoui Hichem , Echeikh Hamdi , Iqbal Atif , Mimouni Med Faouzi
Published: March 2017

Multiphase machines have gained attention in numerous fields of pplications such as Aircraft, ship propulsion, petrochemical and automobiles, where high reliability is required. The additional number of phases guarantees that the system continues to operate in faulty conditions compared to the traditional three-phase machine due to the high degree of freedom. Among faults able to affect multiphase system, break between a machine phase and the voltage source inverter (VSI) degrade the performance of the control. In this paper, a five-phase permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) is fed through a fault tolerant voltage source inverter with new structure to ensure drive continuity when open circuit occurs. The five phase PMSM is controlled with fuzzy logic regulator to minimize disturbance impact that can arise fault condition. Paper is accomplished with real time simulations using MATLAB-Simulink in order to validate the new topology and show the effectiveness of the proposed solution.
Impatiens galactica (Balsaminaceae), a new spurless species of section Trimorphopetalum from Madagascar
Authors: FISCHER EBERHARD , RAHELIVOLOLONA MARIE ELISETTE , ABRAHAMCZYK STEFAN
Published: March 2017

Impatiens galactica, a new species from lowland rainforest in Marojejy National Park, NE Madagascar, is described and illustrated. It belongs to Impatiens section Trimorphopetalum and is related to I. messmerae, also known from Mt. Marojejy. Impatiens galactica differs from the latter species in the shape of the lateral sepals, and in the dorsal petal and the lateral united petals being entirely glabrous and lacking small white scales. Furthermore, I. galactica has a distinct flower morphology with strongly reduced upper lobes of the lateral united petals. The lateral petals are thus resembling the lower case letter “b” or “d”, respectively. Additionally, it has unusually coloured yellowish white, semi-transparent flowers with an orange-yellow, shiny line along the midrib of the lower sepal, all of which are lacking in I. messmerae.
Two new Asian species of Carex (Cyperaceae)
Authors: JIMÉNEZ-MEJÍAS PEDRO , ROALSON ERIC H.
Published: March 2017

Revision of herbarium specimens from Asia revealed the existence of two previously unnoticed species. We describe two new species of Carex from Himalayan eastern Asia. Carex barbayaki is closely related to C. dielsiana (section Decorae). Carex herbacoeli seems to be allied to C. fuliginosa (section Aulocystis). Pictures are provided.
Revalidation of Platystigma Kennedy, 1920, with a synopsis of the quadratum species group and the description of three new species (Odonata: Pseudostigmatidae)
Authors: MACHADO ANGELO B. M. , LACERDA DÉBORAH S. SOLDATI
Published: March 2017

The genus Platystigma Kennedy, 1920 is revalidated based mainly on the third segment of the penis that is plate-like, whereas in the other Pseudostigmatidae it is a flagellum. Dijkstra et al (2014) have merged this family into the Coenagrionidae. However, we prefer to maintain the long-used name Pseudostigmatidae until more detailed phylogenetic studies with more sampling are done. Eight species are here considered in the genus, three of which are described as new: P. humaita, P. minimum and P. quadratum. The genus is divided in two species group, jocaste and quadratum, the latter studied here. The hitherto unknown male of P. martinezi (Machado 1985) is described for the first time. Evidence for exophytic oviposition is presented in at least one species of the genus. A key is provided for the species of the quadratum group.
Contributions of Surface Heat Fluxes and Oceanic Processes to Tropical SST Changes: Seasonal and Regional Dependence
Authors: He Zhuoqi , Wu Renguang , Wang Weiqiang , Wen Zhiping , Wang Dongxiao
Published: March 2017

The present study employs six surface heat flux datasets and three ocean assimilation products to assess the relative contributions of surface heat fluxes and oceanic processes to the sea surface temperature (SST) change in the tropical oceans. Large differences are identified in the major terms of the heat budget equation. The largest discrepancies among different datasets appear in the contribution of vertical advection. The heat budget is nearly balanced in the shortwave-radiation- and horizontal-advection-dominant cases but not balanced in some of the latent-heat-flux- and vertical-advection-dominant cases. The contributions of surface heat fluxes and ocean advections to the SST tendency display remarkable seasonal and regional dependence. The contribution of surface heat fluxes covers a large geographical area. The oceanic processes dominate the SST tendency in the near-equatorial regions with large values but small spatial scales. In the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the SST tendency is governed by the dynamic and thermodynamic processes, respectively, while a wide variety of processes contribute to the SST tendency in the Indian Ocean. Several regions have been selected to illustrate the dominant contributions of individual terms to the SST tendency in different seasons. The seasonality and regionality of the interannual air–sea relationship indicate a physical connection with the mean state.
Intermodel Spread around the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension Region in Coupled GCMs Caused by Meridional Variation of the Westerly Jet from Atmospheric GCMs
Authors: Zhou Wenyu , Xie Shang-Ping
Published: March 2017

The Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) is a region of energetic oceanic mesoscale eddies and vigorous air–sea interaction that can influence climate variability over the northwest Pacific and East Asia. General circulation models (GCMs) exhibit considerable differences in their simulated climatology around the KOE region. Specifically, there are substantial intermodel spreads in both sea surface temperature (SST) and the upper-level westerly jet. In this study, the cause for such large spreads is studied by analyzing 21 pairs of coupled and atmospheric GCMs from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5).

It is found that the intermodel spread of the climatological westerly jet among coupled GCMs is largely inherited from their atmospheric models rather than being due to their SST difference as previously thought. An anomalous equatorward shift in the simulated westerly jet can give rise to a cold SST bias around the KOE region as follows. The equatorward jet shift induces cyclonic surface wind anomalies over the North Pacific, which not only enhance the turbulent heat fluxes out of the ocean south of the KOE but also drive an anomalous cyclonic ocean circulation that brings colder (warmer) water into the north (south) of the KOE. The KOE region is consequently cooled due to both the atmospheric and oceanic effects. Such processes are demonstrated through idealized perturbation experiments using an ocean model.

The results herein point to reducing atmospheric model errors in the westerly jet as the way forward to improve the coupled simulations around the KOE region.
Potential Vorticity Dynamics of Coastal Outflows
Authors: Southwick O. R. , Johnson E. R. , McDonald N. R.
Published: March 2017

A simple quasigeostrophic model is used to examine the outflow from a river, estuary, or strait into a coastal ocean. As shown by Johnson et al., these quasigeostrophic outflows are accurately described by analytical long-wave solutions. This paper first uses these solutions and contour dynamics simulations to discuss the behavior of coastal outflows. Second, it extends the model and the long-wave theory to consider the effects of ambient currents, tides, winds, or a variable source flux. Third, consideration of the momentum flux at the source is used to understand the turning of the current, showing that steady solutions conserve momentum, hence resolving the momentum imbalance paradox of Pichevin and Nof. Finally, a new numerical scheme to compute steady outflow boundaries is developed. The model focuses on the key dynamics driven by the source velocity and the generation of vorticity as the buoyant fluid adjusts. The simplicity of the model, and insight given by the long-wave solutions, enables a full understanding of the dynamics. The outflows display a range of behaviors, including indefinitely growing near-source bulges, steady boundary profiles with varying offshore width, bidirectional currents, and rarefying or eddy-like leading heads, all of which can be understood with the long-wave theory. Despite the simplicity of the model, the results show good agreement in comparison with observations, experiments, and numerical models.
The Paradox of Breadth: The Tension between Experience and Legitimacy in the Transition to Entrepreneurship
Authors: Kacperczyk Aleksandra , Younkin Peter
Published: March 2017

In a study of artists who launched independent record labels in the music industry from 1990 to 2013, we focus on explaining the paradox generated when prospective entrepreneurs accumulate broad functional experience, which signals to resource providers mastery of different skills and access to various information and resources but may also undermine the legitimacy of their entrepreneurial claims because they are not seen as specialists. To resolve this paradox, we theorize that the potential legitimacy discount of categorical membership can be avoided when individuals are classified according to multiple categories simultaneously. We find that the transition to entrepreneurship is most likely to occur when an artist’s functional experience is broad but market experience is narrow: he or she has mastered a variety of skills but solicited few audiences. We also find that the paradox of breadth is attenuated—the potential penalty of functional breadth and the corresponding need to develop narrow market experience are reduced—when the entrepreneur has alternate methods of signaling legitimacy, including high status and more-typical prior work experience. Moreover, some audiences are more disposed than others to allow an entrepreneur to pursue greater novelty. Our findings suggest that mastering a variety of skills is not universally beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs. In some circumstances, such mastery is best coupled with a narrow market focus.
Understanding Complex Governance Relationships in Food Safety Regulation
Authors: Havinga Tetty , Verbruggen Paul
Published: March 2017

In this article, we discuss the value of the RIT model for analyzing complex governance relationships in the regulation of food safety. By exploring food safety regimes involving the European Union and the Global Food Safety Initiative, we highlight the diverse and complex relationships between the actors in public, private, and hybrid regimes of food safety regulation. We extend the basic RIT model to better fit the reality of (hybrid) governance relationships in the modern regulation of food safety, arguing that the model enables disaggregation of these regimes into analytical subunits or “regulatory chains,” in which each actor contributes to and affects the regulatory process. Finally, we critically assess what the RIT model adds to alternative theoretical approaches in identifying, mapping, and explaining the different roles that actors play vis-à-vis others in regulatory regimes.
The Taming of the Stew
Authors: Lytton Timothy D.
Published: March 2017

Based on a case study of food safety governance, this article examines how rule-makers can employ additional intermediaries to address agency problems between the rule-makers and the initial intermediaries upon whom they rely to govern targets of regulation. Reliance on additional intermediaries can reduce agency problems between rule-makers and initial intermediaries, without replicating those problems between the rule-makers and the additional intermediaries. This analysis also reveals that, in some cases, intermediaries make rules, which blurs the distinction between rule-makers and intermediaries. Moreover, in complex governance networks, such as the food safety system, it is misleading to attribute the origin of many governance standards to authoritative “rule-makers.” Instead, standards emerge out of network interactions. The article concludes that by favoring the term “regulator” rather than “rule-maker,” the RIT model can avoid mischaracterizing rulemaking in complex regulatory systems without compromising its explanatory power with regard to reliance on intermediaries.
Not Quite the Same
Authors: Maggetti Martino , Ewert Christian , Trein Philipp
Published: March 2017

This article compares the role of regulatory intermediaries in the governance of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Australia and Switzerland. We argue that the creation, selection, and activation of specific intermediaries depend on the organizational capacity of the regulator and on the potential of the intermediary to be captured by the target. To limit the risk of capture of intermediaries where the regulated industries are powerful, regulators tend to keep intermediaries under their control. To do so, the regulator must be well-funded and well-staffed, or supported by its political principal. However, when the target has limited capture potential, regulators will rely more heavily on externalized intermediaries. These intermediaries typically consist of transnational organizations in charge of multiple regulatory issues in several jurisdictions, and can provide unique expertise in an efficient way. Four case studies of the Australian and Swiss regulatory regimes for therapeutic products support this argument.
Brighter and Darker Sides of Intermediation
Authors: van der Heijden Jeroen
Published: March 2017

This article addresses two specific puzzles in the area of regulation. The first is the engagement of regulatory intermediaries by the targets of regulation. The second is a tendency for regulatory intermediaries, once added to the regulatory landscape, to expand their roles independently and for reasons of self-interest. The article offers important insights into the roles, opportunities, and constraints of regulatory intermediaries, particularly because it moves beyond the unidirectional understanding of the regulatory process that is at the base of the RIT model. After exploring both puzzles, the article discusses how (target-oriented or self-interested) intermediation may increase the complexity and impact of regulatory capture. It concludes, however, that while the model of intermediation is sometimes flawed, regulators and targets are generally better off with the involvement of regulatory intermediaries than without it.
Transgovernmental Networks as Regulatory Intermediaries
Authors: Jordana Jacint
Published: March 2017

This article explores and elucidates the activities of transnational networks as regulatory intermediaries. Specifically, I examine their role in the regulation of banks, as far as they facilitate exchanges between global regulators (GRs)—such as the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision or the Financial Stability Board—and local regulators (LRs), such as national regulatory agencies or legislatures. I find that transgovernmental network intermediaries produce benefits both for GRs, which employ them to disseminate their rules; and for LRs, which use them to obtain influence, advice, and information. Networks promote collaborative intermediation horizontally, without compromising sovereignty, and require only soft organizational structures with low operational costs. Network intermediation is a key ingredient in facilitating local regulatory activities and in providing tools and cognitive resources to LRs. Network intermediaries blur the global-local boundary, however, as some of their members operate as LRs and simultaneously participate directly in GRs.
Enriching the RIT Framework
Authors: Abbott Kenneth W. , Levi-Faur David , Snidal Duncan
Published: March 2017

Regulation should be theorized as a three-party relationship (RIT), with intermediaries (I) playing diverse roles between the regulator (R) and the targets of regulation (T). Here we summarize and assess extensions of the basic RIT model introduced in the volume, including changes in regulatory relationships over time, chains of regulatory actors, and networks. We also draw lessons for regulatory policy from the volume as a whole, emphasizing the diverse goals that intermediaries pursue; the importance of how, and by whom, intermediaries are selected; the pathologies, such as regulatory capture, that may result from intermediaries’ character, goals, and origins; and opportunities to mitigate these pathologies through regulatory design.
Giving the People What They Want? Legislative Polarization and Public Approval of State Legislatures
Authors: Richardson Lilliard , Milyo Jeffrey
Published: March 2017

The relationship between approval of the state legislature and political polarization in the legislature is investigated by matching responses from a large national survey to Shor and McCarty’s ideological scores for state parties. In contrast to popular wisdom, citizens do not have a negative view of more polarized legislatures or more extreme majority parties, all else constant. Instead, legislative approval is filtered primarily through a partisan lens; partisans are more approving when their party is in control and more extreme (and less approving when the opposing party is in control and more extreme).
Intraindividual Variability in Late-Life Functional Limitations Among White, Black, and Hispanic Older Adults
Authors: Lin Jielu , Kelley-Moore Jessica
Published: March 2017

Consistent with the weathering hypothesis, many studies have captured racial/ethnic disparities in average functional health trajectories. The same mechanisms of social inequality that contribute to worse average health among minority adults may also contribute to greater fluctuations in their physical function at upper ages. Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine patterns of intraindividual variability over time in trajectories of functional limitations for White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Intraindividual variability increases with age for both Whites and Blacks and such increase is greater for Blacks. Hispanics have the greatest intraindividual variability but there is no age-based pattern. Socioeconomic status and comorbidity are associated with intraindividual variability for all race/ethnicity yet do not explain the age-based increase in intraindividual variability for Whites or Blacks. The findings suggest further nuances to the weathering hypothesis—social disadvantage can generate instability in physical function as minority adults age.
Shear-wave ultrasound elastography of the liver in normal-weight and obese children
Authors: Bailey Smita Sane , Youssfi Mostafa , Patel Mittun , Hu Houchun H , Shaibi Gabriel Q , Towbin Richard B
Published: March 2017

Background

The identification and subsequent management of liver diseases in children is challenging due to the lack of non-invasive imaging biomarkers. Ultrasound shear-wave elastography (US-SWE) is an emerging imaging technique which can quantitatively assess liver stiffness and may be useful as a tool in the management of liver disease in overweight and obese children.

Purpose

To evaluate US-SWE velocities of the liver in normal-weight and obese children, to correlate US-SWE findings with age and body-mass-index (BMI), and to compare US-SWE values with qualitative assessment (i.e. normal versus abnormal echogenicity) of the liver by conventional US.

Material and Methods

A cohort of 300 children (mean age, 9.9 ± 5.3 years; age range, 0.06–18.9 years) were studied, comprising 176 normal-weight and 124 obese participants. In each patient, both US-SWE and conventional US of the liver were obtained. Three pediatric radiologists individually and in consensus determined whether liver parenchyma was of normal or abnormal echogenicity.

Results

US-SWE velocities differed between normal-weight and obese children (1.08 ± 0.14 versus 1.44 ± 0.39 m/s; P < 0.001), but not by gender. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated US-SWE velocity to be primarily associated with age in normal-weight children ( P < 0.05) and with BMI in obese children ( P < 0.001). In the obese group, mean US-SWE velocity was statistically higher in participants with abnormal echogenic livers than in those with normal-appearing livers (1.53 ± 0.38 vs. 1.17 ± 0.27). The difference was not significant in the normal-weight group.

Conclusion

US-SWE provides a useful quantitative imaging biomarker for evaluating liver stiffness in children.
Differentiation of prostate cancer and stromal hyperplasia in the transition zone with histogram analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Xiaohang Liu , Bingni Zhou , Liangping Zhou , Weijun Peng , Xiaoqun Yang , Yong Zhang
Published: March 2017

Background

Prostate cancer and stromal hyperplasia (SH) in the transition zone (TZ) are difficult to discriminate by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).

Purpose

To investigate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of prostate cancer and SH in the TZ with histogram analysis and the ability of ADC metrics to differentiate between these two tissues.

Material and Methods

Thirty-three cancer and 29 SH lesions in the TZ of 54 patients undergoing preoperative DWI (b-value 0, 1000 s/mm2) were analyzed. All the lesions on the MR images were localized based on histopathologic correlations. The 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles, and the mean ADC values were calculated for the two tissues and compared. The efficiencies of the 10th, 25th, and 50th ADC percentiles in differentiating the two tissues were compared with that of the mean ADC with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles and mean ADC values (×10−3 mm2/s) were 0.86 ± 0.15, 0.89 ± 0.16, 0.94 ± 0.16, and 1.03 ± 0.17 in SH and 0.64 ± 0.12, 0.69 ± 0.12, 0.72 ± 0.16, and 0.83 ± 0.15 in TZ cancer, respectively. The parameters were all significantly lower in cancer than SH. The 10th ADC percentile yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.87 for the differentiation of carcinomas from SH, which was higher than the mean ADC (0.80) ( P < 0.05), and the AUCs of the 25th (0.82) and 50th (0.83) percentiles exhibited no differences from those of the mean ADC ( P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Histogram analysis of ADC values may potentially improve the differentiation of prostate cancer from SH in the TZ.
“Everyone knows me …. I sort of like move about”: The friendships and encounters of young people with Special Educational Needs in different school settings
Authors: Holt Louise , Bowlby Sophie , Lea Jennifer
Published: March 2017

This paper examines the peer-related social experiences and friendships of young people (aged 11–17) diagnosed with Special Educational Needs in four different school settings: two mainstream schools with special units and two special schools in Southeast England, UK. Findings from qualitative research involving young people with Special Educational Needs and adults, and participant observation, are presented. The young people had one or a combination of the following diagnoses of Special Educational Need: ‘Moderate Learning Difficulties’, on the ‘Autistic Spectrum’, and ‘Social, Emotional and Mental Health Difficulties’. We use the term ‘differences’ rather than ‘difficulties’ to express the interconnected socio-spatial construction of, and corporeality of, the experiences of these differences. There has been limited scholarship about the social experiences of young people with these diagnoses. In our study, young people’s experiences of friendships, exclusion, inclusion and bullying were socio-spatially shifting. Young people had varying experiences in the different school settings. In all settings, most had friends within the school, although those in special schools and units tended to have more friends within the school. However, bullying and ‘othering’ were also experienced in all three settings based on a variety of perceived ‘differences’. All young people needed opportunities for ‘encounter’ to forge friendships. Encounters are risky and can reproduce and reinforce difference as well as generating social connections and friendships. In many spaces, young people’s opportunities for encounter were constrained by the socio-spatial organisation of schools.
Headache in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis revisited: Exploring the role of vascular congestion and cortical vein thrombosis
Authors: Singh Ravinder-Jeet , Saini Jitender , Varadharajan Shriram , Kulkarni Girish Baburao , Veerendrakumar Mustare
Published: March 2017

Background and purpose

Headache constitutes the most common symptom of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), but its pathophysiology is unclear. We sought to investigate the potential mechanism for headache genesis in patients with CVST based on its imaging correlates.

Methods

A subgroup of CVST patients having headache as the predominant symptom without significant parenchymal lesion were retrospectively analysed for imaging features of vascular congestion (VC), in addition to cortical venous (CVT) and dural sinus thrombosis (DST) on magnetic resonance imaging. Headache and imaging patterns were classified into lateralized and nonlateralized phenotypes and their correlation was sought.

Results

Among 41 patients included, 28 had lateralized headache (LH group; 15 males; mean age 32.25 ± 9.19 years) while 13 had nonlateralized headache (non-LH group; six males; mean age 27.15 ± 8.65 years). Headache characteristics in both the groups were quite similar. Imaging showed VC in 39 of 41 and CVT among 35 of 41 patients, which were lateralized in 23 of 39 and 18 of 35 patients, respectively. Nearly all lateralized imaging patterns (21 of 23 for VC and 17 of 18 for CVT) occurred in the LH group and ipsilateral to (concordant) headache, while the non-LH group showed lateralized VC and CVT in only two and one patient respectively. Sinus thrombosis was lateralized in both groups irrespective of headache laterality. Whole cohort headache-imaging laterality (including patients with nonlateralized headache and nonlateralized imaging) concordance was 31 of 39, 24 of 35 and 18 of 41 for vascular congestion, cortical vein thrombosis and dural sinus thrombosis respectively.

Conclusion

Co-localization of VC and CVT with overlying headache might provide a possible explanation of headache and its laterality in patients with CVST.
The impact of nanoparticles on aerobic degradation of municipal solid waste
Authors: Yazici Guvenc Senem , Alan Burcu , Adar Elanur , Bilgili Mehmet Sinan
Published: March 2017

The amount of nanoparticles released from industrial and consumer products has increased rapidly in the last decade. These products may enter landfills directly or indirectly after the end of their useful life. In order to determine the impact of TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles on aerobic landfilling processes, municipal solid waste was loaded to three pilot-scale aerobic landfill bioreactors (80 cm diameter and 350 cm height) and exposed to TiO2 (AT) and Ag (AA) nanoparticles at total concentrations of 100 mg kg−1 of solid waste. Aerobic landfill bioreactors were operated under the conditions about 0.03 L min−1 kg−1 aeration rate for 250 days, during which the leachate, solid waste, and gas characteristics were measured. The results indicate that there was no significant difference in the leachate characteristics, gas constituents, solid quality parameters, and temperature variations, which are the most important indicators of landfill operations, and overall aerobic degradation performance between the reactors containing TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles, and control (AC) reactor. The data also indicate that the pH levels, ionic strength, and the complex formation capacity of nanoparticles with Cl− ions can reduce the toxicity effects of nanoparticles on aerobic degradation processes. The results suggest that TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles at concentrations of 100 mg kg−1 of solid waste do not have significant impacts on aerobic biological processes and waste management systems.
Resistance Training: (Re)shaping Extreme Forms of Workplace Health Promotion
Authors: James Eric P. , Zoller Heather M.
Published: March 2017

As the number of workplace health initiatives grows, so does the variety of programming. This study examines a fitness apparel company’s attempts to promote a fitness culture through a particular brand of “extreme” fitness known as CrossFit. CrossFit is an intense fitness regimen that has generated controversy with a cult-like reputation. We looked at the evangelical promotion of CrossFit as a new corporate wellness initiative. Based on interviews and participant observations, we used a critical-interpretive lens to understand employee reactions to the extreme wellness initiative. The evangelical introduction of this program by management led to high rates of participation, influencing employee perceptions of health, fitness, and identity. Yet, we also found that employee resistance emerged, which helped to mark the limits of this managerial intervention in workplace fitness. Ultimately, the study advocates for more co-construction of workplace wellness initiatives.
The Feasibility and Impact of Prospective Medication Review in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sin Billy , Lau Kwong , Tong Richard , Ruiz Josel , Sarosky Kimberly , DiGregorio Robert , Butel Shalom , de Souza Sylvie
Published: March 2017

Objective:

We evaluated the feasibility and impact of prospective medication review (PMR) in the emergency department (ED).

Methods:

This was a retrospective cohort study of all nonadmitted ED patients who were prescribed medication orders by ED clinicians from September 2014 to September 2015 to determine the time intervals utilized during each step of the medication use process and quantify the number of interventions conducted by the pharmacist and cost avoidance accrued from the interventions.

Results:

A total of 834 medication orders were included for evaluation. The median time for order verification, order verification to dispense, and dispense to administration were 3 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-7 minutes), 20 minutes (IQR = 7-45 minutes), and 10 minutes (IQR = 6-16 minutes). The median time interval for order verification was longer during the overnight pharmacy shift (median = 5 minutes, IQR = 2-9 minutes) compared to the day and evening shifts (median = 3 minutes, IQR = 1-6 minutes). A total of 563 interventions were recommended by the pharmacists and accepted by ED clinicians. These interventions equated to US$47 585 worth of cost avoidance.

Conclusion:

The PMR is a feasible process that resulted in safe and effective use of medications without causing delays to patient care.
Investigation on fundamental modes of guided waves propagating in symmetric and nonsymmetric composite laminates
Authors: Maio L , Memmolo V , Ricci F , Boffa ND , Monaco E
Published: March 2017

A quasi-isotropic composite laminate is constructed in an attempt to create a structure that behaves like an isotropic plate. Its membrane behavior is similar to that of the isotropic plate while the bending behavior is quite different from the latter. Moreover, the laminae may or may not be arranged symmetrically with respect to the midplane thereby resulting in a different mechanical response. In this work, guided wave propagation along multiple directions in symmetric and not symmetric quasi-isotropic plates is evaluated. Experimental and numerical results for the fundamental modes A0 and S0 are analyzed for the symmetric and nonsymmetric layups. An eight-node brick type element based on the three-dimensional theory is used in modeling to predict numerically the velocity of wave modes propagating in the graphite/epoxy composite plates. Agreement between experimental and numerical approaches is found and interesting dependencies between velocity of propagating modes and laminate stacking sequence are discussed. A final comparison with analytical dispersion curves obtained by the implementation of the global matrix method is discussed.
Disease evolution in late-onset and early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aljohani R , Gladman D D , Su J , Urowitz M B
Published: March 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare clinical features, disease activity, and outcome in late-onset versus early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over 5 years of follow up

Method

Patients with SLE since 1970 were followed prospectively according to standard protocol and tracked on a computerized database. Patients entering the cohort within one year of diagnosis constitute the inception cohort. Patients with late-onset (age at diagnosis ≥50) disease were identified and matched 1:2 based on gender and first clinic visit (±5) years with patients with early-onset disease (age at diagnosis 18–40 years).

Results

A total of 86 patients with late-onset disease (84.9% female, 81.4% Caucasian, mean age at SLE diagnosis ± SD 58.05 ± 7.30) and 169 patients with early-onset disease (86.4% female, 71% Caucasian, mean age at SLE diagnosis ± SD 27.80 ± 5.90) were identified. At enrollment, late-onset SLE patients had a lower total number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, with less renal and neurologic manifestations. Mean SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores were lower in late-onset SLE, especially renal features and anti-dsDNA positivity. Over 5 years, mean SLEDAI-2K scores decreased in both groups, while mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SDI) scores increased more significantly in the late-onset group; they developed more cardiovascular, renal, and ocular damage, and had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusion

Although the late-onset SLE group had a milder presentation and less active disease, with the evolution of disease, they developed more organ damage likely as a consequence of cardiovascular risk factors and aging.