bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective registration trends, reasons for retrospective registration and mechanisms to increase prospective registration compliance: descriptive analysis and survey
Authors: Hunter Kylie Elizabeth , Seidler Anna Lene , Askie Lisa M
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To analyse prospective versus retrospective trial registration trends on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and to evaluate the reasons for non-compliance with prospective registration.

Design

Part 1: Descriptive analysis of trial registration trends from 2006 to 2015. Part 2: Online registrant survey.

Participants

Part 1: All interventional trials registered on ANZCTR from 2006 to 2015. Part 2: Random sample of those who had retrospectively registered a trial on ANZCTR between 2010 and 2015.

Main outcome measures

Part 1: Proportion of prospective versus retrospective clinical trial registrations (ie, registration before versus after enrolment of the first participant) on the ANZCTR overall and by various key metrics, such as sponsor, funder, recruitment country and sample size. Part 2: Reasons for non-compliance with prospective registration and perceived usefulness of various proposed mechanisms to improve prospective registration compliance.

Results

Part 1: Analysis of the complete dataset of 9450 trials revealed that compliance with prospective registration increased from 48% (216 out of 446 trials) in 2006 to 63% (723/1148) in 2012 and has since plateaued at around 64%. Patterns of compliance were relatively consistent across sponsor and funder types (industry vs non-industry), type of intervention (drug vs non-drug) and size of trial (n<100, 100–500, >500). However, primary sponsors from Australia/New Zealand were almost twice as likely to register prospectively (62%; 4613/7452) compared with sponsors from other countries with a WHO Network Registry (35%; 377/1084) or sponsors from countries without a WHO Registry (29%; 230/781). Part 2: The majority (56%; 84/149) of survey respondents cited lack of awareness as a reason for not registering their study prospectively. Seventy-four per cent (111/149) stated that linking registration to ethics approval would facilitate prospective registration.

Conclusions

Despite some progress, compliance with prospective registration remains suboptimal. Linking registration to ethics approval was the favoured strategy among those sampled for improving compliance.
Statistics of model factors in reliability-based design of axially loaded driven piles in sand
Authors: Tang Chong , Phoon Kok-Kwang
Published: March 2018

This paper compiles 162 reliable field load tests for axially loaded driven piles in sand from previous studies. The L1–L2 method is adopted to interpret the measured resistance from the load–settlement data. The accuracy of resistance calculations with the ICP-05 and UWA-05 methods based on cone penetration test profile is evaluated by the ratio (bias or model factor) of the measured resistance to the calculated resistance. A hyperbolic model with two parameters, where the load component is normalized by the measured resistance, is utilized to fit the measured load–settlement curves. The means, coefficients of variation, and probability distributions for the resistance model factor and the hyperbolic parameters are established from the database. Copula theory is employed to characterize the correlation structure within the hyperbolic parameters. The statistical properties of the model factors are applied to calibrate the resistance factors in simplified reliability-based designs of closed-end piles driven into sand at the ultimate and serviceability limit state by Monte-Carlo simulations. A simple example is provided to illustrate the application of the proposed resistance factors to estimate the allowable load for an allowable settlement at the desired serviceability limit probability.
Radical addition to ruthenocene at low temperatures: characterization of ruthenocenyl radicals byμSR spectroscopy
Authors: McKenzie Iain
Published: March 2018

The radicals formed by muonium (Mu) addition to ruthenocene at low temperature (4–200 K) have been characterized by transverse field muon spin rotation (TF-μSR) and avoided level crossing muon spin resonance (ALC-μSR) spectroscopy. The structures of the muoniated radicals have been identified by comparing the experimentally measured muon hyperfine coupling constants with values obtained from DFT calculations (UB3LYP/DGDZVP). Mu addition was observed at the ruthenium and at the cyclopentadiene (Cp) rings, both from the exterior and interior directions. Closer agreement between the DFT calculations and the experimental values are obtained if it is assumed the structures of the Mu adducts of the Cp rings are distorted due to interactions with neighbouring molecules. Changes in the ALC-μSR spectra with temperature indicated that the electron spin relaxation rate of the Cp adducts increases with temperature; however, the specific spin relaxation mechanism is unknown.
Flavor effects in leptogenesis
Authors: Dev P. S. B. , Di Bari P. , Garbrecht B. , Lavignac S. , Millington P. , Teresi D.
Published: March 2018

Flavor effects can have a significant impact on the final estimate of the lepton (and therefore baryon) asymmetry in scenarios of leptogenesis. It is therefore necessary to account fully for this flavor dynamics in the relevant transport equations that describe the production (and washout) of the asymmetry. Doing so can both open up and restrict viable regions of parameter space relative to the predictions of more approximate calculations. In this paper, we identify the regimes in which flavor effects can be relevant and illustrate their impact in a number of phenomenological models. These include type I and type II seesaw embeddings, and low-scale resonant scenarios. In addition, we provide an overview of the semi-classical and field-theoretic methods that have been developed to capture flavor effects in a consistent way.
Probing leptogenesis
Authors: Chun E. J. , Cvetič G. , Dev P. S. B. , Drewes M. , Fong C. S. , Garbrecht B. , Hambye T. , Harz J. , Hernández P. , Kim C. S. , Molinaro E. , Nardi E. , Racker J. , Rius N. , Zamora-Saa J.
Published: March 2018

The focus of this paper lies on the possible experimental tests of leptogenesis scenarios. We consider both leptogenesis generated from oscillations, as well as leptogenesis from out-of-equilibrium decays. As the Akhmedov–Rubakov–Smirnov (ARS) mechanism allows for heavy neutrinos in the GeV range, this opens up a plethora of possible experimental tests, e.g. at neutrino oscillation experiments, neutrinoless double beta decay, and direct searches for neutral heavy leptons at future facilities. In contrast, testing leptogenesis from out-of-equilibrium decays is a quite difficult task. We comment on the necessary conditions for having successful leptogenesis at the TeV-scale. We further discuss possible realizations and their model specific testability in extended seesaw models, models with extended gauge sectors, and supersymmetric leptogenesis. Not being able to test high-scale leptogenesis directly, we present a way to falsify such scenarios by focusing on their washout processes. This is discussed specifically for the left–right symmetric model and the observation of a heavy [Formula: see text], as well as model independently when measuring [Formula: see text] washout processes at the LHC or neutrinoless double beta decay.
Pseudo-magnetic fields of strongly-curved graphene nanobubbles
Authors: Liu Li-Chi
Published: March 2018

We use the [Formula: see text]-orbital axis vector (POAV) analysis to deal with large curvature effect of graphene in the tight-binding model. To test the validities of pseudo-magnetic fields (PMFs) derived from the tight-binding model and the model with Dirac equation coupled to a curved surface, we propose two types of spatially constant-field topographies for strongly-curved graphene nanobubbles, which correspond to these two models, respectively. It is shown from the latter model that the PMF induced by any spherical graphene nanobubble is always equivalent to the magnetic field caused by one magnetic monopole charge distributed on a complete spherical surface with the same radius. Such a PMF might be attributed to the isometry breaking of a graphene layer attached conformably to a spherical substrate with adhesion.
Bifurcation Gaps in Asymmetric and High-Dimensional Hypercycles
Authors: Puig Júlia , Farré Gerard , Guillamon Antoni , Fontich Ernest , Sardanyés Josep
Published: March 2018

Hypercycles are catalytic systems with cyclic architecture. These systems have been suggested to play a key role in the maintenance and increase of information in prebiotic replicators. It is known that for a large enough number of hypercycle species ([Formula: see text]) the coexistence of all hypercycle members is governed by a stable periodic orbit. Previous research has characterized saddle-node (s-n) bifurcations involving abrupt transitions from stable hypercycles to extinction of all hypercycle members, or, alternatively, involving the outcompetition of the hypercycle by so-called mutant sequences or parasites. Recently, the presence of a bifurcation gap between a s-n bifurcation of periodic orbits and a s-n of fixed points has been described for symmetric five-member hypercycles. This gap was found between the value of the replication quality factor [Formula: see text] from which the periodic orbit vanishes ([Formula: see text]) and the value where two unstable (nonzero) equilibrium points collide ([Formula: see text]). Here, we explore the persistence of this gap considering asymmetries in replication rates in five-member hypercycles as well as considering symmetric, larger hypercycles. Our results indicate that both the asymmetry in Malthusian replication constants and the increase in hypercycle members enlarge the size of this gap. The implications of this phenomenon are discussed in the context of delayed transitions associated to the so-called saddle remnants.
Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of a Three-Species Food Chain Model with Fear
Authors: Panday Pijush , Pal Nikhil , Samanta Sudip , Chattopadhyay Joydev
Published: March 2018

In the present paper, we investigate the impact of fear in a tri-trophic food chain model. We propose a three-species food chain model, where the growth rate of middle predator is reduced due to the cost of fear of top predator, and the growth rate of prey is suppressed due to the cost of fear of middle predator. Mathematical properties such as equilibrium analysis, stability analysis, bifurcation analysis and persistence have been investigated. We also describe the global stability analysis of the equilibrium points. Our numerical simulations reveal that cost of fear in basal prey may exhibit bistability by producing unstable limit cycles, however, fear in middle predator can replace unstable limit cycles by a stable limit cycle or a stable interior equilibrium. We observe that fear can stabilize the system from chaos to stable focus through the period-halving phenomenon. We conclude that chaotic dynamics can be controlled by the fear factors. We apply basic tools of nonlinear dynamics such as Poincaré section and maximum Lyapunov exponent to identify the chaotic behavior of the system.
Infinite Number of Hidden Attractors in Memristor-Based Autonomous Duffing Oscillator
Authors: Varshney Vaibhav , Sabarathinam S. , Prasad Awadhesh , Thamilmaran K.
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the recent and emerging phenomenon of hidden oscillations is observed in a newly implemented memristor-based autonomous Duffing oscillator for the first time. The hidden oscillations are presented and quantified by various statistical measures. The system shows a large number of hidden attractors for a wide range of the system parameters. This study indicates that hidden oscillations can exist not only in piecewise-linear but also in smooth nonlinear circuits and systems. The distribution of Lyapunov exponents and the basin of attraction are explored to understand the nature of the hidden oscillations. We have also discussed the new phenomenon of periodic line invariant. An experimental demonstration is also presented using real time analog circuit.
Jump Resonance in Fractional Order Circuits
Authors: Buscarino Arturo , Caponetto Riccardo , Famoso Carlo , Fortuna Luigi
Published: March 2018

The occurrence of an hysteretic loop in the frequency response of a driven nonlinear system is a phenomenon deeply investigated in nonlinear control theory. Such a phenomenon, which is linked to the multistable behavior of the system, is called jump resonance, since the magnitude of the frequency response is subjected to an abrupt jump up/down with respect to the increasing/decreasing of the frequency of the driving signal. In this paper, we aim at investigating fractional order nonlinear systems showing jump resonance, that is systems in which the order of the derivative is noninteger and their frequency response has a magnitude that is a multivalued function in a given range of frequencies. Furthermore, a strategy for designing fractional order systems showing jump resonance is presented along with the procedure to design and implement an analog circuit based on the approximation of the fractional order derivative. An extensive numerical analysis allows one to assess that the phenomenon is robust to the difference in the derivative order, enlightening the first example of a system with order lower than two which is able to demonstrate a jump resonance behavior.
On Lorenz and Chen Systems
Authors: Barboza Ruy
Published: March 2018

In this work, a simple comparative analysis on the Lorenz and the Chen systems is presented, in order to understand some aspects that make these two systems distinct from one another.
STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF MULTILAYER SOFTWARE NETWORKS: A CASE STUDY IN TOMCAT
Authors: PAN WEIFENG , HU BO , DONG JILEI , LIU KUN , JIANG BO
Published: March 2018

Statistical properties of software networks have been extensively studied. However, in the previous works, software networks are usually considered as a single-layer network, which cannot capture the authentic characteristics of software since software in its nature should be multilayer. In this paper, we explore the structural properties of the multilayer software network at the class level by progressively merging layers together, where each coupling type such as inheritance, implements, and method call defines a specific layer. A case study in software Tomcat is conducted using a set of 10 measures widely used in complex network literatures. The results show that some structural properties that are widely observed in software network researches can only emerge when several layers are merged together, such as high clustering coefficient, small value of average shortest path length, and high global efficiency. Our study highlights the importance of taking into consideration the multilayer nature of software systems. The results we found can provide valuable insights to our understanding and modeling of the dynamical processes taking place in the design and development of software systems.
Patient-Specific Echo-Based Left Ventricle Models for Active Contraction and Relaxation Using Different Zero-Load Diastole and Systole Geometries
Authors: Fan Longling , Yao Jing , Yang Chun , Xu Di , Tang Dalin
Published: March 2018

A new modeling approach using two different zero-load geometries (diastole and systole) was introduced to properly model active contraction and relaxation for more accurate stress/strain calculations. Ventricle diastole and systole material parameter values were also determined based on in vivo data. Echo-based computational two-layer left ventricle (LV) models using one zero-load geometry (1G) and two zero-load geometries (2G) were constructed. Material parameter values in Mooney–Rivlin models were also adjusted to match echo LV volume data. Effective Young’s moduli (YM) were calculated for ventricle materials for easy comparison. The 2G models may lead to more accurate ventricle stress/strain calculations and material parameter value estimations.
Sol–Gel Synthesis of Porous Li2TiO3 for High-Performance Electrochemical Supercapacitors
Authors: Mao Hui , Li Bing
Published: March 2018

Metal titanates have been considered as one of the most promising materials for supercapacitors because of their excellent properties. In this work, porous lithium titanate (Li2TiO3) nanomaterials were prepared by sol–gel method using lithiumhydroxide hydrate and tetrabutyl titanate as precursors and polystyrene spheres as a template. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) result revealed a large specific surface area of the Li2TiO3 nanomaterials. More importantly, the porous Li2TiO3 nanomaterials were examined as the electrode materials of supercapacitors. Such porous Li2TiO3 nanomaterials’ electrode exhibited a specific capacitance of 195[Formula: see text]F[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] at a current density of 1[Formula: see text]A[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text] with a capacity retention of 96.3% after 5000 cycles in 3[Formula: see text]M KOH aqueous electrolyte. These superior results indicate that the porous Li2TiO3 nanomaterials are excellent materials for high-performance energy storage devices.
Synthetic aperture-based linear-array photoacoustic tomography considering the aperture orientation effect
Authors: Lin Xiangwei , Yu Jaesok , Feng Naizhang , Sun Mingjian
Published: March 2018

The synthetic aperture-based linear-array photoacoustic tomography (PAT) was proposed to address the limited-view shortcomings of the single aperture, but the detection field of view (FOV) determined by the aperture orientation effect was not fully considered yet, leading to the limited-view observation and image resolution degradation. Herein, the aperture orientation effect was proposed from the theoretical model and then it was verified via both the numerical simulation and phantom experiment. Different orientations were enumerated sequentially in the simulation to approximate the ideal full-view case for the optimal detection FOV, considering the detection pattern of the linear-array transducer. As a result, the corresponding optimal aperture orientation was 60[Formula: see text] if the synthetic aperture was seamlessly established by three single linear arrays, where the overlapped detection pattern was optimized from the individual linear-array transducer at the adjacent positions. Therefore, the limited-view artifacts were minimized and the image resolution was enhanced in this aperture orientation. This study showed that the aperture orientation had great influence on the optimal detection FOV in the synthetic aperture configuration, where the full-view imaging quality and enhanced image resolution could be achieved.
Cost-Effective and Passive RF-Based Drone Presence Detection and Characterization
Authors: Nguyen Phuc , Truong Hoang , Ravindranathan Mahesh , Nguyen Anh , Han Richard , Vu Tam
Published: March 2018

Excerpted from "Matthan: Drone Presence Detection by Identifying Physical Signatures in the Drone's RF Communication," from MobiSys 2017, Proceedings of the 15th Annual ACM International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications, and Services, with permission. https://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=3081354 © ACM 2017.

The rapidly increasing attention regarding drone privacy and security issues requires a robust solution in both detecting and characterizing unauthorized drones. We have designed a RF-based, cost-effective and passive drone detection system, named Matthan, based on two key physical signatures of the drones, i.e., body shifting and body vibration, in the drone's wireless communication channel. In realizing Matthan, there are many open challenges in wireless sensing and networking, software-defined radio deployment, network synchronization to passively and accurately detect, localize, and characterize drones.
Wearable and Implantable Sensors for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Koydemir Hatice Ceylan , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: March 2018

Mobile health technologies offer great promise for reducing healthcare costs and improving patient care. Wearable and implantable technologies are contributing to a transformation in the mobile health era in terms of improving healthcare and health outcomes and providing real-time guidance on improved health management and tracking. In this article, we review the biomedical applications of wearable and implantable medical devices and sensors, ranging from monitoring to prevention of diseases, as well as the materials used in the fabrication of these devices and the standards for wireless medical devices and mobile applications. We conclude by discussing some of the technical challenges in wearable and implantable technology and possible solutions for overcoming these difficulties.
Gas Cluster Ion Beams for Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Winograd Nicholas
Published: March 2018

Gas cluster ion beams (GCIBs) provide new opportunities for bioimaging and molecular depth profiling with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). These beams, consisting of clusters containing thousands of particles, initiate desorption of target molecules with high yield and minimal fragmentation. This review emphasizes the unique opportunities for implementing these sources, especially for bioimaging applications. Theoretical aspects of the cluster ion/solid interaction are developed to maximize conditions for successful mass spectrometry. In addition, the history of how GCIBs have become practical laboratory tools is reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the versatility of these sources, as size, kinetic energy, and chemical composition can be varied easily to maximize lateral resolution, hopefully to less than 1 micron, and to maximize ionization efficiency. Recent examples of bioimaging applications are also presented.
2-Oxoglutarate-Dependent Oxygenases
Authors: Islam Md. Saiful , Leissing Thomas M. , Chowdhury Rasheduzzaman , Hopkinson Richard J. , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: March 2018

2-Oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenases (2OGXs) catalyze a remarkably diverse range of oxidative reactions. In animals, these comprise hydroxylations and N-demethylations proceeding via hydroxylation; in plants and microbes, they catalyze a wider range including ring formations, rearrangements, desaturations, and halogenations. The catalytic flexibility of 2OGXs is reflected in their biological functions. After pioneering work identified the roles of 2OGXs in collagen biosynthesis, research revealed they also function in plant and animal development, transcriptional regulation, nucleic acid modification/repair, fatty acid metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, including of medicinally important antibiotics. In plants, 2OGXs are important agrochemical targets and catalyze herbicide degradation. Human 2OGXs, particularly those regulating transcription, are current therapeutic targets for anemia and cancer. Here, we give an overview of the biochemistry of 2OGXs, providing examples linking to biological function, and outline how knowledge of their enzymology is being exploited in medicine, agrochemistry, and biocatalysis.
Directed Evolution of Protein Catalysts
Authors: Zeymer Cathleen , Hilvert Donald
Published: March 2018

Directed evolution is a powerful technique for generating tailor-made enzymes for a wide range of biocatalytic applications. Following the principles of natural evolution, iterative cycles of mutagenesis and screening or selection are applied to modify protein properties, enhance catalytic activities, or develop completely new protein catalysts for non-natural chemical transformations. This review briefly surveys the experimental methods used to generate genetic diversity and screen or select for improved enzyme variants. Emphasis is placed on a key challenge, namely how to generate novel catalytic activities that expand the scope of natural reactions. Two particularly effective strategies, exploiting catalytic promiscuity and rational design, are illustrated by representative examples of successfully evolved enzymes. Opportunities for extending these approaches to more complex biocatalytic systems are also considered.
Nanodiscs: A Controlled Bilayer Surface for the Study of Membrane Proteins
Authors: McLean Mark A. , Gregory Michael C. , Sligar Stephen G.
Published: March 2018

The study of membrane proteins and receptors presents many challenges to researchers wishing to perform biophysical measurements to determine the structure, function, and mechanism of action of such components. In most cases, to be fully functional, proteins and receptors require the presence of a native phospholipid bilayer. In addition, many complex multiprotein assemblies involved in cellular communication require an integral membrane protein as well as a membrane surface for assembly and information transfer to soluble partners in a signaling cascade. Incorporation of membrane proteins into Nanodiscs renders the target soluble and provides a native bilayer environment with precisely controlled composition of lipids, cholesterol, and other components. Likewise, Nanodiscs provide a surface of defined area useful in revealing lipid specificity and affinities for the assembly of signaling complexes. In this review, we highlight several biophysical techniques made possible through the use of Nanodiscs.
Toward Robotic Manipulation
Authors: Mason Matthew T.
Published: March 2018

This article surveys manipulation, including both biological and robotic manipulation. Biology inspires robotics and demonstrates aspects of manipulation that are far in the future of robotics. Robotics develops concepts and principles that become evident only in the creative process. Robotics also provides a test of our understanding. As Richard Feynman put it: “What I cannot create, I do not understand.”
Resveratrol regulates blood pressure by enhancing AMPK signaling to downregulate a Rac1-derived NADPH oxidase in the central nervous system
Authors: Yeh Tung-Chen , Shin Ching-Sen , Chen Hsin-Hung , Lai Chi-Cheng , Sun Gwo-Ching , Tseng Ching-Jiunn , Cheng Pei-Wen
Published: March 2018

Resveratrol is a polyphenol with pleiotropic effects against oxidative damage that has been widely implicated in lowering hypertension risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether improve nitric oxide (NO) release in the brain, either through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or reduced Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, thereby reducing blood pressure (BP) in rats with fructose-induced hypertension. The rats were fed with 10% fructose or Crestor (rosuvastatin; 1.5 mg·kg−1·day−1) and resveratrol (10 mg·kg−1·day−1) treatment for 1 wk, then the systolic blood pressure of the rats was measured by tail-cuff method. Endogenous in vivo superoxide radical production in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) was determined with dihydroethidium. Immunoblotting analyses were used to quantify protein expression levels. Oral resveratrol treatment for 1 wk decreased BP and increased NO production in the NTS of fructose-fed rats but not in the control Wistar-Kyoto rats. The effect of Crestor is opposite that of resveratrol. Fructose induced hypertension by inactivating AMPK, which in turn enhanced the generation of ROS and reduced manganese superoxide dismutase by increasing the activity of Rac1-induced NADPH oxidase, abolishing the activity of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) phosphorylation signaling pathway in the brain. However, resveratrol had the opposite effect in the fructose-fed rats. Overall, we show that the resveratrol decreased BP better than Crestor, abolished ROS generation, and enhanced the ERK1/2-RSK-nNOS pathway by activating AMPK to downregulate Rac1-induced NADPH oxidase levels in the NTS during oxidative stress–associated hypertension.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY 1) Evidence showed that the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) augmented by Crestor (rosuvastatin) did not result in a significant change in blood pressure (BP) in fructose-induced hypertension. 2) Fructose induced hypertension by inactivating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which in turn enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced manganese superoxide dismutase in the brain. 3) Resveratrol decreased BP better than Crestor, abolished ROS generation, and enhanced the ERK1/2-ribosomal protein S6 kinase-neuronal nitric oxide synthase pathway by activating AMPK to negatively regulate Rac1-induced NADPH oxidase levels in the nucleus tractus solitarii during oxidative stress–associated hypertension.
Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy: Are We Ready to Individualize Radiation?
Authors: Everett Ashlyn S. , Boggs Drexell Hunter , De Los Santos Jennifer F.
Published: March 2018

Contemporary recommendations for postmastectomy radiation have undergone a shift in thinking away from simple stage based recommendations (one size fits all) to a system that considers both tumor biology and host factors. While surgical staging has traditionally dictated indications for postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), our current understanding of tumor biology, host, immunoprofiles, and tumor microenvironment may direct a more personalized approach to radiation. Understanding the interaction of these variables may permit individualization of adjuvant therapy aimed at appropriate escalation and deescalation, including recommendations for PMRT. This article summarizes the current data regarding tumor and host molecular biomarkers in vitro and in vivo that support the individualization of PMRT and discusses open questions that may alter the future of breast cancer treatment.
The Asymptotic Behavior of Particle Size Distribution Undergoing Brownian Coagulation Based on the Spline-Based Method and TEMOM Model
Authors: He Qing , Xie Mingliang
Published: March 2018

In this paper, the particle size distribution is reconstructed using finite moments based on a converted spline-based method, in which the number of linear system of equations to be solved reduced from 4m × 4m to (m + 3) × (m + 3) for (m + 1) nodes by using cubic spline compared to the original method. The results are verified by comparing with the reference firstly. Then coupling with the Taylor-series expansion moment method, the evolution of particle size distribution undergoing Brownian coagulation and its asymptotic behavior are investigated.
Increases in Heart Rate Variability Signal Improved Outcomes in Rapid Response Team Consultations: A Cohort Study
Authors: Salahuddin Nawal , Shafquat Azam , Marashly Qussay , Zaza Khaled Juan , Sharshir Moh’d , Khurshid Moazzum , Ali Zeeshan , Malgapo Melissa , Jamil Mouhamad Ghyath , Shoukri Mohamed , Hijazi Mohammed , Al-Ghamdi Bandar
Published: March 2018

Background. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV) indicates dominance of the sympathetic system and a state of “physiologic stress.” We postulated that, in patients with critical illness, increases in HRV might signal successful resuscitation and improved prognosis. Methods. We carried out a prospective observational study of HRV on all patients referred to the rapid response team (RRT) and correlated with serial vital signs, lactate clearance, ICU admission, and mortality. Results. Ninety-one patients were studied. Significantly higher HRV was observed in patients who achieved physiological stability and did not need ICU admission: ASDNN 19 versus 34.5, p=0.032; rMSSD 13.5 versus 25, p=0.046; mean VLF 9.4 versus 17, p=0.021; mean LF 5.8 versus 12.4, p=0.018; and mean HF 4.7 versus 10.5, p=0.017. ROC curves confirmed the change in very low frequencies at 2 hours as a strong predictor for ICU admission with an AUC of 0.772 (95% CI 0.633, 0.911, p=0.001) and a cutoff value of −0.65 associated with a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 61%. Conclusions. Reduced HRV, specifically VLF, appears closely related to greater severity of critical illness, identifies unsuccessful resuscitation, and can be used to identify consultations that need early ICU admission.
Effect of Curing Conditions and Freeze‐Thaw Cycles on the Strength of an Expansive Soil Stabilized with a Combination of Lime, Jaggery, and Gallnut Powder
Authors: James Jijo , Karthickeyan S. , Chidambaram S. , Dayanandan B. , Karthick K.
Published: March 2018

This investigation involved the utilization of the combination of lime, jaggery, and gallnut powder, adopted in South India traditionally. This combination of materials, used for the manufacture of lime‐based mortars, was adopted in stabilization of an expansive soil. Three combinations of lime, jaggery, and gallnut powder (LJG) in the ratios of 8 : 2 : 2, 8 : 2 : 1, and 8 : 1 : 2 were put into use. The effect of subjecting the combinations to alternate cycles of freeze‐thaw (up to 3 cycles) and three different curing conditions of air, moisture, and heat was also investigated. In addition, a mineralogical investigation for studying the reaction products was also carried out. The investigation proceeded with the determination of the unconfined compression strength (UCS) of stabilized specimens of dimensions 38 mm × 76 mm, cured for periods of 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. The results of the investigation revealed that the addition of LJG resulted in an increase in the strength of the stabilized soil. Freeze‐thaw cycles resulted in a reduction in strength with LJG821 proving to be the most optimal combination developing the maximum strength and least strength loss due to freeze‐thaw cycles. Thermal curing proved to be the most optimal curing condition out of all curing conditions evaluated.
Adaptive Transmission Power Control for Reliable Data Forwarding in Sensor Based Networks
Authors: Teng Haojun , Liu Xiao , Liu Anfeng , Shen Hailan , Huang Changqin , Wang Tian
Published: March 2018

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), many applications require a high reliability for the sensing data forwarding to sink. Due to the lossy nature of wireless channels, achieving reliable communication through multihop forwarding can be very challenging. Broadcast technology is an effective way to improve the communication reliability so that the data can be received by multiple receiver nodes. As long as the data of any one of the receiver nodes is transmitted to the sink, the data can be transmitted successfully. In this paper, a cross‐layer optimization protocol named Adaptive transmission Power control based Reliable data Forwarding (APRF) scheme by using broadcast technology is proposed to improve the reliability of network and reduce communication delay. The main contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) for general data aggregation sensor networks, through the theoretical analysis, the energy consumption characteristics of the network are obtained. (2) According to the case that the energy consumption of near‐sink area is high and that in far‐sink area is low, a cross‐layer optimization method is adopted, which can effectively improve the data communication by increasing the transmission power of the remaining energy nodes. (3) Since the reliability of communication is improved by increasing the transmission power of the node, the number of retransmissions of the data packet is reduced, so that the delay of the packet reaching the sink node is reduced. The theoretical and experimental results show that, applying APRF scheme under initial transmission power of 0 dBm, although the lifetime dropped by 13.77%, delay could be reduced by 40.37%, network reliability could be reduced by 10.08%, and volume of data arriving at sink increased by 10.08% compared with retransmission‐only mechanism.
Cryptocurrency Networks: A New P2P Paradigm
Authors: Delgado-Segura Sergi , Pérez-Solà Cristina , Herrera-Joancomartí Jordi , Navarro-Arribas Guillermo , Borrell Joan
Published: March 2018

P2P networks are the mechanism used by cryptocurrencies to disseminate system information while keeping the whole system as much decentralized as possible. Cryptocurrency P2P networks have new characteristics that propose new challenges and avoid some problems of existing P2P networks. By characterizing the most relevant cryptocurrency network, Bitcoin, we provide details on different properties of cryptocurrency networks and their similarities and differences with standard P2P network paradigms. Our study allows us to conclude that cryptocurrency networks present a new paradigm of P2P networks due to the mechanisms they use to achieve high resilience and security. With this new paradigm, interesting research lines can be further developed, both in the focused field of P2P cryptocurrency networks and also when such networks are combined with other distributed scenarios.
Approximate Prediction-Based Control Method for Nonlinear Oscillatory Systems with Applications to Chaotic Systems
Authors: Chagas Thiago P. , Bliman Pierre-Alexandre , Kienitz Karl H.
Published: March 2018

The approximate Prediction-Based Control method (aPBC) is the continuous-time version of the well-known Prediction-Based Chaos Control method applied to stabilize periodic orbits of nonlinear dynamical systems. The method is based on estimating future states of the free system response of continuous-time systems using the solution from the Runge-Kutta implicit method in real time. Some aspects of aPBC are evaluated in the present work, particularly its robustness to low future states estimation precision is exemplified.
Implementation and Evaluation of WLAN 802.11ac for Residential Networks in NS-3
Authors: Amewuda Andy Bubune , Katsriku Ferdinand Apietu , Abdulai Jamal-Deen
Published: March 2018

Wi-Fi has been an amazingly successful technology. Its success may be attributed to the fact that, despite the significant advances made in technology over the last decade, it has remained backward compatible. 802.11ac is the latest version of the wireless LAN (WLAN) standard that is currently being adopted, and it promises to deliver very high throughput (VHT), operating at the 5 GHz band. In this paper, we report on an implementation of 802.11ac wireless LAN for residential scenario based on the 802.11ax task group scenario document. We evaluate the 802.11ac protocol performance under different operating conditions. Key features such as modulation coding set (MCS), frame aggregation, and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) were investigated. We also evaluate the average throughput, delay, jitter, optimum range for goodput, and effect of station (STA) density per access point (AP) in a network. ns-3, an open source network simulator with features supporting 802.11ac, was used to perform the simulation. Results obtained indicate that very high data rates are achievable. The highest data rate, the best mean delay, and mean jitter are possible under combined features of 802.11ac (MIMO and A-MPDU).
Investigations on the Effect of Radius Rotor in Combined Darrieus-Savonius Wind Turbine
Authors: Sahim Kaprawi , Santoso Dyos , Puspitasari Dewi
Published: March 2018

Renewable sources of energy, abundant in availability, are needed to be exploited with adaptable technology. For wind energy, the wind turbine is very well adapted to generate electricity. Among the different typologies, small scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT) present the greatest potential for off-grid power generation at low wind speeds. The combined Darrieus-Savonius wind turbine is intended to enhance the performance of the Darrieus rotor in low speed. In combined turbine, the Savonius buckets are always attached at the rotor shaft and the Darrieus blades are installed far from the shaft which have arm attaching to the shaft. A simple combined turbine offers two rotors on the same shaft. The combined turbine that consists of two Darrieus and Savonius blades was tested in wind tunnel test section with constant wind velocity and its performance was assessed in terms of power and torque coefficients. The study gives the effect of the radius ratio between Savonius and Darrieus rotor on the performance of the turbine. The results show that there is a significant influence on the turbine performance if the radius ratio was changed.
An Incremental Optimal Weight Learning Machine of Single-Layer Neural Networks
Authors: Ke Hai-Feng , Lu Cheng-Bo , Li Xiao-Bo , Zhang Gao-Yan , Mei Ying , Shen Xue-Wen
Published: March 2018

An optimal weight learning machine with growth of hidden nodes and incremental learning (OWLM-GHNIL) is given by adding random hidden nodes to single hidden layer feedforward networks (SLFNs) one by one or group by group. During the growth of the networks, input weights and output weights are updated incrementally, which can implement conventional optimal weight learning machine (OWLM) efficiently. The simulation results and statistical tests also demonstrate that the OWLM-GHNIL has better generalization performance than other incremental type algorithms.
A Conservative Weight Loss Intervention Relieves Bowel Symptoms in Morbidly Obese Subjects with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Aasbrenn Martin , Lydersen Stian , Farup Per G.
Published: March 2018

Background. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common in subjects with morbid obesity; the effect of weight loss programs on bowel symptoms is largely unknown. Methods. This prospective cohort study explored bowel symptoms, health scores, and biomarkers in subjects with morbid obesity during a six-month-long conservative weight loss intervention. Bowel symptoms were assessed with IBS-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS) and Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale-IBS. Changes in all variables and associations between the changes in bowel symptoms and the other variables were analysed. Results. Eighty-eight subjects (81% females) were included. Body mass index was reduced from 42.0 (3.6) to 38.7 (3.5) (p<0.001). IBS-SSS was reduced from 116 (104) to 81 (84) (p=0.001). In all, 19 out of 25 variables improved significantly. In subjects with and without IBS at inclusion, the improvement in IBS-SSS was 88 (95% CI 55 to 121) and 10 (95% CI −9 to 29), respectively. Improved bowel symptoms were associated with improved subjective well-being, sense of humour, and vitamin D and negatively associated with reduced body mass index. Conclusion. Body mass index and health scores improved during a conservative weight loss intervention. Subjects with IBS before the intervention had a clinically significant improvement in bowel symptoms.
Application of Fuzzy Control in a Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverter
Authors: Zheng Zhaohong , Zhang Tianxia , Xue Jiaxiang
Published: March 2018

To realize the maximum power output of a grid-connected inverter, the MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control method is needed. The perturbation and observation (P&O) method can cause the inverter operating point to oscillate near the maximum power. In this paper, the fuzzy control P&O method is proposed, and the fuzzy control algorithm is applied to the disturbance observation method. The simulation results of the P&O method with fuzzy control and the traditional P&O method prove that not only can the new method reduce the power loss caused by inverter oscillation during maximum power point tracking, but also it has the advantage of speed. Inductive loads in the post-grid-connected stage cause grid-connected current distortion. A fuzzy control algorithm is added to the traditional deadbeat grid-connected control method to improve the quality of the system’s grid-connected operation. The fuzzy deadbeat control method is verified by experiments, and the harmonic current of the grid-connected current is less than 3%.
Accuracy Assessment for the Three-Dimensional Coordinates by High-Speed Videogrammetric Measurement
Authors: Liu Xianglei , Tang Yi , Ma Jing
Published: March 2018

High-speed CMOS camera is a new kind of transducer to make the videogrammetric measurement for monitoring the displacement of high-speed shaking table structure. The purpose of this paper is to validate the three-dimensional coordinate accuracy of the shaking table structure acquired from the presented high-speed videogrammetric measuring system. In the paper, all of the key intermediate links are discussed, including the high-speed CMOS videogrammetric measurement system, the layout of the control network, the elliptical target detection, and the accuracy validation of final 3D spatial results. Through the accuracy analysis, the submillimeter accuracy can be made for the final the three-dimensional spatial coordinates which certify that the proposed high-speed videogrammetric technique is a better alternative technique which can replace the traditional transducer technique for monitoring the dynamic response for the shaking table structure.
Combination of Multifocal Electroretinogram and Spectral-Domain OCT Can Increase Diagnostic Efficacy of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Huang Jiang , Li Yi , Xiao Jianjiang , Zhang Qin , Xu Guoxu , Wu Guanhui , Liu Tong , Luo Weifeng
Published: March 2018

Background. The retinal changes have been identified in morphology and function in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the controversial results suggest that it is incredible that only using a single method for testing retinal change to evaluate Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this study was to assess retinal changes and increase the diagnostic efficacy of Parkinson’s disease with a combination of multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) examinations. Method. Fifty-three PD patients and forty-one healthy controls were enrolled. Subjects were assessed for retinal function using mf-ERG and retinal structure using SD-OCT. Results. The PD patients had a significantly decreased amplitude density of P1 and a delayed implicit time of P1 in some regions. The macular retinal thickness, macular volume, and average RNFL thickness were decreased in PD. The AUC of a single parameter of either retinal function or structure was low. Both of them were higher in diagnostic value to discriminate PD patients. Conclusion. The amplitude density of P1 combined with macular volume can get a high diagnostic efficacy to discriminate between participants with or without PD. It indicates that a combination of mf-ERG and SD-OCT provides a good clinical biomarker for diagnosis of PD.
Rhythms of the Collective Brain: Metastable Synchronization and Cross‐Scale Interactions in Connected Multitudes
Authors: Aguilera Miguel
Published: March 2018

Crowd behaviour challenges our fundamental understanding of social phenomena. Involving complex interactions between multiple temporal and spatial scales of activity, its governing mechanisms defy conventional analysis. Using 1.5 million Twitter messages from the 15M movement in Spain as an example of multitudinous self‐organization, we describe the coordination dynamics of the system measuring phase‐locking statistics at different frequencies using wavelet transforms, identifying 8 frequency bands of entrained oscillations between 15 geographical nodes. Then we apply maximum entropy inference methods to describe Ising models capturing transient synchrony in our data at each frequency band. The models show that (1) all frequency bands of the system operate near critical points of their parameter space and (2) while fast frequencies present only a few metastable states displaying all‐or‐none synchronization, slow frequencies present a diversity of metastable states of partial synchronization. Furthermore, describing the state at each frequency band using the energy of the corresponding Ising model, we compute transfer entropy to characterize cross‐scale interactions between frequency bands, showing (1) a cascade of upward information flows in which each frequency band influences its contiguous slower bands and (2) downward information flows where slow frequencies modulate distant fast frequencies.