bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Purple prairie clover seed viability and germinability after passing through the digestive tracts of yearling steers
Authors: Gu Chen , Iwaasa Alan D. , Zhao Mengli
Published: June 2019

Endozoochory by cattle has been considered an important method for population self-regeneration; however, the effects of cattle digestive tracts on the viability and germinability of purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent.), a native North American species, remain understudied. The experiment was conducted at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Swift Current Research and Development Centre in the semiarid prairie of western Canada. Purple prairie clover seeds extracted from cattle dung pats were tested for germination and compared with uningested and scarified seeds from the same paddock. The germination percentage (within 200 d) of the ingested seeds was 16.5% ± 0.8%, two times higher after passing through digestive tracts than uningested seeds (8.3% ± 1.2%), while 76.6% ± 1.5% of ingested seeds remained dormant. As many as 92.4% ± 0.9% of purple prairie clover seeds survived digestion due to their high hard seed rate (90.5% ± 1.0%), which was lower than the uningested seeds by 6.9%. Therefore, cattle dispersing purple prairie clover seeds with high viability and germinability is a low-cost method to increase and rejuvenate purple prairie clover for late-season grazing pastures.
Exact solutions of a quartic potential
Authors: Dong Qian , Sun Guo-Hua , Aoki M. Avila , Chen Chang-Yuan , Dong Shi-Hai
Published: June 2019

We find that the analytical solutions to quantum system with a quartic potential [Formula: see text] (arbitrary [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are real numbers) are given by the triconfluent Heun functions [Formula: see text]. The properties of the wave functions, which are strongly relevant for the potential parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are illustrated. It is shown that the wave functions are shrunk to the origin for a given [Formula: see text] when the potential parameter [Formula: see text] increases, while the wave peak of wave functions is concaved to the origin when the negative potential parameter [Formula: see text] increases or parameter [Formula: see text] decreases for a given negative potential parameter [Formula: see text]. The minimum value of the double well case ([Formula: see text]) is given by [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text].
Nonlinear analysis of a new two-lane lattice hydrodynamic model accounting for “backward looking” effect and relative flow information
Authors: Qi Xinyue , Cheng Rongjun , Ge Hongxia
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a new two-lane lattice hydrodynamic model is presented by accounting for the “backward looking” effect and the relative flow information. Linear analysis is applied to deduce the linear stability condition. With this method, we can demonstrate that “backward looking” and relative flow information have great positive significance in improving traffic flow stability. Nonlinear analysis is performed to derive the mKdV equation, which can represent transmission characteristic of density waves. The results achieved by the numerical simulation are consistent with theoretical analytical results. Numerical results indicate that both “backward looking” effect and relative flow information are helpful to heighten the traffic flow stability efficiently in two-lane traffic model.
EMG Pattern Recognition Using Convolutional Neural Network with Different Scale Signal/Spectra Input
Authors: Yang Wei , Yang Dapeng , Liu Yu , Liu Hong
Published: June 2019

Deep learning (DL) has made tremendous contributions to image processing. Recently, the DL has also attracted attention in the specialized field of neural decoding from raw myoelectric signals (electromyograms, EMGs). However, to our knowledge, most existing methods require some measure of preprocessing of the raw EMGs. Moreover, research to date has not accounted for the variability in the signal during time sequences. In this paper, we propose a new convolutional neural network (CNN) structure that can directly process raw EMG signals for hand gesture classification. More specifically, we assess the effects of various window sizes and of two different EMG representations (time sequence and frequency spectra) on open EMG datasets. We found that the frequency spectra derived from raw EMGs is more suitable as the model input in the task of gesture classification. Meanwhile, the combination use of long window could improve the classification accuracy (CA) and the window of 1024 ms achieved the best results on two open datasets ([Formula: see text]% and [Formula: see text]%). Further, our model requires no feature extraction procedures and is comparable with the optimal combination of features and classifier used by the traditional methods in the performance of specific tasks.
Active wavefront shaping for controlling and improving multimode fiber sensor
Authors: Zhong Tianting , Yu Zhipeng , Li Huanhao , Li Zihao , Li Haohong , Lai Puxiang
Published: June 2019

Wavefront shaping (WFS) techniques have been used as a powerful tool to control light propagation in complex media, including multimode fibers. In this paper, we propose a new application of WFS for multimode fiber-based sensors. The use of a single multimode fiber alone, without any special fabrication, as a sensor based on the light intensity variations is not an easy task. The twist effect on multimode fiber is used as an example herein. Experimental results show that light intensity through the multimode fiber shows no direct relationship with the twist angle, but the correlation coefficient (CC) of speckle patterns does. Moreover, if WFS is applied to transform the spatially seemingly random light pattern at the exit of the multimode fiber into an optical focus. The focal pattern correlation and intensity both can serve to gauge the twist angle, with doubled measurement range and allowance of using a fast point detector to provide the feedback. With further development, WFS may find potentials to facilitate the development of multimode fiber-based sensors in a variety of scenarios.
Real-time detection of LMP1/LMP1 interaction in MβCD-induced apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells using FRET method
Authors: Wu Zhiwei , Ye Qing , Huang Yimei , Lin Yating , Zheng Mengmeng , Wang Xiaoyan , Xie Shusen , Lin Juqiang
Published: June 2019

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is known as an oncoprotein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, which is considered to have a strong association with growth, invasion and metastasis of NPC cells through lipid rafts. Methyl-[Formula: see text]-cyclodextrin (M[Formula: see text]CD) can disrupt lipid rafts through cholesterol depletion. In this study, we revealed that M[Formula: see text]CD induced apoptosis in two kinds of NPC cells including CNE1 cells, a LMP1-negative nasopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell line, and CNE1-LMP1 cells, a LMP1-positive nasopharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell line. Furthermore, the impact of M[Formula: see text]CD on LMP1 was investigated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) method in NPC cells. Synchronized tempo-spatial and spectral detection of LMP1/LMP1 interaction were performed using fluorescence microscope and spectrograph. FRET efficiency indicated that LMP1/LMP1 interaction gradually enhanced after M[Formula: see text]CD treatment. MTT assays showed that M[Formula: see text]CD caused strong cytotoxicity in CNE1 cells, but caused relatively weaker cytotoxicity in CNE1-LMP1 cells, which indicated that LMP1 may regulate sensitivity of NPC cells to M[Formula: see text]CD. Then, detection of cleaved caspase-3 in two kinds of NPC cells indicated that LMP1 may inhibit activation of caspase-3. These results strongly suggested that M[Formula: see text]CD can induce apoptosis of NPC cells, but enhancing of LMP1/LMP1 interaction may likely resist apoptosis through inhibiting cleavage of caspase-3.
The Sirius Passet Lagerstätte of North Greenland: a remote window on the Cambrian Explosion
Authors: Harper David A. T. , Hammarlund Emma U. , Topper Timothy P. , Nielsen Arne T. , Rasmussen Jan A. , Park Tae-Yoon S. , Smith M. Paul
Published: June 2019

The lower Cambrian Lagerstätte of Sirius Passet, Peary Land, North Greenland, is one of the oldest of the Phanerozoic exceptionally preserved biotas. The Lagerstätte evidences the escalation of numbers of new body plans and life modes that formed the basis for a modern, functionally tiered ecosystem. The fauna is dominated by predators, infaunal, benthic and pelagic, and the presence of abundant nekton, including large sweep-net feeders, suggests an ecosystem rich in nutrients. Recent discoveries have helped reconstruct digestive systems and their contents, muscle fibres, and visual and nervous systems for a number of taxa. New collections have confirmed the complex combination of taphonomic pathways associated with the biota and its potentially substantial biodiversity. These complex animal-based communities within the Buen Formation were associated with microbial matgrounds, now preserved in black mudstones deposited below storm wave base that provide insight into the shift from late Neoproterozoic (Ediacaran) to Cambrian substrates and communities. Moreover, the encasing sediment holds important data on the palaeoenvironment and the water-column chemistry, suggesting that these animal-based communities developed in conditions with very low oxygen concentrations.
Synrift magmatism in a Cenozoic rift basin, from 3D seismic data, Wichianburi Sub-basin, Phetchabun Basin, Thailand: part 1. Distribution and timing of intrusions and forced folds
Authors: Pongwapee Sopon , Won-in Krit , Morley Christopher K.
Published: June 2019

The Late Oligocene–Pliocene Wichianburi Sub-basin, Phetchabun Rift, Thailand has undergone three phases of development: Late Oligocene–Early Miocene (
c.
16 Ma) east–west extension on predominantly NNW–SSE- to north–south-striking faults; 16 Ma–
c.
3 Ma NE extension on NNW–SSE-, north–south- and NE–SW-trending faults; and 3 Ma to Present post-rift subsidence. The basin was also affected by intrusive and extrusive igneous activity from 24 to 2 Ma. The relationships among the structure, rift basin stratigraphy and sheet intrusions are unusually well documented as a result of extensive hydrocarbon exploration drilling and 3D seismic data, together with the production of hydrocarbons from igneous sills. The oldest igneous activity (
c.
24–13 Ma) lies SW of the Wichianburi Sub-basin, where extrusive rocks exposed at the surface have been dated by K–Ar and
40
Ar/
39
Ar methods. The overall igneous activity youngs from the south of the basin to the north (11–9 Ma). Numerous domal folds occur across the basin; the sill and laccolith dimensions, the rate of fold development, the variable timing of fold formation and the fold geometry all indicate that the folds are related to magma emplacement, not tectonic inversion. Fold formation occurred at
c.
16–15 and 12–11 Ma in single or multiple stages. The timing of folding, coupled with the radiometric dating of some sills (K–Ar,
39
Ar/
40
Ar), indicates that the greatest amount of intrusive activity occurred between 16 and 11 Ma. The 16 Ma date coincides with the switch from east–west to NW–SE extension, which promoted dilatancy within the upper crust along a range of synrift fault orientations and some pre-rift trends. The burial history of the main depocentre shows that Miocene sill emplacement occurred at depths <1 km, but was still able to cause the local maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks. Sill emplacement affected the petroleum system by forming migration pathways, important reservoirs and also creating forced fold traps.
Distributed Spatial and Spatio-Temporal Join on Apache Spark
Authors: Whitman Randall T. , Marsh Bryan G. , Park Michael B. , Hoel Erik G.
Published: June 2019

Effective processing of extremely large volumes of spatial data has led to many organizations employing distributed processing frameworks. Apache Spark is one such open source framework that is enjoying widespread adoption. Within this data space, it is important to note that most of the observational data (i.e., data collected by sensors, either moving or stationary) has a temporal component or timestamp. To perform advanced analytics and gain insights, the temporal component becomes equally important as the spatial and attribute components. In this article, we detail several variants of a spatial join operation that addresses both spatial, temporal, and attribute-based joins. Our spatial join technique differs from other approaches in that it combines spatial, temporal, and attribute predicates in the join operator. In addition, our spatio-temporal join algorithm and implementation differs from others in that it runs in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) application. The users of this functionality are assumed to be GIS analysts with little if any knowledge of the implementation details of spatio-temporal joins or distributed processing. They are comfortable using simple tools that do not provide the ability to tweak the configuration of the algorithm or processing environment. The spatio-temporal join algorithm behind the tool must always succeed, regardless of input data parameters (e.g., it can be highly irregularly distributed, contain large numbers of coincident points, it can be extremely large, etc.). These factors combine to place additional requirements on the algorithm that are uncommonly found in the traditional research environment. Our spatio-temporal join algorithm was shipped as part of the GeoAnalytics Server [12], part of the ArcGIS Enterprise platform from version 10.5 onward.
Human-building interaction
Authors: Alavi Hamed S. , Churchill Elizabeth F. , Wiberg Mikael , Lalanne Denis , Dalsgaard Peter , Fatah gen Schieck Ava , Rogers Yvonne
Published: June 2019

Interaction design is increasingly about embedding interactive technologies in our built environment; architecture is increasingly about the use of interactive technologies to reimagine and dynamically repurpose our built environment. This forum focuses on this intersection of interaction and architecture. ---
Mikael Wiberg, Editor
Physiology Understanding (PhUn) Week in a public Spanish-immersion elementary school in Kentucky
Authors: Terson de Paleville Daniela G. L.
Published: June 2019

The purpose of this outreach program was to promote elementary school students’ understanding of human physiology and exercise science. I conducted this outreach event for 421 pre-kindergarten through grade 5 students attending a Spanish-immersion elementary school within a large, urban public school district in Kentucky. To meet the needs of the school’s minority students, I delivered the Physiology Understanding (PhUn) program bilingually in both English and Spanish. The University of Louisville’s PhUn team was composed of 14 undergraduate students, 5 graduate students, and 3 other faculty scientists who participated and supported me throughout the delivery of this outreach program. Elementary school students were taught about science, learned how to make scientific discoveries, and made predictions to test the hypothesis that heart rate increases with exercise. Hands-on activities and demonstrations included use of oxymeters, heart rate monitors, spirometry, blood pressure at rest and during exercise, and electromyography. We invited grade 4 and 5 students to participate in a science fair in which 32 students designed their own research projects and presented their findings during the science fair in three categories: English, Spanish, and bilingual.
Factors influencing the National License Examination step 1 score in preclinical medical students
Authors: Lertwilaiwittaya Pongtawat , Sitticharoon Chantacha , Maikaew Pailin , Keadkraichaiwat Issarawan
Published: June 2019

The National License Examination step 1 (NLE1), which tests basic medical sciences knowledge in Thailand, is considered to be tough and stressful for medical students due to the large amount of content. This study aimed to determine factors influencing the NLE1 score (NLE1S). The NLE1S, academic achievement, and class attendance were obtained officially. Other factors, including study habits, were obtained via a questionnaire, with 81.97% (241/294) being returned. Students were divided into four groups according to the central passing score and Z-score of the NLE1S, including the fail (<52%; n = 13), low-pass (52 to <70%; n = 121), high-pass (70 to <80%; n = 89), and excellent (≥80%; n = 18) groups. Men had higher NLE1S ( P < 0.001) and comprehensive examination scores ( P < 0.001) than women. Students with high motivation to study medicine had higher NLE1S. Daily preparation time (h/day) was lower, but stress was higher, in the fail group. In the excellent group, internet for academic use and achievement of study targets were higher; internet for nonacademic use, instance of absence, and stress were lower; and check-in time was earlier. The NLE1S had strong positive correlations with the comprehensive examination score and academic achievement during preclinical studies. By setting the NLE1S as a dependent variable in multivariate regression analyses, models of significant interactions were observed by setting behavioral factors, the comprehensive examination score, and academic achievement during a regular class as independent variables. Thus exhibiting good study habits and showing good academic performance throughout preclinical studies should be encouraged among students to achieve a good NLE1S.
Examining the first-person perspective as appropriate prelaboratory preparation
Authors: Nederveen Joshua P. , Thomas Aaron C. Q. , Parise Gianni
Published: June 2019

Prelaboratory tasks are used to facilitate learning and introduce and provide context for laboratory work. The application of first-person perspective (FPP) technology may provide interesting new approaches to providing prelaboratory preparation. However, there is limited knowledge as to whether this perspective is useful or enjoyable for students preparing for laboratory tasks. The purpose of this study was to examine whether prelaboratory preparation, utilizing the FPP technique, was enjoyable and led to improvements in laboratory task-specific self-efficacy in comparison to the traditional text-only (TO) style. We observed that the FPP group found the style to be generally more enjoyable, entertaining, and generally fun compared with the TO group (5.3 ± 0.2 and 2.7 ± 0.3, respectively, P < 0.05). Furthermore, we found that the FPP group had a greater laboratory task-specific self-efficacy than their counterparts in the TO group, following the prelaboratory preparation (93.6 ± 1.6 and 83.5 ± 3.2, respectively, P < 0.05). We did not find any differences in scenario-based self-efficacy between the FPP and the TO group. Taken together, our data support the use of FPP videos as a novel, refreshing approach to prelaboratory preparation that builds self-efficacy in students performing laboratory tasks.
Heavy upright exercise increases ventilation-perfusion mismatch in the basal lung: indirect evidence for interstitial pulmonary edema
Authors: Tedjasaputra Vincent , Sá Rui C. , Anderson Kevin M. , Prisk G. Kim , Hopkins Susan R.
Published: June 2019

Ventilation-perfusion (V̇a/Q̇) mismatch during exercise may result from interstitial pulmonary edema if increased pulmonary vascular pressure causes fluid efflux into the interstitium. If present, the increased fluid may compress small airways or blood vessels, disrupting V̇a/Q̇ matching, but this is unproven. We hypothesized that V̇a/Q̇ mismatch would be greatest in basal lung following heavy upright exercise, consistent with hydrostatic forces favoring edema accumulation in the gravitationally dependent lung. We applied new tools to reanalyze previously published magnetic resonance imaging data to determine regional V̇a/Q̇ mismatch following 45 min of heavy upright exercise in six athletes (V̇o2max = 61 ± 7 mL·kg−1·min−1). In the supine posture, regional alveolar ventilation and local perfusion were quantified from specific ventilation imaging, proton density, and arterial spin labeling data in a single sagittal slice of the right lung before exercise (PRE), 15 min after exercise (POST), and in recovery 60 min after exercise (REC). Indices of V̇a/Q̇ mismatch [second moments (log scale) of ventilation (LogSDV) and perfusion (LogSDQ) vs. V̇a/Q̇ distributions] were calculated for apical, middle, and basal lung thirds, which represent gravitationally nondependent, middle, and dependent regions, respectively, during upright exercise. LogSDV increased after exercise only in the basal lung (PRE 0.46 ± 0.06, POST 0.57 ± 0.14, REC 0.55 ±0.14, P = 0.01). Similarly, LogSDQ increased only in the basal lung (PRE 0.40 ± 0.06, POST 0.51 ± 0.10, REC 0.44 ± 0.09, P = 0.04). Increased V̇a/Q̇ mismatch in the basal lung after exercise is potentially consistent with interstitial pulmonary edema accumulating in gravitationally dependent lung during exercise.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We reanalyzed previously published MRI data with new tools and found increased ventilation-perfusion mismatch only in the basal lung of athletes following 45 min of cycling exercise. This is consistent with the development of interstitial edema in the gravitationally dependent lung during heavy exercise.
Changes in dynamic left ventricular function, assessed by the strain-volume loop, relate to reverse remodeling after aortic valve replacement
Authors: Hulshof Hugo G. , van Oorschot Frederieke , van Dijk Arie P. , Hopman Maria T. E. , George Keith P. , Oxborough David L. , Thijssen Dick H. J.
Published: June 2019

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) leads to remodeling of the left ventricle (LV). Adopting a novel technique to examine dynamic LV function, our study explored whether post-AVR changes in dynamic LV function and/or changes in aortic valve characteristics are associated with LV mass regression during follow-up. We retrospectively analyzed 30 participants with severe aortic stenosis who underwent standard transthoracic echocardiographic assessment before AVR [88 (IQR or interquartile range: 22–143) days], post-AVR [13 (6–22) days], and during follow-up [455 (226–907) days]. We assessed standard measures of LV structure, function, and aortic valve characteristics. Novel insight into dynamic LV function was provided through a four-chamber image by examination of the temporal relation between LV longitudinal strain (ε) and volume (ε-volume loops), representing the contribution of LV mechanics to volume change. AVR resulted in immediate changes in structural valve characteristics, alongside a reduced LV longitudinal peak ε and improved coherence between the diastolic and systolic part of the ε-volume loop (all P < 0.05). Follow-up revealed a decrease in LV mass ( P < 0.05) and improvements in LV ejection fraction and LV longitudinal peak ε ( P < 0.05). A significant relationship was present between decline in LV mass during follow-up and post-AVR improvement in coherence of the ε-volume loops ( r = 0.439, P = 0.03), but not with post-AVR changes in aortic valve characteristics or LV function (all P > 0.05). We found that post-AVR improvements in dynamic LV function are related to long-term remodeling of the LV. This highlights the potential importance of assessing dynamic LV function for cardiac adaptations in vivo.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Combining temporal measures of left ventricular longitudinal strain and volume (strain-volume loop) provides novel insights in dynamic cardiac function. In patients with aortic stenosis who underwent aortic valve replacement, postsurgical changes in the strain-volume loop are associated with regression of left ventricular mass during follow-up. This provides novel insight into the relation between postsurgery changes in cardiac hemodynamics and long-term structural remodeling, but also supports the potential utility of the assessment of dynamic cardiac function.
Characterization of extracellular redox enzyme concentrations in response to exercise in humans
Authors: Wadley Alex J. , Keane Gary , Cullen Tom , James Lynsey , Vautrinot Jordan , Davies Matthew , Hussey Bethan , Hunter David J. , Mastana Sarabjit , Holliday Adrian , Petersen Steen V. , Bishop Nicolette C. , Lindley Martin R. , Coles Steven J.
Published: June 2019

Redox enzymes modulate intracellular redox balance and are secreted in response to cellular oxidative stress, potentially modulating systemic inflammation. Both aerobic and resistance exercise are known to cause acute systemic oxidative stress and inflammation; however, how redox enzyme concentrations alter in extracellular fluids following bouts of either type of exercise is unknown. Recreationally active men ( n = 26, mean ± SD: age 28 ± 8 yr) took part in either: 1) two separate energy-matched cycling bouts: one of moderate intensity (MOD) and a bout of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) or 2) an eccentric-based resistance exercise protocol (RES). Alterations in plasma (study 1) and serum (study 2) peroxiredoxin (PRDX)-2, PRDX-4, superoxide dismutase-3 (SOD3), thioredoxin (TRX-1), TRX-reductase and interleukin (IL)-6 were assessed before and at various timepoints after exercise. There was a significant increase in SOD3 (+1.5 ng/mL) and PRDX-4 (+5.9 ng/mL) concentration following HIIE only, peaking at 30- and 60-min post-exercise respectively. TRX-R decreased immediately and 60 min following HIIE (−7.3 ng/mL) and MOD (−8.6 ng/mL), respectively. In non-resistance trained men, no significant changes in redox enzyme concentrations were observed up to 48 h following RES, despite significant muscle damage. IL-6 concentration increased in response to all trials, however there was no significant relationship between absolute or exercise-induced changes in redox enzyme concentrations. These results collectively suggest that HIIE, but not MOD or RES increase the extracellular concentration of PRDX-4 and SOD3. Exercise-induced changes in redox enzyme concentrations do not appear to directly relate to systemic changes in IL-6 concentration.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Two studies were conducted to characterize changes in redox enzyme concentrations after single bouts of exercise to investigate the emerging association between extracellular redox enzymes and inflammation. We provide evidence that SOD3 and PRDX-4 concentration increased following high-intensity aerobic but not eccentric-based resistance exercise. Changes were not associated with IL-6. The results provide a platform to investigate the utility of SOD3 and PRDX-4 as biomarkers of oxidative stress following exercise.
Hierarchical Sarsa Learning Based Route Guidance Algorithm
Authors: Wen Feng , Wang Xingqiao , Xu Xiaowei
Published: June 2019

In modern society, route guidance problems can be found everywhere. Reinforcement learning models can be normally used to solve such kind of problems; particularly, Sarsa Learning is suitable for tackling with dynamic route guidance problem. But how to solve the large state space of digital road network is a challenge for Sarsa Learning, which is very common due to the large scale of modern road network. In this study, the hierarchical Sarsa learning based route guidance algorithm (HSLRG) is proposed to guide vehicles in the large scale road network, in which, by decomposing the route guidance task, the state space of route guidance system can be reduced. In this method, Multilevel Network method is introduced, and Differential Evolution based clustering method is adopted to optimize the multilevel road network structure. The proposed algorithm was simulated with several different scale road networks; the experiment results show that, in the large scale road networks, the proposed method can greatly enhance the efficiency of the dynamic route guidance system.
Influence of Natural Fillers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties and Surface Morphology of Cellulose Acetate-Based Biocomposites
Authors: Španić Nikola , Jambreković Vladimir , Šernek Milan , Medved Sergej
Published: June 2019

In the present study, the influence of adding natural fillers to a cellulose acetate (CA) matrix, in order to develop biocomposites, on the properties of the achieved materials has been investigated. Extracted wood flour, holocellulose, and alpha cellulose were used as appropriate fillers. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the fillers and biocomposites suggested the importance of the degree of degradation of filler properties, induced by the chemical treatment necessary for the preparation of the fillers, with emphasis on the content of lignin and the degradation of cellulose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical analysis revealed that the matrix-filler ratio had a major effect on the prepared CA-based biocomposites, since polarity differences between the two major components caused the reduction of attractive forces in the matrix-filler relation, subsequently altering the properties of the developed materials.
Research on Safety Lane Change Warning Method Based on Potential Angle Collision Point
Authors: Ding Tongqiang , Li Xiaorong , Zheng Lili , Hao Zhiguo
Published: June 2019

In order to ensure safe lane change and avoid traffic accidents, an effective lane change assist system is required. In a lane change assist system, it is very important to obtain the following elements in time, such as actual distance between vehicles, minimum safety distance, and warning signal. To this end, this paper analyzed four kinds of lane change angle collision scenes. Initial position, initial velocity, acceleration, heading angle, and kinematics of vehicles were used to calculate the position of potential angle collision points between lane change vehicle and obstacle vehicles. Then, actual distance model was constructed based on potential angular collision points. The minimum safety distance model was also established under the two most unfavorable conditions. In order to achieve the lane change warning, three early warning rules were formulated. We verified the validity of models and early warning rules using vehicle driving video data of Interstate 80 in California. Models and early warning rules constructed in our research can be applied to the advanced active safety systems of vehicle, such as vehicle lane change assist system and active collision early warning system, which can improve the active safety and reduce traffic accidents.
Experimental Investigation on the Influence of Regional Concrete Spalling on Shield Tunnel Segments
Authors: Wang Shimin , Liu Chuankun , Ma Gaoyu , Cao Songyu , Zhang Junbo , Lu Daiyue , He Chuan
Published: June 2019

Based on the field investigation and analysis, the mechanical characteristics of segment structure in shield tunnels are compared and analyzed under the circumstances of different concrete spalling region by the method of similarity model experiment. Through data analysis of acoustic emission, the results for displacement and internal force of shield tunnel segments are clarified on the segment lining, the influential rule of load bearing capacity is also determined, and the deformation and stress for the different concrete spalling region are described as well. The corresponding research results indicate that range for elastic bearing stage is enlarged while it is narrowed for plastic bearing stage, the convergence and deformation and the accumulated event numbers for acoustic emission on critical instability point are obviously increasing, and the process of damage and failure tends to be sudden for segment lining structure. The ultimate bearing capacity of the damaged segment lining obviously decreases due to regional concrete spalling; to be more specific, the reduction rate for ultimate bearing capacity becomes 6%, 6%, and 13%, respectively, when the range of concrete spalling reaches 45°, 60°, and 75°.
Understanding Pedestrian Interactive Behaviors under the Different Level of Services on Stairways
Authors: Ye Jianhong , Shan Xiaonian , Chen Xiaohong , Yu Mengxiao
Published: June 2019

Stairways serve as important walking facilities for pedestrians, especially in metro stations, but researches of pedestrian traffic on stairways are not sufficient. This paper investigates pedestrian interactive behaviors (PIBs) under the different level of services (LOS) on stairways, including overtaking behavior and evasive behavior on stairways. Macro and micro indicators are proposed and calculated based on field observation collected from two stairway flights in a certain metro station in Shanghai, China. Results of macro indicators reveal that the characteristics of overtaking behavior and evasive behavior have both similarities and differences. As for similarities, neither of these two types of behaviors would occur under extremely low or high densities, representing LOS A or LOS F. Under other ranges of density, occurrence intensities of pedestrian interactive behaviors on stairways are different. Overtaking behavior intensity shows a rapid increase trend with the density from low to medium, while evasive behavior intensity keeps a certain value. Results of micro indictors show that the available space for overtaking behavior and evasive behavior is the main factor contributing to the above similarities and differences. Characteristics of PIBs under the different LOS present in highway capacity manual are discussed based on field observations. Findings of this research are helpful to understand the knowledge of PIBs on stairways for a better stairway traffic design and level of service evaluation.
Beneficial Effects of Total Phenylethanoid Glycoside Fraction Isolated from Cistanche deserticola on Bone Microstructure in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Yang Lingling , Ding Shuqin , Zhang Bo , Liu Jingjing , Dong Yanhong , Tang Qiwen , Yang Pingping , Ma Xueqin
Published: June 2019

The present study was designed to estimate the antiosteoporotic activity of total phenylethanoid glycoside fraction isolated from C. deserticola (CDP) on rats induced by ovariectomy (OVX) as well as the related mechanisms. After 3 months of oral administration, the decreased bone mineral density, serum Ca, and P in OVX rats were recovered and the deteriorated trabecular bone microarchitecture was partly improved by CDP (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg) intervention, the activities of bone resorption markers were downregulated, and the bioactive of the bone formation index was upregulated; meanwhile, the content of MDA was declined, and GSH was increased by CDP treatment. Compositionally, 8 phenylethanoid glycoside compounds were identified in CDP, with the total contents quantified as 50.3% by using the HPLC method. Mechanistically, CDP declined the levels of TRAF6, RANKL, and RANK, thus suppressing RANKL/RANK/TRAF6-induced activation of downstream NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and ultimately preventing activities of the key osteoclastogenic proteins of NFAT2 and c-Fos. All of the above data implied that CDP exhibited beneficial effects on bone microstructure in ovariectomized rats, and these effects may be related to the NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways which were triggered by the binding of RANKL, RANK, and TRAF6.
Long‐Term Room and Pillar Mine Production Planning Based on Fuzzy 0‐1 Linear Programing and Multicriteria Clustering Algorithm with Uncertainty
Authors: Gligorić Miloš V. , Gligorić Zoran M. , Beljić Čedomir R. , Lutovac Suzana M. , Damnjanović Vesna M.
Published: June 2019

Production planning in an underground mine plays a key activity in the mining company business. It is supported by the fact that mineral industry is unique and volatile environment. There are two uncertain parameters that cannot be managed by planners, metal price, and operating costs. Having ability to quantify and incorporate them in the process of planning can help companies to do their business in much easier way. We quantify these uncertainties by the simulation of mean reverting process and Itô‐Doob stochastic differential equation, respectively. Mineral deposit is represented as a set of mineable blocks and room and pillar mining method is selected as a way of mining. Multicriteria clustering algorithm is used to create areas inside of mineral deposit that have technological characteristics required by the planners. We also developed a way to forecast the volatility of economic values of these areas through the planning period. Fuzzy 0‐1 linear programming model is used to define the sequence of mining of these areas by maximization of the expected value of the fuzzy future cash flow. Model was tested on small hypothetical lead‐zinc mineral deposit and results showed that our approach was able to solve such complex problem.
Active Suspension Control Based on Estimated Road Class for Off‐Road Vehicle
Authors: Gong Mingde , Wang Haohao , Wang Xin
Published: June 2019

Road input can be provided for a vehicle in advance by using an optical sensor to preview the front terrain and suspension parameters can be adjusted before a corresponding moment to keep the body as smooth as possible and thus improve ride comfort and handling stability. However, few studies have described this phenomenon in detail. In this study, a LiDAR coupled with global positioning and inertial navigation systems was used to obtain the digital terrain in front of a vehicle in the form of a 3D point cloud, which was processed by a statistical filter in the Point Cloud Library for the acquisition of accurate data. Next, the inverse distance weighting interpolation method and fractal interpolation were adopted to extract the road height profile from the 3D point cloud and improve its accuracy. The roughness grade of the road height profile was utilised as the input of active suspension. Then, the active suspension, which was based on an LQG controller, used the analytic hierarchy process method to select proper weight coefficients of performance indicators according to the previously calculated road grade. Finally, the road experiment verified that reasonable selection of active suspension’s LQG controller weightings based on estimated road profile and road class through fractal interpolation can improve the ride comfort and handling stability of the vehicle more than passive suspension did.
A Case of Tick-Borne Paralysis in a Traveling Patient
Authors: Ha Kevin , Lewis Kathryn , Patel Vandan , Grinceri Jennifer
Published: June 2019

Background. Tick paralysis is a neurotoxic tick-borne illness that causes ascending paralysis and may lead to respiratory failure. Patients often undergo extensive testing and prolonged hospitalization before the proper diagnosis is reached. Case Presentation. An 88-year-old man with dementia and dyslipidemia presented with new onset gait instability and was admitted for suspected cerebellar stroke. Exam was significant for the inability to perform tandem gait. Investigations included comprehensive metabolic panel, complete blood count, and noncontrast CT scan; none of them found any evidence of acute pathology. Two days into admission, a tick with surrounding erythema was found on the patient’s left lateral chest during bathing. Dramatic improvement in truncal ataxia was noted following tick extraction. Discussion. Clinical suspicion of tick paralysis is often low due to the rarity of the condition. Although it is imperative to rule out acute cerebral or cerebellar pathology, a thorough skin examination should be performed on admission in any patient with new onset ataxia and ascending paralysis. This can lead to early diagnosis, conservation of resources, and the avoidance of subjecting patients to invasive testing.
A Novel Role for Cathepsin S as a Potential Biomarker in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Wilkinson Richard D. A. , Burden Roberta E. , McDowell Sara H. , McArt Darragh G. , McQuaid Stephen , Bingham Victoria , Williams Rich , Cox Órla T. , O’Connor Rosemary , McCabe Nuala , Kennedy Richard D. , Buckley Niamh E. , Scott Christopher J.
Published: June 2019

Cathepsin S (CTSS) has previously been implicated in a number of cancer types, where it is associated with poor clinical features and outcome. To date, patient outcome in breast cancer has not been examined with respect to this protease. Here, we carried out immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of CTSS using a breast cancer tissue microarray in patients who received adjuvant therapy. We scored CTSS expression in the epithelial and stromal compartments and evaluated the association of CTSS expression with matched clinical outcome data. We observed differences in outcome based on CTSS expression, with stromal-derived CTSS expression correlating with a poor outcome and epithelial CTSS expression associated with an improved outcome. Further subtype characterisation revealed high epithelial CTSS expression in TNBC patients with improved outcome, which remained consistent across two independent TMA cohorts. Furtherin silicogene expression analysis, using both in-house and publicly available datasets, confirmed these observations and suggested high CTSS expression may also be beneficial to outcome in ER-/HER2+ cancer. Furthermore, high CTSS expression was associated with the BL1 Lehmann subgroup, which is characterised by defects in DNA damage repair pathways and correlates with improved outcome. Finally, analysis of matching IHC analysis reveals an increased M1 (tumour destructive) polarisation in macrophage in patients exhibiting high epithelial CTSS expression. In conclusion, our observations suggest epithelial CTSS expression may be prognostic of improved outcome in TNBC. Improved outcome observed with HER2+ at the gene expression level furthermore suggests CTSS may be prognostic of improved outcome in ER- cancers as a whole. Lastly, from the context of these patients receiving adjuvant therapy and as a result of its association with BL1 subgroup CTSS may be elevated in patients with defects in DNA damage repair pathways, indicating it may be predictive of tumour sensitivity to DNA damaging agents.
Effects of Parasitic Fractional Elements to the Dynamics of Memristor
Authors: Banchuin Rawid
Published: June 2019

In this research, we study the effects of the parasitic fractional elements to the dynamic of the memristor where both flux- and charge-controlled memristors have been considered. For doing so, the fractional differential equation-based approach has been used for modeling the memristor and the memristor-based circuits under the effects of the parasitic fractional elements where the resulting equations have been solved both analytically and numerically. From the obtained solutions and simulations, the effects of the parasitic fractional elements to the dynamic of the memristor have been studied. We have found that the parasitic fractional elements cause the charge and flux decay of the memristor similarly to the conventional parasitic elements. Moreover, the impasse points of the phase portraits between flux and charge of the memristor-based circuits can also be broken by the parasitic fractional elements. The effects of the order and the nonlinearity of the parasitic fractional elements have also been studied.
A Secure Data Sharing Scheme with Designated Server
Authors: Zhu Binrui , Sun Jiameng , Qin Jing , Ma Jixin
Published: June 2019

The cloud-assisted Internet of Things (CIoT) is booming, which utilizes powerful data processing capabilities of the cloud platform to solve massive Internet of Things (IoT) data. However, the CIoT faces new security challenges, such as the confidentiality of the outsourced data. Data encryption is a fundamental technique that can guarantee the confidentiality of outsourced data, but it limits target encrypted data retrieval from cloud platform. Public key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) provides a promising solution to address this problem. In PEKS, a cloud server can be authorized to search the keyword in encrypted documents and retrieve associated encrypted documents for the receiver. However, most existing PEKS schemes merely focus on keyword search function while ignoring the associated documents encryption/decryption function. Thus, in practice, a PEKS scheme must cooperate with another separated public key encryption (PKE) scheme to fulfill a completely secure data sharing scheme. To address this problem, in this paper, we propose a secure data sharing scheme with designated server that combines PKE scheme with PEKS scheme, which provides both keyword search and documents encryption/decryption functions. Furthermore, only the designated server can search the keyword via encrypted documents for enhanced security in our work. Moreover, our scheme also satisfies the public verifiability of search results, which includes both keywords and documents ciphertexts’ correctness and integrity. As to the security, our scheme provides stronger indistinguishability security of document and keyword in the proposed security model.
Explore Knowledge‐Sharing Strategy and Evolutionary Mechanism for Integrated Project Team Based on Evolutionary Game Model
Authors: Du Yanchao , Zhou Hengyu , Yuan Yongbo , Liu Xiaoxue
Published: June 2019

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has become increasingly popular in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. However, the current practice status by the construction industry fails to deliver the desired results. In that backdrop, how to promote cooperation within and improve the overall performance of integrated project team has received wide attention. Herein, knowledge‐sharing plays a critical role in cooperation and overall performance. However, to the best of our knowledge, the research on knowledge‐sharing strategy interaction and evolutionary mechanism is rare. To make up for the deficiency of the studies existing, a novel model is proposed by taking advantage of evolutionary game theory, to capture the interaction behavior of knowledge‐sharing and explore its evolutionary mechanism. Six parameters of knowledge stock, knowledge‐sharing degree, heterogeneous knowledge proportion, synergy effect, knowledge absorption coefficient, and knowledge‐sharing cost efficient that are critical to knowledge‐sharing are extracted and defined. The payoff matrix is constructed by analyzing the benefits and costs of knowledge‐sharing. Then, a replicator dynamic system is established based on payoff matrix, to determine the evolutionary tendency of knowledge‐sharing behavior. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted to explore the influences of all parameters on the knowledge‐sharing strategy. The findings in this research reveal that strategy interaction behavior is significantly influenced by proportion of strategy of choosing to share knowledge in both game players. The authors also find that strategy interaction behavior has a strong negative correlation with knowledge‐sharing cost efficient, but has a positive correlation with knowledge stock, heterogeneous knowledge proportion, degree of knowledge‐sharing, knowledge absorption coefficient, and synergetic effect coefficient. This research can provide the evolutionary mechanism and broaden our understanding of relationship between project performance and knowledge‐sharing and can offer valuable guidance on improving cooperation and performance of project teams.