bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Prednisone on Tuberculin Skin Test Reaction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Reitblat Olga , Lerman Tsahi T. , Cohen Ornit , Reitblat Tatiana
Published: October 2018

Objectives. To assess the correlation between prednisone and methotrexate (MTX) treatment duration and dosage with the TST induration diameter of the TST reaction among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Method. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive cases of RA patients who were TNF-i therapy candidates. TST measurements, prednisone and methotrexate dosages, and treatment durations were recorded. A control group was randomly selected from healthy subjects. We compared TST reaction size between the following three groups: RA patients with current prednisone treatment, RA prednisone naïve patients, and healthy individuals. Results. Our study sample comprised 43 RA patients with prednisone treatment, 22 prednisone naïve patients, and 195 healthy subjects. There was no significant difference in mean TST between the groups (5.3±6.6, 7.8±6.2, and 7.6±7.0, respectively, p=0.149). No correlation was noted between TST size and prednisone u-y (r=0.229, p=0.140) or methotrexate u-y in patients with and without prednisone therapy (r=0.219, p=0.158; and r=−0.293, p=0.186, respectively). Conclusions. Our results show that the TST reaction size among RA patients may not be affected by prednisone therapy. In addition, the TST reaction of RA patients may present similarly to that of healthy individuals. Therefore, we suggest that the criterion of a TST reaction of 5 mm to define latent TB infection in our population should be reevaluated.
Possible Clues for Brain Energy Translation via Endolysosomal Trafficking of APP‐CTFs in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Sivanesan Senthilkumar , Mundugaru Ravi , Rajadas Jayakumar
Published: October 2018

Vascular dysfunctions, hypometabolism, and insulin resistance are high and early risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a leading neurological disease associated with memory decline and cognitive dysfunctions. Early defects in glucose transporters and glycolysis occur during the course of AD progression. Hypometabolism begins well before the onset of early AD symptoms; this timing implicates the vulnerability of hypometabolic brain regions to beta‐secretase 1 (BACE‐1) upregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, synaptic failure, and cell death. Despite the fact that ketone bodies, astrocyte‐neuron lactate shuttle, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), and glycogenolysis compensate to provide energy to the starving AD brain, a considerable energy crisis still persists and increases during disease progression. Studies that track brain energy metabolism in humans, animal models of AD, and in vitro studies reveal striking upregulation of beta‐amyloid precursor protein (β‐APP) and carboxy‐terminal fragments (CTFs). Currently, the precise role of CTFs is unclear, but evidence supports increased endosomal‐lysosomal trafficking of β‐APP and CTFs through autophagy through a vague mechanism. While intracellular accumulation of Aβ is attributed as both the cause and consequence of a defective endolysosomal‐autophagic system, much remains to be explored about the other β‐APP cleavage products. Many recent works report altered amino acid catabolism and expression of several urea cycle enzymes in AD brains, but the precise cause for this dysregulation is not fully explained. In this paper, we try to connect the role of CTFs in the energy translation process in AD brain based on recent findings.
Chemical Profiling of Xueshuan Xinmaining Tablet by HPLC and UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF/MS
Authors: Han Ya-Xin , Wang Peng-Fei , Zhao Meng , Chen Liang-Mian , Wang Zhi-Min , Liu Xiao-Qian , Gao Hui-Min , Gong Mu-Xin , Li Hui , Zhu Ji-Zhong , Liu Chuan-Gui
Published: October 2018

Xueshuan Xinmaining Tablet (XXT) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of stroke, chest pain, coronary heart disease, and angina pectoris caused by blood stasis. Having a multiple‐component preparation, it is still far from meeting the requirements of modernization and standardization because its detailed chemical basis and action mechanism have not been clarified. In this work, the different batches of XXT samples were analyzed by HPLC and the typical sample was analyzed by UPLC‐ESI‐Q‐TOF/MS to understand its chemical profiling. As a result, 77 chromatographic peaks were detected, among which 63 constituents were identified or tentatively characterized based on the comparison of retention time and UV spectra with authentic compounds as well as by summarized MS fragmentation rules and matching of empirical molecular formula with those of published components. This is the first systematic report on the chemical profiling of the commercial XXT products, which provides the sufficiently chemical evidence for the global quality evaluation of XXT products.
Stability Analysis and Confidence Level Evaluation of Backfill Mining under High and Steep Rock Slopes
Authors: Hu Bo-yi , Wang Xin-min , Li Shuai , Zhao Jian-wen , Eugénie Nyandwe Musonda
Published: October 2018

To extract the 6.3 million tons of high‐quality phosphate resources, a stability analysis and confidence level evaluation of backfill mining under high and steep rock slopes (HSRS) were conducted using the Slide software and a Monte Carlo simulation. The geological model of HSRS was constructed based on a geotechnical investigation. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to obtain the engineering parameters of the rock mass, and the mechanism of action of the backfill mining method was analyzed. After the stability analysis, the average safety factors of HSRS for normal operation are 1.575 (backfill method) and 1.509 (open‐stope method), and for seismic conditions, they are 1.470 (backfill method) and 1.380 (open‐stope method). According to the confidence level evaluation, the average failure probability of HSRS by using the backfill mining method is 0.0143. The results showed that using the backfill mining method under HSRS had better seismic stability and lower potential levels of destruction than using the traditional open‐stope mining method. In addition, the backfill mining method can prevent the development of a circular failure surface, reduce the destructive effect of mining to a minimum, and maintain the lower failure probability of HSRS.
Herpes Zoster Burden in Canadian Provinces: A Narrative Review and Comparison with Quebec Provincial Data
Authors: Letellier Marie-Claude , Amini Rachid , Gilca Vladimir , Trudeau Gisele , Sauvageau Chantal
Published: October 2018

Background. The main aim of this review was to assess incidence rates and trends of medically attended and death cases of herpes zoster in Canada. Methods. The search was conducted in five databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, PsycNET, and Web of Science). Data on herpes zoster-related consultations and hospitalisations and deaths were also extracted from three Quebec provincial administrative databases (RAMQ, MED-ECHO, and ISQ). Results. The electronic search yielded 587 publications. Seventeen publications satisfied inclusion criteria. These publications reported data from eleven studies. Ten studies used provincial databases, and one study used the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network electronic database. Seven studies evaluated overall rates of medically attended cases (consultations and hospitalisations). Four of these studies reported an increase in rates of medically attended cases during the study period; one study reported stable rates, and two studies reported only an average rate. The rates varied from 316 to 450/100,000 p.y. The Quebec analysis shows similar rates with a slight decreasing trend (from 369 to 350/100,000 p.y.). Incidence rates of consultations were reported separately in three studies. Two studies reported an increase in rates (from 258 to 348/100,000 p.y. and from 324 to 366/100,000 p.y.), and the third study reported a decrease (from 525 to 479/100,000 p.y.). Hospitalization rates were reported separately in two studies, both reporting a decrease (from 12 to 8 cases/100,000 p.y. and from 9 to 4 cases/100,000 p.y.). Quebec data also showed a decrease, from 9 to 6 cases/100,000 p.y. One study reported herpes zoster-related deaths. In this study, the reported death rate was 0.7/1,000,000 p.y. in the overall population and 5.5/1,000,000 p.y. in those aged ≥65 years. Quebec analysis showed a death rate of 1.2/1,000,000 p.y. in the overall population and 8.6/1,000,000 p.y. in those aged ≥65 years. Conclusions. The results of the reviewed studies and our analysis of Quebec provincial data indicate important variations in the reported overall incidence rates of medically attended herpes zoster cases in Canada. The trends in time are heterogeneous in studies in which hospitalisations and medical consultations were pooled together. We observed a decrease in hospitalization rates and a slight increase in consultation rates in studies reporting hospitalisations and consultations separately. These results consolidate the understanding of the herpes zoster burden in Canada and might be used as a tool in decision-making regarding future preventive interventions.
Integrated Optimization on Assortment Packing and Collaborative Shipping for Fashion Clothing
Authors: Wang Qianying , Jiang Yiping , Liu Yang
Published: October 2018

With the diversification of customer’s demand and the shortage of social resources, meeting diverse requirements of customers and reducing logistics costs have attracted great attention in logistics area. In this paper, we address an integrated optimization problem that combines fashion clothing assortment packing with collaborative shipping simultaneously. We formulate this problem as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model (MINLP) and then convert the proposed model into a simplified model. We use LINGO 11.0 to solve the transformed model. Numerical experiments have been conducted to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model, and the numerical results show that the proposed model is beneficial to the fashion clothing assortment packing and collaborative shipping planning.
Distributed Fault Detection for Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Support Vector Regression
Authors: Cheng Yong , Liu Qiuyue , Wang Jun , Wan Shaohua , Umer Tariq
Published: October 2018

Because the existing approaches for diagnosing sensor networks lead to low precision and high complexity, a new fault detection mechanism based on support vector regression and neighbor coordination is proposed in this work. According to the redundant information about meteorological elements collected by a multisensor, a fault prediction model is built using a support vector regression algorithm, and it achieves residual sequences. Then, the node status is identified by mutual testing among reliable neighbor nodes. Simulations show that when the sensor fault probability in wireless sensor networks is 40%, the detection accuracy of the proposed algorithm is over 87%, and the false alarm ratio is below 7%. The detection accuracy is increased by up to 13%, in contrast to other algorithms. This algorithm not only reduces the communication to sensor nodes but also has a high detection accuracy and a low false alarm ratio. The proposed algorithm is suitable for fault detection in meteorological sensor networks with low node densities and high failure ratios.
Dynamical Behaviors of Coupled Memristor-Based Oscillators with Identical and Different Nonlinearities
Authors: Elsonbaty A. , Abdelkhalek A. , Elsaid A.
Published: October 2018

In this work, the interesting dynamics of coupled nonlinear memristor-based oscillators in ring configuration are explored. The mathematical models are derived to describe the possible cases of employing identical or different nonlinearities. Analytical and numerical techniques, involving perturbation methods, normal forms, phase portraits, and Lyapunov exponents are used to investigate various types of dynamical behaviors along with their stability regions in parameters space. The effects of time-delayed coupling on the proposed system are numerically studied. It is demonstrated that the coupled oscillators show rich dynamics including periodic orbits, quasiperiodicity, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional tori.
Intelligent Controllers for Multirobot Competitive and Dynamic Tracking
Authors: Liu Mei , Li Shuai , Li Xiaodi , Jin Long , Yi Chenfu , Huang Zhiguan
Published: October 2018

This paper focuses on the problem of target tracking using k fittest robots in a group of n mobile robots with n > k. We present centralized and distributed coordination models with all‐to‐all and limited communications, respectively. For the case of all‐to‐all communication between robots, theoretical analysis is presented to prove the exponential stability of the whole system. In real applications of robotic networks, a robot may only be allowed to exchange information with a limited number of neighbors. In such a limited communication case where centralized quantity is not available, a consensus filter is used to estimate the centralized quantities in a distributed way, and a distributed competitive target tracking is thus achieved. The stability of the distributed control is also proved in theory. Finally, illustrative examples are provided and analyzed to substantiate the efficacy of the proposed models for tracking moving target in a competition manner with all‐to‐all communications and limited communications.
Radiological-Pathological Correlation in Plasmablastic Lymphoma in an Immunocompromised Patient
Authors: Moramarco A. , Marenco M. , La Cava M. , Lambiase A.
Published: October 2018

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a malignant, rare, and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with poor response to treatment that most commonly involves the oral mucosa of immunodeficient patients. The orbit might be primarily or secondarily involved; on the other hand other pathological conditions, i.e., fungal infections, may localize in the orbit in both immunocompromised patients and drug user, which might have similar radiological features. We describe the clinical, radiological, and pathological features of an orbital plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) in an immunocompromised HIV positive drug user patient.
Shearing Performance of Lime‐Reinforced Iron Tailing Powder Based on Energy Dissipation
Authors: Jiang Ping , Qiu Lingqi , Li Na , Wang Wei , Zhou Aizhao , Xiao Jingping
Published: October 2018

The resource utilization of iron tailing powder is an effective measure to reduce the risk of tailing stacking. Based on the research findings on lime soil, a method for using lime to strengthen iron tailing powder was proposed. F-s curves and c and φ values of iron tailing powder with 0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 10% lime were obtained through direct shear tests. The back propagation (BP) neural network algorithm was used to fit the F-s curve, and the fitting equation that met the accuracy requirement was obtained. Based on the energy dissipation theory, the shear failure energy dissipation of iron tailing powder with different lime doses was achieved in the form of definite integrals under different normal stresses of 100 kPa, 200 kPa, 300 kPa, and 400 kPa, respectively. It was concluded that the addition of lime could increase the shear energy dissipation of iron tailing powder. The shear energy dissipation of iron tailing powder first increased and then decreased with the increase in lime dose. The maximum value was reached with 4% lime, and the energy dissipation increased linearly with increasing normal stress. In this study, the shear performance of lime‐reinforced iron tailing powder was studied through the direct shear test combined with the energy dissipation theory, providing a theoretical basis for the resource utilization of iron tailing powder.
On Fixed Point Property under Lipschitz and Uniform Embeddings
Authors: Zhang Jichao , Bao Lingxin , Su Lili
Published: October 2018

We first present a generalization of ω⁎-Gâteaux differentiability theorems of Lipschitz mappings from open sets to those closed convex sets admitting nonsupport points and then show that every nonempty bounded closed convex subset of a Banach space has the fixed point property for isometries if it Lipschitz embeds into a super reflexive space. With the application of Baudier-Lancien-Schlumprecht’s theorem, we finally show that every nonempty bounded closed convex subset of a Banach space has the fixed point property for continuous affine mappings if it uniformly embeds into the Tsirelson space T⁎.
The Modified Gil-Vernet Antireflux Surgery: A Successful Technique for High-Grade Vesicoureteral Reflux Correction in Children—Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Moradi Mahmoudreza , Seyedzadeh Abolhassan , Gharakhloo Saeed , Teymourinezhad Aref , Kaseb Kaveh , Rezaee Haress
Published: October 2018

Introduction. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common urologic anomaly in children. Many techniques have been offered to manage this condition, in which one of them is modified Gil-Vernet antireflux surgery. The study fullfiled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified Gil-Vernet antireflux surgery in correction of high-grade VUR.Materials and Methods. A retrospective study in which we evaluated efficacy, safety, and complications of modified Gil-Vernet antireflux surgery as a choice procedure for high-grade reflux in all patients who underwent it since 2000 to 2016 at 2 hospitals of Kermanshah University of medical sciences that all of them were done by one surgeon.Results. 183 patients with 290 high-grade refluxing units (grade IV or V) were reviewed. 182 refluxing units were grade IV, and 108 units were grade V. There were 76 (41.54%) patients with unilateral and 107 (58.46%) patients with bilateral VUR. Reflux in high-grade group corrected completely in 278 (95.86%) refluxing units and 175 patients (95.62%).Conclusions. Our results are remarkable and compatible with other techniques’ results. This simple and safe technique can correct bilateral VURs simultaneously; thus, it is rational to be considered for high-grade VUR correction. According to our results, we suggest the modified Gil-Vernet antireflux procedure for high-grade VUR correction as a simple, safe, and successful technique. This trial is registered with 67145/86/1233.
Thermal Stress Analysis of Chip Scale Packaging by Using Novel Multiscale Interface Element Method
Authors: Liu D. S. , Chen Y. W. , Tsai C. Y.
Published: October 2018

In this study, a multiscale interface element method (MIEM) is developed to evaluate the interfacial peel and shear stress distributions in multilayer packaging structures. A newly developed polygon interface element contained many sides that could easily connect with many other polygon elements of much smaller scale. Simple model and less computation can obtain accurate stress distributions. After verification of the validity of the developed model, MIEM is applied to analyze thermal stress distribution of the chip scale package (CSP). In general, a good qualitative agreement has been observed between the various results. Moreover, MIEM can directly obtain the stress value at the interface, which is also one of the advantages of this method in dealing with multilayer structures.
The Influence of Position of the Displaced Lesser Trochanter on Clinical Outcome of Unstable Trochanteric Femur Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Sun Qi , Ge Wei , Hu Hengda , Li Gen , Wu JieZhou , Lu Guanghua , Cai Ming
Published: October 2018

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate whether position of the displaced lesser trochanter affected clinical outcome in the treatment of unstable trochanteric fractures with intramedullary fixation. Patients and Methods. Patients with unstable trochanteric fractures and displaced lesser trochanter who received intramedullary fixation were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Based on displacement distance of the lesser trochanter and whether the lesser trochanter was reduced operatively, patients were divided into three groups: patients with the displaced lesser trochanter less than 1cm (Group A), those with the displaced lesser trochanter more than 1 cm without operative reduction (Group B), or those with operative reduction (Group C). The surgical time, reduction quality, Harris Hip Score (HHS), Visual Analog Score (VAS), and complication rate were reviewed. Results. There were 42 patients in Group A, 33 in Group B, and 36 in Group C with comparable demographic characteristics. The surgical time was significantly longer in Group C (P=0.009), compared with Groups A and B. Fracture reduction quality was comparable with over 85% good reduction among the three groups. The VAS score was significantly higher in Group B (P=0.023) without significant difference between Groups A and B. The HHS score was slightly lower in Group B, but it did not reach significant difference. The complication rate was statistically higher in Group B (p=0.043) than Groups A and C. Conclusion. The severe displaced lesser trochanter may increase postoperative complications and postoperative pain in the treatment of unstable trochanteric femur fractures. However, the displaced lesser trochanter may not affect hip function.
Flexural Behaviors of Concrete/EPS‐Foam/Glass‐Fiber Composite Sandwich Panel
Authors: Liu Qi , Du Wenfeng , Uddin Nasim , Zhou Zhiyong
Published: October 2018

Composite structural insulated panels (CSIPs) have been developed for structural floor applications instead of traditional structural insulated panels (SIPs). However, the load bearing capacity of CSIPs is low due to the debonding between the top face sheet and the core when they are used for floors. To overcome this drawback, an improved composite structural insulated panel (ICSIP) was proposed and analyzed in this paper. In ICSIPs, a thick layer of concrete is used as the top face sheet instead of glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) in CSIPs to increase the stiffness of the top compression face sheet. However, the bottom GFRP face sheet and EPS cores in CSIPs are preserved to reduce the weight of the structure and act as a template for the top concrete panels. Full‐scale experimental testing and finite‐element analysis were conducted to predict the flexural strength and deflection of the ICSIP floor member. Good agreement has been observed between the numerical results and experimental response up to the failure. The cause of failure of ICSIPs is the crushing of concrete face sheet rather than debonding. Moreover, the calculation formula for the ultimate bearing load and deflection was also developed based on the classical sandwich theory. The theoretical predictions reflect well the linear flexural response of the ICSIPs, while deviate as the load increases up to failure due to the theory limitations.
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Taxane‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Trial
Authors: Jeong Young Ju , Kwak Min Ah , Seo Jung Chul , Park Seong Hoon , Bong Jin Gu , Shin Im Hee , Park Sung Hwan
Published: October 2018

Objectives. Some chemotherapy drugs can damage the nerves and cause peripheral neuropathy which is accompanied by severe neuropathic pain or gait impairment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and the safety of acupuncture for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy following chemotherapy in Korean breast cancer patients. Design. This study was a prospective single‐arm observational study using before and after measurements in breast cancer patients presenting with taxane‐induced peripheral neuropathy. Settings/Location. This study was performed at East‐West Medical Center at Daegu Catholic University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea. Interventions. Acupuncture was administered 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks, for 25 ± 5 minutes at each session. Outcome Measures. The primary outcome measure was severity of CIPN using the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) of extremities. The secondary outcome measure was quality of life (QoL) assessed by a self‐administered questionnaire using the 36‐Item Short From Health Survey (SF‐36). Results. Acupuncture significantly reduced the severity of CIPN assessed by NPSI score. Four weeks after the last treatment, the symptoms were not aggravated. According to NCS, 42.9% of participants showed improvement of sensory neuropathy. At the end of the treatment, SF‐36 scores were significantly increased for variables including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, social functioning, and general health perceptions compared to those of baseline measurement. Conclusions. Acupuncture improved symptoms of CIPN and QoL in Korean women suffering from peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy using taxane for breast cancer. The effects of acupuncture lasted for at least 1 month after the treatment.
Experimental Analysis of Failure Mechanisms in Masonry‐PFRP Profiles Connections
Authors: Sciarretta Francesca , Russo Salvatore , Casalegno Carlo
Published: October 2018

Fibre‐reinforced polymer (FRP) profiles, with their low density, high durability, and ease of construction, are particularly suitable for the retrofit of traditional masonry structures, particularly historic constructions in seismic zones. However, a critical aspect of this new technology application is the connection between FRP profiles and masonry walls. So far, no research studies are available on this subject. The authors carried out a preliminary experimental campaign on different connection systems between masonry and pultruded glass‐fibre‐reinforced polymer (GFRP) profiles. The note presents the immediate results of this study, focusing on the performance and collapse mechanisms; the study may contribute to the development of an effective connection system between masonry and FRP profiles to be adopted in the retrofitting of existing building with juxtaposed FRP frames.
Proposal of Two Prognostic Models for the Prediction of 10-Year Survival after Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases
Authors: Kulik Ulf , Plohmann-Meyer Mareike , Gwiasda Jill , Kolb Joline , Meyer Daniel , Kaltenborn Alexander , Lehner Frank , Klempnauer Jürgen , Schrem Harald
Published: October 2018

Background. One-third of 5-year survivors after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) develop recurrence or tumor-related death. Therefore 10-year survival appears more adequate in defining permanent cure. The aim of this study was to develop prognostic models for the prediction of 10-year survival after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. Methods. N=965 cases of liver resection for CLM were retrospectively analyzed using univariable and multivariable regression analyses. Receiver operating curve analyses were used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of developed prognostic models and their potential clinical usefulness. Results. The 10-year survival rate was 15.2%. Age at liver resection, application of chemotherapies of the primary tumor, preoperative Quick’s value, hemoglobin level, and grading of the primary colorectal tumor were independent significant predictors for 10-year patient survival. The generated formula to predict 10-year survival based on these preoperative factors displayed an area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) of 0.716. In regard to perioperative variables, the distance of resection margins and performance of right segmental liver resection were additional independent predictors for 10-year survival. The logit link formula generated with pre- and perioperative variables showed an AUROC of 0.761. Conclusion. Both prognostic models are potentially clinically useful (AUROCs >0.700) for the prediction of 10-year survival. External validation is required prior to the introduction of these models in clinical patient counselling.
An Investigation of the Safety Performance of Roundabouts in Korea Based on a Random Parameters Count Model
Authors: Park Minho , Lee Dongmin , Park Je-Jin
Published: October 2018

It is well known that a roundabout is an efficient and safe intersection. However, the safety is generally influenced by the given various conditions. This study analyzed the effects of the geometric and traffic flow conditions on traffic accident frequency at roundabouts, constructed in Korea since 2010. Many previous studies have investigated the efficiency and safety effects of roundabout installation. However, not many studies have analyzed the specific influences of individual geometric elements and traffic flow conditions of roundabouts. Accordingly, this study analyzed the effects of various influencing variables on traffic accident frequency based on a random parameter count model using traffic accident data in 199 roundabouts. Using random parameters that can take into account unobserved heterogeneity, this study tried to make up for the weakness of the fixed parameters model, which constrains estimated parameters to be fixed across all observations. A total of eight variables were determined to be the main influencing factors on traffic accident frequency including the number and width of entry lanes, the presence of pedestrian crossings, the width of the circulatory lanes, the presence of central islands, the radius and number of entry lanes, and traffic volume influence accident frequency. Based on the study results, safer roundabout design and more efficient roundabout operation are expected.
Underwater Acoustic Image Encoding Based on Interest Region and Correlation Coefficient
Authors: Lixin Liu , Feng Guo , Jinqiu Wu
Published: October 2018

It is difficult for the conventional image compression method to achieve good compression effect in the underwater acoustic image (UWAI), because the UWAI has large amount of noise and low correlation between pixel points. In this paper, fractal coding is introduced into UWAI compression, and a fractal coding algorithm based on interest region is proposed according to the importance of different regions in the image. The application problems of traditional quadtree segmentation in UWAIs was solved by the range block segmentation method in the coding process which segmented the interest region into small size and the noninterest region into large size and balanced the compression ratio and the decoded image quality. This paper applies the classification, reduction codebook, and correlation coefficient matching strategy to narrow the search range of the range block in order to solve the problem of the long encoding time and the calculation amount of encoding process is greatly reduced. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the compression ratio and encoding speed while ensuring the image quality of important regions in the UWAI.
A Data Leakage Prevention Method Based on the Reduction of Confidential and Context Terms for Smart Mobile Devices
Authors: Yu Xiang , Tian Zhihong , Qiu Jing , Jiang Feng
Published: October 2018

Early data leakage protection methods for smart mobile devices usually focus on confidential terms and their context, which truly prevent some kinds of data leakage events. However, with the high dimensionality and redundancy of text data, it is difficult to detect the documents which contain confidential contents accurately. Our approach updates cluster graph structure based on CBDLP (Data Leakage Protection Based on Context) model by computing the importance of confidential terms and the terms within the range of their context. By applying CBDLP with pruning procedure which has been validated, we further remove the redundancy terms and noise terms. Actually, not only can confidential terms be accurately detected but also the sophisticated rephrased confidential contents are detected during the experiments.
Closed‐Form Expression for the Bit Error Probability of the M‐QAM for a Channel Subjected to Impulsive Noise and Nakagami Fading
Authors: Silva Hugerles S. , Alencar Marcelo S. , Queiroz Wamberto J. L. , Almeida Danilo B. T. , Madeiro Francisco
Published: October 2018

In this paper, new exact expressions for evaluating the bit error probability (BEP) of the M‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation scheme (M‐QAM) for a channel model characterized by double gated additive white Gaussian noise (G2AWGN) and Nakagami fading are presented. The derivation of the BEP is performed considering a method in which the multiplicative fading is transformed in an additive noise R obtained by dividing the received signal by the estimated fading envelope. In addition, the probability density function (PDF) and cumulative density function (CDF) of the random variable R that represents the aforementioned noise are obtained for the G2AWGN. The BEP curves as a function of the signal to permanent noise ratio for several values of the signal to impulsive noise ratio, modulation order, and fading parameters are also presented.
A Retrospective Analysis of Colorectal Serrated Lesions from 2005 to 2014 in a Single Center: Importance of the Establishment of Diagnostic Patterns
Authors: Oliveira Priscilla S. P. , Carvalho Rita B. , Magro Daniela O. , Camargo Michel G. , Martinez Carlos A. R. , Coy Claudio S. R.
Published: October 2018

Background. Serrated colorectal lesions are increasingly recognized as an important process in the development of colorectal cancer. Endoscopic and histological diagnosis may be difficult, and knowledge of the serrated lesions is important for the establishment of strategies for treating colorectal lesions. We aimed to analyze serrated lesions diagnosed at a single center and evaluate if there was an increase in their identification over the years. Design and Setting. A retrospective analysis of colonoscopy reports was performed at a specialized center from 2005 to 2014. Methods. Colonoscopy reports about any resected endoscopic lesions were reviewed and subjected to histological diagnosis from 2005 to 2014. Then, serrated lesions were evaluated based on morphological characterization, location, size, occurrence of synchronous lesions, and the patient’s history of colorectal cancer and polyps. Results. A total of 2126 colonoscopy examination reports were reviewed, and 3494 lesions were analyzed. On histopathological examination, 1089 (31.2%) were classified as hyperplastic polyps, 22 (0.6%) as sessile serrated adenomas, and 21 (0.6%) as traditional serrated adenomas. There was an increase in the number of cases of sessile and traditional serrated adenomas diagnosed after 2010. Before 2010, two cases of sessile serrated adenomas and seven cases of traditional serrated adenomas were diagnosed; after 2010, 20 cases of sessile serrated adenoma and 14 cases of traditional serrated adenomas were diagnosed. Conclusion. There was an increase in the diagnosis of sessile serrated adenomas over the years, which can be attributed to better accuracy in colonoscopy and histological classification.
Photocatalytic Activity of Ag-TiO2 Composites Deposited by Photoreduction under UV Irradiation
Authors: Díaz-Uribe Carlos , Viloria Jose , Cervantes Lorraine , Vallejo William , Navarro Karen , Romero Eduard , Quiñones Cesar
Published: October 2018

In this work, we synthesized Ag nanoparticles on TiO2 thin films deposited on soda lime glass substrates. Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by photoreduction under UV irradiation silver nitrate solution. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used for physicochemical characterization. The structural study showed that all samples were polycrystalline, main phases were anatase and rutile, and no additional signals were detected after surface modification. Raman spectroscopy suggested that silver aggregates deposited on the TiO2 films could exhibit the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon; XPS and SEM analysis confirmed TiO2 film morphological modification after photoreduction process. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) was studied under UV irradiation in aqueous solution, and, besides, pseudo-first-order model was used to obtain kinetic information about photocatalytic degradation. Results indicated that Ag-TiO2 showed an important increase in photocatalytic activity under UV (from 20% to 35%); finally, Ag-TiO2 thin films had kapp value 2.4 × 10−3 ± 0.003 min−1 of 1.8 times greater than the kapp value 1.3 × 10−4 ± 0.0004 min−1 of TiO2 thin films.
Stabilization of Electrospun PAN/Gelatin Nanofiber Mats for Carbonization
Authors: Sabantina Lilia , Wehlage Daria , Klöcker Michaela , Mamun Al , Grothe Timo , García-Mateos Francisco José , Rodríguez-Mirasol José , Cordero Tomás , Finsterbusch Karin , Ehrmann Andrea
Published: October 2018

Due to their electrical and mechanical properties, carbon nanofibers are of large interest for diverse applications, from batteries to solar cells to filters. They can be produced by electrospinning polyacrylonitrile (PAN), stabilizing the gained nanofiber mats, and afterwards, carbonizing them in inert gas. The electrospun base material and the stabilization process are crucial for the results of the carbonization process, defining the whole fiber morphology. While blending PAN with gelatin to gain highly porous nanofibers has been reported a few times in the literature, no attempts have been made yet to stabilize and carbonize these fibers. This paper reports on the first tests of stabilizing PAN/gelatin nanofibers, depicting the impact of different stabilization temperatures and heating rates on the chemical properties as well as the morphologies of the resulting nanofiber mats. Similar to stabilization of pure PAN, a stabilization temperature of 280°C seems suitable, while the heating rate does not significantly influence the chemical properties. Compared to stabilization of pure PAN nanofiber mats, approximately doubled heating rates can be used for PAN/gelatin blends without creating undesired conglutinations, making this base material more suitable for industrial processes.
Experimental Study of Aged and Seriously Damaged RC Beams Strengthened Using CFRP Composites
Authors: Zhuang Ning , Dong Honghan , Chen Da , Ma Yeming
Published: October 2018

This paper presents results from experiments on aged and seriously damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with different arrangements of external carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates and end anchorages. Seven RC beams from an old bridge, measuring 250 × 200 × 2300 mm, were tested. All specimens were loaded to yield load to evaluate initial mechanical properties. Then, these seriously damaged specimens were repaired using different CFRP‐reinforcing schemes and reloaded to failure. The yield load growth due to CFRP reinforcement ranged from 5% to 36%. Different parameters including CFRP dimension and position, bonding length, and end anchorage were investigated and facilitated conclusions on beam ductility, load‐midspan deflection response, and failure mode. This research contributes to knowledge about the CFRP repair of aged and seriously damaged beams to ensure better performance in overloaded conditions.
Selective Reduction of a Heterotopic Cesarean Scar Pregnancy Complicated by Septic Abortion
Authors: Tymon-Rosario Joan , Chuang Meleen
Published: October 2018

Background. Heterotopic pregnancy involving the implantation of an ectopic pregnancy into a prior cesarean scar with a concurrent intrauterine pregnancy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition with minimal information in the literature to guide treatment and management options. Case. A 40-year-old G5P3103 at 12 weeks and 3 days with a history of two cesarean deliveries was diagnosed with a live heterotopic pregnancy containing a cesarean scar ectopic and an intrauterine pregnancy. After selective reduction of the cesarean scar gestation with potassium chloride (KCl), the patient presented ten days later to the emergency department with septic abortion and sepsis. The patient underwent bilateral uterine artery embolization followed by ultrasound guided uterine evacuation with dilation and curettage, which was complicated by intraoperative hemorrhage and persistent bacteremia. The patient had resolution of her bacteremia after total abdominal hysterectomy. Conclusion. Conservative management of uterine infection resulting from selective reduction of a heterotopic pregnancy cesarean scar pregnancy may be considered; however, severe septicemia and persistent bacteremia may necessitate definitive surgical management.
Acanthomatous Ameloblastoma of Mandible in a Paediatric Patient
Authors: Malathi Narasimhan , Giri G. V. V. , Pandyan Deepak A. , Suganya Ramalingam , Thamizhchelvan Harikrishnan
Published: October 2018

Ameloblastoma is a slow-growing, benign odontogenic tumor derived from odontogenic epithelial components with a mature fibrous stroma. It is the second most common odontogenic neoplasm following odontome. Acanthomatous ameloblastoma histologically presents with squamous epithelial metaplastic transformation of odontogenic tissue. The present case report of a 12-year-old male exclusively elaborates the issues concerned with the aggressive nature of acanthomatous ameloblastoma (AA) which is a distinctive variant of ameloblastoma.
A Relative Phase Based Audio Integrity Protection Method: Model and Strategy
Authors: Li Zhaozheng , Lei Weimin , Zhang Wei , Jo Kwanghyok
Published: October 2018

Audio oriented integrity protection should consider the characteristics of audio signals based on the combination of audio application scenarios. However, in the current popular network interaction environment, traditional verification based solutions can no longer work. A kind of integrity protection scheme for audio business should be redesigned in these new scenarios. In this context, a method of audio integrity protection based on relative phase (RP-AIP) is proposed. Through the design of integrity object (I.O.), the integrity of audio can be abstracted as the completeness and accuracy of it. The I.O. is bound to the audio signal in a uniformly and randomly embedded manner, and the embedding rules are controlled by the relative phase characteristic of the audio itself. The model and strategy of RP-AIP are illustrated, and the corresponding process and algorithm are demonstrated as well. Simulation experiments illustrate the feasibility of the proposed solution and indicate the superiority of its performance.
A Method for Multicriteria Group Decision Making with Different Evaluation Criterion Sets
Authors: Fan Zhi-Ping , Li Ming-Yang , Liu Yang , You Tian-Hui
Published: October 2018

Multicriteria group decision making (MCGDM) with different evaluation criterion sets is a special kind of MCGDM problem, where criterion sets considered by multiple experts may be different, while research concerning this issue is still relatively scarce. The objective of this paper is to develop a method for MCGDM with different evaluation criterion sets. In the method, according to different criterion sets, several criterion subsets are first constructed, where each criterion subset includes the criteria concerned by the same group of experts. Then, with respect to each criterion subset, a ranking of alternatives is determined by normalizing the decision matrix and calculating the ranking value of each alternative with respect to the criterion subset. Next, according to the ranking of alternatives with respect to each criterion subset, a ranking possibility matrix of alternatives with respect to the criterion subset is constructed. Further, the weight of each criterion subset is determined according to weights of the experts and weights of the criteria in the criterion subset. Moreover, an overall ranking possibility matrix is constructed by aggregating the ranking possibility matrices and weights concerning different criterion subsets, and the final ranking result of alternatives is determined by solving a linear assignment model, where the elements in the overall ranking possibility matrix are regarded as the benefits on assigning each alternative into different ranking positions. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the use of the proposed method.
Enrichment of Apple Slices with Bioactive Compounds from Pomegranate Cryoconcentrated Juice as an Osmodehydration Agent
Authors: Guerra-Valle M. E. , Moreno J. , Lillo-Pérez S. , Petzold G. , Simpson R. , Nuñez H.
Published: October 2018

Pomegranate juice is an important source of bioactive compounds, and cryoconcentrated juice is an interesting osmodehydration agent to enrich a vegetal matrix. This investigation aimed to incorporate bioactive compounds from pomegranate cryoconcentrated juice into apple slices using osmodehydration (OD) assisted by pulse vacuum (PV) and ohmic heating (OH). The apple slices (3 × 4 × 0.5 cm) were osmodehydrated using a 47 °Brix pomegranate cryoconcentrated juice at 30, 40, or 50°C for 180 min with an electric field of 6.66 V/cm (50 V) and a 5 min pulsed vacuum. Over the time, all of the treatments applied to the apple slices increased the soluble solids and bioactive compounds compared with the fresh sample. PVOD/OH at 50°C had the highest content of total anthocyanin during processing, and the best results for the total flavonoids were obtained with OD/OH at 50°C and 40°C. The osmodehydration assisted by pulse vacuum and ohmic heating using a cryoconcentrated juice is a useful combined technique to acquire enriched vegetal samples with bioactive compounds.
Diminished DEFA6 Expression in Paneth Cells Is Associated with Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Markasz Laszlo , Wanders Alkwin , Szekely Laszlo , Lilja Helene Engstrand
Published: October 2018

Background. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal disorder in premature infants with a high morbidity and mortality. Paneth cell dysfunction has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of NEC. Defensin alpha-6 (DEFA6) is a specific marker for Paneth cells acting as part of the innate immunity in the human intestines. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of DEFA6 in infants with NEC.Materials and Methods. Infants who underwent bowel resection for NEC at level III NICU in Sweden between August 2004 and September 2013 were eligible for the study. Macroscopically vital tissues were selected for histopathological evaluation. All infants in the control group underwent laparotomy and had ileostomy due to dysmotility, and samples were taken from the site of the stoma. DEFA6 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Digital image analysis was used for an objective and precise description of the samples.Results. A total of 12 infants were included in the study, eight with NEC and four controls. The tissue samples were taken from the colon (n=1), jejunum (n=1), and ileum (n=10). Both the NEC and control groups consisted of extremely premature and term infants (control group: 25–40 gestational weeks, NEC group: 23–39 gestational weeks). The postnatal age at the time of surgery varied in both groups (control group: 4–47 days, NEC group: 4–50 days). DEFA6 expression in the NEC group was significantly lower than that in the control group and did not correlate with gestational age.Conclusion. The diminished DEFA6 expression in Paneth cells associated with NEC in this study supports the hypothesis that alpha-defensins are involved in the pathophysiology of NEC. Future studies are needed to elucidate the role of alpha-defensins in NEC aiming at finding preventive and therapeutic strategies against NEC.