bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The post‐politics of plant biosecurity: The British Government's response to ash dieback in 2012
Authors: Tsouvalis Judith
Published: August 2018

This paper analyses the post‐political nature of the discourse of plant biosecurity in the context of the response to ash dieback in Britain. Ash dieback or Chalara is a tree disease usually fatal to ash trees. It is caused by a fungal pathogen from Asia and was first discovered in Britain in 2012 at a nursery in Buckinghamshire, England, where it had arrived in a consignment of infected tree saplings imported from the Netherlands. Global trade and the rising number of epidemics affecting plants, animals and humans worldwide are connected. Global trade accelerates the pace of disease emergence and the spread of pathogens and pests. However, to date it has remained conspicuous by its absence from discussions of plant biosecurity. This paper investigates the reasons for this. It presents findings from an analysis of the European Union's (EU) plant health regime, in place to control the circulation and spread of plant pests and diseases in the EU, to demonstrate the key role played by plant biosecurity in neoliberalism. Additionally, results from a qualitative study of the British Government's Tree Health and Plant Biosecurity Expert Taskforce convened in the wake of ash dieback are presented to illustrate how the risk‐based approach to biosecurity and expert‐led governance contribute to rendering the role of global trade in epidemics apolitical. The paper builds on and broadens critiques advanced by geographers and Science and Technology Studies scholars of biosecurity thinking and practice and brings them into correspondence with literatures on post‐politics. It concludes that there is not only a need for the development of new approaches to biosecurity, as suggested in the geographical literature, but also for the construction of a new politics of biosecurity.
Targeting NEDD8‐activating enzyme is a new approach to treat canine diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Assumpção A. L. F. V. , Lu Z. , Marlowe K. W. , Shaffer K. S. , Pan X.
Published: August 2018

Canine diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common hematologic malignancy of dogs, is associated with poor overall survival. The lack of conventional chemotherapies with sustainable efficacy warrants investigation of novel therapies. Pevonedistat (MLN4924) is a potent and selective small molecule NEDD8‐activating enzyme inhibitor. In human activated B‐cell‐like (ABC) diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, pevonedistat induces lymphoma cell apoptosis, DNA damage and G1 cell cycle arrest by inhibiting the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway. Genomic and transcriptomic studies showed that the NF‐κB pathway is deregulated in canine DLBCL. Our results showed that pevonedistat treatment significantly reduces the viability of canine DLBCL cells by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Pevonedistat treatment inhibits NF‐κB pathway activation and downregulates NF‐κB target genes in canine DLBCL. Moreover, administration of pevonedistat to mice bearing canine DLBCL xenograft tumours resulted in tumour regression. Our in vivo and in vitro studies provide justification for future clinical application of pevonedistat as a potential new anti‐cancer therapy that may benefit both canine and human species.
Spontaneous hemoperitoneum and anaphylactic shock associated with Hymenoptera envenomation in a dog
Authors: Caldwell Dana J. , Petras Kaelyn E. , Mattison Brandi L. , Wells Raegan J. , Heffelman Victoria L.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To describe the clinical presentation of a dog with spontaneous hemoperitoneum associated with anaphylactic shock from Hymenoptera envenomation.

Case Summary

An 8‐year‐old female neutered Beagle presented as an emergency for acute onset of collapse, hematemesis, and hematochezia. The dog was tachycardic, tachypneic, and hypotensive. Initial assessment revealed a hemoperitoneum with documentation of a nonclotting sanguineous peritoneal effusion with PCV 81% and total protein concentration 65 g/L (6.5 g/dL). No obvious masses were appreciated ultrasonographically during original presentation and cytology of the peritoneal effusion was unremarkable. Peripheral PCV was 67% and total plasma protein concentration was 72 g/L (7.2 g/dL). A bee stinger was located in the right upper lip after presentation and was postulated to be the inciting trigger for the abdominal hemorrhage and shock. The patient was medically stabilized and ultimately made an uneventful recovery. Abdominal ultrasound performed 3 days after discharge revealed a single 0.85 cm hyperechoic liver nodule. Follow‐up evaluation at 6 and 18 months after presentation documented a normal physical examination, unremarkable thoracic radiographs, and no change in the original hyperechoic liver nodule.

New or Unique Information Provided

This report details an unusual clinical presentation of anaphylactic shock due to Hymenoptera envenomation in a dog. To the authors’ knowledge, spontaneous hemoperitoneum associated with anaphylaxis and bee envenomation has not been documented in the veterinary literature.
In Vitro
Activities of the Benzoquinolizine Fluoroquinolone Levonadifloxacin (WCK 771) and Other Antimicrobial Agents against Mycoplasmas and Ureaplasmas in Humans, Including Isolates with Defined Resistance Mechanisms
Authors: Xue G. , Crabb D. M. , Xiao L. , Liu Y. , Waites K. B.
Published: August 2018

Levonadifloxacin (WCK 771) was evaluated against 68 type strains and clinical isolates of
Mycoplasma genitalium
,
Mycoplasma hominis
,
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
, and
Ureaplasma
spp. in comparison with moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and azithromycin or clindamycin.
Broad Phylogenetic Diversity Associated with Nitrogen Loss through Sulfur Oxidation in a Large Public Marine Aquarium
Authors: Burns Andrew S. , Padilla Cory C. , Pratte Zoe A. , Gilde Kailen , Regensburger Matthew , Hall Eric , Dove Alistair D. M. , Stewart Frank J.
Published: August 2018

Engineered aquatic systems such as aquaria and aquaculture facilities have large societal value. Ensuring the health of animals in these systems requires understanding how microorganisms contribute to chemical cycling and waste removal. Focusing on the largest seawater aquarium in the United States, we explore the microbial communities in specialized reactors designed to remove excess nitrogen through the metabolic activity of sulfur-consuming microbes. We show that the diversity of microbes in these reactors is both high and highly variable, with distinct community types associated with significant differences in nitrogen removal rate. We also show that the genes encoding the metabolic steps of nitrogen removal are distributed broadly throughout community members, suggesting that the chemical transformations in this system are likely a result of microbes relying on other microbes. These results provide a framework for future studies exploring the contributions of different community members, both in waste removal and in structuring microbial biodiversity.
Validity and reliability of a medical record review method identifying transitional patient safety incidents in merged primary and secondary care patients’ records
Authors: van Melle Marije A , Zwart Dorien L M , Poldervaart Judith M , Verkerk Otto Jan , Langelaan Maaike , van Stel Henk F , de Wit Niek J
Published: August 2018

Objective

Inadequate information transfer during transitions in healthcare is a major patient safety issue. Aim of this study was to pilot a review of medical records to identify transitional safety incidents (TSIs) for use in a large intervention study and assess its reliability and validity.

Design

A retrospective medical record review study.

Settings and participants

Combined primary and secondary care medical records of 301 patients who had visited their general practitioner and the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, in 2013 were randomly selected. Six trained reviewers assessed these medical records for presence of TSIs.

Outcomes

To assess inter-rater reliability, 10% of medical records were independently reviewed twice. To assess validity, the identified TSIs were compared with a reference standard of three objectively identifiable TSIs.

Results

The reviewers identified TSIs in 52 (17.3%) of all transitional medical records. Variation between reviewers was high (range: 3–28 per 50 medical records). Positive agreement for finding a TSI between reviewers was 0%, negative agreement 80% and the Cohen’s kappa −0.15. The reviewers identified 43 (22%) of 194 objectively identifiable TSIs.

Conclusion

The reliability of our measurement tool for identifying TSIs in transitional medical record performed by clinicians was low. Although the TSIs that were identified by clinicians were valid, they missed 80% of them. Restructuring the record review procedure is necessary.
Metaheuristic approach to optimize placement of detectors in transport networks — case study of Serbia
Authors: Jovanović Ivana , Šelmić Milica , Nikolić Miloš
Published: August 2018

Proper number and optimal location of detectors in transport networks enable early traffic incident detection and collecting other relevant traffic flow data. Increasing number of located detectors in networks provides accuracy of obtained data, while requiring more investments and maintenance cost support. The detectors need to be placed such that they can successfully sample the traffic conditions with the least possible error. On the other hand, traffic authorities tend to minimize the number of located detectors on the network to achieve investment savings. The proposed model provides optimal locations of a finite set of detectors on a highway corridor, taking into account minimization of travel time estimation error and constraints of available capital cost. The bee colony optimization metaheuristic based on the improvement concept is used to solve the formulated problem. The proposed algorithm is tested on a real data collected in the Republic of Serbia.
Asymptotic lower bound for the radius of spatial analyticity to solutions of KdV equation
Authors: Tesfahun Achenef
Published: August 2018

It is shown that the uniform radius of spatial analyticity [Formula: see text] of solutions at time [Formula: see text] to the KdV equation cannot decay faster than [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text] given initial data that is analytic with fixed radius [Formula: see text]. This improves a recent result of Selberg and da Silva, where they proved a decay rate of [Formula: see text] for arbitrarily small positive [Formula: see text]. The main ingredients in the proof are almost conservation law for the solution to the KdV equation in space of analytic functions and space-time dyadic bilinear [Formula: see text] estimates associated with the KdV equation.
3D Vibration Analysis of Combined Shells of Revolution
Authors: Kang Jae-Hoon
Published: August 2018

A three-dimensional (3D) method of analysis is presented for determining the natural frequencies and the mode shapes of combined hemispherical–cylindrical shells of revolution with and without a top opening by the Ritz method. Instead of mathematically two-dimensional (2D) conventional thin shell theories or higher-order thick shell theories, the present method is based upon the 3D dynamic equations of elasticity. Mathematically, minimal or orthonormal Legendre polynomials are used as admissible functions in place of ordinary simple algebraic polynomials which are usually applied in the Ritz method. The analysis is based upon the circular cylindrical coordinates instead of the shell coordinates which are normal and tangent to the shell mid-surface. Strain and kinetic energies of the combined shell of revolution with and without a top opening are formulated, and the Ritz method is used to solve the eigenvalue problem, thus yielding upper bound values of the frequencies by minimizing the frequencies. As the degree of the Legendre polynomials is increased, frequencies converge to the exact values. Convergence to four-digit exactitude is demonstrated for the first five frequencies. Numerical results are presented for the combined shells of revolution with or without a top opening, which are completely free and fixed at the bottom of the combined shells. The frequencies from the present 3D Ritz method are compared with those from 2D thin shell theories by previous researchers. The present analysis is applicable to very thick shells as well as very thin shells.
Critical Comparison of Bresse–Timoshenko Beam Theories for Parametric Instability in the Presence of Pulsating Load
Authors: Elishakoff Isaac , Hache Florian , Challamel Noël
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we investigate parametric instability of Bresse–Timoshenko columns subjected to periodic pulsating compressive loads. The results are derived from three theories, namely the Bernoulli–Euler model for thin beams and two versions of the Bresse–Timoshenko model valid for thick beams: The truncated Bresse–Timoshenko model and the Bresse–Timoshenko model based on slope inertia. The truncated Bresse–Timoshenko model has been derived from asymptotic analysis, whereas the Bresse–Timoshenko model based on slope inertia is an alternative shear beam model supported by variational arguments. These models both take into account the rotary inertia and the shear effect. Simple supported boundary conditions are considered, so that the time-dependent deflection solution can be decomposed into trigonometric spatial functions. The instability domain in the load–frequency space is analytically characterized from a Meissner-type parametric equation. For small slenderness ratio, these last two Bresse–Timoshenko models coincide but for much higher slenderness ratio, the parametric instability regions in the load–frequency space shift to the left and widen them as compared to the Bernoulli–Euler model. The importance of these effects differs between the models.
Relevance of Indentation Test to Characterize Soft Biological Tissue: Application to Human Skin
Authors: Azzez Khouloud , Chaabane Makram , Abellan Marie-Angele , Bergheau Jean-Michel , Zahouani Hassan , Dogui Abdelwahab
Published: August 2018

This contribution presents a new investigation to identify the viscoelastic parameters of soft biological materials using indentation test. The purpose is to present a new independent method on experimental specificities in order to characterize these materials. The identification was done using inverse analysis based on combining finite element (FE) numerical simulations and experimental indentation tests. By considering soft tissues as an isotropic linear viscoelastic material, we firstly validate our proposed FE model via a comparison between analytic and numerical indentation responses. Secondly, the existence and uniqueness of inverse problem solution based on the comparison of numerical/numerical responses is shown. Finally, we validate the stability of the inverse approach using sensitivity analysis by setting up a design of experiment (DOE) technique which proves the relevance of this proposed method. An application is made on the forearm of human skin and shows performances of this proposed method to identify viscoelastic human skin properties in spherical loading–unloading indentation test. This method can be applied to evaluate other viscoelastic materials.
Sandwich-Structured Woodpile Metamaterials for Impact Mitigation
Authors: Hwang Hui Yun , Lee Jung Woo , Yang Jinkyu , Shul Chang Won , Kim Eunho
Published: August 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate 3D woodpile metamaterials for mitigating impact-induced vibrations by leveraging their local resonant and nonlinear contact characteristics. For experimental demonstrations, we designed, fabricated and tested prototypes of sandwich-structured woodpile metamaterials consisting of two plates, slender cylindrical rods and fasteners. We experimentally and numerically obtained impact responses of sandwich-structured woodpile metamaterials under various geometries and boundary conditions. We found that sandwich-structured woodpile metamaterials could efficiently manipulate and attenuate the impact vibrations due to their local bending motions and nonlinear contact between members. In addition, sandwich-structured woodpile metamaterials could have high damping as well as high stiffness by controlling the rod spacing. The findings from this study suggest sandwich-structured woodpile metamaterials can be used as structural components for impact-induced vibration mitigation.
Bounds for tentacular Hamiltonians
Authors: Pasquotto Federica , Wiśniewska Jagna
Published: August 2018

This paper represents a first step toward the extension of the definition of Rabinowitz Floer homology to non-compact energy hypersurfaces in exact symplectic manifolds. More concretely, we study under which conditions it is possible to establish [Formula: see text]-bounds for the Floer trajectories of a Hamiltonian with non-compact energy levels. Moreover, we introduce a class of Hamiltonians, called tentacular Hamiltonians which satisfy the conditions: how to define Rabinowitz Floer homology for these examples will be the subject of a follow-up paper.
Hard carbon anode materials for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: El Moctar Ismaila , Ni Qiao , Bai Ying , Wu Feng , Wu Chuan
Published: August 2018

Recent results have shown that sodium-ion batteries complement lithium-ion batteries well because of the low cost and abundance of sodium resources. Hard carbon is believed to be the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to the expanded graphene interlayers, suitable working voltage and relatively low cost. However, the low initial coulombic efficiency and rate performance still remains challenging. The focus of this review is to give a summary of the recent progresses on hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries including the impact of the uniqueness of carbon precursors and strategies to improve the performance of hard carbon; highlight the advantages and performances of the hard carbon. Additionally, the current problems of hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries and some challenges and perspectives on designing better hard-carbon anode materials are also provided.
Improved electrochemical performance of LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 electrodes coated by atomic-layer-deposited Ta2O5
Authors: Su Yantao , Gu Dawei , Shao Youdong , Wang Xinwei , Pan Feng
Published: August 2018

Surface coating of LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]Co[Formula: see text]O2 (NMC532) is an effective approach to improve the capacity retention and energy density through increasing cutoff operation voltage. In this work, NMC532 electrodes are directly coated with Ta2O5 via atomic layer deposition (ALD). The 5 cycles ALD-Ta2O5-coated electrodes have the significantly enhanced capacity cyclability. The high-quality amorphous ALD-Ta2O5 layer retards the interfacial reaction between NMC532 and electrolyte, and prevents the dissolution of the active materials, improving the phase stability of the NMC532 materials.
Precise prediction of dielectric property for CaZrO3 ceramic
Authors: Xing Chao , Wang Jing , Li Jianzhu , Shi Feng
Published: August 2018

As for CaZrO3 (CZ) ceramic, the reported dielectric property values, especially dielectric constants, were much different from 23 to 32, which is reliable and credible? Without precise property data, CZ can’t be further developed and utilized accurately. Herein, CZ ceramic was fabricated by a traditional two-step sintering process, then simulated and calculated the dielectric properties precisely at a microscopic polarization angle using the lattice vibrational spectra and the Clausius–Mossotti (C–M) as well as damping equations. The Raman and Fourier transform far-infrared modes were analyzed and used to predict the intrinsic properties, which were consistent well with the values calculated from C–M and damping equations. The intrinsic permittivity, after precise prediction, is about 20, which is reliable and credible. As for the dielectric loss, the value of about [Formula: see text] was obtained after precise calculation, which is similar to other results.
A DFT study of the electronic and magnetic properties of Cu2Cr1−xVxGa alloys
Authors: Belhachi S. , Amari S.
Published: August 2018

We have investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of the doped Heusler alloys Cu2Cr[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text]Ga ([Formula: see text], 0.5, and 1) using first-principles density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation scheme. Lattice constants of all phases were determined, and the absence of energy gap in both the spin channels predicts that the materials are metallic. The calculated formation energies are negative, indicating stability of these compounds. Electronic structure and magnetic behavior are reported for the first time for the Cu2Cr[Formula: see text]V[Formula: see text]Ga alloy. It was found that the alloys are ferromagnetic, and metallic witch is confirmed by GGA[Formula: see text]U calculation.
China and Africa: Model of South-South Cooperation?
Authors: Asante Richard
Published: August 2018

Chinese officials often claim that their country’s massive involvement in Africa is an example of “South-South cooperation” with tremendous potential to unlock Africa’s development prospects. They maintain that China’s economic involvement in the continent is less exploitative and more relevant to local needs than the North’s. Starting from a relatively small amount of investment in the early 1990s, China has become Africa’s biggest economic partner. Yet, as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investment (UNCTAD) and other studies have shown, Chinese trade and investment in Africa are reproducing African countries as exporters of raw materials and importers of manufactured goods. This paper deconstructs the uncritical view of China’s development cooperation with Africa as “South-South” cooperation, highlighting its potential tensions, incongruities, downsides, and dilemmas. It demonstrates both good and bad news. Recent data show that despite the slowdown of the Chinese economy and slump in prices of certain raw materials, the total value of China-Africa trade is on the rise, with Africa’s exports to China growing rapidly, indicating a narrowing gap between imports and exports in the bilateral trade. However, whether this phenomenon is sustainable remains in doubt. Dynamics of the boom and bust cycles of commodity markets, limited diversification, domestic institutional constraints, limited tariff exemptions and rising debt on African countries can all compromise the recent progress in China-Africa trade and exacerbate their asymmetrical relationship, reproducing the trade pattern between the West and African countries.
The Core Cyber-Defense Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities That Cybersecurity Students Should Learn in School
Authors: Jones Keith S. , Namin Akbar Siami , Armstrong Miriam E.
Published: August 2018

Our cybersecurity workforce needs surpass our ability to meet them. These needs could be mitigated by developing relevant curricula that prioritize the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) most important to cybersecurity jobs. To identify the KSAs needed for performing cybersecurity jobs, we administered survey interviews to 44 cyber professionals at the premier hacker conferences Black Hat 2016 and DEF CON 24. Questions concerned 32 KSAs related to cyber defense. Participants rated how important each KSA was to their job and indicated where they had learned that KSA. Fifteen of these KSAs were rated as being of higher-than-neutral importance. Participants also answered open-ended questions meant to uncover additional KSAs that are important to cyber-defense work. Overall, the data suggest that KSAs related to networks, vulnerabilities, programming, and interpersonal communication should be prioritized in cybersecurity curricula.
Graph Reconstruction and Verification
Authors: Kannan Sampath , Mathieu Claire , Zhou Hang
Published: August 2018

How efficiently can we find an unknown graph using distance or shortest path queries between its vertices? We assume that the unknown graph
G
is connected, unweighted, and has bounded degree. In the
reconstruction
problem, the goal is to find the graph
G
. In the
verification
problem, we are given a hypothetical graph
Ĝ
and want to check whether
G
is equal to
Ĝ
.

We provide a randomized algorithm for reconstruction using Õ(
n
3/2
) distance queries, based on Voronoi cell decomposition. Next, we analyze natural greedy algorithms for reconstruction using a shortest path oracle and also for verification using either oracle, and show that their query complexity is
n

1+
o
(1)

. We further improve the query complexity when the graph is chordal or outerplanar. Finally, we show some lower bounds, and consider an approximate version of the reconstruction problem.
Batched Point Location in SINR Diagrams via Algebraic Tools
Authors: Aronov Boris , Katz Matthew J.
Published: August 2018

The
SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) model
for the quality of wireless connections has been the subject of extensive recent study. It attempts to predict whether a particular transmitter is heard at a specific location, in a setting consisting of
n
simultaneous transmitters and background noise. The SINR model gives rise to a natural geometric object, the
SINR diagram
, which partitions the space into
n
regions where each of the transmitters can be heard and the remaining space where no transmitter can be heard.

Efficient
point location
in the SINR diagram, i.e., being able to build a data structure that facilitates determining, for a query point, whether any transmitter is heard there, and if so, which one, has been recently investigated in several articles. These planar data structures are constructed in time at least quadratic in
n
and support logarithmic-time approximate queries. Moreover, the performance of some of the proposed structures depends strongly not only on the number
n
of transmitters and on the approximation parameter
ε
, but also on some geometric parameters that cannot be bounded
a priori
as a function of
n
or
ε
.

In this article, we address the question of
batched
point location queries, i.e., answering many queries simultaneously. Specifically, in one dimension, we can answer
n
queries
exactly
in amortized polylogarithmic time per query, while in the plane we can do it approximately.

In another result, we show how to answer
n
2
queries
exactly
in amortized polylogarithmic time per query, assuming the queries are located on a possibly non-uniform
n
×
n
grid.

All these results can handle
arbitrary
power assignments to the transmitters. Moreover, the amortized query time in these results depends only on
n
and
ε
.

We also show how to speed up the preprocessing in a previously proposed point-location structure in SINR diagram for uniform-power sites, by almost a full order of magnitude. For this, we obtain results on the sensitivity of the reception regions to slight changes in the reception threshold, which are of independent interest.

Finally, these results demonstrate the (so far underutilized) power of combining algebraic tools with those of computational geometry and other fields.
Feature-based Map Matching for Low-Sampling-Rate GPS Trajectories
Authors: Yin Yifang , Shah Rajiv Ratn , Wang Guanfeng , Zimmermann Roger
Published: August 2018

With the increasing availability of GPS-equipped mobile devices, location-based services have become an integral part of everyday life. Among one of the initial steps of positioning data management, map matching aims to reduce the uncertainty in a trajectory by matching the GPS points to the road network on a digital map. Most existing work has focused on estimating the likelihood of a candidate route based on the GPS observations, while neglecting to model the probability of a route choice from the perspective of drivers. In this work, we propose a novel feature-based map matching algorithm that estimates the cost of a candidate route based on both GPS observations and human factors. To take human factors into consideration is highly important, especially when dealing with low sampling rate data where most of the movement details are lost. Additionally, we simultaneously analyze a subsequence of coherent GPS points by utilizing a new segment-based probabilistic map matching strategy, which is less susceptible to the noisiness of the positioning data. We have evaluated both the offline and the online versions of our proposed approach on a public large-scale GPS dataset, which consists of 100 trajectories distributed all over the world. The experimental results show that our method is robust to sparse data with large sampling intervals (e.g., 60s ∼ 300s) and challenging track features (e.g., u-turns and loops). Measurements including map matching accuracy and system efficiency have been thoroughly evaluated and discussed. Compared with two state-of-the-art map matching algorithms, our method substantially reduces the route mismatch error by 6.4% ∼ 32.3% (either offline or online with the window size set to 360s), with a slight increase in terms of the processing time. The experimental results show that our proposed method obtains the state-of-the-art map matching results in all the different combinations of sampling rates and challenging features.
A Theoretical Foundation of Sensitivity in an Abstract Interpretation Framework
Authors: Kim Se-Won , Rival Xavier , Ryu Sukyoung
Published: August 2018

Program analyses often utilize various forms of
sensitivity
such as context sensitivity, call-site sensitivity, and object sensitivity. These techniques all allow for more precise program analyses, that are able to compute more precise program invariants, and to verify stronger properties. Despite the fact that sensitivity techniques are now part of the standard toolkit of static analyses designers and implementers, no comprehensive frameworks allow the description of all common forms of sensitivity. As a consequence, the soundness proofs of static analysis tools involving sensitivity often rely on ad hoc formalization, which are not always carried out in an abstract interpretation framework. Moreover, this also means that opportunities to identify similarities between analysis techniques to better improve abstractions or to tune static analysis tools can easily be missed.

In this article, we present and formalize a framework for the description of
sensitivity in static analysis
. Our framework is based on a powerful abstract domain construction, and utilizes reduced cardinal power to tie basic abstract predicates to the properties analyses are sensitive to. We formalize this abstraction, and the main abstract operations that are needed to turn it into a generic abstract domain construction. We demonstrate that our approach can allow for a more precise description of program states, and that it can also describe a large set of sensitivity techniques, both when sensitivity criteria are static (known before the analysis) or dynamic (inferred as part of the analysis), and sensitive analysis tuning parameters. Last, we show that sensitivity techniques used in state-of-the-art static analysis tools can be described in our framework.
Inhibition of Aortic Intimal Hyperplasia and Vascular Smooth Muscle Proliferation and Extracellular Matrix Protein Expressions by Astragalus–Angelica Combination
Authors: Yan Huifang , Peng Xiwei , Xu Hao , Zhu Jiahuan , Deng Changqing
Published: August 2018

VSMC proliferation and ECM deposition always resulted in intimal hyperplasia. Astragalus–Angelica combination has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system. The inhibition effect of different Astragalus–Angelica combination on the hyperplastic intima after vascular balloon injury in rats was investigated in this study. Astragalus–Angelica combination can inhibit the intima hyperplasia after balloon injury, in which a 1:1 ratio shows excellent results. Astragalus–Angelica combination can enhance the expression of smooth muscle α‐actin (SMа‐actin) and inhibit the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, cyclin E, collagen I (Col‐I), fibronectin (FN), and matrix metallopeptidase‐9 (MMP‐9) in hyperplastic intima, suggesting that Astragalus–Angelica combination can inhibit the intimal hyperplasia of blood vessels in rats. The mechanism is related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway activation and thereby inhibits the phenotypic transformation and cell proliferation of VSMCs and thus inhibits the extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition of vascular wall during intimal hyperplasia.
Free Radical Scavenging Capacity, Carotenoid Content, and NMR Characterization ofBlighia sapidaAril Oil
Authors: Barnaby Andrea Goldson , Clarke Jesse , Warren Dane , Duffus Kailesha
Published: August 2018

Blighia sapidaaril oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids but is however currently not utilized industrially. The oil was characterized utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). A spectrophotometric assay was conducted to determine the free radical scavenging properties and carotenoid content of the oil. Chemical shifts resonating betweenδ5.30 and 5.32 in the1H NMR are indicative of olefinic protons present in ackee aril oil which are due to the presence of oleic acid. A peak at 3006 cm−1in the FTIR spectra confirms the high levels of monounsaturation. The oil has a free radical scavenging activity of 48%  ± 2.8% and carotenoid content of 21 ± 0.2 ppm.
Content‐Based Efficient Messages Transmission in WSNs
Authors: Xiao Rong , Sun Bo , Xiao Yongkang , Wei Yungang , Chen Wenlong
Published: August 2018

The WSNs are mainly to monitor various types of sensing content. In the automated control system, administration centers (ACs) often send notifications to a set of nodes meeting given content ranges to implement specific actions. For instance, we notify the sensing devices with sensing temperatures greater than 35 to turn on the cooling system. At present, the transmission of notification messages is mostly based on node identification, which is isolated from sensing contents and unable to accurately locate nodes meeting the sensing content requirements. In this paper, we generalize two types of sensing contents: the continuous values and the discrete values, and a content‐based efficient message transmission mechanism (CEMT) is proposed for the typical tree‐like topologies in WSNs. Thus, a highly effective notifying method for content‐based multicast and anycast messages is designed, which accurately sends notification messages to nodes whose sensing values belong to the given range. Sometimes, multiple sensing types of nodes are mixed together to construct a net topology, offering underlying transport services to each other. At this point, CEMT builds a specialized logical tree for the same type of nodes, and notification messages are transmitted along the logical tree. CEMT reduces the transmission time, bandwidth, and number of processing nodes when a content‐based message is sent, and it takes less storage of content routing entries in nodes.
Histogram Analysis of Perfusion Parameters from Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging with Tumor Characteristics and Therapeutic Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Yeo Dong Myung , Oh Soon Nam , Choi Moon Hyung , Lee Sung Hak , Lee Myung Ah , Jung Seung Eun
Published: August 2018

Purpose. To explore the role of histogram analysis of perfusion parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) based on entire tumor volume in discriminating tumor characteristics and predicting therapeutic response in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods. Thirty-seven DCE-MRIs of locally advanced rectal cancer patients who received chemoradiation therapy (CRT) before surgery were analyzed by pharmacokinetic model for quantification and histogram analysis of perfusion parameters. The results were correlated with tumor characteristics including EGFR expression, KRAS mutation, and CRT response based on the pathologic tumor regression grade (TRG). Results. The area under the contrast agent concentration-time curve (AUC) skewness was significantly lower in patients with node metastasis. The vp histogram parameters were significantly higher in group with perineural invasion (PNI). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analyses showed that mode vp revealed the best diagnostic performance of PNI. The values of Ktrans and kep were significantly higher in the group with KRAS mutation. ROC curve analyses showed that mean and mode Ktrans demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance of KRAS mutation. DCE-MRI parameters did not demonstrate statistical significance in correlating with TRG. Conclusion. These preliminary results suggest that a larger proportion of higher AUC skewness was present in LN metastasis group and a higher vp histogram value was present in rectal cancer with PNI. In addition, Ktrans and kep histogram parameters showed difference according to the KRAS mutation, demonstrating the utility of the histogram of perfusion parameters derived from DCE-MRI as potential imaging biomarkers of tumor characteristics and genetic features.
Effectiveness of Systematic Periodontal Treatment in Male HIV-Infected Patients after 9 Years: A Case Series
Authors: Jordan Rainer A. , Lucaciu Adrian , Schaper Katharina , Jöhren Hans-Peter , Zimmer Stefan
Published: August 2018

Objective. To investigate effectiveness of systematic periodontal treatment in the long term in HIV-infected patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral treatment. Methods. Longitudinal, prospective, open-label case series over a period of nine years. Periodontal treatment was performed by scaling and root planing and supportive periodontal care (SPC) at regular intervals. To measure effectiveness, reductions of pocket probing depths were defined as primary study endpoint. Results. During the study period, there was a proportional increase in periodontal pockets ≥4 mm of +53% and in pockets ≥ 6 mm of +100%. Mean pocket depth reductions on patient’s level were, however, 0.4 mm nine years after scaling and root planing and supportive periodontal care (p=0.180). No teeth were lost during the observation period. Conclusions. In terms of best evidence available, it is concluded that systematic periodontal treatment including SPC is effective in virologically controlled HIV infection and can be performed in dental practice safely.
Configuration Synthesis and Performance Analysis of Finger Soft Actuator
Authors: Zhang Ziqiang , Chen Hanlong , Zhang Zining
Published: August 2018

Compared with the traditional rigid finger actuator, the soft actuator has the advantages of light weight and good compliance. This type of finger actuator can be used for data acquisition or finger rehabilitation training, and it has broad application prospects. The motion differences between the soft actuator and finger may cause extrusion deformation at the binding point, and the binding forces along nonfunctional direction may reduce drive efficiency. In order to reduce the negative deformation of soft structure and improve comfort, the configuration synthesis and performance analysis of the finger soft actuator were conducted for the present work. The configuration synthesis method for soft actuator was proposed based on the analysis of the physiological structure of the finger, and the soft actuator can make the human-machine closed-loop structure including n joints (n=1, 2, 3) meet the requirement of DOF (degrees of freedom). Then the typical feasible configurations were enumerated. The different typical configurations were analyzed and compared based on the establishment of mathematical models and simulation analysis. Results show that the configuration design method is feasible. This study offers a theoretical basis for designing the configuration of finger soft actuator.
New 3D 16‐Ary Signal Constellations and Their Symbol Error Probabilities in AWGN and Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Chen Zhenxing , Liu Jiaheng , Li Shuang , Kang Seog Geun
Published: August 2018

Two three‐dimensional (3D) 16‐ary signal constellations having extended lattice structures are presented in this paper. The theoretical symbol error probabilities (SEPs) of the new constellations in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channel are derived. Computer simulation confirms that the closed‐form expressions for average SEPs of the constellations in the AWGN channel are very accurate. The theoretical SEP upper bounds in the Rayleigh fading channel are very tight. Since the presented constellations have larger minimum Euclidean distance (MED) than the conventional one, error performance can be improved up to 0.9 dB in an AWGN environment. Hence, the proposed constellations and their theoretical analysis can be used as a reference for the development of a wireless communication system with 3D signal constellations.
The Utility of Preoperative Vascular Grading in Patients Undergoing Surgery First for Pancreatic Cancer: Does Radiologic Arterial or Venous Involvement Predict Pathologic Margin Status?
Authors: Goel Neha , D’Souza Jimson W. , Ruth Karen J. , Milestone Barton , Karachristos Andreas , Nagarathinam Rajeswari , Cooper Harry , Hoffman John , Reddy Sanjay
Published: August 2018

Controversy exists on accurately grading vascular involvement on preoperative imaging for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We reviewed the association between preoperative imaging and margin status in 137 patients. Radiologists graded venous involvement based on the Ishikawa classification system and arterial involvement based on preoperative imaging. For patients with both classifications recorded, we categorized vascular involvement as “None,” “Arterial only,” “Venous only,” or “Both” and examined the association of vascular involvement and pathologic margin status. Of 134 patients with Ishikawa classifications, 63%, 17%, 11%, and 9% were graded as I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Of 96 patients with arterial staging, 74%, 16%, and 10% were categorized as stages i, ii, and iii, respectively. Of 93 patients with both stagings, 61% had no vascular involvement, 7% had arterial only, 14% had venous only, and 17% had both involved. Ishikawa classification was strongly associated with a positive SMA and SMV margin (p<0.001). However, for arterial staging, there was no association with SMA or SMV margin. Overall, Ishikawa grading was more predicative of arterial involvement and remained significant on multivariate analysis. The use of diagnostic imaging in predicting positive margins is more accurate when using a venous grading system.
Robust Optimal Navigation Using Nonlinear Model Predictive Control Method Combined with Recurrent Fuzzy Neural Network
Authors: Zhu Qidan , Han Yu , Cai Chengtao , Xiao Yao
Published: August 2018

This paper presents a novel navigation strategy of robot to achieve reaching target and obstacle avoidance in unknown dynamic environment. Considering possible generation of uncertainty, disturbances brought to system are separated into two parts, i.e., bounded part and unbounded part. A dual-layer closed-loop control system is then designed to deal with two kinds of disturbances, respectively. In order to realize global optimization of navigation, recurrent fuzzy neural network is used to predict optimal motion of robot for its ability of processing nonlinearity and learning. Extended Kalman filter method is used to train RFNN online. Moving horizon technique is used for RFNN motion planner to guarantee optimization in dynamic environment. Then, model predictive control is designed against bounded disturbances to drive robot to track predicted trajectories and limit robot’s position in a tube with good robustness. A novel iterative online learning method is also proposed to estimate intrinsic error of system using online data that makes system adaptive. Feasibility and stability of proposed method are analyzed. By examining our navigation method on mobile robot, effectiveness is proved in both simulation and hardware experiments. Robustness and optimization of proposed navigation method can be guaranteed in dynamic environment.
Mechanical Properties of Grouted Crushed Coal with Different Grain Size Mixtures under Triaxial Compression
Authors: Jin Yuhao , Han Lijun , Meng Qingbin , Sanda Suresh , Zang Haizhi , Feng Bing
Published: August 2018

To have a better understanding of the reinforcement effect on the crushed zone after grouting in coal mining extraction work, a self‐designed grouting apparatus was used to study the effects of the grain size mixtures (distribution) and the stress state on the mechanical behaviours of grouted crushed coal specimens. From the various grouting tests, triaxial compression tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of grouted specimens with different grain size mixtures, it was found that, for the same grain size mixture, the peak (σp) and residual (σr) strengths of the grouted specimens increased with an increase in confining pressure. It was found that the average slope values of the σp‐σ3 curves for the grouted specimens with different grain size mixtures were all larger than those of the σr‐σ3 curves. It was observed that the peak strain (εp) of the grouted specimens with different grain size mixtures increased overall with increasing confining pressure. For constant confining pressure, the peak and residual strengths both gradually increased approximately linearly as the grain size mixtures varied from small to large, but at higher confining pressures, the influence of the grain size mixture on the peak (or residual) strength increased. These mechanical behaviours of the grouted crushed coal specimens were strongly dependent on the variation in the grain size mixtures and in the confining pressure, which can be explained by the crack evolution process within the grouted specimen under triaxial compression, to a certain extent. Ultimate failure of the grouted specimen occurred just after propagation and coalescence of the cracks through the entire grouted specimen. Moreover, there were three major microscopic diffusion modes for the grouts flowing in most of the crushed coal specimens. Based on these test results, it was found that the reinforcement effect of the grouted specimen related to the splitting grouting mode (occurring in most of the large specimens) seems to be better than that of the penetrating (filling) grouting mode (in most of the small specimens).
International Student Success: A Multilevel Perspective on Factors That Contribute to the Success and Quality of the Experience Abroad
Authors: Weerakkody Umesha , Jerez Emeline
Published: August 2018

The international higher education market is currently witnessing a fast growth. As a vital component in the sector, international students aspire to be successful in their higher education endeavours. Within this context, student success, already a highly contested term in the field, takes a different outlook when discussed in relation to international students. This paper focuses on the meaning of international student success and the mechanisms through which this concept has been made functional by the higher education sector. Working with definitions of student success, the paper first looks at student success as it means to international students, in line with their distinctive circumstances. In the second half, factors that impact international student success are reviewed in relation to current policy instruments across leading international higher education markets. The paper concludes by pointing out important implications and quality assurance challenges in enhancing the international students’ experience abroad.