bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between malignancies and Marfan syndrome: a population-based, nested case–control study in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Chin-Wang , Wang Jen-Chun , Liao Wen-I , Chien Wu-Chien , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Tsao Chang-Huei , Wu Yung-Fu , Liao Min-Tser , Tsai Shih-Hung
Published: October 2017

Objective

Marfan syndrome (MFS) involves a deficiency of the structural extracellular matrix component fibrillin-1 and overactivation of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway. The TGF-β signalling pathway also actively participates in malignant transformation. Although anecdotal case reports have suggested associations between MFS/MFS-like conditions and several haematological and solid malignancies, such associations have not been thoroughly evaluated in large-scale studies. We sought to use a nationwide healthcare insurance claim database to evaluate whether patients with MFS are at increased risk of malignancy.

Patients and methods

We conducted a nested case–control analysis using a database extracted from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. All medical conditions for each case and control were categorised using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision classifications. ORs and 95% CIs for associations between MFS and malignancies were estimated using conditional logistic regression and adjusted for comorbidities.

Results

Our analyses included 1 153 137 cancer cases and 1 153 137 propensity score-matched controls. Relative to other subjects, patients with MFS had a significantly higher risk of having a malignancy (adjusted OR 3.991) and hypertension (adjusted OR 1.964) and were significantly more likely to be men. Malignancies originating from the head and neck and the urinary tract were significantly more frequent among patients with MFS than among subjects without MFS.

Conclusion

Patients with MFS are at increased risk of developing various malignancies. Healthcare professionals should be aware of this risk when treating such patients, and increased cancer surveillance may be necessary for these patients.
Renal and Cardiovascular Effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition in combination with loop Diuretics in diabetic patients with Chronic Heart Failure (RECEDE-CHF): protocol for a randomised controlled double-blind cross-over trial
Authors: Mordi Natalie A , Mordi Ify R , Singh Jagdeep S , Baig Fatima , Choy Anna-Maria , McCrimmon Rory J , Struthers Allan D , Lang Chim C
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and heart failure (HF) are a frequent combination, where treatment options remain limited. There has been increasing interest around the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and their use in patients with HF. Data on the effect of SGLT2 inhibitor use with diuretics are limited. We hypothesise that SGLT2 inhibition may augment the effects of loop diuretics and the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors may extend beyond those of their metabolic (glycaemic parameters and weight loss) and haemodynamic parameters. The effects of SGLT2 inhibitors as an osmotic diuretic and on natriuresis may underlie the cardiovascular and renal benefits demonstrated in the recent EMPA-REG study.

Methods and analysis

To assess the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors when used in combination with a loop diuretic, the RECEDE-CHF (Renal and Cardiovascular Effects of SGLT2 inhibition in combination with loop Diuretics in diabetic patients with Chronic Heart Failure) trial is a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial conducted in a secondary care setting within NHS Tayside, Scotland. 34 eligible participants, aged between 18 and 80 years, with stable T2D and CHF will be recruited. Renal physiological testing will be performed at two points (week 1 and week 6) on each arm to assess the effect of 25 mg empagliflozin, on the primary and secondary outcomes. Participants will be enrolled in the trial for a total period between 14 and 16 weeks. The primary outcome will assess the effect of empagliflozin versus placebo on urine output. The secondary outcomes are to assess the effect of empagliflozin on glomerular filtration rate, cystatin C, urinary sodium excretion, urinary protein/creatinine ratio and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio when compared with placebo.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained by the East of Scotland Research Ethics Service. Results of the trial will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Trial registration number

NCT03226457; Pre-results.
Effects of polyethylene glycol 2 L alone or with ascorbic acid compared with polyethylene glycol 4 L alone for bowel preparation before colonoscopy: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Tian Xu , Chen Wei-Qing , Huang Jie-Li , He Lan-Ying , Liu Bang-Lun , Liu Xi , Zhou Hang , Liu Bing-Rong
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Colonoscopy has been regarded as a standard method of detecting and removing gastrointestinal lesions early, while adequate bowel preparation is the prerequisite of determining the diagnostic accuracy and treatment safety of this process. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) based bowel preparation regimens remain the first recommendation, but the optimal option is still uncertain. The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is to determine the optimal PEG based bowel preparation regimen before colonoscopy.

Methods and analysis

We will assign two investigators to independently search all potential citations, screen records, abstract essential information and appraise the risk of bias accordingly. Then, random effects pairwise and network meta-analyses of RCTs comparing PEG 2 L alone or with ascorbic acid with PEG 4 L alone will be performed using RevMan 5.3 (Copenhagen, Denmark: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2013), Stata 14 (StataCorp, Texas, USA) and WinBUGS 1.4 (Imperial College School of Medicine, St Mary’s, London, UK) from January 2000 to April 2017. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve will also be calculated in order to rank the regimens.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval and patient written informed consent will not be required because all of the analyses in the present study will be performed based on data from published studies. We will submit our systematic review and network meta-analysis to a peer reviewed scientific journal for publication.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO: CRD42017068957.
High-loaded and transparent LaxCe1-xF3 — polystyrene nanocomposite scintillators for radiation detection
Authors: Sahi Sunil , Groza Michael , Zhang Wei , Do PhuongAnh , Kenarangui Rasool , Burger Arnold , Zhang Junying , Chen Wei
Published: October 2017

For radiation detection, sensitivity, response time, and energy resolution are important. Scintillating nanoparticles, in principle, can have enhanced light output in comparison with their bulk materials due to quantum size confinement and increased overlap of electron and hole wave function. However, the aggregation and the loss of transparency at high loading into polymers are the challenging issues for practical applications. Here, for the first time, we report a new method to fabricate the blue-emitting nanocomposites with up to 30 wt% nanoparticle loading. First, the polymerizable surfactant coated La0.6Ce0.4F3 nanoparticles are synthesized, and then, they are loaded up to 30 wt% in a polystyrene matrix. The nanocomposites show an intense luminescence and a good transparency, performing much better than the commercial EJ-200 plastic scintillator. The gamma spectra acquired with the nanocomposite show a photopeak for the Co-57 isotope. The gamma spectra of Cs-137 show a full energy peak at around 622 keV, due to the escape of La and Ce Kα X-rays. The observation of the photopeaks is attributed to the enhanced photoelectric effect as a result of increased effective atomic number (Zeff). All these indicate that the high loaded nanocomposites are promising for radiation detection and nuclear material surveillance for homeland security.
Reference charts for young stands — a quantitative methodology for assessing tree performance
Authors: Vickers Lance A. , Larsen David R. , Knapp Benjamin O. , Kabrick John M. , Dey Daniel C.
Published: October 2017

Reference charts have long been used in the medical field for quantitative clinical assessment of juvenile development by plotting distribution quantiles for a selected attribute (e.g., height) against age for specified peer populations. We propose that early stand dynamics is an area of study that could benefit from the descriptions and analyses offered by similar references for various tree measures. Reference charts provide a flexible quantitative framework that would complement traditional methods for assessing tree development. In young, mixed stands, competitive dynamics are, in part, a function of intraspecific, interspecific, and temporal variation in height development. A suite of reference charts can explicitly describe each of these, offering additional context and potentially greater insight into the complex development patterns of young trees. We illustrate this possibility and potential applications by constructing height–age reference charts for several tree species in young, mixed stands within the Missouri Ozarks.
An Integrated Two-Mode Tunable Channelized Low-Noise Active Filter
Authors: Alahyari Amin , Dousti Massoud , Tavakoli Mohammad Bagher
Published: October 2017

In this paper, a new structure for an integrated channelized active filter is proposed. This filter can be used as a channelized bandpass filter and again as a channelized band-stop filter. This is fulfilled by using one biasing voltage. In designing a three-channel bandpass filter, a recursive differential structure is used. Moreover, by subtracting bandpass filter output from an all-pass output, the proposed three-channel band-stop filter is achieved. A wideband amplifier plays the role of an all-pass filter. In addition, to decrease the noise of this filter, a noise-canceling circuit is adopted. By using this circuit, input impedance matching is obtained simultaneously. The center frequencies of the two-mode channelized filter are 2, 4 and 6[Formula: see text]GHz. In each of them, the center frequency is controlled via two biasing voltages. The maximum center frequency shift is 450[Formula: see text]MHz. For designing the proposed circuit, GaAs 0.15[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m technology is applied. The occupied area is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm2.
Reconfiguration of an FPGA-Based Time-Triggered FlexRay Network Controller Using EEDC
Authors: Serfa Juan Ronnie O. , Kim Hi Seok
Published: October 2017

Today, the demand of communication network, particularly in the automotive communication network, is experiencing a rapid evolution in terms of computing power and efficiency. The required standard should be faster and more reliable electronic vehicle systems. FlexRay is a time-triggered protocol that can cater these necessary specifications, especially for automotive applications such as advanced driver assistance systems. Also, any FPGA-based devices provide high performance to sustain the needs of higher functionality. This proposed controller uses a modified version of error detection code. Also, it is implemented in Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA and can provide better functionality against existing controllers. Experimental results show a better performance in terms of data rate and reduction of resource utilization. Moreover, this implementation can represent an advancement in the FPGA-based system for vehicular applications.
SAT Based Fitness Scoring for Digital Circuit Evolution
Authors: Ali Mumtaz , Hasan Osman
Published: October 2017

Evolutionary computation uses Darwinian principles to find solutions from a given search space and forms the basis for evolving digital circuits. One of the most computationally expensive steps in evolutionary computation is the comparison of the candidate circuit or chromosome with the target truth table. We propose to use a satisfiability solver, to improve upon the efficiency of this process, which is traditionally done using exhaustive simulation. The paper presents an implementation of the satisfiability solver, which is in turn used to develop a digital circuit evolution methodology based on the principles of cartesian genetic programming. The proposed methodology performs better, in terms of speed of design space exploration, for circuits whose behavior can be expressed compactly in terms of conjunctive normal form clauses. For illustration purposes, the proposed methodology has been used to evolve various commonly used digital circuits and a few benchmarks.
Partial and full inelasticity coefficients in 16Op-collisions at 3.25AGeV/c
Authors: Olimov Kosim , Gulamov K. G. , Olimov Khusniddin K. , Lutpullaev Sagdulla L. , Lugovoy Vladimir V. , Yuldashev Bekhzod S. , Olimov Alisher K.
Published: October 2017

The partial inelasticity coefficients of baryon fragments of oxygen nuclei and pions were investigated and the full inelasticity coefficient was determined for the first time in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text]. The fraction of kinetic energy of incident proton in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] spent on formation of all the baryon fragments and production of charged and neutral pions was found. The experimental results were compared with those obtained in other experiments at high energies. The experimental full inelasticity coefficient in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] was reproduced well by calculations within the framework of Glauber model of multiple scatterings in hadron–nucleus collisions.
FBGs Real-Time Impact Damage Monitoring System of GFRP Beam Based on CC-LSL Algorithm
Authors: Vorathin E. , Hafizi Z. M. , Ghani S. A. Che , Siregar J. P. , Lim K. S.
Published: October 2017

Glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite materials have an undisputed dominance over conventional metallic materials. However, susceptibility to barely visible or invisible internal damage due to impact has increased the demand for these composite materials in robust real-time structural health monitoring (SHM) system since they are capable of localizing the source of impact. Thus, in this paper, an in situ FBG sensor was embedded in a GFRP beam, providing an online real-time monitoring system and with the knowledge of cross-correlation linear source location (CC-LSL) algorithm, the impact location was capable of being determined in a split second. The consistency of cross-correlation function in providing repeatable results for all trials estimated a consistent time difference for all the impact points. The CC-LSL algorithm also revealed that the highest percentage of error was only 4.21% away from the actual hit. In the meantime, FBGs also showed good results as a dynamic strain measuring device in capturing frequency response at certain orientations compared to the AE sensor.
BIPED ROBOT DESIGN WITH VARIABLE ANKLE STIFFNESS
Authors: ZANG XIZHE , LIN ZHENKUN , SUN XINRAN , LIU YIXIANG
Published: October 2017

Human lower limbs have particular flexibility. Both the efficiency of bipedal walking and the ability to protect actuators with low energy loss are worthy references for the design of bipedal robots. This paper proposes a design for a biped robot with joints of variable stiffness. The robot has three degrees of freedom in the sagittal plane in each leg. The hips and knees are driven directly by the motor, while the ankles are passive joints with adjustable stiffness. After a comprehensive investigation, a variable stiffness mechanism was introduced based on lever principles, and driven by a motor that can realize real-time adjustment. Simulations verified the necessity of variable stiffness joints in the robot. The variable stiffness joint can absorb the ground impact on each joint, reduce the energy loss of the motor, and improve the efficiency of movement.
STABILITY PERFORMANCE OF INFLATABLE TUBE IMITATING CLANIS BILINEATA LARVA UNDER AXIAL PRESSURE
Authors: CHEN DONGHUI , LV JIANHUA , LIU WEI , CHANG ZHIYONG , YANG XIAO
Published: October 2017

The body wall structure of Clanis bilineata larva exhibits strong stability. This characteristic prompted the development of a new inflatable tube to improve the stability under axial pressure. The C. bilineata larva was chosen to observe the connection between its body wall and nearby muscle tissues, as well as the distribution of these tissues, by using the tissue section technique. Using this method, an inflatable tube with reinforcing ribs was designed. Simulation using the finite element method and experimentation were employed to compare and analyze the stability of the inflatable tube with and without reinforcing ribs under different axial pressure levels. Results indicate that the ultimate load of both inflatable tubes increases linearly with increasing pressure. The difference between the slopes of the two lines is small. Under different axial pressure levels, the ultimate load of the inflatable tube with reinforcing ribs is about 1.34[Formula: see text]N higher than that without reinforcing ribs; the ultimate compression power increased by 31% to 68% compared with that without ribs. The simulation results are slightly larger than the experimental results, but the ultimate load value in the simulation exhibits the same trend as that in the experiment. Finally, the limit load and ultimate compression power are used as evaluation criteria to quantitatively analyze the stability performance of an inflatable tube with reinforcing ribs under axial pressure.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF BALLOON EXPANDABLE STENT DEPLOYMENT INSIDE A PATIENT-SPECIFIC STENOTIC CORONARY ARTERY TO INVESTIGATE THE INSTANT MECHANICAL BEHAVIORS
Authors: XU CHUANGYE , LIU XIUJIAN , PAN LIANQIANG , WU GUANGHUI , SHU LIXIA , HE YUNA , MA LIPING , LIN CHANGYAN
Published: October 2017

The instant mechanical behaviors of stenotic coronary artery and deployed stents have significant impacts on percutaneous coronary intervention prognosis. However, they could not be obtained directly from the current examination techniques, which are commonly used in clinical practice. Thus, we intend to investigate the instantaneous mechanical behaviors of deployed stent and artery through virtually stenting technology based on a real clinical case in assessment of geometric and biomechanical characteristics. Method: Finite element analysis models, including rigid guide catheter, six-folded balloon with conical tip, crimped and bended stent, stenotic coronary artery with soft plaques, were simulated through virtual mechanical expansion and recoil procedure. The morphology changes of coronary lumen, strain and stress distribution of involved components at different stages and apposition of stent struts were analyzed. Results: Lumen in the stenotic region restored patency obviously at maximum expansion and had an elastic recoil about 13.5% later. The maximum principal stress distribution of artery walls and plaque was mainly concentrated in the stenotic segment with the peak value of 1.252[Formula: see text]MPa and 2.975[Formula: see text]MPa at max expansion, 0.713[Formula: see text]MPa and 1.25[Formula: see text]MPa after recoil, respectively. The higher von Mises stress and plastic equivalent strain of stent were present at the bended strut and inter-ring connectors with the peak value of 714.2[Formula: see text]MPa and 0.2385 at max expansion, 694[Formula: see text]MPa and 0.2276 after recoil. Slight malappositions were found in the proximal segment and struts distribution in the stenotic sites showed certain asymmetry. Conclusion: The instant mechanical behaviors of artery and stent could be evaluated through virtual stenting approach in assessment of geometric and biomechanical characteristics. This may contribute to choosing the best stenting schemes and predicting the clinical outcomes for a specific patient.
HEATING ANALYSIS OF SOFT TISSUE AT FINITE DEFORMATION DURING THERMAL ABLATION
Authors: LI XIN , ZHONG YONGMIN , GU CHENGFAN
Published: October 2017

Heating analysis of soft tissue at finite deformation is of importance during treatment planning process for thermal ablation. This paper presents a method by combining non-Fourier bio-heat transfer and nonlinear biomaterial model to simulate thermal and mechanical responses of soft tissues under combined thermal and mechanical loads. At the same time, anisotropic feature of biological tissue is also concerned by including the stored energy of collagen fiber bundles into the traditional neo-Hookean free energy function. Simulation results demonstrate that in spite of relatively small thermal-induced displacement, the resultant thermal strain and stress contribution is nonnegligible and can be used as theoretical basis to measure tissue pain during thermal ablation process.
A Brief History of the GKLS Equation
Authors: Chruściński Dariusz , Pascazio Saverio
Published: October 2017

We reconstruct the chain of events, intuitions and ideas that led to the formulation of the Gorini, Kossakowski, Lindblad and Sudarshan equation.
African Environmental Change from the Pleistocene to the Anthropocene
Authors: Hoag Colin , Svenning Jens-Christian
Published: October 2017

This review explores what past environmental change in Africa—and African people's response to it—can teach us about how to cope with life in the Anthropocene. Organized around four drivers of change—climate; agriculture and pastoralism; megafauna; and imperialism, colonialism, and capitalism (ICC)—our review zooms in on key regions and debates, including desertification; rangeland degradation; megafauna loss; and land grabbing. Multiscale climate change is a recurring theme in the continent's history, interacting with increasingly intense human activities from several million years onward, leading to oscillating, contingent environmental changes and societally adaptive responses. With high levels of poverty, fast population growth, and potentially dramatic impacts expected from future climate change, Africa is emblematic of the kinds of social and ecological precariousness many fear will characterize the future globally. African people's innovation and adaptation to contingency may place them among the avant-garde with respect to thinking about Anthropocene conditions, strategies, and possibilities.
Foreign Direct Investment and the Environment
Authors: Cole Matthew A. , Elliott Robert J.R. , Zhang Liyun
Published: October 2017

We review the literature that investigates the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the environment. After reviewing the theoretical literature, we discuss two broad strands of research. First, the impact of environmental regulations on the choice of plant location and second, the impact of FDI on the emissions of various pollutants and the related question of whether we can observe environmental spillovers from foreign to domestic firms. Finally, we review the more recent literature on environmental outsourcing as an alternative to FDI and conclude with suggestions for future research.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Vardy Mark , Oppenheimer Michael , Dubash Navroz K. , O'Reilly Jessica , Jamieson Dale
Published: October 2017

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conducts policy-relevant but not policy-prescriptive assessments of climate science. In this review, we engage with some of the key design features, achievements, and challenges that situate and characterize the IPCC as an intergovernmental organization that is tasked with producing global environmental assessments (GEAs). These include the process of working through consensus to assess and summarize climate science and the need to include knowledge from as many of the 195 IPCC nation-states as possible, despite the structural inequalities between developed and developing countries. To highlight salient features that are unique to the IPCC but that offer lessons for other organizations that conduct GEAs, we include case studies on the politics of climate denialism, the use of geoengineering in mitigation scenarios, and the links between adaptive capacity, adaptation, and global development. We conclude with a discussion of institutional reflexivity. We consider how the IPCC can model an ethical and participatory response to climate change by critically examining, and being transparent about, the relation between science and politics.
Legacies of Historical Human Activities in Arctic Woody Plant Dynamics
Authors: Normand Signe , Høye Toke T. , Forbes Bruce C. , Bowden Joseph J. , Davies Althea L. , Odgaard Bent V. , Riede Felix , Svenning Jens-Christian , Treier Urs A. , Willerslev Rane , Wischnewski Juliane
Published: October 2017

Recent changes in arctic vegetation might not be driven by climate change alone. Legacies of human activities have received little attention as a contributing factor. We examine the extent to which traditional human activities (hunting, herding, fire, wood extraction, and agriculture) have had lasting effects on arctic woody plant communities and therefore might continue to affect biome-wide responses to climate change. Evidence suggests that legacies are likely to be evident across meters to hundreds of kilometers and for decades, centuries, and millennia. The evidence, however, is currently sparse, and we highlight the potential to develop systematic assessments through a circumarctic collaboratory consisting of a network of interdisciplinary field sites, standardized protocols, participatory research, and new approaches. We suggest that human activities should be brought into consideration to increase our understanding of arctic vegetation dynamics in general and to assess woody plant responses to climate change in particular.
A New Vibration Absorber Design for Under-Chassis Device of a High-Speed Train
Authors: Sun Yu , Zhou Jinsong , Gong Dao , Sun Wenjing , Xia Zhanghui
Published: October 2017

To realize the separation of vertical and lateral stiffness of the under-chassis device, a new type of vibration absorber is designed by using the negative stiffness of the disc spring in parallel with the rubber component. To solve its transmission characteristics, harmonic transfer method was used. A rigid-flexible coupling multibody dynamic model of a high-speed train with an elastic car body is established, and the vertical and lateral optimal stiffness of the under-chassis device are calculated. The Sperling index and acceleration PSD of the vehicle with the new vibration absorber and the vehicle with traditional rubber absorber are compared and analyzed. The results show that, with the new vibration absorber, vehicle’s running stability and vibration of the car body are more effective than the vehicle with the traditional rubber absorber.
Chaos Quantum-Behaved Cat Swarm Optimization Algorithm and Its Application in the PV MPPT
Authors: Nie Xiaohua , Wang Wei , Nie Haoyao
Published: October 2017

Cat Swarm Optimization (CSO) algorithm was put forward in 2006. Despite a faster convergence speed compared with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, the application of CSO is greatly limited by the drawback of “premature convergence,” that is, the possibility of trapping in local optimum when dealing with nonlinear optimization problem with a large number of local extreme values. In order to surmount the shortcomings of CSO, Chaos Quantum-behaved Cat Swarm Optimization (CQCSO) algorithm is proposed in this paper. Firstly, Quantum-behaved Cat Swarm Optimization (QCSO) algorithm improves the accuracy of the CSO algorithm, because it is easy to fall into the local optimum in the later stage. Chaos Quantum-behaved Cat Swarm Optimization (CQCSO) algorithm is proposed by introducing tent map for jumping out of local optimum in this paper. Secondly, CQCSO has been applied in the simulation of five different test functions, showing higher accuracy and less time consumption than CSO and QCSO. Finally, photovoltaic MPPT model and experimental platform are established and global maximum power point tracking control strategy is achieved by CQCSO algorithm, the effectiveness and efficiency of which have been verified by both simulation and experiment.
Scale Adaptive Kernelized Correlation Filter Tracker with Feature Fusion
Authors: Zhou Tongxue , Zhu Ming , Zeng Dongdong , Yang Hang
Published: October 2017

Visual tracking is one of the most important components in numerous applications of computer vision. Although correlation filter based trackers gained popularity due to their efficiency, there is a need to improve the overall tracking capability. In this paper, a tracking algorithm based on the kernelized correlation filter (KCF) is proposed. First, fused features including HOG, color‐naming, and HSV are employed to boost the tracking performance. Second, to tackle the fixed template size, a scale adaptive scheme is proposed which strengthens the tracking precision. Third, an adaptive learning rate and an occlusion detection mechanism are presented to update the target appearance model in presence of occlusion problem. Extensive evaluation on the OTB‐2013 dataset demonstrates that the proposed tracker outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art trackers significantly. The results show that our tracker gets a 14.79% improvement in success rate and a 7.43% improvement in precision rate compared to the original KCF tracker, and our tracker is robust to illumination variations, scale variations, occlusion, and other complex scenes.
Algebraic Approach to Exact Solution of the (2 + 1)-Dimensional Dirac Oscillator in the Noncommutative Phase Space
Authors: Panahi H. , Savadi A.
Published: October 2017

We study the (2 + 1)-dimensional Dirac oscillator in the noncommutative phase space and the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave functions of the system are obtained through the sl(2) algebraization. It is shown that the results are in good agreement with those obtained previously via a different method.
Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Colistin Nonsusceptible Nosocomial Acinetobacter baumannii Strains from Russia for 2013-2014
Authors: Sheck Eugene A. , Edelstein Mikhail V. , Sukhorukova Marina V. , Ivanchik Natali V. , Skleenova Elena Yu. , Dekhnich Andrey V. , Azizov Ilya S. , Kozlov Roman S.
Published: October 2017

A high level of resistance to carbapenems in Acinetobacter baumannii strains severely limits therapeutic possibilities. Colistin is the last resort drug against such strains, although the cases of resistance to this drug have become more frequent. This article presents the epidemiological features and genetic diversity of colistin nonsusceptible A. baumannii strains collected as part of a national multicenter epidemiological study of the antibiotic resistance of pathogens of nosocomial infections (MARATHON), which was conducted in 2013-2014 in Russia. A total of 527 A. baumannii isolates were collected, 10 (1.9%) of which were nonsusceptible to colistin. The majority of nonsusceptible A. baumannii isolates to colistin showed resistance to carbapenems and had the genes of the acquired OXA-40-like carbapenemases (n=6). In one case, a combination of OXA-23-like + OXA-40-like (n=1) genes was identified. One strain had the multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotype, 6 isolates had extensively drug-resistant (XDR) phenotype, and 3 isolates had pandrug-resistant (PDR) phenotype. Among the colistin nonsusceptible A. baumannii isolates, 6 individual genotypes were identified, most of which belonged to successful international clones (CC92OXF/CC2PAS, n=4; CC944OXF/ST78PAS, n=4; CC109OXF/CC1PAS, n=1).
Endovascular Repair with a Stent Graft in a Patient with Aortoduodenal Fistula after Radiation Therapy
Authors: Morikawa Kazuhiko , Ashida Hirokazu , Nozawa Yosuke , Motohashi Kenji , Igarashi Takao , Ojiri Hiroya , Kanaoka Yuji , Ohki Takao
Published: October 2017

Primary aortoduodenal fistula (ADF) is a direct communication between the abdominal aorta and the gastrointestinal tract without any previous vascular intervention and represents a rare but critical cause of repeated and massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Primary ADF often occurs as a result of atherosclerotic aneurysm and infection, but ADF involving a normal-size aorta is rare; furthermore, ADF related to radiation therapy is extremely rare. We present the case of a 56-year-old man with a history of bowel obstruction due to radiation enteritis who was admitted with severe hematemesis and hemorrhagic shock. Gastroduodenal endoscopy and contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings were unremarkable. Aortoduodenal fistula was suspected based on the diffuse calcification of the abdominal aorta confined to the radiation field and the presence of an aortoduodenal communication on angiography. Endovascular repair with a stent graft seemed to be a safer option than open surgery and was suited to the rapid control of bleeding from ADF because of the patients’ unstable hemodynamic state and the presence of intestinal adhesions. The fistula was successfully sealed by endovascular stent graft placement. Hematemesis did not recur postoperatively and anemia gradually improved. The patient died from pneumonia 33 days later.
Sparse Cholesky Factorization on FPGA Using Parameterized Model
Authors: Sun Yichun , Liu Hengzhu , Zhou Tong
Published: October 2017

Cholesky factorization is a fundamental problem in most engineering and science computation applications. When dealing with a large sparse matrix, numerical decomposition consumes the most time. We present a vector architecture to parallelize numerical decomposition of Cholesky factorization. We construct an integrated analytical parameterized performance model to accurately predict the execution times of typical matrices under varying parameters. Our proposed approach is general for accelerator and limited by neither field‐programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) nor application‐specific integrated circuit. We implement a simplified module in FPGAs to prove the accuracy of the model. The experiments show that, for most cases, the performance differences between the predicted and measured execution are less than 10%. Based on the performance model, we optimize parameters and obtain a balance of resources and performance after analyzing the performance of varied parameter settings. Comparing with the state‐of‐the‐art implementation in CPU and GPU, we find that the performance of the optimal parameters is 2x that of CPU. Our model offers several advantages, particularly in power consumption. It provides guidance for the design of future acceleration components.
A Road Pricing Model for Congested Highways Based on Link Densities
Authors: de Grange Louis , Troncoso Rodrigo , González Felipe
Published: October 2017

A road pricing model is presented that determines tolls for congested highways. The main contribution of this paper is to include density explicitly in the pricing scheme and not just flow and time. The methodology solves a nonlinear constrained optimization problem whose objective function maximizes toll revenue or highway use (2 scenarios). The results show that the optimal tolls depend on highway design and the level of congestion. The model parameters are estimated from a Chile’s highway data. Significant differences were found between the highway’s observed tolls and the optimal toll levels for the two scenarios. The proposed approach could be applied to either planned highway concessions with recovery of capital costs or the extension or retendering of existing concessions.
Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: Old and New Promising Treatments
Authors: Rusciano Dario , Pezzino Salvatore , Mutolo Maria Giulia , Giannotti Rossella , Librando Aloisa , Pescosolido Nicola
Published: October 2017

Glaucoma is a major global cause of blindness, but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the neurodegenerative damage are not clear. Undoubtedly, the high intraocular pressure (IOP) and the secondary ischemic and mechanical damage of the optic nerve have a crucial role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. Several studies specifically analyzed the events that lead to nerve fiber layer thinning, showing the importance of both intra- and extracellular factors. In parallel, many neuroprotective substances have been tested for their efficacy and safety in hindering the negative effects that lead to RGC death. New formulations of these compounds, also suitable for chronic oral administration, are likely to be used in clinical practice in the future along with conventional therapies, in order to control the progression of the visual impairment due to primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This review illustrates some of these old and new promising agents for the adjuvant treatment of POAG, with particular emphasis on forskolin and melatonin.
Optimization of Production‐Distribution Problem in Supply Chain Management under Stochastic and Fuzzy Uncertainties
Authors: Sakalli Umit Sami
Published: October 2017

Production‐Distribution Problem (PDP) in Supply Chain Management (SCM) is an important tactical decision. One of the challenges in this decision is the size and complexity of supply chain system (SCS). On the other side, a tactical operation is a mid‐term plan for 6–12 months; therefore, it includes different types of uncertainties, which is the second challenge. In the literature, the uncertain parameters were modeled as stochastic or fuzzy. However, there are a few studies in the literature that handle stochastic and fuzzy uncertainties simultaneously in PDP. In this paper, the modeling and solution approaches of PDP which contain stochastic and fuzzy uncertainties simultaneously are investigated for a SCS that includes multiple suppliers, multiple products, multiple plants, multiple warehouses, multiple retailers, multiple transport paths, and multiple time periods, which, to the best of the author’s knowledge, is not handled in the literature. The PDP contains deterministic, fuzzy, fuzzy random, and random fuzzy parameters. To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no study in the literature which considers all of them simultaneously in PDP. An analytic solution approach has been developed by using possibilistic programming and chance‐constrained programming approaches. The proposed modeling and solution approaches are implemented in a numerical example. The solution has shown that the proposed approaches successfully handled uncertainties and produce robust solutions for PDP.
Endothelial STAT3 Modulates Protective Mechanisms in a Mouse Ischemia-Reperfusion Model of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Dube Shataakshi , Matam Tejasvi , Yen Jessica , Mang Henry E. , Dagher Pierre C. , Hato Takashi , Sutton Timothy A.
Published: October 2017

STAT3 is a transcriptional regulator that plays an important role in coordinating inflammation and immunity. In addition, there is a growing appreciation of the role STAT3 signaling plays in response to organ injury following diverse insults. Acute kidney injury (AKI) from ischemia-reperfusion injury is a common clinical entity with devastating consequences, and the recognition that endothelial alterations contribute to kidney dysfunction in this setting is of growing interest. Consequently, we used a mouse with a genetic deletion of Stat3 restricted to the endothelium to examine the role of STAT3 signaling in the pathophysiology of ischemic AKI. In a mouse model of ischemic AKI, the loss of endothelial STAT3 signaling significantly exacerbated kidney dysfunction, morphologic injury, and proximal tubular oxidative stress. The increased severity of ischemic AKI was associated with more robust endothelial-leukocyte adhesion and increased tissue accumulation of F4/80+ macrophages. Moreover, important proximal tubular adaptive mechanisms to injury were diminished in association with decreased tissue mRNA levels of the epithelial cell survival cytokine IL-22. In aggregate, these findings suggest that the endothelial STAT3 signaling plays an important role in limiting kidney dysfunction in ischemic AKI and that selective pharmacologic activation of endothelial STAT3 signaling could serve as a potential therapeutic target.
Idiopathic Giant Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Abdelbaki Ahmed , Bhatt Neeraj , Gupta Nishant , Li Shuo , Abdelbaki Shady , Kumar Yogesh
Published: October 2017

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) incidence is rising due to more common use of endoscopic and percutaneous hepatic interventions. HAP is potentially fatal, as it could lead to sudden life-threatening hemorrhage. HAP can be intrahepatic or extrahepatic. On computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), HAP follows blood pool on multiphasic examination, with brisk arterial enhancement that washes out, similar to the abdominal aorta on later phases. We present a case of idiopathic giant HAP in an 82-year-old male. Currently, angioembolization is replacing surgery as the initial modality of choice for management of this condition.
Numerical Bounds on the Price of Anarchy
Authors: Grange Louis de , Melo-Riquelme Carlos , Burgos Cristóbal , González Felipe , Raveau Sebastián
Published: October 2017

Theoretical upper bounds for price of anarchy have been calculated in previous studies. We present an empirical analysis for the price of anarchy for congested transportation networks; different network sizes and demand levels are considered for each network. We obtain a maximum price of anarchy for the cases studied, which is notably lower than the theoretical bounds reported in the literature. This result should be carefully considered in the design and implementation of road pricing mechanisms for cities.
A Novel SHLNN Based Robust Control and Tracking Method for Hypersonic Vehicle under Parameter Uncertainty
Authors: Li Chuanfeng , Wu Hao , Yang Zhile , Wang Yongji , Sun Zeyu
Published: October 2017

Hypersonic vehicle is a typical parameter uncertain system with significant characteristics of strong coupling, nonlinearity, and external disturbance. In this paper, a combined system modeling approach is proposed to approximate the actual vehicle system. The state feedback control strategy is adopted based on the robust guaranteed cost control (RGCC) theory, where the Lyapunov function is applied to get control law for nonlinear system and the problem is transformed into a feasible solution by linear matrix inequalities (LMI) method. In addition, a nonfragile guaranteed cost controller solved by LMI optimization approach is employed to the linear error system, where a single hidden layer neural network (SHLNN) is employed as an additive gain compensator to reduce excessive performance caused by perturbations and uncertainties. Simulation results show the stability and well tracking performance for the proposed strategy in controlling the vehicle system.
Pattern Extraction Algorithm for NetFlow-Based Botnet Activities Detection
Authors: Kozik Rafał , Choraś Michał
Published: October 2017

As computer and network technologies evolve, the complexity of cybersecurity has dramatically increased. Advanced cyber threats have led to current approaches to cyber-attack detection becoming ineffective. Many currently used computer systems and applications have never been deeply tested from a cybersecurity point of view and are an easy target for cyber criminals. The paradigm of security by design is still more of a wish than a reality, especially in the context of constantly evolving systems. On the other hand, protection technologies have also improved. Recently, Big Data technologies have given network administrators a wide spectrum of tools to combat cyber threats. In this paper, we present an innovative system for network traffic analysis and anomalies detection to utilise these tools. The systems architecture is based on a Big Data processing framework, data mining, and innovative machine learning techniques. So far, the proposed system implements pattern extraction strategies that leverage batch processing methods. As a use case we consider the problem of botnet detection by means of data in the form of NetFlows. Results are promising and show that the proposed system can be a useful tool to improve cybersecurity.
Off-Center Error Correction of AMR Yokeless Current Transducer
Authors: Mlejnek Pavel , Ripka Pavel
Published: October 2017

We present a method of calibration and error correction of the AMR yokeless current transducer consisting of a circular array of eight anisotropic magnetoresistors (AMR) with one feedback compensation loop. The main sources of errors are the nonidentical parameters of AMR sensors and off-center position of the measured current. It is well known that AMR sensors from the same batch have 2% spread of the sensitivity; we found that the variation of the factor of the internal compensation coil is the same. We developed a novel calibration process using the readings of individual residual uncompensated voltages of the AMRs. The position of the current inside the measurement hole is estimated from the individual voltages considering the influence of external DC magnetic field such as the Earth’s field. During the calibration phase, the sensor outputs are measured for several positions of the current conductor inside the measuring hole. As a result of calibration the lookup table of error corrections is calculated and stored in the memory, and then these values are used for the correction during the measurement of the unknown current. This procedure reduces the off-center error from 0.4% to 0.06%.
Field Experiment on Soaking Characteristics of Collapsible Loess
Authors: Wang Zhichao , Xie Yongli , Qiu Junling , Zhang Yuwei , Fan Haobo
Published: October 2017

In collapsible loess area, migration of soil moisture often causes the temporal discontinuity and spatial nonuniformity of collapsibility, which leads to great damage for infrastructures. Therefore, the research on water infiltration is the key to solving the problem of collapsibility. The aim of this paper is to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of infiltration characteristics of collapsible loess. A field soaking experiment was conducted on collapsible loess in western China, in which a soaking pool with diameter of 15 m was built. Time-Domain-Reflectometry (TDR) system and soil sampling were employed to measure the water content within the depth of 12 m. Then the saturation isograms were drawn for visualization of the process of infiltration. Also, a pilot tunnel was excavated to investigate how the free face can affect the infiltration behaviors. The experimental results revealed the characteristics of infiltration in both horizontal and vertical directions. Moreover, the response of free face on infiltration behaviors was also found. These findings of research could provide the data for the infiltration laws of unsaturated loess and thereby provide the basis for integrated treatment of collapsible loess.