bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and Efficacy of Rituximab in Multiple Sclerosis: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Yamout Bassem I. , El-Ayoubi Nabil K. , Nicolas Johny , El Kouzi Yehya , Khoury Samia J. , Zeineddine Maya M.
Published: November 2018

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in multiple sclerosis in a clinical practice setting. Methods. Clinical data for all adult patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with off-label rituximab at a single MS center in Lebanon between March 2008 and April 2017 were retrospectively collected from medical charts. The main efficacy outcomes assessed were annualized relapse rate (ARR) and proportion of patients free from relapses, disability progression, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity. Results. A total of 89 rituximab-treated patients were included: 59 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 30 progressive MS (PMS). Patients were treated with 1000 or 2000 mg rituximab IV every 6–12 months for a mean duration of 22.2 ± 24.8 months. The subjects were 65.2% females with a mean age of 40.5 ± 12.3 years and a mean disease duration of 7.9 ± 6.2 years. During treatment, the ARR decreased from 1.07 at baseline to 0.11 in RRMS (p<0.0001) and from 0.25 to 0.16 in PMS patients (p=0.593). The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) remained unchanged in both RRMS and PMS patients. Between baseline and the last follow-up, the percent of patients free from any new MRI lesions increased from 18.6% to 92.6% in the RRMS group and from 43.3% to 82% in the PMS group. No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) was achieved in 74% of patients at 1 year of treatment. A total of 64 adverse events (AEs) (71.9%) were recorded with the most common being infusion-related reactions in 25.8% of patients, all mild in nature. Two of our rituximab-treated patients experienced serious AEs requiring surgical interventions: pyoderma gangrenosum vaginalis with perianal abscess and fistula and an increase in the size of a meningioma. No case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) was detected. Conclusion. In our real-world cohort, rituximab was well-tolerated and effective in reducing relapse rate and disability progression in relapsing-remitting and progressive MS patients.
Combined Use of High-Sensitive Cardiac Troponin, Copeptin, and the Modified HEART Score for Rapid Evaluation of Chest Pain Patients
Authors: Morawiec Beata , Przywara-Chowaniec Brygida , Muzyk Piotr , Opara Mariusz , Ho Lam , Tat Lui Chun , Muller Olivier , Nowalany-Kozielska Ewa , Kawecki Damian
Published: November 2018

Background. Clinical short-term risk stratification is a recommended approach in patients with chest pain and possible acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to further improve high safety of biomarker-based rule-out algorithms. The study aim was to assess clinical performance of baseline concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-TnT) and copeptin and the modified HEART score (mHS) in early presenters to the emergency department with chest pain. Methods. This cohort study included patients with chest pain with onset maximum of 6 h before admission and no persistent ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram. hs-TnT, copeptin, and the mHS were assessed from admission data. The diagnostic and prognostic value for three baseline rule-out algorithms: (1) single hs-TnT < 14 ng/l, (2) hs-TnT < 14 ng/l/mHS ≤ 3, and (3) hs-TnT < 14 ng/l/mHS ≤ 3/copeptin < 17.4 pmol/l, was assessed with sensitivity and negative predictive value. Primary diagnostic endpoint was the diagnosis of AMI. Prognostic endpoint was death and/or AMI within 30 days. Results. Among 154 enrolled patients, 44 (29%) were classified as low-risk according to the mHS; AMI was diagnosed in 105 patients (68%). For ruling out AMI, the highest sensitivity and NPV from all studied algorithms were observed for hs-TnT/mHS/copeptin (100%, 95% CI 96.6–100, and 100%, 95% CI 75.3–100). At 30 days, the highest event-free survival was achieved in patients stratified with hs-TnT/mHS/copeptin algorithm (100%) with 100% (95% CI 75.3–100) NPV and 100% (95% CI 96.6–100) sensitivity. Conclusions. The combination of baseline hs-TnT, copeptin, and the mHS has an excellent sensitivity and NPV for short-term risk stratification. Such approach might improve the triage system in emergency departments and be a bridge for inclusion to serial blood sampling algorithms.
Virtual Submerged Floating Operational System for Robotic Manipulation
Authors: Zhang Qin , Zhang Jialei , Chemori Ahmed , Xiang Xianbo
Published: November 2018

In this work, a virtual submerged floating operational system (VSFOS) based on parallel and serial robotic platforms is proposed. The primary aim behind its development lies in carrying out simulated underwater manipulation experiments in an easier and safer way. This VSFOS is consisted of a six‐degree‐of‐freedom (6‐DOF) parallel platform, an ABB serial manipulator, an inertial sensor, and a real‐time industrial computer. The 6‐DOF platform is used to simulate the movement of an underwater vehicle, whose attitude is measured by the inertial sensor. The ABB manipulator, controlled by the real‐time industrial computer, works as an operational tool to perform underwater manipulation tasks. In the control system architecture, software is developed to receive the data collected by the inertial sensor, to communicate and send instructions. Furthermore, the real‐time status of the manipulator is displayed in this software. To validate the proposed system, two experiments have been conducted to test its performance. In the first experiment, the test is carried out to check the communication function of VSFOS, while in the second one, the manipulator is intended to follow the movement of the parallel platform and perform simulated operational task in the space. The obtained results from these two experiments show clearly the effectiveness and the performance of the proposed VSFOS.
Moroccan Propolis: A Natural Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm against Staphylococcus aureus with No Induction of Resistance after Continuous Exposure
Authors: El-Guendouz Soukaïna , Aazza Smail , Lyoussi Badiaa , Bankova Vassya , Popova Milena , Neto Luís , Faleiro Maria Leonor , Miguel Maria da Graça
Published: November 2018

This study was performed to evaluate the total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities of twenty‐four propolis samples from different regions of Morocco. In addition, two samples were screened regarding the antibacterial effect against four Staphylococcus aureus strains. Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectra (GC‐MS) analysis was done for propolis samples used in antibacterial tests. The minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentration (MIC, MBC) were determined. The potential to acquire the resistance after sequential exposure of bacterial strains and the impact of adaptation to propolis on virulence using the Galleria mellonella were evaluated. Additionally, the effects of propolis extract on the bacterial adherence ability and its ability to inhibit the quorum sensing activity were also examined. Among the twenty‐four extracts studied, the samples from Sefrou, Outat el Haj, and the two samples marketed in Morocco were the best for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, NO, peroxyl, and superoxide radicals as well as in scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. A strong correlation was found between the amounts of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activities. Propolis extract at the MIC value (0.36 mg/mL) significantly reduced (p < 0.001) the virulence potential of S. aureus ATCC 6538 and the MRSA strains without leading to the development of resistance in the sequence of continuous exposure. It was able to impair the bacterial biofilm formation. The results have revealed that sample 1 reduces violacein production in a concentration dependent manner, indicating inhibition of quorum sensing. This extract has as main group of secondary metabolites flavonoids (31.9%), diterpenes (21.5%), and phenolic acid esters (16.5%).
Reliability of Symptom-Based Diagnosis of Uncomplicated Cystitis
Authors: Alidjanov Jakhongir F. , Naber Kurt G. , Abdufattaev Ulugbek A. , Pilatz Adrian , Wagenlehner Florian M.
Published: November 2018

Background and Objectives: Acute uncomplicated cystitis (AC) is common among women. Acute onset of specific typical symptoms may serve as reliable criteria for developing a cost-effective strategy to make an accurate diagnosis of AC. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic values of most common symptoms and signs of AC depending on their presence and severity. Methods: The current trial was designed as a case-control study. Data derived from the Acute Cystitis Symptom Score (ACSS) database were analyzed. Diagnostic values of the symptoms and their severity were assessed via the calculations of the sensitivity and specificity, odds ratio, positive and negative likelihood ratios. The strength of associations was estimated by the coefficient of correlation (Pearson’s R). Results: Data from 819 female subjects (423 Patients, 396 controls) with the mean age of 37.1 ± 15.3 were analyzed. Highest diagnostic values for AC in this study belonged to dysuria, urgency, and frequency. Interestingly, complaints of vaginal discharge was not found to decrease the odds for having AC in the study population. Conclusions: The severity of the symptom is even more essential than just its presence for an accurate diagnosis. The ACSS is an accurate tool and may be recommended for clinical practice and studies for diagnosis of AC in women. Further studies and unification of terms are need.
Translational Research for Acute Pancreatitis - Which Results Have Really Influenced Our Therapy?
Authors: D''Haese Jan , Werner Jens
Published: November 2018

Acute pancreatitis is a common disease characterized by acinar cell destruction and acute inflammatory changes of the pancreas that lead to a systemic inflammatory response. A major research effort has been undertaken to unravel the underlying pathophysiology and to identify possible therapeutic targets. Still, only very few findings have influenced our clinical practice in the treatment of acute pancreatitis. Pancreatic microcirculation and capillary blood flow have long been suspected to play a major role in the course of the disease. It therefore seemed tempting to speculate that manipulation of the vasoconstrictor endothelin or its antagonist nitrogen monoxide could positively influence the outcome. We had to acknowledge, however, that these mechanisms take place very early in the disease course and that only prophylactic applications show an effect; this is useful in the setting of pancreas transplantation and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography but not applicable for clinical use in the therapy of acute pancreatitis. Research then focused on later pathophysiological stages of the disease, mainly on the process of adhesion and extravasation of leukocytes into the pancreatic tissue. Here, integrins and adhesion molecules like the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were investigated in detail. A monoclonal antibody to ICAM-1 showed promising results in experimental models but was never further evaluated in the clinical setting. Hemodilution and fluid resuscitation was recognized to be an important therapeutic tool in acute pancreatitis. Here, initial experimental studies favored colloid solutions, and especially dextrans for isovolemic fluid resuscitation. It was recognized only later that colloid solutions are not effective and may even increase mortality in critically ill patients. Therefore, goal-directed infusion of Ringer's lactate solution at a moderate infusion rate to optimize volume status and hemoconcentration in acute pancreatitis is now advocated. In summary, out of the numerous experimental and translational studies, only very few have really influenced our daily clinical practice. Further research is therefore needed to find more specific and effective therapeutic agents for the treatment of acute pancreatitis.
Brain Gene Expression Pattern of Subjects with Completed Suicide and Comorbid Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Cabrera Brenda , Monroy-Jaramillo Nancy , Fries Gabriel Rodrigo , Mendoza-Morales Roberto Cuauhtemoc , García-Dolores Fernando , Mendoza-Larios Alejandra , Diaz-Otañez Carlos , Walss-Bass Consuelo , Glahn David Colin , Ostrosky-Wegman Patricia , Fresno Cristobal , Nicolini Humberto
Published: November 2018

Background/Aim: Although individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) are at high risk of committing suicide, most studies of postmortem gene expression exclude subjects with SUD due to the potential confounding effect of drugs in the transcriptome. Thus, little is known about the gene expression profile in suicides with SUD. The identification of altered biological processes in suicides with SUD is crucial in the comprehension of the interaction between both pathologies. Methods: We evaluated the gene expression profile in the dorsolateral prefrontal area of suicides and nonsuicides with and without SUD by microarrays. Results: We identified 222 differentially expressed genes, predominately enriched in cell proliferation in the comparison between suicides with and without SUD. When comparing the transcriptome of suicides with SUD to nonsuicides with SUD, we identified 550 differentially expressed genes, mainly enriched in oxidative phosphorylation. Differentially expressed genes (1,417) between suicides and nonsuicides without SUD were detected. Most of them were related to mitochondrial function. Conclusion: Interaction between suicide and SUD seems to influence the expression of genes involved in glial proliferation and glutamatergic neurotransmission. These results highlight, for the first time, that suicides with SUD have a gene expression profile distinct from that of subjects with only one of these disorders.
Thrombotic Microangiopathy with Severe Proteinuria Induced by Lenvatinib for Radioactive Iodine-Refractory Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Hyogo Yasuko , Kiyota Naomi , Otsuki Naoki , Goto Shunsuke , Imamura Yoshinori , Chayahara Naoko , Toyoda Masanori , Nibu Ken-ichi , Hyodo Toshiki , Hara Shigeo , Masuoka Hiroo , Kasahara Toshihiko , Ito Yasuhiro , Miya Akihiro , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Miyauchi Akira , Minami Hironobu
Published: November 2018

Standard therapy for radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is multi-targeted kinase inhibitors (m-TKIs), represented by sorafenib and lenvatinib. One of the main target molecules of m-TKIs is vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF-R). m-TKIs are known to cause adverse reactions such as hypertension and proteinuria as a class effect. In particular, proteinuria is thought to result from vascular endothelial damage and podocytopathy in glomeruli, and the development of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported for VEGF inhibitors. We encountered a patient with RAI-refractory (RR) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who developed proteinuria and renal dysfunction due to lenvatinib. Renal biopsy demonstrated that these changes were caused by TMA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of TMA due to lenvatinib in a Japanese patient with RR-PTC. A 70-year-old woman developed proteinuria, renal impairment and hypertension while receiving lenvatinib for RR-PTC. Her proteinuria and renal damage continued to worsen despite dose reductions and dose interruptions. Renal biopsy was consistent with the chronic type of TMA. These findings indicate that TMA is a possible cause of proteinuria due to lenvatinib, as has been reported for the VEGF inhibitors.
Molecular phylogeny of Juniperus in Iran with special reference to the J. excelsa complex, focusing on J. seravschanica
Authors: HOJJATI FATEMEH , KAZEMPOUR-OSALOO SHAHROKH , ADAMS ROBERT PETER , ASSADI MOSTAFA
Published: November 2018

A total of over 100 accessions representing 11 species of Juniperus in Iran using multiple DNA regions were included in phylogenetic analyses. Analyses of four plastid intergenic spacers (petN-psbM, trnD-trnT, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG) and nrDNA ITS sequences retrieved Juniperus in Iran as a monophyletic group with two clades corresponding to sections Juniperus and Sabina. Our data support the recognition of J. communis, J. deltoides, J. foetidissima, J. polycarpos var. polycarpos and var. turcomanica, J. sabina and J. seravschanica in Iran. Based on sequences from nrDNA ITS, plastid petN-psbM and single copy nuclear gene LHCA, specimens from the SE Iran that were previously considered to be a part of the J. excelsa complex were shown to be J. seravschanica. Samples from NE Iran were found to be J. polycarpos var. turcomanica and specimens from NW Iran were shown to be J. polycarpos var. polycarpos. Plants belonging to the J. excelsa complex from SW Iran appear to be of hybrid origin between J. polycarpos from N Iran and J. seravschanica from SE Iran. None of the Juniperus samples from Iran were found to be J. excelsa s str., as compared with typical samples from Greece. The sequence data from nrDNA ITS, plastid petN-psbM, trnD-trnT, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG and single copy nuclear genes (LHCA4, maldehy, myb, CnAIP3 and 4CL) were utilized in this study to identify Iranian samples R, U, K as J. seravschanica.
Pelagic ostracods of the new subtribe Conchoeciina (Ostracoda, Crustacea) from the North Pacific
Authors: CHAVTUR VLADIMIR G. , BASHMANOV ALEXANDER G.
Published: November 2018

The tribe Conchoeciini Chavtur & Angel, 2011, which was singled out by Chavtur and Angel (2011) from the subfamily Conchoeciinae Müller, 1912, is divided into the new Conchoeciina subtribe, including all species of the genera Conchoecia Dana, 1849 and Porroecia (Martens, 1979), and the “non-Conchoeciina” group, which includes all the remaining genera in other subtribes. The genus Conchoecia is subdivided into five genera - retaining Conchoecia and establishing four new genera, namely Macrochoecilla Chavtur, gen. nov., Lophuroecia Chavtur, gen. nov., Parvidentoecia Chavtur, gen. nov .and Hyalocoecia Chavtur, gen. nov.. Similarly, a new genus, Parthenoecia Chavtur, gen. nov., is split from the genus Porroecia. All species attributed to these new genera, which have been collected by numerous Russian expeditions in the North Pacific, are described. Keys to these genera and their species are provided.
Maintaining transnational ties and the convertibility of working holiday makers’ experiences in Australia
Authors: Li Yao-Tai
Published: November 2018

Migration studies have investigated the complex relationship between transnational ties and integration among long-term immigrants. However, discussions about temporary migrant motives for maintaining transnational ties remain under-explored. Focusing on how Chinese Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) see integration and the ‘convertibility’ of temporary experiences in Australia, this article highlights that temporary migrants are not just concerned with achieving integration in the present but also better chances in the future. Such concerns are oriented toward both receiving and home countries. To be specific, WHMs consciously maintain transnational ties to sustain their integration processes or in the event of a return home. Meanwhile, they try to stay in their host countries in order to allay the stigmas attached to them and to address other cultural concerns (such as saving ‘face’). Because they may return to their home countries, they accumulate socio-cultural capital (e.g., English proficiency and overseas experience) while in Australia that they hope to employ in the future.
Providing mental health peer support 2: Relationships with empowerment, hope, recovery, quality of life and internalised stigma
Authors: Burke Eilish M , Pyle Melissa , Machin Karen , Morrison Anthony P
Published: November 2018

Objective:

Qualitative research has identified personal costs and benefits for peer supporters associated with their role; however, quantitative evidence is sparse. This study used quantitative methods to explore relationships in experiences of providing peer support with constructs of empowerment, hope, recovery, quality of life and internalised stigma. Differences were examined for those in statutory versus non-statutory services; who had themselves received peer support versus those who had not and who identified having had negative experiences in clinical teams versus those without such experiences.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online and postal survey was undertaken in tandem with a linked consensus study. In all, 147 peer supporters were recruited from a variety of organisations across the United Kingdom. Validated questionnaires were used to examine constructs. Instruments created for the study measured peer support experiences, and personal costs and benefits involved. Correlations were calculated and results informed further regression analysis. Chi-square tests and independent samples t-tests tested group differences.

Results:

Peer supporters indicated they experienced almost twice as many role-related personal benefits than personal costs. Benefits included improvements to mental health and well-being, reduced use of services, increased social functioning and development of skills. Total number of personal costs experienced was significantly negatively related to peer supporters’ empowerment and quality of life. There were no significant differences between the groups examined.

Conclusions and Implications for Practice:

An accumulation of personal costs may result in reduced quality of life; however, costs can be minimised by organisations. Limitations of the research are discussed and recommendations for future research are made including the need for longitudinal research.
Do you let me symptomatize? The potential role of cultural values in cross-national variability of mental disorders’ prevalence
Authors: Kapitány-Fövény Máté , Richman Mara J , Demetrovics Zsolt , Sulyok Mihály
Published: November 2018

Background:

Mental disorders may show inherent cross-national variability in their prevalence. A considerable number of meta-analyses attribute this heterogeneity to the methodological diversity in published epidemiological studies. Cultural values are characteristically not assessed in meta-regression models as potential covariates.

Aim:

Our aim was to conduct a meta-regression analysis to explore to what extent certain cultural values and immigration rates (as indicator of cultural diversity) might be associated with the cross-national heterogeneity of prevalence rates.

Method:

To minimize methodological differences that may exert a confounding effect, prevalence rates were obtained from the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Cultural indices (overall emancipative values; overall secular values) were collected from the World Value Survey, while immigration rates were registered by utilizing the data of the United Nations’ World Population Policies 2005 report.

Results:

Meta-regression analysis indicated that overall emancipative values (i.e. promoting self-expression, non-violent protest) showed significant connection with lifetime and last year prevalence of any mood disorders ( Z = 4.71, p = .001; Z = 2.35, p = .02) and any internalizing disorders (a merged category that combined mood and anxiety disorders; Z = 2.82, p = .004; Z = 2.34, p = .02). Overall secular values (i.e. rejecting authority and obedience) were negatively associated with last year prevalence of depression ( Z = −2.75, p = .06). Multistep regression analysis indicated that immigration rate moderated the connection between cultural values and mental disorders. Countries with higher immigration rates showed higher emancipative and secular values.

Conclusion:

Our findings might function as potential foundation for formulating hypotheses regarding the cultural context’s influence on the population’s mental health.
Existential Therapy and Jungian Analysis: Toward an Existential Depth Psychology
Authors: Diamond Stephen A.
Published: November 2018

Existential therapy and Jungian analysis share much in common. The early Jung, with his self-professed scientific study and “empirical” description of the human psyche focused strictly on “observed facts,” fancied himself a phenomenologist of sorts, loosely using a philosophical method first described in detail by Edmund Husserl (1859-1938) at the start of the 20th century. In this article, the author, a clinical and forensic psychologist, compares the contemporary practices of existential therapy and Jungian analysis, citing essential similarities and differences, and proposing and describing the complementary synthesis of these two penetrating and potent theoretical orientations in a reimagined form of therapy he calls “existential depth psychology.” He argues here that contemporary existential therapy’s reflexively broad dismissal of depth psychology and its profound clinical wisdom diminishes it immensely. And vice versa. Given the inherent bias against such sagacious, depth-oriented counseling and psychotherapy in today’s increasingly vapid mental health marketplace, Jungian analysis and existential therapy, despite, or really due to, their differences, desperately need each other to become more balanced, whole, efficacious, relevant, and viable humanistic treatment approaches.
Hate Crimes Hurt More, but so Do Co-Offenders: Separating the Influence of Co-Offending and Bias on Hate-Motivated Physical Injury
Authors: Lantz Brendan , Kim Joonggon
Published: November 2018

One of the primary motivations for hate crime laws is that hate crimes “hurt more.” But hate crimes are often committed by groups, and research indicates that crimes committed by groups are also more violent than other crimes. This research focuses on one type of harm, physical injury, asking, are hate crimes more violent because they involve co-offenders or because of the bias motivation behind the incident? Results using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) indicate that hate crimes are positively associated with serious injury, but that this association is partially driven by co-offenders. More importantly, co-offending moderates this relationship: Incidents involving bias and co-offending are especially violent. Anti-sexual orientation incidents were an exception to this pattern, however, and are likely to be violent regardless of co-offending. These results suggest that hate crimes do hurt more, but that this relationship is partially attributable to the influence of co-offenders.
Assessing Risk Among White-Collar Offenders Under Federal Supervision in the Community
Authors: Harbinson Erin , Benson Michael L. , Latessa Edward J.
Published: November 2018

While many risk assessment tools have been subjected to validation studies, less research has examined their utility with white-collar offenders. Given that white-collar offenders tend to have different social and economic backgrounds than other types of offenders, it is important to understand how risk assessment applies to this population and how risk assessment might help judges and other court and correctional decision makers understand risk of future harm among this understudied group. We examine the ability of the Post Conviction Risk Assessment to predict revocation on a sample of 31,306 white-collar offenders by reviewing the predictive validity of the risk levels and risk score. The analyses support the use of risk assessment with white-collar offenders and provide further support for applying the risk and needs principles to what is considered a unique population. Other implications for risk assessment and judicial decision making are discussed.
Fractional-order Kalman filters for continuous-time fractional-order systems involving correlated and uncorrelated process and measurement noises
Authors: Liu Fanghui , Gao Zhe , Yang Chao , Ma Ruicheng
Published: November 2018

This paper presents fractional-order Kalman filters using the fractional-order average derivative method for linear fractional-order systems involving process and measurement noises. By using the fractional-order average derivative method, a difference equation model is obtained by discretizing the investigated continuous-time fractional-order system, and the accuracy of state estimation is improved. Meanwhile, compared with the Tustin generating function, the fractional-order average derivative method proposed in this paper can reduce computation load and save calculation time. Two kinds of fractional-order Kalman filters are given, for the correlated and uncorrelated cases, in terms of the process and measurement noises for linear fractional-order systems, respectively. Finally, simulation results are illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed Kalman filters using the fractional-order average derivative method.
Modelling and robust position and orientation control of a non-affine nonlinear dielectrophoresis-based micromanipulation system
Authors: Luo Hua , Melek William W , Yeow John TW
Published: November 2018

Conventional dielectrophoresis and electrorotation have attracted widespread attention in the field of individual micro-object manipulation in recent years. The improvement of current dielectrophoresis-based micromanipulation systems’ flexibility, accuracy and level of automation are essential requirements of dielectrophoresis-based micromanipulation techniques. For the purpose of high-precision automatic positioning and orientation control of a micro-object, we have developed approximate analytical expressions to describe the conventional dielectrophoretic force and electrorotation torque generated by quadrupole polynomial electrodes on a spherical micro-particle. Numerical simulations based on the finite element method are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modelling method. In addition, the non-affine nonlinear dynamic models of the dielectrophoresis-based micromanipulation subsystems are established. Furthermore, an uncertainty and disturbance estimator based dynamic sliding mode controller is proposed and applied to achieve a robust sequential position and orientation control system. The stability of the closed-loop system is established. The performance of the proposed control is demonstrated through simulation studies.
Receding horizon observer for linear time-varying systems
Authors: Qayyum Atif , Salman Muhammad , Malik Mohammad Bilal
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we present a receding horizon observer for linear time-varying systems. Our main contribution is that known deterministic input has been fully dealt with. This poses considerable challenges for recursive formulation of the filter. The suggested observer can be used in closed-loop feedback control systems. The existing finite memory filters lack this ability. First- and second-order statistical convergence analysis carried out in this paper provide an insight into the stochastic behaviour of the observer. Some examples demonstrate the utility of the proposed filter.
Adaptive boundary control and vibration suppression of a flexible satellite system with input saturation
Authors: Fu Yun , Liu Yu , Huang Daoping
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the vibration suppression problem of a flexible satellite system is addressed. The dynamic model of the flexible satellite system is expressed by a set of non-homogeneous partial differential equations (PDEs). By using the theory of systems with uniform ultimate bounded (UUB) solutions and adaptive techniques, adaptive boundary control is presented to suppress the vibration of the flexible satellite with parametric uncertainties. A disturbance adaptive law is constructed to compensate for the effect of the boundary disturbance, and an auxiliary system is considered to mitigate the effect of input saturation. The well-posedness of the closed-loop system is discussed, and UUB stability can be ensured through a rigorous Lyapunov-like analysis. Numerical simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
New online kernel method with the Tabu search algorithm for process monitoring
Authors: Lahdhiri Hajer , Ben Abdellafou Khaoula , Taouali Okba , Mansouri Majdi , Korbaa Ouajdi
Published: November 2018

Process monitoring is an integral part of chemical process, required higher product quality and safety operation. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to ensure the suitable functioning and to improve the fault detection performance of conventional kernel Principal Components Analysis (KPCA). Thus, an online Reduced Rank KPCA (OnRR-KPCA) with adaptive model has been developed to monitor a dynamic nonlinear process. The developed method is proposed. Firstly, to extract the useful observations, from large amount of training data registered in normal operating conditions, in order to construct the reduced reference model. Secondly, to monitor the process online and update the reference model if a new useful observation is available and satisfies the condition of independencies between variables in feature space. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the OnRR-KPCA with adaptive model over the conventional KPCA and the RR-KPCA, the fault detection performances are illustrated through two examples: one using synthetic data, the second using a simulated Tennessee Eastman Process (TEP) data.
Foreign ownership and job insecurity during the recession: The moderating effect of union density in the UK
Authors: Wang Wen , Cook Mark , Seifert Roger
Published: November 2018

The institutional influence, specifically trade unions, on the job insecurity of workers in foreign-owned enterprises (FoEs) has been generally overlooked. This study uses national representative private sector data to examine firms’ layoff incidence and the number of staff made redundant in response to the 2008–2012 recession in the UK. Probit regression and negative-binomial regression show that overall FoEs appear to be more likely to undertake redundancies and to lay off more workers than domestically-owned enterprises. However, the strength of trade unionism, measured by union membership density, has a moderating effect on the incidence of redundancies controlling for the adverse impact of the recession on companies studied and a wide range of industrial and firm characteristics. Furthermore, FoEs’ headquarter location seems to have no effect on the propensity of layoffs or quantity of layoffs in the UK.
Performance on a Single-Legged Drop-Jump Landing Test Is Related to Increased Risk of Lateral Ankle Sprains Among Male Elite Soccer Players: A 3-Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Fransz Duncan P. , Huurnink Arnold , Kingma Idsart , de Boode Vosse A. , Heyligers Ide C. , van Dieën Jaap H.
Published: November 2018

Background:

Soccer has a high injury rate, with lateral ankle sprains being a common injury. Therefore, an approach to prevent or at least reduce the occurrence is warranted. Injury prevention can be improved by identifying specific risk factors and individuals at risk.

Purpose:

To assess drop-jump landing performance as a potential predictor of lateral ankle sprain within 3-year follow-up.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Single-legged drop-jump landing tests were performed by 190 elite soccer players. Based on ground-reaction forces, 6 outcome measures were calculated that aim to reflect the impact and stabilization phase. Lateral ankle sprains were registered during up to 3 years of follow-up. Following a z score correction for age, a multivariate regression analysis was performed.

Results:

During follow-up, 45 players (23.7%) suffered a primary lateral ankle sprain. Of those, 34 were regarded as severe (absence >7 days). Performance was related to increased risk of ankle sprain ( P = .005 for all sprains and P = .001 for severe sprains). Low mediolateral stability for the first 0.4 seconds after landing (a larger value indicates more force exerted in the mediolateral direction, resulting in rapid lateral stabilization) and high horizontal ground-reaction force between 3.0 and 5.0 seconds (a smaller value indicates less sway in the stabilization phase) were identified as risk factors. A player that scored 2 SD below average for both risk factors had a 4.4-times-higher chance of sustaining an ankle sprain than a player who scored average.

Conclusion:

The current study showed that following a single-legged drop-jump landing, mediolateral force over 0 to 0.4 seconds and/or mean resultant horizontal ground-reaction force over 3 to 5 seconds has predictive value with regard to the occurrence of an ankle sprain among male elite soccer players within 3 years.
Screen-printed nanocomposite sensors for online in situ structural health monitoring
Authors: Khan Taimoor A , Nauman Saad , Asfar Zeeshan , Nasir M Ali , Khan Zaffar M
Published: November 2018

In this article, we have explored screen printing as a fast and reliable process for the deposition of nanocomposite layer on glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) substrate for in situ structural health monitoring. The screen-printed sensor comprised of a thermoplastic matrix (high density polystyrene) and a dispersed nanofiller (carbon nanoparticles). Notches of different sizes (2.5 mm and 4.0 mm) were introduced to study the response of sensors to an existing damage. Stress concentrations were plotted across the width and the sensor results were correlated with the simulated stress concentrations to evaluate the response of sensors with respect to local stress concentrations. It was found that the screen-printed sensors responded to the stress concentrations since the layers were deposited in the vicinity of notches. The gauge factors altered due to the presence of notches indicating sensor sensitivity to the preexisting damage and resultant stress concentrations.
Modified diatomite forms in the rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Wu Weili , Cong Songyan
Published: November 2018

Diatomite is a kind of biomass sedimentary rock, which is widely used in chemical engineering, petroleum, building materials, biomedical medicine, health care and environmental protection, and other fields due to its characteristics of lightweight, large specific surface area, super adsorption, noise and abrasion resistance, thermal properties, and corrosion resistance. The diatomite is similar to silica in the composition structure and can be used as a substitute for silica to reinforce the rubber materials. In this work, the diatomite was modified with different modifiers to fill the rubbers such as natural rubber, styrene–butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), chloroprene rubber, methyl vinyl silicone rubber, fluorine rubber (FKM), and acrylic rubber (ACM). The results showed that the obtained formula is the most suitable diatomite modifier for various rubber is Si69, and its amount is 2.5 parts per hundred rubber (phr), and the diatomite content is 20 phr. The diatomite is more suitable for FKM, ACM, and EPDM. The diatomite has better reinforced effect on FKM, EPDM, and ACM than silica, and FKM is the most prominent. The modified diatomite can be uniformly dispersed in the matrix of FKM, EPDM, and ACM; the compatibility is good; and the mechanical properties are excellent. It was demonstrated that the modified diatomite with green environmental protection and low cost can replace silica to reinforce and fill the three kinds of rubbers.
People Make the Same Bayesian Judgment They Criticize in Others
Authors: Cao Jack , Kleiman-Weiner Max , Banaji Mahzarin R.
Published: November 2018

When two individuals from different social groups exhibit identical behavior, egalitarian codes of conduct call for equal judgments of both individuals. However, this moral imperative is at odds with the statistical imperative to consider priors based on group membership. Insofar as these priors differ, Bayesian rationality calls for unequal judgments of both individuals. We show that participants criticized the morality and intellect of someone else who made a Bayesian judgment, shared less money with this person, and incurred financial costs to punish this person. However, participants made unequal judgments as a Bayesian statistician would, thereby rendering the same judgment that they found repugnant when offered by someone else. This inconsistency, which can be reconciled by differences in which base rate is attended to, suggests that participants use group membership in a way that reflects the savvy of a Bayesian and the disrepute of someone they consider to be a bigot.
Colonial surgeon Patrick Hill (1794–1852): unacknowledged pioneer of Australian mental healthcare
Authors: Raeburn Toby , Liston Carol , Hickmott Jarrad , Cleary Michelle
Published: November 2018

Despite making a substantial contribution to the development of mental health services in colonial Australia, until now the story of Dr Patrick Hill’s (1794–1852) life has been overlooked by historians. This paper reviews primary sources including clinical notes, patient lists, letters, government documents and newspaper articles which reveal that Dr Hill was a dedicated physician who played a vital role in the development of Australian mental healthcare. He was held in such esteem that by the time of his sudden death in 1852 he had been elevated to the most senior medical office in New South Wales. Dr Hill’s career serves to exemplify how the local practice of individual colonial doctors helped build the reputation of medicine in the modern era.
Skill, Work and Gendered Identity in Contemporary India: The Business of Delivering Home-Cooked Food for Domestic Consumption
Authors: Gooptu Nandini , Chakravarty Rangan
Published: November 2018

This article analyses the meaning and significance of skills from the perspective of those who acquire and use them, going beyond dominant approaches to skill development as a strategy to enhance employability, productivity and economic benefit. With a study of home-based women entrepreneurs, who prepare food for delivery to customers’ homes, the article examines how entrepreneurial skills relate to gendered identity. While men operate with a market-savvy, commercial logic, women are animated by an ethic of personalized care and a family ethos of involvement in their customers’ everyday domestic life. They cast themselves as expert practitioners of an inherited culinary tradition as well as being skilled in exercising a superior and inherent gendered capacity to forge emotional, nurturing and fictive kinship bonds with customers. Although this reproduces gender distinctions and may constrain the growth of women’s business, they nevertheless cultivate these skills as a powerful mode of self-realization and developing a sense of self-worth. Bearing in mind the conception of human development as advancement of human flourishing, the article concludes that, in approaching skill development, it is critical to consider the identity and perception of those who use skills, and the subjective, affective meanings attached to skills in a given social context.
Capital accumulation and work in China’s internet content industry: Struggling in the bubble
Authors: Xia Bingqing
Published: November 2018

Since 2015, Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent (the so-called BAT) have constructed an empire in the Chinese Internet content industry via mergers and acquisitions. However, little is known about how professional Internet workers are experiencing this process of accumulation and consolidation. This article focuses on how social relations are reconfigured and subsumed in the capital accumulation process in the realm of the Internet content industry, using the Chinese case. It argues that fresh graduates are subsumed into the accumulation process as immaterial resources in the circulation of capital. It also offers a general critique of the capital accumulation process, as it shifts risks and costs of failure on to independent start-ups entering the industry.
Feasibility of using reduced length superelastic shape memory alloy strands in post-tensioned steel beam–column connections
Authors: Chowdhury Md Arman , Rahmzadeh Ahmad , Moradi Saber , Alam M Shahria
Published: November 2018

Driven by a need to reduce repair costs and downtime in structures following a major earthquake, self-centering systems have been introduced. Post-tensioned high strength steel strands have shown promising results in providing self-centering capability in steel frames, where the beams are compressed to columns. This study aims at investigating the feasibility of using reduced length of steel and shape memory alloy strands in steel beam–column connections. Through finite element modeling, the study first evaluates the effect of using short-length regular post-tensioned strands in steel connections. The results show higher strength, stiffness, and energy dissipation capacity for connections with shorter length regular post-tensioned strands. The moment capacity and energy absorption capacity of a post-tensioned beam–column connection with one-third strand length were 105% and 114% higher than those of with full-length strands, respectively. However, residual drifts increased from 4 to 39 mm. To avoid loss in the re-centering capability of such connections due to yielding/failing of post-tensioned steel strands, the application of shape memory alloy and hybrid strands are proposed. The results show that shorter length shape memory alloy strands are effective in regaining self-centering and dissipating higher amount of energy compared to the full-length steel strands.
Demonstrating the effects of elastic support on power generation and storage capability of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices
Authors: Zamani Kouhpanji Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2018

This study represents effects of an elastic support on the power generation and storage capability of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices. The governing equations were derived and solved for a piezoelectric energy harvesting device made of elastic support, multilayer piezoelectric beam, and a proof mass at its free end. Furthermore, a Thevenin model for a rechargeable battery was considered for storage of the produced power of the piezoelectric energy harvesting device. Analyzing the time-domain and frequency-domain responses of the piezoelectric energy harvesting device on an elastic support shows that the elastic deformation of the support significantly reduces the power generation and storage capability of the device. It was also found that the power generation and storage capability of the piezoelectric energy harvesting device can be enhanced by choosing appropriate physical parameters of the piezoelectric beam even if the elastic properties of the support are poor relative to elastic properties of the piezoelectric beam. These results provide an insightful understanding for designing and material selection for the support in order to reach the highest possible power generation and storage capability for piezoelectric energy harvesting devices.
Optimisation of optical fibre using micro-braiding for structural health monitoring
Authors: Rufai Olubukola , Gautam Mayank , Potluri Prasad , Gresil Matthieu
Published: November 2018

Structural health monitoring is a fast growing area used to assess the state of various structures such as aircraft, building, bridge, wind turbine, pipe, automobile through appropriate data processing and interpretation. This article presents a novel technique of optimising the conventional optical fibres used for structural health monitoring, in order to improve their mechanical properties, and handling during the manufacturing process by micro-braiding the optical fibres. This study investigates and compares the tensile properties of the both micro-braided optical fibre and conventional optical fibres through uniaxial tensile tests. Experimental results show 85% improvement in strain at failure for the micro-braided optical fibre when compared to the optical fibres. Moreover, interfacial shear strength comparison, of the braiding yarn, between optical fibres and micro-braided optical fibre (carried out through micro-bond test) has also been conducted. In addition, the effect of embedding both micro-braided and conventional optical fibre in composite was also investigated by three-point bend test. Overall, the mechanical performance of the composite was not affected by the presence of micro-braided optical fibre. This article will also discuss the process and the advantage of micro-braided optical fibre for structural health monitoring.