bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unexpected sequel to silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride treatment of root stumps supporting an overlay denture in an aged‐care patient
Authors: Deutsch Alan A. , Craig Graham G.
Published: September 2018

An institutionalized high care dementia patient, who is unable to maintain his own oral health, presented with five lower anterior carious root stumps supporting a lower overlay denture. Due to limited cooperation, his root stumps were treated with only silver fluoride followed by stannous fluoride applied topically on a 4‐monthly cycle. Almost one and a half years after his initial application, there were unexpected calculus formations on the root stumps accompanied by marked gingival inflammation and gingival hyperplasia. At this point prognosis was considered very poor. Because the patient's cooperation was so poor, no attempt was made to remove the calculus deposits. Following continued topical applications directly to the area, there was evidence of a marked and unexpected improvement in gingival health. Some 4 years and 4 months after the initial application, the root stumps demonstrated a hard glossy surface surrounded by healthy gingival tissue. There had been no change in the patient's oral care, minor changes to medications and there had been no operative or periodontal interventions.
Clinical reasoning model for pharmacy students
Authors: Tietze Karen J
Published: September 2018

Background

Clinical reasoning is an essential health care professional skill. Typically, pharmacy students figure out how to reason clinically on their own through the observation of skilled clinicians in various patient care settings. The need to start developing clinical reasoning skills in the pre‐clinical years has increased interest in classroom‐based clinical reasoning instruction.

Context

The focus of the current clinical reasoning literature is on teaching and assessing medical student clinical reasoning skills. Some literature is available for other health care professions, but there is little information regarding pharmacy student clinical reasoning skills. The current accreditation standards for pharmacy education in the USA require the assessment of clinical reasoning skills, but do not provide guidance regarding content, depth or breadth of skill development.

Innovation

A 2‐credit pharmacy elective clinical reasoning course and a new integrated clinical reasoning model were developed for first‐, second‐ and third‐year pre‐clinical Doctor of Pharmacy students. The new integrated clinical reasoning model, designed to guide pharmacy students through the clinical reasoning processes for making patient‐specific therapeutic recommendations, integrates standard Subjective‐Objective‐Assessment‐Planning (SOAPing) processes with pharmacy‐specific elements of clinical reasoning.

Implications

Student achievement on whole case‐based exams, designed to assess clinical reasoning skills, and student satisfaction with the course were high; however, longitudinal experience with cohorts internal and external to this institution is necessary to determine whether this type of course and clinical reasoning model is scalable, and whether the model has a measurable impact on student performance in the clinical year of the curriculum.
Construction of a Small-Scale Vacuum Generation System and Using It as an Educational Device to Demonstrate Features of the Vacuum
Authors: Marzouk Osama A. , Jul Walid Ali Marjan Haje Rhaim , Jabri Amjad Masoud Khalfan Al , Al-ghaithi Hamed Aamir Mohammed Aamir
Published: September 2018

We developed a vacuum generation system composed of a reciprocating compressor (3 tons of refrigeration) with an inverted-function that is ready to be hooked flexibly to a gas-tight container to create an evacuated enclosed atmosphere, without strict limitation of the size of that container. The evacuated container (or vacuum chamber) can serve in different purposes such as educational demonstration of the vacuum properties, extraction of perfumes from herbal resources, and preserving food. We tested the device and found it can reach a vacuum level of 26 inches of mercury in an environment with an atmospheric pressure of 28.5 inches of mercury. We compared the performance of our vacuum device to a rotary-vane vacuum pump of ¼ horsepowers and found that the vacuum pump reaches a set test vacuum level of 25 inches of mercury before the compressor. We then demonstrated experimentally some features of the vacuum using the inverted compressor or the vane vacuum pump. These experiments serve some topics in physics for school students as well as two core subjects of mechanical engineering, namely fluid mechanics and thermodynamics.
On the Development of Incomplete Cubic Tetrahedral Element Based on the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Yu Zuqing , Lan Peng
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a new four-node incomplete cubic tetrahedral element (ICTE) based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is developed employing both volume coordinate and Cartesian coordinate parameter set. From the view of the order of interpolation polynomial basis, a criterion to develop the incomplete cubic ANCF tetrahedral element that can guarantee the quadratic accuracy is proposed. Based on the criterion, the new element and the other two existing incomplete cubic ANCF tetrahedral elements are compared analytically. The three elements are evaluated by both the static and dynamic numerical simulations. The new element successfully passes the patch test. The solutions of the proposed element in this paper agree well with analytical solutions or those given by the full cubic tetrahedral element/general commercial FE software. The higher accuracy and better convergence of the new element are verified. In addition, the method to develop incomplete cubic element by applying position constraints on the face center points and other corresponding material points of the full cubic element is discussed.
Variational Principle and Conservation Laws of a Generalized Hyperbolic Lane–Emden System
Authors: Muatjetjeja Ben , Mogorosi Tshepo E.
Published: September 2018

This paper aims to perform a complete Noether symmetry analysis of a generalized hyperbolic Lane–Emden system. Several constraints for which Noether symmetries exist are derived. In addition, we construct conservation laws associated with the admitted Noether symmetries. Thereafter, we briefly discuss the physical meaning of the derived conserved vectors.
Defining Sustainment for Engineered Systems—A Technology and Systems View
Authors: Sandborn Peter , Lucyshyn William
Published: September 2018

Sustainment and sustainability are concepts that have pervaded recent engineering culture. Although the popular media often associates sustainability with environmental and socio-ecological constructs, it is a widely used and understood concept with application to many technology, system, and business areas that extend beyond a socio-ecological context. This paper discusses the usage of the term sustainment, proposes a general definition of sustainment that conflates ecological, social, political, economic and technological interests, and provides recommendations that broaden the perspective.
Efficacy Investigation of Virtual Reality Teaching Module in Manufacturing System Design Course
Authors: Ma Junfeng , Jaradat Raed , Ashour Omar , Hamilton Michael , Jones Parker , Dayarathna Vidanelage L.
Published: September 2018

Manufacturing system design is a complex engineering field that requires cooperated and aggregated multiple-disciplinary theoretical and practical support. Thereby, the concepts and topics in manufacturing system design courses are not easy to grasp by students. Advances in virtual reality (VR) technology present a new opportunity that can provide the implementation of complex engineering theory from industrial real-life practice in a virtual 3D model. The authors developed a unique queuing theory VR teaching module that can be used in a manufacturing system design course. The module uses Oculus Rift headset, Oculus Touch, and unity 3D software package. The efficacy of this VR teaching module is measured through simulation sickness, system usability, and user experience tools. The statistical analysis shows that VR teaching module is a user-friendly and efficient tool for delivering queueing theory. Approximately 91.7% of the participants experienced below moderate level simulation sickness and none of them withdrew from the study; 91.67% had “above average” satisfaction in terms of system usability. The average user experience was found to be 3.625 out 6. The results also show that the system usability has impact on students' knowledge gain but not motivation, while user experience can affect student's knowledge gain and motivation. VR teaching module outperforms the traditional teaching module in terms of knowledge gain and motivation. Overall, the findings of the study confirm the efficacy of VR technology in teaching queuing theory.
Draft Genome Sequences of Seven Strains of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O111 with Variation in Their Sensitivity to Novobiocin
Authors: Rotundo Luca , Boccia Federica , Fratamico Pina M. , Xu Aixia , Sommers Christopher H. , Liu Yanhong , Bono James L. , Pepe Tiziana
Published: September 2018

Inclusion of novobiocin as a selective agent for enrichment media and selective agars inhibits the growth of some Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) strains, particularly non-O157 STEC, which can yield false-negative detection results. Here, we report the draft genomic sequences of seven STEC O111 isolates with different sensitivities to novobiocin.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Multidrug-Resistant Neonatal Meningitis Escherichia coli Serotype O75:H5:K1 Strain mcjchv-1 (NMEC-O75)
Authors: Nielsen Daniel W. , Ricker Nicole , Barbieri Nicolle L. , Wynn James L. , Gómez-Duarte Oscar G. , Iqbal Junaid , Nolan Lisa K. , Allen Heather K. , Logue Catherine M.
Published: September 2018

Neonatal meningitis
Escherichia coli
(NMEC) is the second leading cause of neonatal bacterial meningitis worldwide. We report the genome sequence of the multidrug-resistant NMEC serotype O75:H5:K1 strain mcjchv-1, which resulted in an infant’s death.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Erwinia dacicola
, a Dominant Endosymbiont of Olive Flies
Authors: Estes Anne M. , Hearn David J. , Nadendla Suvarna , Pierson Elizabeth A. , Dunning Hotopp Julie C.
Published: September 2018

Erwinia dacicola
is a dominant endosymbiont of the pestiferous olive fly. Its genome is similar in size and GC content to those of free-living
Erwinia
species, including the plant pathogen
Erwinia amylovora
.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain 4014, Isolated from Soil in France
Authors: Crovadore Julien , Grizard Damien , Chablais Romain , Cochard Bastien , Blanc Philippe , Lefort François
Published: September 2018

We report here the draft genome sequence of strain 4014 of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, a common human pathogen, isolated from soil in France. This sequence predicts resistance to multiple antibiotics, including vancomycin.
Atypical case of mucous membrane pemphigoid in a 26-year-old man
Authors: Sambhara Deepak , Lee Ji Hyae , Pantanelli Seth M
Published: September 2018

A 26-year-old Caucasian man with no previous history of chemical injury presenting with an inability to open his right eye was investigated for mucous membrane pemphigoid and treated. Examination was notable for symblepharon of the right eye and impetigo-like lesions on the face and neck. A biopsy with immunohistochemical analysis was significant for linear deposits of C3 and immunoglobulin G at the level of the epithelial basement membrane, confirming the diagnosis of mucous membrane pemphigoid. Although mucous membrane pemphigoid classically presents bilaterally in women in the sixth and seventh decades of life, our patient was a young man with unilateral cicatrising conjunctivitis who may have been easily misdiagnosed without a high index of suspicion. A biopsy is required in cases of cicatrising conjunctivitis so that even atypical cases such as the one presented herein can be appropriately managed.
Impact of body mass index on survival of medical patients with sepsis: a prospective cohort study in a university hospital in China
Authors: Zhou Qingtao , Wang Meng , Li Shuo , Zhang Jing , Ma Qingbian , Ding Yanling , Ge Hongxia , Shen Ning , Zheng Yaan , Sun Yongchang
Published: September 2018

Objective

To evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on survival of a Chinese cohort of medical patients with sepsis.

Design

A single-centre prospective cohort study conducted from May 2015 to April 2017.

Setting

A tertiary care university hospital in China.

Participants

A total of 178 patients with sepsis admitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) were included.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was 90-day mortality while the secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, length of ICU stay and length of hospital stay.

Results

The median age (IQR) was 78 (66–84) years old, and 77.0% patients were older than 65 years. The 90-day mortality was 47.2%. The in-hospital mortality was 41.6%, and the length of ICU stay and hospital stay were 12 (5–22) and 15 (9–28) days, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis identified that Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (HR=1.229, p<0.001), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (HR=1.050, p<0.001) and BMI (HR=0.940, p=0.029) were all independently associated with the 90-day mortality. Patients were divided into four groups based on BMI (underweight 33 (18.5%), normal 98 (55.1%), overweight 36 (20.2%) and obese 11 (6.2%)). The 90-day mortality (66.7%, 48.0%, 36.1% and 18.2%, p=0.015) and in-hospital mortality (60.6%, 41.8%, 30.6% and 18.2%, p=0.027) were statistically different among the four groups. Differences in survival among the four groups were demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p=0.008), with the underweight patients showing a lower survival rate.

Conclusions

BMI was an independent factor associated with 90-day survival in a Chinese cohort of medical patients with sepsis, with patients having a lower BMI at a higher risk of death.
Improving access to healthcare for women in Tanzania by addressing socioeconomic determinants and health insurance: a population-based cross-sectional survey
Authors: Bintabara Deogratius , Nakamura Keiko , Seino Kaoruko
Published: September 2018

Objective

This study was performed to explore the factors associated with accumulation of multiple problems in accessing healthcare among women in Tanzania as an example of a low-income country.

Design

Population-based cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Nationwide representative data for women of reproductive age obtained from the 2015–2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey were analysed.

Primary outcome measures

A composite variable, ‘problems in accessing healthcare’, with five (1-5) categories was created based on the number of problems reported: obtaining permission to go to the doctor, obtaining money to pay for advice or treatment, distance to a health facility and not wanting to go alone. Respondents who reported fewer or more problems placed in lower and higher categories, respectively.

Results

A total of 13 266 women aged 15–49 years, with a median age (IQR) of 27 (20–36) years were interviewed and included in the analysis. About two-thirds (65.53%) of the respondents reported at least one of the four major problems in accessing healthcare. Furthermore, after controlling for other variables included in the final model, women without any type of health insurance, those belonging to the poorest class according to the wealth index, those who had not attended any type of formal education, those who were not employed for cash, each year of increasing age and those who were divorced, separated or widowed were associated with greater problems in accessing healthcare.

Conclusion

This study indicated the additive effects of barriers to healthcare in low-income countries such as Tanzania. Based on these results, improving uptake of health insurance and addressing social determinants of health are the first steps towards reducing women’s problems associated with accessing healthcare.
Electromagnetic spin creates torsion
Authors: Hammond Richard T.
Published: September 2018

It is shown the intrinsic spin, and only the spin, of the electromagnetic field creates torsion. The struggle raged for decades: How to reconcile the facts that photons have spin, but minimal coupling breaks gauge invariance and therefore must be abandoned, leaving us with the unphysical situation in which spin does not create torsion. By generalizing the gauge freedom of the torsion field, a covariant, gauge-invariant description is found whereby the electromagnetic spin creates a torsion field. In fact, it is shown if electromagnetic gauge invariance holds, torsion must be present.
Parameter estimation for a Lorentz invariance violation
Authors: Costa H. A. S. , Carvalho P. R. S. , da Paz I. G.
Published: September 2018

We employ techniques from quantum estimation theory (QET) to estimate the Lorentz violation parameters in the (1+3)-dimensional flat spacetime. We obtain and discuss the expression of the quantum Fisher information (QFI) in terms of the Lorentz violation parameter [Formula: see text] and the momentum [Formula: see text] of the created particles. We show that the maximum QFI is achieved for a specific momentum [Formula: see text]. We also find that the optimal precision of estimation of the Lorentz violation parameter is obtained near the Planck scale.
The approximations of a function belonging Hölder class Hα[0,1) by second kind Chebyshev wavelet method and applications in solutions of differential equation
Authors: Lal Shyam , Rakesh
Published: September 2018

In this paper, two new estimates [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of a function [Formula: see text] belonging to [Formula: see text] are obtained by Chebyshev wavelet method. These estimators are new, sharper and best possible in Wavelet Analysis. Using this method, the solutions of four differential equations are obtained. These solutions are approximately the same as exact solutions.
Numerical Modelling of Field Test for Crack Risk Assessment of Early Age Concrete Containing Fly Ash
Authors: Ji G. M. , Kanstad T. , Bjøntegaard Ø.
Published: September 2018

The high‐strength/high‐performance concretes are prone to cracking at early age due to low water/binder ratio. The replacement of cement with mineral additives such as fly ash and blast‐furnace slag reduces the hydration heat during the hardening phase, but at the same time, it has significant influence on the development of mechanic and viscoelastic properties of early age concrete. Its potential benefit to minimize the cracking risk was investigated through a filed experiment carried out by the Norwegian Directorate of Roads. The temperature development and strain development of the early age concrete with/without the fly ash were measured for a “double‐wall” structure. Based on experimental data and well‐documented material models which were verified by calibration of restraint stress development in TSTM test, thermal‐structural analysis was performed by finite element program DIANA to assess the cracking risk for concrete structures during hardening. The calculated and measured temperature and strain in the structure had good agreement, and the analysis results showed that mineral additives such as flay ash are beneficial in reducing cracking risk for young concrete. Furthermore, parameter studies were performed to investigate the influence of the two major factors: creep and volume change (autogenous shrinkage and thermal dilation) during hardening, on the stress development in the structure.
Evaluation of A-Site Ba2+-Deficient Ba1−xCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ Oxides as Electrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Li Xiangnan , He Liqing , Zhong Xiongwei , Zhang Jie , Luo Shijing , Yi Wendi , Zhang Luozheng , Hu Manman , Tang Jun , Zhou Xianyong , Zhao Xingzhong , Xu Baomin
Published: September 2018

Exploring earth-abundant and cost-effective catalysts with high activity and stability for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of great importance to practical applications of alkaline water electrolysis. Here, we report on A-site Ba2+-deficiency doping as an effective strategy to enhance the electrochemical activity of BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ for HER, which is related to the formation of oxygen vacancies around active Co/Fe ions. By comparison with the benchmarking Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ, one of the most spotlighted perovskite oxides, the Ba0.95Co0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ oxide has lower overpotential and smaller Tafel slope. Furthermore, the Ba0.95Co0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ catalyst is ultrastable in an alkaline solution. The enhanced HER performance originated from the increased active atoms adjacent to oxygen vacancies on the surface of the Ba0.95Co0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ catalyst induced by Ba2+-deficiency doping. The low-coordinated active atoms and adjacent oxygen ions may play the role of heterojunctions that synergistically facilitate the Volmer process and thus render stimulated HER catalytic activity. The preliminary results suggest that Ba2+-deficiency doping is a feasible method to tailor the physical and electrochemical properties of perovskite, and that Ba0.95Co0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ is a potential catalyst for HER.
The Power of Visual Texture in Aesthetic Perception: An Exploration of the Predictability of Perceived Aesthetic Emotions
Authors: Liu Jianli , Lughofer Edwin , Zeng Xianyi , Li Zhengxin
Published: September 2018

How to interpret the relationship between the low-level features, such as some statistical characteristics of color and texture, and the high-level aesthetic properties, such as warm or cold, soft or hard, has been a hot research topic of neuroaesthetics. Contrary to the black-box method widely used in the fields of machine learning and pattern recognition, we build a white-box model with the hierarchical feed-forward structure inspired by neurobiological mechanisms underlying the aesthetic perception of visual art. In the experiment, the aesthetic judgments for 8 pairs of aesthetic antonyms are carried out for a set of 151 visual textures. For each visual texture, 106 low-level features are extracted. Then, ten more useful and effective features are selected through neighborhood component analysis to reduce information redundancy and control the complexity of the model. Finally, model building of the beauty appreciation of visual textures using multiple linear or nonlinear regression methods is detailed. Compared with our previous work, a more robust feature selection algorithm, neighborhood component analysis, is used to reduce information redundancy and control computation complexity of the model. Some nonlinear models are also adopted and achieved higher prediction accuracy when compared with the previous linear models. Additionally, the selection strategy of aesthetic antonyms and the selection standards of the core set of them are also explained. This research also suggests that the aesthetic perception and appreciation of visual textures can be predictable based on the computed low-level features.
Chromosomal Abnormalities in Syndromic Orofacial Clefts: Report of Three Children
Authors: Shenoy Rathika Damodara , Shenoy Vijaya , Shetty Vikram
Published: September 2018

This case series of three children reports clinical features and chromosomal abnormalities seen in a craniofacial clinic. All presented with orofacial cleft, developmental or intellectual disability, and dysmorphism. Emanuel syndrome or supernumerary der (22)t(11; 22), the prototype of complex small supernumerary marker disorders, was seen in one child. Duplication 4q27q35.2 with concomitant deletion 21q22.2q22.3 and duplication 12p13.33p13.32 with concomitant deletion 18q22.3q23 seen in the remaining two children are not reported in literature. Maternal balanced translocation was established in both of these children.
Medical Image Classification Based on Deep Features Extracted by Deep Model and Statistic Feature Fusion with Multilayer Perceptron‬
Authors: Lai ZhiFei , Deng HuiFang
Published: September 2018

Medical image classification is a key technique of Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems. Traditional methods rely mainly on the shape, color, and/or texture features as well as their combinations, most of which are problem-specific and have shown to be complementary in medical images, which leads to a system that lacks the ability to make representations of high-level problem domain concepts and that has poor model generalization ability. Recent deep learning methods provide an effective way to construct an end-to-end model that can compute final classification labels with the raw pixels of medical images. However, due to the high resolution of the medical images and the small dataset size, deep learning models suffer from high computational costs and limitations in the model layers and channels. To solve these problems, in this paper, we propose a deep learning model that integrates Coding Network with Multilayer Perceptron (CNMP), which combines high-level features that are extracted from a deep convolutional neural network and some selected traditional features. The construction of the proposed model includes the following steps. First, we train a deep convolutional neural network as a coding network in a supervised manner, and the result is that it can code the raw pixels of medical images into feature vectors that represent high-level concepts for classification. Second, we extract a set of selected traditional features based on background knowledge of medical images. Finally, we design an efficient model that is based on neural networks to fuse the different feature groups obtained in the first and second step. We evaluate the proposed approach on two benchmark medical image datasets: HIS2828 and ISIC2017. We achieve an overall classification accuracy of 90.1% and 90.2%, respectively, which are higher than the current successful methods.
Physical Simulation and Monitoring the Deformation and Fracture of Roadway in Coal Mining
Authors: Liu Xiaofei , Yang Shuai , Ding Xuhan , Zhang Chong , Wang Xiaoran , Zhou Bin
Published: September 2018

Aiming at the large deformation and the dynamic fracture of roadway during the underground excavation or mining, a physical simulation and strain testing system was established, and the deformation process of surrounding body and its inner strain characteristics of the simulated roadway under loading was carried out. Results showed that the inner strain change of the measurement points can be divided into three types: the strain firstly increases and then decreases, the strain slowly increases and then increases sharply, and strain firstly reduces and then increases. The strain starting time is closely related to the failure path and boundary of tested samples. This paper suggested two criteria for determining the instability of roadways, which are a huge and faster increase of strain at the location of the roof and floor with high absolute value, or a small increase with a peak value or irregular fluctuation. This paper provides a new idea for the simulation of roadway instability and is significant in deeper understanding the deformation and destabilization of underground roadway.
A Heuristic Evolutionary Algorithm of UAV Path Planning
Authors: Fu Zhangjie , Yu Jingnan , Xie Guowu , Chen Yiming , Mao Yuanhang
Published: September 2018

With the rapid development of the network and the informatization of society, how to improve the accuracy of information is an urgent problem to be solved. The existing method is to use an intelligent robot to carry sensors to collect data and transmit the data to the server in real time. Many intelligent robots have emerged in life; the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is one of them. With the popularization of UAV applications, the security of UAV has also been exposed. In addition to some human factors, there is a major factor in the UAV’s endurance. UAVs will face a problem of short battery life when performing flying missions. In order to solve this problem, the existing method is to plan the path of UAV flight. In order to find the optimal path for a UAV flight, we propose three cost functions: path security cost, length cost, and smoothness cost. The path security cost is used to determine whether the path is feasible; the length cost and smoothness cost of the path directly affect the cost of the energy consumption of the UAV flight. We proposed a heuristic evolutionary algorithm that designed several evolutionary operations: substitution operations, crossover operations, mutation operations, length operations, and smoothness operations. Through these operations to enhance our build path effect. Under the analysis of experimental results, we proved that our solution is feasible.
Quantification of the Transparency of the Transparent Soil in Geotechnical Modeling
Authors: Yi Li-Da , Lv Hua-Bin , Ye Tian , Zhang Yi-Ping
Published: September 2018

An indispensable process of geotechnical modeling with transparent soils involves capturing and analyzing images, in which favorable transparency is required for optical measurements. This paper proposes an objective framework for quantification of transparency in transparent soil based on its transmittance. Specifically, transparent soil with fused quartz serves as the soil sample for the detection of transmittance, and transmittance’s impact on imaging quality in geotechnical modeling with transparent soil is investigated through an evaluation function of image clarity. According to the results of research about transparent soil with fused quartz, viewing depth and refractive index matching are the dominant factors that affect variations in transmittance of transparent soil, and the variations of transmittance are subjected to exponential decay regarding viewing depth or refractive index matching based on the theoretical modeling’s function of curve fitting. Moreover, experimental results indicate that imaging quality of geotechnical modeling with transparent soil is enhanced with increasing transmittance, and imaging quality shows a remarkable improvement when transmittance is greater than 90%.
Dynamic Reliability Design of Multicomponent Structure with Improved Weighted Regression Distributed Collaborative Surrogate Model Method
Authors: Dong Xiao-Wei , Li Wei-Kai , Zhu Chun-Yan , Chen Chang-Hai , Lu Cheng , Yi Shu-Juan
Published: September 2018

For dynamic reliability design of complex structures with multiple components, an improved weighted regression distributed collaborative surrogate model method (IWRDCSMM) is developed from the extremum response surface method (ERSM), decomposed‐coordinated thought, and improved weighted regression principle. The ERSM is used to address the dynamic reliability and sensitivity analyses of multicomponent structures and enhance the computing efficiency. The decomposed‐coordinated thought is applied to handle the relationship among multiple components. The improved weighted regression method is used to find the efficient samples with smaller errors to improve the modeling accuracy. The proposed method is first introduced for dynamic probabilistic analysis (including reliability analysis and sensitivity analysis) of multicomponent structures. The method is then mathematically modeled by adopting the efficient samples selected based on the improved weighted regression method. Finally, the radial deformation dynamic probabilistic analysis of an aeroengine turbine blisk assembled by blade and disk is accomplished, in respect of the IWRDCSMM, fluid‐thermal‐structure interaction, and the randomness of input parameters within the time domain [0, T]. The results illustrate that the reliability degree of turbine blisk radial deformation is 0.9951 when the allowable value uallow is 2.30 × 10−3 m, and all the input parameters affecting the turbine blisk radial deformation are gas temperature, angular speed, inlet velocity, outlet pressure, material density, and inlet pressure, successively. As revealed by the comparison of different methods, the IWRDCSMM has high fitting speed and simulation efficiency with the guarantee of accuracy. The efforts of this study provide a promising dynamic probabilistic analysis technique for complex structures with multiple components and enrich mechanical reliability theory.
Unmet Needs in the Treatment of RA in the Era of Jak-i: IDRA (Italian Delphi Rheumatoid Arthritis) Consensus
Authors: Caporali R. , Doria A. , Ferraccioli G. F. , Meroni P. L. , Zavaglia D. , Iannone F.
Published: September 2018

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune arthritis in adult population. This disease is characterized by joint damage and systemic involvement that lead to general physical and mental impairment with consequent worsening of quality of life. Rheumatoid arthritis is also associated with a large economic burden to healthcare systems. The evidence from the literature indicates that, despite available treatments, several unmet needs still interfere with rheumatoid arthritis management. Based on this evidence, some of the unmet medical needs currently present in the management of the rheumatoid arthritis were identified and a Delphi questionnaire was submitted to 60 Italian Rheumatologists. The aim of this Delphi was to achieve a broad consensus on the most relevant unmet needs identified, in order to present the Italian reality in view of the availability of new molecules that could provide an effective therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Applicability of a 3D Laser Scanner for Characterizing the Spray Distribution Pattern of an Air-Assisted Sprayer
Authors: García-Ramos F. Javier , Serreta Alfredo , Boné Antonio , Vidal Mariano
Published: September 2018

Three-dimensional (3D) laser technology has been tested for assessing the performance of air-assisted spraying. A static test using an air-assisted sprayer equipped with two axial fans (front and back) with opposing directions of rotation was developed. The sprayer was adjusted to spread water in a static mode, at a pressure of 10 bars, with four air volumetric flow rates. Measurements were performed using a Leica HDS6000 3D laser scanner. In addition, the flow and velocity of air generated by the air-assisted sprayer were measured using a hot-wire anemometer and a 3D sonic anemometer with the objective of estimating the influence of air flow on the spatial distribution of spray droplets. To carry out the analysis, all of the droplets detected by the laser were considered to be of the same size. The distribution of products was asymmetric when the machine only worked with the back fan, with 41% of the product distributed on the left side versus 59% on the right side, as referenced to the direction of the machine’s advance. This asymmetry was corrected when the machine functioned with the two fans activated. These spray data were concordant with the measured air flow generated by the machine in the different working conditions. For the different regulation settings of the machine, taking the vertical of the machine as 0°, the angular region comprised between 40° and 60° was the one that received the highest quantity of product. The increase of the air flow produced a greater distance of the product. For the highest air flow configuration, 99% of the product detected by the laser was detected within a distance of 16 m from the axis of the machine.
Adaptive Feedback Control for Synchronization of Chaotic Neural Systems with Parameter Mismatches
Authors: Ye Qian , Jiang Zhengxian , Chen Tiane
Published: September 2018

This work pertains to the study of the synchronization problem of a class of coupled chaotic neural systems with parameter mismatches. By means of an invariance principle, a rigorous adaptive feedback method is explored for synchronization of a class of coupled chaotic delayed neural systems in the presence of parameter mismatches. Finally, the performance is illustrated with simulations in a two‐order neural systems.
Reliable Machine Learning Based Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Shah Hurmat Ali , Koo Insoo
Published: September 2018

Spectrum sensing is of crucial importance in cognitive radio (CR) networks. In this paper, a reliable spectrum sensing scheme is proposed, which uses K‐nearest neighbor, a machine learning algorithm. In the training phase, each CR user produces a sensing report under varying conditions and, based on a global decision, either transmits or stays silent. In the training phase the local decisions of CR users are combined through a majority voting at the fusion center and a global decision is returned to each CR user. A CR user transmits or stays silent according to the global decision and at each CR user the global decision is compared to the actual primary user activity, which is ascertained through an acknowledgment signal. In the training phase enough information about the surrounding environment, i.e., the activity of PU and the behavior of each CR to that activity, is gathered and sensing classes formed. In the classification phase, each CR user compares its current sensing report to existing sensing classes and distance vectors are calculated. Based on quantitative variables, the posterior probability of each sensing class is calculated and the sensing report is classified into either representing presence or absence of PU. The quantitative variables used for calculating the posterior probability are calculated through K‐nearest neighbor algorithm. These local decisions are then combined at the fusion center using a novel decision combination scheme, which takes into account the reliability of each CR user. The CR users then transmit or stay silent according to the global decision. Simulation results show that our proposed scheme outperforms conventional spectrum sensing schemes, both in fading and in nonfading environments, where performance is evaluated using metrics such as the probability of detection, total probability of error, and the ability to exploit data transmission opportunities.
Design and Modeling of Self‐Adapting MAC (SaMAC) Protocol with Inconstant Contention Loss Probabilities
Authors: Kristić Ante , Ožegović Julije , Kedžo Ivan
Published: September 2018

Networks based on IEEE 802.11 standard are one of the main options for deployment in industrial environment. Degradation of throughput in congested networks and short‐term unfairness are well‐known drawbacks of 802.11 DCF and similar MAC protocols. Those shortcomings represent significant limitation in forecasted growth of wireless usage. This is especially important in industrial wireless networks (IWN) where the scalability of wireless MAC is one of the main requirements. In this paper, a novel self‐adapting MAC protocol (SaMAC) is defined and mathematically modeled. SaMAC employs constrained countdown freezing enhanced with shifted window mechanism. As a result, the protocol outperforms 802.11 DCF standard as well as shifted contention window (SCW) and constrained countdown freezing (CPCF) protocols in achieved throughput, fairness, and jitter, while keeping simple implementation. Despite protocol’s simple design, it is shown that its mathematical model is extremely complex. For proposed protocol, the assumption of constant contention loss probability, which is normally used for modeling of MAC schemes, does not hold. In the presented multidimensional Markov chain model, a unique iterative method for determining contention loss probability is developed as well as a method for throughput calculation based on such a chain. Accuracy of the presented model is verified in several network scenarios. Considering the performance of the proposed protocol, authors believe that it could be of benefit to deploy it in heavily loaded wireless networks with timing constraints, such as IWNs.
Robust H∞ Output-Feedback Yaw Control for Vehicles with Differential Steering
Authors: Oke Paul , Nguang Sing Kiong , Qu Wentai
Published: September 2018

This paper examines the problem of designing a robust H∞ output-feedback yaw controller with both input and output constraints for four-wheel independently driven in-wheel electric vehicles (EVs) with differential steering. Specifically, the controller aims are to ensure the stability and improve the performance of the EV despite variations in the road adhesion coefficient, longitudinal velocity, and external disturbance. Based on the linear matrix inequalities approach, sufficient conditions for the existence of an H∞ output-feedback controller for linear systems with polytopic uncertainties, and input and control output constraints, are derived. Then those sufficient conditions are utilized to design an H∞ output-feedback yaw controller that guarantees the robust performance and stability of an EV over a wider range of road conditions. Finally, the capability of the developed controller is simulated on a vehicle model with uncertain road conditions and longitudinal velocities.
Differences of Clonogenic Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Immunomodulation of Lymphocyte Subsets
Authors: Martínez-Peinado Pascual , Pascual-García Sandra , Roche Enrique , Sempere-Ortells José Miguel
Published: September 2018

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are a widely used population in cell therapy for their ability to differentiate into distinct tissues and more lately, for their immunomodulatory properties. However, the use of heterogeneous populations could be responsible for the nondesired outcomes reflected in the literature. Here, we analyse the different capacities of five one-cell-derived MSC clones to exert their immunomodulation ex vivo. We assessed proliferation assays in cocultures of MSC clones and purified cluster of differentiation (CD)3+, CD4+, or CD8+ lymphocytes; analysed the regulatory T (Treg) cells fold change rate; determined the effects on viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC); and also measured the coculture cytokine profiles (Th1/Th2). Conditioned media (CM) of different clones were also used to perform both proliferation assays and to analyse Treg fold change. The five clones analysed in this work were able to generate heterogeneous environments. Different clones inhibited proliferation of CD3+ and CD4+ lymphocytes, with different intensities. Surprisingly, all clones promoted proliferation of CD8+ lymphocytes. Different MSC clones and their CM were able to increase the number of Treg with different intensities. Finally, different clones also promoted different effects on the viability of PBMC treated with ultraviolet light. Considering all these data together, it seems that different clones, even from the same donor, can promote a wide spectrum of responses from anti-inflammatory to proinflammatory character. This fact may be important to standardise the design of personalized cell therapy protocols, thus diminishing the aforementioned undesired outcomes existing nowadays in this type of therapies.
Adiposity Is a Key Correlate of Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 Levels in African Males with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Mashili Fredirick L. , Ramaiya Kaushik , Lutale Janet , Njelekela Marina , Francis Filbert , Zierath Juleen , Krook Anna
Published: September 2018

Background. Fibroblast growth factor-21 is an endocrine regulator with therapeutic and diagnostic potential. The levels and pattern of circulating FGF-21 have been described mainly in European and Asian populations. Given its strong association with adiposity, and the reported ethnic variabilities in body composition, examining FGF-21 in an African population is crucial. Methods. We measured levels of circulating FGF-21 in 207 overweight and obese Tanzanian males with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and using statistical approaches, we explored their relationship with anthropometric and biochemical parameters. Results. Consistent with previous reports from European and Asian populations, we found higher levels of FGF-21 in people with T2DM compared to those without the disease. Based on statistical models, measures of adiposity explained up to 59% of the variability in FGF-21 levels in the circulation. Conclusion. Levels of circulating FGF-21 in overweight and obese African males are higher in T2DM and strongly correlate with measures of adiposity.
Coordinating Pricing and Advertising Decisions for Supply Chain under Consignment Contract in the Dynamic Setting
Authors: Wu Zhihui , Feng Lichao , Chen Dongyan
Published: September 2018

In this paper, via the differential game method, the problems of the pricing and advertising decision are investigated by considering the effect of number of the platform users on demand. In addition, a novel contract is developed to coordinate the supply chain. Firstly, the optimal strategies of the pricing and advertising are given in the decentralized and centralized scenarios by applying the differential game theory. Also, the comparison analysis concerning on the optimal strategies is proposed in two decision scenarios. It is shown that the centralized scenario could lead to the higher advertising effort of each member and a lower retail price. Next, we construct the state‐dependent contract with hope to coordinate the supply chain and then improve the performance of the supply chain. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the impacts of the price‐elasticity index of demand and the effectiveness of the number of retailer’s platform users onto the feasible region of the corresponding contract.
A Giant Duodenal Leiomyoma Showing Increased Uptake on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Nonoyama Keisuke , Kitagami Hidehiko , Yasuda Akira , Fujihata Shiro , Yamamoto Minoru , Shimizu Yasunobu , Tanaka Moritsugu
Published: September 2018

Background. Although 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is now widely used in their differential diagnosis, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant diseases. Case Presentation. A 44-year-old woman was found to have abnormalities on health screening. Magnetic resonance imaging for detailed examination showed an intra-abdominal tumor measuring 12 cm in the major axis near the cranial end of the uterus. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy showed a tumor with an ulcer in the third part of the duodenum, involving half the circumference. Heterogeneous uptake was observed within the tumor on FDG-PET/CT. Based on these findings, the patient underwent surgery for suspected primary malignant lymphoma of the duodenum or gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Laparotomy revealed a 12 cm tumor in the third part of the duodenum. Partial duodenectomy and end-to-end duodenojejunostomy were performed. Pathological findings showed a solid tumor growing from the muscle layer of the duodenum to outside the serous membrane; based on immunostaining, it was diagnosed as a leiomyoma. Conclusions. Duodenal leiomyomas are originally benign; to date, there have been no reports of uptake in duodenal leiomyomas on FDG-PET/CT; therefore, our case is rare. Leiomyomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of duodenal neoplastic diseases.
Improvement of Cardiac Vegetations in Antiphospholipid Syndrome with Enoxaparin and Corticosteroids after Rivaroxaban Failure
Authors: Granowicz Eric , Chung Kiyon
Published: September 2018

Cardiac disease is a well-known complication of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), with many patients presenting with valvular thickening or vegetations, referred to as Libman–Sacks endocarditis (LSE). Because cases of APS with cardiac involvement are relatively rare, paucity of large clinical trials studying this complication has made management challenging. In the absence of acute heart failure and embolic events, a medical approach is usually selected, consisting of anticoagulation and possibly corticosteroids when another underlying autoimmune disease is present. However, the role of various anticoagulant classes and the duration of steroid therapy continue to be debated. Here, we present a 45-year-old woman who developed two vegetations in the setting of secondary APS while taking rivaroxaban before experiencing marked improvement with the use of enoxaparin and steroids.