bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative effectiveness of individualised homeopathy and antibiotics in the treatment of bovine clinical mastitis: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Keller Diana , Sundrum Albert
Published: August 2018

Based on the widespread use of homeopathy in dairy farm practice when treating mastitis, a blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of clinical mastitis on four dairy farms. The study considered specific guidelines for RCTs as well as the basic principles of individualised homeopathy and involved 180 lactating dairy cows. Evaluation of cure rates was based on clinical investigation of the udder and on laboratory analysis of milk samples. In culture‐positive cases, the antibiotic treatment provided suboptimal bacteriological cures (60–81 per cent) but was more effective than individualised homeopathy (33–43 per cent) whose effects appeared little different to those of placebos (45–47 per cent) (P≤0.05). On the cytological cure level, all three treatment methods were similarly ineffective: antibiotic being 2–21 per cent, individualised homeopathy 0–8 per cent and placebo 3–13 per cent (P≤0.05; P=0.13). Antibiotics, individualised homeopathy and placebo had similar effects on bacteriological and cytological cure in cases of culture‐negative milk samples (P>0.4) and Escherichia coli infections (P=1.0). The study results implied that the effectiveness of individualised homeopathy does not go beyond a placebo effect and successful treatment is highly dependent on the specific mastitis pathogen. Thus, antimicrobial or alternative remedies used should be based on the bacterial culture of the milk sample.

Trial registration number

NTP‐ID: 00008011‐1‐9, Pre‐results.
Are French Canadians able to accurately self-rate the quality of their diet? Insights from the PREDISE study
Authors: Carbonneau Elise , Lamarche Benoît , Lafrenière Jacynthe , Robitaille Julie , Provencher Véronique , Desroches Sophie , Corneau Louise , Lemieux Simone
Published: August 2018

The main objective of this study was to compare self-rated diet quality with a more comprehensive score of diet quality and to assess the ability of self-rated diet quality to predict adherence to healthy eating guidelines. This study also aimed to evaluate the influence of individual characteristics on the association between self-rated diet quality and the overall diet quality score. As part of the PRédicteurs Individuels, Sociaux et Environnementaux (PREDISE) study, 1045 participants (51% women) from the Province of Québec, Canada, self-rated their diet quality (“In general, would you say that your dietary habits are excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?”). Three Web-based 24-h food recalls were completed, generating data for the calculation of the Canadian Healthy Eating Index (C-HEI) score, an overall diet quality indicator. Participants rated their diet quality as excellent (2.4%), very good (22.7%), good (49.5%), fair (20.3%), or poor (5.1%). C-HEI scores differed significantly between diet ratings, in the expected direction (p < 0.0001). Self-rated diet quality predicted adherence to healthy eating guidelines (i.e., C-HEI > 68) with a sensitivity of 44.5% and a specificity of 81.5% (C-statistic = 0.63). Sex significantly modified the association between self-rated diet quality and C-HEI score (p interaction = 0.0131); women had higher C-HEI scores than did men in the “good” and “fair” ratings. Self-rated diet quality can be useful in obtaining an overview of the diet quality of a population, but the results of this study suggest that such data should be used with caution given their poor ability to predict adherence to healthy eating guidelines. Individual characteristics may influence one’s ability to appropriately self-evaluate diet quality.
Polynomial interpolation as detector of orbital equation equivalence
Authors: Brison Owen J. , Gallas Jason A. C.
Published: August 2018

Equivalence between algebraic equations of motion may be detected by using a [Formula: see text]-adic method, methods using factorization and linear algebra, or by systematic computer search of suitable Tschirnhausen transformations. Here, we show standard polynomial interpolation to be a competitive alternative method for detecting orbital equivalences and field isomorphisms. Efficient algorithms for ascertaining equivalences are relevant for significantly minimizing computer searches in theoretical and practical applications.
Interpreting deviations between AR-VTG and GR
Authors: Dale Roberto , Sáez Diego
Published: August 2018

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies predicted by two cosmological models are compared, one of them is the standard model of general relativity with cold dark matter and cosmological constant, whereas the second model is based on a consistent vector-tensor theory of gravitation explaining solar system and cosmological observations. It is proved that the resulting differences — between the anisotropies of both models — are due to the so-called late integrated Sachs–Wolfe effect and, consequently, cross-correlations between maps of CMB temperatures and tracers of the dark matter distribution could be used in future to select one of the above models. The role of reionization is analyzed in detail.
On some polycyclic groups with small Hirsch length II
Authors: Liu Heguo , Zhou Fang , Xu Tao
Published: August 2018

A polycyclic group [Formula: see text] is called a [Formula: see text]-group ([Formula: see text]-group) if every normal abelian subgroup (abelian subgroup) of any finite quotient of [Formula: see text] is generated by [Formula: see text], or fewer, elements and [Formula: see text] is the least integer with this property. In this paper, we describe the structures of [Formula: see text]-groups and [Formula: see text]-groups, and bound the number of generators of [Formula: see text]-groups and the derived lengths of [Formula: see text]-groups, which is a continuation of [H. G. Liu, F. Zhou and T. Xu, On some polycyclic groups with small Hirsch length, J. Algebra Appl. 16(11) (2017) 17502371–175023710].
Normal spinel structure ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4 enhanced catalytic activity for photo-Fenton degradation of methylene blue
Authors: Wang Xunhe , Nan Zhaodong
Published: August 2018

Heterogeneous photo-Fenton technology has been widely employed to degrade organic dyes in wasterwater. In the present study, a composite consisting of normal spinel structure ZnFe2O4 nanoparticle and two-dimensional sheet of g-C3N4 was facilely synthesized. Different characterization technologies, such as XRD, XPS and VSM, were employed to demonstrate the normal spinel structure ZnFe2O4 formation. The composite shows higher catalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue (MB) than mixed spinel structure ZnFe2O4/g-C3N4. Simultaneously, the composite exhibits excellent stability and reusability.
Swift Path Planning: Vehicle Localization by Visual Odometry Trajectory Tracking and Mapping
Authors: Awang Salleh Dayang Nur Salmi Dharmiza , Seignez Emmanuel
Published: August 2018

Accurate localization is the key component in intelligent vehicles for navigation. With the rapid development especially in urban area, the increasing high-rise buildings results in urban canyon and road network has become more complex. These affect the vehicle navigation performance particularly in the event of poor Global Positioning System (GPS) signal. Therefore, it is essential to develop a perceptive localization system to overcome this problem. This paper proposes a localization approach that exhibits the advantages of Visual Odometry (VO) in low-cost data fusion to reduce vehicle localization error and improve its response rate in path selection. The data used are sourced from camera as visual sensor, low-cost GPS and free digital map from OpenStreetMap. These data are fused by Particle filter (PF) where our method estimates the curvature similarity score of VO trajectory curve with candidate ways extracted from the map. We evaluate the robustness of our proposed approach with three types of GPS errors such as random noise, biased noise and GPS signal loss in an instance of ambiguous road decision. Our results show that this method is able to detect and select the correct path simultaneously which contributes to a swift path planning.
Modeling of Long-Range Reverberation Signal for Rough Bottom Consisting of Polygon Facets
Authors: Choo Youngmin , Seong Woojae
Published: August 2018

To acquire a stable reverberation signal from an irregular ocean bottom, we derive the analytic surface integral of a scattered signal using Stokes’ theorem while approximating the bottom using a combination of polygon facets. In this approach, the delay difference in the elemental scattering area is considered, while the representative delay is used for the elemental scattering area in the standard reverberation model. Two different reverberation models are applied to a randomly generated rough bottom, which is composed of triangular facets. Their results are compared, and the scheme using analytic integration shows a converged reverberation signal, even with a large elemental scattering area, at the cost of an additional computational burden caused by a higher order approximation in the surface integral of the scattered signals.
Heating after intense repeated contractions inhibits glycogen accumulation in mouse EDL muscle: role of phosphorylase in postexercise glycogen metabolism
Authors: Blackwood Sarah J. , Hanya Ester , Katz Abram
Published: August 2018

The effects of heating on glycogen synthesis (incorporation of [14C]glucose into glycogen) and accumulation after intense repeated contractions were investigated. Isolated mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle (type II) was stimulated electrically to perform intense tetanic contractions at 25°C. After 120 min recovery at 25°C, glycogen accumulated to almost 80% of basal, whereas after recovery at 35°C, glycogen remained low (~25% of basal). Glycogen synthesis averaged 0.97 ± 0.07 µmol·30 min−1·g wet wt−1 during recovery at 25°C and 1.48 ± 0.08 during recovery at 35°C ( P < 0.001). There were no differences in phosphorylase and glycogen synthase total activities nor in phosphorylase fractional activity, whereas glycogen synthase fractional activity was increased by ~50% after recovery at 35°C vs. 25°C. Inorganic phosphate (Pi, substrate for phosphorylase) was markedly increased (~300% of basal) following contraction but returned to control levels after 120 min recovery at 25°C. In contrast, Pi remained elevated after recovery at 35°C (>2-fold higher than recovery at 25°C). Estimates of glycogen breakdown indicated that phosphorylase activity (either via inhibition at 25°C or activation at 35°C) was responsible for ~60% of glycogen accumulation during recovery at 25°C and ~45% during recovery at 35°C. These data demonstrate that despite the enhancing effect of heating on glycogen synthesis during recovery from intense contractions, glycogen accumulation is inhibited owing to Pi-mediated activation of phosphorylase. Thus phosphorylase can play a quantitatively important role in glycogen biogenesis during recovery from repeated contractions in isolated type II muscle.
Efficient Promotion of Autophagy and Angiogenesis Using Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Enhanced by the Low-Energy Shock Waves in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Zhu Guan Qun , Jeon Seung Hwan , Bae Woong Jin , Choi Sae Woong , Jeong Hyun Cheol , Kim Kang Sup , Kim Su Jin , Cho Hyuk Jin , Ha U. Syn , Hong Sung Hoo , Lee Ji Youl , Kwon Eun Bi , Kim Sae Woong
Published: August 2018

Background. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy (MSCT) and defocused low-energy shock wave therapy (ESWT) has been shown to ameliorate erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the interactions and effects of action between MSCT and ESWT remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of combination therapy with MSCT and ESWT in a rat model of diabetic ED. Materials and Methods. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 parts. Diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups: (1) DM control group, (2) DM + ESWT group, (3) DM + MSCT group, and (4) DM + ESWT + MSCT group. The sham group was a normal control group (without streptozotocin). MSCT and (or) ESWT were, respectively, administered to each group according to the proposal for 8 weeks. Immediately after recording of intracavernous pressure (ICP), the penis was then harvested for histologic analysis, ELISA, and Western blotting. Results. The ratio of ICP/MAP was significantly higher in the DM + ESWT + MSCT group than in ESWT or MSCT treated group (P<0.05). Also, the treatment stimulated angiogenesis and vasodilatation in the corpus cavernosum (P<0.05). ESWT increased the quantity of MSCs in the corpus cavernosum and also induced MSCs to express more VEGF in vitro and vivo (P<0.05) which activated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and NO/cGMP signaling pathways in the corpus cavernosum. The combination approach stimulated autophagy and decreased apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum. NGF and BDNF expressions were higher in the DM + ESWT + MSCT group than in the DM control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, the treatment promoted the MSC recruitment by inducing penile tissues to express more PECAM and SDF-1. Conclusions. Combination of LI-ESWT and MSCT can get a better result than a single treatment by expressing more VEGF which can take part in autophagy by triggering the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This cooperative therapy would provide a new research direction in ED treatment for the future.
Analysis of Transcription Factor-Related Regulatory Networks Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Shui , Yao Xiaoxiao , Zhang Dan , Sheng Jiyao , Wen Xin , Wang Qingyu , Chen Gaoyang , Li Zhaoyan , Du Zhenwu , Zhang Xuewen
Published: August 2018

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for a significant proportion of liver cancer, which has become the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. To investigate the potential mechanisms of invasion and progression of HCC, bioinformatics analysis and validation by qRT-PCR were performed. We found 237 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including EGR1, FOS, and FOSB, which were three cancer-related transcription factors. Subsequently, we constructed TF-gene network and miRNA-TF-mRNA network based on data obtained from mRNA and miRNA expression profiles for analysis of HCC. We found that 42 key genes from the TF-gene network including EGR1, FOS, and FOSB were most enriched in the p53 signaling pathway. The qRT-PCR data confirmed that mRNA levels of EGR1, FOS, and FOSB all were decreased in HCC tissues. In addition, we confirmed that the mRNA levels of CCNB1, CCNB2, and CHEK1, three key markers of the p53 signaling pathway, were all increased in HCC tissues by bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR validation. Therefore, we speculated that miR-181a-5p, which was upregulated in HCC tissues, could regulate FOS and EGR1 to promote the invasion and progression of HCC by p53 signaling pathway. Overall, the study provides support for the possible mechanisms of progression in HCC.
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Study on the Curative Effect of Huaier on Mild-to-Moderate Psoriasis and an Experimental Study on the Proliferation of Hacat Cells
Authors: Su Dongqiang , Zhang Xuening , Zhang Likun , Zhou Jin , Zhang Feng
Published: August 2018

The antitumor effects of Huaier have been recently revealed. However, no research has been conducted on the effects of Huaier on keratinocyte proliferation and for the treatment of psoriasis. Hacat cells were treated with different concentrations of Huaier for different periods of times. The effects on cell proliferation and vitality and on the cell cycle were detected. Patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis were randomized and divided into two groups in a double-blind manner. The experimental group was given sugar-free Yinxie granules and Huaiqihuang (HQH) granules, and the control group was given sugar-free Yinxie granules and placebo. After 4 weeks, various therapeutic indexes were compared. Huaier significantly inhibited Hacat cell proliferation, suppressed vitality, and blocked the cell cycle in the G1 phase compared with the control group (P < 0.01, respectively). After treatment for 4 weeks, the number of patients between the two groups that experienced a 50% reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50), PASI 75 and PASI 90, was significantly different (P <0.01). The body surface area (BSA) affected by psoriasis and static physician’s global assessment (sPGA) was significantly reduced (P < 0.01); additionally, a significant improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) (P < 0.01) was observed. Huaier has shown promising effects in both clinical and experimental setting in this preliminary study and it might provide some benefit in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in the future.
Caveolin-1-Knockout Mouse as a Model of Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Codrici Elena , Albulescu Lucian , Popescu Ionela Daniela , Mihai Simona , Enciu Ana-Maria , Albulescu Radu , Tanase Cristiana , Hinescu Mihail E.
Published: August 2018

Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is the scaffold protein of caveolae, which are minute invaginations of the cell membrane that are involved in endocytosis, cell signaling, and endothelial-mediated inflammation. CAV1 has also been reported to have a dual role as either a tumor suppressor or tumor promoter, depending on the type of cancer. Inflammation is an important player in tumor progression, but the role of caveolin-1 in generating an inflammatory milieu remains poorly characterized. We used a caveolin-1-knockout (CAV1−/−) mouse model to assess the inflammatory status via the quantification of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as the ability of circulating lymphocytes to respond to nonspecific stimuli by producing cytokines. Here, we report that the CAV1−/−mice were characterized by a low-grade systemic proinflammatory status, with a moderate increase in the IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12p70 levels. CAV1−/−circulating lymphocytes were more prone to cytokine production upon nonspecific stimulation than the wild-type lymphocytes. These results show that CAV1 involvement in cell homeostasis is more complex than previously revealed, as it plays a role in the inflammatory process. These findings indicate that the CAV1−/−mouse model could prove to be a useful tool for inflammation-related studies.
Coplanar Turbo‐FSK: A Flexible and Power Efficient Modulation for the Internet‐of‐Things
Authors: Roth Yoann , Doré Jean-Baptiste , Ros Laurent , Berg Vincent
Published: August 2018

As the Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) has expanded, multiple solutions have attempted to address the issues of the Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) networks physical layer. In a previous work, we proposed the Turbo‐FSK, a constant envelope modulation with orthogonal alphabet that allows the receiver to operate at very low levels of power (high sensitivity performance) and very low levels of energy per bit Eb. The scheme was demonstrated to approach Shannon’s limit as close as 0.29 dB. However, the scheme lacks flexibility in terms of spectral efficiency (always lower than 10−1 bits/s/Hz), especially compared to the recently standardized Narrow‐Band IoT (NB‐IoT) solution. In this work, we propose an evolution of the initial scheme, so‐called Coplanar Turbo‐FSK (C‐TFSK). In order to increase the spectral efficiency of the system, two new features are introduced: a modulation combining linear and orthogonal properties where only subsets of the alphabet are orthogonal and a puncturing mechanism. Several aspects of the scheme are then studied under asymptotic hypothesis, such as the influence of the linear component of the alphabet and the effects of puncturing. The high flexibility in terms of spectral efficiency, the short distance to Shannon’s limit, and the constant envelope property make the C‐TFSK a serious contender for the physical layer of the IoT.
Probiotics and Their Potential Preventive and Therapeutic Role for Cancer, High Serum Cholesterol, and Allergic and HIV Diseases
Authors: Nazir Yusuf , Hussain Syed Ammar , Abdul Hamid Aidil , Song Yuanda
Published: August 2018

The potential health benefits of probiotics have long been elucidated since Metchnikoff and his coworkers postulated the association of probiotic consumption on human’s health and longevity. Since then, many scientific findings and research have further established the correlation of probiotic and gut-associated diseases such as irritable bowel disease and chronic and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. However, the beneficial impact of probiotic is not limited to the gut-associated diseases alone, but also in different acute and chronic infectious diseases. This is due to the fact that probiotics are able to modify the intestinal microbial ecosystem, enhance the gut barrier function, provide competitive adherence to the mucosa and epithelium, produce antimicrobial substances, and modulate the immune activity by enhancing the innate and adaptive immune response. Nevertheless, the current literature with respect to the association of probiotic and cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases are still scarce and controversial. Therefore, in the present work, we reviewed the potential preventive and therapeutic role of probiotics for cancer, high serum cholesterol, and allergic and HIV diseases as well as providing its possible mechanism of actions.
Theory and Numerical Analysis of Extreme Learning Machine and Its Application for Different Degrees of Defect Recognition of Hoisting Wire Rope
Authors: Zhao Zhike , Zhang Xiaoguang
Published: August 2018

An improved classification approach is proposed to solve the hot research problem of some complex multiclassification samples based on extreme learning machine (ELM). ELM was proposed based on the single‐hidden layer feed‐forward neural network (SLFNN). ELM is characterized by the easier parameter selection rules, the faster converge speed, the less human intervention, and so on. In order to further improve the classification precision of ELM, an improved generation method of the network structure of ELM is developed by dynamically adjusting the number of hidden nodes. The number change of the hidden nodes can serve as the computational updated step length of the ELM algorithm. In this paper, the improved algorithm can be called the variable step incremental extreme learning machine (VSI‐ELM). In order to verify the effect of the hidden layer nodes on the performance of ELM, an open‐source machine learning database (University of California, Irvine (UCI)) is provided by the performance test data sets. The regression and classification experiments are used to study the performance of the VSI‐ELM model, respectively. The experimental results show that the VSI‐ELM algorithm is valid. The classification of different degrees of broken wires is now still a problem in the nondestructive testing of hoisting wire rope. The magnetic flux leakage (MFL) method of wire rope is an efficient nondestructive method which plays an important role in safety evaluation. Identifying the proposed VSI‐ELM model is effective and reliable for actually applying data, and it is used to identify the classification problem of different types of samples from MFL signals. The final experimental results show that the VSI‐ELM algorithm is of faster classification speed and higher classification accuracy of different broken wires.
Implication of Topical Steroids in the Onset of Osteoporosis
Authors: Milyani Asmaa Adel , Al-Agha Abdulmoein Eid
Published: August 2018

The systemic bioavailability of steroids has long been implicated as a cause for osteoporosis (OP); however, much less is known about the effect of topical steroids on bone homeostasis. This is a case of an 11-year-old male who is a known case of generalised pustular psoriasis for 8-year duration with frequent exacerbations controlled with topical betamethasone dipropionate. He presented with generalised progressive bone pain and positive history of bone fracture. The diagnosis of OP was established on the results of DEXA, which were −2.7 SD and −2.4 SD for the lumbar spine and whole body, respectively. Although the cutoff value is the same (<−2 SD) in children, the definition of OP is more reliant on the densitometry Z score, as opposed to adults, who are approached using the T score. The element of psoriasis poses a risk for the development of OP due to the presence of a chronic inflammatory disease state that increases bone turnover. Furthermore, the compromised skin barrier and associated vasodilation seen in psoriasis enhance the absorption of topically applied agents and increase their bioavailability. Children are a targeted risk group as they are more vulnerable to the manifestation of systemic adverse affects of topically applied steroids as a result of their increased ratio of total surface area relative to their body weight and slower drug metabolism. We recommend that children undergoing long-term topical steroid therapy be screened for OP with the consideration of instituting prophylactic treatment especially in those suffering from chronic inflammatory disease states.
Fronthaul for Cloud‐RAN Enabling Network Slicing in 5G Mobile Networks
Authors: Larsen Line M. P. , Berger Michael S. , Christiansen Henrik L.
Published: August 2018

This work considers how network slicing can use the network architecture Cloud‐Radio Access Network (C‐RAN) as an enabler for the required prerequisite network virtualization. Specifically this work looks at a segment of the C‐RAN architecture called the fronthaul network. The fronthaul network required for network slicing needs to be able to dynamically assign capacity where it is needed. Deploying a fronthaul network faces a trade‐off between fronthaul bitrate, flexibility, and complexity of the local equipment close to the user. This work relates the challenges currently faced in C‐RAN research to the network requirements in network slicing. It also shows how using a packet‐switched fronthaul for network slicing will bring great advantages and enable the use of different functional splits, while the price to pay is a minor decrease in fronthaul length due to latency constraints.
Study on the Influential Factors of Noise Characteristics in Dense‐Graded Asphalt Mixtures and Field Asphalt Pavements
Authors: Guo Zhaoyang , Yi Junyan , Xie Sainan , Chu Jianpeng , Feng Decheng
Published: August 2018

Determining the influential factors of noise characteristics in dense‐graded asphalt mixtures and field asphalt pavement is important in constructing highways that are both low noise and environmentally friendly. In this study, the effects of nominal maximum aggregate size, asphalt binder type, air void percentage, and the service life of pavement on the noise absorption characteristics of asphalt mixtures were first investigated in laboratory. Thereafter, tire/pavement noise measurements were conducted on different types of dense‐graded asphalt pavements. The effects of the service lives of the pavements, the types of the pavements, driving speeds, and test temperatures on the noise levels of the pavements were also studied. The Zwicker method is used to calculate psychoacoustic parameters on the tire/pavement noise spectrum. The laboratory results indicate that reducing the nominal maximum aggregate size, using rubber asphalt, and increasing air void percentage as well as surface texture depth improve the sound absorption performance of asphalt mixtures. The field measurements show that laying down asphalt pavements with a shorter service life or larger texture depth, using rubber asphalt, reducing traffic speed, and increasing air temperature can reduce noise.
Stability of Close Chambers Surrounding Rock in Deep and Comprehensive Control Technology
Authors: Yu Weijian , Liu Fangfang
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that deep and close‐distance cavern and roadway group were easily affected by the adjacent chamber or roadway excavation disturbance and low stability and significant deformation of surrounding rock occurred. The stability and control technology of surrounding rock in the main shaft and auxiliary shaft system has been analyzed by the adjacent chamber and roadway group of −850 m level in Qujiang Mine, China, as an engineering background. Firstly, the numerical calculation of the excavation chamber was, respectively, carried out in different ways with the propagation theory of the excavation disturbance wave. The results show that the interaction of adjacent chamber excavation was more intense. When excavated at the same time, there is a large increase in the movement of the sides and the roof‐floor of the chamber and roadway. Then, the mechanism of interaction between low‐high stress and excavation disturbance was considered, the corresponding control principles were provided, and a set of critical technologies and equipment were designed according to the deformation characteristics of the large deformation soft surrounding rock. Finally, the comprehensive control method was put forward with the water pump house as an example, that is, anchor, metal net, grouting, combined anchor cable and large‐diameter anchor cable. And the related support parameters were determined by the internal damage of the surrounding rock chamber. The numerical simulation results show that the surrounding rock deformation of the chamber and roadway reduced with the revised support program, which the expansion of the rock mass loose circle prevented effectively. The site test shows that the convergence rate of surrounding rock with the improved support was less than 0.2 mm/d, and the rock deformation of chamber and roadway suppressed significantly.
A Mobile Fog Computing‐Assisted DASH QoE Prediction Scheme
Authors: Zheng Hongyun , Zhao Yongxiang , Lu Xi , Cao Rongzhen
Published: August 2018

Video service has become a killer application for mobile terminals. For providing such services, most of the traffic is carried by the Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) technique. The key to improve video quality perceived by users, i.e., Quality of Experience (QoE), is to effectively characterize it by using measured data. There have been many literatures that studied this issue. Some existing solutions use probe mechanism at client/server, which, however, are not applicable to network operator. Some other solutions, which aimed to predict QoE by deep packet parsing, cannot work properly as more and more video traffic is encrypted. In this paper, we propose a fog‐assisted real‐time QoE prediction scheme, which can predict the QoE of DASH‐supported video streaming using fog nodes. Neither client/server participations nor deep packet parsing at network equipment is needed, which makes this scheme easy to deploy. Experimental results show that this scheme can accurately detect QoE with high accuracy even when the video traffic is encrypted.
Thromboelastometry Identified Alteration of Clot Stabilization and Factor XIII Supplementation Need in a Patient with Decompensated Liver Disease Undergoing Liver Biopsy
Authors: Crochemore Tomaz , Aragão Savioli Felicio
Published: August 2018

Liver disease has been considered the prototype of hemorrhagic disease. Disorder in any component of coagulation system can lead to hemorrhage. Deficiency of factor XIII may impair clot strength and clot stabilization and can be accessed by thromboelastometry. We report a case of a patient with a rapid evolution of liver disease who underwent a liver biopsy. Thromboelastometry was performed, evidencing impairment of clot stability. This clotting disorder was corrected with factor XIII concentrate after unsuccessful administration of antifibrinolytic drugs and hepatic biopsy was performed without hemorrhagic complications. Case Presentation. We report the case of a previously healthy 38-year-old man, who presented to our emergency department with clinical signs of rapid progression of acute liver failure. The laboratory tests revealed platelets of 142x103/mm3, plasma fibrinogen concentration of 221 mg/dl, increased international nationalized ratio (INR 1.9), total bilirubin of 3.9mg/dl, direct bilirubin of 2.3mg/dl, ALT 751U/l, and AST 540U/l without acute bleeding. A liver biopsy was indicated. Based on the results of the thromboelastometry, Tranexamic Acid was administered to correct hyperfibrinolysis followed by factor XIII concentrate to correct factor XIII deficiency. Thromboelastometry was normal despite conventional coagulation tests were still altered. So, liver biopsy was performed with no signs of bleeding and without need of further transfusion. Conclusion. Thromboelastometry may be considered a useful, feasible, and safe tool to monitor and manage coagulopathy in patients with liver disease, with the potential advantage of helping avoid unnecessary transfusion in such patients.
Scoping Review of the Driving Behaviour of and Driver Training Programs for People on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Wilson Nathan J. , Lee Hoe C. , Vaz Sharmila , Vindin Priscilla , Cordier Reinie
Published: August 2018

Gaining a driver’s licence represents increased independence and can lead to improved quality of life for individuals and their families. Learning to drive a motor vehicle and maintaining safe on-road skills are often more difficult for people on the autism spectrum. Many countries currently have no autism-specific licencing requirements for learner drivers, and there is a general lack of ASD-specific support and training packages for individuals, their families, and driving instructors. This review synthesises the peer-reviewed literature about the driving characteristics of drivers on the spectrum and driver training available for the cohort. The evidence in this review showed that individuals on the autism spectrum drive differently from their neurotypical counterparts. There are shortcomings in tactical skills of drivers on the autism spectrum, but the extent to which this affects their own safety or the safety of other road users is unclear. Tactical skills can be improved through training programs. There are few autism spectrum-specific learner training programs available. Development of an effective training program will benefit individuals on the spectrum to learn to drive, be independent, and be safe on the road.
EAQR: A Multiagent Q‐Learning Algorithm for Coordination of Multiple Agents
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Wang Dongqing
Published: August 2018

We propose a cooperative multiagent Q‐learning algorithm called exploring actions according to Q‐value ratios (EAQR). Our aim is to design a multiagent reinforcement learning algorithm for cooperative tasks where multiple agents need to coordinate their behavior to achieve the best system performance. In EAQR, Q‐value represents the probability of getting the maximal reward, while each action is selected according to the ratio of its Q‐value to the sum of all actions’ Q‐value and the exploration rate ε. Seven cooperative repeated games are used as cases to study the dynamics of EAQR. Theoretical analyses show that in some cases the optimal joint strategies correspond to the stable critical points of EAQR. Moreover, comparison experiments on stochastic games with finite steps are conducted. One is the box‐pushing, and the other is the distributed sensor network problem. Experimental results show that EAQR outperforms the other algorithms in the box‐pushing problem and achieves the theoretical optimal performance in the distributed sensor network problem.
Treatment Outcomes and Associated Factors among Hospitalized Stroke Patients at Shashemene Referral Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Temesgen Tegegne Gobezie , Teshome Berhanu , Njogu Peter
Published: August 2018

Background. The 2013 Global Burden of Disease report indicated that 80% of stroke deaths occur in low- and middle-income regions. Although stroke has been consistently reported as one of the three leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the past years in Ethiopia, there is a paucity of data regarding treatment outcomes of stroke if sufficient. Hence, the present study aimed to assess patterns of treatment outcomes and associated factors among hospitalized stroke patients at Shashemene Referral Hospital. Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the medical ward of Shashemene Referral Hospital. A total of 73 hospitalized stroke patients during the period 2012–2017 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, risk factors, and stroke types and their hospital outcomes were reviewed from the medical records of the patients. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Descriptive statistics such as percent and frequency were used to summarize patients’ characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the potential predictors of treatment outcome. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. Ischemic stroke was the most common type of stroke (65.8%) diagnosed in our setting. Hypertension (52.05%) was the common comorbid condition. More than half (54.79%) of the stroke patients improved on treatment. Dyslipidemics were prescribed to 68.49% of patients and the most popular antiplatelet was aspirin, which was prescribed to 61.64% of the study participants. Age, sex, type of stroke, and type of comorbidity were not significant factors of stroke treatment outcome. Conclusion. Ischemic stroke was the most common type of stroke diagnosed among the study participants while aspirin and statins were the most frequently used drugs in the management of stroke. Approximately 50% of hospitalized stroke patients had good treatment outcome and none of the investigated variables were significantly associated with the treatment outcomes.
Development and Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Cinitapride in Human Plasma
Authors: Thangabalan Boovizhikannan , Kahsay Getu , Eticha Tadele
Published: August 2018

A precise and reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with ultraviolet detection was developed and validated to determine cinitapride in human plasma. After liquid-liquid extraction, chromatographic separation was achieved on a Nucleosil C18 (25 cm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column with an isocratic elution consisting of 10 mM ammonium acetate (pH 5.2), methanol, and acetonitrile, 40 : 50 : 10, v/v/v. The developed method was validated as per US FDA guidelines for its linearity, selectivity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and stability. Satisfactory findings were obtained from the validation studies. The linearity range of the method was 1 to 35 ng/mL while the extraction recovery of cinitapride in human plasma was more than 86%. The percent coefficient of variation of both intraday and interday precision was ≤7.1%.
Consideration of the Effects of Air Temperature on Structural Health Monitoring through Traffic Light‐Based Decision‐Making Tools
Authors: Guéguen Philippe , Tiganescu Alexandru
Published: August 2018

The real‐time analysis of a structure’s integrity associated with a process to estimate damage levels improves the safety of people and assets and reduces the economic losses associated with interrupted production or operation of the structure. The appearance of damage in a building changes its dynamic response (frequency, damping, and/or modal shape), and one of the most effective methods for the continuous assessment of integrity is based on the use of ambient vibrations. However, although resonance frequency can be used as an indicator of change, misinterpretation is possible since frequency is affected not only by the occurrence of damage but also by certain operating conditions and particularly certain atmospheric conditions. In this study, after analyzing the correlation of resonance frequency values with temperature for one building, we use the data mining method called “association rule learning” (ARL) to predict future frequencies according to temperature measurements. We then propose an anomaly interpretation strategy using the “traffic light” method.
Procalcitonin (PCT) Predicts Worse Outcome in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF)
Authors: Banach J. , Wołowiec Ł. , Rogowicz D. , Gackowska L. , Kubiszewska I. , Gilewski W. , Michałkiewicz J. , Sinkiewicz W.
Published: August 2018

Introduction. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an excellent marker of sepsis but was not extensively studied in cardiology. The present study investigated PCT plasma concentration in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and its prognostic value during 24-month follow-up. Material and Methods. Study group consisted of 130 patients with HFrEF (LVEF ≤ 45%) and 32 controls. PCT level was assessed on admission in all patients. Telephone follow-up was performed every three months over a period of 2 years. Endpoints were death of all causes and readmission for HFrEF exacerbation. Results. HFrEF patients had significantly higher PCT concentration than controls (166.95 versus 22.15 pg/ml; p<0.001). Individuals with peripheral oedema had increased PCT comparing to those without oedema (217.07 versus 152.12 pg/ml; p<0.02). In ROC analysis, PCT turned out to be a valuable diagnostic marker of HFrEF (AUC 0.91; p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with PCT in the 4th quartile had significantly lower probability of survival than those with PCT in the 1st and 2nd quartiles. In univariate, but not multivariate, analysis, procalcitonin turned out to be a significant predictor of death during 24-month follow-up. (HR 1.002; 95% CI 1.000–1.003; p<0.03). Conclusions. Elevated PCT concentration may serve as another predictor of worse outcome in patients with HFrEF.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Comparative Diagnostic Accuracy of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale and the Mini Mental State Examination in a Memory Clinic Population with Very Low Education
Authors: Goudsmit Miriam , van Campen Jos , Schilt Thelma , Hinnen Chris , Franzen Sanne , Schmand Ben
Published: August 2018

Background: Diagnosing dementia in elderly immigrants is often difficult due to language and cultural barriers, low education, and illiteracy. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) to that of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Methods: A total of 144 patients (42 with intact cognition, 44 with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 58 with dementia) were administered both instruments and were diagnosed by specialists blinded for MMSE and RUDAS results. Results: Areas under the curve for discriminating intact cognition from MCI and dementia were comparable for RUDAS (0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.74–0.88) and MMSE (0.75; 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.85). Education and literacy were not correlated with the RUDAS but had a medium-large correlation with the MMSE (rho = 0.39). Conclusions: The study provides additional evidence for the usefulness of the RUDAS in a highly illiterate, culturally diverse geriatric outpatient population.
Flat-Pan Nail-Wide Acquired Epiungual Fibrokeratoma: Report of 4 Cases
Authors: Lencastre André , Richert Bertrand
Published: August 2018

Acquired digital fibrokeratoma (ADFK) is a benign tumor. Clinically, it usually presents as skin-colored, slow-growing firm fibrous projection with a characteristic hyperkeratotic collarette at its base. It has a predilection for the periungual tissue. Some clinical variations have been described according to its macroscopic appearance and relation to the nail apparatus. The authors present 4 cases of unique ADFK expanding over the whole width of the nail.
A Fatal Case of Herpes Simplex Encephalitis with Two False-Negative Polymerase Chain Reactions
Authors: Mendez Aldo A. , Bosco Annaliese , Abdel-Wahed Lama , Palmer Kendra , Jones Karra A. , Killoran Annie
Published: August 2018

An 88-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of altered mental status and seizures. His electrographic and imaging findings were suggestive of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), for which he was empirically treated with acyclovir. He underwent two lumbar punctures 3 days apart; both cerebrospinal fluid analyses tested negative for herpes simplex virus (HSV) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These negative results and his continued deterioration after 9 days of acyclovir therapy prompted treatment with steroids for possible autoimmune encephalitis. Shortly after the change in management, the patient died from cardiac arrest. At autopsy, his brain showed both gross and microscopic evidence of encephalitis and was positive for HSV by immunohistochemistry. This fatal case of HSE emphasizes the limitations of HSV PCR and the importance of clinical suspicion in the diagnosis and management of this disease.
Herniated Proximal Marker of the Stent into the Meningohypophyseal Trunk after Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization for Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Seung Won-Bae
Published: August 2018

The SolitaireTM AB Neurovascular Remodeling Device (ev3, Irvine, CA, USA) is used to retain coils within an aneurysm, reducing the risk of embolic complications from coil herniation into the parent artery. Stents are deployed after confirming the optimal position of the stent markers across the aneurysm to avoid entry into perforators or branching arteries. Stent marker position is very important to prevent perforating or branching artery infarction. We performed stent-assisted coil embolization using the Solitaire AB stent to treat 2 aneurysms simultaneously. After successful coil embolization, we detached the Solitaire stent in the usual manner. However, the proximal stent marker, which was located at the horizontal segment of the cavernous internal carotid artery, moved into the meningohypophyseal trunk and occluded it. Although the distal markers were positioned optimally, we did not expect the proximal marker to be in the position where it was located. Fortunately, cranial nerve dysfunctions and pituitary deficiency did not develop. It is important to prevent ischemic injury by occlusion of the perforators or branching vessels that can be caused by malpositioned stent markers. We consider where the proximal marker of the stent might be located after detachment.
The Effect of the Speech Task Characteristics on Perceptual Judgment of Mild to Moderate Dysphonia: A Methodological Study
Authors: Lechien Jérôme R. , Morsomme Dominique , Finck Camille , Huet Kathy , Delvaux Véronique , Piccaluga Myriam , Harmegnies Bernard , Saussez Sven
Published: August 2018

Objective: To study the differences in perceptual ratings of mild and moderate dysphonia related to the speech task, and their impact on intrarater and interrater reliabilities. Patients and Methods: Voice recordings of 15 outpatients with mild or moderate dysphonia related to laryngopharyngeal reflux were presented to 6 female experienced judges blinded to the clinical state of the patients. From these, the GRBASI (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain, and Instability) evaluations were performed on connected speech and sustained vowel of the pretreatment voice recordings and absolute agreement, and both intrarater and interrater reliabilities were assessed. Results: The average GRBASI scores were significantly worse when performed on sustained vowel. Intrarater reliability substantially varied according to the judge and the task. Good interrater reliability was broadly found for the evaluations of all GRBASI components irrespective of the speech task. Concerning agreement, we only found absolute agreement between judges for G and R items assessed on text. Conclusion: Average grade of perceptual voice impairment, intrarater reliability, and agreement vary according to the speech task.