bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of injuries and factors related to injuries in combat soldiers
Authors: Yavnai Nirit , Bar-Sela S , Pantanowitz M , Funk S , Waddington G , Simchas L , Svorai-Litvak S , Steinberg N
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Musculoskeletal injuries to the lower extremities are major factors contributing to drop out from military tasks. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries and the parameters that differentiate between the soldiers who incurred these injuries and those who did not along 14 weeks of an infantry commanders course.

Methods

One-hundred and sixty-eight participants were recruited from an infantry commanders course. The soldiers were tested before (pre), in the middle (middle) and at the end (last) of the course for anthropometric measurements, proprioceptive ability and dynamic postural balance (DPB), and filled out an ankle stability questionnaire (Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). A physiotherapist followed and recorded all musculoskeletal injuries incurred by the participants during the course.

Results

Fifty-eight participants out of the 168 (34.5%) reported some pain/injury. Time effects were found for body mass index, DPB asymmetry, DPB in posterior-medial (P-M) direction and proprioception ability. Injury effects were found for DPB asymmetry, DPB in P-M direction, CAIT and proprioception ability. An interaction was found for proprioception ability. The Cox regression showed that the variables that are mostly effecting injuries were pretesting proprioception ability, DPB asymmetry and CAIT.

Conclusions

More than one out of three participants incurred musculoskeletal injuries, with deficits in proprioception ability, DPB and ankle stability in pretesting as major factors contributing to injuries. Further studies should look at the effect of specific exercises such as proprioception, DPB and ankle stability exercises for prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries among combat soldiers.
Augmenting prehospital care
Authors: Glick Yuval , Avital B , Oppenheimer J , Nahman D , Wagnert-Avraham L , Eisenkraft A , Dym L , Levi D , Agur A , Gustus B , Furer A
Published: February 2020

Introduction

The challenging environment of prehospital casualty care demands providers to make prompt decisions and to engage in lifesaving interventions, occasionally without them being adequately experienced. Telementoring based on augmented reality (AR) devices has the potential to decrease the decision time and minimise the distance gap between an experienced consultant and the first responder. The purpose of this study was to determine whether telementoring with AR glasses would affect chest thoracotomy performance and self-confidence of inexperienced trainees.

Methods

Two groups of inexperienced medical students performed a chest thoracotomy in an ex vivo pig model. While one group was mentored remotely using HoloLens AR glasses, the second performed the procedure independently. An observer assessed the trainees’ performance. In addition, trainees and mentors evaluated their own performance.

Results

Quality of performance was found to be superior with remote guidance, without significant prolongation of the procedure (492 s vs 496 s, p=0.943). Moreover, sense of self-confidence among participant was substantially improved in the telementoring group in which 100% of the participants believed the procedure was successful compared with 40% in the control group (p=0.035).

Conclusion

AR devices may have a role in future prehospital telementoring systems, to provide accessible consultation for first responders, and could thus positively affect the provider's confidence in decision-making, enhance procedure performance and ultimately improve patient prognosis. That being said, future studies are required to estimate full potential of this technology and additional adjustments are necessary for maximal optimisation and implementation in the field of prehospital care.
Burn wound care of civilians in Sahel region by French military surgical teams: ethical challenges and future training requirements
Authors: Lamblin Antoine , Derkenne C , Radavidson A
Published: February 2020

The primary mission of the French military surgical teams deployed in external operations in the Sahel is to provide support for combatants. However, many of their activities and of the limited human and material resources allocated to them are devoted to providing free medical assistance to the local population. The French military surgical teams are very often expected to take care of serious burns for the benefit of civil populations because of the absence of dedicated civilian medical structures. Surgical teams are faced with a necessary triage of patients to be taken care of because of the discrepancy between the high demand for care and the means at their disposal. But the triage can lead to ethical dilemmas when the values that come into play in the decision contradict each other or when they run up against the quota of available human and material resources, as well as the interests of the military institution. The challenge is then to become aware of these dilemmas in this particular context. A discussion of these ethical dilemmas would help carers to avoid developing fatalistic attitudes or developing chronic pathologies due to unresolved or unconscious predicaments. Solutions are proposed that place ethical reflection at the heart of the practices during external operations by the French surgical teams. The ethics of discussion must bring together all players in care management and also the military authorities, before, during and after the missions. Training programmes for ethical reflection would benefit surgical teams and help them approach and become aware of the dilemmas they will necessarily face.
PhenX: Environment measures for Tobacco Regulatory Research
Authors: Unger Jennifer B , Chaloupka Frank J , Vallone Donna , Thrasher James F , Nettles Destiney S , Hendershot Tabitha P , Swan Gary E
Published: February 2020

Objective

A Working Group (WG) of tobacco regulatory science experts identified measures for the tobacco environment domain.

Methods

This article describes the methods by which measures were identified, selected, approved and placed in the PhenX Toolkit.

Findings

The WG identified 20 initial elements relevant to tobacco regulatory science and determined whether they were already in the PhenX Toolkit or whether novel or improved measures existed. In addition to the 10 complementary measures already in the Toolkit, the WG recommended 13 additional measures: aided and confirmed awareness of televised antitobacco advertising, interpersonal communication about tobacco advertising, media use, perceived effectiveness of antitobacco advertising, exposure to smoking on television and in the movies, social norms about tobacco (for adults and for youth), worksite policies, youth cigarette purchase behaviours and experiences, compliance with cigarette packaging and labelling policies, local and state tobacco control public policies, and neighbourhood-level racial/ethnic composition. Supplemental measures included youth social capital and compliance with smoke-free air laws and with point of sale and internet tobacco marketing restrictions. Gaps were identified in the areas of policy environment (public and private), communications environment, community environment and social environment (ie, the norms/acceptability of tobacco use).

Conclusions

Consistent use of these tobacco environment measures will enhance rigor and reproducability of tobacco research.
Identification and correction of Sagnac frequency variations: an implementation for the GINGERINO data analysis
Authors: Di Virgilio Angela D. V. , Beverini Nicolò , Carelli Giorgio , Ciampini Donatella , Fuso Francesco , Giacomelli Umberto , Maccioni Enrico , Ortolan Antonello
Published: February 2020

Ring laser gyroscopes are top sensitivity inertial sensors used in the measurement of angular rotation. It is well known that the response of such remarkable instruments can in principle access the very low frequency band, but the occurrence of nonlinear effects in the laser dynamics imposes severe limitations in terms of sensitivity and stability. We report here general relationships aimed at evaluating corrections able to effectively account for nonlinear laser dynamics. The so-derived corrections are applied to analyse thirty days of continuous operation of the large area ring laser gyroscope GINGERINO leading to duly reconstruct the Sagnac frequency $$\omega _s$$ωs. The analysis shows that the evaluated corrections affect the measurement of the Earth rotation rate $$\varOmega _{\oplus }$$Ω⊕ at the level of 1 part in $$1.5\times 10^{3}$$1.5×103. The null shift term $$\omega _{ns}$$ωns plays a non negligible role. It turns out proportional to the optical losses $$\mu $$μ of the ring cavity, which are changing in time at the level of $$10\%$$10% within the considered period of thirty days. The Allan deviation of estimated $$\varOmega _{\oplus }$$Ω⊕ shows a remarkable long term stability, leading to a sensitivity better than $$10^{-10}$$10-10 rad/s with more than 10 s of integration time, and approaching $$(8.5\pm 0.5)\times 10^{-12}$$(8.5±0.5)×10-12 rad/s with $$4.5\times 10^{5}$$4.5×105 s of integration time.
A case study about the mass exclusion limits for the BSM vector resonances with the direct couplings to the third quark generation
Authors: Gintner Mikuláš , Juráň Josef
Published: February 2020

The upper bounds that the LHC measurements searching for heavy resonances beyond the Standard model set on the resonance production cross sections are not universal. They depend on various characteristics of the resonance under consideration, like its mass, spin, and its interaction pattern. Their validity is also limited by the assumptions and approximations applied to their calculations. The bounds are typically used to derive the mass exclusion limits for the new resonances. In our work, we address some of the issues that emerge when deriving the mass exclusion limits for the strongly coupled composite$$SU(2)_{L+R}$$SU(2)L+Rvector resonance triplet which would interact directly to the third quark generation only. We investigate the restrictions on the applicability of the generally used limit-obtaining procedure to this particular type of vector resonances. We demonstrate that, in this case, it is necessary to consider the bottom quark partonic contents of the proton. Eventually, we find the mass exclusion limits for this resonance triplet for some representative subsets of the parameter space.
Investigation on slug flow phenomenon in Alborz morning glory spillway and preventing its destructive effects
Authors: Aghebatie Behrouz , Hosseini Khosrow
Published: February 2020

Slug flow is a flow pattern which occurs in conveyance systems containing a two phase-fluid flow. Large air bubbles entrapped along these systems interrupt the flow and conduct to undesirable pressures and their fluctuations. Most of the previous concerning studies on slug flow phenomenon were performed in micro-channels with small scales in which the expansion of the air bubbles was negligible. In contrast, we investigated the systems with large pressure drops which conduct to abrupt increases on the volume of air phase. In this research, the verification tests applying CFD techniques were performed in OpenFOAM software by interFoam solver. The performance of morning glory spillways is investigated under steady states. While during the occurrence of flood, by increasing the depth over the spillway crest, the discharge is augmented which conducts to entrap the air pockets with pressure and velocity fluctuations. These fluctuations influence on the life of structures and their performances. This study aimed on unsteady flow in a glory morning spillway and its consequences and proposing the measures for reducing the destructive effects of slug flow. The pressure and velocity fluctuation were considered as the indices for the performance of a hydraulic structure. Spatial and temporal variations of pressure and velocity along the spillway are evaluated. Also, the influences of spillway geometry on slug flow and the measures to attenuate its destructive effects are analyzed. The results showed that the better performances of morning glory spillway are coincided by the diameter of tunnel superior than the height of water above the crest.
CNN-Based Embroidery Style Rendering
Authors: Qian Wenhua , Cao Jinde , Xu Dan , Nie Rencan , Guan Zheng , Zheng Rui
Published: February 2020

Nonphotorealistic rendering (NPR) techniques are used to transform real-world images into high-quality aesthetic styles automatically. NPR mainly focuses on transfer hand-painted styles to other content images, and simulates pencil drawing, watercolor painting, sketch painting, Chinese monochromes, calligraphy and, so on. However, digital simulation of Chinese embroidery style has not attracted researcher’s much attention. This study proposes an embroidery style transfer method from a 2D image on the basis of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and evaluates the relevant rendering features. The primary novelty of the rendering technique is that the strokes and needle textures are produced by the CNN and the results can display embroidery styles. The proposed method can not only embody delicate strokes and needle textures but also realize stereoscopic effects to achieve real embroidery features. First, using conditional random fields (CRF), the algorithm segments the target content and the embroidery style images through a semantic segmentation network. Then, the binary mask image is generated to guide the embroidery style transfer for different regions. Next, CNN is used to extract the strokes and texture features from the real embroidery images, and transfer these features to the content images. Finally, the simulating image is generated to show the features of the real embroidery styles. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed method, the simulations are compared with real embroidery artwork and other methods. In addition, the quality evaluation method is used to evaluate the quality of the results. In all the cases, the proposed method is found to achieve needle visual quality of the embroidery styles, thereby laying a foundation for the research and preservation of embroidery works.
Well-posedness and H(div)-conforming finite element approximation of a linearised model for inviscid incompressible flow
Authors: Barrenechea Gabriel , Burman Erik , Guzmán Johnny
Published: February 2020

We consider a linearised model of incompressible inviscid flow. Using a regularisation based on the Hodge Laplacian we prove existence and uniqueness of weak solutions for smooth domains. The model problem is then discretised using [Formula: see text](div)-conforming finite element methods, for which we prove error estimates for the velocity approximation in the [Formula: see text]-norm of order [Formula: see text]. We also prove error estimates for the pressure error in the [Formula: see text]-norm.
Critical thresholds in one-dimensional damped Euler–Poisson systems
Authors: Bhatnagar Manas , Liu Hailiang
Published: February 2020

This paper is concerned with the critical threshold phenomenon for one-dimensional damped, pressureless Euler–Poisson equations with electric force induced by a constant background, originally studied in [S. Engelberg and H. Liu and E. Tadmor, Indiana Univ. Math. J. 50 (2001) 109–157]. A simple transformation is used to linearize the characteristic system of equations, which allows us to study the geometrical structure of critical threshold curves for three damping cases: overdamped, underdamped and borderline damped through phase plane analysis. We also derive the explicit form of these critical curves. These sharp results state that if the initial data is within the threshold region, the solution will remain smooth for all time, otherwise it will have a finite time breakdown. Finally, we apply these general results to identify critical thresholds for a non-local system subjected to initial data on the whole line.
Combining Knowledge to Improve Product and Process Innovation and Performance of SMES in Developing Economies
Authors: de Oliveira Paula Fábio , da Silva Jorge Ferreira
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate how combining internal and external knowledge sources (KS) may influence product and process innovation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from developing economies in order to improve their financial performances (FPs). Previous research mostly supported that internal KS influence innovation directly as well as indirectly, moderating the relationship between external KS and innovation performance (IP), with this moderation being more prominent in the case of high-technology firms. These studies also supported that innovation influences FP more strongly in this type of firm. The present study proposes that, in developing countries, the opposite occurs. The moderation relationship of internal KS on the relationship between external KS and IP would be stronger in low-technology firms, as well as the positive effect of innovation on FP. We tested our propositions using a sample of 1551 Brazilian manufacturing SMEs controlling by the technological intensity of the industry and confirmed a good part of the proposed hypotheses.
The gravitational field of the SdS space-time
Authors: Manjunatha H. M. , Narasimhamurthy S. K. , Nekouee Z.
Published: February 2020

The goal of this paper is to study SdS space-time and its gravitational field with consideration of the canonical form and invariants of the curvature tensor. The characteristic of [Formula: see text]-tensor identifies the type of gravitational field. Gaussian curvature quantities enunciated in terms of curvature invariants.
Megaclasts within mass-transport deposits: their origin, characteristics and effect on substrates and succeeding flows
Authors: Nwoko Jefferson , Kane Ian , Huuse Mads
Published: February 2020

Megaclasts transported within submarine landslides can erode the substrate, influence the flow that transports them and, if they form seafloor topography, can influence subsequent flows and their deposits. We document grooves up to 40 km long formed by megaclasts carried in submarine landslides that scoured tens of metres deep into the contemporaneous substrate of the deep-water Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. A 1925 km
2
3D seismic reflection survey records six mass transport deposits (MTDs) interbedded with turbidites. Here, we focus on three MTDs, labelled A (oldest), B and C (youngest). MTD-A features megaclasts that internally have coherent parallel strata, and formed striations 4–15 km long and 2–3 km wide, with protruding megaclasts that are onlapped by younger sediments. The seafloor expression of these megaclasts partially obstructed the submarine landslide that created MTD-B. MTD-B contains megaclasts that incised through the rugose topography of the underlying MTD-A, and formed divergent grooves on the basal surface of MTD-B (8–40 km long and 200–250 m wide), which suggest radial flow expansion where flows exited topographic confinement. MTD-C features grooves 2–6 km long and 100–200 m wide that terminate at megaclasts and which internally are characterized of highly deformed reflectors surrounded by a chaotic matrix. This study directly links megaclasts to the grooves they form, and demonstrates that markedly different styles of scouring and resultant grooves can occur in closely related MTDs.
Tungsten Carbide as Supports for Trimetallic AuPdPt Electrocatalysts for Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Nie Ming , Du Shengjuan , Li Qing , Hummel Matthew , Gu Zhengrong , Lu Shun
Published: February 2020

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFCs) is one of the best positioned toward widespread commercialization and the most viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for portable applications. A major drawback of this technology is in large part related to the dependence on Pt-based electrocatalysts for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) at the anode. To address this issue, low-Pt electrocatalysts are desired for keeping high performance of MOR. In this article, tungsten carbide (WC) enhanced trimetallic AuPdPt nanocomposite was prepared through the two-step method, i) intermittent microwave heating method (IMH) and ii) direct chemical reduction method. Trimetallic AuPdPt nanoparticles are dispersed well on the nanostructured WC, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The electrocatalytic performance of the as-synthesized nanocomposite for MOR was tested using cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry in alkaline media. The results revealed that the WC enhanced trimetallic AuPdPt nanocomposites has better performance of MOR and stability than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst.
HIV-related cardiovascular diseases: the search for a unifying hypothesis
Authors: Dominick Leanne , Midgley Natasha , Swart Lisa-Mari , Sprake Devon , Deshpande Gaurang , Laher Ismail , Joseph Danzil , Teer Eman , Essop M. Faadiel
Published: February 2020

Although the extensive rollout of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy resulted in a longer life expectancy for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), such individuals display a relatively increased occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This health challenge stimulated significant research interests in the field, leading to an improved understanding of both lifestyle-related risk factors and the underlying mechanisms of CVD onset in PLHIV. However, despite such progress, the precise role of various risk factors and mechanisms underlying the development of HIV-mediated CVD still remains relatively poorly understood. Therefore, we review CVD onset in PLHIV and focus on 1) the spectrum of cardiovascular complications that typically manifest in such persons and 2) underlying mechanisms that are implicated in this process. Here, the contributions of such factors and modulators and underlying mechanisms are considered in a holistic and integrative manner to generate a unifying hypothesis that includes identification of the core pathways mediating CVD onset. The review focuses on the sub-Saharan African context, as there are relatively high numbers of PLHIV residing within this region, indicating that the greater CVD risk will increasingly threaten the well-being and health of its citizens. It is our opinion that such an approach helps point the way for future research efforts to improve treatment strategies and/or lifestyle-related modifications for PLHIV.
In utero exposures to electronic-cigarette aerosols impair the Wnt signaling during mouse lung development
Authors: Noël Alexandra , Hansen Shannon , Zaman Anusha , Perveen Zakia , Pinkston Rakeysha , Hossain Ekhtear , Xiao Rui , Penn Arthur
Published: February 2020

Currently, more than 9 million American adults, including women of childbearing age, use electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs). Further, the prevalence of maternal vaping now approaching 10% is similar to that of maternal smoking. Little, however, is known about the effects of fetal exposures to nicotine-rich e-cig aerosols on lung development. In this study, we assessed whether in utero exposures to e-cig aerosols compromised lung development in mice. A third-generation e-cig device was used to expose pregnant BALB/c mice by inhalation to 36 mg/mL of nicotine cinnamon-flavored e-cig aerosols for 14–31 days. This included exposures for either 12 days before mating plus during gestation (preconception groups) or only during gestation (prenatal groups). Respective control mice were exposed to filtered air. Subgroups of offspring were euthanized at birth or at 4 wk of age. Compared with respective air-exposed controls, both preconception and prenatal exposures to e-cig aerosols significantly decreased the offspring birth weight and body length. In the preconception group, 7 inflammation-related genes were downregulated, including 4 genes common to both dams and fetuses, denoting an e-cig immunosuppressive effect. Lung morphometry assessments of preconception e-cig-exposed offspring showed a significantly increased tissue fraction at birth. This result was supported by the downregulation of 75 lung genes involved in the Wnt signaling, which is essential to lung organogenesis. Thus, our data indicate that maternal vaping impairs pregnancy outcomes, alters fetal lung structure, and dysregulates the Wnt signaling. This study provides experimental evidence for future regulations of e-cig products for pregnant women and developmentally vulnerable populations.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 modulates ion balance through the isotocin pathway in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Liu Sian-Tai , Chou Ming-Yi , Wu Liang-Chun , Horng Jiun-Lin , Lin Li-Yih
Published: February 2020

Isotocin controls ion regulation through modulating the functions of ionocytes (also called mitochondria-rich cells or chloride cells). However, little is known about the upstream molecule of the isotocin system. Herein, we identify transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4), which regulates the mRNA and protein expressions of isotocin and affects ion regulation through the isotocin pathway. Double immunohistochemical results showed that TRPV4 is expressed in isotocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus of the adult zebrafish brain. To further elucidate the roles of TRPV4, we manipulated TRPV4 protein expression and evaluated its ionoregulatory functions in zebrafish embryos. TRPV4 gene knockdown with morpholino oligonucleotides decreased ionic contents (Na+, Cl−, and Ca2+) of whole larvae and the H+-secreting function of larval skin of zebrafish. mRNA expressions of ionocyte-related transporters, including H+-ATPase, the epithelial Ca2+ channel, and the Na+-Cl− cotransporter, were also suppressed in trpv4 morphants. Numbers of ionocytes (H+-ATPase-rich cells and Na+-K+-ATPase-rich cells) and epidermal stem cells in zebrafish larval skin also decreased after trpv4 knockdown. Our results showed that TRPV4 modulates ion balance through the isotocin pathway.
PTH: Redefining Reference Ranges in a Healthy Population—The Role of Interfering Factors and the Type of Laboratory Assay
Authors: Censi Simona , Iacobone Maurizio , Simmini Stefano , Manso Jacopo , Franceschet Giulio , Plebani Mario , Frigo Anna Chiara , Zaninotto Martina , Torresan Francesca , De Silvestro Giustina , Scaroni Carla , Mian Caterina , Camozzi Valentina
Published: February 2020

Introduction. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a linear peptide constituted by 84 amino acids and active in its 1–84 form, but a wide range of PTH forms produced by its post-transcriptional modifications are present in blood. Many assays with different specificities are commercially available. The aim of our study was to compare a 2nd and 3rd generation in healthy population in order to better define the reference range in the healthy population residing in our region. Materials and Methods. 108 subjects (53 females and 55 males) referring to the transfusion donor were enrolled in the study centre in April 2016 and underwent PTH levels measurements with a 3rd generation kit (chemiluminescent immunoassay DiaSorin Liaison) and with a 2nd generation kit (immunoradiometric assay Total Intact PTH Assay (Coated Tube), Scantibodies). Also calcium, phosphate, creatinine, and 25OHD3 were measured. A questionnaire on lifestyle and dietary habits was obtained. Results. The median PTH values obtained with the 2nd generation assay and the whole 3rd generation assay were 20.26 pg/ml and 23.11 pg/ml, respectively. Bland–Altman method showed substantial concordance between the two PTH assays, although with an overestimation of the 3rd generation method over the 2nd generation method. There was no correlation between 3rd generation PTH and 25OHD3 and creatinine. Calcium was negatively correlated with PTH only when measured with 3rd generation kit. Conclusions. On the basis of our data, obtained from healthy subjects, we can conclude that the reference range used by our laboratory was too narrow and was necessary to reestablish normal ranges according to our population. This is useful to avoid hyperparathyroidism misdiagnosis.
An Incremental Kernel Density Estimator for Data Stream Computation
Authors: He Yulin , Jiang Jie , Dai Dexin , Fabrice Klohoun
Published: February 2020

Probability density function (p.d.f.) estimation plays a very important role in the field of data mining. Kernel density estimator (KDE) is the mostly used technology to estimate the unknown p.d.f. for the given dataset. The existing KDEs are usually inefficient when handling the p.d.f. estimation problem for stream data because a bran-new KDE has to be retrained based on the combination of current data and newly coming data. This process increases the training time and wastes the computation resource. This article proposes an incremental kernel density estimator (I-KDE) which deals with the p.d.f. estimation problem in the way of data stream computation. The I-KDE updates the current KDE dynamically and gradually with the newly coming data rather than retraining the bran-new KDE with the combination of current data and newly coming data. The theoretical analysis proves the convergence of the I-KDE only if the estimated p.d.f. of newly coming data is convergent to its true p.d.f. In order to guarantee the convergence of the I-KDE, a new multivariate fixed-point iteration algorithm based on the unbiased cross validation (UCV) method is developed to determine the optimal bandwidth of the KDE. The experimental results on 10 univariate and 4 multivariate probability distributions demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the I-KDE.
Fatigue Damage Evaluation of Pile‐Supported Bridges under Stochastic Ice Loads
Authors: Wu Tianyu , Qiu Wenliang , Wu Guangrun
Published: February 2020

The Bohai Sea is the sea area with the worst ice condition in China, and the ice loads significantly threaten the safety of structures in the sea. The intense vibrations of the pile‐supported bridge under stochastic ice loads will increase the fatigue damage of a bridge structure and reduce the fatigue life of a bridge structure. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis model is presented to study fatigue damage for pile‐supported bridges under ice loads in Bohai Sea. On the basis of measured statistical data of ice parameters and stochastic ice loads spectrum of Bohai Sea, the time histories of the stochastic ice loads of Bohai Sea are simulated. Fatigue damage analysis is carried out in time domain utilizing the finite element method considering soil and bridge structure interaction. The effect of soil conditions and water depth on the cumulative fatigue damage of the pile‐supported bridges is studied. Numerical results indicate that in comparison with stiff soil conditions, pile‐supported bridges in soft oil conditions can increase the cumulative fatigue damage substantially; pile‐supported bridges in deep water also can increase the cumulative fatigue damage obviously. The study presented the first danger position of cumulative damage of the pile cross section under stochastic ice loads. The findings of this study can be used to fatigue damage evaluation and bridge construction in the ice‐covered sea area.
Master-Slave Topologies with Phase-Locked Loops
Authors: Piqueira José Roberto C.
Published: February 2020

Since phase-locked loops (PLLs) were conceived by Bellescize in 1932, their presence has become almost mandatory in any telecommunication device or network, being the essential element to recover frequency and phase information. As the technology developed, PLL appeared in several applications, such as, dense communication networks, smart grids, electronic instrumentation, computational clusters, and integrated circuits. In all of these practical cases, isolated or networked PLLs are responsible for recovering the correct time basis and synchronizing the processes. According to the application needs, different clock distribution strategies were developed, with the master-slave being the simplest and most used choice. Considering that the master clock is obtained from a stable periodic oscillator, two topologies are studied: one-way, not considering clock feedback; and two-way master-slave, with the slave nodes providing clock feedback to the master. Here, these two cases are studied by using simulation strategies, presenting results about the clock signal recovery process in the presence of disturbances, indicating that master-slave clock distribution networks can be useful for networks with few nodes and a stable master oscillator with the one-way topology presenting better results than the two-way arrangement.
Detection, Risk Assessment, and Survey of Four Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Markers in Infant Formula Powder
Authors: Cai Chenggang , Wu Pinggu , Zhou Pingping , Yang Dajin , Hu Zhengyan
Published: February 2020

A gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) method was developed to assess the infant exposure assessment from four important polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) markers in infant formula powder: benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene (collectively referred to as PAH4). The developed method required the addition of an isotopically labeled internal standard, sample extraction under alkali conditions, a saponification step, and a solid-phase extraction purification step. In a controlled spike test, the average recovery rates of PAH4 were 77.3% to 111.8% and the relative standard deviations were 4.8% to 14.2% (n = 6). The quantitative limit (LOQ) and detection limit (LOD) of the method were 0.5 and 0.1 μg·kg−1, respectively. The PAH4 content was analyzed in 30 commercially available infant formula powders. The PAH4 content was found to be in the range of 0.1 to 0.87 μg·kg−1. Combined with the daily intake of infant milk powder in China, the average and maximum daily exposure of BaP for stage-1 infants in China are 0.45 ng/kg.bw.d−1 and 1.9 ng/kg.bw.d−1 and the PAH4 values are 8.6 ng/kg.bw.d−1 and 18.6 ng/kg.bw.d−1, respectively. The PAH4 content in the tested infant formula powders sold in the China were sufficiently low, and all of the tested products were safe for consumption.
Double Burden of Malnutrition: Examining the Growth Profile and Coexistence of Undernutrition, Overweight, and Obesity among School-Aged Children and Adolescents in Urban and Rural Counties in Henan Province, China
Authors: Zhou Shengsheng , Ye Bing , Fu Pengyu , Li Shan , Yuan Pu , Yang Li , Zhan Xuan , Chao Feng , Zhang Shufang , Wang Min Qi , Yan Alice
Published: February 2020

Objective. To examine the gender, age, and region of residence in the anthropometric and nutritional profiles of children and adolescents aged 6–18 in Henan Province, China’s third most populous province. Design. This cross-sectional study of the China National Nutrition and Health survey (2010–2013) used a multistage cluster sampling technique. The sample included Chinese schoolchildren and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years (1,660 boys and 1,561 girls). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between sociodemographic correlates and overweight or obesity and stunting. Setting. Nine districts/counties in Henan Province. Participants. 3,221 subjects completed the questionnaire. Sociodemographic information was obtained. Body weight and height were measured. Results. There were statistically significant regional differences in average height and weight for boys in all age groups. Girls followed the same trends except for height when 15–18 years old. The urban-rural residence differences were found in relation to prevalence of stunting and weight status. Subjects in poor rural areas (15.43%) and ordinary rural areas (15.34%) had higher rates of stunting compared to their urban counterparts. Prevalence of overweight or obesity was highest in big city areas (15.71%) and lowest in ordinary rural areas (6.37%). Being a boy (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.314–2.143), living in a big city (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.431–3.073), or in a small-medium city (OR = 2.28, CI = 1.606–3.247), or being in a younger age group was associated with being overweight or obese. In addition, being a boy, living in a big city, or in a small-medium city, or being younger in age meant they were less likely to be stunted. Conclusions. A substantial dual burden of malnutrition among children and adolescents in Henan Province was revealed. The urban-rural differences in nutritional status were found. Stunting was more prevalent in rural areas than in urban. In contrast, while the rising problem of childhood and adolescent obesity still exists in the big city, we also found a great spike in obesity in small-medium cities. Evidence also indicated that boys were more likely to be overweight or obese. Our findings suggest that nutrition education, as well as environmental and policy interventions, is needed to target specific geographic regions.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Fuzi Lizhong Decoction for the Treatment of Stomach Ulcers
Authors: Xin Yang , Wang Haijun , Xu Lei
Published: February 2020

This study aims to understand the treatment of stomach ulcers with FLD and to identify its potential target genes as well as related pathways by transcriptomic analysis. Rat stomach mRNA from a blank group (BG), a model group (MG), an untreated‐model group (u‐MG), and a treated group (TG) was sequenced. A partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) was used to differentiate the MG from the BG, and the Deseq2 R Package was used to identify differentially expressed genes between these groups. Furthermore, t‐tests based on transcripts per million (TPM) were used to select different genes between MG and BG and significantly retrieved genes in TG, except for self‐retrieved genes in u‐MG. Finally, pathways regulated by retrieved genes were analyzed with KEGG database. Results showed that 327 of the 32,623 total detected genes were different (p < 0.05) between the MG and BG. Among these genes, eighteen genes were significantly retrieved after rats were treated with FLD in TG, and they were considered as target genes on which FLD acted. In conclusion, FLD was deduced to cure stomach ulcers by affecting glycerolipid metabolism, fatty acid degradation, circadian entrainment, circadian rhythm, and dopaminergic synapse.
Gastric Xanthoma Associated with Gastric Cancer Development: An Updated Review
Authors: Moumin Faycal Awaleh , Mohamed Abdimajid Ahmed , Osman Abdirahman Ahmed , Cai Jianting
Published: February 2020

Gastric xanthelasma (GX) is a rare tumor-like lesion customarily found as an incidental finding due to its asymptomatic appearance. Grossly, it is a well-marked yellow-white plaque created in the lamina propria by microscopic clusters of foamy macrophages. Xanthelasma is rarely correlated with gastric hyperplastic polyps; gastric xanthomas are rare benign lesions that appear to be associated with inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Etiopathogenesis is also unclear, but it has been suggested to be involved in chronic gastritis, infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. The gastric xanthoma prevalence ranges from 0.23% to 7%. Orth first described the condition in 1887. It has been found that xanthelasmas are associated with chronic gastritis, gastrointestinal anastomosis, intestinal metaplasia, and H. pylori infection. These lesions predispose patients to gastric cancer conditions. Xanthoma (GX) was reported to be a predictive marker for early gastric cancer. However, the effectiveness of these scores and xanthoma (GX) as predictive markers for early gastric cancer detected after H. pylori eradication remains unknown.
Emergence of Warm Inflation in Curved Space-Time between Accelerating Branes
Authors: Beesham Aroonkumar
Published: February 2020

It appears that having our own brane to somehow interact with other branes could give rise to quite an interesting system and that interaction could lead to some observable effects. We consider the question of whether or not these signatures of interaction between the branes can be observed. To answer this question, we investigate the effect induced by the inflaton in the WMAP7 data using the warm inflationary model. In this model, slow-roll and perturbation parameters are given in terms of the inflaton thermal distribution. We show that this distribution depends on the orbital radius of the brane motion under the interaction potential of other branes in extra dimensions. Thus, an enhancement in the brane inflation can be a signature of an orbital motion in extra dimensions, and consequently, some signals of other branes can be detected by observational data. According to experimental data, the N≃50 case leads to ns≃0.96, where N and ns are the number of e-folds and the spectral index, respectively. This standard case may be found in the range 0.01<Rtensor‐scalar<0.22, where Rtensor‐scalar is the tensor-scalar ratio. We find that at this point, the radial distance between our brane and another brane is R=1.5 GeV−1 in intermediate and R=0.02225 GeV−1 in logamediate inflation.
Left- and Right-Shifted Fractional Legendre Functions with an Application for Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Qu Haidong , Yang Xiaopeng , She Zihang
Published: February 2020

Two new orthogonal functions named the left- and the right-shifted fractional-order Legendre polynomials (SFLPs) are proposed. Several useful formulas for the SFLPs are directly generalized from the classic Legendre polynomials. The left and right fractional differential expressions in Caputo sense of the SFLPs are derived. As an application, it is effective for solving the fractional-order differential equations with the initial value problem by using the SFLP tau method.
Architectural Models Enabled Dynamic Optimization for System-of-Systems Evolution
Authors: Fang Zhemei , Zhou Xiaozhou , Song Ani
Published: February 2020

System of Systems (SoS) is designed to deliver value to participant stakeholders in a dynamic and uncertain environment where new systems are added and current systems are removed continuously and on their own volition. This requires effective evolution management at the SoS architectural level with adequate support of process, methods, and tools. This paper follows the principle of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and develops a holistic framework integrating MBSE conceptual representations and approximate dynamic programming (ADP) to support the SoS evolution. The conceptual models provide a common architectural representation to improve communication between various decision makers while the dynamic optimization method suggests evolution planning decisions from the analytical perspective. The Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) models using Systems Modeling Language (SysML) are used as MBSE artifacts to connect with ADP modeling elements through DoDAF metamodels to increase information traceability and reduce unnecessary information loss. Using a surface warfare SoS as an example, this paper demonstrates and explains the procedures of developing DoDAF models, mapping DoDAF models to ADP elements, formulating ADP formulation, and generating evolutionary decisions. The effectiveness of using ADP in supporting evolution to achieve a near-optimal solution that can maximize the SoS capability over time is illustrated by comparing ADP solution to other alternative solutions. The entire framework also sheds light on bridging the DoDAF-based conceptual models and other mathematical optimization methods.
Blowup of Solutions to the Compressible Euler-Poisson and Ideal MHD Systems
Authors: Hu Wenming
Published: February 2020

In the present paper, we study the blowup of the solutions to the full compressible Euler system and pressureless Euler-Poisson system with time-dependent damping. By some delicate analysis, some Riccati-type equations are achieved, and then, the finite time blowup results can be derived.
Hybridized Extreme Learning Machine Model with Salp Swarm Algorithm: A Novel Predictive Model for Hydrological Application
Authors: Yaseen Zaher Mundher , Faris Hossam , Al-Ansari Nadhir
Published: February 2020

The capability of the extreme learning machine (ELM) model in modeling stochastic, nonlinear, and complex hydrological engineering problems has been proven remarkably. The classical ELM training algorithm is based on a nontuned and random procedure that might not be efficient in convergence of excellent performance or possible entrapment in the local minima problem. This current study investigates the integration of a newly explored metaheuristic algorithm (i.e., Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA)) with the ELM model to forecast monthly river flow. Twenty years of river flow data time series of the Tigris river at the Baghdad station, Iraq, is used as a case study. Different input combinations are applied for constructing the predictive models based on antecedent values. The results are evaluated based on several statistical measures and graphical presentations. The river flow forecast accuracy of SSA-ELM outperformed the classical ELM and other artificial intelligence (AI) models. Over the testing phase, the proposed SSA-ELM model yielded a satisfactory enhancement in the level accuracies (8.4 and 13.1 percentage of augmentation for RMSE and MAE, respectively) against the classical ELM model. In summary, the study ascertains that the SSA-ELM model is a qualified data-intelligent model for monthly river flow prediction at the Tigris river, Iraq.
Development and Validation of a Prognostic Model for Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer Treated with the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Atezolizumab
Authors: Hopkins Ashley M. , Kichenadasse Ganessan , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Karapetis Christos S. , Rowland Andrew , Sorich Michael J.
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are a significant advance to the treatment of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, their initiation is associated with heterogeneity in outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic tool of survival in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs.

Experimental Design:

A pretreatment prognostic model was developed and validated using clinicopathologic data. Development data consisted of patients with advanced NSCLC treated with atezolizumab from the randomised trials OAK and POPLAR (n = 751). Data from the single-arm atezolizumab trials BIRCH and FIR (n = 797) were used for external validation. Prognostic scores were categorized into low, intermediate-low, intermediate, intermediate-high, and high-risk prognostic groups. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), with progression-free survival (PFS) secondary.

Results:

Pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) was the most predictive variable for OS. The prognostic tool was optimally defined by CRP, lactate dehydrogenase, derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, albumin, PD-L1 expression, performance status, time since metastatic diagnosis, and metastatic site count. Prognostic groups had significantly different OS (c-statistic = 0.72), with median OS ranging from >24 to 3 months for the low- to high-risk groups. Performance was maintained on validation (c = 0.76). These findings were similar for PFS, with median PFS ranging from 5 months to 1 month for the low- to high-risk groups. Benefit of atezolizumab (vs. docetaxel) was greatest in the low-risk group (>3 months median OS improvement), with little benefit apparent for the highest risk group.

Conclusions:

A prognostic tool was developed and validated to identify patient groups with distinctly different survival following atezolizumab initiation for advanced NSCLC.