bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the Structure of the Railway Network in China: A Complex Weighted Network Approach
Authors: Cao Weiwei , Feng Xiangnan , Jia Jianmin , Zhang Hong
Published: February 2019

Understanding the structure of the Chinese railway network (CRN) is crucial for maintaining its efficiency and planning its future development. To advance our knowledge of CRN, we modeled CRN as a complex weighted network and explored the structural characteristics of the network via statistical evaluations and spatial analysis. Our results show CRN as a small-world network whose train flow obeys power-law decaying, demonstrating that CRN is a mature transportation infrastructure with a scale-free structure. CRN also shows significant spatial heterogeneity and hierarchy in its regionally uneven train flow distribution. We then examined the nodal centralities of CRN using four topological measures: degree, strength, betweenness, and closeness. Nodal degree is positively correlated with strength, betweenness, and closeness. Unlike the common feature of a scale-free network, the most connected nodes in CRN are not necessarily the most central due to underlying geographical, political, and socioeconomic factors. We proposed an integrated measure based on the four centrality measures to identify the global role of each node and the multilayer structure of CRN and confirm that stable connections hold between different layers of CRN.
SQP Optimization of 6dof 3x3 UPU Parallel Robotic System for Singularity Free and Maximized Reachable Workspace
Authors: Eryılmaz Cenk , Omurlu V. E.
Published: February 2019

The determination of kinematic parameters for a parallel robotic system (PRS) is an important and a critical phase to maximize reachable workspace while avoiding singular configurations. Stewart Platform (SP) mechanism is one of the widely known PRS and it is used to demonstrate the proposed technique. In the related literature, GCI (Global Condition Index) and LCI (Local Condition Index) are the commonly used performance indexes which give a measure about the dexterity of a mechanism. In this work, Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) method is used to optimize kinematic parameters of a 6dof 3x3 UPU SP in order to reach maximum workspace satisfying small condition numbers. The radius of mobile and base platforms and the lengths of the legs used in the platform are chosen as kinematic parameters to be optimized in a multiobjective optimization problem. Optimization is performed at different stages and the number of optimized kinematic parameters is increased at each level. In conclusion, optimizing selected kinematic parameters at once by using SQP technique presents the best results for the PRS.
Clinical Evaluation of Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Authors: Renga Vijay
Published: February 2019

Dizziness is a common reason for outpatient neurology consultation. Oftentimes, a complete workup by general practitioner, including MRI brain fails to reveal a cause. Some patients would have also undergone an ENT evaluation before approaching neurology for an answer. Such scenarios provide a challenge as well as opportunity for the neurologist to exercise their knowledge and clinical skills in arriving at a diagnosis. Conditions like ‘Unspecified Vestibular Dysfunction’ and ‘Presbyvertigo’ are often the underlying causes, which are either not recognized or misdiagnosed as BPPV, psychogenic or perceptive dizziness. This article’s goal is to help understand vestibular system and diagnose vestibular dysfunction in clinical practice.
Free Gracilis Muscle Flap for Sarcoma Reconstruction: 19 Years of Clinical Experience
Authors: Pedreira Rachel , Calotta Nicholas A. , Deune E. Gene
Published: February 2019

Background. Sarcoma treatment necessitates high-dose chemoradiation therapy and wide surgical margins that create wounds that are difficult to reconstruct. Many techniques have been developed to cover these defects, originating with muscle flaps such as the rectus abdominis and latissimus dorsi. The gracilis flap, which is best known in contemporary practice as a microneurovascular flap for functional reconstructions, is not usually considered a robust option for reconstruction after sarcoma extirpation.Methods. We reviewed records of 22 patients (9 women) at our institution who underwent reconstructive surgery after sarcoma extirpation using gracilis flaps for soft-tissue coverage from 1998 to 2017. Neurotized gracilis flaps were excluded. The mean patient age was 51 years (range, 18–85 years), and mean length of follow-up was 53 months (range, 9–156 months). Patients had 7 tumor types, with fibrosarcomas and undifferentiated tumors being most common. There were 23 defects (mean size, 118 cm2(range, 54–200 cm2)). Defects were located most commonly in the foot and leg (n=9each), upper extremity (n=4), and head and neck (n=1). The primary outcome was the flap success rate. Secondary outcomes were rates of major complications (unplanned reoperations, infections requiring intravenous antibiotics, and amputations); minor complications (superficial infections, partial skin-graft loss, partial flap necrosis, fluid collections treated in the office, and cosmetic reoperations); and sarcoma recurrence.Results. Twenty-one flaps (91%) survived. Six patients (27%) experienced a major complication, and 12 patients (54%) experienced a minor complication. There were 2 amputations, for a limb salvage rate of 91%.Conclusions. This series shows that the gracilis is well suited to covering large, compromised wounds across diverse anatomic features, which are the hallmark of sarcoma resections. The high rate of limb salvage and minimal donor-site morbidity further support the use of this flap as a first-line option for sarcoma reconstruction.
Evidence on Integrating Pharmacokinetics to Find Truly Therapeutic Agent for Alzheimer’s Disease: Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Disposition Kinetics Profiles of Stereoisomers Isorhynchophylline and Rhynchophylline in Rats
Authors: Zhang Chunyuan , Wu Xu , Xian Yanfang , Zhu Lin , Lin Ge , Lin Zhi-Xiu
Published: February 2019

Isorhynchophylline (IRN) and rhynchophylline (RN), a pair of stereoisomers, are tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla, a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. These two compounds have drawn extensive attention due to their potent neuroprotective effects with promising therapeutic potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, IRN and RN can interconvert into each other in vivo after oral administration. The present study aimed to elucidate the pharmacokinetic profiles and disposition kinetics of the administered and generated stereoisomers in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after oral administration of equal dose of IRN or RN to rats. Our study demonstrated that after oral administration, RN showed significantly higher systemic exposure (6.5 folds of IRN, p < 0.001) and disposition in the brain (2.5 folds of IRN, p < 0.01) and CSF (3 folds of IRN, p < 0.001) than IRN. The results indicated that interconversion between IRN and RN occurred. Notably, regardless of the orally administered IRN or RN, RN would always be one of the major or predominant forms present in the body. Our results provided sound evidence supporting further development of RN as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of AD. Moreover, the present study sets a solid example that integrating pharmacokinetics is crucial to identify the truly therapeutic agent.
Medical Students’ Experience of Mindfulness Training in the UK: Well-Being, Coping Reserve, and Professional Development
Authors: Malpass Alice , Binnie Kate , Robson Lauren
Published: February 2019

Medical school can be a stressful experience for students, resulting in stress-related mental health problems. Policy recommendations from the General Medical Council (GMC), the body responsible for improving medical education in the UK, recommend the use of mindfulness training to increase well-being and resilience to stress. Students participating in an eight-week mindfulness training between Autumn 2011 and Spring 2015 were invited to complete a free text survey at the end of their mindfulness course. In addition, six qualitative interviews were conducted lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Interviews used a topic guide and were recorded and transcribed verbatim. We used the framework approach to analyse the data. Students reported a new relationship to their thoughts and feelings which gave a greater sense of control and resiliency, an ability to manage their workload better, and more acceptance of their limitations as learners. The small group context was important. Students described improved empathy and communication skills through building inner awareness of thoughts and feelings, noticing judgments, and developing attentive observation. The findings show how resiliency and coping reserve can be developed within medical education and the role of mindfulness in this process. We present a conceptual model of a learnt cycle of specific vulnerability and describe how MBCT intercepts at various junctures in this self-reinforcing cycle through the development of new coping strategies that embrace an “allowed vulnerability.”
A Cooperative Denoising Algorithm with Interactive Dynamic Adjustment Function for Security of Stacker in Industrial Internet of Things
Authors: Huang Darong , Ke Lanyan , Mi Bo , Wei Guosheng , Wang Jian , Wan Shaohua
Published: February 2019

In order to more effectively eliminate the disturbance of vibration signal to ensure the security monitoring of stacker be more accurate in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), a cooperative denoising algorithm with interactive dynamic adjustment function was constructed and proposed. First, some basic theories such as EMD, EEMD, LMS, and VSLMS were introduced in detail according the characteristics of stacker in IIoT. Meanwhile, the advantages and disadvantages of varieties of algorithms have been analyzed. Secondly, based on the traditional VSLMS-EEMD, an improved VSLMS-EEMD was proposed. Thirdly, to guarantee the denoising effect of security monitoring in IIoT, a cooperative denosing model and framework named as IDVSLMS-EEMD was designed and constructed based on the advantages of LMS, VSLMS, and improved VSLMS-EEMD. In addition, the assignment rules and models of the corresponding weight coefficients were also set up according to the features of the error signal of denoising process in IIoT. At the same time, we have designed a cooperative denoising algorithm with interactive dynamic adjustment function. And some evaluated indexes such as NSR and SDR were selected and introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of the different algorithms. Thirdly, some simulation examples and real experiment examples of stacker running signals under abnormal condition, which has been developed and applied in Power Grid of China, was used to verify and simulate the effectiveness of our presented algorithm. The experiment comparison results have shown that our algorithm can improve the denosing effect. Finally, some conclusions were discussed and the directions for future engineering application were also pointed out.
Radio Environment Map Construction by Kriging Algorithm Based on Mobile Crowd Sensing
Authors: Han Zhifeng , Liao Jianxin , Qi Qi , Sun Haifeng , Wang Jingyu
Published: February 2019

In the IoT era, 5G will enable various IoT services such as broadband access everywhere, high user and devices mobility, and connectivity of massive number of devices. Radio environment map (REM) can be applied to improve the utilization of radio resources for the access control of IoT devices by allocating them reasonable wireless spectrum resources. However, the primary problem of constructing REM is how to collect the large scale of data. Mobile crowd sensing (MCS), leveraging the smart devices carried by ordinary people to collect information, is an effective solution for collecting the radio environment information for building the REM. In this paper, we build a REM collecting prototype system based on MCS to collect the data required by the radio environment information. However, limited by the budget of the platform, it is hard to recruit enough participants to join the sensing task to collect the radio environment information. This will make the radio environment information of the sensing area incomplete, which cannot describe the radio information accuracy. Considering that the Kriging algorithm has been widely used in geostatistics principle for spatial interpolation for Kriging giving the best unbiased estimate with minimized variance, we utilize the Kriging interpolation algorithm to infer complete radio environment information from collected sample radio environment information data. The interpolation performance is analyzed based on the collected sample radio environment information data. We demonstrate experiments to analyze the Kriging interpolation algorithm interpolation results and error and compared them with the nearest neighbor (NN) and the inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation algorithms. Experiment results show that the Kriging algorithm can be applied to infer radio environment information data based on the collected sample data and the Kriging interpolation has the least interpolation error.
Modelling and Simulation of Tramway Transportation Systems
Authors: Capasso A. , Ceraolo M. , Lamedica R. , Lutzemberger G. , Ruvio A.
Published: February 2019

Electrified guided vehicles typically face routes having a large number of acceleration and braking phases. The braking energy, since the feeding line presents nonreversible electrical feeding substations, can be recovered in the presence of other nearby vehicles. To improve braking energy recovery, one or more storage systems can be positioned along the track. Analysis of effectiveness for the considered solution requires time-domain simulation models, to be created through suitable simulation general-purpose languages or specialised languages/software. In this paper, three different tools for the considered existing tramway were developed, and the main examined characteristics have been compared to each other. Then, analysis of output results was also performed, demonstrating the real cost-effectiveness of introducing one storage device on the considered tramline in operation.
Validation of Modified ART Mod 2 Code through Comparison with Aerosol Deposition of Cesium Compound in Phébus FPT3 Containment Vessel
Authors: Vechgama Wasin , Silva Kampanart , Rassame Somboon
Published: February 2019

Evaluation of aerosol deposition in the containment vessel is an important step for the assessment of radioactive material release to the environment. ART Mod 2 is a calculation code that is used for evaluation of aerosol deposition in the containment vessel. The authors modified aerosol deposition models of ART Mod 2, namely, gravitational settling model, Brownian diffusion model, diffusiophoresis model, and thermophoresis model in order to increase potential of capturing the deposition phenomena. This study aims to compare the simulated results of modified ART Mod 2 with aerosol deposition of cesium compounds in the containment vessel of Phébus FPT3 experiment, in order to validate modified ART Mod 2 code. It is found that aerosol deposition using modified ART Mod 2 agrees with Phébus FPT3. Prediction of Brownian diffusion is significantly improved due to the consideration of turbulent damping process. Cesium mass flow rate and aerosol size are factors that can significantly influence the uncertainty of the results. When conditions of single volumes are carefully selected to match those of the Phébus FPT3 experiment, modified ART Mod 2 can predict aerosol deposition in Phébus FPT3 with relative accuracy.
Nanoscale Morphological Changes at Lithium Interface, Triggered by the Electrolyte Composition and Electrochemical Cycling
Authors: Mai Sebastian , Wessel Janine , Dimitrova Anna , Stich Michael , Ivanov Svetlozar , Krischok Stefan , Bund Andreas
Published: February 2019

Understanding the electrochemical and morphological properties of the Li-electrolyte interface plays a central role in the implementation of metallic Li in safe and efficient electrochemical energy storage. The current study explores the influence of soluble polysulfides (PS) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) on the characteristics of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, formed spontaneously on the Li surface, prior to electrochemical cycling. Special attention is paid to the evolution of the electrochemical impedance and nanoscale morphology of the interface, influenced by the contact time and electrolyte composition. The basic tools applied in this investigation are electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) performed at the nanoscale, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The individual addition of polysulfides and LiNO3 increases the interface resistance, while the simultaneous application of these components is beneficial, reducing the SEI resistive behavior. The electrochemical cycling of Li in nonmodified 1,2-dimethoxy ethane (DME) and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) based electrolytes leads to slight morphological changes, compared to the pristine Li pattern. In contrast, we found that in the presence of PS and LiNO3, the interface displays a rough and inhomogeneous morphology.
Carbon-Based Catalyst from Pyrolysis of Waste Tire for Catalytic Ethanol Dehydration to Ethylene and Diethyl Ether
Authors: Chaichana Ekrachan , Wiwatthanodom Weeraphat , Jongsomjit Bunjerd
Published: February 2019

This work investigated the use of waste tire as a source of carbon in preparation of carbon-based catalysts for applying in ethanol dehydration. The pyrolysis of waste tire was performed to obtain the solid carbon, and then it was treated with two different acids including HCl and HNO3 prior to the activation process with different temperatures to gain suitable carbon catalysts. All carbon catalysts were characterized using nitrogen physisorption, XRD, FTIR, and acid-base titration. The catalysts were tested for catalytic ethanol dehydration in a micropacked-bed reactor under the temperature range from 200°C to 400°C. It revealed that the ethanol conversion increased with increasing the reaction temperature for all catalysts. The carbon catalyst treated with HCl and calcined at 420°C (AC_H420) exhibited the highest ethanol conversion of 36.2% at 400°C having ethylene and diethyl ether selectivity of 65.9 and 33.5%, respectively. The high activity of this catalyst can be attributed to the high acid density at the surface (18.5 μmol/m2), which was significantly higher than those of most other catalysts (less than 8.0 μmol/m2).
Numerical Study and Field Monitoring of the Ground Deformation Induced by Large Slurry Shield Tunnelling in Sandy Cobble Ground
Authors: Zhang Chengping , Cai Yi , Zhu Wenjun
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the ground deformation induced by the large slurry shield tunnelling with a diameter of about 12 m in urban areas, which may challenge the safety of the existing nearby constructions and infrastructures. In this study, the ground deformation is analyzed by a three‐dimensional finite difference model, involving the simulation of tunnelling advance, grouting, and grouting hardening. The transverse settlement, longitudinal settlement, and horizontal displacement of the ground are analyzed by comparing the simulation results with the field measurements in the Rapid Transit Line Project from Beijing Railway station to West Beijing Railway station in China. The numerical model proposed in this paper could well predict the ground deformation induced by large slurry shield tunnelling. The results show that the main transverse settlement occurs within the zone about 1.5 times of the excavation diameter, and the settlement during the passage of the shield and the tail void plays a most important role in the excavation process.
Consumers Team Detection Model Based on Trust for Multi-Level
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Xu Guangquan , Armoogum Sandhya , Gao Honghao
Published: February 2019

Due to rapid advances in technology, social networks have become important platforms for daily communication, product marketing, and information dissemination. Targeted delivery of social network advertisement can considerably improve the efficacy of the advertisement and maximize the profits from it. In this context, managing the specific audience of a social network advertisement and achieving targeted advertisement delivery have been the ultimate goals of the social network advertising sector. Identifying user groups with similar properties is critical to increasing targeted sales. When both the scale of mobile social network and the coplexity of social network user behaviors grow, similar groups are hidden in user behaviors. In order to analyze community structure with user trust relationship more appropriately in the large-scale multilevel social network environment, a novel local community detection model E-MLCD is proposed in this paper. It is jointly based on the multilevel properties and the strength of similarity of multilevel social interaction among communities. By studying three real-world multilevel social networks and specific QQ Zone marketing data, the model defines a new metric of community trust based on similarity. Comparison between other state-of-the-art detection methods demonstrate E-MLCD’s ability to detect communities more effectively.
Effect of Electroacupuncture at Different Acupoints on the Expression of NMDA Receptors in ACC and Colon in IBS Rats
Authors: Tan Li-hua , Li Kai-ge , Wu Yan-ying , Guo Meng-wei , Lan Yin , Wang Shan , Zhu Wen-lian , Ren Xiao-xuan
Published: February 2019

Objective. To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at different acupoints on the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA receptor ) and behaviors in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) rats.Methods. Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (blank group, n=10) and model preparation group (n=50); experimental rat model of IBS was established by the “neonatal maternal separation and acetic acid enema” combined with “colorectal distension stimulation” method. A total of 50 IBS rats were randomly assigned to five groups of 10 each: model group, Yintang (GV29) group, Neiguan (PC6) group, Tianshu (ST25) group, and Zusanli (ST36) group. Rats in four treatment groups, aged 9 weeks old, were treated with EA by HANS with a sparse-dense wave with a frequency of 2/100 Hz, current of 0.1-0.3mA, and 20 min/stimulation, every other day for a total of 5 sessions. After treatment, the abdominal visceral sensitivity was evaluated by abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), and the psychological and emotional behavior of rats were evaluated by the open-field test (OFT). The expression of NMDA receptors in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was detected by Quantitative Real-time PCR, and the positive expression of NMDA receptors in colon was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results. The IBS rat’s abdomen is more sensitive and irritable; NR1, NR2A, and NR2B in ACC and NR1 and NR2B in colon of rats significantly increased in the model group versus the normal group (P<0.01) and were inhibited in all treatment groups (P<0.01, P<0.05). Additionally, NR2A and NR2B in ACC reduced more in GV29 group (P<0.01) than in other treatment groups (P all<0.05) compared with the model group. The expression of NR2B in colon was significantly inhibited in ST36 group (P<0.01) and inhibited in GV29 group and ST25 group (P all <0.05) compared with the model group. And the expression of NR2B in colon was more inhibited in ST36 group than in PC6 group (P<0.01).Conclusions. EA at different acupoints could obviously relieve abdominal pain and abnormal behaviors in IBS rats in different degrees of effects. The effect of abdominal pain-relief, from greatest to least, is ST25, ST36, GV29, and PC6, while the effect of relieving abnormal behaviors caused by IBS, from greatest to least, is GV29, PC6, ST36, and ST25. There are significant differences in the expressions of NMDA receptors in ACC and colon among different acupoints. This difference should be related to the location distribution and indications of acupoints.
Noninvasive Evaluation of Liver Function in Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: Alizai Patrick H. , Lurje Isabella , Kroh Andreas , Schmitz Sophia , Luedde Tom , Andruszkow Julia , Neumann Ulf P. , Ulmer Florian
Published: February 2019

Background. More than half of the obese patients develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may further progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess alterations in liver function in obese patients with a noninvasive liver function test. Methods. In a prospective cohort study 102 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery were evaluated for their liver function. Liver function capacity was determined by the LiMAx® test (enzymatic capacity of cytochrome P450 1A2). Liver biopsy specimens were obtained intraoperatively and classified according to the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). NASH clinical score was additionally calculated from laboratory and clinical parameters. Results. Median liver function capacity was 286 (IQR=141) μg/kg/h. 27% of patients were histologically categorized as definite NASH, 39% as borderline, and 34% as not NASH. A significant correlation was observed between liver function capacity and NAS (r=−0.492; p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the LiMAx® test to distinguish between definite NASH and not NASH were 85.2% and 82.9% (AUROC 0.859), respectively. According to the NASH clinical scoring system, 14% were classified as low risk, 31% as intermediate, 26% as high, and 29% as very high risk. Liver function capacity is also significantly correlated with the NASH clinical scoring system (r=−0.411; p<0.001). Conclusions. Obese patients show a diminished liver function capacity, especially those suffering from type 2 diabetes. The liver function capacity correlates with histological and clinical scoring systems. The LiMAx® test may be a valuable tool for noninvasive screening for NASH in obese patients.
Tuning Catalytic Properties of Supported Bimetallic Pd/Ir Systems in the Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde by Using the “Water-in-Oil” Microemulsion Method
Authors: Szumełda Tomasz , Drelinkiewicz Alicja , Mauriello Francesco , Musolino Maria Grazia , Dziedzicka Anna , Duraczyńska Dorota , Gurgul Jacek
Published: February 2019

Supported Pd/Ir bimetallic catalysts were synthesized by the “water-in-oil” microemulsion method at different precursor concentrations and characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and cyclic voltammetry. Depending on the preparation conditions, formation of bimetallic catalysts with different metal segregation and surface composition can be easily obtained, thus tuning the bimetallic structure of catalysts as well as their relative catalytic properties. Bimetallic Pd/Ir systems were efficiently tested in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde showing a better performance than analogous monometallic catalysts.
Adsorption of Malachite Green Dye from Liquid Phase Using Hydrophilic Thiourea-Modified Poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid): Kinetic and Isotherm Studies
Authors: Adeyi Abel A. , Jamil Siti N. A. M. , Abdullah Luqman C. , Choong Thomas S. Y.
Published: February 2019

Thiourea-modified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) (TU-poly(AN-co-AA)) adsorbent was a surface modification of poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) synthesized by facile redox polymerization. Surface functionalization with thiourea was carried out to provide hydrophilicity on the surface of a polymeric adsorbent. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Zetasizer characterized the morphology and structures of TU-poly(AN-co-AA). Copolymerization of poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) and its successful incorporation of the thioamide group was confirmed by the FTIR spectra. The SEM micrographs depicted uniform and porous surface morphologies of polymeric particles. The average diameter of modified and unmodified poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid) was 289 nm and 279 nm, respectively. Zeta potentials of TU-poly(AN-co-AA) revealed the negatively charged surface of the prepared polymer. Adsorption capacities of hydrophilic TU-poly(AN-co-AA) were investigated using malachite green (MG) as an adsorbate by varying experimental conditions (pH, initial concentration, and temperature). Results showed that the pseudo-second-order reaction model best described the adsorption process with chemisorption being the rate-limiting step. Furthermore, Elovich and intraparticle diffusions play a significant role in adsorption kinetics. The equilibrium isotherm has its fitness in the following order: Freundlich model > Temkin model > Langmuir model. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that the sorption process is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The reusability results suggested potential applications of the TU-poly(AN-co-AA) polymer in adsorption and separation of cationic malachite green dye from wastewater.
Equity of Incentives: Agent‐Based Explorations of How Social Networks Influence the Efficacy of Programs to Promote Solar Adoption
Authors: Brugger Heike I. , Henry Adam Douglas
Published: February 2019

Agent‐based models are used to explore how social networks influence the effectiveness of governmental programs to promote the adoption of solar photovoltaics (solar PV) by residential households. This paper examines how a common characteristic of social networks, known as network segregation, can dampen the indirect benefits of solar incentive programs that arise from peer effects. Peer effects cause an agent to be more likely to adopt a technology if they are socially connected to other adopters. Due to network segregation, programs that target relatively affluent agents can generate rapid increases in overall adoption levels but at the cost of increasing disparities in access to solar technology between rich and poor communities. These dynamics are explored through theoretical agent‐based models of solar adoption within hypothetical social systems. The effectiveness of three types of solar incentive programs, the feed‐in tariff, leasing programs, and seeding programs, is explored. Even though these programs promote rapid adoption in the short term, results demonstrate that network segregation can create serious distributional justice problems in the long term for some programs. The distributional justice effects are particularly severe with the feed‐in tariff. Overall, this paper provides an illustration of how agent‐based models may be used to evaluate and experiment with policy interventions in a virtual space, which enhances the scientific basis of policymaking.
Symmetry, Pulson Solution, and Conservation Laws of the Holm-Hone Equation
Authors: Wang Guo , Yong Xuelin , Huang Yehui , Tian Jing
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we focus on the Holm-Hone equation which is a fifth-order generalization of the Camassa-Holm equation. It was shown that this equation is not integrable due to the nonexistence of a suitable Lagrangian or bi-Hamiltonian structure and negative results from Painlevé analysis and the Wahlquist-Estabrook method. We mainly study its symmetry properties, travelling wave solutions, and conservation laws. The symmetry group and its one-dimensional optimal system are given. Furthermore, preliminary classifications of its symmetry reductions are investigated. Also we derive some solitary pattern solutions and nonanalytic first-order pulson solution via the ansatz-based method. Finally, some conservation laws for the fifth-order equation are presented.
Tautomeric Equilibria in Solutions of 2-Phenacylbenzimidazoles
Authors: Skotnicka Agnieszka , Czeleń Przemysław , Gawinecki Ryszard
Published: February 2019

Detailed NMR spectral analysis of DMSO-d6 solutions of the series of substituted 2-phenacylbenzimidazoles (ketimine form, K) reveals two from three tautomeric forms. Integrals of the 1H NMR signals are used in establishing the molar ratio of tautomers. The experimental analyses are supported by quantum-chemical calculations, which satisfactorily reproduced the experimental trends. Although the reported semiempirical quantum-chemical calculations show that enaminone E, i.e., 2-(1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-ylidene)-1-phenylethan-1-one, was thermodynamically most stable, the results of MP2 ab initio calculations reveal the following order of stability: ketimine > enolimine > enaminone (substituents do not affect this sequence). 13C CPMAS NMR spectral data reveal that in the crystalline state the enolimine tautomer O is predominant in the p-CH3 and p-NO2 substituted congeners.
A CEEMDAN and XGBOOST‐Based Approach to Forecast Crude Oil Prices
Authors: Zhou Yingrui , Li Taiyong , Shi Jiayi , Qian Zijie
Published: February 2019

Crude oil is one of the most important types of energy for the global economy, and hence it is very attractive to understand the movement of crude oil prices. However, the sequences of crude oil prices usually show some characteristics of nonstationarity and nonlinearity, making it very challenging for accurate forecasting crude oil prices. To cope with this issue, in this paper, we propose a novel approach that integrates complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBOOST), so‐called CEEMDAN‐XGBOOST, for forecasting crude oil prices. Firstly, we use CEEMDAN to decompose the nonstationary and nonlinear sequences of crude oil prices into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and one residue. Secondly, XGBOOST is used to predict each IMF and the residue individually. Finally, the corresponding prediction results of each IMF and the residue are aggregated as the final forecasting results. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach, we conduct extensive experiments on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices. The experimental results show that the proposed CEEMDAN‐XGBOOST outperforms some state‐of‐the‐art models in terms of several evaluation metrics.
Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Arginine Supplementation in the Treatment of Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia
Authors: Eleutério Renata M. N. , Nascimento Francisco O. , Araújo Tamara G. , Castro Marilena F. , Filho Tarcísio P. Almeida , Filho Pedro A. Maia , Eleutério José , Elias Darcielle B. D. , Lemes Romélia P. G.
Published: February 2019

Background. Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most prevalent monogenic disease in Brazil. In SCA, haemoglobin S (HbS) is formed, which modifies red blood cell morphology. Intravascular haemolysis occurs, in which free Hb and free radicals degrade nitric oxide (NO) and release arginase, which reduces arginine levels. Because arginine is a substrate for NO formation, this decrease leads to reduced NO (vasodilator) synthesis. SCA treatment uses hydroxyurea (HU) to maintain high foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels and reduces HbS to avoid haemolytic episodes. Objective. To analyse the efficacy of L-arginine as an adjuvant in the treatment of SCA patients. Setting. The State Blood Centre of Ceará, Brazil. Methods. This was a randomized double-blind clinical study of adults with SCA with continuous use of HU at the State Blood Centre of Ceará. The clinical study enrolled 25 patients receiving HU + L-arginine (500 mg) and 25 patients receiving HU + placebo. The treatment was carried out over four months. Laboratory tests were performed to determine the levels of the following: (1) complete blood count; (2) nitrite + nitrate; (3) HbF; and (4) reticulocytes. The clinical experiments were performed by a haematologist. The main outcome measures were nitrite and pain. Results. Statistical analysis showed that the levels of NO were increased in the study group, and there was also a reduction in pain frequency using a pain frequency scale by day, week, and month. The levels of nitrite plus nitrate in the group receiving placebo plus HU did not change among the times evaluated (38.27 ± 17.27 mg/L, 39.49 ± 12.84 mg/L, 34.45 ± 11.25 mg/L, p >0.05), but in the patients who received supplementation with L-arginine plus HU, a significant increase in nitrite plus nitrate levels was observed between M0 and M4 (36.55 ± 20.23 mg/L versus 48.64 ± 20.63 mg/L, p =0.001) and M2 and M4 (35.71 ± 15.11 mg/L versus 48.64 ± 20.63 mg/L, p <0.001). It is important to note that the increase in nitrite plus nitrate levels occurred only in the fourth month of follow-up of patients in the treatment group, showing that at least 4 months of supplementation with L-arginine is necessary to show an increase in these metabolites in the serum. Conclusion. The use of L-arginine as a coadjuvant in the treatment of sickle cell anaemia may function as a potential tool for pain relief, consequently improving the life of patients.
Cognitive Functioning and Associated Factors in Older Adults: Results from the Indonesian Family Life Survey-5 (IFLS-5) in 2014-2015
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl , Susilowati Indri Hapsari
Published: February 2019

Objective. The study aims to investigate cognitive functioning and associated factors in a national general population-based sample of older Indonesians. Methods. Participants were 1228 older adults, 65 years and older (median age 70.0 years, Interquartile Range=6.0), who took part in the cross-sectional Indonesian Family Life Survey-5 (IFLS-5) in 2014-15. They were requested to provide information about sociodemographic and various health variables, including cognitive functioning measured with items from the Telephone Survey of Cognitive Status (TICS). Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association of sociodemographic factors, health variables, and cognitive functioning. Results. The overall mean cognition score was 14.7 (SD=4.3) (range 0-34). In adjusted linear regression analysis, older age, having hypertension, and being underweight were negatively associated with better cognitive functioning and higher education was positively associated with better cognitive functioning. Conclusion. Several sociodemographic and health risk factors for poor cognitive functioning were identified which can guide intervention strategies in Indonesia.
Thermal Conductivity of Dry Sands Treated with Microbial-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation
Authors: Wang Zhaoyu , Zhang Nan , Lin Fei , Ding Jinhua , Yang Huimin
Published: February 2019

With an increasing energy demand, exploration and utilization of new energy resources become more significant recently. Geothermal energy, characterized as a clean, renewable, and sustainable energy, has various engineering applications. Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique has a potential to improve soil thermal properties for geothermal applications. In this study, thermal conductivity of dry sands treated using MICP technique with different treatment cycles was investigated in laboratory. The results showed that thermal conductivity of MICP-treated sands was much higher than that of the untreated sand under dry condition and it increased with increasing treatment cycles. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses, it is found MICP-induced CaCO3crystals are being formed among sand particles functioned as “thermal bridge,” which provided more highly effective heat transfer path. It is concluded that the MICP technique could significantly improve the thermal conductivity of sands and the overall heat transfer efficiency. It is advantageous to use MICP-treated soils as enhanced grout materials for underground energy geostructures.
Review of the Complexity of Managing Big Data of the Internet of Things
Authors: Gil David , Johnsson Magnus , Mora Higinio , Szymański Julian
Published: February 2019

There is a growing awareness that the complexity of managing Big Data is one of the main challenges in the developing field of the Internet of Things (IoT). Complexity arises from several aspects of the Big Data life cycle, such as gathering data, storing them onto cloud servers, cleaning and integrating the data, a process involving the last advances in ontologies, such as Extensible Markup Language (XML) and Resource Description Framework (RDF), and the application of machine learning methods to carry out classifications, predictions, and visualizations. In this review, the state of the art of all the aforementioned aspects of Big Data in the context of the Internet of Things is exposed. The most novel technologies in machine learning, deep learning, and data mining on Big Data are discussed as well. Finally, we also point the reader to the state‐of‐the‐art literature for further in‐depth studies, and we present the major trends for the future.
Malicious Domain Names Detection Algorithm Based on N-Gram
Authors: Zhao Hong , Chang Zhaobin , Bao Guangbin , Zeng Xiangyan
Published: February 2019

Malicious domain name attacks have become a serious issue for Internet security. In this study, a malicious domain names detection algorithm based on N-Gram is proposed. The top 100,000 domain names in Alexa 2013 are used in the N-Gram method. Each domain name excluding the top-level domain is segmented into substrings according to its domain level with the lengths of 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The substring set of the 100,000 domain names is established, and the weight value of a substring is calculated according to its occurrence number in the substring set. To detect a malicious attack, the domain name is also segmented by the N-Gram method and its reputation value is calculated based on the weight values of its substrings. Finally, the judgment of whether the domain name is malicious is made by thresholding. In the experiments on Alexa 2017 and Malware domain list, the proposed detection algorithm yielded an accuracy rate of 94.04%, a false negative rate of 7.42%, and a false positive rate of 6.14%. The time complexity is lower than other popular malicious domain names detection algorithms.
A Comparative Study of JASO TP15002-Based Security Risk Assessment Methods for Connected Vehicle System Design
Authors: Kawanishi Yasuyuki , Nishihara Hideaki , Souma Daisuke , Yoshida Hirotaka , Hata Yoichi
Published: February 2019

In recent years, much attention has been paid to autonomous vehicles and security threats on such vehicles have become an important issue. One of these examples is a command injection issue on a gateway ECU, which was reported in 2016. In order to mitigate these threats, the secure design of connected vehicle systems, which is done at the concept phase during development, has become increasingly important in industry. From this perspective, a security guideline such as JASO TP15002 which specifies two concrete methods, CRSS (CVSS Based Risk Scoring System) and RSMA (Risk Scoring Methodology for Automotive System), was made public in 2015. The latest work on the application of TP15002 to the ITU-T X.1373 standard was published in 2017. However, the risk assessment in this publication seems limited. It is not clear from this publication how systematically the risk assessment task in TP15002 can be performed at the implementation level. Another interesting question is how different methods affect the risk scores of connected vehicle systems. In this paper, we focus on the risk assessment phase in JASO TP15002. For a systematic risk assessment, we introduce an idea of asset container and propose to extend CRSS to a novel RSS (Risk Scoring System), RSS-CVSSv3, by appropriately replacing CVSSv2 vulnerability scoring system on which CRSS is based with CVSSv3. To address the above questions, we perform a comparative study on CRSS, RSMA, and RSS-CVSSv3 for multiple use cases such as a CGW (Central Gateway) and a drone, to examine the efficiency and usefulness of our methods. For this comparative purpose, we devise an interesting approach for the refinement of RSMA to the obstacles in comparing CRSS with RSMA.
Stroke Event Factors among Adult Patients Admitted to Stroke Unit of Jimma University Medical Center: Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Fekadu Ginenus , Wakassa Hunduma , Tekle Firew
Published: February 2019

Background. The fact that the majority of patients come late creates management difficulties as these first hours are important to avoid secondary insults to the brain and preserve the ischemic penumbra. Although thrombolytic treatments are currently not available in our hospital, significant delays during the prehospital or in-hospital phases of care create management difficulties and would make such advanced treatments impossible in the future in Ethiopia. Methods. Prospective observational study was carried at stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Center for 4 consecutive months from March 10 to July 10, 2017. Data was cleaned and entered to Epidata version 3.1 and then exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results. A total of 116 eligible stroke patients were recruited during the study period with mean age of 55.1±14.0 years, ranging from 23 to 96 years. The majority of stroke patients were males (62.9%) and from rural areas (72.4%). The median time elapsed between the onset of stroke symptoms and arrival to the hospital was 27 hours. Almost half (47.4%) of the patients presented within 24 hours and 26 (22.4%) patients presented to hospital beyond 72 hours. Majority of patients (40.5%) showed severe neurological deficit on admission and the mean National Institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) was 15.71 ± 7.52. The mean Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was moderate (12.12±3.35). On hospital arrival systolic blood pressure (SBP) was highly elevated (≥140 mm Hg) in 65.5% of the patients. The circadian pattern showed a significant peak in morning for hemorrhagic stroke (35.7%) and afternoon for ischemic stroke (38.3%). Conclusions. The delay of hospital arrival was a challenge similar to other high income countries for early management of the patients. Studies that attempt to determine some of the factors that impede timely presentation in patients with strokes are advisable to address those issues further.
Numerical Analysis of Pipelines Settlement Induced by Tunneling
Authors: Zhang KunYong , Chavez Torres Jose Luis , Zang ZhenJun
Published: February 2019

Three‐dimensional finite element method analysis on the tunnel‐soil‐underground pipeline was carried out based on the ABAQUS program. PSI element was applied to simulate the interaction between the pipelines and soil. Parameters such as an elastic modulus of soil, stress release rate, at‐rest lateral pressure coefficients, an elastic modulus of pipelines, and buried depths of tunnels were analyzed. The effects of tunnel excavation on the displacement of existing pipelines were investigated, and the settlement relationships were obtained. The relationship between each parameter and surface settlement was determined by the grey relational analysis method to analyze each parameter’s sensitivity to the settlement of the pipeline, which can provide a reference for emphasis and methods of shield tunneling support. Finally, a formula of the settlement relationship between the maximum surface settlement and pipelines deformation was proposed for different pipe‐soil relative stiffness. The formula was applied in the practical case. Compared with the field monitoring results and FEM computer results, it has been found that the proposed normalized formula is consistent with the measured results and numerical simulation of the pipeline settlement.