bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grip strength predicts cardiac adverse events in patients with cardiac disorders: an individual patient pooled meta-analysis
Authors: Pavasini Rita , Serenelli Matteo , Celis-Morales Carlos A , Gray Stuart R , Izawa Kazuhiro P , Watanabe Satoshi , Colin-Ramirez Eloisa , Castillo-Martínez Lilia , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Hanatani Shinsuke , Onoue Yoshiro , Tsujita Kenichi , Macdonald Peter S , Jha Sunita R , Roger Véronique L , Manemann Sheila M , Sanchis Juan , Ruiz Vicente , Bugani Giulia , Tonet Elisabetta , Ferrari Roberto , Volpato Stefano , Campo Gianluca
Published: November 2018

Objective

Grip strength is a well-characterised measure of weakness and of poor muscle performance, but there is a lack of consensus on its prognostic implications in terms of cardiac adverse events in patients with cardiac disorders.

Methods

Articles were searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library, BioMed Central and EMBASE. The main inclusion criteria were patients with cardiac disorders (ischaemic heart disease, heart failure (HF), cardiomyopathies, valvulopathies, arrhythmias); evaluation of grip strength by handheld dynamometer; and relation between grip strength and outcomes. The endpoints of the study were cardiac death, all-cause mortality, hospital admission for HF, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and myocardial infarction (MI). Data of interest were retrieved from the articles and after contact with authors, and then pooled in an individual patient meta-analysis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to define predictors of outcomes.

Results

Overall, 23 480 patients were included from 7 studies. The mean age was 62.3±6.9 years and 70% were male. The mean follow-up was 2.82±1.7 years. After multivariate analysis grip strength (difference of 5 kg, 5× kg) emerged as an independent predictor of cardiac death (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.89, p<0.0001), all-cause death (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.89, p<0.0001) and hospital admission for HF (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.92, p<0.0001). On the contrary, we did not find any relationship between grip strength and occurrence of MI or CVA.

Conclusion

In patients with cardiac disorders, grip strength predicted cardiac death, all-cause death and hospital admission for HF.

Trial registration number

CRD42015025280.
Emotional processing in functional neurological disorder: a review, biopsychosocial model and research agenda
Authors: Pick Susannah , Goldstein Laura H , Perez David L , Nicholson Timothy R
Published: November 2018

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and highly disabling disorder, but its aetiology remains enigmatic. Conceptually, there has been reduced emphasis on the role of psychosocial stressors in recent years, with a corresponding increase in neurobiological explanations. However, a wealth of evidence supports the role of psychosocial adversities (eg, stressful life events, interpersonal difficulties) as important risk factors for FND. Therefore, there is a need to integrate psychosocial (environmental) and neurobiological factors (eg, sensorimotor and cognitive functions) in contemporary models of FND. Altered emotional processing may represent a key link between psychosocial risk factors and core features of FND. Here, we summarise and critically appraise experimental studies of emotional processing in FND using behavioural, psychophysiological and/or neuroimaging measures in conjunction with affective processing tasks. We propose that enhanced preconscious (implicit) processing of emotionally salient stimuli, associated with elevated limbic reactivity (eg, amygdala), may contribute to the initiation of basic affective/defensive responses via hypothalamic and brainstem pathways (eg, periaqueductal grey). In parallel, affect-related brain areas may simultaneously exert a disruptive influence on neurocircuits involved in voluntary motor control, awareness and emotional regulation (eg, sensorimotor, salience, central executive networks). Limbic-paralimbic disturbances in patients with FND may represent one of several neurobiological adaptations linked to early, severe and/or prolonged psychosocial adversity. This perspective integrates neurobiological and psychosocial factors in FND and proposes a research agenda, highlighting the need for replication of existing findings, multimodal sampling across emotional response domains and further examination of emotional influences on sensorimotor and cognitive functions in FND populations.
Risk classification in primary prevention of CVD according to QRISK2 and JBS3 ‘heart age’, and prevalence of elevated high-sensitivity C reactive protein in the UK cohort of the EURIKA study
Authors: Johns Ieuan , Moschonas Konstantinos E , Medina Jesús , Ossei-Gerning Nicholas , Kassianos George , Halcox Julian P
Published: November 2018

Objectives

This study assessed cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk classification according to QRISK2, JBS3 ‘heart age’ and the prevalence of elevated high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) in UK primary prevention patients.

Method

The European Study on Cardiovascular Prevention and Management in Usual Daily Practice (EURIKA) (NCT00882336) was a cross-sectional study conducted in 12 European countries. 673 UK outpatients aged ≥50 years, without clinical CVD but with at least one conventional CVD risk factor, were recruited. 10-year CVD risk was calculated using QRISK2. JBS3 ‘heart age’ and hsCRP level were assessed according to risk category.

Results

QRISK2 and JBS3 heart age was calculated for 285 of the 305 patients free from diabetes mellitus and not receiving a statin. QRISK2 classified 28%, 39% and 33% of patients as low (<10%), intermediate (10% to <20%) and high (≥20%) risk, respectively. Two-thirds of low-risk patients and half of intermediate-risk patients had a heart age≥5 years and≥10 years higher than their chronological age, respectively. Half of low-risk patients had hsCRP levels ≥2 mg/L and approximately 40% had levels ≥3 mg/L. Approximately 80% of low-risk patients had both elevated hsCRP and heart age relative to their chronological age.

Conclusions

Almost 40% more patients in this ‘at risk’ group would be eligible for statin therapy following the lowering of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence treatment threshold to ≥10% 10-year risk. Of patients falling below this treatment threshold, almost all were at increased lifetime risk as measured by JBS3, and of these, the majority had elevated hsCRP levels. These patients with high absolute risk may benefit from early primary CVD prevention.
Exploring how end‐of‐life management is taught to Australasian veterinary students. Part 1: technical euthanasia
Authors: Littlewood Katherine E , Beausoleil Ngaio J , Stafford Kevin J , Stephens Christine , Collins Teresa , Fawcett Anne , Hazel Susan , Lloyd Janice K F , Mallia Catherine , Richards Leonie , Wedler Nicole K , Zito Sarah
Published: November 2018

This descriptive study explored how end‐of‐life management was taught to students in all eight Australasian veterinary schools. A questionnaire‐style interview guide was used by a representative at each university to conduct structured interviews with educators in a snowball sampling approach. Four categories of animals were addressed: livestock, equine, companion and avian/wildlife. This article focuses on the first part of the questionnaire: teaching the technical aspects of euthanasia. Euthanasia techniques were taught at more universities in clinical years than preclinical years. Clinical teaching relied on opportunities presenting, for example, euthanasia consultations. Few universities gave students a chance to practise euthanasia during a consultation and those that did were all with livestock. Competency in euthanasia techniques is an important aspect of clinical practice and these findings can be used to inform curriculum reviews of veterinary training.
Systematic review of the factors affecting cat and dog owner compliance with pharmaceutical treatment recommendations
Authors: Wareham Kathryn Jennifer , Brennan Marnie Louise , Dean Rachel S
Published: November 2018

The aim of this systematic review is to describe and assess the quality of the existing evidence base concerning factors that influence the compliance of cat and dog owners to pharmaceutical and specifically polypharmacy treatment recommendations. PubMed, CAB Abstracts and Google were searched to identify relevant literature and search results were filtered according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Standardised data extraction and critical appraisal were carried out on each included study, and a Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine level of evidence grading was applied. Of the 8589 studies, eight studies were included in the review. Majority (five of eight) of the included studies were examining compliance with short‐term antimicrobial therapies and none examined polypharmacy. Multiple definitions of compliance, methods of measurement and different factors potentially affecting compliance were used. Factors reported to have affected compliance in at least one study were dosing regimen, discussion of dosing regimen in light of owners’ circumstances, consultation time, disease, month of consultation/treatment, physical risk, social risk and method of administration. The evidence available regarding factors affecting client compliance with pharmaceutical treatment recommendations in cats and dogs is scarce and of poor quality.
Comparison of energy-matched high-intensity interval and moderate-intensity continuous exercise sessions on latency to eat, energy intake, and appetite
Authors: Charlot Keyne , Chapelot Didier
Published: November 2018

High-intensity interval exercises (HIIex) have gained popularity but their effects on eating behavior are poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the effects of HIIex on the 3 main components of eating behavior (appetite, intake, and latency to eat) differ from those of moderate-intensity continuous exercises (MICex) for the same energy expenditure. Fifteen young normal-weight males completed 3 sessions in a counterbalanced order: HIIex (30-s bouts at 90% of maximal oxygen uptake interceded with 60-s bouts at 35% of maximal oxygen uptake for 20 min), MICex (42% of maximal oxygen uptake for 40 min), and a resting session (REST). Trials were scheduled 80 and 100 min after a standard breakfast for MICex and HIIex, respectively. At 120 min, participants were isolated until they asked for lunch. Appetite was rated on 4 visual analog scales (hunger, desire to eat, fullness, and prospective consumption) every 15 min until meal request. Results showed that the mean latency of requesting lunch was significantly longer after HIIex than after REST (+17.3 ± 4.3 min, P = 0.004), but not after MICex (P = 0.686). Energy intake was not different between conditions, leading to a negative energy balance in the 2 exercise sessions. Thus, the effects of HIIex on eating behavior are likely primarily mediated through the latency of meal initiation. However, inter-individual variability was large and further studies are needed to identify the predictive factors of this response.
White ash (Fraxinus americana) survival in the core of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) invasion
Authors: Robinett Molly A. , McCullough Deborah G.
Published: November 2018

Despite catastrophic ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality observed by the mid-2000s in the epicenter of the emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) invasion in southeast Michigan, we noticed numerous live white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) in some forests in this region. In 2015, we inventoried overstory trees and regeneration in 28 white ash sites spanning 11 counties. White ash survival ranged from 0% to 100% of stems. Overall, 75% of 821 white ash trees, ranging from 10.0 to 44.0 cm diameter at breast height, and 66% of the white ash basal area, ranging from 0.3 to 3.5 m2·ha–1, were alive. Nearly all live white ash had signs of previous EAB colonization, but 83% had healthy canopies (≤10% canopy dieback). Green ash trees were recorded in 27 sites, but 92% were killed by EAB. Model selection indicated that variation in white ash survival was related to white ash abundance and distance of sites from the original EAB epicenter but not to green ash related variables or to the distance of sites from the Asian parasitoid release or recovery locations. Regeneration strata were dominated by white ash, suggesting that some white ash populations may persist in post-invasion areas.
Adiabatic theorems for general linear operators with time-independent domains
Authors: Schmid Jochen
Published: November 2018

We establish adiabatic theorems with and without spectral gap conditions for general — typically dissipative — linear operators [Formula: see text] with time-independent domains [Formula: see text] in some Banach space [Formula: see text]. Compared to the previously known adiabatic theorems — especially those without a spectral gap condition — we do not require the considered spectral values [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] to be (weakly) semisimple. We also impose only fairly weak regularity conditions. Applications are given to slowly time-varying open quantum systems and to adiabatic switching processes.
An improved car-following model considering the impact of safety messages
Authors: Li Tenglong , Hui Fei , Zhao Xiangmo
Published: November 2018

The existing car-following models of connected vehicles commonly lack experimental data as evidence. In this paper, a Gray correlation analysis is conducted to explore the change in driving behavior with safety messages. The data mining analysis shows that the dominant factor of car-following behavior is headway with no safety message, whereas the velocity difference between the leading and following vehicle becomes the dominant factor when warning messages are received. According to this result, an extended car-following model considering the impact of safety messages (IOSM) is proposed based on the full velocity difference (FVD) model. The stability criterion of this new model is then obtained through a linear stability analysis. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to verify the theoretical analysis results. Both analytical and simulation results show that traffic congestion can be suppressed by safety messages. However, the IOSM model is slightly less stable than the FVD model if the average headway in traffic flow is approximately 14–20 m.
Baker–Pixley theorem for algebras in relatively congruence distributive quasivarieties
Authors: Vaggione D.
Published: November 2018

A classical theorem of Baker and Pixley states that if [Formula: see text] is a finite algebra with a majority term and [Formula: see text] is an [Formula: see text]-ary operation on [Formula: see text] which preserves every subuniverse of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is representable by a term in [Formula: see text]. We give a generalizacion of this theorem for the case in which [Formula: see text] is a finite algebra belonging to some relatively congruence distributive quasivariety.
The Tilted Flashing Brownian Ratchet
Authors: Ethier S. N. , Lee Jiyeon
Published: November 2018

The flashing Brownian ratchet is a stochastic process that alternates between two regimes, a one-dimensional Brownian motion and a Brownian ratchet, the latter being a one-dimensional diffusion process that drifts towards a minimum of a periodic asymmetric sawtooth potential. The result is directed motion. In the presence of a static homogeneous force that acts in the direction opposite to that of the directed motion, there is a reduction (or even a reversal) of the directed motion effect. Such a process may be called a tilted flashing Brownian ratchet. We show how one can study this process numerically, using a random walk approximation or, equivalently, using numerical solution of the Fokker–Planck equation. Stochastic simulation is another viable method.
ORTHODONTIC PROCESS SAFETY EVALUATION BASED ON PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT CAPILLARY PRESSURE AND OGDEN MODEL
Authors: JIANG JINGANG , HUANG ZHIYUAN , MA XUEFENG , ZHANG YONGDE , HAN YINGSHUAI , LIU YI
Published: November 2018

Taking the lower maxillary incisors as an example and the orthodontic forces along the near–far middle direction, the orthodontic forces along the crown–root direction and the orthodontic moment around the tongue–cheek direction as loading condition, the biomechanical simulation of the tooth is carried out by the method of finite element simulation in this paper. The CT images of the skull are segmented and denoised by Mimics. The solid models of teeth, periodontal ligament (PDL), alveolar bone and brackets are established by Gomagic and Solidworks. The material characteristics of the PDL are defined by the two-order Ogden hyperelastic model. Taking the PDL capillary pressure as a criterion for orthodontic safety, combined with the stress response of PDL, the safe orthodontic force range of mandibular central incisors is obtained by ANSYS finite element software.
BIOKINETIC MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF RADIOIODINE-131 VIA IN VIVO GAMMA CAMERA/8-SLICE CT TECHNIQUE: CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF FELINE HYPERTHYROIDISM
Authors: CHEN CHIH-FENG , CHUANG CHAO-HSUN , TANG PAO-CHEN , TSENG NENG-CHUNG , PAN LUNG-FA , PAN LUNG-KWANG
Published: November 2018

Objectives: A biokinetic model of iodine in the thyroid was developed and applied to a case-control study of hyperthyroid cat undertaken the NaI-131 dose administration using a gamma camera/8-slice CT with the in vivo study. Methods: The case-control hyperthyroid cats were administered 55.5 or 3.7[Formula: see text]MBq of I-131 radioactive solution and continuously surveyed by a gamma camera. The scan schedule was preset as 5- or 10-min counting per each hour from the initial time to the sixth hour, then on the 24th, 48th and 72nd hours, respectively. An in-house developed program run in the MATLAB was applied to evaluate the biokinetic model of iodine in the thyroid, in compliance with the ICRP-30 report regulations. The model was defined by five compartments (namely: stomach, body fluid, thyroid, whole body, and excretion) and allowed one to simulate the variations of time-dependent I-131 radioactive concentration among various compartments of each study subject. The numerical simulation via MATLAB was compiled with the empirical evaluation to optimize the time-dependent concentration of I-131 within the above compartments. Results: The derived biological half-life values for stomach, body fluid, thyroid, whole body, and excretion, respectively, were as follows: 17, 3, 10, 5 and 140[Formula: see text]h for hyperthyroid cat, 18, 1, 8, 2, and 40[Formula: see text]h for control #1 cat, and 22, 2, 12, 4, and 20[Formula: see text]h for control #2 cat. The cumulative radioactive doses from both gamma-ray and beta particles were assessed via a simplified algorithm as 0.135, 0.0082, and 0.005 Gy, for hyperthyroid cat, control #1, and control #2 ones, respectively. Conclusion: The derived biokinetic model was found to be helpful in the evaluation of the metabolic mechanism in case of feline hyperthyroidism. The revealed deviations from available human biomodels can be used for refining the radioiodine treatment of pets with hyperthyroidism.
A HYBRID TUBULAR BRAID WITH IMPROVED LONGITUDINAL STIFFNESS FOR MEDICAL CATHETER
Authors: SHANG ZUFENG , WANG SHUXIN , YOU ZHONG , MA JIAYAO
Published: November 2018

Medical catheters are widely used in various medical procedures, such as diagnostics, biopsies and air change. A desirable catheter needs to be flexible for low discomfort, and stiff in longitudinal direction for easy manipulation. Tubular braid is often employed as reinforcement structure for catheters, which plays an important role in the overall mechanical properties. Current tubular braids adopt identical braiding angles for all the yarns, resulting in limited longitudinal stiffness. In this paper, a novel hybrid braid with different braiding angles for the two sets of yarns is proposed and analyzed. Both experimental and numerical results show that the hybrid braid has a higher longitudinal stiffness than the uniform one due to the geometrical incompatibility generated by the hybrid braiding angles. The effects of design parameters are also investigated through a parametric study, and an increase of 418.3% is achieved in the optimum case. In addition, the bending flexibility of the hybrid braid is found to be comparable with the uniform one. The new structure shows great promise for engineering applications where high longitudinal stiffness is required.
KNEE PROPRIOCEPTION MAY BE ALTERED BY TREATMENT IN ATHLETES SUFFERING FROM DELAYED ONSET MUSCLE SORENESS
Authors: AGOSTINI VALENTINA , VISCONTI LORENZO , TRUCCO MARCO , MARITANO ALESSIO , CAPRA GIANPIERO , BALESTRA GABRIELLA , ROSATI SAMANTA , KNAFLITZ MARCO
Published: November 2018

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a very common musculoskeletal problem in athletes involved in extreme competitions. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of diathermy, sham diathermy and massage on the knee proprioception of athletes treated for DOMS. Forty athletes were enrolled after the second day of a demanding ski mountaineering race. They were randomly assigned to four groups: no treatment [Formula: see text], massage [Formula: see text], diathermy [Formula: see text], and sham diathermy [Formula: see text]. The knee reposition error was measured after the treatments in order to assess knee proprioception. Significant differences between the diathermy and sham diathermy groups were found ([Formula: see text]) with an absolute effect size of [Formula: see text]. No other significant differences were found among groups. This means that diathermy has a negative impact on joint proprioception and can be explained by the spindle desensitization consequent to deeper tissue heating. This information can be important in the DOMS management of athletes, since an altered proprioception may interfere with the athlete’s performance and can increase the risk of injury.
A Classification Model for Sensing Human Trust in Machines Using EEG and GSR
Authors: Akash Kumar , Hu Wan-Lin , Jain Neera , Reid Tahira
Published: November 2018

Today, intelligent machines
interact and collaborate
with humans in a way that demands a greater level of trust between human and machine. A first step toward building intelligent machines that are capable of building and maintaining trust with humans is the design of a sensor that will enable machines to estimate human trust level in real time. In this article, two approaches for developing classifier-based empirical trust-sensor models are presented that specifically use electroencephalography and galvanic skin response measurements. Human subject data collected from 45 participants is used for feature extraction, feature selection, classifier training, and model validation. The first approach considers a general set of psychophysiological features across all participants as the input variables and trains a classifier-based model for each participant, resulting in a trust-sensor model based on the general feature set (i.e., a “general trust-sensor model”). The second approach considers a customized feature set for each individual and trains a classifier-based model using that feature set, resulting in improved mean accuracy but at the expense of an increase in training time. This work represents the first use of real-time psychophysiological measurements for the development of a human trust sensor. Implications of the work, in the context of trust management algorithm design for intelligent machines, are also discussed.
Trust-Based Multi-Robot Symbolic Motion Planning with a Human-in-the-Loop
Authors: Wang Yue , Humphrey Laura R. , Liao Zhanrui , Zheng Huanfei
Published: November 2018

Symbolic motion planning for robots is the process of specifying and planning robot tasks in a discrete space, then carrying them out in a continuous space in a manner that preserves the discrete-level task specifications. Despite progress in symbolic motion planning, many challenges remain, including addressing scalability for multi-robot systems and improving solutions by incorporating human intelligence. In this article, distributed symbolic motion planning for multi-robot systems is developed to address scalability. More specifically, compositional reasoning approaches are developed to decompose the global planning problem, and atomic propositions for observation, communication, and control are proposed to address inter-robot collision avoidance. To improve solution quality and adaptability, a hypothetical dynamic, quantitative, and probabilistic human-to-robot trust model is developed to aid this decomposition. Furthermore, a trust-based real-time switching framework is proposed to switch between autonomous and manual motion planning for tradeoffs between task safety and efficiency. Deadlock- and livelock-free algorithms are designed to guarantee reachability of goals with a human-in-the-loop. A set of nontrivial multi-robot simulations with direct human inputs and trust evaluation is provided, demonstrating the successful implementation of the trust-based multi-robot symbolic motion planning methods.
Variability-Aware Static Analysis at Scale
Authors: Rhein Alexander Von , Liebig JöRG , Janker Andreas , Kästner Christian , Apel Sven
Published: November 2018

The advent of variability management and generator technology enables users to derive individual system variants from a configurable code base by selecting desired configuration options. This approach gives rise to the generation of possibly billions of variants, which, however, cannot be efficiently analyzed for bugs and other properties with classic analysis techniques. To address this issue, researchers and practitioners have developed sampling heuristics and, recently, variability-aware analysis techniques. While sampling reduces the analysis effort significantly, the information obtained is necessarily incomplete, and it is unknown whether state-of-the-art sampling techniques scale to billions of variants. Variability-aware analysis techniques process the configurable code base directly, exploiting similarities among individual variants with the goal of reducing analysis effort. However, while being promising, so far, variability-aware analysis techniques have been applied mostly only to small academic examples. To learn about the mutual strengths and weaknesses of variability-aware and sample-based static-analysis techniques, we compared the two by means of seven concrete control-flow and data-flow analyses, applied to five real-world subject systems: B
usybox
, O
pen
SSL, SQL
ite
, the x86 L
inux
kernel, and
u
C
libc
. In particular, we compare the efficiency (analysis execution time) of the static analyses and their effectiveness (potential bugs found). Overall, we found that variability-aware analysis outperforms most sample-based static-analysis techniques with respect to efficiency and effectiveness. For example, checking all variants of O
pen
SSL with a variability-aware static analysis is faster than checking even only two variants with an analysis that does not exploit similarities among variants.
Robust Preview Control for Uncertain Discrete Singular Systems
Authors: Wu Jiang , Liao Fucheng , Shao Yifan , Gao Shujie , Wang Hao , Xu Zhengguang
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the problem of robust preview control for uncertain discrete singular systems is considered. First of all, by employing the forward difference for uncertain discrete singular systems, the singular augmented error system with the state vector, the input control vector, and the previewable reference signal is derived. Since there is a singular matrix in the system, the existing method cannot be directly applied to this problem. By considering the stability of the transposition system with Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) method, a new stability criterion for the transposition system is introduced. Then, the robust controller for the augmented error system is obtained, which is regarded as the robust preview controller for the original singular system. At last, the numerical simulation shows the correctness and effectiveness of the results.
EIT Imaging of Intracranial Hemorrhage in Rabbit Models Is Influenced by the Intactness of Cranium
Authors: Dai Meng , Liu Xue-Chao , Li Hao-Ting , Xu Can-Hua , Yang Bin , Wang Hang , Shi Xue-Tao , Dong Xiu-Zhen , Fu Feng
Published: November 2018

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been shown to be a promising, bedside imaging method to monitor the progression of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). However, the observed impedance changes within brain related to ICH differed among groups, and we hypothesized that the cranium intactness (open or closed) may be the one of potential reasons leading to the difference. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate this effect of open or closed cranium on impedance changes within brain in the rabbit ICH model. In this study, we first established the ICH model in 12 rabbits with the open cranium and in 12 rabbits with the closed cranium. Simultaneously, EIT measurements on the rabbits’ heads were performed to record the impedance changes caused by injecting the autologous nonheparinized blood into cerebral parenchyma. Finally, the regional impedance changes on EIT images and the whole impedance changes were analyzed. It was surprisingly found that when the cranium was open, the impedance of the area where the blood was injected, as well as the whole brain impedance, decreased with the amount of blood being injected; when the cranium was closed, while the impedance of the area where blood was not injected continued to increase, the impedance of the area where blood was injected decreased within 20s of the blood being injected and then remained almost unchanged, and the whole brain impedance had a small fall and then notably increased. The results have validated that the cranium completeness (open or closed) has influences on impedance changes within brain when using EIT to monitor ICH. In future study on application of EIT to monitor ICH, the cranium completeness should be taken into account for establishing an ICH model and analyzing the corresponding EIT results.
In Vivo Anticancer Activity of Basella alba Leaf and Seed Extracts against Ehrlich′s Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) Cell Line
Authors: Islam Md. Shihabul , Rahi Md. Sifat , Jahangir Chowdhury Arif , Rahman Md Habibur , Jerin Israt , Amin Ruhul , Hoque Kazi Md. Faisal , Reza Md Abu
Published: November 2018

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. The current treatment options of cancer are radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery, where all of them have unpleasant side effects. Due to their adverse side effects, it is challenging to develop new drug for cancer treatment. Hence, the scientists are trying to seek for noble compounds from natural sources to treat cancer. Therefore, in the present investigation, a widely consumable vegetable Basella alba was subjected to evaluate its antiproliferative effect along with molecular signaling of apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line. Cell growth inhibition was determined by haemocytometer whereas apoptosis of cancer cells were studied by florescence microscope using Hoechst‐33342 stain and result was supported by DNA fragmentation and certain cancer related genes expression through PCR analysis. B. alba leaf and seed extract exhibit a considerable scavenging activity in comparison to a standard antioxidant BHT. Moreover, the leaf and seed extracts were able to agglutinate 2% RBC of goat blood at minimum 12.5μg/ml and 50.0μg/ml concentration, respectively. A significant cytotoxic activity was also found in both leaf and seed extract. In haemocytometic observation, the leaf and seed extracts exhibit about 62.54±2.41% and 53.96±2.34% cell growth inhibition, respectively, whereas standard anticancer drug Bleomycin showed 79.43±1.92% growth inhibition. Morphological alteration under fluorescence microscope showed nuclear condensation and fragmentation which is the sign of apoptosis. Apoptosis induction was also confirmed by DNA laddering in leaf and seed treated EAC cells. Upregulation of the tumor suppressor gene P53 and downregulation of antiapoptotic gene Bcl‐2 enumerate apoptosis induction. Therefore, current study manifested that leaf and seed extracts of B. alba have antiproliferative activity against EAC cell line and can be a potent source of anticancer agents to treat cancer.
Joint Optimization of Content Placement and User Association in Cache‐Enabled Heterogeneous Cellular Networks Based on Flow‐Level Models
Authors: Qu Hua , Ren Gongye , Zhao Jihong , Tan Zhenjie , Zhao Shuyuan
Published: November 2018

Cache‐enabled heterogeneous cellular networks (HCNs) have been investigated extensively to alleviate backhaul congestion and reduce content delivery delay. In this paper, we jointly optimize content placement and user association to minimize the average content delivery delay in cache‐enabled HCNs based on flow‐level models. This formulation considers (1) different timescales of content placement and content delivery, (2) locality of content popularity, and (3) the heterogeneity of spatial traffic distribution, which are often neglected in existing researches. The joint optimization problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem in load‐non‐coupled and load‐coupled models, respectively. We decouple this problem into two interrelated subproblems and resolve them individually. For the user association problem under a given content placement situation, we propose a content‐level selective association algorithm, which allows the requests for different contents at the same location to connect to different base stations (BSs). In addition, we propose a greedy content caching algorithm to add contents to the caches of BSs in an iterative manner. These two algorithms are alternately executed until the caches of all the BSs are filled to capacity. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves better performance in terms of average delay and backhaul usage compared with traditional content placement and user association approaches.
Optimal Scheme for Process Quality and Cost Control by Integrating a Continuous Sampling Plan and the Process Yield Index
Authors: Li Chunzhi , Tong Shurong , Wang Keqin
Published: November 2018

The single level continuous sampling plan (CSP-1) is an in-line process control tool that has been commonly adopted in various manufacturing industries. However, CSP-1 is designed for only satisfying the quality constraint. At the same time, CSP-1 has disadvantages with the high probabilities of both Type I and Type II errors due to its inherent deficiency coming from the operating procedure. In this work, an optimal scheme for process quality and cost control is proposed to monitor the process cost and improve the process quality. The CSP-1 and the process yield index (Spk) are integrated in the present scheme, which work independently and complementarily. The four parameters (clearance number, inspecting fraction, sample size, and critical value) are designed in the proposed scheme under simultaneously considering the quality and cost constraints. The sole feasible inspection scheme in CSP-1 under the two constraints is found and used for controlling the process quality. The probabilities of Type I and Type II errors are concurrently controlled at the stipulated level with the risk control scheme, which is constructed with two nonlinear inequation based on the accurate distribution of the index Spk. A case study is illustrated to validate the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed scheme.
Fuzzy Based Network Assignment and Link‐Switching Analysis in Hybrid OCC/LiFi System
Authors: Hasan Moh. Khalid , Chowdhury Mostafa Zaman , Shahjalal Md. , Jang Yeong Min
Published: November 2018

In recent times, optical wireless communications (OWC) have become attractive research interest in mobile communication for its inexpensiveness and high‐speed data transmission capability and it is already recognized as complementary to radio‐frequency (RF) based technologies. Light fidelity (LiFi) and optical camera communication (OCC) are two promising OWC technologies that use a photo detector (PD) and a camera, respectively, to receive optical pulses. These communication systems can be implemented in all kinds of environments using existing light‐emitting diode (LED) infrastructures to transmit data. However, both networking layers suffer from several limitations. An excellent solution to overcoming these limitations is the integration of OCC and LiFi. In this paper, we propose a hybrid OCC and LiFi architecture to improve the quality‐of‐service (QoS) of users. A network assignment mechanism is developed for the hybrid system. A dynamic link‐switching technique for efficient handover management between networks is proposed afterward which includes switching provisioning based on user mobility and detailed network switching flow analysis. Fuzzy logic (FL) is used to develop the proposed mechanisms. A time‐division multiple access (TDMA) based approach, called round‐robin scheduling (RRS), is also adopted to ensure fairness in time resource allocation while serving multiple users using the same LED in the hybrid system. Furthermore, simulation results are presented taking different practical application scenarios into consideration. The performance analysis of the network assignment mechanism, which is provided at the end of the paper, demonstrates the importance and feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Trans Arterial Embolization of Spontaneous Intra-Abdominal Haemorrhage from Omental Lipoma
Authors: Tirukonda P. , Wu S. , Brar J. , Ng K. S. , Mirsadraee S.
Published: November 2018

We describe 3 cases of omental lipoma of whom 2 presented with symptomatic haemorrhage. Notably the haemorrhage in the 2 reported cases was from foregut arteries. Thorough knowledge of anatomy and embryology is critical in identifying the source of haemorrhage and differentiating this condition from other common causes of mesenteric haemorrhage. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series reporting this uncommon cause for abdominal haemorrhage. The successful management of this condition using superselective embolization is discussed. Clinicians need to exercise diligence and caution in omental lipomas presenting with spontaneous haemorrhage and this notion is exemplified in our reported cases.
ANCA-Associated Necrotizing Glomerulonephritis Overlapping with Mesangial Proliferative Lupus Nephritis Refractory to Plasmapheresis, Steroid Pulse Therapy, and a Combination of Mycophenolate Mofetil and Rituximab
Authors: Sharmeen Saika , Cassol Clarissa , Kato Hiroshi
Published: November 2018

Necrotizing glomerulonephritis (GN) associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) has been increasingly recognized in the context of class III or IV lupus nephritis (LN), hereafter designated as ANCA-associated necrotizing LN. While this subset of GN appears to portend an unfavorable renal outcome, it is not clear whether it represents a distinct entity and benefits from a more aggressive therapy. We report a 78-year-old woman who presented with rapidly progressive GN and was found to have a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibody, hypocomplementemia, antiphospholipid antibody, and strongly positive myeloperoxidase antibody. Renal pathology showed necrotizing and crescentic GN on a background of mesangial proliferative GN. Her kidney disease did not improve despite the treatment with plasmapheresis, three doses of methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by prednisone at 1 mg/kg/day, rituximab, and mycophenolate mofetil. This case not only reinforces the notion that ANCA-associated necrotizing LN is associated with high dsDNA antibody, hypocomplementemia, and worse renal outcome but also adds new insight into the full spectrum of this emerging disease entity by demonstrating that the concurrence of ANCA-associated vasculitis is not specific for class III or IV LN but can also be seen on a background of class II LN.
Recommended Drilling Parameters of Tungsten Carbide Round Drills for the Most Optimal Bone Removals in Oral Surgery
Authors: Szalma József , Klein Ole , Lovász Bálint Viktor , Lempel Edina , Jeges Sára , Olasz Lajos
Published: November 2018

Background. High temperatures during drilling can cause thermal osteonecrosis and abnormal wound healing. According to our best knowledge, a widely accepted recommendation for optimal drilling parameters in routine oral surgery bone removals does not exist. Purpose. Our aim was to investigate the correlations of different drilling parameters, including axial load and revolution speed on drilling temperatures and preparation times. Materials and Methods. Standard, 5 mm deep cavities were drilled in 20 PCF (lb/ft3) dens polyurethane blocks with 3 mm (50PCF) cortical layer using new and worn, 3.1mm in diameter tungsten carbide round drills. Worn drills were used in 50 impacted third molar operations before. Axial loads of 3N, 10N, and 25N and speeds of 4.000-8.000-16.000-40.000 revolutions per minute (rpm) were tested. Temperature differences of drilling parameters were calculated by 1-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests. Time differences and differences among “optimal” and “suboptimal” groups (with the cut-off value of 3°C and 3s) were estimated by Kruskal-Wallis test with pairwise comparisons. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results. The highest mean temperatures with new and worn drills were 4.64±0.53°C and 6.89±1.16°C, while drilling times varied between 0.16±0.02s and 22.77±5.45s. A 3°C and 3s cut-off value classified drillings significantly to (1) optimal [3N and 8000-16000-40000 rpm or 10N and 4000-8000-16000-40000 rpm] or suboptimal due to (2) high temperatures or (3) long preparation times. Using worn drills, the following parameters should be avoided: 3N with 4.000-8.000 rpm, 10N with 40000 rpm, and 25N at any revolutions. Discussion. The study extensively mapped the drilling temperatures and preparation times of tungsten carbide round drills. Temperatures did not exceed 10°C during drillings with maximal amount of cooling, as well as the drilling parameters, which kept temperatures and preparation times in the most optimal range which were clearly established.
Comprehensive Complication Index Predicts Cancer-Specific Survival of Patients with Postoperative Complications after Curative Resection of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tu Ru-Hong , Lin Jian-Xian , Li Ping , Xie Jian-Wei , Wang Jia-Bin , Lu Jun , Chen Qi-Yue , Cao Long-long , Lin Mi , Zheng Chao-Hui , Huang Chang-Ming
Published: November 2018

Objective. To investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative complications for patients with gastric cancer. Methods. Postoperative complications of patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were reviewed. The severity of complications was graded by the CCI and C-D classification. Results. A total of 5327 patients were included in the study. Complications were observed in 767 patients. When the C-D classification system was applied, for patients with grade I–II complications, the length of stay (LOS) of those with high CCI (CCI ≥ 26.2) was significantly longer than that of patients with low CCI (CCI < 26.2) (p<0.001). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate of patients with complications (52%) was lower than that of patients without complications (61%) (p<0.001). Analysis of the factors associated with prognosis in patients with gastric cancer revealed that complications were independent risk factors for specific survival. When CCI was used to classify complication severity, the 5-year cancer-specific survival rate of the high-CCI group was 46.3%, which was lower than that of the low-CCI group (54.9%, p=0.009). Conclusion. Complication after radical gastrectomy is an independent prognostic factor, and the complication severity as graded by CCI reflects the difference of cancer-specific survival in gastric cancer patients with postoperative complications.
A Case of an Obstructive Intramural Haematoma during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Successfully Treated with Intima Microfenestrations Utilising a Cutting Balloon Inflation Technique
Authors: Alsanjari Osama , Myat Aung , Cockburn James , Karamasis Grigoris V. , Hildick-Smith David , Kalogeropoulos Andreas S.
Published: November 2018

During percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), good lesion preparation with adequate balloon predilatation is a fundamental step before stent deployment in order to achieve optimal stent expansion and favourable long-term outcomes post PCI. During PCI, inadvertent vessel tearing can occur, resulting in coronary dissections and formation of intramural haematomas. The latter might be associated with compression of the vessel lumen and significant compromise of the coronary blood flow leading to myocardial ischaemia and infarction. Herein, we present a case of intramural haematoma that occurred after PCI of the left anterior descending artery resulting in occlusion of the vessel and the subsequent use of a cutting balloon inflation technique to resolve the haematoma and restore the normal coronary blood flow.
Insect Identification and Counting in Stored Grain: Image Processing Approach and Application Embedded in Smartphones
Authors: Zhu Chunhua , Wang Jiaojiao , Liu Hao , Mi Huan
Published: November 2018

Insects can cause a major loss in stored grain, and early identification and monitoring of insects become necessary for applying corrective action. Considering the effectiveness and practicability, an image processing approach and the corresponding application embedded in smartphones are proposed to identify and count the insects. For the insect images acquired by mobile phones, one sliding window-based binarization is adopted to release their nonuniform brightness, and then connected domain-based histogram statistics is presented to identify and count the insects in stored grain. Finally, the experiments are performed on the corresponding application based on Android, and it has shown that the proposed approach can be applicable for different random insect images from mobile phones with the counting accuracy of 95%, which is superior to the traditional approach.
Inexact Fuzzy Chance-Constrained Fractional Programming for Sustainable Management of Electric Power Systems
Authors: Zhou C. Y. , Huang G. H. , Chen J. P. , Zhang X. Y.
Published: November 2018

An inexact fuzzy chance-constrained fractional programming model is developed and applied to the planning of electric power systems management under uncertainty. An electric power system management system involves several processes with socioeconomic and environmental influenced. Due to the multiobjective, multilayer and multiperiod features, associated with these various factors and their interactions extensive uncertainties, may exist in the study system. As an extension of the existing fractional programming approach, the inexact fuzzy chance-constrained fractional programming can explicitly address system uncertainties with complex presentations. The approach can not only deal with multiple uncertainties presented as random variables, fuzzy sets, interval values, and their combinations but also reflect the tradeoff in conflicting objectives between greenhouse gas mitigation and system economic profit. Different from using least-cost models, a more sustainable management approach is to maximize the ratio between clean energy power generation and system cost. Results of the case study indicate that useful solutions for planning electric power systems management practices can be generated.