bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forward Kinematics Analysis of Parallel Manipulator Using Dynamic Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm Based on Clonal Selection
Authors: Wu Shenli , Wang Sun’an , Li Xiaohu
Published: June 2016

The forward kinematics analysis is the foundation for studying other performances of the parallel manipulator, which has been not very effect method to directly obtain high-precision solutions. Highly coupled non-linear motions of the parallel manipulator make the forward kinematics difficult to be solved. The forward kinematics can be transformed into an equivalent optimization problem by the property that it is easy to obtain the inverse kinematics. This paper proposes a dynamic bacterial foraging optimization algorithm based on clonal selection, which is called CDBFO, to directly obtain the globally optimal solution of the forward kinematics. A step strategy of piecewise dynamic adjustment and clonal selection are introduced into original bacterial foraging optimization algorithm and a comparison of benchmark functions tests show that CDBFO has the best performance among the other two algorithms. On this basis, this paper adopts CDBFO to solve the forward kinematics compared with the other two algorithms and the results show that CDBFO can not only obtain high accuracy of the forward kinematics, but also avoid complicated numerical derivation and sensitive problem of initial values. Absolute errors of the position and orientation are respectively less than 10e−04mm and 10e−04°, which has met the application requirement of the parallel manipulator on engineering precision.
Structural Integrity and Mechanical Design of a Probe of High Pressure and High Temperature for Oil Wells Applying Finite Elements Tools
Authors: Tamariz Erik Rosado , Castro Rito Mijarez , Estrada Agustín Javier Antúnez , Amezcua Alfonso Campos , Maldonado David Pascacio , Aguilar Alfonso Aragón
Published: June 2016

Measurement of high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) tools is regularly carried out in the hydrocarbons sector to determine not only the characteristics and performance of fluids inside the well, but also to evaluate the mechanical condition of the pipes and the automation of production. The mechanical features of these tools are significantly influenced by the mechanical design of the structure, which eventually affects their performance and integrity. This paper describes the design process and the analysis of the structural integrity of a HPHT measuring tool for oil wells in its sensors section. The classical theories of mechanical design and specifications of the ASME boilers and pressure vessels code were used. The study is performed for several operation variables in a numerical model using a commercial code of finite element method to determinate the maximum principal stresses, total displacements and safety factor in the mechanical elements that form the device. The numerical results were compared with the experimental data source from the laboratory tests.
Atomic layer deposition of (K,Na)(Nb,Ta)O3 thin films
Authors: Sønsteby Henrik Hovde , Nilsen Ola , Fjellvåg Helmer
Published: June 2016

Thin films of complex alkali oxides are frequently investigated due to the large range of electric effects that are found in this class of materials. Their piezo- and ferroelectric properties also place them as sustainable lead free alternatives in optoelectronic devices. Fully gas-based routes for deposition of such compounds are required for integration into microelectronic devices that need conformal thin films with high control of thickness- and composition. The authors here present a route for deposition of materials in the (K,Na)(Nb,Ta)O3-system, including the four end members NaNbO3, KNbO3, NaTaO3, and KTaO3, using atomic layer deposition with emphasis on control of stoichiometry in such mixed quaternary and quinary compunds.
Auditory sensitivity in aquatic animals
Authors: Lucke Klaus , Popper Arthur N. , Hawkins Anthony D. , Akamatsu Tomonari , André Michel , Branstetter Brian K. , Lammers Marc , Radford Craig A. , Stansbury Amanda L. , Aran Mooney T.
Published: June 2016

A critical concern with respect to marine animal acoustics is the issue of hearing “sensitivity,” as it is widely used as a criterion for the onset of noise-induced effects. Important aspects of research on sensitivity to sound by marine animals include: uncertainties regarding how well these species detect and respond to different sounds; the masking effects of man-made sounds on the detection of biologically important sounds; the question how internal state, motivation, context, and previous experience affect their behavioral responses; and the long-term and cumulative effects of sound exposure. If we are to better understand the sensitivity of marine animals to sound we must concentrate research on these questions. In order to assess population level and ecological community impacts new approaches can possibly be adopted from other disciplines and applied to marine fauna.
Treatment beliefs, health behaviors and their association with treatment outcome in type 2 diabetes
Authors: von Arx Lill-Brith Wium , Gydesen Helge , Skovlund Søren
Published: June 2016

Objective

While the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is growing, it is increasingly well recognized that treatment outcomes in primary care practice are often suboptimal. The aim of this study is to examine the extent to which treatment beliefs and health behaviors predict diabetes health outcome as measured by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, blood pressure, and lipid profile.

Research design and methods

This was a large-scale cross-sectional, registry-based study involving a well-defined type 2 diabetes population, in the county of Funen, Denmark. Registry data were combined with a 27-item self-reported survey administered to all insulin-treated people in the registry (n=3160). The survey was constructed to operationalize key concepts of diabetes management, diabetes treatment beliefs, and health behaviors.

Results

In total, 1033 respondents answered the survey. The majority of treatment beliefs and health behaviors examined were predictors of glycemic control and, to a large extent, lipid profile. Absence from, or a low frequency of, self-measured blood glucose, non-adherence to general medical advice and the prescribed treatment, a low primary care utilization, and perceived low treatment efficacy were factors positively associated with HbA1clevels, s-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein. Conversely, infrequent self-measured blood glucose was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of having a blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. Perceived low treatment efficacy was the only health belief associated with poorer levels of health outcome other than HbA1c.

Conclusions

Health behaviors were stronger predictors for health outcomes than treatment beliefs. Self-reported adherence to either the treatment regimen or general medical advice most consistently predicted both glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors.
Stages of change for physical activity and dietary habits in persons with type 2 diabetes included in a mobile health intervention: the Norwegian study in RENEWING HEALTH
Authors: Holmen Heidi , Wahl Astrid , Torbjørnsen Astrid , Jenum Anne Karen , Småstuen Milada Cvancarova , Ribu Lis
Published: June 2016

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate stages of change for physical activity and dietary habits using baseline data from persons with type 2 diabetes included in a mobile health intervention. We examined the associations between stages of change for physical activity change and dietary change, and between stages of change for each behavior and individual characteristics, health-related quality of life, self-management, depressive symptoms, and lifestyle.

Research design and methods

We examined 151 persons with type 2 diabetes with an glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level ≥7.1%, aged ≥18 years at baseline of a randomized controlled trial, before testing a mobile app with or without health counseling. Stages of change were dichotomized into ‘pre-action’ and ‘action’. Self-management was measured using the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (heiQ) where a higher score reflects increased self-management, and health-related quality of life was measured with the Short-Form-36 (SF-36). Logistic regression modeling was performed.

Results

The median HbA1c level was 7.9% (7.1–12.4), 90% were overweight or obese, and 20% had ≥3 comorbidities. 58% were in the preaction stage for physical activity change and 79% in the preaction stage for dietary change. Higher scores of self-management were associated with an increased chance of being in the action stage for both dietary change and physical activity change. Higher body mass index was associated with an 8% reduced chance of being in the action stage for physical activity change (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99).

Conclusions

Being in the action stage was associated with higher scores of self-management, crucial for type 2 diabetes. Over half of the participants were in the preaction stage for physical activity and dietary change, and many had a high disease burden with comorbidities and overweight.

Trial registration number

NCT01315756.
Access to the NHS by telephone and Internet during an influenza pandemic: an observational study
Authors: Rutter Paul , Mytton Oliver , Ellis Benjamin , Donaldson Liam
Published: June 2016

Objectives

To examine use of a novel telephone and Internet service—the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS)—by the population of England during the 2009–2010 influenza pandemic.

Setting

National telephone and Internet-based service.

Participants

Service available to population of England (n=51.8 million).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Primary: service use rate, by week. Numbers and age-specific and sex-specific rates of population who: accessed service; were authorised to collect antiviral medication; collected antiviral medication; were advised to seek further face-to-face assessment. Secondary: daily mean contacts by hour; proportion using service by telephone/Internet.

Results

The NPFS was activated on 23 July 2009, operated for 204 days and assessed 2.7 million patients (5200 consultations/100 000 population). This was six times the number of people who consulted their general practitioner with influenza-like illness during the same period (823 consultations/100 000 population, rate ratio (RR)=6.30, 95% CI 6.28 to 6.32). Women used the service more than men (52.6 vs 43.4 assessments/1000 population, RR1 21, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.22). Among adults, use of the service declined with age (16–29 years: 74.4 vs 65 years+: 9.9 assessments/1000 population (RR 7.46 95% CI 7.41 to 7.52). Almost three-quarters of those assessed met the criteria to receive antiviral medication (1 807 866/2 488 510; 72.6%). Most of the people subsequently collected this medication, although more than one-third did not (n=646 709; 35.8%). Just over one-third of those assessed were advised to seek further face-to-face assessment with a practitioner (951 332/2 488 504; 38.2%).

Conclusions

This innovative healthcare service operated at large scale and achieved its aim of relieving considerable pressure from mainstream health services, while providing appropriate initial assessment and management for patients. This offers proof-of-concept for such a service that, with further refinement, England can use in future pandemics. Other countries may wish to adopt a similar system as part of their pandemic emergency planning.
Systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of implementing guidelines on low back pain management in primary care: is transferability to other countries possible?
Authors: Jensen Cathrine Elgaard , Jensen Martin Bach , Riis Allan , Petersen Karin Dam
Published: June 2016

Objective

The primary aim is to identify, summarise and quality assess the available literature on the cost-effectiveness of implementing low back pain guidelines in primary care. The secondary aim is to assess the transferability of the results to determine whether the identified studies can be included in a comparison with a Danish implementation study to establish which strategy procures most value for money.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

The search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Scopus, CINAHL and EconLit. No restrictions were made concerning language, year of publication or publication type. The bibliographies of the included studies were searched for any studies not captured in the literature search.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

To be included, a study must be: (1) based on a randomised controlled trial comparing implementation strategies, (2) the guideline must concern treatment of low back pain in primary care and (3) the economic evaluation should contain primary data on cost and cost-effectiveness.

Results

The title and abstract were assessed for 308 studies; of these, three studies were found eligible for inclusion. The Consensus Health Economic Criteria (CHEC) list showed that the 3 studies were of moderate methodological quality while application of Welte's model showed that cost results from two studies could, with adjustments, be transferred to a Danish setting. It was questionable whether the associated effects could be transferred.

Conclusions

Despite the resemblance of the implementation strategies, the 3 studies report conflicting results on cost-effectiveness. This review showed that transferring the results from the identified studies is not straightforward and underlines the importance of transparent reporting. Future research should focus on transferability of effects, for example, development of a supplement to Welte's model.
β-Blockers for the prevention of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (βLOCK COPD): a randomised controlled study protocol
Authors: Bhatt Surya P , Connett John E , Voelker Helen , Lindberg Sarah M , Westfall Elizabeth , Wells J Michael , Lazarus Stephen C , Criner Gerard J , Dransfield Mark T
Published: June 2016

Introduction

A substantial majority of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs are due to acute exacerbations, but existing medications have only a modest effect on reducing their frequency, even when used in combination. Observational studies suggest β-blockers may reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations; thus, we will conduct a randomised, placebo-controlled trial to definitively assess the impact of metoprolol succinate on the rate of COPD exacerbations.

Methods and analyses

This is a multicentre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective randomised trial that will enrol 1028 patients with at least moderately severe COPD over a 3-year period. Participants with at least moderate COPD will be randomised in a 1:1 fashion to receive metoprolol or placebo; the cohort will be enriched for patients at high risk for exacerbations. Patients will be screened and then randomised over a 2-week period and will then undergo a dose titration period for the following 6 weeks. Thereafter, patients will be followed for 42 additional weeks on their target dose of metoprolol or placebo followed by a 4-week washout period. The primary end point is time to first occurrence of an acute exacerbation during the treatment period. Secondary end points include rates and severity of COPD exacerbations; rate of major cardiovascular events; all-cause mortality; lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)); dyspnoea; quality of life; exercise capacity; markers of cardiac stretch (pro-NT brain natriuretic peptide) and systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C reactive protein and fibrinogen). Analyses will be performed on an intent-to-treat basis.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol has been approved by the Department of Defense Human Protection Research Office and will be approved by the institutional review board of all participating centres. Study findings will be disseminated through presentations at national and international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02587351; Pre-results.
Plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in patients with valvular heart disease
Authors: Sharma Vishal , Stewart Ralph A , Lee Mildred , Gabriel Ruvin , Van Pelt Niels , Newby David E , Kerr Andrew J
Published: June 2016

Objective

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations predict prognosis in patients with valvular heart disease (VHD), but it is unclear whether this directly relates to disease severity. We assessed the relationship between BNP and echocardiographic measures of disease severity in patients with VHD.

Methods

Plasma BNP concentrations were measured in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function and isolated VHD (mitral regurgitation (MR), n=33; aortic regurgitation (AR), n=39; aortic stenosis (AS), n=34; mitral stenosis (MS), n=30), and age-matched and sex-matched controls (n=39) immediately prior to exercise stress echocardiography.

Results

Compared with controls, patients with VHD had elevated plasma BNP concentrations (MR median 35 (IQR 23–52), AR 34 (22–45), AS 31 (22–60), MS 58 (34–90); controls 24 (16–33) pg/mL; p<0.01 for all). LV end diastolic volume index varied by valve lesion; (MR (mean 77±14), AR (91±28), AS (50±17), MS (43±11), controls (52±13) mL/m2; p<0.0001). There were no associations between LV volume and BNP. Left atrial (LA) area index varied (MR (18±4 cm2/m2), AR (12±2), AS (11±3), MS (19±6), controls (11±2); p<0.0001), but correlated with plasma BNP concentrations: MR (r=0.42, p=0.02), MS (r=0.86, p<0.0001), AR (r=0.53, p=0.001), AS (r=0.52, p=0.002). Higher plasma BNP concentrations were associated with increased pulmonary artery pressure and reduced exercise capacity. Despite adverse cardiac remodelling, 81 (60%) patients had a BNP concentration within the normal range.

Conclusions

Despite LV remodelling, plasma BNP concentrations are often normal in patients with VHD. Conversely, mild elevations of BNP occur with LA dilatation in the presence of normal LV. Plasma BNP concentrations should be interpreted with caution when assessing patients with VHD.
Physical exercise and quantitative lower limb collateral function
Authors: Stoller Michael , Stoller David , Seiler Christian
Published: June 2016

Objective

This study tested the hypothesis that global physical activity and physical performance parameters are directly related to invasively obtained left superficial femoral artery (SFA) collateral flow index (CFI).

Background

So far, the association between different measures of physical exercise activity and quantitative lower limb collateral function has not been investigated.

Methods

The primary study end point was pressure-derived CFI as obtained during a 3 min left SFA balloon occlusion. CFI is the ratio of simultaneously recorded mean SFA distal occlusive pressure divided by mean aortic pressure, both subtracted by central venous pressure. As independent variables, the items of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and physical exercise performance (maximal workload in watts) as achieved during a bicycle or treadmill exercise test were determined. The secondary study end point was transcutaneous left calf partial oxygen pressure (PO2in mm Hg) divided by transcutaneous PO2at a non-ischaemic reference site as obtained simultaneously to CFI measurement.

Results

Of the 110 study patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography, 79 belonged to the group without and 31 with engagement in regular intensive leisure time physical activity according to GPAQ. Left SFA CFI tended to be lower in the group without than with intensive leisure time physical activity: 0.514 ±0.141 vs 0.560 ±0.184 (p =0.0566). Transcutaneous PO2index was associated with simultaneous left SFA CFI: CFI =018 +0.57 PO2index; p<0.0001. Maximal physical workload was directly associated with left SFA CFI: CFI =0.40 +0.0009 maximal workload; p =0.0044.

Conclusions

Quantitative left SFA collateral function is directly reflected by maximal physical workload as achieved during an exercise test.

Trial registration number

NCTO02063347.
Gender-specific secondary prevention? Differential psychosocial risk factors for major cardiovascular events
Authors: Kure Christina E , Chan Yih-Kai , Ski Chantal F , Thompson David R , Carrington Melinda J , Stewart Simon
Published: June 2016

Objective

To explore the psychosocial determinants and interhospital variability on a major acute cardiovascular event (MACE), during follow-up of a multicenter cohort of patients hospitalised with heart disease, participating in a nurse-led secondary prevention programme.

Methods

Outcome data were retrospectively analysed from 602 cardiac inpatients randomised to postdischarge standard care (n=296), or home-based intervention (n=306), with prolonged follow-up of individualised multidisciplinary support. Baseline psychosocial profiling comprised depressive status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), social isolation and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Multivariate analyses examined the independent correlates of a composite 2-year MACE rate of all-cause mortality and unplanned cardiovascular-related hospitalisation, according to gender.

Results

Participants were aged 70±10 years, 431 (72%) were men and 377 (63%) had coronary artery disease. During 2-year follow-up, 165 (27%) participants (114 men, 51 women; p=0.431) experienced a MACE. Independent correlates of a MACE in men were depressive status (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.58; p=0.032), low physical HRQoL (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.00; p=0.027) and increasing comorbidity (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.25; p=0.004). In women, age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.12; p=0.008), MCI (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.09 to 5.18; p=0.029) and hospital site predicted a MACE (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.93; p=0.029).

Conclusions

Psychological determinants, cognitive impairment and responses to secondary prevention are different for men and women with heart disease and appear to modulate cardiovascular-specific outcomes. Early detection of psychosocial factors through routine screening and gender-specific secondary prevention is encouraged.

Trial registration number

12608000014358.
Subclinical cardiopulmonary dysfunction in stage 3 chronic kidney disease
Authors: Nelson Alexander , Otto James , Whittle John , Stephens Robert C M , Martin Daniel S , Prowle John R , Ackland Gareth L
Published: June 2016

Objective

Reduced exercise capacity is well documented in end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), preceded by changes in cardiac morphology in CKD stage 3. However, it is unknown whether subclinical cardiopulmonary dysfunction occurs in CKD stage 3 independently of heart failure.

Methods

Prospective observational cross-sectional study of exercise capacity assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 993 preoperative patients. Primary outcome was peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Anaerobic threshold (AT), oxygen pulse and exercise-evoked measures of autonomic function were analysed, controlling for CKD stage 3, age, gender, diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Results

CKD stage 3 was present in 93/993 (9.97%) patients. Diabetes mellitus (RR 2.49 (95% CI 1.59 to 3.89); p<0.001), and hypertension (RR 3.20 (95% CI 2.04 to 5.03); p<0.001)) were more common in CKD stage 3. Cardiac failure (RR 0.83 (95% CI 0.30 to 2.24); p=0.70) and ischaemic heart disease (RR 1.40 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.02); p=0.09) were not more common in CKD stage 3. Patients with CKD stage 3 had lower predicted VO2peak(mean difference: 6% (95% CI 1% to 11%); p=0.02), lower peak heart rate (mean difference:9 bpm (95% CI 3 to 14); p=0.03)), lower AT (mean difference: 1.1 mL/min/kg (95% CI 0.4 to 1.7); p<0.001) and impaired heart rate recovery (mean difference: 4 bpm (95% CI 1 to 7); p<0.001)).

Conclusions

Subclinical cardiopulmonary dysfunction in CKD stage 3 is common. This study suggests that maladaptive cardiovascular/autonomic dysfunction may be established in CKD stage 3, preceding pathophysiology reported in end-stage CKD.
Surgical correction of a double‐chambered right ventricle under cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Elliott Ross Christopher , Joubert Kenneth Edward
Published: June 2016

A one‐year‐old golden retriever was presented with a double‐chambered right ventricle leading to extreme right ventricular outflow obstruction. The patient was placed on cardiopulmonary bypass, and the defect was corrected by removal of the fibromuscular obstruction and placement of a bovine pericardial patch through a right ventriculotomy. The patient continues to do very well 30 months post surgery.
Multiple myeloma in a dog: a typical presentation with an atypical serum protein electrophoretogram
Authors: Lindquist Tracy , Viall Austin , Meren Ilyssa , Flaherty Heather A
Published: June 2016

A nine‐year‐old spayed female labrador retriever presented with marked paraparesis. Radiographic imaging revealed regions of osteolysis within the spinous process of the L1 vertebra and the lamina and pedicles of the T13 vertebra. Cytological examination of the bone marrow exhibited a marked increase in plasma cells; histopathology of a core needle biopsy from the L1 spinous process revealed normal bone marrow findings with only scattered plasma cells. The serum biochemical profile demonstrated multiple abnormalities, some of which are frequently observed in cases of multiple myeloma such as hypercalcaemia and hyperglobulinemia. Initial serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) exhibited a tall, narrow peak of the β‐1 region superimposed onto a broad total β globulin base. The SPE also demonstrated a second α‐2 spike and low γ fraction. Although a urinalysis revealed a significant proteinuria, the patient lacked a Bence Jones proteinuria. The combined diagnostic workup was consistent with multiple myeloma.
General Idempotency Languages Over Small Alphabets
Authors: Leupold Peter
Published: June 2016

Idempotency languages are generated from a single word by iterated application of rules of the form [Formula: see text] for natural numbers m and n. We investigate these languages over alphabets of only one or two letters. The conditions under which the underlying rewrite relations are confluent are fully characterized. Then for many combinations of the parameters m and n we answer the question, whether the corresponding idempotency languages are regular or not. What remains open are only the cases where [Formula: see text].
Management Control Systems in Small Business Transfers — A Resource-Based View
Authors: Länsiluoto Aapo , Varamäki Elina , Laitinen Erkki K. , Viljamaa Anmari , Tall Juha
Published: June 2016

This study investigates whether post-business transfer MCS development (PBTMCSD) is associated with post-business transfer success (PBTS) in small firms. The data for the study was collected in January 2012 as a web-based survey. The target group consisted of acquirers (both external buyers and family business successors) who had implemented a business transfer during 2006–2011 in Finland. A total of 178 questionnaires were sent out, and 67 responses were received. Regression analysis is used to investigate the relationship between PBTMCSD and PBTS. We utilize both resource-based view (RBV) and contingency theory. The results indicate that PBTMCSD has a positive and significant relation with PBTS. Our findings highlight the importance of PBTMCSD even in small companies in the context of business transfer. However, the relationship between PBTMCSD and PBTS performance was stronger for firms with five or more employees as well as firms with previous experience of business transfers.
Estimation of Thermal Load in Structural Members from Measured Accelerations
Authors: Lyu M. N. , Yang Q. S.
Published: June 2016

Presented herein is a new computational strategy to eliminate the thermal effect in measured responses. The internal forces of a structure and its thermal load components are estimated alternately at each time step based on a recursive least-squares algorithm. The noise effect in the measured data and the estimated force in previous steps are removed with the Kalman filter. This approach directly models the thermal effects on the dynamic responses without the temperature information. This approach adopts force identification technique which has been researched extensively in the last two decades. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated via numerical studies with a bridge structure with or without noise in the measured data. The thermal load in the structural components can be estimated accurately with the proposed strategy with less than 8% error when there is 10% noise in the measured responses of the structure.
Dynamics of bell-nonlocality for two atoms interacting with a vacuum multi-mode noise field
Authors: Liu Yu-Jie , Zheng Li , Han Dong-Mei , Lü Huan-Lin , Zheng Tai-Yu
Published: June 2016

We investigate the internal-state Bell nonlocal entanglement dynamics, as measured by CHSH inequality of two atoms interacting with a vacuum multi-mode noise field by taking into account the spatial degrees of freedom of the two atoms. The dynamics of Bell nonlocality of the atoms with the atomic internal states being initially in a Werner-type state is studied, by deriving the analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation, and tracing over the degrees of freedom of the field and the external motion of the two atoms. In addition, through comparison with entanglement as measured by concurrence, we find that the survival time of entanglement is much longer than that of the Bell-inequality violation. And the comparison of the quantum correlation time between two Werner-type states is discussed.
Diffusion in Networks: The Strategic Spread of Islamism
Authors: Boyce Maureen , Byrne Mark , Dorpinghaus Erin , Malik D. S. , Mordeson John N.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we develop a fuzzy mathematics approach to study the influence of actors in networks on diffusion. We construct a dynamic diffusion model that represents the interactions and evolution of the current international network and determines the rate of Islamism by the internal and external pressures exerted on each state. We then identify key states in the international system by their degree to test if, and to what extent, they influence the rate and breadth of diffusion. Using this model we determine to what extent the most central actors in a network influence the overall rate of diffusion. We hypothesize that diffusion by the most central actors in the international system will greatly increase the overall rate of diffusion for the remaining actors. Given the current structure of the international system, we hypothesize that the prevalence of Islamism will decrease over time.
Musical Similarity and Commonness Estimation Based on Probabilistic Generative Models of Musical Elements
Authors: Nakano Tomoyasu , Yoshii Kazuyoshi , Goto Masataka
Published: June 2016

This paper proposes a novel concept we call musical commonness, which is the similarity of a song to a set of songs; in other words, its typicality. This commonness can be used to retrieve representative songs from a set of songs (e.g. songs released in the 80s or 90s). Previous research on musical similarity has compared two songs but has not evaluated the similarity of a song to a set of songs. The methods presented here for estimating the similarity and commonness of polyphonic musical audio signals are based on a unified framework of probabilistic generative modeling of four musical elements (vocal timbre, musical timbre, rhythm, and chord progression). To estimate the commonness, we use a generative model trained from a song set instead of estimating musical similarities of all possible song-pairs by using a model trained from each song. In experimental evaluation, we used two song-sets: 3278 Japanese popular music songs and 415 English songs. Twenty estimated song-pair similarities for each element and each song-set were compared with ratings by a musician. The comparison with the results of the expert ratings suggests that the proposed methods can estimate musical similarity appropriately. Estimated musical commonnesses are evaluated on basis of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between the estimated commonness of each song and the number of songs having high similarity with the song. Results of commonness evaluation show that a song having higher commonness is similar to songs of a song set.
User Reachability in Islands of WebRTC Communication Apps
Authors: Singh Kundan
Published: June 2016

Recent progress in Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) promotes multi-apps environment by creating islands of communication apps where users of one website or service cannot easily communicate with those of another. We describe the architecture and implementation of a multi-platform system to do user reachability in multiple communication services where users decide how they want to be reached on multiple apps, e.g. in an organization that has voice-over-IP, web conferencing and messaging from different vendors. We argue for user and endpoint driven reachability policies and cross-app interactions, instead of pair-wise service federation or global location service. Our architecture separates the user contacts from reachability apps, and has several independent and non-interoperable WebRTC-based apps for two-way and multi-party multimedia communication. Our software is implemented using HTML5 and JavaScript, and using a cross-platform development tool, runs as native apps on mobile as well as personal computers. Our flexible implementation can be used for enterprise or personal communications, or as a white-labeled app for consumers of a business.
Semantic Disambiguation and Linking of Quantitative Mentions in Textual Content
Authors: Ghashghaei Mehrnaz , Bagheri Ebrahim , Cuzzola John , Ghorbani Ali A. , Noorian Zeinab
Published: June 2016

Semantic annotation techniques provide the basis for linking textual content with concepts in well grounded knowledge bases. In spite of their many application areas, current semantic annotation systems have some limitations. One of the prominent limitations of such systems is that none of the existing semantic annotator systems are able to identify and disambiguate quantitative (numerical) content. In textual documents such as Web pages, specially technical contents, there are many quantitative information such as product specifications that need to be semantically qualified. In this paper, we propose an approach for annotating quantitative values in short textual content. In our approach, we identify numeric values in the text and link them to an existing property in a knowledge base. Based on this mapping, we are then able to find the concept that the property is associated with, whereby identifying both the concept and the specific property of that concept that the numeric value belongs to. Results obtained from the developed gold standard dataset show that the proposed automated semantic annotation platform is quite effective in detecting and disambiguating numerical content, and connecting them to associated properties on the external knowledge base. Our experiments show that our proposed approach is able to reach an accuracy of over 70% for semantically annotating quantitative content.
Biomanufacturing of Therapeutic Cells: State of the Art, Current Challenges, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Roh Kyung-Ho , Nerem Robert M. , Roy Krishnendu
Published: June 2016

Stem cells and other functionally defined therapeutic cells (e.g., T cells) are promising to bring hope of a permanent cure for diseases and disorders that currently cannot be cured by conventional drugs or biological molecules. This paradigm shift in modern medicine of using cells as novel therapeutics can be realized only if suitable manufacturing technologies for large-scale, cost-effective, reproducible production of high-quality cells can be developed. Here we review the state of the art in therapeutic cell manufacturing, including cell purification and isolation, activation and differentiation, genetic modification, expansion, packaging, and preservation. We identify current challenges and discuss opportunities to overcome them such that cell therapies become highly effective, safe, and predictively reproducible while at the same time becoming affordable and widely available.
Filter Paper Inspired Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials with High Photocatalytic Activity for Degradation of Methylene Orange
Authors: Liu Huang , Zhang Yanhua , Yang Hongtao , Xiao Wei , Sun Lanlan
Published: June 2016

Nanometer-sized zinc oxide (ZnO) has been synthesized through sol-gel method with natural cellulose substance (commercial filter paper) as template. The structure of zinc oxide nanomaterial was characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption and XRD. The morphology was observed by SEM and TEM. The results show that the hexagonal wurtzite phase is actually the only crystal phase in the sample and the product faithfully inherits the hierarchical morphology and the complex network structure of the original filter paper, which is composed of many randomly intersecting zinc oxide microfibers and nanosheets with lots of close stacked particles adsorbed on the surface. Moreover, these zinc oxide nanomaterials possess abundant mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter ofca. 21 nm and a wide pore size distribution (3–30 nm). Due to the strong absorption ability in the UV range, the zinc oxide nanomaterial prepared by this method displays significantly high photocatalytic activity for degrading methyl orange. In a short period of 20 minutes, the zinc oxide nanomaterial has degraded about 50% of the original MO, and the MO dye is fully degraded after UV irradiation for 80 minutes.
Predicting the Mechanical Properties of Viscose/Lycra Knitted Fabrics Using Fuzzy Technique
Authors: Hossain Ismail , Choudhury Imtiaz Ahmed , Mamat Azuddin Bin , Shahid Abdus , Khan Ayub Nabi , Hossain Altab
Published: June 2016

The main objective of this research is to predict the mechanical properties of viscose/lycra plain knitted fabrics by using fuzzy expert system. In this study, a fuzzy prediction model has been built based on knitting stitch length, yarn count, and yarn tenacity as input variables and fabric mechanical properties specially bursting strength as an output variable. The factors affecting the bursting strength of viscose knitted fabrics are very nonlinear. Hence, it is very challenging for scientists and engineers to create an exact model efficiently by mathematical or statistical model. Alternatively, developing a prediction model via ANN and ANFIS techniques is also difficult and time consuming process due to a large volume of trial data. In this context, fuzzy expert system (FES) is the promising modeling tool in a quality modeling as FES can map effectively in nonlinear domain with minimum experimental data. The model derived in the present study has been validated by experimental data. The mean absolute error and coefficient of determination between the actual bursting strength and that predicted by the fuzzy model were found to be 2.60% and 0.961, respectively. The results showed that the developed fuzzy model can be applied effectively for the prediction of fabric mechanical properties.
The Role of Molecule Clustering by Hydrogen Bond in Hydrous Ethanol on Laminar Burning Velocity
Authors: Suarta I Made , Wardana I. N. G. , Hamidi Nurkholis , Wijayanti Widya
Published: June 2016

The role of hydrogen bond molecule clustering in laminar burning velocities was observed. The water in hydrous ethanol can change the interaction between water-ethanol molecules. A certain amount of water can become oxygenated which increases the burning velocity. The hydrogen bond interaction pattern of ethanol and water molecules was modeled. Based on the molecular model, azeotropic behavior emerges from ethanol-water hydrogen bond, which is at a 95.1%v composition. The interaction with water molecule causes the ethanol molecule to be clustered with centered oxygenated compound. So, it supplies extra oxygen and provides intermolecular empty spaces that are easily infiltrated by the air. In the azeotropic composition, the molecular bond chain is the shortest, so hypothetically the burning velocity is anticipated to increase. The laminar burning velocity of ethanol fuel was tested in a cylindrical explosion bomb in lean, stoichiometric, and rich mixtures. The experimental result showed that the maximum burning velocity occurred at hydrous ethanol of 95.5%v composition. This discrepancy is the result of the addition of energy from 7.7% free ethanol molecules that are not clustered. At the rich mixture, the burning velocity of this composition is higher than that of anhydrous ethanol.
Adult Prader-Willi Syndrome: An Update on Management
Authors: Ho-Ming Luk
Published: June 2016

With the advancement of medical care, the survival of most patients with syndromal genetic disease is greatly improved. In this case report, we have reported an adult Prader-Willi syndrome patient who is being diagnosed at the age of 33. The clinical features and their associated complications during adulthood have been reviewed.
Circulating Biomarkers of Diabetic Retinopathy: An Overview Based on Physiopathology
Authors: Simó-Servat Olga , Simó Rafael , Hernández Cristina
Published: June 2016

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the main cause of working-age adult-onset blindness. The currently available treatments for DR are applicable only at advanced stages of the disease and are associated with significant adverse effects. In early stages of DR the only therapeutic strategy that physicians can offer is a tight control of the risk factors for DR. Therefore, new pharmacological treatments for these early stages of the disease are required. In order to develop therapeutic strategies for early stages of DR new diagnostic tools are urgently needed. In this regard, circulating biomarkers could be useful to detect early disease, to identify those diabetic patients most prone to progressive worsening who ought to be followed up more often and who could obtain the most benefit from these therapies, and to monitor the effectiveness of new drugs for DR before more advanced DR stages have been reached. Research of biomarkers for DR has been mainly based on the pathogenic mechanism involved in the development of DR (i.e., AGEs, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and proangiogenic factors). This review focuses on circulating biomarkers at both early and advanced stages that could be relevant for the prediction or detection of DR.
Mathematical Based Calculation of Drug Penetration Depth in Solid Tumors
Authors: Namazi Hamidreza , Kulish Vladimir V. , Wong Albert , Nazeri Sina
Published: June 2016

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cells’ growth which affect cells and make them damaged. Many treatment options for cancer exist. Chemotherapy as an important treatment option is the use of drugs to treat cancer. The anticancer drug travels to the tumor and then diffuses in it through capillaries. The diffusion of drugs in the solid tumor is limited by penetration depth which is different in case of different drugs and cancers. The computation of this depth is important as it helps physicians to investigate about treatment of infected tissue. Although many efforts have been made on studying and measuring drug penetration depth, less works have been done on computing this length from a mathematical point of view. In this paper, first we propose phase lagging model for diffusion of drug in the tumor. Then, using this model on one side and considering the classic diffusion on the other side, we compute the drug penetration depth in the solid tumor. This computed value of drug penetration depth is corroborated by comparison with the values measured by experiments.
Optimizing Checkpoint Restart with Data Deduplication
Authors: Chen Zhengyu , Sun Jianhua , Chen Hao
Published: June 2016

The increasing scale, such as the size and complexity, of computer systems brings more frequent occurrences of hardware or software faults; thus fault-tolerant techniques become an essential component in high-performance computing systems. In order to achieve the goal of tolerating runtime faults, checkpoint restart is a typical and widely used method. However, the exploding sizes of checkpoint files that need to be saved to external storage pose a major scalability challenge, necessitating the design of efficient approaches to reducing the amount of checkpointing data. In this paper, we first motivate the need of redundancy elimination with a detailed analysis of checkpoint data from real scenarios. Based on the analysis, we apply inline data deduplication to achieve the objective of reducing checkpoint size. We use DMTCP, an open-source checkpoint restart package, to validate our method. Our experiment shows that, by using our method, single-computer programs can reduce the size of checkpoint file by 20% and distributed programs can reduce the size of checkpoint file by 47%.
Global Estimates of Dietary Intake of Docosahexaenoic Acid and Arachidonic Acid in Developing and Developed Countries
Authors: Forsyth Stewart , Gautier Sheila , Salem Jr. Norman
Published: June 2016

Background/Aim: For international recommendations on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) dietary intake to be valid, there needs to be a greater understanding of dietary patterns across both the developed and developing world. The aim of this investigation was to provide a global overview of dietary intake of DHA and ARA. Methods: Food balance sheets from the Food and Agriculture Organisation Statistics Division and fatty acid composition data from Australian food composition tables in Nutrient Tables 2010 were utilised to generate median per capita intake estimates for DHA and ARA in 175 countries worldwide. Results: Estimated dietary intake per capita for DHA and ARA in 47 developed and 128 developing countries demonstrated that 48% of the 175 countries have an ARA intake of <150 mg/day and 64% have a dietary DHA intake of <200 mg/day. There was a direct relationship between dietary ARA and DHA intake and the per capita gross national income of the country. Regional analysis showed the lowest ARA and DHA dietary intake in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and Southern Asian populations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates there are many populations worldwide that have ARA and DHA intake that do not reflect current international recommendations, and the public health consequences of this global inadequacy need to be urgently considered.
When and Why Understanding Needs Phantasmata: A Moderate Interpretation of Aristotle’s De Memoria and De Anima on the Role of Images in Intellectual Activities
Authors: Cohoe Caleb
Published: June 2016

I offer a new interpretation of the passages where Aristotle maintains that intellectual activity employs φαντάσµατα (images). In theoretical understanding of mathematical and natural beings, we usually need to consciously employ appropriate φαντάσµατα in order to grasp explanatory connections. Aristotle does not, however, commit himself to thinking that images are required for exercising all theoretical understanding: understanding immaterial things, in particular, may not involve φαντάσµατα. Thus the connection that Aristotle makes between images and understanding does not rule out the possibility that human intellectual activity could occur apart from the body.
Auctorialité et autorité dans les lettres de Paul
Authors: Butticaz Simon
Published: June 2016

Writing in Antiquity was an eminently collective process, a process in which the modern categories of author, scriptor, editor and lector often superpose and merge. Valuing this decisive parameter of any communication in the 1st century, the present study aims, following others, to reopen the exegetical file of the authorship of Pauline letters. Defending the hypothesis of a participative composition of the latter, it is in particular the use of the “I” in Paul that is under revision and reassessed. More precisely, the article demonstrates that, in the proto-Pauline writings, it is less a question of an early author’s consciousness than the construction of a posture of personal authority.