bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Nondestructive Testing of Wire Rope Using Image Super‐Resolution Method and AdaBoost Classifier
Authors: Li Jigang , Zhang Juwei
Published: August 2019

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) detection is commonly employed to detect wire rope defects. However, nondestructive testing (NDT) of a wire rope still has problems. A wire rope nondestructive testing device based on a double detection board is designed to solve the problems of large volume, complex operations, and limited circumferential resolution due to sensor size in traditional devices. The device adopts two magnetic sensor arrays to form the double detection board and collects the MFL data of the magnetized wire rope. These sensors on the double detection board are staggered and evenly arranged on the circumference of the wire rope. A super‐resolution algorithm based on interpolation uses non‐subsampled shearlet transform (NSST) combining principal component analysis (PCA) and Gaussian fuzzy logic (GFL) and fuses the data of double detection board to improve the resolution and quality of defect images. Image quality measurement and comparison experiments are designed to verify that defect images are effectively enhanced. An AdaBoost classifier is designed to classify defects by texture features and invariant moments of defect images. The experimental results show that the detection device not only improves the circumferential resolution, but also the operation is simple; the resolution and quality of the defect images are improved by the proposed super‐resolution algorithm, and defects are identified by using the AdaBoost classifier.
Computational Studies on the Molecule 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-5-Fluorouracil in Gas Phase and Aqueous Solution and Prediction of Its Confinement inside Capped Nanotubes
Authors: Tadjouteu Assatse Y. , Ejuh G. W. , Tchoffo F. , Ndjaka J. M. B.
Published: August 2019

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on a fluorouracil derivative at the B3LYP/6−31+G(d) level. Furthermore, the ONIOM method was performed to investigate the possibility of its confinement inside capped nanotubes. The results found of the structural parameters of the optimized molecule are in good agreement with experimental data. The analysis of thermodynamic properties leads us to predict that the confinement of the studied molecule inside capped nanotubes SWCNT(12,0), SWCNT(14,0), and SWCNT(16,0) is possible. The largeEgvalues found suggest a good stability for the studied molecule. The predicted nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the studied molecule are much greater than those of urea. Thereby, it is a good candidate as second-order NLO material. The calculated∆Gsolvalues suggest that the studied molecule is more soluble than the 5-FU molecule. The results of quantum molecular descriptors show that the studied molecule is hard electrophile and strongly reactive.
Invasive Pleomorphic-Type Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast Presenting as a Mucinous Carcinoma
Authors: Baig A. , Omeroglu-Altinel G. , Omeroglu A.
Published: August 2019

Invasive mucinous carcinoma of the breast is mostly associated with invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST) and sometimes with neuroendocrine type tumors such as solid papillary carcinoma. Extracellular mucin production in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge only 18 such cases have been described in the literature. Here we present a unique case of invasive pleomorphic-type lobular carcinoma (IPTLC) presenting as a mucinous carcinoma of the breast on core needle biopsy. Here we discuss the impact and ways to suspect such case.
Deficiency of Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist: A Case with Late Onset Severe Inflammatory Arthritis, Nail Psoriasis with Onychomycosis and Well Responsive to Adalimumab Therapy
Authors: Kutukculer Necil , Puel Anne , Eren Akarcan Sanem , Moriya Kunihiko , Edeer Karaca Neslihan , Migaud Melanie , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Aksu Guzide
Published: August 2019

DIRA (deficiency of the IL-1Ra) is a rare condition that usually presents in the neonatal period. Patients with DIRA present with systemic inflammation, respiratory distress, joint swelling, pustular rash, multifocal osteomyelitis, and periostitis. Previously, we reported a patient with a novel mutation in IL1RN with a healthy neonatal period, a late-onset of pustular dermatosis, inflammatory arthritis, and excellent response to canakinumab treatment. Herein, we are presenting a new case of late-onset DIRA syndrome, carrying a different mutation and showing different clinical findings. This patient is the first one in the literature with the inflammatory arthritis, nail psoriasis, and onychomycosis and with her remarkable response to monoclonal antibodies. The case responded well and fully recovered after treatment with adalimumab, but not with canakinumab. The DIRA disease can lead to death from multiple organ failures and if recognized early, the treatment with replacement of the deficient protein with biologic agents induces rapid and complete remission. Therefore, clinical symptoms should be learned exactly by the pediatricians, pediatric rheumatologists, and immunologists; and molecular analysis targeting this defect must be performed as early as possible.
Modelling the Effect of a Novel Autodissemination Trap on the Spread of Dengue in Shah Alam and Malaysia
Authors: Liang Y. , Ahmad Mohiddin M. N. , Bahauddin R. , Hidayatul F. O. , Nazni W. A. , Lee H. L. , Greenhalgh D.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we will start off by introducing the classical Ross–Macdonald model for vector-borne diseases which we use to describe the transmission of dengue between humans and Aedes mosquitoes in Shah Alam, which is a city and the state capital of Selangor, Malaysia. We will focus on analysing the effect of using the Mosquito Home System (MHS), which is an example of an autodissemination trap, in reducing the number of dengue cases by changing the Ross–Macdonald model. By using the national dengue data from Malaysia, we are able to estimate λ, which represents the initial growth rate of the dengue epidemic, and this allows us to estimate the number of mosquitoes in Malaysia. A mathematical expression is also constructed which allows us to estimate the potential number of breeding sites of Aedes mosquitoes. By using the data available from the MHS trial carried out in Section 15 of Shah Alam, we included the potential effect of the MHS into the dengue model and thus modelled the impact MHS has on the spread of dengue within the trial area. We then extended our results to analyse the effect of the MHSs on reducing the number of dengue cases in the whole of Malaysia. A new model was constructed with a basic reproduction number, R0,MalaMHS, which allows us to identify the required MHSs coverage needed to achieve extinction in Malaysia. Numerical simulations and tables of results were also produced to illustrate our results.
Exosomes in the Repair of Bone Defects: Next-Generation Therapeutic Tools for the Treatment of Nonunion
Authors: Lu Jian , Wang Qi-Yang , Sheng Jia-Gen
Published: August 2019

Nonunion with bone defects, a common complication after long bone fracture, is a major challenge for orthopaedic surgeons worldwide because of the high incidence rate and difficulties in achieving successful treatment. Bone defects are the main complications of nonunion. The conventional biological treatments for nonunion with bone defects involve the use of autologous bone grafts or bone graft substitutes and cell-based therapy. Traditional nonunion treatments have always been associated with safety issues and various other complications. Bone grafts have limited autologous cancellous bone and there is a risk of infection. Additionally, problems with bone graft substitutes, including rejection and stimulation of bone formation, have been noted, and the health of the stem cell niche is a major consideration in cell-based therapy. In recent years, researchers have found that exosomes can be used to deliver functional RNA and mediate cell-to-cell communication, suggesting that exosomes may repair bone defects by regulating cells and cytokines involved in bone metabolism. In this review, we highlight the possible relationships between risk factors for nonunion and exosomes. Additionally, we discuss the roles of exosomes in bone metabolism and bone regeneration.
A Risk‐Based Multisensor Optimization Scheduling Method for Target Threat Assessment
Authors: Zhang Yunpu , Shan Ganlin
Published: August 2019

The reasonable scheduling of multisensor systems to maximize combat benefits has become a research hotspot in the field of sensor management. To minimize the uncertainty in the threat level of targets and improve the survivability of sensors, a risk‐based multisensor scheduling method is proposed in this paper. In this scheduling problem, the best sensors are systematically selected to observe targets for the trade‐off between the threat assessment risk and the emission risk. First, the scheduling problem is modelled as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) for target threat assessment. Second, the calculation methods of the threat assessment risk and the emission risk are proposed to quantify the potential loss caused by the uncertainty in the threat level of targets and the emission of sensors. Then, a nonmyopic sensor scheduling objective function is built to minimize the total risk which is the weighted sum of the threat assessment risk and the emission risk. Furthermore, to solve the high complexity computational problem in optimization, a decision tree search algorithm based on branch pruning is designed. Finally, simulations are conducted, and the results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the searching time and memory consumption in optimization compared with those of traditional algorithms, and the proposed method has a better risk control effect than the existing sensor scheduling methods.
Advance Directives of German People with Parkinson’s Disease Are Unspecific in regard to Typical Complications
Authors: Klietz Martin , Öcalan Özlem , Schneider Nils , Dressler Dirk , Stiel Stephanie , Wegner Florian
Published: August 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder with an increased morbidity and mortality. People with PD (PwP) may suffer from decreased quality of life due to various motor and nonmotor symptoms. To a huge proportion, PwP have written an advance directive (AD); however, the content of these forms in regard to PD-specific complications is unclear. The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze ADs of PwP in Germany. ADs of PwP were analyzed in a German sample of members of the German PD patient association. Participants completed a questionnaire about their AD and sent a copy of their AD to the study center for detailed analyses. ADs were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed for general and PD-specific aspects and usefulness concerning treatment decisions. 82 PwP were included in the study, and in 76, an AD could be analyzed. Family members, notaries, lawyers, and general physicians mainly counseled writing of the ADs. 4 PwP consulted a neurologist to establish a specific AD for PD. In the analysis, ADs displayed a good specificity for general aspects, but they were unspecific to PD in the vast majority of cases. PwP should be encouraged to create an AD early in their disease and adapt it in the course of the disease. PD-specific aspects for an AD could be details in relation to dopaminergic therapies at the end of life, management of non-oral advanced therapies, neuropsychiatric symptoms, dementia, and swallowing disturbances.
A 37 mm Spindle Cell Lipoma on the Floor of the Mouth
Authors: Malthiery Eve , Costes-Martineau Valérie , Fauroux Marie-Alix , Torres Jacques-Henri
Published: August 2019

Spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is a rare variety of lipoma that mostly arises in male patients and rarely affects the oral cavity. The floor of the mouth is an uncommon site for SCL, and very few cases have been reported in this location. A case of SCL is reported in a 70-year-old woman who had noticed a swelling of the floor of the mouth without any functional consequence. Both ultrasonography and RMI suggested a diagnosis of ranula, whereas clinical palpation showed a nonfluctuant mass. The lesion was excised under local anesthesia. A 37×32 mm encapsulated yellow mass was removed. Histological features (mature adipocytes and CD34+ spindle cells) led to a diagnosis of SCL. Medical imaging assessment of this lesion could have been influenced by the high frequency of the ranulas in the floor of the mouth. This case appears to be quite infrequent because of its location (floor of the mouth), its size (over 3.5 cm), and the patient’s gender (female).
Human Milk Oligosaccharides: The Journey Ahead
Authors: Ray Chandan , Kerketta Joshi A. , Rao Subhash , Patel Snehal , Dutt Shantanu , Arora Kamal , Pournami Femitha , Bhushan Phani
Published: August 2019

Breast milk is a complex biological fluid that is rich in nutrients and bioactive agents that support the healthy growth and development of the newborns. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are unconjugated glycans that constitute an important component of the protection conferred by breast milk on the neonate. HMOs may act locally on the neonatal intestine by acting as signalling molecules and directly interacting with the host cells. Although fucosylated and sialylated HMOs have little nutritional value, they exert important prebiotic as well as immunomodulatory effects on the infant gut. However, there is heterogeneity in the quantity and quality of HMOs in breast milk produced by mothers under influence of the genetic and environmental factors. This review encompasses the salient aspects of HMOs such as composition, function, structural diversity, and functional impact on the growth and survival of newborns. In this review, the current knowledge on HMOs is contextualised to discuss the gaps in scientific understanding and the avenues for future research.
Management of Trazodone Overdose with Severe Hypotension
Authors: Camacho Luis David , Stearns Jack , Amini Richard
Published: August 2019

Trazodone is a medication that possesses antidepressant, anxiolytic, and hypnotic properties. Its mechanism of action includes blockade of serotonin type 2 receptors, weak inhibition of serotonin reuptake, blockade of histamine 1 receptors, and blockade of alpha-1-adrenergic receptors. We present a case of intentional ingestion of an estimated 2500 mg of trazodone leading to persistent hypotension, requiring aggressive fluid resuscitation, pressor support, and intensive care unit admission. Complications associated with trazodone overdoses are significant and clinicians should be aware of the associated symptoms and necessary management plans necessary for such ingestions.
Alda-1 Prevents Pulmonary Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction following Severe Hemorrhagic Shock through Clearance of Reactive Aldehydes
Authors: Hua Tianfeng , Yang Min , Zhou Yangyang , Chen Limin , Wu Huimei , Liu Rongyu
Published: August 2019

Severe hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) can lead to lung injury, resulting in respiratory insufficiency. We investigated whether treatment with Alda-1, an ALDH2 activator, decreased lung injury induced by severe HS/R in a rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups, hemorrhagic shock + placebo, hemorrhagic shock + Alda-1, and sham. All animals were heparinized, and then 50% of the total calculated blood volume was collected over 60 minutes. After 40 minutes of hemorrhagic shock, animals were reinfused with the shed blood over 40 minutes and then observed for an additional 2 hours. Concentrations of 4-HNE, TNF-α, IL-6, and ALDH2 activity were detected; lung injury and lung wet-to-dry weight ratios were assessed. Expression of occludin and ZO-1 proteins in lung tissues was also determined. At 2 hours after resuscitation, lung injury was significantly reduced and the wet-to-dry weight ratio was notably decreased in the Alda-1 group compared with placebo (P<0.05). Alda-1 treatment also significantly increased the activity of ALDH2 and decreased the levels of toxic 4-HNE (P<0.05). In the Alda-1 group, IL-6 and TNF-αwere dramatically decreased compared with placebo-treated animals (P<0.05). Expression of occludin and ZO-1 proteins was significantly decreased in the placebo group compared with the Alda-1 group (P<0.05). Thus, in a rat model of severe HS/R, treatment with Alda-1 increased the activity of ALDH2, significantly accelerated the clearance of reactive aldehydes, and concomitantly alleviated lung injury through improvement of pulmonary epithelial barrier integrity resulting in decreased alveolar epithelial tissue permeability, lung edema, and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells.
Comparison of Trace Elements in High-Molecular-Mass Multiprotein Complex and in Female Milk from Which It Was Obtained
Authors: Soboleva Svetlana E. , Zaksas Natalia P. , Nevinsky Georgy A.
Published: August 2019

Background. Many biological processes are performed by different protein complexes. During the association of proteins and enzymes forming specific complexes, the latter can include ions of various metal ions, which may be important for their formation and biological function. Objective of the Studies. However, to date in the literature there are no data on metal ions that are part of any protein complexes. Methods. A very stable multiprotein complex (~1000±100 kDa) was separated from other proteins of nine samples of female milk by gel filtration on Sepharose 4B. The content of microelements in the stable multiprotein complex and milk was analyzed using two-jet plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Results. The content of different elements in milk on average decreased in the order: Ca>P>Mg>Al≥Zn≥Fe>Cu >B (0.76–3500 μg/g of dry milk powder), while the content of some elements was very low (Sr>Mn>Cr>Ba>Pb>Ag>Ni>Cd, <0.03–0.5 μg/g). The content of eight elements in stable multiprotein complex was 1.2-9.6-fold higher than in milk and increased in the order: Ca≈Mg<P<Al<Fe<Pb<Ba<Cr<CdB (19.7)>Ag (28.7)>Ni (38)≥Sr (110). Conclusions. The analysis of the relative content of sixteen elements in human milk and oligomeric complexes of proteins was performed for the first time. Data on the content of metals indicate that during the formation of protein which associates the increase in the content of metal ions bound with proteins of the complex can occur. Such metal ions can be important for the formation and biological function of protein complexes.
Management of Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Optic Disc Melanocytoma with Intravitreal Aflibercept: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hamza Hany S. , Moussa Magdy , Elhusseiny Abdelrahman M.
Published: August 2019

Purpose. To report a rare case of melanocytoma associated choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal aflibercept. Methods. We reviewed the literature for the previous reports and different methods of treatment. Results. Optic disc melanocytoma has been considered as a benign melanocytic tumor that rarely affects vision. There is evidence in the literature of association between choroidal neovascular membrane and disc melanocytoma. Conclusions. In conclusion, our article provides a review of literature of such a rare association in which the ophthalmologists must be aware of its occurrence and possible ways of management.
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in Patients with Unusual Features
Authors: Mohaidat Ziyad M. , Al-gharaibeh Salah R. , Aljararhih Osama N. , Nusairat Murad T. , Al-omari Ali A.
Published: August 2019

Objectives. Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign but locally aggressive tumor. It has several challenging features. The aim of this study is to identify challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of ABC especially in patients with unusual features. Methods. This retrospective study involved medical record review of primary ABC patients with one or more of the following features: unusual clinical presentation with a mass or a pathological fracture especially at an unusual age, rare locations, radiological findings suggesting other diagnoses especially sarcoma, and a nondiagnostic histopathology of biopsy samples. Results. 25 patients (17 males and 8 females) were included. Most patients were either younger than 10 or older than 20 years. 10 patients presented with a mass or a pathological fracture. Unusual locations include the scapula, the olecranon, the hamate, the calcaneus, and the first metatarsal bone. Extension into the epiphysis occurred in 2 patients with proximal fibula and olecranon ABCs. Two separate synchronous cysts existed in the proximal epiphysis and middiaphysis of one humerus. Radiological imaging suggested other primary diagnoses in 8 patients. Core needle biopsy was diagnostic in only 2 of 7 patients. The main treatment was intralesional resection/curettage with bone grafting. Wide resection was performed in 4 patients. Recurrence rate was 28%. Recurrence risk factors included the following: age less than 10 years, male gender, and proximal femur location. Late recurrence occurred in 3/7 patients. One patient with asymptomatic radiological recurrence showed subsequent spontaneous resolution one year later. Conclusions. This study presented multiple unusual features of ABC including: unusual age, rare locations, and nondiagnostic radiological and histopathological findings. These features can complicate the diagnosis and management. Given these features, especially with pathological fractures, a well-planned incision, the use of frozen section examination, and the application of either external fixation or plate osteosynthesis for fracture fixation can be recommended.
All-Optical VCSEL-to-VCSEL Injection Based on Cross Gain Modulation for Routing in Multinode Flexible Spectrum Optimization in Optical Fibre Transmission Links
Authors: Dlamini P. P. , Isoe G. M. , Kiboi Boiyo D. , Leitch A. W. R. , Gibbon T. B.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we experimentally present a novel, all-optical spectral efficient vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser- (VCSEL-) based technique for routing and spectrum assignment in optical networks. Exploiting all optical VCSEL-to-VCSEL injection to attain cross gain modulation, the optical transmitter is optimized for optical transmission paths to assure quality of service by overcoming blockage for differentiated bandwidth demands during network congestion incidences. A 10 Gbps directly modulated 1549 nm master VCSEL is optically injected into the 1549 nm side modes of a 1550 nm slave VCSEL. The Shannon limit is considered for higher transmission rates with the problem decomposed into degraded routing and spectrum assignment and chromatic dispersion in the optical transmission link penalties. In this work, the proposed technique achieved a 1.3 dB penalty for transmission over a 25 km G.655 nonzero dispersion-shifted single-mode optical fibre, a value within the transmission media and optical system characteristics of 3 dB as recommended by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication (ITU-T). The number of transceivers, switches, and optical transmission links in the network was reduced, increasing the number of satisfied bandwidth requests, thus optimizing the spectral resource utilization.
Developing Train Station Parking Algorithms: New Frameworks Based on Fuzzy Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Li Wei , Xian Kai , Yin Jiateng , Chen Dewang
Published: August 2019

Train station parking (TSP) accuracy is important to enhance the efficiency of train operation and the safety of passengers for urban rail transit. However, TSP is always subject to a series of uncertain factors such as extreme weather and uncertain conditions of rail track resistances. To increase the parking accuracy, robustness, and self-learning ability, we propose new train station parking frameworks by using the reinforcement learning (RL) theory combined with the information of balises. Three algorithms were developed, involving a stochastic optimal selection algorithm (SOSA), a Q-learning algorithm (QLA), and a fuzzy function based Q-learning algorithm (FQLA) in order to reduce the parking error in urban rail transit. Meanwhile, five braking rates are adopted as the action vector of the three algorithms and some statistical indices are developed to evaluate parking errors. Simulation results based on real-world data show that the parking errors of the three algorithms are all within the ±30cm, which meet the requirement of urban rail transit.
Usage of Reclaimed Asphalt Material in Stone Mastic Asphalt
Authors: Hyzl Petr , Dasek Ondrej , Coufalikova Iva , Varaus Michal , Stehlik Dusan
Published: August 2019

The paper focuses on the issue of using reclaimed asphalt (RA) in asphalt mixtures used for highly traffic-loaded asphalt pavements—in asphalt mixtures of the stone mastic asphalt (SMA) type. It is a skeleton-type mixture, where the traffic load is bore by a skeleton of coarse aggregates bonded with mastic (i.e., bitumen and fine aggregates). It is therefore essential to pay close attention to the properties of this coarse aggregate. Higher demands on properties of the aggregate are probably due to the fact that RA is not currently being used in SMA-type mixtures. Most standards do not allow usage of RA in this type of mixtures. Given that traffic load of road networks is constantly increasing, the ratio of SMA-type asphalt mixtures also increases in the road network. This paper presents results of 5-year research focused on the possibility of using RA in SMA-type asphalt mixtures. This included laboratory design of these mixtures with various dosages and types of RA. Their empirical and functional properties were verified. Based on the positive results of the laboratory testing, a test section was subsequently constructed using several variants of the mixtures containing up to 50% of RA. This test section is regularly being monitored, and despite very intense traffic load, there are no failures apparent after 2 and half years of operation. Based on the laboratory research and subsequent construction and monitoring of a test section, it can be said that RA can be used in SMA-type mixtures without any negative impacts on functional properties or mixture lifetime.
Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry Detection of Odor Fingerprint as Markers of Rapeseed Oil Refined Grade
Authors: Chen Tong , Qi Xingpu , Chen Mingjie , Chen Bin
Published: August 2019

In this work, gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) was used to analyze the volatile organic compound changes of rapeseed oil with different refined grades, the odor fingerprints of refined rapeseed oil were constructed, and a nonlinear model was built to realize rapid and accurate discrimination of rapeseed oil with different refined grades. 124 rapeseed oil samples with different refined grades were collected and analyzed by GC-IMS and chemometric tools, and 34 characteristic peaks were selected by the colorized difference method as variables to characterize the internal quality in rapeseed oil of different refined grades. The principal component analysis algorithm was used to further reduce dimensionality and extract the most relevant information. The k-nearest neighbor algorithm was applied to build a discriminant model. All the samples were recognized accurately without errors, and the results show the potential of this method to discriminate different refined grades of vegetable oil.
Match of Negative Stiffness and Viscous Damping in a Passive Damper for Cable Vibration Control
Authors: Zhou Peng , Fang Qinghe
Published: August 2019

Match of negative stiffness and viscous damping in a passive negative stiffness damper (NSD) is studied for the vibration control of stay cables in this paper. At first, a discrete model of the stay cable with an NSD attached perpendicularly near the support is established. Under sinusoidal excitations, forced responses of the system are derived theoretically, which results in an asymptotic form for the additional modal damping ratios. Then, experimental results are presented to verify the discrete model and the corresponding theoretical derivations. Subsequently, numerical analysis is performed further to show the optimal match of negative stiffness and viscous damping, which is a function of the attachment location. The energy dissipated by the NSD and the cable energy are analyzed, thereby demonstrating the change trend of the additional modal damping ratios. Moreover, the energy distribution along the cable is investigated to reveal the effect of the negative stiffness and viscous damping. This study demonstrates the control mechanism of negative stiffness and viscous damping in the passive damper and is of practical significance for designing the optimal match of the damper parameters for cable vibration control.
Noniterative Three-Dimensional Location Estimation Using Azimuth and Elevation Measurements at Multiple Locations
Authors: Paik Ji Woong , Lee Joon-Ho
Published: August 2019

Closed-form expression of three-dimensional emitter location estimation using azimuth and elevation measurements at multiple locations is presented in this paper. The three-dimensional location estimate is obtained from three-dimensional sensor locations and the azimuth and elevation measurements at each sensor location. Since the formulation is not iterative, it is not computationally intensive and does not need initial location estimate. Numerical results are presented to show the validity of the proposed scheme.
Can We Use Home Sleep Testing for the Evaluation of Sleep Apnea in Obese Pregnant Women?
Authors: Facco Francesca L. , Lopata Victoria , Wolsk Jennifer M. , Patel Sanjay , Wisniewski Stephen R.
Published: August 2019

Objective. To evaluate the performance of a type III home sleep testing (HST) monitor including its autoscoring algorithm, in a population of obese pregnant women. Methods. This was an ancillary study of an ongoing prospective study of obese (BMI of ≥30) pregnant women. For the primary study, women undergo serial in-lab polysomnograms (PSG) during pregnancy. Sleep apnea was defined as an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥ 5 events/hour. A subgroup of women were asked to wear an ApneaLink HST device for 1 night, within 2 weeks of a late pregnancy PSG (≥ 28 weeks’ gestation). The AHI obtained from PSG was compared to the AHI from the HST via autoscoring (HST-auto) as well as the AHI via technician scoring (HST-tech). We calculated Shrout Fleiss Fixed correlation coefficients (ICC) and looked at positive-positive and negative-negative agreement. Results. 43 women were recruited and we obtained 30 valid HST. The mean PSH AHI was 3.3 (±3.2, range 0.5-16.6). Six (20%) women had a positive PSG study. ICCs were 0.78 for HST-auto versus HST-tech, 0.76 for HST-auto versus PSG, and 0.70 for HST-tech versus PSG. Categorical agreement was also strong, with 24/30 (80.0%) for HST-auto versus HST-tech, 25/30 (83.3%) for HST-auto versus PSG, and 23/30 (76.7%) for HST-tech versus PSG. Conclusion. In obese women evaluated in late pregnancy, we found relatively high intraclass correlation and categorical agreement among HST-auto scores, HST-tech scores, and in-lab PSG results obtained within a two-week window. These results suggest that HST may be used to screen pregnant women for OSA.
Self-Assessment of Hygiene Practices towards Predictive and Preventive Medicine Intervention: A Case Study of University Students in Ghana
Authors: Odonkor Stephen T. , Kitcher Jones , Okyere Mavis , Mahami Tahiru
Published: August 2019

Introduction. Personal hygiene is essential to the current paradigm shift towards predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine, which enables the prediction and prevention of infectious disease outbreaks. Objective. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the personal hygiene practices among university students aiming at providing a basis for preventive and predictive medical interventions and to make future efforts improve target interventions for young people. Methods. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study. Validated instruments that related personal hygiene practices were used to obtain quantitative data from 412 tertiary students from seven universities in Accra, Ghana. The resulting data were analyzed with IBM-SPSS, version 23. Results. There were more female respondents (54.4%) in the study than male respondents (45.6%). Respondents between the age group of 19-24 years constituted majority (59.7%) of the respondents in the study. Respondents from urban areas exhibited good hygiene practice compared to those from urban residences. There was a significant association between residence and hygiene practice (χ2=17.8, P≤0.001). We also observed that those respondents within the upper class in society had a poor hygiene practice, compared to the Lower Class and Middle Class respondents. Lack of education (63.1%) was observed as the main barrier to personal hygiene among the respondents. Future of the society depends on the health of its youth. Conclusion. A significant number of students are not actively practicing good hygiene. There is a need for deployment of preventive medicine interventions targeted at young people. It calls for improvement in methods of hygiene education for young people in tertiary institutions and the inclusion of hygiene in school curricula.
Emergent Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Delirium in the ICU
Authors: White Peter , Faingold Carl L.
Published: August 2019

We present a case of serious antidepressant discontinuation syndrome (ADDS) in a 72- year-old woman in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although this syndrome may be mild under ambulatory conditions, ICU patients can experience serious neurocognitive symptoms that are difficult to differentiate from delirium. We report delayed recognition of the ADDS in a patient in the ICU who was initially diagnosed with severe hyperactive delirium. Subsequent to hiatal hernia surgery, the patient was admitted to the ICU for aspiration and was intubated. Due to increasing agitation the patient received high doses of dexmedetomidine, fentanyl, midazolam, and propofol. The patient was treated with high doses of a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant, duloxetine, for 2 years. However, the antidepressant was not effectively administered postsurgically due to gastroparesis. The signs and symptoms of ADDS can occur cryptogenically if they are partially masked by sedating agents. Due to concern for the discontinuation syndrome and the inability to administer duloxetine via a nasogastric tube, another SNRI, venlafaxine, was administered. Venlafaxine administration allowed unexpectedly prompt dose reduction and then total discontinuation of all sedating agents, allowing liberation from mechanical ventilation and ICU discharge. This case illustrates the importance of avoiding antidepressant discontinuation in the ICU.
A Neural Network-Inspired Approach for Improved and True Movie Recommendations
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad , Bajwa Imran Sarwar , Ul-Amin Riaz , Kasi Bakhtiar
Published: August 2019

In the last decade, sentiment analysis, opinion mining, and subjectivity of microblogs in social media have attracted a great deal of attention of researchers. Movie recommendation systems are the tools, which provide valuable services to the users. The data available online are growing gradually because the online activities of users or viewers are increasing day by day. Because of this, big data, analytics, and computational issues have raised. Therefore, we have to improve recommendations services upon the traditional one to make the recommendation system significant and efficient. This article presents the solution for these issues by producing the significant and efficient recommendation services using multivariates (ratings, votes, Twitter likes, and reviews) of movies from multiple external resources which are fetched by the web bot and managed by the Apache Hadoop framework in a distributed manner. Reviews are analyzed by a deep semantic analyzer based on the recurrent neural network (RNN/LSTM attention) with user movie attention (UMA) to produce the emotion. The proposed recommender evaluates multivariates and produces a more significant movie recommendation list according to the taste of the user on a mobile app in an efficient way.
Atmospheric Sounding from Fengyun-3C GPS Radio Occultation Observations: First Results and Validation
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Gao Chao , Li Junhai
Published: August 2019

Carrying global positioning system (GPS) radio occultation (RO) receiver, Chinese meteorological satellite Fengyun-3C (FY-3C) was launched on September 23, 2013, which provides new observation data for observations and studies of weather and climate change. In this paper, the results of FY-3C GPS RO atmospheric sounding are presented for the first time, including high-order ionospheric correction, atmospheric parameters estimation, and evaluation by COSMIC and radiosonde observations as well as applications in estimating gravity wave activities. It is found that the effect of the ionospheric correction residual on the phase delay is below 20 mm, which has minimal impact on bending angle estimation and generates differences of about 1 K in the average temperature profile. The difference between FY-3C and COSMIC temperatures at all heights is within 1°C, and the tropopause temperature and height have a good consistency. Deviations from Radiosonde measurements are within 2°C, and the tropopause temperature and height results also have a strong consistency. Furthermore, global gravity wave potential energy is estimated from FY-3C GPS RO, exhibiting similar behavior to results derived from COSMIC radio occultation measurements. The mean value of the gravity wave potential energy near the equator is 10 J/kg and decreases toward the two poles while in the northern hemisphere, it is stronger than that in the southern hemisphere.
Characteristics and Driving Mechanism of Soil Organic Carbon Content in Farmland of Beijing Plain: Implication for the Fate of Engineered Polymers in Soil
Authors: Zhang Lanlan , Li Zhen , Zhang Shiwen , Xia Shasha , Zou Hongguang , Huang Yuanfang
Published: August 2019

Soil organic matter (SOM), as a kind of natural polymers, affects the migration and transport of ions and particles in soil system due to its surface characteristics and interaction and then causes significant changes in soil quality such as soil fertility loss and pollutant transfer. It is of great importance to study the temporal and spatial evolution of soil organic matter and its driving mechanism for soil health management. This study aims to fully reveal the evolution characteristics and driving mechanism of soil organic carbon (SOC) in farmland of the Beijing plain based on a six-year site monitoring. According to the research results, there is a significant difference in the overall soil organic content during the 6-year period. The temporal stability of SOC is moderate, and it is inversely proportional to SOC content in terms of spatial distribution. SOC content increases as organic fertilizer input rises, and an extra unit (15 kg·ha−1) of organic fertilizer input leads to an increase of 0.057 g·kg−1 in SOC content. The soil with higher clay content exhibits higher SOC content. The organic carbon content in different soil texture types increases with time, and there is a significant difference between the increases in medium loam and light loam. The grain field plantation system exhibited declining SOC content, while the protected vegetable fields, open vegetable fields, and orchards all showed an increase in SOC content. According to our results, the SOC content of farmland in the plain areas of Beijing is largely dependent on the input of organic carbon if other conditions remain unchanged or exhibit insignificant changes.
Leclercia adecarboxylata Cholecystitis with Septic Shock in Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Merza Nooraldin , Lung John , Taha Ahmed , Qasim Ahmed , Frost Jill , Naguib Tarek
Published: August 2019

L. adecarboxylata is a Gram-negative rod previously named Escherichia adecarboxylata, isolated as normal flora in the gut of animals including human stool. Most reported cases refer to immunocompromised patients with polymicrobial infections and water environments. Here we present a case of 51-year-old immunocompetent female presented with nausea, vomiting, malaise, and subjective fever for few days. On examination, she was drowsy but arousable and oriented to person, place, time, and situation. Her abdomen was tender globally and more tender in the epigastric area. Vitals showed a temperature of 37°C, pulse of 110 beats/min, blood pressure of 75/50 mmHg, and oxygen saturation of 91% on room air. An HIV panel and hepatitis panel were negative. Liver and gallbladder ultrasound was performed, revealing multiple nonmobile stones with shadowing noted within the gallbladder sac, a thickened gallbladder wall, and a moderate amount of pericholecystic fluid. Broad spectrum antibiotics, crystalloid fluids, and vasopressors were initiated. A few hours after admission she developed respiratory failure for which she underwent endotracheal intubation. An ultrasound guided gallbladder drain was performed. Culture of the biliary fluid yielded pure growth of pan-sensitive L. adecarboxylata; antibiotics were narrowed accordingly. The patient was on the maximum doses of vasopressin, norepinephrine, and epinephrine with a blood pressure of 75/45 and a mean arterial pressure of 51. She passed away on the fourth day of admission.
Linear (t,n) Secret Sharing Scheme with Reduced Number of Polynomials
Authors: Phiri Kenan Kingsley , Kim Hyunsung
Published: August 2019

Threshold secret sharing is concerned with the splitting of a secret into n shares and distributing them to some persons without revealing its information. Any t ≤ n persons possessing the shares have the ability to reconstruct the secret, but any persons less than t cannot do the reconstruction. Linear secret sharing scheme is an important branch of secret sharing. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new polynomial based linear (t, n) secret sharing scheme, which is based on Shamir’s secret sharing scheme and ElGamal cryptosystem. Firstly, we withdraw some required properties of secret sharing scheme after reviewing the related schemes and ElGamal cryptosystem. The designed scheme provides the properties of security for the secret, recoverability of the secret, privacy of the secret, and cheating detection of the forged shares. It has half computation overhead than the previous linear scheme.
Cardiogenic Shock due to Kounis Syndrome following Cobra Bite
Authors: Priyankara W. D. D. , Manoj E. M. , Gunapala A. , Ranaweera A. G. R. M. A. , Vithanage K. S. , Sivasubramanium M. , Snajeeva E.
Published: August 2019

Kounis syndrome is associated with mast cell activation resulting in acute coronary syndrome secondary to an allergic insult. Various drugs such as antibiotics, analgesics, and environmental exposures such as bee, wasp sting, and poison ivy are known to induce Kounis syndrome. A 68-year-old man admitted with a cobra bite on both hands to emergency care unit and sustained cardiorespiratory arrest. Electrocardiogram, taken 6 hours after the cardiac arrest, showed ST elevations in leads V2 to V5 suggestive of anterior ST elevation myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Serum Troponin was 10 ng/ml (control= <0.5). Serum IgE levels were significantly high (19155IU/ml, baseline 100). 2-Dimensional echocardiogram showed anterior and apical-septal hypokinesia with left ventricular ejection fraction of 30-35%. Coronary angiogram was normal. He remained hypotensive requiring inotropic and vasopressor support during ICU stay. This was a case of Kounis syndrome leading to cardiogenic shock secondary to Cobra (naja naja) bite. This is the only reported case of cobra bite causing Kounis syndrome and cardiogenic shock. Identification of the cause of myocardial infarction in snake envenomation is useful in the management as some of the drugs like adrenaline, morphine, and beta blockers may worsen the clinical syndrome if it is due to Kounis syndrome.
Osteomyelitis of the Mandible Caused by Late Fracture following Third Molar Extraction
Authors: Yamamoto Shinsuke , Taniike Naoki , Yamashita Daisuke , Takenobu Toshihiko
Published: August 2019

The common postoperative complications of the extraction of third molars are frequently reported; however, reports about osteomyelitis of the mandible caused by late fracture following third molar extraction are rare. Here, we report a case of osteomyelitis of the mandible caused by late fracture following third molar extraction. A 38-year-old Japanese man was referred to the surgery department with chief complaints of dull pain and swelling in the right masseteric region and paresthesia of his lower lip and mental region in March 2018. A family dentist removed his lower third molar in the right side in January 2018. When the patient was chewing an innards stew 23 days after the procedure, he heard a cracking sound from the right mandible. Thus, we diagnosed the patient as having osteomyelitis of the mandible caused by late fracture following third molar extraction and performed sequestrectomy and curettage under general anesthesia in April 2018. In conclusion, it is necessary to recognize the possibility that late fracture following third molar extraction can cause osteomyelitis. Furthermore, once osteomyelitis of the mandible caused by late fracture occurred, early and appropriate treatment is necessary because the osteomyelitis may progress rapidly and in some cases may result in pathological fracture.
Quantum Oscillations and Chiral Anomaly in a Bi0.96Sb0.04 Single Crystal
Authors: Xu Gongqin , de Visser Anne , Huang Yingkai , Mao Xingyu
Published: August 2019

Bi1-xSbx alloys are of special significance in topological insulator research. Here we focus on the Bi0.96Sb0.04 alloy in which the conduction band edge just touches the valence band edge. Transport measurements show quantum oscillations in the longitudinal (Shubnikov–de Haas effect) and transverse magnetoresistance originating from a spheroidal Fermi surface pocket. Further investigation of the longitudinal magnetoresistance for the magnetic field parallel to the electrical current shows a small nonmonotonic magnetoresistance that is attributed to a competition of weak-antilocalization effects and a topological term related to the chiral anomaly.