bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning Physically Based Humanoid Climbing Movements
Authors: Naderi Kourosh , Babadi Amin , Hämäläinen Perttu
Published: September 2018

We propose a novel learning‐based solution for motion planning of physically‐based humanoid climbing that allows for fast and robust planning of complex climbing strategies and movements, including extreme movements such as jumping. Similar to recent previous work, we combine a high‐level graph‐based path planner with low‐level sampling‐based optimization of climbing moves. We contribute through showing that neural network models of move success probability, effortfulness, and control policy can make both the high‐level and low‐level components more efficient and robust. The models can be trained through random simulation practice without any data. The models also eliminate the need for laboriously hand‐tuned heuristics for graph search. As a result, we are able to efficiently synthesize climbing sequences involving dynamic leaps and one‐hand swings, i.e. there are no limits to the movement complexity or the number of limbs allowed to move simultaneously. Our supplemental video also provides some comparisons between our AI climber and a real human climber.
Strain Rate Dissipation for Elastic Deformations
Authors: M. Sánchez‐Banderas Rosa , A. Otaduy Miguel
Published: September 2018

Damping determines how the energy in dynamic deformations is dissipated. The design of damping requires models where the behavior along deformation modes is easily controlled, while other motions are left unaffected. In this paper, we propose a framework for the design of damping using dissipation potentials formulated as functions of strain rate. We study simple parameterizations of the models, the application to continuum and discrete deformation models, and practical implications for implementation. We also study previous simple damping models, in particular we demonstrate limitations of Rayleigh damping. We analyze in detail the application of strain rate dissipation potentials to two highly different deformation models, StVK hyperlasticity and yarn‐level cloth with sliding persistent contacts. These deformation models are representative of the range of applicability of the damping model.
A shared effect of paroxetine treatment on gray matter volume in depressive patients with and without childhood maltreatment: A voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Lu Xiao‐Wen , Guo Hua , Sun Jing‐Rong , Dong Qiang‐Li , Zhao Fu‐Tao , Liao Xu‐Hong , Zhang Li , Zhang Yan , Li Wei‐Hui , Li Ze‐Xuan , Liu Tie‐Bang , He Yong , Xia Ming‐Rui , Li Ling‐Jiang
Published: September 2018

Aims

This study assessed whether antidepressant drug treatment has a common effect on gray matter (GM) volume in MDD patients with and without childhood maltreatment (CM).

Methods

T1‐weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 168 participants, including 51 MDD patients with CM, 31 MDD patients without CM, 48 normal controls with CM, and 38 normal controls without CM. MDD patients received 6 months of treatment with paroxetine, and 24 patients with CM, and 16 patients without CM received a second MRI scan. A whole‐brain voxel‐based morphometry approach was used to estimate GM volume in each participant at two time points. Two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of MDD and CM on GM volume at baseline. Repeated measures two‐way ANOVA was used to determine the treatment‐by‐CM interactive effect and main effect of treatment during paroxetine treatment. We further investigated the relationship between GM volume and clinical variables.

Results

At baseline, significant MDD‐by‐CM interactive effects on GM volume were mainly observed in the left parahippocampal gyrus, left entorhinal cortex, and left cuneus. GM volume was significantly lower mainly in the right middle temporal gyrus in patients with MDD than in normal controls. We did not find any significant treatment‐by‐CM interactive effects. However, a treatment‐related increase in GM was found in the right middle temporal gyrus in both MDD groups.

Conclusions

These results suggest that paroxetine treatment operates via a shared neurobiological mechanism in MDD patients with and without CM.
Cardiac structure and function before and after bariatric surgery: a clinical overview
Authors: Lascaris B. , Pouwels S. , Houthuizen P. , Dekker L. R. , Nienhuijs S. W. , Bouwman R. A. , Buise M. P.
Published: September 2018

Obesity, defined as a body mass index of ≥30 kg/m2, is the most common chronic metabolic disease worldwide and its prevalence has been strongly increasing. Obesity has deleterious effects on cardiac function. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of obesity and excessive weight loss due to bariatric surgery on cardiac function, structural changes and haemodynamic responses of both the left and right ventricle.
Assessment of local tissue water in the arms and trunk of breast cancer survivors with and without upper extremity lymphoedema
Authors: Mazor Melissa , Smoot Betty J. , Mastick Judy , Mausisa Grace , Paul Steven M. , Kober Kord M. , Elboim Charles , Singh Komal , Conley Yvette P. , Mickevicius Gabby , Field Jennifer , Hutchison Heather , Miaskowski Christine
Published: September 2018

Given the paucity of information on local tissue water (LTW) in the upper extremity and trunk of women after breast cancer surgery, the purpose of this study was to compare tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values between the affected and unaffected sides of breast cancer survivors with and without upper extremity lymphoedema (LE). Differences in LTW were assessed using the TDC method for three sites in the upper limbs, three sites in the lateral thorax and two sites on the back. Additional measures included demographic and clinical characteristics, arm circumference and bioimpedance analysis. For the 112 survivors without LE, no differences in TDC values were found between the affected and unaffected sides for the first dorsal web space, ventral forearm and upper arm, and upper and lower back. Compared to the unaffected side, TDC values were significantly higher on the affected side for the upper, mid and lower lateral thorax. For the 78 survivors with LE, compared to the unaffected side, TDC was significantly higher on the affected side for all of the sites evaluated except the hand web space. Our findings support the use of the TDC method to detect differences in upper extremity and truncal oedema in survivors with LE following breast cancer treatment. Measurement of LTW may provide a useful method to determine truncal as well as extremity LE. The ability to detect early signs of truncal oedema may lead to pre‐emptive interventions in breast cancer survivors.
875. PLEIONE SCOPULORUM AND PLEIONE KAATIAE
Authors: Cribb Phillip , Butterfield Ian , Congleton Paul
Published: September 2018

The closely‐related species Pleione scopulorum W.W. Sm., and P. kaatiae P.H. Peeters, from Myanmar, NE India and SW China are discussed, and P. kaatiae is illustrated.
881. ACER OBTUSATUM
Authors: Crowley Dan
Published: September 2018

Acer obtusatum
Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd. is illustrated and described. Its relationships with other species in section Acer series monspessulana, notably
A. opalus
Mill. are discussed.
The development of children's preferences for equality and equity across 13 individualistic and collectivist cultures
Authors: Huppert Elizabeth , Cowell Jason M. , Cheng Yawei , Contreras‐Ibáñez Carlos , Gomez‐Sicard Natalia , Gonzalez‐Gadea Maria Luz , Huepe David , Ibanez Agustin , Lee Kang , Mahasneh Randa , Malcolm‐Smith Susan , Salas Natalia , Selcuk Bilge , Tungodden Bertil , Wong Alina , Zhou Xinyue , Decety Jean
Published: September 2018

A concern for fairness is a fundamental and universal element of morality. To examine the extent to which cultural norms are integrated into fairness cognitions and influence social preferences regarding equality and equity, a large sample of children (N 2,163) aged 4–11 were tested in 13 diverse countries. Children participated in three versions of a third‐party, contextualized distributive justice game between two hypothetical recipients differing in terms of wealth, merit, and empathy. Social decision‐making in these games revealed universal age‐related shifts from equality‐based to equity‐based distribution motivations across cultures. However, differences in levels of individualism and collectivism between the 13 countries predicted the age and extent to which children favor equity in each condition. Children from the most individualistic cultures endorsed equitable distributions to a greater degree than children from more collectivist cultures when recipients differed in regards to wealth and merit. However, in an empathy context where recipients differed in injury, children from the most collectivist cultures exhibited greater preferences to distribute resource equitably compared to children from more individualistic cultures. Children from the more individualistic cultures also favored equitable distributions at an earlier age than children from more collectivist cultures overall. These results demonstrate aspects of both cross‐cultural similarity and divergence in the development of fairness preferences.
What can we learn from a race with one runner? A comment on Foreman‐Peck and Zhou, ‘Late marriage as a contributor to the industrial revolution in England’
Authors: Edwards Jeremy , Ogilvie Sheilagh
Published: September 2018

Foreman‐Peck and Zhou's claim that late marriage was a major contributor to the industrial revolution in England cannot be sustained. They consider neither other influences on English industrialization nor other European economies where marriage age was high throughout the early modern period but industrialization came much later. It is not possible to argue that late marriage age was a major contributor to English industrialization without analysing other possible contributing factors. Any consideration of this question must assess marriage age alongside other causes of industrialization and explain why other European economies with a higher marriage age industrialized much later than England.
Surgical management of marginal tears/avulsions of the suspensory ligament branches in 29 Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Kadic D. T. N. , Minshall G. J. , Wright I. M.
Published: September 2018

Background

Suspensory ligament branch injuries are common in horses. Most of these injuries are grouped together and considered as a single pathologic entity.

Objectives

To report a specific injury of the abaxial margin of the suspensory ligament branches and to report its surgical management and outcome.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

All horses with suspensory ligament branch injuries over a 9‐year period (2007–2015) were identified. Horses with injuries which, on ultrasonographic examination, appeared to have defects in the abaxial margin of the suspensory ligament branch, that were subsequently confirmed during surgery were selected.

Results

Twenty‐nine cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria with a specific lesion location on the abaxial margin of the suspensory ligament branch. Nineteen horses raced successfully after surgery, nine returned to training but failed to race and one was lost to follow‐up.

Main limitations

The absence of a comparable population of non‐surgically managed horses in this study means that the contribution of removing torn tissue cannot confidently be assessed.

Conclusions

The location and morphology of injuries described in this study is consistent, which suggests aetiopathogenic commonality. This case series suggests this type of injury has an identity of its own, differs from other types of suspensory ligament branch injuries and represents a previously undescribed subgroup.
Toxic adjuvants alter the function and phenotype of dendritic cells to initiate adaptive immune responses induced by oral Helicobacter pylori vaccines
Authors: Luo Shuanghui , Liu Wei , Zeng Zhiqin , Ye Feng , Hu Chupeng , Xu Ningyin , Huang An , Xi Tao , Xing Yingying
Published: September 2018

Background

Toxic adjuvant is considered as an indispensable constituent for oral Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) vaccines. However, the elaborate role of toxic adjuvant in the initiation of adaptive immune response is largely undescribed.

Materials and methods

We employed an acid‐resistant HP55/PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) delivery system encapsulating three antigens (Hsp, Nap, and Lpp20) from H. pylori and accompanied with three adjuvants (LPS, CpG, and chimeric flagellum (CF)) to explore the underlying mechanism of the adjuvant constituent. H. pylori‐specific antibody responses were detected by ELISA. Gastric inflammatory and Th1/Th17 responses were analyzed by flow cytometry. Expressions of inflammatory cytokines were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR.

Results

In bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells’ (BMDCs) model, the addition of toxic adjuvants is responsible for the proinflammatory function, but not the mature phenotype of BMDCs. In vivo, intestinal loop injection with NPs + LPS, rather than NPs alone, altered the dendritic cell (DC) phenotypes in mesenteric lymph nodes and drove a local proinflammatory microenvironment. In a prophylactic vaccination model, mice immunized with NPs + adjuvants significantly reduced the gastric colonization of H. pylori, induced antigen‐specific antibody responses and Th1/Th17 cell responses. After H. pylori challenge, these mice showed potent recall responses involving both neutrophil and inflammatory monocyte infiltration. Additionally, TLR4 knockout mice were immunized with NPs + LPS and NPs + CF, respectively; only the recipients of NPs + CF orchestrated a protective response to control bacterial infection.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that toxic adjuvants within oral H.pylori vaccines altered the function and phenotype of dendritic cells and facilitated the establishment of proinflammatory microenvironment to initiate adaptive immune responses.
Online Masquerade: Redesigning the Internet for Free Speech Through the Use of Pseudonyms
Authors: Véliz Carissa
Published: September 2018

Anonymity promotes free speech by protecting the identity of people who might otherwise face negative consequences for expressing their ideas. Wrongdoers, however, often abuse this invisibility cloak. Defenders of anonymity online emphasise its value in advancing public debate and safeguarding political dissension. Critics emphasise the need for identifiability in order to achieve accountability for wrongdoers such as trolls. The problematic tension between anonymity and identifiability online lies in the desirability of having low costs (no repercussions) for desirable speech and high costs (appropriate repercussions) for undesirable speech. If we practice either full anonymity or identifiability, we end up having either low or high costs in all online contexts and for all kinds of speech. I argue that free speech is compatible with instituting costs in the form of repercussions and penalties for controversial and unacceptable speech. Costs can minimise the risks of anonymity by providing a reasonable degree of accountability. Pseudonymity is a tool that can help us regulate those costs while furthering free speech. This article argues that, in order to redesign the Internet to better serve free speech, we should shape much of it to resemble an online masquerade.
Adolescent self‐harm with and without suicidality: cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses of a Swedish regional register
Authors: Bjureberg Johan , Ohlis Anna , Ljótsson Brjánn , D'Onofrio Brian M. , Hedman‐Lagerlöf Erik , Jokinen Jussi , Sahlin Hanna , Lichtenstein Paul , Cederlöf Martin , Hellner Clara
Published: September 2018

Background

Self‐harm is common and there is a need for studies that investigate the relevance of this behavior in clinical samples to inform risk assessment and treatment. The objectives in the current studies were to compare clinical and psychosocial correlates and subsequent adverse outcomes in youth who present to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) with self‐harm only (SH), self‐harm with suicidality (SH+SU), with those without any indication of SH or SH+SU.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study and a longitudinal cohort study using data from a regional clinical care register, and Swedish national registers. The case–control study included all patients (5–17 years) between 2011 and 2015 (N = 25,161). SH and SH+SU cases were compared with controls (patients without SH) regarding a range of correlates. The longitudinal study included former CAMHS patients (N = 6,120) who were followed for a median time of 2.8 years after termination of CAMHS contact regarding outcomes such as clinical care consumption, social welfare recipiency, and crime conviction.

Results

In the case–control study, both the SH and SH+SU groups received more clinical care, had lower global functioning, and higher odds of having mental disorders compared to controls. In most comparisons, the SH+SU group had more problems than the SH group. In the longitudinal study, the same pattern emerged for most outcomes; for example, the adjusted hazard ratio for recurrent care due to self‐harm was 23.1 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.0–31.4) in the SH+SU group compared to 3.9 (95% CI, 2.3–6.7) in the SH group.

Conclusions

Adolescent patients presenting with self‐harm have higher risks for adverse outcomes than patients without self‐harm. Suicidality in addition to self‐harm is associated with more severe outcomes, importantly recurrent episodes of care for self‐harm.
Sexuality and Cognitive Status: A U.S. Nationally Representative Study of Home‐Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Lindau Stacy Tessler , Dale William , Feldmeth Gillian , Gavrilova Natalia , Langa Kenneth M. , Makelarski Jennifer A. , Wroblewski Kristen
Published: September 2018

Objectives

To determine patterns and prevalence of sexual behavior, problems, and attitudes in individuals with different cognitive status.

Design

We used data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project to describe the relationship between sexual behavior, function, and cognitive status (normal, mild cognitive impairment, dementia), classified using an adapted Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (0–30 points).

Setting

U.S. home‐dwelling older adults.

Participants

Nationally representative probability sample of 3,196 adults (1,682 women, 1,514 men) aged 62 to 91 (mean 72).

Measurements

Cognitive status and sexual activity, problems, and attitudes.

Results

The weighted response rate was 74%. Mean MoCA score was 22.7. Of partnered people with dementia, 59% of men and 51% of women were sexually active, including 41% of those aged 80 to 91; 46% of all men (95% confidence interval (CI)=37.8–53.2%) and 18% of all women (95% CI=13.6–21.5%) with dementia were sexually active. The rate of sexual function problems was high across gender and cognitive groups (77%). Having sex primarily out of obligation was similar across cognitive groups for women (12%) and higher in men with dementia (17%) than other men (2–5%; P <.001). The majority of people were having sex less often than they would like. Few men (17%) or women (1%) with dementia talked with a doctor about sex.

Conclusion

Many home‐dwelling men and women with dementia are sexually active. Although the rate of sexual function problems was uniformly high, people with lower cognitive function infrequently discussed sex with a physician.
Searching for meaning: A grounded theory of family resilience in adult ICU
Authors: Wong Pauline , Liamputtong Pranee , Koch Susan , Rawson Helen
Published: September 2018

Aim

To explore families’ experiences of their interactions in an Australian adult intensive care unit (ICU) to develop a grounded theory that can be used by critical care nurses to improve patient‐ and family‐centred care (PFCC).

Background

Families in ICU play an important role in the patient's recovery and outcomes. However, families are at risk of significant psychological morbidity due to their experiences in ICU. Although many ICU patients can make their own decisions, a large proportion are unconscious or chemically sedated and unable to contribute to decisions about their care, leaving the decision‐making role to the family. Therefore, the families’ psychosocial and emotional well‐being must be supported by implementing evidence‐based interventions that align with a PFCC approach. This study describes the findings of a grounded theory of family resilience in ICU, of which the core category is Regaining control. The focus of this paper is on the major category: Searching for meaning.

Methods

We adopted a constructivist grounded theory method. Twenty‐five adult family members (n = 25) of 21 patients admitted unexpectedly to an ICU in metropolitan Australia were recruited. In‐depth interviews were used to collect the data, and the analytical processes of constructivist grounded theory underpinned the development of a core category and related subcategories.

Results

When adult family members experience the unexpected admission of a relative to ICU, they move towards a state of being beyond emotional adversity and regaining control when facilitated to search for meaning in their situation. When families were able to make sense of their situation and find a purpose by contributing to their relative's recovery, it encouraged them to cope and be resilient.

Conclusions

Our findings can be used to promote PFCC in ICU, which considers a collaborative approach to meet the patient's needs while providing emotional and psychosocial support to their families.
Intraorganismal genetic heterogeneity as a source of genetic variation in modular macroalgae
Authors: Santelices Bernabé , Gallegos Sánchez Cristóbal , González Alejandra V.
Published: September 2018

Genetic diversity is considered a key factor of population survival and evolution, especially in changing environments. Genetic diversity arises from mutations in the DNA sequence of cell lines and from there it reaches the level of organisms, populations, and regions. However, many previous studies have not considered the organism architecture or pattern of thallus construction, ignoring the potential genetic complexities that intraorganismal genetic heterogeneity could generate in modular organisms. In seaweeds, modularity and clonality exist in many species. Modular organization has been related to advantages in terms of rapid construction and recovery after the loss of individual modules, which have their own demographic properties as they generate, mature, senesce, and die. Based on recent evidence from the literature, we suggest that modules also have their own genetic properties. Specifically, modular seaweeds have two possible sources of genetic diversity at the individual level: the heterozygosity of the genotypes composing the genet, and genetic heterogeneity among the modules within a genet (i.e., intraclonal genetic variability). Both sources of genetic diversity can have ecological and evolutionary consequences, and most of them must be considered in research on modular seaweeds. Linking intraorganismal genetic diversity with clonal architecture and propagation styles may help us to understand important ecological and evolutionary processes such as speciation modes, invasive capacities, or farming potential.
Periodontal condition and levels of bacteria associated with periodontitis in individuals with bipolar affective disorders: A case‐control study
Authors: Cunha Fabiano A. , Cota Luís O. M. , Cortelli Sheila C. , Miranda Tais B. , Neves Fernando S. , Cortelli José R. , Costa Fernando O.
Published: September 2018

Objective

To evaluate the epidemiological and microbiological aspects of the potential association between bipolar affective disorder (BAPD) and periodontitis.

Methodology

The present case‐control study comprised 176 individuals with BAPD and 176 controls. All individuals underwent a complete full‐mouth periodontal examination and microbiological sampling. Data on bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level in all present teeth were recorded. Quantification of total bacterial load and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Treponema denticola, and Porphyromonas gingivalis counts were performed through qPCR. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, Spearman correlation and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of periodontitis was 39.7% among controls and 58.5% among individuals with BAPD (OR = 2.13; 95% CI 1.39‐3.27). A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis counts were significantly higher in individuals with BPAD and periodontitis. The final multivariate logistic regression revealed that periodontitis was strongly associated with the total bacterial load (OR = 1.91; 95% IC = 1.0‐1.99; P < 0.001) and the depressive phase of BPAD (OR = 28.94; 95% IC = 4.44‐177.27; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

BAPD was associated with increased risk for periodontitis. Individuals with BPAD presented higher levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis, suggesting that periodontitis could be a co‐morbidity frequently found in individuals with BAPD.
Short‐Term Traffic Speed Forecasting Based on Attention Convolutional Neural Network for Arterials
Authors: Liu Qingchao , Wang Bochen , Zhu Yuquan
Published: September 2018

As an important part of the intelligent transportation system (ITS), short‐term traffic prediction has become a hot research topic in the field of traffic engineering. In recent years, with the emergence of rich traffic data and the development of deep learning technologies, neural networks have been widely used in short‐term traffic forecasting. Among them, the Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), especially the Long Short‐Term Memory network (LSTM) shows the excellent ability of time‐series tasks. To improve the prediction accuracy of the LSTM, some research uses the spatial–temporal matrix or Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract the spatial features of the data for the LSTM network to use. In this article, we propose an attention CNN to predict traffic speed. The model uses three‐dimensional data matrices constructed by traffic flow, speed, and occupancy. The spatial–temporal features extraction and the attention models are all performed by the convolution unit. Experiments on traffic data at 15‐minute intervals show that the proposed algorithm has considerable advantages in predicting tasks compared to other commonly used algorithms, and the proposed algorithm has an improvement effect for cases with missing data. At the same time, by visualizing the weights generated by the attention model, we can see the influence of different spatial–temporal data on the forecasting task.
AbmR (Rv1265) is a novel transcription factor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that regulates host cell association and expression of the non‐coding small RNA Mcr11
Authors: Girardin Roxie C. , Bai Guangchun , He Jie , Sui Haixin , McDonough Kathleen A.
Published: September 2018

Gene regulatory networks used by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) during infection include many genes of unknown function, confounding efforts to determine their roles in Mtb biology. Rv1265 encodes a conserved hypothetical protein that is expressed during infection and in response to elevated levels of cyclic AMP. Here, we report that Rv1265 is a novel auto‐inhibitory ATP‐binding transcription factor that upregulates expression of the small non‐coding RNA Mcr11, and propose that Rv1265 be named ATP‐binding mcr11 regulator (AbmR). AbmR directly and specifically bound DNA, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and this DNA‐binding activity was enhanced by AbmR’s interaction with ATP. Genetic knockout of abmR in Mtb increased abmR promoter activity and eliminated growth phase‐dependent increases in mcr11 expression during hypoxia. Mutagenesis identified arginine residues in the carboxy terminus that are critical for AbmR’s DNA‐binding activity and gene regulatory function. Limited similarity to other DNA‐ or ATP‐binding domains suggests that AbmR belongs to a novel class of DNA‐ and ATP‐binding proteins. AbmR was also found to form large organized structures in solution and facilitate the serum‐dependent association of Mtb with human lung epithelial cells. These results indicate a potentially complex role for AbmR in Mtb biology.
Olley and Pakes‐style Production Function Estimators with Firm Fixed Effects
Authors: Lee Yoonseok , Stoyanov Andrey , Zubanov Nikolay
Published: September 2018

We show that control function estimators (CFEs) of the firm production function, such as Olley–Pakes, may be biased when productivity evolves with a firm‐specific intercept, in which case the correctly specified control function will contain a firm‐specific term, omitted in the standard CFEs. We develop an estimator that is free from this bias by introducing firm fixed effects in the control function. Applying our estimator to the data, we find that it outperforms the existing CFEs in terms of capturing persistent unobserved heterogeneity in firm productivity. Our estimator involves minimal modification to the standard CFE procedures and can be easily implemented using common statistical software.
Cervical instability in patients with Trisomy 21: The eternal gamble
Authors: Bertolizio Gianluca , Saint‐Martin Christine , Ingelmo Pablo
Published: September 2018

Patients with Trisomy 21 are particularly at risk of cervical instability due to ligamentous laxity and osseous abnormalities. Up to 30% of Trisomy 21 patients are affected by atlanto‐axial or atlanto‐occipital instability, but only 1%‐2% of cases are symptomatic. The radiologic assessment of cervical instability is not unanimously considered mandatory. The dynamic cervical spine radiograph is the most common screening tool for ruling out cervical spine instability in patients with Trisomy 21, and it is often requested before surgery. Several measurements have been investigated to assess the presence and degree of cervical instability; however, no conclusive recommendations have been forthcoming. In daily practice, many anesthesiologists may provide anesthesia via such means as laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation during surgery, without any radiological investigations before surgery. This review focuses on the diagnostic and prognostic measures available to evaluate the presence and degree of cervical instability in patients with Trisomy 21 and to propose practical recommendations to be applied in clinical practice.
Opportunity equality and development: Rural income mobility and city size in China
Authors: Chen Binkai , Liu Dan , Lu Ming
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we examine the relationship between city size and rural intergenerational mobility using prefecture‐level data in China. We find that intergenerational mobility in rural areas is positively related to urban population of the affiliated cities. This correlation is partially driven by better coverage of secondary and university education for the rural young who reside close to large cities. Moreover, our further investigation shows that the return to high school education is less dependent on parent incomes around larger cities for rural young people.
Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sports: In the Context of Turkey Sample Determination of Risk Factors in Relationship of Coaches and Female Athletes
Authors: Terekli Mustafa Serdar , Çobanoğlu Halil Orbay
Published: September 2018

Today, sexual harassment is common in all areas of daily life. Numerous scientific researchers have been conducted since the rate of sexual harassment has increased day by day. Nowadays, the increase of sexual abuse and harassment in almost every area of organizational structure and field is creating a serious threat, and it has forced many managers and academics to come together. In addition to the many organizations that have experienced sexual harassment, since many years sexual harassment and abuse have increased in sport fields and in different sport branches. What is the characteristic that makes sports field an area open to sexual abuse and that differs from other social areas? The first answer that comes to mind is transparency. Sports is seen as a transparent area due to the fact that it is independent of other areas of life. That is, the sport field is not operating as a different area which emphasizes only physical performance or ability regarded as a different field. Sexual harassment and abuse are not events that happen on their own in the sport. While harassment and abuse events in many areas of society are difficult to reveal, harassment and abuse events in sports are very visible. However, this visibility is only within the community. When you ask almost every sector working in the sports field, it seems that there is a story of harassment that they have lived or heard about in the past. The aim of this study is to offer suggestions to the athletes, their families and coaches for the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse in sport in order to eliminate the negative impact on athletes who have experienced and encountered sexual harassment and abuse in Turkey.
Distributed Co-simulation of Maritime Systems and Operations
Authors: Sadjina Severin , Kyllingstad Lars Tandle , Rindarøy Martin , Skjong Stian , Æsøy Vilmar , Pedersen Eilif
Published: September 2018

Here, we present the concept of an open virtual prototyping framework (VPF) for maritime systems and operations that enables its users to develop reusable component or subsystem models, and combine them in full-system simulations for prototyping, verification, training, and performance studies. This framework consists of a set of guidelines for model coupling, high-level and low-level coupling interfaces to guarantee interoperability, a full-system simulation software, and example models and demonstrators. We discuss the requirements for such a framework, address the challenges and the possibilities in fulfilling them, and aim to give a list of best practices for modular and efficient virtual prototyping and full-system simulation. The context of our work is within maritime systems and operations, but the issues and solutions we present here are general enough to be of interest to a much broader audience, both industrial and scientific.
On the Climate Variability and Energy Demands for Indoor Human Comfort Levels in a Tropical-Coastal Urban Environment
Authors: Pokhrel Rabindra , Ortiz Luis Enrique , Ramírez-Beltran Nazario D. , González Jorge E.
Published: September 2018

The main objective of this study is to identify how climate variability and urbanization influence human comfort levels in tropical-coastal urban environments. San Juan Metro Metropolitan Area (SJMA) of the island of Puerto Rico was chosen as a reference point. A new human discomfort index (HDI) based on environmental enthalpy is defined to determine the energy required to maintain indoor human comfort levels. Regression analysis shows that both temperature and HDI are good indictors to predict total electrical energy consumption. Results showed that over the past 35 years, the average environmental enthalpy have increased, resulting in the increase of average HDI with clear bias due to urbanization. Local scale weather station data show a decreasing rate of maximum cooling per capita at –11.41 kW h/years and increasing of minimum cooling per capita of 10.64 kW h/years; however, for the whole Caribbean region, an increasing trend is observed for both minimum and maximum cooling per capita. To estimate human comfort levels under extreme heat wave events conditions, an event of 2014 was identified. The analysis is complemented by simulations from the weather forecasting system (WRF) at a resolution of 1 km, forced by data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction at 250 km spatial resolution. WRF model results were evaluated against observations showing good agreement for both temperature and relative humidity (RH) and improvements. It also shows that energy per capita in urban areas during a heat wave event can increase to 21% as compared to normal day.
Solar Radiation Model Applied to a Low Temperature Evacuated Tubes Solar Collector
Authors: López-Núñez Oscar A. , Arturo Alfaro-Ayala J. , Ramírez-Minguela J. J. , Nicolás Flores-Balderas J. , Belman-Flores J. M.
Published: September 2018

A solar radiation model is applied to a low temperature water-in-glass evacuated tubes solar collector to predict its performance via computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations. This approach allows obtaining the transmitted, reflected, and absorbed solar radiation flux and the solar heat flux on the surface of the evacuated tubes according to the geographical location, the date, and the hour of a day. Different environmental and operational conditions were used to obtain the outlet temperature of the solar collector; these results were validated against four experimental tests based on an Official Mexican Standard resulting in relative errors between 0.8% and 2.6%. Once the model is validated, two cases for the solar collector were studied: (i) different mass flow rates under a constant solar radiation and (ii) different solar radiation (due to the hour of the day) under a constant mass flow rate to predict its performance and efficiency. For the first case, it was found that the outlet temperature decreases as the mass flow rate increases reaching a steady value for a mass flow rate of 0.1 kg/s (6 l/min), while for the second case, the results showed a corresponding outlet temperature behavior to the solar radiation intensity reaching to a maximum temperature of 36.5 °C at 14:00 h. The CFD numerical study using a solar radiation model is more realistic than the previous reported works leading to overcome a gap in the knowledge of the low temperature evacuated tube solar collectors.
Multifractal Analysis of Daily Global Horizontal Radiation in Complex Topography Island: La Reunion as a Case Study
Authors: Bessafi Miloud , Oree Vishwamitra , Hossen Khoodaruth Abdel Anwar , Jumaux Guillaume , Bonnardot François , Jeanty Patrick , Delsaut Mathieu , Chabriat Jean-Pierre , Zaid Dauhoo Muhammad , Peng Li
Published: September 2018

An accurate assessment of the amount solar radiation incident at specific locations is highly complex due to the dependence of available solar radiation on many meteorological and topographic parameters. Reunion Island, a small tropical French territory, intends to deploy solar energy technologies rapidly. In this context, the variability and intermittency of solar irradiance in different regions of the island is of immediate interest if the generated energy will be integrated in the existing energy network. This paper identifies different features of spatial and temporal variability of daily global horizontal irradiance (GHI) observed on Reunion Island. For this purpose, trends in the mean daily as well as seasonal variability of GHI were investigated. Furthermore, the intermittency and multifractal behaviors of the spatial daily GHI change were examined. Analyzing this daily variability is crucial to day-ahead forecasting of solar resource for better managing solar integration in the power grid, particularly in small island states with isolated power systems. Results revealed that the difference in cumulative GHI for two successive days ranges between −10 and 10 kW/m2/day while the highest and lowest variability of daily change occurs during summer and winter, respectively. The decorrelation distance, which gives a measure of the distance over which the variability at distinct geographic locations become independent of one another at a given timescale, was also calculated. It was found that the average decorrelation distance for day-to-day GHI change is about 22 km, a smaller value than that calculated by the previous studies using much sparser radiometric networks. The Hurst exponent, fractal co-dimension, and Lévy parameter, which describe solar radiation intermittency, were also evaluated for Reunion Island.
Ron Resch Origami Pattern Inspired Energy Absorption Structures
Authors: Chen Zhe , Wu Tonghao , Nian Guodong , Shan Yejie , Liang Xueya , Jiang Hanqing , Qu Shaoxing
Published: September 2018

Energy absorption structures are widely used in many scenarios. Thin-walled members have been heavily employed to absorb impact energy. This paper presents a novel, Ron Resch origami pattern inspired energy absorption structure. Experimental characterization and numerical simulations were conducted to study the energy absorption of this structure. The results show a new collapse mode in terms of energy absorption featuring multiple plastic hinge lines, which lead to the peak force reduction and larger effective stroke, as compared with the classical honeycomb structure. Overall, the Ron Resch origami-inspired structure and the classical honeycomb structure are quite complementary as energy absorption structures.
Self-Sufficient Modeling of Single Track Deposition of Ti–6Al–4V With the Prediction of Capture Efficiency
Authors: Katinas Christopher , Liu Shunyu , Shin Yung C.
Published: September 2018

Understanding the capture efficiency of powder during direct laser deposition (DLD) is critical when determining the overall manufacturing costs of additive manufacturing (AM) for comparison to traditional manufacturing methods. By developing a tool to predict the capture efficiency of a particular deposition process, parameter optimization can be achieved without the need to perform a costly and extensive experimental study. The focus of this work is to model the deposition process and acquire the final track geometry and temperature field of a single track deposition of Ti–6Al–4V powder on a Ti–6Al–4V substrate for a four-nozzle powder delivery system during direct laser deposition with a LENS™ system without the need for capture efficiency assumptions by using physical powder flow and laser irradiation profiles to predict capture efficiency. The model was able to predict the track height and width within 2 μm and 31 μm, respectively, or 3.3% error from experimentation. A maximum of 36 μm profile error was observed in the molten pool, and corresponds to errors of 11% and 4% in molten pool depth and width, respectively. Based on experimentation, the capture efficiency of a single track deposition of Ti–6Al–4V was found to be 12.0%, while that from simulation was calculated to be 11.7%, a 2.5% deviation.
Nonlinear Vision-Based Observer for Visual Servo Control of an Aerial Robot in Global Positioning System Denied Environments
Authors: Guo Dejun , Wang Hesheng , Leang Kam K.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a nonlinear vision-based observer to estimate 3D translational position and velocity of a quadrotor aerial robot for closed-loop, position-based, visual-servo control in global positioning system (GPS)-denied environments. The method allows for motion control in areas where GPS signals are weak or absent, for example, inside of a building. Herein, the robot uses a low-cost on-board camera to observe at least two feature points fixed in the world frame to self-localize for feedback control, without constraints on the altitude of the robot. The nonlinear observer described takes advantage of the geometry of the perspective projection and is designed to update the translational position and velocity in real-time by exploiting visual information and information from an inertial measurement unit. One key advantage of the algorithm is it does not require constraints or assumptions on the altitude and initial estimation errors. Two new controllers based on the backstepping technique that take advantage of the estimator's output are described and implemented for trajectory tracking. The Lyapunov method is used to show asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. Simulation and experimental results from an indoor environment where GPS localization is not available are presented to demonstrate feasibility and validate the performance of the observer and control system for hovering and tracking a circular trajectory defined in the world frame.
Two-Dimensional Modeling and System Identification of the Laser Metal Deposition Process
Authors: Sammons Patrick M. , Bristow Douglas A. , Landers Robert G.
Published: September 2018

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes fabricate parts by adding material in a layer-by-layer fashion. In order to enable closed-loop process control—a major hurdle in the adoption of most AM processes—compact models suitable for control design and for describing the layer-by-layer material addition process are needed. This paper proposes a two-dimensional modeling framework whereby the deposition of the current layer is affected by both in-layer and layer-to-layer dynamics, both of which are driven by the state of the previous layer. The proposed framework can be used to describe phenomena observed in AM processes such as layer rippling and large defects in laser metal deposition (LMD) processes. Further, the proposed framework can be used to create two-dimensional dynamic models for the analysis of layer-to-layer stability and as a foundation for the design of layer-to-layer controllers for AM processes. In the application to LMD, a two-dimensional linear–nonlinear–linear (LNL) repetitive process model is proposed that contains a linear dynamic component, which describes the dynamic evolution of the process from layer to layer, cascaded with a static nonlinear component cascaded with another linear dynamic component, which describes the dynamic evolution of the process within a given layer. A methodology, which leverages the two-dimensional LNL structure, for identifying the model process parameters is presented and validated with quantitative and qualitative experimental results.
Effect of Metallization on the Electromechanical Properties of Microfluidically Synthesized Hydrogel Beads
Authors: Kudtarkar Kaushik , Iglesias Patricia , Smith Thomas W. , Schertzer Michael J.
Published: September 2018

This investigation demonstrates that metallization can be used to tailor the electromechanical properties of polymer beads. Rigid ion exchange resin beads and softer microfluidically synthesized polyionic liquid hydrogel beads were metallized using an ion exchange process. Metallization increased bead stiffness and dielectric coefficient while reducing resistivity in all beads examined here. Gold-filled beads were preferable over platinum-filled beads as they generated greater changes in electrical properties with smaller increased stiffness. These properties could be further altered by performing multiple metallization steps, but diminishing returns were observed with each step. Ion exchange resin beads were always stable after multiple metallization steps, but polyionic beads would often rupture when repeatedly compressed. Polyionic beads with higher ionic liquid (IL) content were more fragile, and beads synthesized from monomer solutions containing 1% IL were mechanically robust after three metallization steps. These 1% IL beads delivered similar electrical properties as the IONAC beads that also underwent three metallization steps at a significantly reduced stiffness.
Design and Optimization of a Ducted Marine Current Savonius Turbine for Gun-Barrel Passage, Fiji
Authors: Goundar Jai Nendran , Ahmed M. Rafiuddin , Lee Young-Ho
Published: September 2018

Marine current energy is a reliable and clean source of energy. Many marine current turbines have been designed and developed over the years. Placement of an appropriately designed duct or shroud around the turbine significantly improves the turbine performance. In the present work, a ducted Savonius turbine (DST) is designed and optimized and its performance analysis carried out. The components of DSTs are simple and easily available and can be manufactured in developing countries like Fiji. A scaled-down model of 1/20 of a DST was fabricated and tested in a water stream at a velocity of 0.6 m/s and the results were used to validate the results from a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code ANSYS-cfx. Finally, a full-scale DST was modeled to study the flow characteristics in the turbine and the performance characteristics. The maximum efficiency of the turbine is around 50% at the tip speed ratio (TSR) of 3.5 and the maximum shaft power obtained is 10 kW at the rated speed of 1.15 m/s and around 65 kW at a freestream velocity of 2.15 m/s. The stress distribution on the ducted turbine was also obtained.