bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ventilatory and integrated physiological responses to chronic hypercapnia in goats
Authors: Burgraff Nicholas J. , Neumueller Suzanne E. , Buchholz Kirstyn , Langer Thomas M. , Hodges Matthew R. , Pan Lawrence , Forster Hubert V.
Published: September 2018

Key points

Chronic hypercapnia per se has distinct effects on the mechanisms regulating steady‐state ventilation and the CO2/H+ chemoreflex.

Chronic hypercapnia leads to sustained hyperpnoea that exceeds predicted ventilation based upon the CO2/H+ chemoreflex.

There is an integrative ventilatory, cardiovascular and metabolic physiological response to chronic hypercapnia.

Chronic hypercapnia leads to deterioration of cognitive function.

Respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often lead to chronic hypercapnia which may exacerbate progression of the disease, increase risk of mortality and contribute to comorbidities such as cognitive dysfunction. Determining the contribution of hypercapnia per se to adaptations in ventilation and cognitive dysfunction within this patient population is complicated by the presence of multiple comorbidities. Herein, we sought to determine the role of chronic hypercapnia per se on the temporal pattern of ventilation and the ventilatory CO2/H+ chemoreflex by exposing healthy goats to either room air or an elevated inspired CO2 (InCO2) of 6% for 30 days. A second objective was to determine whether chronic hypercapnia per se contributes to cognitive dysfunction. During 30 days of exposure to 6% InCO2, steady‐state (SS) ventilation (I) initially increased to 335% of control, and then within 1–5 days decreased and stabilized at ∼230% of control. There was an initial respiratory acidosis that was partially mitigated over time due to increased arterial [HCO3−]. There was a transient decrease in the ventilatory CO2/H+ chemoreflex, followed by return to pre‐exposure levels. The SS I during chronic hypercapnia was greater than predicted from the acute CO2/H+ chemoreflex, suggesting separate mechanisms regulating SS I and the chemoreflex. Finally, as assessed by a shape discrimination test, we found a sustained decrease in cognitive function during chronic hypercapnia. We conclude that chronic hypercapnia per se results in: (1) a disconnect between SS I and the CO2/H+ chemoreflex, and (2) deterioration of cognitive function.
Predicting stability of nanofin arrays against collapse by phase field modeling
Authors: Wang Yanming , Woytowitz Peter , Mui David , Cai Wei
Published: September 2018

Silicon nanofin arrays serve as fundamental components of modern field-effect transistor devices. However, during the fabrication process of the fin patterns, collapse is often observed, but a full understanding on it has not been achieved yet. Here, the authors study the mechanisms of this pattern collapse phenomenon by phase field simulations coupled with elasticity. Along one given deformation path of the nanobeam, the authors are able to track the free energy change, recognize the saddle configuration, and estimate the associated energy barrier for failure. Their simulation results capture the fin arrays transiting from being stable, to metastable, to unstable against collapse, with increasing aspect ratio. The model predicts that the structure is more stabilized when reducing the liquid wettability. In addition, from the free energy landscape, the authors identify the minimum energy path for pattern collapse taking place in the presence of liquid evaporation. These findings shed light on pattern collapse and provide useful guidelines for designing synthesis pathways of stable fin structures.
A tailless aerial robotic flapper reveals that flies use torque coupling in rapid banked turns
Authors: Karásek Matěj , Muijres Florian T. , De Wagter Christophe , Remes Bart D. W. , de Croon Guido C. H. E.
Published: September 2018

Flying fast and free

Insect flight can be fast and agile, making it hard to study its detailed aerodynamics. Karásek
et al.
designed an untethered, flapping-wing robot with impressive agility that can mimic fruitfly maneuvers (see the Perspective by Ruffier). They studied the robot's motion during rapid banked turns, which revealed that passive motion through the turn generated yaw torque coupling. This correcting yaw rotation propelled the robot toward the escape heading needed for effective turning.

Science
, this issue p.
1089
; see also p.
1073
Robotic-flapper maneuvers and fruitfly turns
Authors: Ruffier Franck
Published: September 2018

Studies of an aerial robot help explain rapid banked turns in the fruitfly
Nervous system-like signaling in plant defense
Authors: Muday Gloria K. , Brown-Harding Heather
Published: September 2018

Herbivory induces rapid long-distance calcium signals through glutamate-like receptors
Human Host Range Restriction of the Vaccinia Virus C7/K1 Double Deletion Mutant Is Mediated by an Atypical Mode of Translation Inhibition
Authors: Sivan Gilad , Glushakow-Smith Shira G. , Katsafanas George C. , Americo Jeffrey L. , Moss Bernard
Published: September 2018

A dynamic relationship exists between viruses and their hosts in which each ostensibly attempts to exploit the other’s vulnerabilities. A window is opened into the established condition, which evolved over millennia, if loss-of-function mutations occur in either the virus or host. Thus, the inability of viral host range mutants to replicate in specific cells can be overcome by identifying and inactivating the opposing cellular gene. Here, we investigated a C7/K1 host range mutant of vaccinia virus in which the cellular gene SAMD9 serves as the principal host restriction factor. Host restriction was triggered early in infection and manifested as a block in translation of viral mRNAs. Features of the block include inhibition of cap-dependent and internal ribosome entry site-mediated translation, sequestration of viral RNA, and inability to overcome the inhibition by inactivation of protein kinase R, ribonuclease L, or G3 binding proteins, suggesting a novel mechanism of host restriction.
Late Tortonian – Piacenzian multi-proxy record of Asian southwest monsoon intensification: evidence from Coastal Makran, southeast Iran
Authors: Modarres Mohammad Hadi , Lahijani Hamid Alizadeh Ketek , Keshavarz Nasser , Lahaye Yann , Rehfeld Kira , Manttari Irmeli , Naderi-Beni Abdolmajid , Ojala Antti , Moradpour Mehran
Published: September 2018

This study presents a long-term, multi-proxy reconstruction of the Asian southwest monsoon during the Tortonian to Piacenzian, based on a 4.78 Ma record from Coastal Makran, northwestern Gulf of Oman, southeast Iran. The integration of humidity proxies (clay minerals, Th/K, volume magnetic susceptibility, and grain size analysis), marine redox sensitivity (Th/U), total organic matter, carbonate content, 87Sr/86Sr ratio, and spectral gamma-ray data conducted here provide valuable information that fill the existing gap in marine palaeoclimate records. The results show that a strong winter monsoon condition associated with relatively low precipitation and subsequently low physical and chemical weathering dominated the region during late Tortonian – late Messinian (7.65–5.83 Ma). However, a few episodes of intense physical and chemical weathering related to high precipitation are observed during this period (6.23–6.01 Ma), which is consistent with increased organic matter input from continental reservoirs to the oceans. In addition, the data indicate that from the latest Messinian (5.82–5.33 Ma) to Zanclean–Piacenzian (5.33–2.87 Ma), a strong summer monsoon accompanied by a relatively wetter condition and higher physical and chemical weathering resulted in a high detrital input into the basin. This higher weathering period is associated with the highest rate of Himalayan uplift, causing enhanced precipitation. Wavelet analysis of spectral gamma-ray data revealed notable periodicities at 750 Ka and 1.7 Ma, with significant periodicities centered around 5.75–6.03 Ma over the latest Messinian – Zanclean. Comparison with palaeoclimate records from other sites indicates a teleconnection with respect to precipitation, weathering, and productivity, especially during the Messinian–Zanclean transition.
The squared eigenfunction symmetries of the discrete KP and modified discrete KP hierarchies under the Miura transformations
Authors: Jian Siqi , Cheng Jipeng
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we investigate the squared eigenfunction symmetries under the Miura and reverse-Miura transformations, between the discrete KP and modified discrete KP hierarchies, in unconstrained and constrained cases. What is more, the squared eigenfunction symmetries for the constrained discrete KP and constrained modified discrete KP hierarchies are constructed by imposing the additional conditions on the generating eigenfunctions of the corresponding symmetries.
Zero energy states for a class of two-dimensional potentials in graphene
Authors: Ioffe M. V. , Nishnianidze D. N.
Published: September 2018

The excitations in graphene and some other materials are described by two-dimensional massless Dirac equation with applied external potential of some kind. Solutions of this zero energy equation are built analytically for a wide class of scalar potentials. In contrast to most publications on analytical solutions of massless two-dimensional Dirac equation, our potentials really depend on both spatial coordinates in some bounded domain. Several examples of such construction are given explicitly.
Quantum enhanced cross-validation for near-optimal neural networks architecture selection
Authors: dos Santos Priscila G. M. , Sousa Rodrigo S. , Araujo Ismael C. S. , da Silva Adenilton J.
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes a quantum-classical algorithm to evaluate and select classical artificial neural networks architectures. The proposed algorithm is based on a probabilistic quantum memory (PQM) and the possibility to train artificial neural networks (ANN) in superposition. We obtain an exponential quantum speedup in the evaluation of neural networks. We also verify experimentally through a reduced experimental analysis that the proposed algorithm can be used to select near-optimal neural networks.
Preparation of an arbitrary two-qubit quantum gate on two spins with an anisotropic Heisenberg interaction
Authors: Kuzmak A. R.
Published: September 2018

We consider the two-step method [A. R. Kuzmak and V. M. Tkachuk, Phys. Lett. A 378 (2014) 1469] for preparation of an arbitrary quantum gate on two spins with anisotropic Heisenberg interaction. At the first step, the system evolves during some period of time. At the second step, we apply pulsed magnetic field individually to each spin. We obtain the conditions for realization of SWAP, iSWAP, [Formula: see text] and entangled gates. Finally, we consider the implementation of this method on the physical system of ultracold atoms in optical lattice.
Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Tool Suite for Consensus-Based Siting of Renewable Energy Structures
Authors: Hanssen Frank , May Roel , van Dijk Jiska , Rød Jan Ketil
Published: September 2018

Expansion of renewable energy development causes concerns which traditional land-use planning may have limited capacity to address adequately. The complexity and multiplicity of scales, criteria and actors involved in decision-making processes requires a holistic approach that captures the variety in stakeholder interests. Reaching consensus across interests ensures democratic and cost-effective decision-making processes. The Consensus-based Siting (ConSite) tool suite was developed for optimal siting of onshore wind-power plants and routing of high-voltage power lines considering stakeholder interests. ConSite is based on the operational steps of spatial multi-criteria decision analysis using a bottom-up holistic approach. Its spatially explicit graphical user interface allows for a high level of stakeholder involvement and includes inherent capabilities of scenario modelling. ConSite thereby helps to structure decision problems, balance conflicting interests and identify relevant decision strategies based on risk assessment and trade-off analysis. ConSite visualises the spatial consequences of implementing various decision strategies and balancing site-specific conflict levels with energy production potential.
An Operational Semantics for the Cognitive Architecture ACT-R and Its Translation to Constraint Handling Rules
Authors: Gall Daniel , Frühwirth Thom
Published: September 2018

Computational psychology has the aim to explain human cognition by computational models of cognitive processes. The cognitive architecture Adaptive Control of Thought--Rational (ACT-R) is popular to develop such models. Although ACT-R has a well-defined psychological theory and has been used to explain many cognitive processes, there are two problems that make it hard to reason formally about its cognitive models: First, ACT-R lacks a computational formalization of its underlying production rule system, and, second, there are many different implementations and extensions of ACT-R with many technical artifacts complicating formal reasoning even more.

This article describes a formal operational semantics—the
very abstract semantics
—that abstracts from as many technical details as possible, keeping it open to extensions and different implementations of the ACT-R theory. In a second step, this semantics is refined to define some of its abstract features that are found in many implementations of ACT-R—called the
abstract semantics
. It concentrates on the procedural core of ACT-R and is suitable for analysis of the general transition system, since it still abstracts from details like timing, the sub-symbolic layer of ACT-R or conflict resolution.

Furthermore, a translation of ACT-R models to the declarative programming language Constraint Handling Rules (CHR) is defined. This makes the abstract semantics an executable specification of ACT-R. CHR has been used successfully to embed other rule-based formalisms like graph transformation systems or functional programming. There are many theoretical results and practical tools that support formal reasoning about and analysis of CHR programs. The translation of ACT-R models to CHR is proven sound and complete w.r.t. the abstract operational semantics of ACT-R. This paves the way to analysis of ACT-R models through CHR analysis results and tools. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, our abstract semantics is the first abstract formulation of ACT-R suitable for both analysis and execution.
Disk-Based Indexing of Recent Trajectories
Authors: Mahmood Ahmed R. , Aly Ahmed M. , Kuznetsova Tatiana , Basalamah Saleh , Aref Walid G.
Published: September 2018

The plethora of location-aware devices has led to countless location-based services in which huge amounts of spatiotemporal data get created every day. Several applications require efficient processing of queries on the locations of moving objects over time, i.e., the moving object trajectories. This calls for efficient trajectory-based indexing methods that capture both the spatial and temporal dimensions of the data in a way that minimizes the number of disk I/Os required for both updating and querying. Most existing spatiotemporal index structures capture either the current locations of the moving objects or the entire history of the moving objects. Historical spatiotemporal indexing methods require multiple disk I/Os to process new updates and use a discrete trajectory representation that may result in incomplete query results. In this article, we introduce the trails-tree, a disk-based data structure for indexing recent trajectories. The trails-tree requires half the number of disk I/Os needed by other historical spatiotemporal indexing methods for the insertion and querying operations. We give a detailed description of the trails-tree, and we mathematically analyze its performance. Moreover, we present a novel query processing algorithm that ensures the completeness of the query result set. We experimentally verify the performance of the trails-tree using various real and synthetic datasets.
Persona
Authors: Braun Adriana , Queiroz Rossana , Lee Wonsook , Feijo Bruno , Musse Soraia Raupp
Published: September 2018

This article proposes the Persona method. The goal of the prosposed method is to learn and classify the facial actions of actors in video sequences. Persona is based on standard action units. We use a database with main expressions mapped and pre-classified that allows the automatic learning and faces selection. The learning stage uses Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers to identify expressions from a set of feature points tracked in the input video. After that, labeled control 3D masks are built for each selected action unit or expression, which composes the Persona structure. The proposed method is almost automatic (little intervention is needed) and does not require markers on the actor’s face or motion capture devices. Many applications are possible based on the Persona structure such as expression recognition, customized avatar deformation, and mood analysis, as discussed in this article.
2D Vector Map Fragile Watermarking with Region Location
Authors: Wang Nana , Kankanhalli Mohan
Published: September 2018

Locating the original region of tampered features is a challenging task for existing 2D vector map fragile watermarking methods. This article presents a 2D vector map fragile watermarking framework that locates not only the current but also the original region of tampered feature groups. In particular, we propose dividing the features of the host vector map into groups, and embedding a watermark consisting of location-bits and check-bits into each group at the sender side. At the receiver side, by comparing the extracted and calculated check-bits, one can identify tampered groups and locate their current regions. Then the location-bits extracted from the mapping groups are used to indicate the original regions of the tampered groups. To demonstrate and analyze the applicability of this framework, we instantiate it by proposing a simulated annealing (SA)-based group division method, a group mapping method, a minimum encasing rectangle (MER) based location-bits generation method and a check-bits generation method, and use an existing reversible data hiding method for watermark embedding. The experimental results show that the proposed framework can locate all the regions influenced by tampering, and the SA-based group division method can get a better region location ability.
Determining Strain, Chemical Composition, and Thermal Properties of Si/SiGe Nanostructures via Raman Scattering Spectroscopy
Authors: Tsybeskov Leonid , Mala Selina A. , Wang Xialou , Baribeau Jean-Marc , Wu Xiaohua , Lockwood David J.
Published: September 2018

Studies by Raman spectroscopy of two kinds of Si/SiGenanostructures—quantum dot multilayers and planarsuperlattices—reveal a wide variety of spectral features including first- and second-order Raman scattering, polarized Raman scattering, and low-frequency inelastic light scattering associated with folded acoustic phonons. Here we overview how such features can be employed to semi-quantitatively analyze the strain, chemical composition, and thermal conductivity in these industrially important materials that are widely used for producing electronic and optoelectronic devices.
IL-15 regulates fibrosis and inflammation in a mouse model of chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Manohar Murli , Kandikattu Hemanth Kumar , Verma Alok Kumar , Mishra Anil
Published: September 2018

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the induction of several proinflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-1. Recently, the multifunctional innate cytokine IL-15 has been implicated in the protection of several diseases, including cancer. Tissue fibrosis is one of the major problems in successfully treating chronic pancreatitis pathogenesis. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that recombinant IL-15 (rIL-15) treatment may induce innate tissue responses and its overexpression will improve the pathogenesis of cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis, associated remodeling, and fibrosis. We observed atrophy of acinar cells, increased inflammation, and increased deposition of perivascular collagen, the upregulated protein level of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and collagen-1 in cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis in mice. Furthermore, we reported that rIL-15 treatment protects mice from the cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis pathogenesis, including acinar cell atrophy, and perivascular accumulation of tissue collagen followed by downregulation of profibrotic genes such as TGF-β1, α-SMA, collagen-1, collagen-3, and fibronectin in cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis in mice. Mechanistically, we show that IL-15-mediated increase of interferon-γ-responsive invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in the blood and tissue protects cerulein-induced pancreatic pathogenesis in mice. Of note, a reduction in iNKT cells was also observed in human chronic pancreatitis compared with normal individuals. Taken together, these data suggest that IL-15 treatment may be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating chronic pancreatitis pathogenesis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pancreatic fibrosis is a major concern for the successful treatment of chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Therefore, restriction in the progression of fibrosis is the promising approach to manage the pancreatitis pathogenesis. Herein, we present in vivo evidences that pharmacological treatment of recombinant interleukin-15 improves remodeling and fibrosis in cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis in mice. Our observations indicate that interleukin-15 immunotherapy may be a possible and potential strategy for restricting the progression of fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis.
Effect of reflexive activation of motor units on torque development during electrically-evoked contractions of the triceps surae muscle
Authors: Vitry Florian , Martin Alain , Deley Gaëlle , Papaiordanidou Maria
Published: September 2018

The aim of the study was to identify stimulation conditions permitting the occurrence of extra torque (ET) and to examine their impact on spinal and corticospinal excitabilities. Twelve subjects received stimulation trains over the tibial nerve (20 s duration, 1 ms pulse duration) that were delivered at 3 stimulation frequencies (20, 50, and 100 Hz) and at 5 intensities (110%, 120%, 130%, 140%, and 150% of the motor threshold). Torque-time integral (TTI) of each stimulation train was calculated. Spinal [maximum H-reflex (Hmax)/maximal M-wave (Mmax)] and corticospinal [maximal motor evoked potential amplitude (MEPmax)/Mmax] excitabilities were assessed at rest before and after each stimulation train by tibial nerve stimulation and by transcranial magnetic stimulation, respectively. Moreover, a twitch at each stimulation intensity was delivered before and after each stimulation train. The EMG activity associated with this twitch was analyzed to identify the initial motor unit (MU) recruitment pathway before each stimulation train and discriminate trials to H-trials (indirect recruitment) and M-trials (direct recruitment). TTI was higher for H-trials compared with M-trials for all tested frequencies. There was a decrease in Hmax/Mmax for the 20 Hz-H trials and an increase for the 100 Hz-H trials, whereas MEPmax/Mmax remained unchanged at post measurements. Present results demonstrate that the initial MU recruitment pattern plays a main role in the ET occurrence, with the indirect recruitment via the afferent volley being substantial for its development. The modulations of Hmax/Mmax without changes in MEPmax/Mmax suggest that the ET development affects spinal excitability and that these changes are frequency dependent.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study brings new insights into the stimulation conditions permitting the development of extra torque. An initial indirect recruitment of motor units, inducing reflex activation of spinal neurons through Ia afferent solicitation, appears a prerequisite for extra torque development. Under these conditions, spinal excitability modulations were frequency dependent.
Potential Novel Biomarkers of Obstructive Nephropathy in Children with Hydronephrosis
Authors: Bieniaś Beata , Sikora Przemysław
Published: September 2018

Obstructive nephropathy (ON) secondary to the congenital hydronephrosis (HN) is one of the most common causes of chronic kidney disease in children. Neither currently used imaging techniques nor conventional laboratory parameters are sufficient to assess the onset and outcome of this condition; hence, there is a need to prove the usefulness of newly discovered biomarkers of kidney injury in this respect. The purpose of the study was to assess the urinary excretion of alpha-GST, pi-GST, NGAL, and KIM-1 and the serum level of NGAL in children with congenital unilateral hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The results were evaluated in relation to severity of HN, the presence of ON, relative function of an obstructed kidney, and the presence of proteinuria. The study comprised 45 children with HN of different grades and 21 healthy controls. Urinary and serum concentrations of biomarkers were measured using specific ELISA kits. Urinary biomarker excretions were expressed as a biomarker/creatinine (Cr) ratio. Patients with the highest grades of HN showed significantly increased values of all measured biomarkers, whereas those with the lowest grades of HN displayed only significant elevation of urinary alpha-GST and the serum NGAL. Urinary NGAL positively correlated with percentage loss of relative function of an obstructed kidney in renal scintigraphy. In patients with proteinuria, significantly higher urinary alpha-GST excretion was revealed as compared to those without this symptom. The ROC curve analysis showed the best diagnostic profile for urinary alpha-GST/Cr and NGAL/Cr ratios in the detection of ON. In conclusion, the results of the study showed that urinary alpha-GST and NGAL are promising biomarkers of ON. Ambiguous results of the remaining biomarkers, i.e., urinary pi-GST and KIM-1, and serum NGAL level may be related to a relatively small study group. Their utility in an early diagnosis of ON should be reevaluated.
Metabolic Engineered Biocatalyst: A Solution for PLA Based Problems
Authors: Riaz Sundus , Fatima Nosheen , Rasheed Ahmed , Riaz Mehvish , Anwar Faiza , Khatoon Yamna
Published: September 2018

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester. In 2010, PLA became the second highest consumed bioplastic in the world due to its wide application. Conventionally, PLA is produced by direct condensation of lactic acid monomer and ring opening polymerization of lactide, resulting in lower molecular weight and lesser strength of polymer. Furthermore, conventional methods of PLA production require a catalyst which makes it inappropriate for biomedical applications. Newer method utilizes metabolic engineering of microorganism for direct production of PLA through fermentation which produces good quality and high molecular weight and yield as compared to conventional methods. PLA is used as decomposing packaging material, sheet casting, medical implants in the form of screw, plate, and rod pin, etc. The main focus of the review is to highlight the synthesis of PLA by various polymerization methods that mainly include metabolic engineering fermentation as well as salient biomedical applications of PLA.
Wide-Area Damping Controller Design Based on the Frequency Domain Self-Excitation Method
Authors: Gao Lei , Ma Yanchao , Nie Yonghui , Xu Shiyun , Chu Xiaojie , Peng Long
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a wide-area DC damping controller design method is proposed to damp the weak interarea oscillation modes. First, the low-order power system control model identification method is proposed based on the frequency domain self-excitation method to obtain the dominant modes and other related information. In what follows, the identified model is transformed into a low-order state space equation. By comparing the geometric metrics of different schemes, the various input signals and installation locations of the controller are selected. Furthermore, the damping controller parameter calculation is realized based on the self-excitation frequency domain identification method, which does not depend on the detailed model of the system. The design process is simple and it is easy to apply in the practical engineering of large-scale complex power grids. The applicability and effectiveness of the proposed controller design method are demonstrated through simulations of a two-area four-generator power system.
Adjacency‐Hash‐Table Based Public Auditing for Data Integrity in Mobile Cloud Computing
Authors: Chen Wenqi , Tian Hui , Chang Chin-Chen , Nan Fulin , Lu Jing
Published: September 2018

Cloud storage, one of the core services of cloud computing, provides an effective way to solve the problems of storage and management caused by high‐speed data growth. Thus, a growing number of organizations and individuals tend to store their data in the cloud. However, due to the separation of data ownership and management, it is difficult for users to check the integrity of data in the traditional way. Therefore, many researchers focus on developing several protocols, which can remotely check the integrity of data in the cloud. In this paper, we propose a novel public auditing protocol based on the adjacency‐hash table, where dynamic auditing and data updating are more efficient than those of the state of the arts. Moreover, with such an authentication structure, computation and communication costs can be reduced effectively. The security analysis and performance evaluation based on comprehensive experiments demonstrate that our protocol can achieve all the desired properties and outperform the state‐of‐the‐art ones in computing overheads for updating and verification.
Robust Train Scheduling Problem with Optimized Maintenance Planning on High-Speed Railway Corridors: The China Case
Authors: Zhang Chuntian , Gao Yuan , Li Wenjie , Yang Lixing , Gao Ziyou
Published: September 2018

Simultaneously considering train scheduling problem and maintenance planning problem with uncertain travel time, we propose a two-stage integrated optimization model for the sunset-departure and sunrise-arrival trains (SDSA-trains). Specifically, in the first stage, we obtain an optimal solution of the SDSA-trains under each scenario, which leads to the minimum total travel time. In the second stage, a robust SDSA-train schedule is generated based on the optimal solutions of the first stage. The key is that we consider two operation modes to solve the conflict between the SDSA-trains and the maintenances. Some state variables are used to deal with train operation mode selection. Furthermore, some linearization techniques are used to formulate a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model. Finally, numerical experiments are implemented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed model and optimization method.
A Novel Double Side Branch Protection Technique for a Left Main Trifurcation Lesion: Simultaneous Jailed Balloon and Jailed Corsair Technique
Authors: Munakata Masahito , Numasawa Yohei , Ishikawa Shiro , Koyama Takashi
Published: September 2018

Percutaneous coronary intervention for left main trifurcation disease is challenging. Although side branch protection techniques such as the jailed balloon technique and jailed Corsair technique are the established methods for treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions, little is known regarding the application and feasibility of these techniques for left main trifurcation disease. We herein describe a 72-year-old man with angina pectoris who was successfully treated with percutaneous coronary stent implantation for a left main trifurcation lesion. In this case, we performed a novel double side branch protection technique, the simultaneous jailed balloon and jailed Corsair technique, with a single 8 Fr guiding catheter. This is the first case report to highlight the feasibility and efficacy of combined use of the jailed balloon and jailed Corsair techniques during percutaneous coronary intervention for left main trifurcation disease.
Investigation of Snow Load Effects on Modal Parameters of a Steel Structure Roof
Authors: Guan Xiaoshu , Chen Huipin , He Jian , Sun Xiaodan
Published: September 2018

Snowfall is one of the environmental factors that can cause effects on the identification of structural modal parameters. For the steel structure roof of the Harbin Railway Station, effects of snow load to the modal parameters were investigated. A single‐span simply supported beam was analysed from the theoretical perspective to study the principles. FEM‐based analyses were conducted for the steel structure roof to illustrate the significance of the snow load effects to modal parameters. Uniformly and nonuniformly distributed snow loads were regarded as the essential factors influencing modal frequencies and mode shapes. Monitoring response data are collected and analysed to confirm the accuracy of analytical results. It is concluded that snowfall‐induced variations on structural stiffness and mass matrices reduce the modal parameters and alter the mode shapes. The differences between the change regulations of the various modes are closely related to the distributions of snow loads. The theoretical and numerical analytical results are validated to be feasible and credible using temperature, axial strain, and acceleration measurements from the Harbin Railway Station field monitoring system.
A Hybrid Evolutionary Approach to Design Off-Grid Electrification Projects with Distributed Generation
Authors: Avilés J. , Mayo-Maldonado J. C. , Micheloud O.
Published: September 2018

A hybrid evolutionary approach is proposed to design off-grid electrification projects that require distributed generation (DG). The design of this type of systems can be considered as an NP-Hard combinatorial optimization problem; therefore, due to its complexity, the approach tackles the problem from two fronts: optimal network configuration and optimal placement of DG. The hybrid scheme is based on a particle swarm optimization technique (PSO) and a genetic algorithm (GA) improved with a heuristic mutation operator. The GA-PSO scheme permits finding the optimal network topology, the optimal number, and capacity of the generation units, as well as their best location. Furthermore, the algorithm must design the system under power quality requirements, network radiality, and geographical constraints. The approach uses GPS coordinates as input data and develops a network topology from scratch, driven by overall costs and power losses minimization. Finally, the proposed algorithm is described in detail and real applications are discussed, from which satisfactory results were obtained.
Oplopanax horridus: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Diversity and Structure‐Activity Relationship on Anticancer Effects
Authors: Wu Kai , Wang Chong-Zhi , Yuan Chun-Su , Huang Wei-Hua
Published: September 2018

Oplopanax horridus, well‐known as Devil’s club, is probably the most important ethnobotanical to most indigenous people living in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Compared with the long history of traditional use and widespread distribution in North America, the study of O. horridus is relatively limited. In the past decade, some exciting advances have been presented on the phytochemistry and pharmacological diversity and structure‐activity relationship on anticancer effects of O. horridus. To date, no systematic review has been drafted on the recent advances of O. horridus. In this review, the different phytochemicals in O. horridus are compiled, including purified compounds and volatile components. Animal and in vitro studies are also described and discussed. Especially, the potential structural‐activity relationship of polyynes on anticancer effects is highlighted. This review aimed to provide comprehensive and useful information for researching O. horridus and finding potential agents in drug discovery.
Distribution-Free Model for Ambulance Location Problem with Ambiguous Demand
Authors: Chu Feng , Wang Lu , Liu Xin , Chu Chengbin , Sui Yang
Published: September 2018

Ambulance location problem is a key issue in Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system, which is to determine where to locate ambulances such that the emergency calls can be responded efficiently. Most related researches focus on deterministic problems or assume that the probability distribution of demand can be estimated. In practice, however, it is difficult to obtain perfect information on probability distribution. This paper investigates the ambulance location problem with partial demand information; i.e., only the mean and covariance matrix of the demands are known. The problem consists of determining base locations and the employment of ambulances, to minimize the total cost. A new distribution-free chance constrained model is proposed. Then two approximated mixed integer programming (MIP) formulations are developed to solve it. Finally, numerical experiments on benchmarks (Nickel et al., 2016) and 120 randomly generated instances are conducted, and computational results show that our proposed two formulations can ensure a high service level in a short time. Specifically, the second formulation takes less cost while guaranteeing an appropriate service level.
Staffing at Ambulatory Endoscopy Centers in the United States: Practice, Trends, and Rationale
Authors: Agrawal Deepak , Jain Rajeev
Published: September 2018

Background. Endoscopy nurse (RN) has a pivotal role in administration and monitoring of moderate sedation during endoscopic procedures. When sedation for the procedure is administered and monitored by an anesthesia specialist, the role of an RN is less clear. The guidelines on this issue by nursing and gastroenterology societies are contradictory. Methods. Survey study of endoscopy lab managers and directors at outpatient endoscopy units in Texas. The questions related to staffing patterns for outpatient endoscopies and responsibilities of different personnel assisting with endoscopies. Results. Responses were received from 65 endoscopy units (response rate 38%). 63/65 (97%) performed at least a few cases with an anesthesia specialist. Of these, 49/63 (78%) involved only an endoscopy technician, without an additional RN in the room. At 12/49 (25%) units, the RN performed tasks of an endoscopy technician. At 14/63 (22%), an additional RN was present during endoscopic procedures and performed tasks not directly related to patient care. Conclusions. Many ambulatory endoscopy units do not have an RN present at all times when sedation is administered by an anesthesia specialist. An RN, when present, did not perform tasks commensurate with the education and training. This has implications about optimal utilization of nurses and cost of performing endoscopies.
Development and Validation of Lifestyle-Based Models to Predict Incidence of the Most Common Potentially Preventable Cancers
Authors: Usher-Smith Juliet A. , Sharp Stephen J. , Luben Robert , Griffin Simon J.
Published: September 2018

Background:

Most risk models for cancer are either specific to individual cancers or include complex or predominantly non-modifiable risk factors.

Methods:

We developed lifestyle-based models for the five cancers for which the most cases are potentially preventable through lifestyle change in the UK (lung, colorectal, bladder, kidney, and esophageal for men and breast, lung, colorectal, endometrial, and kidney for women). We selected lifestyle risk factors from the European Code against Cancer and obtained estimates of relative risks from meta-analyses of observational studies. We used mean values for risk factors from nationally representative samples and mean 10-year estimated absolute risks from routinely available sources. We then assessed the performance of the models in 23,768 participants in the EPIC-Norfolk cohort who had no history of the five selected cancers at baseline.

Results:

In men, the combined risk model showed good discrimination [AUC, 0.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.73] and calibration. Discrimination was lower in women (AUC, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.57–0.61), but calibration was good. In both sexes, the individual models for lung cancer had the highest AUCs (0.83; 95% CI, 0.80–0.85 for men and 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76–0.87 for women). The lowest AUCs were for breast cancer in women and kidney cancer in men.

Conclusions:

The discrimination and calibration of the models are both reasonable, with the discrimination for individual cancers comparable or better than many other published risk models.

Impact:

These models could be used to demonstrate the potential impact of lifestyle change on risk of cancer to promote behavior change.
Precision Intravitreal Chemotherapy for Localized Vitreous Seeding of Retinoblastoma
Authors: Yu Michael D. , Dalvin Lauren A. , Welch R. Joel , Shields Carol L.
Published: September 2018

Purpose: To describe and evaluate the effectivity of a novel precision intravitreal injection technique for select cases of localized vitreous seeding in retinoblastoma. Methods: Patients with localized vitreous seeds from retinoblastoma received intravitreal chemotherapy via a precision injection technique (P-IVitC) intended to optimize local delivery of melphalan to target seeds. The needle was inserted trans-pars plana and chemotherapy deposited within 3 mm of the target seed(s) under indirect ophthalmoscopic guidance. Without subsequent globe manipulation, the head was then positioned to promote gravity-dependent settling of chemotherapy. Results: There were 8 eyes of 8 patients treated with P-IVitC for active vitreous seeds following adequate solid tumor control with intravenous chemotherapy (n = 3, 38%) or intra-arterial chemotherapy (n = 5, 63%). Viable vitreous seeds were primarily solitary spheres (n = 6, 75%) and measured an average of 2.7 mm in diameter. Vitreous seed resolution (n = 8, 100%) was noted after a mean of 2.6 injections (median 2; range 1–3) of 20 μg melphalan. There was no recurrence at a mean follow-up of 10.0 months. Only 1 eye had an associated complication (focal retinal pigment epithelial mottling, n = 1, 13%). Conclusions: With direct delivery of chemotherapy to within 3–4 mm of vitreous seed activity, P-IVitC provided complete control of localized vitreous seeds with minimal toxicity.
Environmental Influences on Neuromorphology in the Non-Native Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Authors: Cardilini Adam P.A. , Micallef Sarah , Bishop Valerie R. , Sherman Craig D.H. , Meddle Simone L. , Buchanan Katherine L.
Published: September 2018

Cognitive traits are predicted to be under intense selection in animals moving into new environments and may determine the success, or otherwise, of dispersal and invasions. In particular, spatial information related to resource distribution is an important determinant of neural development. Spatial information is predicted to vary for invasive species encountering novel environments. However, few studies have tested how cognition or neural development varies intraspecifically within an invasive species. In Australia, the non-native common starling Sturnus vulgaris inhabits a range of habitats that vary in seasonal resource availability and distribution. We aimed to identify variations in the brain mass and hippocampus volume of starlings in Australia related to environmental variation across two substantially different habitat types. Specifically, we predicted variation in brain mass and hippocampal volume in relation to environmental conditions, latitude, and climatic variables. To test this, brain mass and volumes of the hippocampus and two control brain regions (telencephalon and tractus septomesencephalicus) were quantified from starling brains gathered from across the species’ range in south eastern Australia. When comparing across an environmental gradient, there was a significant interaction between sex and environment for overall brain mass, with greater sexual dimorphism in brain mass in inland populations compared to those at the coast. There was no significant difference in hippocampal volume in relation to environmental measures (hippocampus volume, n = 17) for either sex. While these data provide no evidence for intraspecific environmental drivers for changes in hippocampus volume in European starlings in Australia, they do suggest that environmental factors contribute to sex differences in brain mass. This study identifies associations between the brain volume of a non-native species and the environment; further work in this area is required to elucidate the mechanisms driving this relationship.
Treatment of Oesophageal Varices in Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Sauerbruch Tilman , Wong Florence
Published: September 2018

Background: The development of cirrhosis with resultant portal hypertension can lead to oesophageal varices at a rate of 7% per annum. Bleeding from varices happens when the portal pressure is ≥12 mm Hg and can threaten life. Summary: Eliminating the aetiology of cirrhosis is a pivotal step to prevent the formation of varices. In patients with established varices, primary prophylaxis with non-selective beta blockers (NSBB) may slow down the progression of varices and prevent the first variceal bleed. NSBB, similar to other agents such as renin/angiotensin blockers, statins, and rifaximin, may have the additional advantage of blunting inflammatory stimuli, which can contribute to the progression of varices. Variceal band ligation is an alternative for primary bleeding prophylaxis with excellent results. Any acute variceal bleed should be managed with band ligation after careful resuscitation. Early pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in decompensated cirrhotic patients is very effective in controlling the bleeding and improves survival. Secondary prophylaxis against further variceal bleeding using NSBB and band ligation is recommended in most other patients. TIPS may be considered in appropriate patients as a secondary prophylaxis against recurrent variceal bleed. Future research should be directed towards the prevention of varices and targeting inflammation to reduce cirrhotic complications. Key Messages: Treatment strategies depend on the stage the patient is at along the natural history of varices: NSBB or band ligation for primary prophylaxis; band ligation or early TIPS for acute bleed; and a combination of NSBB + band ligation or TIPS for secondary prophylaxis (Fig. 1).
Prenatal Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Anogenital Distance in Children at 18 Months
Authors: García-Villarino Miguel , Riaño-Galán Isolina , Rodriguez-Dehli Ana Cristina , Vizcaíno Esther , Grimalt Joan O. , Tardón Adonina , Fernández-Somoano Ana
Published: September 2018

Background: Anogenital distance (AGD) is a measure of in utero exposure to hormonally active agents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between prenatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and AGD. Methods: POP levels were measured in pregnant women, and the AGD was recorded in 43 offspring at 18 months. We used linear regression models to analyze the association between maternal POP exposure and offspring AGD. We defined the anogenital index (AGI) as AGD divided by weight at 18 months (AGI = AGD / weight at 18 months [mm/kg]) and included this variable in the regression models. Results: AGI measure was 2.35 (0.61) and 1.38 (0.45) in males and females, respectively. AGI was inversely associated with lipid-adjusted concentrations of PBDE-99 (β = −0.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.51, −0.04) and PBDE-153 (β = −0.61, 95% CI: −1.11, −0.11) in males. We did not find any statistically significant relationship between any POPs and AGI in females. Conclusions: Environmental exposure to POPs may affect genital development and result in reproductive tract alterations with potentially relevant health consequences in maturity.