bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a mathematical model of the dynamics of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia
Authors: Aligaz Achamyelesh Amare , Munganga Justin Manango W.
Published: January 2018

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a disease of cattle and water buffalo caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (Mmm). It attacks the lungs and the membranes that line the thoracic cavity. The disease is transmitted by inhaling droplets disseminated through coughing by infected cattle. In this paper a deterministic mathematical model for the transmission of Contagious Bovine plueropnemonia is presented. The model is a five compartmental model consisting of susceptible, Exposed, Infectious, Persistently infected and Recovered compartments. We derived a formula for the basic reproduction number R0. For R0 ≤ 1, the disease free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, thus CBPP dies out; whereas for R0 > 1, the unique endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable and hence the disease persists. Elasticity indices for R0 with respect to different parameters are calculated; indicating parameters that are important for control strategies to bring R0 below 1, the effective contact rate β has the largest elasticity index. As the disease control options are associated to these parameters, for some values of these parameters, R0 < 1, thus the disease can be controlled.
Stability Improvement of a Turbocharger Centrifugal Compressor by a Nonaxisymmetric Vaned Diffuser
Authors: Zheng Xinqian , Sun Zhenzhong , Kawakubo Tomoki , Tamaki Hideaki
Published: January 2018

The nonuniformity of the flow field induced by a nonaxisymmetric volute significantly degrades the stability of a turbocharger centrifugal compressor. In this paper, a nonaxisymmetric vaned diffuser is investigated as a nonaxisymmetric flow control method using both three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experiment. The numerical study first focuses on the relationship between the flow field and the static pressure distortion, and the steady CFD results indicate that the positive static pressure gradient in the rotating direction facilitates flow separation in the vaned diffuser and induces a nonuniform flow field. A nonaxisymmetric flow control method with variable stagger and solidity of the vaned diffuser is developed to suppress the flow separation, and the guideline of the method suggests narrowing flow passages where the flow separates or closing diffuser vanes upstream of flow separations. Steady CFD also presents the flow field of the investigated turbocharger centrifugal compressor with volute, and flow separation is found in the flow passages near the volute tongue. Under the guidance of the nonaxisymmetric flow control method, several nonaxisymmetric vaned diffusers are designed to make the flow field uniform, which are believed to be beneficial for compressor stability. Finally, an experiment is carried out to validate the positive effects of the nonaxisymmetric vaned diffuser for stability improvement. The test data show that Non-AxisVD (with a nonaxisymmetric vaned diffuser) extends the stable flow range (SFR) of the compressor by 26% compared with the AxisVD (with an axisymmetric vaned diffuser), at the cost of acceptable decreases in the maximum total pressure ratio and peak efficiency.
Simulations of Slot Film-Cooling With Freestream Acceleration and Turbulence
Authors: Kanani Yousef , Acharya Sumanta , Ames Forrest
Published: January 2018

Slot film cooling in an accelerating boundary layer with high freestream turbulence is studied numerically using large eddy simulations (LES). Calculations are done for a symmetrical leading edge geometry with the slot fed by a plenum populated with pin fins. The synthetic eddy method is used to generate different levels of turbulence and length scales at the inflow cross-plane. Calculations are done for a Reynolds number of 250,000 and freestream turbulence levels of 0.7%, 3.5%, 7.8%, and 13.7% to predict both film cooling effectiveness and heat transfer coefficient over the test surface. These conditions correspond to the experimental measurements of (Busche, M. L., Kingery, J. E., and Ames, F. E., 2014, “Slot Film Cooling in an Accelerating Boundary Layer With High Free-Stream Turbulence,” ASME Paper No. GT2014-25360.) Numerical results show good agreement with measurements and show the observed decay of thermal effectiveness and increase of Stanton number with turbulence intensity. Velocity and turbulence exiting the slot are nonuniform laterally due to the presence of pin fins in the plenum feeding the slot which creates a nonuniform surface temperature distribution. No transition to fully turbulent boundary layer is observed throughout the numerical domain. However, freestream turbulence increases wall shear stress downstream driving the velocity profiles toward the turbulent profile and counteracts the laminarizing effects of the favorable pressure gradient. The effective Prandtl number decreases with freestream turbulence. The temperature profiles deviate from the self-similar profile measured under low freestream turbulence condition, reflecting the role of the increased diffusivity in the boundary layer at higher freestream turbulence.
Design and Analysis of a Novel Split Sliding Variable Nozzle for Turbocharger Turbine
Authors: Hu Liangjun , Sun Harold , Yi James , Curtis Eric , Zhang Jizhong
Published: January 2018

Variable geometry turbine (VGT) has been widely applied in internal combustion engines to improve engine transient response and torque at light load. One of the most popular VGTs is the variable nozzle turbine (VNT) in which the nozzle vanes can be rotated along the pivoting axis and thus the flow passage through the nozzle can be adjusted to match with different engine operating conditions. One disadvantage of the VNT is the turbine efficiency degradation due to the leakage flow in the nozzle endwall clearance, especially at small nozzle open condition. With the purpose to reduce the nozzle leakage flow and to improve turbine stage efficiency, a novel split sliding variable nozzle turbine (SSVNT) has been proposed. In the SSVNT design, the nozzle is divided into two parts: one part is fixed and the other part can move along the partition surface. When sliding the moving vane to large radius position, the nozzle flow passage opens up and the turbine has high flow capacity. When sliding the moving vane to small radius position, the nozzle flow passage closes down and the turbine has low flow capacity. As the fixed vane does not need endwall clearance, the leakage flow through the nozzle can be reduced. Based on calibrated numerical simulation, there is up to 12% turbine stage efficiency improvement with the SSVNT design at small nozzle open condition while maintaining the same performance at large nozzle open condition. The mechanism of efficiency improvement in the SSVNT design has been discussed.
Clinical and ultrasound findings in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease
Authors: Vele Paulina , Simon Siao-Pin , Damian Laura , Felea Ioana , Muntean Laura , Filipescu Ileana , Rednic Simona
Published: January 2018

Aim: To evaluate the presence and distribution of calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) deposits in joints commonly affected by CPP deposition (CPPD) disease (acromio-clavicular, gleno-humeral, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and symphysis pubis joints) using ultrasound (US).Material and methods: Thirty consecutive patients fulfilling McCarty diagnostic criteria for CPPD were consecutively enrolled in the study. The data registered using the US included the affected joints, the calcification site, and the pattern of calcification (thin hyperechoic bands, parallel to the surface of the hyaline cartilage, hyperechoic spots, and hyperechoic nodular or oval deposits). The presence of CPP crystals in knees was confirmed by polarized light microscopy examination of the synovial fluid and radiographs of the knees were performed in all patients.Results: In 30 patients, 390 joints were scanned, (13 joints in every patient). The mean±standard deviation number of joints with US CPPD evidence per patient was 2.93±1.8 (range 1-9). The knee was the most common joint involved both clinically and using US examination. The second US pattern (with hyperechoic spots) was the most frequent. Fibrocartilage calcifications were more common than hyaline calcification. Using radiography as reference method, the sensitivity and specificity of US for diagnosis CPPD in knees was 79.31%, 95CI(66.65%-88.83%), and 14.29%, 95CI(1.78%-42.81%), respectively.Conclusions: The knee is the most frequent joint affected by CPPD. The second ultrasound pattern is the most common. CPPD affects the fibrocartilage to a greater extent than the hyaline cartilage.
Correlation between protein YKL-40 and ultrasonographic findings in active knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Karalilova Rositsa , Kazakova Maria , Batalov Anastas , Sarafian Victoria
Published: January 2018

The aim of our study was to analyze the level of the glycoprotein YKL-40 in patients with active knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to search possible correlations with local inflammation and ultrasound (US) findings.Material and methods: A prospective study with fifty consecutive patients with active knee OA (diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria for OA with radiographic confirmation) was performed. Concentrations of YKL-40 in serum and synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. US examinations – Gray scale (GS) US and Power Doppler (PD) US – of the knee was performed according to international guidelines. The suprapatellar, medial and lateral parapatellar recesses were scanned in each knee to evaluate synovial hypertrophy and vascularization.Results: Forty women (mean age 61.50±11.33 years old) and 10 men (aged 68.50±6.60 years old) were enrolled. We found that the synovial level of the glycoprotein (237.80±104.08 ng/ml) was significantly higher compared to the serum concentration (112.83±60.61 ng/ml, p<0.001). The serum concentration in OA patients was higher comparing with age-matched healthy controls (84.19±11.39 ng/ml) (p<0.05). A statistically significant association between YKL- 40 in synovial fluid and serum levels was shown. We determined a moderately positive linear relationship between the synovial level of the glycoprotein and the serum concentration. No association between the levels of inflammatory markers – erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein – and YKL-40 concentrations was detected. Our study revealed a strong relationship between YKL-40 in synovial fluid and GS US and feeble with PD US. YKL-40 correlated with inflammatory activity in knee joints and neovascularization detected by US.Conclusions: YKL-40 is involved in the pathogenesis of OA synovitis. Evaluation of YKL-40 levels in parallel with US might provide more sensitive and reliable information for the diagnosis and understanding of OA.
Intravenous delivery of oncolytic reovirus to brain tumor patients immunologically primes for subsequent checkpoint blockade
Authors: Samson Adel , Scott Karen J. , Taggart David , West Emma J. , Wilson Erica , Nuovo Gerard J. , Thomson Simon , Corns Robert , Mathew Ryan K. , Fuller Martin J. , Kottke Timothy J. , Thompson Jill M. , Ilett Elizabeth J. , Cockle Julia V. , van Hille Philip , Sivakumar Gnanamurthy , Polson Euan S. , Turnbull Samantha J. , Appleton Elizabeth S. , Migneco Gemma , Rose Ailsa S. , Coffey Matthew C. , Beirne Deborah A. , Collinson Fiona J. , Ralph Christy , Alan Anthoney D. , Twelves Christopher J. , Furness Andrew J. , Quezada Sergio A. , Wurdak Heiko , Errington-Mais Fiona , Pandha Hardev , Harrington Kevin J. , Selby Peter J. , Vile Richard G. , Griffin Stephen D. , Stead Lucy F. , Short Susan C. , Melcher Alan A.
Published: January 2018

Intravenous infusion of oncolytic reovirus in patients leads to infection of brain tumors, infiltration by cytotoxic T cells, and up-regulation of PD-L1.
Repeat doses of antibody to serum amyloid P component clear amyloid deposits in patients with systemic amyloidosis
Authors: Richards Duncan B. , Cookson Louise M. , Barton Sharon V. , Liefaard Lia , Lane Thirusha , Hutt David F. , Ritter James M. , Fontana Marianna , Moon James C. , Gillmore Julian D. , Wechalekar Ashutosh , Hawkins Philip N. , Pepys Mark B.
Published: January 2018

Repeat cycles of miridesap, to deplete circulating serum amyloid P component (SAP), followed by the anti-SAP antibody, dezamizumab, cleared visceral amyloid deposits in patients with systemic amyloidosis.
Targeting extracellular matrix stiffness to attenuate disease: From molecular mechanisms to clinical trials
Authors: Lampi Marsha C. , Reinhart-King Cynthia A.
Published: January 2018

Targeting extracellular matrix stiffness holds clinical potential to attenuate pathological progression in the emerging field of mechanomedicine.
Neoadjuvant oncolytic virotherapy before surgery sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer to immune checkpoint therapy
Authors: Bourgeois-Daigneault Marie-Claude , Roy Dominic Guy , Aitken Amelia Sadie , El Sayes Nader , Martin Nikolas Tim , Varette Oliver , Falls Theresa , St-Germain Lauren Elizabeth , Pelin Adrian , Lichty Brian Dennis , Stojdl David Francis , Ungerechts Guy , Diallo Jean-Simon , Bell John Cameron
Published: January 2018

Maraba virus treatment before surgery for triple-negative breast cancer promotes antitumor immunity.
Whole-Genome Sequence of the Novel Temperate
Enterobacter
Bacteriophage Tyrion, Isolated from the Gut of the Formosan Subterranean Termite
Authors: Tikhe Chinmay Vijay , Gissendanner Chris R. , Husseneder Claudia
Published: January 2018

We sequenced the genome of the novel
Enterobacter
bacteriophage Tyrion isolated from termite gut. The bacteriophage is temperate in nature and belongs to the
Podoviridae
family. Many predicted bacteriophage genes showed similarity to prophage regions of the genomes of
Enterobacteriaceae
bacteria. This is the second bacteriophage isolated from termite gut.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Vanadium-Leaching Bacterium
Pseudomonas chlororaphis
Strain L19
Authors: Peng Qingjing , Yi Langbo , Zhou Lulu , Peng Qingzhong
Published: January 2018

Pseudomonas chlororaphis
strain L19, isolated from stone coal soil, has the ability to perform bioleaching to release vanadium ions from mineral ore. Here, we report the draft genome sequence and annotation of the vanadium-leaching bacterium
Pseudomonas chlororaphis
L19. These data provide information for understanding the genomic properties and mineral bioleaching mechanisms of strain L19.
Metagenomics Study of Contaminated Sediments from the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj, Delhi, India
Authors: Sahu Nishi , Deori Maushumi , Ghosh Ilora
Published: January 2018

The Yamuna River is the backbone of domestic, irrigation, and industrial activities in Delhi, India, yet the complex dynamics of its microbes and their contribution to biogeochemical cycles in a polluted environment remain elusive. This is an introductory report describing the microbial community in the Yamuna River, using high-throughput metagenomics.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Marinobacter
sp. Strain ANT_B65, Isolated from Antarctic Marine Sponge
Authors: de França Paula , Camilo Esther , Fantinatti-Garboginni Fabiana
Published: January 2018

Marinobacter
sp. strain ANT_B65 was isolated from sponge collected in King George Island, Antarctica. The draft genome of 4,173,840 bp encodes 3,743 protein-coding open reading frames. The genome will provide insights into the strain’s potential use in the production of natural products.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Lineage II Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus from Sierra Leone
Authors: Dundon William G. , Adombi Caroline M. , Kanu Saidu , Loitsch Angelika , Cattoli Giovanni , Diallo Adama
Published: January 2018

The complete genome sequence of a peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) from goat samples collected in Sierra Leone in 2011 is reported here. The genome shows a higher nucleotide sequence identity (98.9%) with a lineage II PPRV from Senegal than to PPRVs from neighboring Liberia and Ivory Coast.
Acanthamoebakeratitis in 194 patients: risk factors for bad outcomes and severe inflammatory complications
Authors: Carnt Nicole , Robaei Dana , Minassian Darwin C , Dart John K G
Published: January 2018

Background/aims

To determine demographic and clinical features of patients withAcanthamoebakeratitis (AK) that are independent risk factors both for bad outcomes and for severe inflammatory complications (SIC).

Methods

A retrospective audit of medical records of AK cases at Moorfields Eye Hospital from July 2000 to April 2012, including 12 earlier surgical cases. Cases with a bad outcome were defined as those having one or more of the following: corneal perforation, keratoplasty, other surgery (except biopsy), duration of antiamoebic therapy (AAT) ≥10.5 months (the 75th percentile of the whole cohort) and final visual acuity ≤20/80. SICs were defined as having scleritis and/or a stromal ring infiltrate. Multivariable analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for both bad outcomes and SICs.

Results

Records of 194 eyes (194 patients) were included, having bad outcomes in 93 (48%). Bad outcomes were associated with the presence of SIC, aged >34 years, corticosteroids used before giving AAT and symptom duration >37 days before AAT. The development of SIC was independently associated with aged >34 years, corticosteroids used before giving AAT and herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis treatment before AAT.

Conclusions

The prompt diagnosis of AK, avoidance of a misdiagnosis of HSV keratitis and corticosteroid use before the exclusion of AK as a potential cause of keratitis are essential to the provision of a good outcome for patients and for the avoidance of SIC. Older age is an unmodifiable risk factor that may reflect differences in the immune response to AK in this patient subset.
The problem with using patient complaints for improvement
Authors: de Vos Marit S , Hamming Jaap F , Marang-van de Mheen Perla J
Published: January 2018

‘The Problem with…’ series covers controversial topics related to efforts to improve healthcare quality, including widely recommended, but deceptively difficult strategies for improvement and pervasive problems that seem to resist solution.
Multicentre prospective evaluation of real-time optical diagnosis of T1 colorectal cancer in large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps using narrow band imaging (the OPTICAL study)
Authors: Backes Yara , Schwartz Matthijs P , ter Borg Frank , Wolfhagen Frank H J , Groen John N , de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel Wouter H , van Bergeijk Jeroen , Geesing Joost M J , Spanier Bernhard W M , Didden Paul , Vleggaar Frank P , Lacle Miangela M , Elias Sjoerd G , Moons Leon M G
Published: January 2018

Objective

This study evaluated the preresection accuracy of optical diagnosis of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) in large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs).

Design

In this multicentre prospective study, endoscopists predicted the histology during colonoscopy in consecutive patients with LNPCPs using a standardised procedure for optical assessment. The presence of morphological features assessed with white light, and vascular and surface pattern with narrow-band imaging (NBI) were recorded, together with the optical diagnosis, the confidence level of prediction and the recommended treatment. A risk score chart was developed and validated using a multivariable mixed effects binary logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection (LASSO) model.

Results

Among 343 LNPCPs, 47 cancers were found (36 T1 CRCs and 11 ≥T2 CRCs), of which 11 T1 CRCs were superficial invasive T1 CRCs (23.4% of all malignant polyps). Sensitivity and specificity for optical diagnosis of T1 CRC were 78.7% (95% CI 64.3 to 89.3) and 94.2% (95% CI 90.9 to 96.6), and 63.3% (95% CI 43.9 to 80.1) and 99.0% (95% CI 97.1 to 100.0) for optical diagnosis of endoscopically unresectable lesions (ie, ≥T1 CRC with deep invasion), respectively. A LASSO-derived model using white light and NBI features discriminated T1 CRCs from non-invasive polyps with a cross-validation area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.90). This model was validated in a temporal validation set of 100 LNPCPs (AUC of 0.81; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.96).

Conclusion

Our study provides insights in the preresection accuracy of optical diagnosis of T1 CRC. Sensitivity is still limited, so further studies will show how the risk score chart could be improved and finally used for clinical decision making with regard to the type of endoresection to be used and whether to proceed to surgery instead of endoscopy.

Trial registration number

NTR5561.
AutomatedPlasmodiumdetection by the Sysmex XN hematology analyzer
Authors: Dumas Cécile , Bienvenu Anne-Lise , Girard Sandrine , Picot Stéphane , Debize Gisèle , Durand Brigitte
Published: January 2018

Background

Malaria is a potentially severe disease affecting nearly 200 million people per year. Early detection of the parasite even in unsuspected patients remains the challenging aim for effective patient care. Automated complete blood counts that are usually performed for any febrile patient might represent a tool to ascertain malaria infection.

Aims

To evaluate the ability of the new generation of the Sysmex hematology analyzer (XN-series) to detect malaria.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 100 blood samples performed with the recent Sysmex XN analyzer that were positive forPlasmodiumand explored its ability to detect the parasite. 100 samples from patients uninfected by malaria were used as control group.

Results

Specific abnormalities such as additional events in the mature neutrophil/eosinophil area of the white blood cells differential (WDF) scattergram were noted for 1.1% ofPlasmodium falciparumsamples and 56.2% of otherPlasmodiumspecies samples. Mature parasite stages (schizonts or gametocytes) were observed on blood smears among those samples. WDF scattergrams were able to detect 80.0% (12/15) ofPlasmodiummature stages. Furthermore, the differential in white blood counts between WDF and white cell nucleated (WNR) channels was a predictive signal ofPlasmodiummature stages in 73.3% (11/15) of samples and may be explained by a differential destruction of particles with the analyzer reagent.

Conclusion

Associated to thrombocytopaenia, a Sysmex XNPlasmodiumpattern may represent a useful warning forPlasmodiumdetection in unsuspected patients, particularly when mature parasite stages are present.
Dynamic Analysis of a Physical SBT Memristor-Based Chaotic Circuit
Authors: Guo Mei , Xue Youbao , Gao Zhenhao , Zhang Yuman , Dou Gang , Li Yuxia
Published: January 2018

In this paper, a physical SBT memristor-based chaotic circuit is presented. The circuit dynamic behavior of dependence on the initial state of the SBT memristor and a key circuit parameter are investigated by theoretical analyses and numerical simulations. The results indicate that different initial states of the SBT memristor and the key circuit parameter can significantly impact the dynamic behavior of the chaotic circuit, such as stable sink, periodic cycle, chaos, and even some complex transient dynamics. It can guide future research on the realization of chaotic circuit based on physical SBT memristor.
Dynamic Analysis and Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller for a Chaotic Fractional Incommensurate Order Financial System
Authors: Hajipour Ahmad , Tavakoli Hamidreza
Published: January 2018

In this study, the dynamic behavior and chaos control of a chaotic fractional incommensurate-order financial system are investigated. Using well-known tools of nonlinear theory, i.e. Lyapunov exponents, phase diagrams and bifurcation diagrams, we observe some interesting phenomena, e.g. antimonotonicity, crisis phenomena and route to chaos through a period doubling sequence. Adopting largest Lyapunov exponent criteria, we find that the system yields chaos at the lowest order of [Formula: see text]. Next, in order to globally stabilize the chaotic fractional incommensurate order financial system with uncertain dynamics, an adaptive fractional sliding mode controller is designed. Numerical simulations are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.
Investigation of Bifurcations in the Process Equation
Authors: Nazarimehr Fahimeh , Jafari Sajad , Golpayegani Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemi , Kauffman Louis H.
Published: January 2018

This paper mathematically investigates the process equation. The process equation is a one-dimensional map [Formula: see text]. It can show multistable attractors and various dynamics such as period doubling, unifurcation, chaos, bios, unstable windows and bio-periodic windows with respect to the changing of its control parameter, [Formula: see text]. Different dynamics and the reasons for their occurrence are investigated in this note.
A Novel Digital Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Orbit Variation of Phase Diagram
Authors: Shen Qian , Liu Wenbo
Published: January 2018

Chaotic systems have been widely used in digital image encryption algorithms because of their characteristics of deterministic randomness, extreme sensitivity to initial values, etc. Although these chaos-based algorithms are good at performance in general, most of them are ineffective when confronting attacks such as the chosen plain image attack. So, this paper proposes a new digital image encryption algorithm based on orbit variation of phase diagram (AOVPD), which modifies the iterative sequence of chaotic system with the pixel values of plain image. Theoretical analysis proves that the proposed AOVPD has the ability to resist chosen plain image attack within two rounds of operation, while the existing algorithms could be cracked in the same situation. To be specific, AOVPD is effective when confronting various attacks including chosen plain image attack. Also, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has an outstanding safety performance.
Dynamic Game Behavior of Retailers Considering the Quality of Substitute Products Based on Delay Decision
Authors: Bao Binshuo , Ma Junhai
Published: January 2018

Motivated by the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road project, i.e. the Belt and Road (B&R), more goods will flow around the world. With this trading platform, people can buy products at relatively cheap prices, and it is easier for people to buy various goods. The quality and quantity of products thus attract more and more attention in the supply chains. This paper discusses the quantity decision by considering the product quality in parallel supply chains where two manufacturers produce substitute products and then sell them to their downstream retailers separately. In terms of the changing quantity, as well as the different quality, this paper establishes a dynamic game model to explore the dynamic behavior when the optimal profits of two retailers have been calculated. The dynamic behaviors of the system, such as stable region, bifurcation and chaos, strange attractors and the largest Lyapunov exponents (LLE) are analyzed. The effect of the quantity adjustment parameter on the stability of the supply chain system is investigated through numerical simulations. Furthermore, a dynamic game model is established based on the quality delay decision, to investigate the influence of the quality delay parameter on the dynamic game model and the profits. Finally, the optimal decisions are obtained and analyzed.
Which role does multiphoton interference play in small phase estimation in quantum Fourier transform interferometers?
Authors: Zimmermann Olaf , Tamma Vincenzo
Published: January 2018

Recently, quantum Fourier transform interferometers have been demonstrated to allow a quantum metrological enhancement in phase sensitivity for a small number [Formula: see text] of identical input single photons [J. P. Olson, K. R. Motes, P. M. Birchall, N. M. Studer, M. LaBorde, T. Moulder, P. P. Rohde and J. P. Dowling, Phys. Rev. A 96 (2017) 013810; K. R. Motes, J. P. Olson, E. J. Rabeaux, J. P. Dowling, S. J. Olson and P. P. Rohde, Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 (2015) 170802; O. Zimmermann, Bachelor Thesis (Ulm University, 2015) arXiv: 1710.03805.]. However, multiphoton distinguishability at the detectors can play an important role from an experimental point of view [V. Tamma and S. Laibacher, Phys. Rev. Lett. 114 (2015) 243601.]. This raises a fundamental question: How is the phase sensitivity affected when the photons are completely distinguishable at the detectors and therefore do not interfere? In other words, which role does multiphoton interference play in these schemes? Here, we show that for small phase values, the phase sensitivity achievable in the proposed schemes with indistinguishable photons is enhanced only by a constant factor with respect to the case of completely distinguishable photons at the detectors. Interestingly, this enhancement arises from the interference of only a polynomial number (in [Formula: see text]) of the total [Formula: see text] multiphoton path amplitudes in the [Formula: see text]-port interferometer. These results are independent of the number [Formula: see text] of single photons and of the phase weight factors employed at each interferometer channel.
Competition of direct and indirect sources of thermal entanglement in a spin-star network
Authors: Militello Benedetto , Napoli Anna
Published: January 2018

A spin-star system consisting of three peripheral two-state systems and a central one is considered, with the peripheral spins assumed to interact with each other, as well as with the central one. It is shown that such two couplings, each one being a thermal entanglement source, can significantly compete in the formation of quantum correlations in the thermal state to the point that they can destroy any thermal entanglement of the peripheral spins.
On Vietoris–Rips complexes of ellipses
Authors: Adamaszek Michał , Adams Henry , Reddy Samadwara
Published: January 2018

For [Formula: see text] a metric space and [Formula: see text] a scale parameter, the Vietoris–Rips simplicial complex [Formula: see text] (resp. [Formula: see text]) has [Formula: see text] as its vertex set, and a finite subset [Formula: see text] as a simplex whenever the diameter of [Formula: see text] is less than [Formula: see text] (resp. at most [Formula: see text]). Though Vietoris–Rips complexes have been studied at small choices of scale by Hausmann and Latschev [13,16], they are not well-understood at larger scale parameters. In this paper we investigate the homotopy types of Vietoris–Rips complexes of ellipses [Formula: see text] of small eccentricity, meaning [Formula: see text]. Indeed, we show that there are constants [Formula: see text] such that for all [Formula: see text], we have [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], though only one of the two-spheres in [Formula: see text] is persistent. Furthermore, we show that for any scale parameter [Formula: see text], there are arbitrarily dense subsets of the ellipse such that the Vietoris–Rips complex of the subset is not homotopy equivalent to the Vietoris–Rips complex of the entire ellipse. As our main tool we link these homotopy types to the structure of infinite cyclic graphs.
Controllable site occupation of Eu in intricate superstructure of perovskite Sr3Al2O6: Eu, Dy, Li to produce red luminescence
Authors: Zhu Mei , Tian Yunfei , Chen Jie , Fei Mi , He Liangrui , Chen Lei , Peng Fang , Zhang Qingli , Chan Ting-Shan
Published: January 2018

An oxide red phosphor, with outstanding superiority in manufacturing cost, is particular desired for white light-emitting diodes (LEDs). In this work, a strategy to controllable site occupation of Eu in Sr3Al2O6 to give red light emission was employed with a three-step route: the combustion of sol–gel to prepare superfine precursor, the solid-sate reaction of precursor to incorporate Eu into small voids, and a second reduction in 25%H[Formula: see text]75%N2 atmosphere. Accordingly, a new red phosphor of Sr3Al2O6:Eu,Dy,Li was developed. The results shows the red luminescence of Sr3Al2O6:Eu could be improved by doping Dy[Formula: see text] and be further improved by co-doping Li[Formula: see text]. The red luminescence involves the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] transition of Eu[Formula: see text] and the auto-ionization of electron from Eu[Formula: see text] to conduction band. Dy[Formula: see text] acts as a trap center of the thermally released electrons then with electrons returned to the 4[Formula: see text] ground state of Eu[Formula: see text], red light was emitted. The co-substitution of Sr[Formula: see text]–Sr[Formula: see text] by Dy[Formula: see text]–Li[Formula: see text] is helpful to balance defects and improve crystallization.
Study on the damage of coal and rock with diamond saw blade cutting based on LS-DYNA
Authors: Zeng Qingliang , Wang Zhiwen , Wan Lirong , Zhang Xin , Lu Zhenguo
Published: January 2018

To solve the problem of coal-rock damage during cutting coal and rock by diamond saw blade — the LS-DYNA diamond saw blade — coal and rock finite element model is established. According to the fracture mechanism of brittle materials, by studying a single diamond saw blade with different cutting speeds and revolution speeds along with double diamond saw blades with different spacing, cutting speeds and cutting speeds of coal-rock damage, axial force and force change, the numerical simulation resultant demonstrated the axial force, cutting force and rock damage decrease significantly with an increase in rotational speed. The force and damage increase with an increase in the cutting speed and a decrease in the distance of the diamond saw blade. The axial force linearly increases with rotational speed and cutting speed. The cutting force exponentially decreases with increasing rotational speed, and it increases with increasing feeding speed. The forces decrease linearly with the increasing distance of the diamond saw blades. The damage degree of rock increases as the distance and rotational speed increase, and it decreases as the cutting speed increases.
Opening up the Design Space of Neurofeedback Brain--Computer Interfaces for Children
Authors: Antle Alissa N. , Chesick Leslie , Mclaren Elgin-Skye
Published: January 2018

Brain--computer interface applications
(BCIs) utilizing
neurofeedback
(NF) can make invisible brain states visible in real time. Learning to recognize, modify, and regulate brain states is critical to all children's development and can improve learning, and emotional and mental health outcomes. How can we design usable and effective NF BCIs that help children learn and practice brain state self-regulation? Our contribution is a list of challenges for this emerging design space and a conceptual framework that addresses those challenges. The framework is composed of five interrelated strong concepts that we adapted from other design spaces. We derived the concepts reflectively, theoretically, and empirically through a design research process in which we created and evaluated a NF BCI, called
Mind-Full
, designed to help children living in Nepal who had suffered from complex trauma learn to self-regulate anxiety and attention. We add rigor to our derivation methodology by horizontally and vertically grounding our concepts, that is, relating them to similar concepts in the literature and instantiations in other artifacts. We illustrate the generative power of the concepts and the inter-relationships between them through the description of two new NF BCIs we created using the framework for urban and indigenous children with anxiety and attentional challenges. We then show the versatility of our framework by describing how it inspired and informed the conceptual design of three NF BCIs for different types of self-regulation: selective attention and working memory, pain management, and depression. Last, we discuss the contestability, defensibility, and substantiveness of our conceptual framework in order to ensure rigor in our research design process. Our contribution is a rigorously derived design framework that opens up this new and emerging design space of NF BCI's for children for other researchers and designers.
SCORE Allocations for Bi-objective Ranking and Selection
Authors: Feldman Guy , Hunter Susan R.
Published: January 2018

The bi-objective ranking and selection (R8S) problem is a special case of the multi-objective simulation optimization problem in which two conflicting objectives are known only through dependent Monte Carlo estimators, the decision space or number of systems is finite, and each system can be sampled to some extent. The solution to the bi-objective R8S problem is a set of systems with non-dominated objective vectors, called the set of Pareto systems. We exploit the special structure of the bi-objective problem to characterize the asymptotically optimal simulation budget allocation, which accounts for dependence between the objectives and balances the probabilities associated with two types of misclassification error. Like much of the R8S literature, our focus is on the case in which the simulation observations are bivariate normal. Assuming normality, we then use a certain asymptotic limit to derive an easily-implementable Sampling Criteria for Optimization using Rate Estimators (SCORE) sampling framework that approximates the optimal allocation and accounts for correlation between the objectives. Perhaps surprisingly, the limiting SCORE allocation exclusively controls for misclassification-by-inclusion events, in which non-Pareto systems are falsely estimated as Pareto. We also provide an iterative algorithm for implementation. Our numerical experience with the resulting SCORE framework indicates that it is fast and accurate for problems having up to ten thousand systems.
Moneywork
Authors: Perry Mark , Ferreira Jennifer
Published: January 2018

The emergence of various forms of digital money and innovative digital financial services allows stores of value to be created, held, moved, measured, and exchanged in novel ways. Yet the success of these new forms of transactional media is largely dependent on the ways that they are understood as useful and credible as viable forms of exchange, and on how they support the ways that their users interact around them. This article therefore examines interactional work around the use of money in making financial transactions: we call this
moneywork
. We report on an empirical study of the patterns of behavior of users of a mixed media (digital and analog) currency that supports mobile device payments—the Bristol Pound—exploring the impacts of its users’ understanding of the systems that underlie these transactions, the technical constraints on their potential for action, their practices of use, and the social interactions that these activities lie within. We draw design implications to support these payment practices.
Diet, Microbiota, and Metabolic Health: Trade-Off Between Saccharolytic and Proteolytic Fermentation
Authors: Korpela Katri
Published: January 2018

The intestinal microbiota have emerged as a central regulator of host metabolism and immune function, mediating the effects of diet on host health. However, the large diversity and individuality of the gut microbiota have made it difficult to draw conclusions about microbiota responses to dietary interventions. In the light of recent research, certain general patterns are emerging, revealing how the ecology of the gut microbiota profoundly depends on the quality and quantity of dietary carbohydrates and proteins. In this review, I provide an overview of the dependence of microbial ecology in the human colon on diet and how the effects of diet on host health depend partially on the microbiota. Understanding how the individual-specific microbiota respond to short- and long-term dietary changes and how they influence host energy homeostasis will enable targeted interventions to achieve specific outcomes, such as weight loss in obesity or weight gain in malnutrition.
How Do Marine Pelagic Species Respond to Climate Change? Theories and Observations
Authors: Beaugrand Grégory , Kirby Richard R.
Published: January 2018

In this review, we show how climate affects species, communities, and ecosystems, and why many responses from the species to the biome level originate from the interaction between the species’ ecological niche and changes in the environmental regime in both space and time. We describe a theory that allows us to understand and predict how marine species react to climate-induced changes in ecological conditions, how communities form and are reconfigured, and so how biodiversity is arranged and may respond to climate change. Our study shows that the responses of species to climate change are therefore intelligible—that is, they have a strong deterministic component and can be predicted.
Existence of Nontrivial Solutions for Generalized Quasilinear Schrödinger Equations with Critical Growth
Authors: Li Quanqing , Teng Kaimin , Wu Xian
Published: January 2018

We study the following generalized quasilinear Schrödinger equations with critical growth -divg2u∇u+gug′u∇u|2+Vxu=λfx,u+guGu|2⁎-2Gu,x∈RN, where λ>0, N≥3, g(s):R→R+ is a C1 even function, g(0)=1, and g′(s)≥0 for all s≥0, where G(u)≔∫0ug(t)dt. Under some suitable conditions, we prove that the equation has a nontrivial solution by variational method.
Agronomic Evaluation of Bunching Onion in the Colombian Cundiboyacense High Plateau
Authors: Galeano Mendoza Carlos H. , Baquero Cubillos Edison F. , Molina Varón José A. , Cerón Lasso María del Socorro
Published: January 2018

Bunching onion (Allium fistulosumL.) is a strategic crop for Colombia due to its economic relevance within fresh and processed food markets, and therefore, there is a demand for high yielding genotypes adapted to specific regions. For this reason, after carrying out a clonal selection process including 62 genotypes, ten of these, including a regional control, were evaluated for six different traits in Boyacá (Colombia) during 2012 and 2013. These traits were grouped into agronomic, yield, and processing categories. In general, these showed significant differences (p≤0.01) for genotypes, location, and genotypes × location interaction. Compared with the regional control and based on the multienvironmental analysis the genotypes Clone 30 and Clone 38 were the most promising new cultivars identified in this study. These two clones showed comparative advantages on earliness and yield, and they moreover showed some level of resistance to downy mildew and root rot, the most limiting diseases for Boyacá’s bunch onion farmers. Therefore, Clone 30 and Clone 38 were registered as new bunching onion cultivars for the Cundiboyacense High Plateau region under the names Corpoica Aquitania-1 and Corpoica Tota-1, respectively. Finally, further approaches and initiatives on bunching onion breeding are discussed.
Optimization of Inner Dumping Uncovered Height with Partially Covered End Wall in Adjacent Surface Coal Mining Districts
Authors: Ma Li , Chang Zhiguo , Li Kemin , Xiao Shuangshuang , Ding Xiaohua
Published: January 2018

In order to analyze the relationships of inner dumping with covered end wall in adjacent surface coal mining districts, a trough-shaped uncovered end wall model was put forward. A mathematical model concerning uncovered end wall height (UEWH) was established based on minimum cost method. The inner dump capacity was considered regarding its effect on UEWH. Besides, a comprehensive model was established for calculating optimal UEWH in inner dumping with partially covered end wall mode and a shifting distance optimization model based on cost compensation method for building a provisional haulage system to connect inner dump. As for case study in Huolinhe number 1 surface coal mine, research results show that optimal UEWH was 225 m between North Pit and South Pit whereas in number 3 mining district of North Open-Pit Mine it was 23.50 m when making its transition from cross mining to mining along strike. Nevertheless, due to limited inner dump capacity, inner dump height in South and North mining districts shall be appropriately increased and closed pits from earlier period shall be fully utilized to make room for inner dumping with partially uncovered end walls.
Performance of Multimodel Schemes for Seasonal Precipitation over Indian Region
Authors: Kumar Vinay , Ghosh Tirthankar
Published: January 2018

This study uses downscaled rainfall datasets from 16 coupled climate models at high resolution of 25 km from 1987 to 2001. The multimodel superensemble scheme is widely tested for rainfall forecast over mid-latitude, subtropical, and, especially, various regions of the monsoonal belt. A well-known statistical estimation theoretic approach, namely, Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE), is examined on 16 member models. The results are compared with superensemble methodology based on various skill scores. Results show that BLUE is providing promising forecasts. As far as comparative studies are concerned BLUE and superensemble schemes compete and show their importance from normal years to extreme rainfall years. BLUE methodology is capable of predicting draughts very well compared with other multimodel schemes. One basic advantage of BLUE is computationally less expensive than superensemble scheme. These statistical schemes like downscaling, BLUE, and superensemble can improve rainfall forecasts further, if a dense rain gauge data is provided.
Ap(ϕ) Weights, BMO(ϕ), and Calderón-Zygmund Operators of ϕ-Type
Authors: Wu Ruimin , Wang Songbai
Published: January 2018

We introduce new classes of weights and BMO functions associated with a nondecreasing function ϕ of upper type β with β>0 and obtain the weighted norm inequalities for Calderón-Zygmund operators of ϕ-type and their commutators.
A Stochastic Geometry Approach to Full‐Duplex MIMO Relay Network
Authors: Hindia Mhd Nour , Fadoul Moubachir Madani , Abdul Rahman Tharek , Amiri Iraj Sadegh
Published: January 2018

Cellular networks are extensively modeled by placing the base stations on a grid, with relays and destinations being placed deterministically. These networks are idealized for not considering the interferences when evaluating the coverage/outage and capacity. Realistic models that can overcome such limitation are desirable. Specifically, in a cellular downlink environment, the full‐duplex (FD) relaying and destination are prone to interferences from unintended sources and relays. However, this paper considered two‐hop cellular network in which the mobile nodes aid the sources by relaying the signal to the dead zone. Further, we model the locations of the sources, relays, and destination nodes as a point process on the plane and analyze the performance of two different hops in the downlink. Then, we obtain the success probability and the ergodic capacity of the two‐hop MIMO relay scheme, accounting for the interference from all other adjacent cells. We deploy stochastic geometry and point process theory to rigorously analyze the two‐hop scheme with/without interference cancellation. These attained expressions are amenable to numerical evaluation and are corroborated by simulation results.
Aumann Fuzzy Improper Integral and Its Application to Solve Fuzzy Integro-Differential Equations by Laplace Transform Method
Authors: Eljaoui Elhassan , Melliani Said , Chadli L. Saadia
Published: January 2018

We introduce the Aumann fuzzy improper integral to define the convolution product of a fuzzy mapping and a crisp function in this paper. The Laplace convolution formula is proved in this case and used to solve fuzzy integro-differential equations with kernel of convolution type. Then, we report and correct an error in the article by Salahshour et al. dealing with the same topic.