bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pitch-shift responses as an online monitoring mechanism during level tone production
Authors: Ning Li-Hsin
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates whether pitch-shift responses can be modulated as a function of level tone height in Taiwanese Southern Min (TSM). Twenty-six native TSM speakers were recruited and asked to produce three TSM words that differed in tone on the first syllable but had the same mid-level tone on the second syllable (hence, HM, MM, and LM). The pitch-shift stimuli appeared at 100 ms after vocalization onset and lasted for 200 ms. The magnitudes of the pitch-shift stimuli were ±250 cents for HM, +250/−150 cents for MM, and ±150 cents for LM, in order to overlap the shifted pitch with another lexical tone. The results show that larger pitch-shift peak amplitudes were elicited when the H level tone of the HM word was downshifted 250 cents to the M level and when the L level tone of the LM word was upshifted 150 cents to the M level tone. However, no significant direction effect was found for the MM word. The M level tone might be perceived non-categorically by native TSM speakers. Overall, the findings suggest that the magnitudes of pitch-shift responses may have to do with the degree of categorical perception.
Robust Wiener controller design with acoustic feedback for active noise control systems
Authors: An Fengyan , Cao Yin , Wu Ming , Sun Hongling , Liu Bilong , Yang Jun
Published: April 2019

Although the acoustic feedback could be alleviated by the neutralization method with a feedback model, an active noise control system could still suffer from being unstable if the feedback path exhibits significant variations. In this letter, a modified Wiener controller is introduced to enhance the robust stability with a fixed feedback neutralization filter. The proposed controller is designed with frequency-weighted penalties, which are adjusted iteratively according to Nyquist stability criterion. Experiment results based on a ventilation duct system shows that the robust stability could be achieved with the proposed method while a relatively good performance could be maintained.
A polyaromatic receptor with high androgen affinity
Authors: Yamashina Masahiro , Tsutsui Takahiro , Sei Yoshihisa , Akita Munetaka , Yoshizawa Michito
Published: April 2019

A synthetic model of androgen bioreceptors strictly discriminates male hormones from female ones in its polyaromatic cavity.
The Combination Rifampin-Nitazoxanide, but Not Rifampin-Isoniazid-Pyrazinamide-Ethambutol, Kills Dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Hypoxia at Neutral pH
Authors: Iacobino Angelo , Giannoni Federico , Pardini Manuela , Piccaro Giovanni , Fattorini Lanfranco
Published: April 2019

The activities of rifampin, nitazoxanide, PA-824, and sutezolid were tested against dormant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
under conditions mimicking caseous granulomas (hypoxia at pH 7.3) in comparison with those of the combination rifampin-isoniazid-pyrazinamide-ethambutol (R-I-Z-E), which is used for human therapy. Mycobacterial viability was monitored by CFU and regrowth in MGIT 960.
Loss of Trefoil Factor 2 Sensitizes Rat Pups to Systemic Infection with the Neonatal Pathogen
Escherichia coli
K1
Authors: McCarthy Alex J. , Birchenough George M. H. , Taylor Peter W.
Published: April 2019

Gastrointestinal (GI) colonization of 2-day-old (P2) rat pups with
Escherichia coli
K1 results in translocation of the colonizing bacteria across the small intestine, bacteremia, and invasion of the meninges, with animals frequently succumbing to lethal infection. Infection, but not colonization, is strongly age dependent; pups become progressively less susceptible to infection over the P2-to-P9 period.
Type I Interferon Receptor Signaling Drives Selective Permissiveness of Astrocytes and Microglia to Measles Virus during Brain Infection
Authors: Welsch Jeremy Charles , Charvet Benjamin , Dussurgey Sebastien , Allatif Omran , Aurine Noemie , Horvat Branka , Gerlier Denis , Mathieu Cyrille
Published: April 2019

Measles virus (MeV) can infect the central nervous system (CNS), with dramatic consequences. The mechanisms controlling MeV invasion of the CNS remain ill-defined since most previous data were obtained from postmortem analysis. Here, we highlight for the first time the crucial role of the type I interferon (IFN-I) response not only in the control of CNS invasion but also in the early permissiveness of glial cells to measles virus infection.
Quantitative Analyses Reveal Novel Roles for
N-
Glycosylation in a Major Enteric Bacterial Pathogen
Authors: Abouelhadid Sherif , North Simon J. , Hitchen Paul , Vohra Prerna , Chintoan-Uta Cosmin , Stevens Mark , Dell Anne , Cuccui Jon , Wren Brendan W.
Published: April 2019

Advances in genomics and mass spectrometry have revealed several types of glycosylation systems in bacteria. However, why bacterial proteins are modified remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of general
N-
linked glycosylation in a major food poisoning bacterium,
Campylobacter jejuni
. The aim of this study is to delineate the direct and indirect effects caused by disrupting this posttranslational modification. To achieve this, we employed a quantitative proteomic strategy to monitor alterations in the
C. jejuni
proteome. Our quantitative proteomic results linked general protein
N-
glycosylation to maintaining proteome stability. Functional analyses revealed novel roles for bacterial
N-
glycosylation in modulating multidrug efflux pump, enhancing nitrate reduction activity, and promoting host-microbe interaction. This work provides insights on the importance of general glycosylation in proteins in maintaining bacterial physiology, thus expanding our knowledge of the emergence of posttranslational modification in bacteria.
Enhanced Replication of Mouse Adenovirus Type 1 following Virus-Induced Degradation of Protein Kinase R (PKR)
Authors: Goodman Danielle E. , Pretto Carla D. , Krepostman Tomas A. , Carnahan Kelly E. , Spindler Katherine R.
Published: April 2019

The first line of defense in cells during viral infection is the innate immune system, which is activated by different viral products. PKR is a part of this innate immune system and is induced by interferon and activated by dsRNA produced by DNA and RNA viruses. PKR is such an important part of the antiviral response that many viral families have gene products to counteract its activation or the resulting effects of its activity. Although a few RNA viruses degrade PKR, this method of counteracting PKR has not been reported for any DNA viruses. MAV-1 does not encode virus-associated RNAs, a human adenoviral defense against PKR activation. Instead, MAV-1 degrades PKR, and it is the first DNA virus reported to do so. The innate immune evasion by PKR degradation is a previously unidentified way for a DNA virus to circumvent the host antiviral response.
Functional Specialization in
Vibrio cholerae
Diguanylate Cyclases: Distinct Modes of Motility Suppression and c-di-GMP Production
Authors: Zamorano-Sánchez David , Xian Wujing , Lee Calvin K. , Salinas Mauro , Thongsomboon Wiriya , Cegelski Lynette , Wong Gerard C. L. , Yildiz Fitnat H.
Published: April 2019

Cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a broadly conserved bacterial signaling molecule that affects motility, biofilm formation, and virulence. Although it has been known that high intracellular concentrations of c-di-GMP correlate with motility suppression and biofilm formation, how the 53 predicted c-di-GMP modulators in
Vibrio cholerae
collectively influence motility is not understood in detail. Here we used a combination of plate assays and single-cell tracking methods to correlate motility and biofilm formation outcomes with specific enzymes involved in c-di-GMP synthesis in
Vibrio cholerae
, the causative agent of the disease cholera.
Lighting Up Mutation: a New Unbiased System for the Measurement of Microbial Mutation Rates
Authors: Boyce Kylie J. , Idnurm Alexander
Published: April 2019

Although mutation drives evolution over long and short terms, measuring and comparing mutation rates accurately have been particularly difficult. This is especially true when mutations lead to an alteration in fitness.
Metabolic Modeling of Cystic Fibrosis Airway Communities Predicts Mechanisms of Pathogen Dominance
Authors: Henson Michael A. , Orazi Giulia , Phalak Poonam , O’Toole George A.
Published: April 2019

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease in which chronic airway infections and lung inflammation result in respiratory failure. CF airway infections are usually caused by bacterial communities that are difficult to eradicate with available antibiotics. Using species abundance data for clinically stable adult CF patients assimilated from three published studies, we developed a metabolic model of CF airway communities to better understand the interactions between bacterial species and between the bacterial community and the lung environment. Our model predicted that clinically observed CF pathogens could establish dominance over other community members across a range of lung nutrient conditions. Heterogeneity of species abundances across 75 patient samples could be predicted by assuming that sample-to-sample heterogeneity was attributable to random variations in the CF nutrient environment. Our model predictions provide new insights into the metabolic determinants of pathogen dominance in the CF lung and could facilitate the development of improved treatment strategies.
Mutation-specific Fabry disease patient-derived cell model to evaluate the amenability to chaperone therapy
Authors: Lenders Malte , Stappers Franciska , Niemietz Christoph , Schmitz Boris , Boutin Michel , Ballmaier Paula Johanna , Zibert Andree , Schmidt Hartmut , Brand Stefan-Martin , Auray-Blais Christiane , Brand Eva
Published: April 2019

Background

Patients with Fabry disease (FD) and amenable mutations can be treated with the chaperone migalastat to restore endogenous α-galactosidase A (AGAL) activity. However, certain amenable mutations do not respond biochemically in vivo as expected. Here, we aimed to establish a patient-specific and mutation-specific cell model to evaluate the amenability to chaperone therapy in FD.

Methods

Since current tests to determine amenability are limited to heterologous mutation expression in HEK293T cells with endogenous AGAL activity, we generated CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AGAL-deficient HEK293T cells as a basis for mutant overexpression. Furthermore, primary urinary cells from patients were isolated and immortalised as a patient-specific cell model system to evaluate the amenability to chaperone therapy.

Results

Under treatment (>13 months), carriers of p.N215S (n=6) showed a significant reduction of plasma lyso-Gb3 (p<0.05). Lyso-Gb3 levels in carriers of p.L294S increased (p<0.05) and two patients developed severe albuminuria. Both missense mutations were amenable in wild-type HEK293T cells (p<0.05), but presented different responses in CRISPR/Cas9-mediated AGAL knockouts and immortalised urinary cells. Chaperone incubation resulted in increased AGAL activity (p<0.0001) and intracellular globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) reduction (p<0.05) in immortalised p.N215S cells but not in p.L294S and IVS2+1 G>A cells.

Conclusion

We conclude that repeated AGAL activity measurements in patients’ white blood cells are mandatory to assess the in vivo amenability to migalastat. Plasma lyso-Gb3 might be an appropriate tool to measure the biochemical response to migalastat. Patients with low AGAL activities and increasing lyso-Gb3 levels despite in vitro amenability might not benefit sufficiently from chaperone treatment.
The helicoidal modulated nematic phases in a model system of V-shaped molecules
Authors: Aliev Mikhail A. , Ugolkova Elena A. , Kuzminyh Nickolay Yu.
Published: April 2019

The phase behavior of the melt of the symmetric V-shaped molecules has been inspected within the Landau–de Gennes approach. The arms of V-shaped molecule are modeled by rod-like segments connected at an external angle [Formula: see text]; these segments are assumed to be composed of monomer units. The phase diagram of the system contains regions of stability of the isotropic, homogeneous nematic, and modulated nematic phases: nematic twist bend (N[Formula: see text]) phase that is characterized by the three directors which move on a helix and one of these directors forms a fixed nonzero cone angle with the helix axis, and the N0 modulated phase in which one director is parallel to the helix axis while two others are orthogonal to the helix axis. The characteristic periods of modulated structures were found to be of order a few molecular lengths.
Interaction between like-charged surfaces mediated by uniformly charged counter-nanoparticles
Authors: Spada Simone , Maset Stefano , Bohinc Klemen
Published: April 2019

An electric interfacial layer appears when the mobile ions or nanoparticles of an electrolyte solution interact with an extended, charged surface. The distribution of ions or nanoparticles is driven by electrostatic interactions and entropy. We consider continuously charged spherical nanoparticles of finite size. At thermodynamic equilibrium, the spatial profile of the concentration is obtained by deriving the appropriate Euler–Lagrange equations. We discuss how various model parameters of the nanoparticles influence structural properties of the electric interfacial layer. We calculate the pressure between two like-charged surfaces embedded in a water solution of continuously charged spherical nanoparticles.
Infinite number of conservation laws and Darboux transformations for a 6-field integrable lattice system
Authors: Fan Fangcheng , Shi Shaoyun , Xu Zhiguo
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we study a 6-field integrable lattice system, which, in some special cases, can be reduced to the self-dual network equation, the discrete second-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation and the relativistic Volterra lattice equation. With the help of the Lax pair, we construct infinitely many conservation laws and a new Darboux transformation for system. Exact solutions resulting from the obtained Darboux transformation are presented by using a given seed solution. Further, we generate the soliton solutions and plot the figures of one-soliton solutions with properly parameters.
A void behavior in a complex-shaped composite structure
Authors: Park Dong-Cheol , Kim Yun-Hae
Published: April 2019

Voids or porosities have been one of the biggest headaches in composite fabricators and are still a challenging issue. In this study, void behavior in a low pressurized area of the laminate during cure is identified and analyzed. And, the influence of material’s cure rate difference on laminate inner quality is evaluated and verified through material evaluation and test article fabrication with subsequent non-destructive and destructive inspection. When there is a surface film on outer layer of the laminate, it is confirmed that surface film acts as barrier layer to prevent void evacuation and keep voids locked in laminate during cure. And, under the same fabrication condition and process variables, except for a layer of surface film, trapped void have been properly evacuated and test article exhibited good inner quality.
Structural design and analysis of large wind turbine blade
Authors: Bae Sung-Youl , Kim Yun-Hae
Published: April 2019

This paper presents a new design procedure for large wind turbine blades, which can be used in various case studies. The structural design of 2MW CFRP blade was performed using a verified 2MW GFRP blade model. The structural integrity assessment of the CFRP model demonstrated that the design criteria for tip deformation, buckling failure, and laminate failure in normal wind turbine operating conditions were met. The existing aero-elastic analysis code was not used to estimate the blade load, but the blade’s surface pressure was calculated using CFD. The conventional load analysis code necessitates the establishment of a turbine system and the input of structural characteristics with changes in the structural design specifications. However, when CFD was used to estimate the load, the turbine system was not required and the structure was evaluated against various design cases, making this a useful approach in preliminary design. This new structural design and evaluation procedure for wind blades can be used to review diverse design specifications in the initial design stage.
Structural design and analysis of CFRP boom for concrete pump truck
Authors: Lee Sang-Jin , Chung Il-Sup , Bae Sung-Youl
Published: April 2019

This research presents structural design and analysis results of applying a composite boom structure on a Concrete Pump Truck (CPT). Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) is used to complete the structural design of the end boom to reduce the weight of the CPT. The weight of the newly designed end boom is reduced by 32% compared to the original steel component. Structural analysis is accomplished by applying static load combinations of self-weight of the boom and the weights of the pipes, the concrete and the drain hose. The results show that the tip deflection is reduced by 30% compared to the conventional end boom. Also, equivalent stress is considerably lower than the conventional design. Composite failure evaluation of the CFRP end boom is conducted by post-processing the stress results using Puck’s failure criteria. The evaluation results show that the design criteria are met on the static load of the pump truck. Specifically, it is expected that fiber failure and inter fiber failure of the boom do not occur under loading conditions according to the design evaluation results.
A High-Data-Rate Area-Efficient Uni-Pulse Harmonic Modulation Transmitter for Implantable Neural Recording Microsystems
Authors: Zinaty Mohammad , Amiri Parviz , Maghami Mohammad Hossein
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new data transmission method, named Uni-Pulse Harmonic Modulation (PHM), is presented and its concept is mathematically analyzed using the relations of inductive links. In this type of modulation, the Uni-Pulse passing through the primary coil generates an oscillation in the secondary coil, corresponding to its positive edge, and its negative edge is able to damp this oscillation. The Uni-Pulse passing the primary coil gives the opportunity to use a half-bridge driver instead of full-bridge driver and hence the chip area is desirably reduced. For implementing the proposed modulation technique, two half-bridge driver circuits are suggested that are controlled by series of transistors and transmission gates occupying 900[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2and 737.87[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2of chip area, respectively. Another merit of the proposed transmitters, besides their occupying low chip area, is that they can transmit data at the rate of 40[Formula: see text]MHz, while the received frequency is set at 66.6[Formula: see text]MHz. Therefore, the high amount of 60% is obtained for the data rate to carrier frequency ratio. Designed in a standard 0.18-[Formula: see text]m CMOS process, the proposed circuits operate at 1.8[Formula: see text]V supply voltages with consuming almost 400[Formula: see text]pj energy for transmitting each data bit.
Integrated Passive Devices and Switching Circuit Design for a 3D DC/DC Converter up to 60 V
Authors: Saponara Sergio , Ciarpi Gabriele , Erlbacher Tobias , Rattmann Gudrun
Published: April 2019

This work presents the design and test of a switched-cap 3D DC/DC converter able to work up to 60[Formula: see text]V. The switches and the control circuits are integrated single-chip in a high-voltage (HV) MOS technology, and the passive devices are stacked on top of the chip. As an innovation versus the state-of-the-art, the work first presents the design of integrated passive devices, based on through silicon vias (TSV) MOS-compatible technology, which are suitable for switching converter applications up to 60[Formula: see text]V. Then, the implementation and experimental characterization of the switched-cap 3D DC/DC is proposed, with the silicon TSV capacitors stacked on top of the 0.35[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m HV-MOS die. Compared with the state-of-the-art, the proposed 3D DC/DC converter is a compact circuit, able to directly regulate a wide input voltage range (from 6[Formula: see text]V to 60[Formula: see text]V) to a 5[Formula: see text]V, 2[Formula: see text]W output. Hence, it is suitable to supply low-power loads, such as control units and/or sensors, directly from the 48[Formula: see text]V power line available in hybrid vehicles or telecom and networking systems.
Random Effects in a Nonlinear Vibration-Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting System
Authors: Pereira Tiago Leite , de Paula Aline Souza , Fabro Adriano Todorovic , Savi Marcelo Amorim
Published: April 2019

Vibration-based energy harvesting is of increasing importance and there is a current challenge to improve energy harvesting capacity exploiting nonlinear and random effects. This article investigates random effects in a nonlinear energy harvesting system. The system is represented by a magnetoelastic structure with two piezoceramic layers attached to the root of a cantilever beam, obtaining a bimorph generator. The energy harvesting system is subjected to three excitation conditions: pure harmonic, pure random and a combination of harmonic and random excitations. Noise-to-Signal Ratio (NSR) is employed to quantify different combinations of the forcing terms, establishing a procedure to evaluate the system performance. This approach is based on Power Spectral Density (PSD) of input and output signals. Numerical simulations are carried out, identifying the better combinations of harmonic and random excitations for energy harvesting purposes. Discussions about the influence of the kind of response are carried out evaluating the differences between periodic and chaotic motions. Conclusions show that both random and nonlinear effects can be tuned in order to enhance energy harvesting capacity.
Spatiotemporal Model of a Predator–Prey System with Herd Behavior and Quadratic Mortality
Authors: Singh Teekam , Banerjee Sandip
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we have investigated a diffusive predator–prey model with herd behavior. Also, we considered that the mortality of predators is linear as well as quadratic. Using linear stability analysis, we obtain the condition for diffusive instability and identify the corresponding domain in the space of control parameters. Using extensive numerical simulations, we obtain non-Turing spatiotemporal patterns in the model with linear mortality of predators, and Turing pattern formation, namely, spotted pattern and mixed pattern (spots-stripes) in model with quadratic mortality of predators. The results focus on the effect of the changing mortality rates of predator in pattern dynamics of a diffusive predator–prey model and help us in the better understanding of the dynamics of the predator–prey interaction in real environment.
Comment on “New proof of general relativity through the correct physical interpretation of the Mössbauer rotor experiment” by C. Corda
Authors: Kholmetskii Alexander L. , Yarman Tolga , Yarman Ozan , Arik Metin
Published: April 2019

We analyze the attempt by C. Corda to explain the results of modern Mössbauer experiments in a rotating system via the additional effect of synchronization of the clock in the origin of the rotating system with the laboratory clock, and indicate errors committed by him.
The tensor product of two oriented quantum algebras
Authors: Ma Tianshui , Yang Haiyan , Yang Tao
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we give the oriented quantum algebra (OQA) structures on the tensor product of two different OQAs by using Chen’s weak [Formula: see text]-matrix in [J. Algebra 204 (1998) 504–531]. As a special case, the OQA structures on the tensor product of an OQA with itself are provided, which are different from Radford’s results in [J. Knot Theory Ramifications 16 (2007) 929–957].
A Superconvergent Local Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Nonlinear Fourth-Order Boundary-Value Problems
Authors: Baccouch Mahboub
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we present a superconvergent local discontinuous Galerkin (LDG) method for nonlinear fourth-order boundary-value problems (BVPs) of the form [Formula: see text]. We prove optimal [Formula: see text] error estimates for the solution and for the three auxiliary variables that approximate the first, second, and third-order derivatives. The order of convergence is proved to be [Formula: see text], when piecewise polynomials of degree at most [Formula: see text] are used. Our numerical experiments demonstrate optimal rates of convergence. We further prove that the derivatives of the LDG solutions are superconvergent with order [Formula: see text] toward the derivatives of Gauss–Radau projections of the exact solutions. Finally, we prove that the LDG solutions are superconvergent with order [Formula: see text] toward Gauss–Radau projections of the exact solutions. Our numerical results indicate that the numerical order of superconvergence rate is [Formula: see text]. Our proofs are valid for arbitrary regular meshes using piecewise polynomials of degree [Formula: see text] and for the classical sets of boundary conditions. Several computational examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.
An Out-of-Core Eigen-Solver with OpenMP Parallel Scheme for Large Spare Damped System
Authors: Ju S. H. , Hsu H. H.
Published: April 2019

An out-of-core block Lanczos method with the OpenMP parallel scheme was developed to solve large spare damped eigenproblems. The symmetric generalized eigenproblem is first solved using the block Lanczos method with the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method, and the condensed damped eigenproblem is then solved to obtain the complex eigenvalues. Since the PCG solvers and out-of-core schemes are used, a large-scale eigenproblem can be solved using minimal computer memory. The out-of-core arrays only need to be read once in each Lanczos iteration, so the proposed method requires little extra CPU time. In addition, the second-level OpenMP parallel computation in the PCG solver is suggested to avoid using a large block size that often increases the number of iterations needed to achieve convergence.
Disturbed Flow in a Stenosed Carotid Artery Bifurcation: Comparison of RANS-Based Transitional Model and LES with Experimental Measurements
Authors: Johari N. H. , Wood N. B. , Cheng Z. , Torii R. , Oishi M. , Oshima M. , Xu X. Y.
Published: April 2019

Blood flow in the carotid arteries is usually laminar, but can undergo laminar-turbulent transition in the presence of a high-grade stenosis. In this study, pulsatile flow in a patient-based stenosed carotid artery bifurcation was examined using both large eddy simulation (LES) with dynamic Smagorinsky eddy viscosity model, and a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method with a transitional version of the shear stress transport (SST-Tran) model. In addition, an experimental phantom was built for the same bifurcation geometry and velocity measurements were made using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Comparisons with PIV measurements of axial velocity profiles demonstrated that both SST-Tran and LES predicted the experimental results fairly well, with LES being slightly superior. Furthermore, LES predicted cycle-to-cycle variations in the region where transition to turbulence occurred, indicating the unsteady nature of turbulence transition. On the other hand, the SST-Tran model was able to capture important flow features observed in the PIV experiment, demonstrating its potential as a cost-effective alternative to LES for haemodynamic analyses of highly disturbed flow in diseased arteries.
Size-Dependent Vibration of Circular Cylindrical Polymeric Microshells Reinforced with Graphene Platelets
Authors: Wang Yan Qing , Liu Yun Fei , Zu Jean W.
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates size-dependent vibration of graphene platelet (GPL) reinforced circular cylindrical polymeric microshells. The microshells are composed of multilayers with GPL fillers uniformly dispersed in each individual layer, but GPL weight fraction changes layer-by-layer along the thickness direction. The effective Young’s modulus is predicted by the modified Halpin–Tsai model, while effective Poisson’s ratio and mass density are determined by the rule of mixture. Four different patterns of GPL dispersion are considered to achieve the functionally graded property of the microshells. Based on Love’s thin shell theory and the modified couple stress theory, the governing equations are derived by using Hamilton’s principle. Then, the Navier and Galerkin methods are utilized to solve natural frequencies of GPL reinforced polymeric (GPLRP) microshells. A parametric study is conducted, with a particular focus on the effects of the GPL distribution pattern, the weight fraction, the geometries of the GPL and the microshells, as well as the total number of layers of the microshells.
Bayesian empirical likelihood and variable selection for censored linear model with applications to acute myelogenous leukemia data
Authors: Li Chun-Jing , Zhao Hong-Mei , Dong Xiao-Gang
Published: April 2019

This paper develops the Bayesian empirical likelihood (BEL) method and the BEL variable selection for linear regression models with censored data. Empirical likelihood is a multivariate analysis tool that has been widely applied to many fields such as biomedical and social sciences. By introducing two special priors to the empirical likelihood function, we find two obvious superiorities of the BEL methods, that is (i) more precise coverage probabilities of the BEL credible region and (ii) higher accuracy and correct identification rate of the BEL model selection using an hierarchical Bayesian model, vs. some current methods such as the LASSO, ALASSO and SCAD. The numerical simulations and empirical analysis of two data examples show strong competitiveness of the proposed method.
Randomised Trial of Lipiodol Uterine Bathing Effect (LUBE) in Women with Endometriosis-Related Infertility
Authors: Johnson N.P. , Baidya S. , Jessup S.O. , Print C.G. , Muthukaruppan A. , Chamley L.W. , Hadden W.E. , Hull M.L. , Mehta S. , Shelling A.N.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess whether lipiodol alters endometrial gene expression through a uterine bathing effect that might enhance receptivity to embryo implantation.

METHODS: An open-label randomised controlled trial design in a single-centre tertiary infertility service. Twelve women with endometriosis (n [Formula: see text] 11) or previous successful lipiodol procedure (n [Formula: see text] 1) were randomised to receive immediate or delayed lipiodol hysterosalpingography, followed by endometrial biopsy. Endometrial samples were assessed for gene expression, using Affymetrix microarrays and validation studies using reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Subsequent endometrial gene expression responses to treatment and clinical fertility outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS: Eleven of 12 women had successful endometrial sampling procedures. Nine women had successful pregnancies within the 9-month follow-up phase. Following lipiodol bathing we identified 20 down-regulated and 13 up-regulated genes with p [Formula: see text] 0.05 and with magnitude of change [Formula: see text]1.5-fold in at least three of the four women, with osteopontin being the only gene down-regulated in all four women.

CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the concept of a uterine bathing effect of lipiodol altering endometrial biology and gene expression. Whether regulation of inflammation and immune response pathways by lipiodol might contribute to an increase in endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation merits further investigation.
CrashMonkey and ACE
Authors: Mohan Jayashree , Martinez Ashlie , Ponnapalli Soujanya , Raju Pandian , Chidambaram Vijay
Published: April 2019

We present C
rash
M
onkey
and A
ce
, a set of tools to systematically find crash-consistency bugs in Linux file systems. C
rash
M
onkey
is a record-and-replay framework which tests a given workload on the target file system by
simulating
power-loss crashes while the workload is being executed, and checking if the file system recovers to a correct state after each crash. A
ce
automatically generates all the workloads to be run on the target file system. We build C
rash
M
onkey
and A
ce
based on a new approach to test file-system crash consistency:
bounded black-box crash testing
(
B
3
).
B
3
tests the file system in a black-box manner using workloads of file-system operations. Since the space of possible workloads is infinite,
B
3
bounds this space based on parameters such as the number of file-system operations or which operations to include, and exhaustively generates workloads within this bounded space.
B
3
builds upon insights derived from our study of crash-consistency bugs reported in Linux file systems in the last 5 years. We observed that most reported bugs can be reproduced using small workloads of three or fewer file-system operations on a newly created file system, and that all reported bugs result from crashes after fsync()-related system calls. C
rash
M
onkey
and A
ce
are able to find 24 out of the 26 crash-consistency bugs reported in the last 5 years. Our tools also revealed 10
new
crash-consistency bugs in widely used, mature Linux file systems, 7 of which existed in the kernel since 2014. Additionally, our tools found a crash-consistency bug in a verified file system, FSCQ. The new bugs result in severe consequences like broken rename atomicity, loss of persisted files and directories, and data loss.
Improved ICCP Algorithm Considering Scale Error for Underwater Geomagnetic Aided Inertial Navigation
Authors: Zhang Hongmei , Yang Le , Li Minglong
Published: April 2019

The iterative closest contour point (ICCP) matching algorithm has become more and more widely used in the underwater geomagnetic aided inertial navigation system (INS). In practical application, the traditional ICCP algorithm is sensitive to the initial positioning error of the INS and can only do rigid transformation for the INS track of the vehicle. Particularly when there exists scale error, the accuracy and stability of the traditional ICCP algorithm will be affected. To solve this problem, an improved algorithm based on affine transformation is proposed. Firstly, the fundamental of the ICCP is analyzed in detail, and an error analysis of the geomagnetic aided inertial navigation system is carried out, and then the rigid transformation is replaced with affine transformation to improve the performance of the ICCP. In contrast to the conventional approach, the proposed algorithm can solve the rotation, translation, and scaling parameters of the indicated track and the matching track, so it can significantly reduce the interference of the scale error. Experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Decentralized Polynomial Observer Design for Discrete‐Time Large‐Scale Polynomial T‐S Fuzzy System
Authors: Han Seung-Hun , Vu Van-Phong , Tran Manh-Son
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new approach for synthesizing a decentralized observer is proposed to estimate the unmeasurable states of a discrete‐time large‐scale nonlinear system. The large‐scale nonlinear system in this study is modeled in terms of a set of discrete‐time polynomial Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy subsystems and interconnection terms. This modeling method will assist to reduce significantly the number of fuzzy rules. The interconnection terms are considered as the unknown inputs; then, the unknown input method is employed to design observer for this system. It should be emphasized that the interconnection parts in this paper are arbitrary and their effects are eliminated completely. On the basis of the Lyapunov methodology and SOS (Sum of Square) technique, the conditions for observer design expressed under the framework of SOS are derived in the main theorems. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to show the effectiveness and merit of the proposed method.
Experimental Study of Fracturing Fluid Retention in Rough Fractures
Authors: Zhang Yanjun , Ge Hongkui , Liu Guangyu , Shen Yinghao , Chen Hao , Wang Jianbo , Liu Dunqing , Huang Zehui
Published: April 2019

Multistage hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for developing tight reservoirs. Field data indicate that a small fraction of the injected water can be recovered during flowback. Fractures play an important role in the retention of fracturing fluid, but the mechanisms and rules remain uncertain. Therefore, an experimental facility was established for studying the fluid retention in fractures using an improved conductivity apparatus. The fluid trapped in rough fractures was measured, and the dynamic changes of the drainage volume and rate under various apertures were analyzed. The effects of different factors, such as the fracture aperture, surface roughness, tortuosity, and matrix imbibition, on the fluid retention were studied. An empirical formula between the retention rate and fracture aperture was derived on the basis of mass conservation. Results showed that the fluid retention rate slowly decreased with an aperture increase in the fracture, and it would increase with considerable roughness, high tortuosity, and significant matrix imbibition. Meanwhile, drainage volume and rate change dramatically resulted from the gas drive. Secondary fractures and microcracks played an important role in the retention of fracturing fluid. Furthermore, the mechanisms of fracturing fluid retained in the tight reservoir, including viscous trapping and “locking” in fractures, the effect of gravity, surface-bound water film, capillary force retention, and matrix imbibition, were discussed. This study is significant for understanding the flowback rules of fracturing fluid, diagnosing fracture development, and identifying reservoir properties.
Photobiomodulation by a 635nm Diode Laser on Peri-Implant Bone: Primary and Secondary Stability and Bone Density Analysis—A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Matys Jacek , Świder Katarzyna , Grzech-Leśniak Kinga , Dominiak Marzena , Romeo Umberto
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Various procedures in dental implantology are performed to enhance the bone healing process and implant stability. One of these methods can be a low-level laser therapy (LLLT).Objectives. The aim of our study was to evaluate the stabilization (primary and secondary) and bone density in peri-implant zone after LLLT protocol using a 635 nm diode laser.Material and Methods. The research included 40 implants placed in the posterior region of a mandible in 24 patients (8 women and 16 man; age: 46.7 ± 8.7 years). The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups G1 (n=12, 18 implants) and G2 (n=12, 22 implants) according to the treatment procedure; G1 (test): 635 nm laser, with handpiece diameter: 8mm, output power: 100mW, spot area: 0.5024cm2, average power density: 199.04mW/cm2, continuous mode, dose: 4J per point (8J/cm2), time: 40 sec per point, 2 points (irradiation on a buccal and a lingual side of the alveolus/implant), and total energy per session 8J; G2 (control): no laser irradiation. The G1 (test) group’s implants were irradiated according to the following protocol: 1 day before surgery, immediately after the surgery and 2, 4, 7, and 14 days after. The total energy after all therapeutic sessions was 48J. The implants stability was measured employing a Periotest device (Periotest Test Value: PTV) (measured immediately after the surgery, 7 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 2 and 3 months after the surgery) and the bone density using cone-beam computed tomography (grayscale value) (measured immediately after the surgery, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the treatment).Results. The average implant stability at different time points showed lower PTV value (higher stability) at2ndand4thweek after 635 nm laser irradiation (G1) compared with a control (G2) group (p<0.01). The secondary stability of the implants after 12 weeks observation was not significantly higher for the laser group in contrast to none-irradiated implants (p>0.05). The mean grayscale value at the apical, middle, and cervical level of the titanium implants showed the reduction of pixel grayscale value after 2 weeks and was lower for the G1 group in contrast to the G2 group (p<0.01). The value of grayscale after 12 weeks was significantly higher at the middle and apical level of the implants in the G1group in contrast to the G2 group (p<0.01).Conclusion. The application of the 635 nm diode laser enhanced secondary implant stability and bone density. However, to assess the impact of the LLLT on peri-implant bone with different bone densities, further well-controlled long-term trials on larger study groups are needed.
Potato Peels as an Adsorbent for Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions: Eco-Structuring of aGreenAdsorbent Operating Plackett–Burman Design
Authors: El-Azazy Marwa , El-Shafie Ahmed S. , Issa Ahmed A. , Al-Sulaiti Maetha , Al-Yafie Jawaher , Shomar Basem , Al-Saad Khalid
Published: April 2019

Treatment of wastewater is becoming a concern of an increasing prominence. Trace amounts of toxic metalloids and heavy metals (HMs) would contaminate large volumes of water. Being present as traces, removal of these ultratrace contaminants from wastewater is challenging. Adsorption of HMs onto raw (RPP) and burnt (BPP) potato peels (PP) is presented in the current treatise. Both adsorbents (RPP and BPP) proved to be efficient in removing Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), La(III), Ni(II), and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. BPP was a more efficient adsorbent compared to RPP. Ecodesign of amodel, greenadsorbent was structured executing a multivariate approach, design of experiments (DoE). The purpose of using DoE is to maximize the efficiency of BPP (carbonaceous biomass) as a versatile adsorbent. Plackett–Burman design (PBD) was used as a screening phase. Four factors were considered: pH, contact time (CT), heavy metal concentration (HMC), and the adsorbent dose (AD). The Pareto chart of standardized effects shows that the most influential factor is the HMC. These data were confirmed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Derringer’s function was operated to find the best factorial blend that maximizes the adsorption process. The percentage (%) removal of Cd(II), for example, was maximized hitting 100%. Adsorbent surface characterization was performed using FTIR, BET, SEM, TGA/dTG, and EDX analyses. Adsorption was found to be physisorption that follows Temkin isotherm with sorption energy 66 kJ/mole. Adsorption kinetics was found to be pseudo-first-order. Adsorption capacity (qm) for BPP was 239.64 mg/g. The diffusion inside the particles was very limited, while the initial rate of the adsorption was extremely high as shown by the Elovich plot.
Design Considerations for Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES): A Review with Emphasis on Convective Heat Transfer
Authors: Skarphagen Helge , Banks David , Frengstad Bjørn S. , Gether Harald
Published: April 2019

Borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) exploits the high volumetric heat capacity of rock-forming minerals and pore water to store large quantities of heat (or cold) on a seasonal basis in the geological environment. The BTES is a volume of rock or sediment accessed via an array of borehole heat exchangers (BHE). Even well-designed BTES arrays will lose a significant quantity of heat to the adjacent and subjacent rocks/sediments and to the surface; both theoretical calculations and empirical observations suggest that seasonal thermal recovery factors in excess of 50% are difficult to obtain. Storage efficiency may be dramatically reduced in cases where (i) natural groundwater advection through the BTES removes stored heat, (ii) extensive free convection cells (thermosiphons) are allowed to form, and (iii) poor BTES design results in a high surface area/volume ratio of the array shape, allowing high conductive heat losses. The most efficient array shape will typically be a cylinder with similar dimensions of diameter and depth, preferably with an insulated top surface. Despite the potential for moderate thermal recovery, the sheer volume of thermal storage that the natural geological environment offers can still make BTES a very attractive strategy for seasonal thermal energy storage within a “smart” district heat network, especially when coupled with more efficient surficial engineered dynamic thermal energy stores (DTES).
Multiobjective Optimization of 6‐DOF Parallel Manipulator for Desired Total Orientation Workspace
Authors: Qiang Hongbin , Wang Lihang , Ding Jisong , Zhang Lijie
Published: April 2019

A desired total orientation workspace for a parallel manipulator is usually an essential requirement in a practical application. At present, for the multiobjective optimization method of 6‐DOF parallel manipulator for desired total orientation workspace, it is needed to predefine maximal and minimal lengths of the legs to serve as the constraint, and then the numerical method is used to solve the length of the legs and judge whether the solved maximal and minimal leg lengths meet the constraint. Predefining maximal and minimal length of the legs limits of the optimal range, the numerical method has heavy calculation burden and low calculating accuracy. In this paper, a hybrid method for solving the maximal and minimal lengths of the legs of 6‐DOF parallel manipulator with desired total orientation workspace is proposed, and the actuator stroke length is calculated according to the maximal and minimal leg lengths. By judging whether the actuator stroke length can be solved to serve as the constraint, without the predefined maximal and minimal leg lengths to serve as the constraint, the optimal range is enlarged. Aiming at the physical size of the parallel manipulator and the proposed desired workspace condition index (DWCI), the optimization of the geometric parameters of the parallel manipulator is conducted based on the multiobjective optimization algorithm (NSGA‐II), which is subject to the actuator stroke length. Stewart platform is set as the example; the geometric parameters of the platform whose workspace contains the desired total orientation workspace are optimized and the hybrid method is proved to be more accurate and efficient compared to the traditional numerical method. This method provides the optimization guidance for engineering designers to design the parallel manipulator for desired total orientation workspace.
A New Binary Adaptive Elitist Differential Evolution Based Automatic k‐Medoids Clustering for Probability Density Functions
Authors: Pham-Toan D. , Vo-Van T. , Pham-Chau A. T. , Nguyen-Trang T. , Ho-Kieu D.
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes an evolutionary computing based automatic partitioned clustering of probability density function, the so‐called binary adaptive elitist differential evolution for clustering of probability density functions (baeDE‐CDFs). Herein, the k‐medoids based representative probability density functions (PDFs) are preferred to the k‐means one for their capability of avoiding outlier effectively. Moreover, addressing clustering problem in favor of an evolutionary optimization one permits determining number of clusters “on the run”. Notably, the application of adaptive elitist differential evolution (aeDE) algorithm with binary chromosome representation not only decreases the computational burden remarkably, but also increases the quality of solution significantly. Multiple numerical examples are designed and examined to verify the proposed algorithm’s performance, and the numerical results are evaluated using numerous criteria to give a comprehensive conclusion. After some comparisons with other algorithms in the literature, it is worth noticing that the proposed algorithm reveals an outstanding performance in both quality of solution and computational time in a statistically significant way.