bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Vese-Chan model without redundant parameter estimation for multiphase image segmentation
Authors: Wang Jie , Xu Zisen , Pan Zhenkuan , Wei Weibo , Wang Guodong
Published: January 2020

The Vese-Chan model for multiphase image segmentation uses m binary label functions to construct 2m characteristic functions for different phases/regions systematically; the terms in this model have moderate degrees comparing with other schemes of multiphase segmentation. However, if the number of desired regions is less than 2m, there exist some empty phases which need costly parameter estimation for segmentation purpose. In this paper, we propose an automatic construction method for characteristic functions via transformation between a natural number and its binary expression, and thus, the characteristic functions of empty phases can be written and recognized naturally. In order to avoid the redundant parameter estimations of these regions, we add area constraints in the original model to replace the corresponding region terms to preserve its systematic form and achieve high efficiency. Additionally, we design the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for the proposed modified model to decompose it into some simple sub-problems of optimization, which can be solved using Gauss-Seidel iterative method or generalized soft thresholding formulas. Some numerical examples for gray images and color images are presented finally to demonstrate that the proposed model has the same or better segmentation effects as the original one, and it reduces the estimation of redundant parameters and improves the segmentation efficiency.
On the finite approximate controllability for Hilfer fractional evolution systems
Authors: Liu Xianghu , Li Yanfang , Xu Guangjun
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we consider the finite approximate controllability of some Hilfer fractional evolution systems. Using a variational approach and Schauder’s fixed point theorem, we give sufficient conditions for finite approximate controllability of semilinear controlled systems. An example is given to illustrate our theory.
The global dynamics in a wild-type and drug-resistant HIV infection model with saturated incidence
Authors: Chen Wei , Tuerxun Nafeisha , Teng Zhidong
Published: January 2020

In this paper we investigate the global dynamics in an HIV virus infection model with saturated incidence. The model includes two viral strains, one is wild-type (i.e. drug sensitive) and another is drug-resistant. The wild-type strain can mutate and become drug-resistant during the process of reverse transcription. The nonnegativity and boundedness of solutions are established. The basic reproduction numbers of two strains and the existence of equilibria are also obtained. The threshold criteria on the local and global stability of equilibria and the uniform persistence of the model are established by using the linearization method, constructing suitable Lyapunov functions and the theory of persistence in dynamical systems. Moreover, the mathematical analysis and numerical examples show that model may have a positive equilibrium which is globally asymptotically stable.
Estimation of f-divergence and Shannon entropy by Levinson type inequalities via new Green’s functions and Lidstone polynomial
Authors: Adeel Muhammad , Khan Khuram Ali , Pečarić Ðilda , Pečarić Josip
Published: January 2020

By using new Green’s functions and Lidstone interpolating polynomial, some new generalizations of Levinson type inequalities for $(2p+1)$(2p+1)-convex functions are obtained. In seek of applications of our results to information theory, new generalizations based on f-divergence estimates are also proven. Moreover, some inequalities for Shannon entropies are deduced as well.
Some basic properties of the generalized bi-periodic Fibonacci and Lucas sequences
Authors: Tan Elif , Leung Ho-Hon
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we consider a generalization of Horadam sequence $\{ w_{n} \} ${wn} which is defined by the recurrence relation $w_{n}=\chi ( n ) w_{n-1}+cw_{n-2}$wn=χ(n)wn−1+cwn−2, where $\chi ( n ) =a$χ(n)=a if n is even, $\chi ( n ) =b$χ(n)=b if n is odd with arbitrary initial conditions $w_{0}$w0, $w_{1}$w1 and nonzero real numbers a, b and c. As a special case, by taking the initial conditions 0, 1 and 2, b we define the sequences $\{ u_{n} \} ${un} and $\{ v_{n} \} ${vn}, respectively. The main purpose of this study is to derive some basic properties of the sequences $\{ u _{n} \} ${un}, $\{ v_{n} \} ${vn} and $\{ w_{n} \} ${wn} by using a matrix approach.
Retrospective review of dosing trends in botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia in a long-term cohort
Authors: French Gabrielle , Bosch J. Douglas , Randall Derrick R.
Published: January 2020

Background

Botulinum toxin A (BT) is the gold standard treatment for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) with established use for greater than thirty years. The spasmodic dysphonia (SD) literature would benefit from additional long-term cohort data, especially in the Canadian population. The goals of this study were to evaluate whether BT dosage required to achieve acceptable voice shifts over time and to elucidate differences in the subgroups of patients receiving unilateral vocal fold (UVF) injections.

Methods

Patient records were retrospectively reviewed at the regional tertiary Voice Clinic for AdSD patients from 1996 to 2017 to identify AdSD patients treated with serial BT injections. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests for time between treatments and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate trends in subgroup age.

Results

One-hundred and twenty-six patients (61% female, mean age = 53 ± 15.5 years) met inclusion criteria and received laryngeal EMG-guided BT injections for up to twenty-two years and as many as 79 treatments. The mean total BT dosage for our population was 1.54 ± 0.35 Units per side. The majority of subjects had decreasing doses over time with a small subgroup having slowly increasing doses. Comparing treatment dosages between unilateral and bilateral injection groups, injection dosage per vocal fold was 1.65 ± 0.62 with time between injections was significantly shorter for the unilateral injection group (mean = 105 days, SD ± 19.8 days, p = 0.005) compared to the bilateral injection subgroup (137 ± 35.7 days, p < 0.005). The mean age of the unilateral injection population as younger at 42.4 ± 11.8 years ( p = 0.004).

Conclusion

The majority of patients in this study had decreasing BT injection dosages over time, with a smaller proportion having slowly increasing doses, thought to be likely relating to disease severity. The unilateral vocal fold injections were well tolerated despite needing more frequent injections, and found to be more prevalent in the younger age group.
Supplementary protection certificates and their impact on access to medicines in Europe: case studies of sofosbuvir, trastuzumab and imatinib
Authors: Hu Yuanqiong , Eynikel Dimitri , Boulet Pascale , Krikorian Gaelle
Published: January 2020

In recent years, there has been increasing pressure on public health systems in high-income countries due to high medicines prices, one of the underlying causes of which are the market monopolies granted to pharmaceutical undertakings. These monopolies have been facilitated by expanded forms of intellectual property protections, including the extension of the exclusivity period after the expiration of the patent term concerning medicinal products. In the European Union such an approach lies in the Supplementary Protection Certificate, a mechanism formally introduced under Regulation 1768/92/EEC (now: Regulation 469/2009/EC, amended). After more than 20 years of implementation since it was first introduced, the common justifications for SPCs are being challenged by recent findings as to their functioning and impact. Similarly, legitimate questions have been voiced as to the negative impact of SPCs on timely access to affordable medicines.

On the basis of an analysis of three medicines for hepatitis C and cancer treatments, the present article critically engages with the policy justifications underlying SPCs. It then analyses access challenges to a hepatitis C medicine and an HIV treatment in Europe, highlighting the social cost of the introduction of SPCs. Both the normative and empirical analyses have demonstrated that the common justifications supporting the SPC regime are deeply questionable. The addition of SPC exclusivity has also heavily delayed competition and maintained high medicines prices in European countries. Ultimately, the granting of such extended exclusive private rights on medicines may result in unnecessary suffering and be a factor in the erosion of access to medicines for all.
Taking stock of accumulated knowledge in projection studies from Systemic Functional Linguistics: a research synthesis
Authors: XUAN Winfred Wenhui , Chen Shukun
Published: January 2020

This paper synthesized 66 studies both in English and Chinese concerning projection in Systemic Functional Linguistics with a meta-analysis and synthesis approach. Our data show that projection in Systemic Functional Linguistics (hereafter SFL) is a burgeoning field with expanding focused areas from different settings after several decades of development. Five major domains of research have been identified, namely, theoretical discussions, language description, language education, translation studies, and professional communication. Studies in these areas demonstrate that the notion of projection is of great theoretical significance. It is also a useful analytical tool in investigating both written and spoken discourse. However, it is found that interpersonal projection remains an elusive concept, and projection below the clause rank has just begun to gain attention. Projection in professional communication, translation studies and multimodality is under-investigated.
A Delta-radiomics model for preoperative evaluation of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in high-grade osteosarcoma
Authors: Lin Peng , Yang Peng-Fei , Chen Shi , Shao You-You , Xu Lei , Wu Yan , Teng Wangsiyuan , Zhou Xing-Zhi , Li Bing-Hao , Luo Chen , Xu Lei-Ming , Huang Mi , Niu Tian-Ye , Ye Zhao-Ming
Published: January 2020

Background

The difficulty of assessment of neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic response preoperatively may hinder personalized-medicine strategies that depend on the results from pathological examination.

Methods

A total of 191 patients with high-grade osteosarcoma (HOS) were enrolled retrospectively from November 2013 to November 2017 and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). A cutoff time of November 2016 was used to divide the training set and validation set. All patients underwent diagnostic CTs before and after chemotherapy. By quantifying the tumor regions on the CT images before and after NCT, 540 delta-radiomic features were calculated. The interclass correlation coefficients for segmentations of inter/intra-observers and feature pair-wise correlation coefficients (Pearson) were used for robust feature selection. A delta-radiomics signature was constructed using the lasso algorithm based on the training set. Radiomics signatures built from single-phase CT were constructed for comparison purpose. A radiomics nomogram was then developed from the multivariate logistic regression model by combining independent clinical factors and the delta-radiomics signature. The prediction performance was assessed using area under the ROC curve (AUC), calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results

The delta-radiomics signature showed higher AUC than single-CT based radiomics signatures in both training and validation cohorts. The delta-radiomics signature, consisting of 8 selected features, showed significant differences between the pathologic good response (pGR) (necrosis fraction ≥90%) group and the non-pGR (necrosis fraction < 90%) group (P < 0.0001, in both training and validation sets). The delta-radiomics nomogram, which consisted of the delta-radiomics signature and new pulmonary metastasis during chemotherapy showed good calibration and great discrimination capacity with AUC 0.871 (95% CI, 0.804 to 0.923) in the training cohort, and 0.843 (95% CI, 0.718 to 0.927) in the validation cohort. The DCA confirmed the clinical utility of the radiomics model.

Conclusion

The delta-radiomics nomogram incorporating the radiomics signature and clinical factors in this study could be used for individualized pathologic response evaluation after chemotherapy preoperatively and help tailor appropriate chemotherapy and further treatment plans.
A novel reconstruction technique of a tracheal defect in the emergent setting using a thymus flap in a patient with tracheoinnominate artery fistula
Authors: Draeger Tyler B. , Andaz Shahriyour K. , Gibson Vanessa R.
Published: January 2020

Background

There is a very high mortality associated with a tracheoinnominate artery fistula; however, when patients survive, they often require reconstruction of the eroded tracheal defect after the bleeding has been controlled.

Case presentation

This is the case of an 83-year-old male with a tracheoinnominate artery fistula who was stabilized in the operating room and underwent repair of his trachea. A novel technique of using the thymus gland as a pedicled flap to repair a large tracheal defect was executed after achieving hemostasis. The patient’s defect was repaired successfully following control of the fistula.

Conclusions

We have shown that the thymus gland can be used successfully as a pedicled flap for repair of a tracheal defect in the setting of a tracheoinnominate artery fistula.
Association between delivery methods for enteral nutrition and physical status among older adults
Authors: Hayashi Tetsuro , Matsushima Masato , Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Bito Seiji
Published: January 2020

Background

The physical status of patients who received enteral nutrition is still unclear. We aimed to compare the physical functional status among older adult patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and those with nasogastric feeding.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study in an acute care hospital from August 1, 2009 to March 31, 2015. We included older adult patients (age ≥ 65 years) who were administered PEG or nasogastric feeding during hospitalization and received enteral nutrition for ≥14 days. We excluded patients who were completely bedridden at the administration of enteral nutrition. The primary outcome was death or becoming bedridden at discharge. The incidence of being bedridden among the patients who survived and received enteral nutrition at discharge was also compared according to the enteral nutrition method used.

Results

Among the 181 patients who were administered enteral nutrition during hospitalization, 40 patients (22%) died and 66 patients (36%) were bedridden at discharge. The proportions of patients who fully resumed oral intake were 30% in the nasogastric group and 2.3% in the PEG group. The adjusted odds ratios comparing PEG feeding to nasogastric feeding were 0.38 (95% CI, 0.16–0.93) for death or being bedridden and 0.09 (95% CI, 0.02–0.40) for being bedridden among the patients who were receiving enteral nutrition at discharge.

Conclusions

Among older adult patients who were administered enteral nutrition, more than half of these patients died or became bedridden. PEG feeding could be associated with a lower risk of becoming bedridden or death in comparison with nasogastric feeding, although PEG feeding may be offered to the most mobile/ambulatory patients within clinical decision-making. Clinicians should carefully consider the administration and choice of enteral nutrition methods, when considering the prognosis of the patients.
Achieving postprandial glucose control with lixisenatide improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin: a post-hoc analysis of pooled data
Authors: Davidson Jaime A. , Stager William , Paranjape Sachin , Berria Rachele , Leiter Lawrence A.
Published: January 2020

Background

To examine the impact on glycemic control of achieving postprandial glucose (PPG) target with lixisenatide, a once-daily glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist approved in the US, in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes (T2D) on basal insulin, an agent that primarily targets fasting plasma glucose.

Methods

A post hoc pooled analysis was conducted using clinical trial data extracted from the intent-to-treat subpopulation of patients with T2D who participated in the 24-week, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-arm parallel-group, multicenter GetGoal-L (NCT00715624), GetGoal-Duo 1 (NCT00975286) and GetGoal-L Asia trials (NCT00866658).

Results

Data from 587 lixisenatide-treated patients and 484 placebo-treated patients were included. Patients on lixisenatide were more likely to achieve a PPG target of < 10 mmol/L (< 180 mg/dL) than placebo-treated patients (P < 0.001), regardless of baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. More importantly, those who reached the PPG target experienced a significantly greater reduction in mean HbA1c, were more likely to achieve HbA1c target of < 53 mmol/mol (< 7.0%), and experienced weight loss. Those outcomes were achieved with no significant differences in the risk of symptomatic hypoglycemia compared with placebo.

Conclusion

Compared with placebo, addition of lixisenatide to basal insulin improved HbA1c and reduced PPG, without increasing hypoglycemia risk. These findings highlight the importance of PPG control in the management of T2D, and provide evidence that adding an agent to basal insulin therapy that also impacts PPG has therapeutic value for patients who are not meeting glycemic targets.

Trial registration

NCT00715624. Registered 15 July 2008, NCT00975286. Registered 11 September 2009, NCT00866658. Registered 20 March 2009.
What does women’s empowerment have to do with malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from demographic and health surveys from 30 countries
Authors: Yaya Sanni , Odusina Emmanuel Kolawole , Uthman Olalekan A. , Bishwajit Ghose
Published: January 2020

Background

The reduction of childhood malnutrition has been identified as a priority for health and development in sub Saharan African countries. The association between women’s empowerment and children’s nutritional status is of policy interest due to its effect on human development, labour supply, productivity, economic growth and development. This study aimed to determine the association between women’s empowerment and childhood nutritional status in sub Saharan African countries.

Methods

The study utilized secondary datasets of women in their child bearing age (15–49 years) from the latest Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in 2011–2017 across 30 sub Saharan Africa countries. The outcome variable of the study was childhood nutritional status while the exposure variable was women’s empowerment indicators such as decision making and attitude towards violence. Analyses were performed at bivariate level with the use of chi square to determine association between outcome and exposure variables and at multivariate level with the use of regression models to examine the effect of women’s empowerment on childhood nutritional status.

Results

Women’s socio-demographic and other selected characteristics were statistically significantly associated with childhood nutritional status (stunted and underweight) at p < 0.001. These characteristics were also statistically significantly associated with empowerment status of women (Decision-making, Violence attitudes and Experience of violence) at p < 0.001 except for child age and sex. The association between childhood nutritional statuses and women’s empowerment (all three empowerment measures) was significant after controlling for other covariates that could also influence childhood nutrition statuses at p < 001. Two of the empowerment measures (attitudes towards violence and experience of violence) showed positive association with childhood nutritional statuses while the third (decision-making) showed negative association.

Conclusion

There is an independent relationship between childhood nutrition status and women’s empowerment in sub Saharan African countries. Women’s empowerment was found to be related to childhood nutritional status. Policies and programmes aiming at reducing childhood malnutrition should include interventions designed to empower women in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Gender difference in health issues and cognitive functions among an Egyptian normal elderly population
Authors: Alsayyad Enas , Helmy Azza Abbas , Kishk Nirmeen A. , Farghaly Marwa , Ragab Amany H. , El-Jaafary Shaimaa Ibrahim
Published: January 2020

Background

Aging is associated with changes in cognitive functions. However, many other factors may affect cognitive functions and this interaction needs further assessment.

Objectives

To detect gender differences in sleep quality, nutritional status, and health-related quality of life and their impact on performance in verbal fluency tasks among apparently healthy elderly.

Subjects and methods

The study was conducted on 102 normal aged subjects, 51 males and 51 females. Subjects were divided according to age into group ≥ 60 years and group < 60 years as a control. They were subjected to clinical assessment, Medical outcome study Short-Form 36-item Health Survey, Pittsburgh sleep quality index, mini nutritional assessment and Category Verbal fluency for animals and girls’ names.

Results

Among the older group, females had significantly poorer physical and mental health, sleep quality and nutritional status than males (p value 0.001, 0.003, 0.012, and 0.014, respectively). Older females had significantly lower performance in verbal fluency (girls’ names) compared to younger females (p value 0.013), but no significant gender difference was found among the older group. Verbal fluency tasks are correlated to the level of education in both males and females (r 0.392 and 0.42, p value 0.029 and 0.019, respectively), However, in older males, it is also correlated to sleep latency (r 0.41 and p value 0.021).

Conclusion

Older females had poorer sleep quality, lower health-related quality of life and lower nutritional status. No gender difference was found in verbal fluency tasks. Although no single variable could independently affect verbal fluency, education remains the main player in the difference in performance.
Recanalisation of an axillary vein occlusion jailed by a migrated cephalic arch stent-graft using the TruePath chronic total occlusion drilling device
Authors: Patel Ankur , Chan Shaun Xavier Ju Min , Zhuang Kun Da
Published: January 2020

Background

Stent placement in the cephalic arch is being used with increasing frequency. Late complications of bare metal and stent grafts in dialysis access, in particular stent migration, are often under-reported and can lead to compromise of future dialysis circuits.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old man developed acute arm swelling 2 days after creation of a left arm brachio-basilic arteriovenous graft. The axillary vein was found to be jailed by a previously deployed cephalic arch stent graft which had migrated into the subclavian vein. There was failure to cross through the fabric of the stent graft using conventional chronic total occlusion wires and techniques. A TruePath device was used successfully to cross through the fabric of migrated cephalic arch stent graft and recanalise the short subclavian-axillary vein occlusion.

Conclusion

The adapted use of a drilling chronic total occlusion device to drill through the fabric of migrated stent graft was performed successfully to allow complete recanalisation of the occluded axillary vein.
Indigenous communities and their food systems: a contribution to the current debate
Authors: Lugo-Morin Diosey Ramon
Published: January 2020

The present study contributes to the debate on the need to develop unconventional strategies for mitigating food insecurity in the world. Ancient peoples’ knowledge and experience may help to deepen the debate and establish a line of work based on the case study herein presented. The study proposes the promotion of indigenous food systems through the institutional resilience approach. There is a need to attack a global problem that affects the entire planet, including countries that have agricultural systems sensitive to the problem of climate change. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the population suffering from hunger has been growing in the last 3 years, which is similar to the famine levels recorded in the previous decade. This would contribute to the development of new strategies of action that allow not only the strengthening of today’s localized agrifood systems but also the revaluation of food systems forgotten or guarded by the indigenous populations that remain present.
The role of 18FDG PET/CT imaging of aortic atherosclerosis: prospective study and technique optimization
Authors: Elfattah Hassan Gadalla Amr A. , Elsayed Nahla Dessoki
Published: January 2020

Background

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the inner wall of large and medium-sized arteries. The progress of atherosclerosis based on a lot of factors, including systemic involvement of disease, the precise vascular arterial affection, and the degree of flow obstruction. We aim in this study to estimate the FDG uptake of the aortic wall in the early and delayed imaging and to correlate this with the morphologic changes detected by CT.

Results

This is a prospective study that was performed through 1 year. The study included 50 patients [30 males (60%) and 20 females (40%)] with male to female mean ratio 1.5:1 and their mean age 58.3 ± 15.7 years. Each patient underwent dual time-point 18F-FDG PET CT imaging at ~ 60 min (Early images) and 180 min (delayed images) after the administration of 18F-FDG. For each patient, the global 18F-FDG uptake in the aorta was determined by manually drawing regions of interest (ROIs) around the outer part of the arterial wall on every slice of the attenuation-corrected transverse PET CT images. Per-patient, per-time-point, per-vessel, and per-ROI radiotracer decay-corrected and body weight-corrected SUVs were calculated, resulting in a single mean value of maximum SUV for the aorta. The aortic wall FDG uptake was measured in both early and delayed images and expressed in terms of SUVmax. Then Retention index percentage of the aorta was measured. The retention index percentage was calculated by subtracting the SUVmax in early images from the SUVmax in delayed images and dividing by SUVmax in early images.

Conclusion

Aortic wall FDG uptake can be used as an additional parameter as well as a biomarker on evaluation of the arterial atherosclerotic activity. Delayed post 3 h FDG imaging is more accurate than the routine early post 1 h imaging in evaluating the atherosclerotic activity.
Transgenerational effects of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda: A post-traumatic stress disorder symptom domain analysis
Authors: Rudahindwa Susan , Mutesa Leon , Rutembesa Eugene , Mutabaruka Jean , Qu Annie , Wildman Derek E. , Jansen Stefan , Uddin Monica
Published: January 2020

Background: A number of studies have investigated transgenerational effects of parental post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its repercussions for offspring. Few studies however, have looked at this issue in the African context.

Methods: The present study addresses this gap by utilizing a Pearson correlation matrix to investigate symptom severity within the three Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) PTSD symptom domains in mothers exposed to the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (n=25) and offspring (n=25), and an ethnically matched set of controls (n=50) who were outside of Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. All mothers were pregnant with the offspring included in the study during the time of the genocide.

Results: Total PTS score was significantly (p<0.01) correlated with each of the three symptom domains at various strengths in both cases and controls. No significant differences in association of total PTS score and PTSD symptom domains were observed between exposed mothers and offspring, suggesting that each symptom domain contributed equivalently to both exposed mothers and offspring distress. In contrast, the re-experiencing symptom domain showed a significant difference in correlation to overall PTS score in non-exposed mothers compared to their offspring (p<0.05), with mothers showing a significantly higher correlation. Furthermore, the correlation between avoidance/numbing symptoms to overall PTS was significantly different (p≤0.01) across exposed and non-exposed mothers. As a secondary analysis, we explored the relationship between DNA methylation in the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) locus, an important stress modulating gene, and PTSD symptom domains, finding an association between DNA methylation and re-experiencing among genocide-exposed mothers that exceeded any other observed associations by approximately two-fold. 

Conclusions: This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a symptom-based analysis of transgenerational transmission of PTSD in sub-Saharan Africa. These findings can be leveraged to inform further mechanistic and treatment research for PTSD.
The effects of microchipping C57BL/6N mice on standard phenotyping tests
Authors: Bains R.S. , Cater H.L. , Stewart M. , Scudamore C.L. , Wells S.E.
Published: January 2020

The C57BL/6N inbred lines of mice are widely used in genetic research. They are particularly favoured in large scale studies such as the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), where C57BL/6N mice are genetically altered to generate a collection of null alleles (currently more than 8500 null alleles have been generated). In this project, mice carrying null alleles are subjected to a pipeline of broad-based phenotyping tests to produce wide ranging phenotyping data on each model. We have previously described the development of a Home Cage Analysis system that automatically tracks the activity of group housed mice from a microchip inserted in the groin. This platform allows assessment of multiple biologically relevant phenotypes over long periods of time without experimenter interference, and therefore is particularly suited for high through-put studies. To investigate the impact of microchips on other tests carried out in the IMPC pipeline, we inserted microchips in 12 male and 12 female C57BL/6Ntac mice at seven weeks of age. Starting at nine weeks of age these mice underwent standard phenotyping tests, concurrently with 20 unchipped C57BL/6Ntac mice (10 females, 10 males). Tissues from a subset of the microchipped mice (six males and six females), chosen at random, were also sent for histopathological examination at the end of the phenotyping pipeline.
On singular systems of nonlinear equations involving 3n-Caputo derivatives
Authors: Taïeb Amele
Published: January 2020

We study singular fractional systems of nonlinear differential equations involving 3n-Caputo derivatives. We investigate existence and uniqueness results using the contraction mapping principle. We also discuss the existence of at least one solution by means of Schauder fixed point theorem. Moreover, we define and discuss the Ulam–Hyers stability and the generalized Ulam–Hyers stability of solutions for such systems. To illustrate the main results, we present some examples.
Comparison between finite element analysis and rheological models for chip formation
Authors: Liivapuu Olga , Olt Jüri , Tärgla Tanel
Published: January 2020

In the process of cutting, often the selection of cutting parameters is done considering empirical methods. This approach is more expensive and does not usually lead to the best solutions. Numerical methods for simulating the chip formation have been under development over the last thirty years. The aim of the present research is to compare models based on rheological properties of metals with 2D Finite Element Models of chip formation process.
Branch and Price for Chance-Constrained Bin Packing
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Denton Brian T. , Xie Xiaolan
Published: January 2020

This article describes two versions of the chance-constrained stochastic bin-packing (CCSBP) problem that consider item-to-bin allocation decisions in the context of chance constraints on the total item size within the bins. The first version is a stochastic CCSBP (SP-CCSBP) problem, which assumes that the distributions of item sizes are known. We present a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer program (SMIP) for this problem and a Dantzig–Wolfe formulation suited to a branch-and-price (B&P) algorithm. We further enhance the formulation using coefficient strengthening and reformulations based on probabilistic packs and covers. The second version is a distributionally robust CCSBP (DR-CCSBP) problem, which assumes that the distributions of item sizes are ambiguous. Based on a closed-form expression for the DR chance constraints, we approximate the DR-CCSBP problem as a mixed-integer program that has significantly fewer integer variables than the SMIP of the SP-CCSBP problem, and our proposed B&P algorithm can directly solve its Dantzig–Wolfe formulation. We also show that the approach for the DR-CCSBP problem, in addition to providing robust solutions, can obtain near-optimal solutions to the SP-CCSBP problem. We implement a series of numerical experiments based on real data in the context of surgery scheduling, and the results demonstrate that our proposed B&P algorithm is computationally more efficient than a standard branch-and-cut algorithm, and it significantly improves upon the performance of a well-known bin-packing heuristic.
Same-Day Delivery with Drone Resupply
Authors: Dayarian Iman , Savelsbergh Martin , Clarke John-Paul
Published: January 2020

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly referred to as drones, have recently seen an increased level of interest as their potential use in same-day home delivery has been promoted and advocated by large retailers and courier delivery companies. We introduce a novel way to exploit drones in same-day home delivery settings: drone resupply. We consider a home delivery system in which delivery trucks are regularly resupplied by drones. Resupply can take place whenever a delivery truck is stationary and a drone can land on the truck’s roof. We introduce the vehicle routing problem with drone resupply to capture and investigate this setting. We develop different algorithms and compare their performance. Finally, we quantify the potential benefits of drone resupply and generate valuable insights for advancing this concept.
World Health Organization launches new app to improve care for ageing population
Authors: Harris Gemma
Published: January 2020

With the number of people aged over 60 years rising rapidly, technological developments which can reduce the need for healthcare interventions among older people are a welcome sight. In this article, Gemma Harris discusses the new NHS-approved apps designed to facilitate self-care among the ageing population.
Management of incontinence-associated dermatitis patients using a skin protectant in acute care: a case series
Authors: Acton Claire , Ivins Nicola , Bainbridge Paul , Browning Paul
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) is a common type of irritant contact dermatitis. It is categorised by persistent erythema and can be associated with denudation and/or colonisation and infection. IAD is challenging to treat and affects 3.4–50% of patients. This case series evaluates a novel, elastomeric, advanced skin protectant (3M Cavilon Advanced Skin Protectant) in a UK acute health-care setting, for the management of IAD in patients suffering from moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) in the sacral/genital area.

Method:

The patient's skin was assessed by clinicians using the GLOBIAD classification tool at the point of recruitment and to monitor progress throughout the study period. The product was applied as a single layer in accordance with the instructions for use. Patients, when able, were asked to assess their own pain level using the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale. Photographs were taken as part of the ongoing assessment.

Results:

The skin protectant was used on average every 2.28 days. Of the 18 IAD patients recruited, 79% (n=11) were classified as IAD-free, based on the GLOBIAD categorisation tool, by the end of the evaluation period. Skin deterioration during the evaluation period was seen in one patient (6%), and of the patients able to complete pain assessments, 55% (n=6) reported a reduction in pain.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that the elastomeric skin protectant, applied every three days, plays a role in the improvement of IAD. The skin protectant adheres to wet and weeping partial-thickness wounds and may aid IAD management. Reducing application to every third day supports a change in practice which may offer benefits to patients and caregivers.
Preparing the surgical area for non-shaved ear surgery: a clinical assessment
Authors: Lee Dong-Hee , Kim Doyeon
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To review the clinical experience for non-shaved middle ear/mastoid surgery and evaluate the proper method of preparing the postauricular surgical field.

Methods:

This retrospective study reviewed medical records of cases where the non-shaved surgical procedure was carried out for middle ear/mastoid diseases. In all cases, middle ear and mastoid surgery was performed by one otologic surgeon without hair shaving to treat chronic perforation of tympanic membrane, as well as chronic suppurative otitis media, with or without mastoiditis during two years. The prevalence of surgical site infection (SSI) and bacterial culture of the surgical field was assessed just before the skin incision.

Results:

In this review of 106 cases, the SSI rate was 1.6% for the non-shaved ear surgery. Bacterial colonisation was found on the prepared surgical field in 8.5% of cases and these bacteria was different from true pathogens. SSI of the skin incision occurred in two cases, although no bacterial colonisation of the non-shaved surgical field was found. The surgical exposure of postauricular area was enough to do tympanoplasty or tympanomastoidectomy, even though in cases where a hairline was close to postauricular sulcus.

Conclusion:

This study showed that when preparing the non-shaved ear surgery, the surgeons should not have to worry about skin contamination by hair. We suggest that the non-shaved ear surgery would appear to be preferable for the postauricular approach.
LGBTIQ Roma and queer intersectionalities: the lived experiences of LGBTIQ Roma
Authors: Fremlova Lucie
Published: January 2020

Roma of minority sexual and gender identities experience oppression and inequality as Roma and LGBTIQ. Moving past a frame of reference in Romani Studies that has often foregrounded ethnicity, this article utilises the lived experiences of LGBTIQ Roma in order to explore understandings of Romani identities as fluid but nonetheless informed by interlocking axes of inequality. Data were generated through participant observation, focus groups and interviews with LGBTIQ Roma, and were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that individuals who self-identify as Roma also make multiple identifications on other grounds, including sex/gender, sexuality, gender identity or class. In this article, I argue that reading intersectionality in conjunction with queer assemblages – ‘queer intersectionalities’ – benefits queer (non-normative) intersectional understandings of Romani identities as not anchored in the notion of fixed ‘groupness’ or essentialist difference while allowing us to identify and interrogate the inequitable workings of asymmetrical hegemonic power relations constitutive of binary social norm(ativitie)s.
Regularized tomographic PIV for incompressible flows based on conservation of mass
Authors: Liu Ning , Ma Lin
Published: January 2020

Three-dimensional and three-component (3D3C) velocity measurements have long been desired to resolve the 3D spatial structures of turbulent flows. Recent advancements have demonstrated tomographic particle image velocimetry (tomo-PIV) as a powerful technique to enable such measurements. The existing tomo-PIV technique obtains 3D3C velocity field by cross-correlating two frames of 3D tomographic reconstructions of the seeding particles. A most important issue in 3D3C velocity measurement involves uncertainty, as the derivatives of the measurements are usually of ultimate interest and uncertainties are amplified when calculating derivatives. To reduce the uncertainties of 3D3C velocity measurements, this work developed a regularized tomo-PIV method. The new method was demonstrated to enhance accuracy significantly by incorporating the conservation of mass into the tomo-PIV process. The new method was demonstrated and validated both experimentally and numerically. The results illustrated that the new method was able to enhance the accuracy of 3D3C velocity measurements by 40%–50% in terms of velocity magnitude and by 0.6°–1.1° in terms of velocity orientation, compared to the existing tomo-PIV technique. These improvements brought about by the new method are expected to expand the application of tomo-PIV techniques when accuracy and quantitative 3D flow properties are required.
Phase-sensitive amplification of a QPSK signal using a dispersion engineered silicon-graphene oxide hybrid waveguide
Authors: Chen Zhihua , Liu Hongjun , Wang Zhaolu , Huang Nan
Published: January 2020

We numerically investigate phase-sensitive amplification of a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) signal in a 35 µm dispersion engineered silicon-graphene oxide hybrid waveguide. The four-wave mixing efficiency is effectively enhanced by exploiting the ultrahigh Kerr nonlinearity and low loss of graphene oxide in the ultrawide wavelength range. A new structure of dispersion flat silicon-graphene oxide hybrid waveguide is proposed and used to achieve the phase regeneration of a QPSK signal using a dual-conjugated-pump degenerate scheme. The phase-dependent gain and phase-to-phase transfer functions are calculated to analyze the properties of a phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA). The constellation diagrams of the QPSK signal and the error vector magnitude are used to assess the regeneration capacity. The simulation results show that the proposed PSA with a good phase noise squeezing capability has potential applications in all-optical signal processing.
Luminance calculation method accounting for mesopic vision and fog penetration ability
Authors: Qin Li , Shi Xuhua , Leon Arturo S.
Published: January 2020

A new luminance calculation method that accounts for mesopic vision and fog penetration ability is presented. This method aims to select a suitable light source for street lighting and is obtained using the mesopic luminance calculation and transmittance calculation methods at each individual wavelength. Additionally, the new method was evaluated using six LED light sources between 3500 and 6000 K. Overall, the calculation results indicate that suitable LEDs’ CCT decreases with an increase of luminance for low transmittance rates. However, for high transmittance rates, high CCT LED lamps are the most suitable for street lighting. The recommended CCT of LED light sources for street lighting under different visibility and luminance conditions is presented.
Optical coherence tomography for evaluating capillary waves in blood and plasma
Authors: Liu Hsiao-Chuan , Kijanka Piotr , Urban Matthew W.
Published: January 2020

Capillary waves are associated with fluid mechanical properties. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has previously been used to determine the viscoelasticity of soft tissues or cornea. Here we report that OCT was able to evaluate phase velocities of capillary waves in fluids. The capillary waves of water, porcine whole blood and plasma on the interfacial surface, air-fluid in this case, are discussed in theory, and phase velocities of capillary waves were estimated by both our OCT experiments and theoretical calculations. Our experiments revealed highly comparable results with theoretical calculations. We concluded that OCT would be a promising tool to evaluate phase velocities of capillary waves in fluids. The methods described in this study could be applied to determine surface tensions and viscosities of fluids for differentiating hematological diseases in the future potential biological applications.
Analysis and experimental demonstration of spatial mode selection in a coherently combined fiber laser
Authors: Tilseth Erik , Kunkel W. Minster , Leger James R.
Published: January 2020

Self-phasing due to spatial mode selection in a two-element passively coupled fiber laser is studied. We find that the addition of a second supermode in a coupled resonator results in a 90% increase in the average output power and nearly π/2 radians of passive phase adjustment versus applied phase errors between the gain elements. These results require a phase of zero (modulo 2π) between the beams in the external cavity. These findings are supported by an eigenmode analysis of the resonator and show that beam recycling is a useful resonator design feature but must be appropriately implemented to obtain beneficial results.
A multimode, broadband and all-inkjet-printed absorber using characteristic mode analysis
Authors: Zha Dace , Dong Jianxiong , Cao Zhaowang , Zhang Yulu , He Fan , Li Rui , He Yun , Miao Ling , Bie Shaowei , Jiang Jianjun
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we demonstrate a multimode and broadband absorber that is fabricated directly on PET substrate using a commercial direct-to-garment (DTG) inkjet printer. A design procedure of this kind of absorber is presented. Based on the theory of characteristic mode, the underlying modal behaviors of the absorber structure are firstly analyzed to guide the design of multimode absorber. Two modes on the absorber structure are designed to resonate around 1.83 GHz and 4.28 GHz to cover the working frequency range. Simulation and measurement results show that the multimode absorber with a total thickness of 0.0883λL at the lowest operating frequency can achieve broadband microwave absorption with efficiency over 90% in the frequency band of 1.0 ∼ 4.5 GHz (127.3% in fractional bandwidth) through deliberate design. Both the simulated and experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method and indicate that the method can be applied to other microwave and millimeter-wave regions.
Quantitative evaluation of optical properties for defective 2D metamaterials based on diffraction imaging
Authors: Liu Zhen , Shimizu Makoto , Yugami Hiroo
Published: January 2020

Metamaterials are intriguing candidates for energy conversion systems, and contribute to the control of thermal radiation spectra. Large-scale devices are required to provide high energy flux transfer. However, the surface microstructure of large-scale metamaterials suffers from fabrication defects, inducing optical property degradation. We develop a novel approach to quantitatively evaluate the optical properties of defective 2D metamaterials based on diffraction imaging. The surrogate surface structure is reconstructed from diffraction pattern, and analyzed geometrical features to evaluate the optical properties. This approach shows potential for in-line and real-time continuous diagnosis during industrial fabrication, and high-throughput for large-scale 2D metamaterial.
Multi-Gbit/s phosphor-based white-light and blue-filter-free visible light communication and lighting system with practical transmission distance
Authors: Wei Liang-Yu , Chow Chi-Wai , Liu Yang , Yeh Chien-Hung
Published: January 2020

High speed visible light communication (VLC) is a technology with great potential for future mobile and wireless communication. Here, we report and demonstrate a 2.705 Gbit/s white-light VLC and illumination system supporting indoor transmission distance of 1.5 m, corresponding a illumination of 545 lux. We also study the performance tolerance offset ranges in both x- and y-directions.